US09640444B2
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device with a field effect transistor. The method may include forming a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode extending substantially parallel to each other and each crossing a PMOSFET region on a substrate and an NMOSFET region on the substrate; forming an interlayered insulating layer covering the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode; patterning the interlayered insulating layer to form a first sub contact hole on the first gate electrode, the first sub contact hole being positioned between the PMOSFET region and the NMOSFET region, when viewed in a plan view; and patterning the interlayered insulating layer to form a first gate contact hole and to expose a top surface of the second gate electrode, wherein the first sub contact hole and the first gate contact hole form a single communication hole.
US09640441B2
An embodiment is an integrated circuit structure including two insulation regions over a substrate with one of the two insulation regions including a void, at least a bottom surface of the void being defined by the one of the two insulation regions. The integrated circuit structure further includes a first semiconductor strip between and adjoining the two insulation regions, where the first semiconductor strip includes a top portion forming a fin over top surfaces of the two insulation regions, a gate dielectric over a top surface and sidewalls of the fin, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric.
US09640436B1
A semiconductor device includes a source and drain on a substrate; a first and second gate on the source, and the second gate and a third gate on the drain; a source contact over the source and between the first and second gates, the source contact including first and second portions, the first portion in contact with the source and extending between the first and second gates, and the second portion contacting the first portion and extending over the first and second gates; and a drain contact formed over the drain and between the second and third gates, the drain contact including first and second portions, the first portion contacting the drain, extending between second and third gates, and recessed with respect to the first portion of the source contact, and the second portion in contact with the first portion and extending between and over the second and third gates.
US09640434B2
A method for processing an electroplated copper film in copper interconnect process is disclosed by the present invention. Firstly, in the copper back-end-of-line interconnect process, the first annealing process for the electroplated copper film is performed at or below 180° C.; then, after the copper back-end-of-line interconnect process, another annealing process with higher temperature (equal or above 240° C.) to the electroplated copper film is performed to make the copper recrystallize, so as to decrease the resistivity of the electroplated copper film and form an interface state having lower resistivity at the interface of the vias bottom, which decrease the contact resistance between the vias and the underlying copper interconnects and further reduce the RC time delay in the vias. The present invention can be applied in the Cu/Low-k back-end-of-line interconnect process and compatible with the standard Cu/Low-k back-end-of-line process integration.
US09640432B2
The disclosed subject matter provides a memory device structure and a fabricating method thereof. The memory device structure includes a substrate including a device region and a peripheral region; multiple gate structures; a first dielectric layer, a second barrier layer, multiple source interconnecting lines, and multiple drain region plugs; a second dielectric layer in the device region include multiple source line plugs, and multiple second drain region plugs, and multiple controlling gate plugs; a third dielectric layer including multiple first conductive layers; a fourth dielectric layer including multiple interconnecting structures; a fifth dielectric layer including multiple second conductive layers; and a sixth dielectric layer including multiple third conductive layers.
US09640423B2
Integrated circuits and methods for producing the same are provided. In accordance with one embodiment a method of producing an integrated circuit includes forming a trench defined by a first material. The trench is filled with a second material to produce a gap defined within the second material, where the second material is in a solid state. The second material is reflowed within the trench to reduce a volume of the gap, and the second material is then solidified within the trench.
US09640421B2
Examples of the various techniques introduced here include, but not limited to, a mesa height adjustment approach during shallow trench isolation formation, a transistor via first approach, and a multiple absorption layer approach. As described further below, the techniques introduced herein include a variety of aspects that can individually and/or collectively resolve or mitigate one or more traditional limitations involved with manufacturing PDs and transistors on the same substrate, such as above discussed reliability, performance, and process temperature issues.
US09640413B2
Provided is an etching-before-packaging horizontal chip three-dimensional system level metal circuit board structure comprising a metal substrate frame; the metal substrate frame is provided with base islands and pins therein; the front faces of the base islands are provided with chips; the front faces of the chips are connected to the front faces of the pins via metal wires; conductive posts are disposed on the front faces or back faces of the pins; the peripheral areas of the base islands, the areas between the base islands and the pins, the areas between the pins, the areas above the base islands and the pins, the areas below the base islands and the pins, and the exteriors of the chips, the metal wires and the conductive posts are all encapsulated with molding compound.
US09640411B2
Method for manufacturing a transistor device comprising a germanium channel material on a silicon based substrate, the method comprising providing a shallow trench isolation (STI) substrate comprising a silicon protrusion embedded in STI dielectric structures, and partially recessing the silicon protrusion in order to provide a trench in between adjacent STI structures, and to provide a V-shaped groove at an upper surface of the recessed protrusion. The method also includes growing a Si1-xGex SRB layer in the trenches, and growing a germanium based channel layer on the Si1-xGex SRB layer. In this example, the Si1-xGex SRB layer comprises a germanium content x that is within the range of 20% to 99%, and the SRB layer has a thickness less than 400 nm. The present disclosure also relates to an associated transistor device.
US09640410B2
According to one embodiment, a pattern formation method includes forming a resist pattern on an underlying film, slimming the resist pattern, forming a pinning portion having affinity for a first polymer by depositing, on a surface of the slimmed resist pattern, an etching product produced by etching the underlying film, forming a neutral, film having affinity for the first polymer and a second polymer on the underlying film after the etching, forming a block copolymer film containing the first polymer and the second polymer on the pinning portion and the neutral film, forming a microphase separation pattern by applying a predetermined process to the block copolymer film to perform microphase separation.
US09640408B2
A method for etching a layer in a plasma chamber with an inner injection zone gas feed and an outer injection zone gas feed is provided. The layer is placed in the plasma chamber. A pulsed etch gas is provided from the inner injection zone gas feed at a first frequency, wherein flow of pulsed etch gas from the inner injection zone gas feed is ramped down to zero. The pulsed etch gas is provided from the outer injection zone gas feed at the first frequency and simultaneous with and out of phase with the pulsed etch gas from the inner injection zone gas feed. The etch gas is formed into a plasma to etch the layer, simultaneous with the providing the pulsed etch gas from the inner injection zone gas feed and providing the pulsed gas from the outer interjection zone gas feed.
US09640407B2
A polishing composition of the present invention contains a water-soluble polymer having a hydrophilic group, and abrasive grains. A hydrophobic silicon-containing part after being polished with the polishing composition has a water contact angle lower than that of the hydrophobic silicon-containing part after being polished with another composition having the same makeup as the polishing composition except that the water-soluble polymer is not contained therein. Examples of the water-soluble polymer include polysaccharides and alcohol compounds. Another polishing composition of the present invention contains abrasive grains having a silanol group, and a water-soluble polymer. When this polishing composition is left to stand for one day in an environment at a temperature of 25° C., the water-soluble polymer is adsorbed on the abrasive grains at 5,000 or more molecules per 1 μm2 of surface area of the abrasive grains. Examples of this water-soluble polymer include nonionic compounds having a polyoxyalkylene chain.
US09640402B1
Methods for forming a gate structure of a circuit structure are provide. The methods for forming the gate structure may include: forming a first gate pattern in a gate mask layer, the forming including a first etching of rounded corner portions of the first gate pattern; forming a second gate pattern in the gate mask layer, the second gate pattern at least partially overlapping the first gate pattern, the forming including a second etching of rounded corner portions of the second gate pattern; and, etching the gate mask layer using the first gate pattern and second gate pattern to form the gate structure.
US09640398B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a patterned mask layer on a material layer, wherein the patterned mask layer has a plurality of first features, and a first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features. The method further includes patterning the material layer to form the first features in the material layer. The method further includes increasing the first distance between adjacent first features of the plurality of first features to a second distance. The method further includes treating portions of the material layer exposed by the patterned mask layer. The method further includes removing the patterned mask layer; and removing non-treated portions of the material layer.
US09640396B2
Novel double- and triple-patterning methods are provided. The methods involve applying a shrinkable composition to a patterned template structure (e.g., a structure having lines) and heating the composition. The shrinkable composition is selected to possess properties that will cause it to shrink during heating, thus forming a conformal layer over the patterned template structure. The layer is then etched to leave behind pre-spacer structures, which comprise the features from the pattern with remnants of the shrinkable composition adjacent the feature sidewalls. The features are removed, leaving behind a doubled pattern. In an alternative embodiment, an extra etch step can be carried out prior to formation of the features on the template structure, thus allowing the pattern to be tripled rather than doubled.
US09640391B2
A method for growing a transition metal dichalcogenide on a substrate, the method including providing a growth substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; providing a source substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; depositing a transition metal oxide on at least a portion of the first side of the source substrate; combining the growth substrate with the source substrate such that the first side of the growth substrate contacts the transition metal oxide, the combining producing a substrate stack; exposing the substrate stack to a chalcogenide gas, whereby the transition metal oxide reacts with the chalcogenide gas to produce a layer of a transition metal dichalcogenide on at least a portion of the first side of the growth substrate; and removing the source substrate from the growth substrate having the layer of the transition metal dichalcogenide thereon.
US09640383B2
A liquid treatment apparatus includes a substrate holding member that holds a substrate horizontally, a rotation mechanism that rotates the substrate holding member; a chemical liquid nozzle that supplies a chemical liquid to the substrate held by the substrate holding member; a top plate that covers the substrate held by the substrate holding member from above the substrate; and at least one LED lamp that heats the substrate during a chemical liquid treatment by irradiating the substrate with light of a predetermined wavelength through the top plate from above the top plate.
US09640382B2
In a substrate processing apparatus, with an internal space of a chamber brought into a reduced pressure atmosphere, a first processing liquid is supplied onto an upper surface of a substrate while the substrate is rotated, and the first processing liquid is thereby quickly spread from a center portion toward a peripheral portion on the upper surface of the substrate. It is thereby possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a shorter time as compared with under normal pressure. Further, by sucking the first processing liquid from the vicinity of an edge of the substrate, it is possible to coat the upper surface of the substrate with the first processing liquid in a still shorter time. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for the processing of the substrate.
US09640375B2
The present invention provides a method for determining low mass ions for diagnosing colorectal cancer by using a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer to biostatistically analyze low mass ions, which are extracted from a biological sample, and a method for providing information for diagnosing colorectal cancer using same. The present inventions can provide a diagnostic method, which requires low cost and a short time for analysis, can analyze large areas, and which can provide superior and credible discriminations.
US09640360B2
Provided is a charged particle beam microscope which has a small mechanical vibration amplitude of a distal end of an emitter tip, is capable of obtaining an ultra-high resolution sample observation image and removing shaking or the like of the sample observation image. A gas field ion source includes: an emitter tip configured to generate ions; an emitter-base mount configured to support the emitter tip; a mechanism configured to heat the emitter tip; an extraction electrode installed to face the emitter tip; and a mechanism configured to supply a gas to the vicinity of the emitter tip, wherein the emitter tip heating mechanism is a mechanism of heating the emitter tip by electrically conducting a filament connecting at least two terminals, the terminals are connected by a V-shaped filament, an angle of the V shape is an obtuse angle, and the emitter tip is connected to a substantial center of the filament.
US09640348B2
A pushbutton switch includes a pushbutton unit and a resilient member. The pushbutton unit includes a mounting seat and a pushbutton covering the mounting seat. The resilient member has a switch contactor, two resilient arms extending respectively from opposite ends of the switch contactor, two abutment segments engaging the limiting seat, and four sustainment segments extending away from the abutment segments and inclined toward the switch contactor. When the pushbutton is pressed to push the sustainment segments, the resilient arms are deformed to have a resilient force for urging the pushbutton away from the limiting seat, and to drive the switch contactor to contact and move an activator of a switch assembly.
US09640346B2
The present invention provides a keyboard. The keyboard includes a circuit board, a key installing board, and a plurality of key switches, the circuit board is disposed opposite the key installing board, the key installing board is provided with a plurality of installation holes corresponding to the key switches, the plurality of key switches are movably clamped on the key installing board through the plurality of installation holes, each of the key switches has a conductor, the conductor extends in the direction of near the circuit board through an installation hole, the circuit board is provided with a plurality of connection terminals working with conductors of the plurality of key switches, the conductors of the plurality of key switches are contacted with the plurality of connected terminals of the circuit board. The key switches of the keyboard of the present invention are moveable, elongating use-life of the keyboard.
US09640332B2
Hybrid electrochemical capacitors, electronic devices using such capacitors, and associated methods are disclosed. In an example, a hybrid electrochemical capacitor can include a first electrode made from Mg, Na, Zn, Al, Sn, or Li, a second electrode made from a porous material such as porous carbon or passivated porous silicon, and an electrolyte. The hybrid electrochemical capacitors can have enhanced voltage and energy density compared to other electrochemical capacitors, and enhanced power density compared to batteries.
US09640324B2
A metallized film capacitor includes: a first dielectric film; a first metal deposition electrode provided to a first surface of the first dielectric film; a second dielectric film; and a second metal deposition electrode that is provided to a first surface of the second dielectric film and that faces the first dielectric film. The metallized film capacitor further includes: a low resistance provided above at least one of a first end of the first metal deposition electrode and a first end of the second metal deposition electrode; and a first film that covers at least a portion of the low resistance and that comprises mainly aluminum oxide.
US09640320B2
In a method of producing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet by subjecting a coil for grain-oriented electrical steel sheet after cold rolling to a primary recrystallization annealing, applying an annealing separator thereon, and conducting final annealing, rapid heating is conducted at a rate of not less than 80° C./sec from 500° C. to 700° C. in the course of heating for the primary recrystallization annealing, and a temperature keeping treatment is conducted for 2 to 100 hours from 700° C. to 1000° C. in the course of heating for the final annealing, and further, the final annealing is preferably conducted by laying a thermal insulation material on an upper surface of a coil supporting stand in an annealing furnace used for the final annealing concentrically from the outer periphery of the coil supporting stand and over an area of not less than 20% of the radius of the coil supporting stand.
US09640319B2
The anisotropic rare earth magnet powder of the present invention includes powder particles having R2TM14B1-type crystals of a tetragonal compound of a rare earth element (R), boron (B), and a transition element (TM) having an average crystal grain diameter of 0.05 to 1 μm, and enveloping layers containing at least a rare earth element (R′) and copper (Cu) and enveloping surfaces of the crystals. Owing to the presence of the enveloping layers, coercivity of the anisotropic rare earth magnet powder can be remarkably enhanced without using a scarce element such as Ga and Dy.
US09640313B2
A multilayer inductor includes a multilayer body formed by stacking magnetic layers on top of one another. Loop-like line-shaped conductors are respectively formed on the magnetic layers. The loop-like line-shaped conductors are connected to one another by interlayer connection conductors, and thereby a coil conductor having an axis extending in the stacking direction is formed. One end of the line-shaped conductor, which is an uppermost-layer-side end portion of the coil conductor, is connected to a line-shaped conductor, which is for routing and is formed on a higher layer, by a interlayer connection conductor. The line-shaped conductor is connected to an interlayer connection conductor that is formed so as to penetrate through substantially the center inside the loop-like line-shaped conductors. The interlayer connection conductor is connected to an external connection conductor on a bottom surface of the multilayer body via a line-shaped conductor and an interlayer connection conductor.
US09640302B2
A cable with a molded resin includes a cable including an electric wire and a sheath covering the electric wire, the electric wire including a central conductor and an insulation covering the central conductor, and a molded resin covering a part of the electric wire protruding from the sheath in a longitudinal direction thereof, the molded resin being apart from the sheath. The electric wire is bent at not less than one bent part in the molded resin.
US09640289B2
A fuel storage system for storing and drying nuclear fuel rods includes a vertically oriented capsule defining an internal cavity. A plurality of fuel rod storage tubes is disposed in the cavity. In one embodiment, each storage tube has a transverse cross section configured and dimensioned to hold no more than one fuel rod. Intact or damaged fuel rods may be stored in the storage tubes. After the fuel rods are loaded into the capsule, a lid is attached to a previously open top end of the capsule. In one embodiment, the lid may be sealed welded to the capsule for forming a gas tight enclosure. The interior of the capsule and multiple fuel rods contained therein may be dried together simultaneously via flow conduits formed in the lid that can be fluidly connected to a suitable drying process such as a forced gas dehydration system.
US09640281B1
A memory system includes: a memory device including a plurality of blocks each block including a plurality of pages, suitable for performing an operation in response to a command and an address; and a controller suitable for determining whether a block in which a read fail has occurred is an open block including an unprogrammed page, performing a restoration operation for the unprogrammed page of the open block based on at least one of operation temperature information and a read count, when it is determined that the block in which the read fail has occurred is the open block, and generating the command for performing a read retry operation.
US09640274B1
A semiconductor memory device includes word lines, bit lines, and memory cells at intersections of the word lines and the bit lines. A driver is configured to a voltage to a selected word line. A sense amplifier is configured to detect data of the memory cells. A controller is configured to control the driver and the sense amplifier. A writing sequence of writing data to a selected memory cell connected to the selected word line includes a plurality of writing loops including a write operation and a verify operation. The controller is configured to perform the write operation on the selected memory cell a predetermined number of times corresponding to write data to be written to the selected memory cell, without the verify operation, after a threshold voltage of the selected memory cell connected to the selected word line reaches a first level.
US09640273B1
Techniques are provided for preventing program disturb when programming a memory device. Hot electron injection program disturb is prevented or reduced. Voltage boosting of the NAND channel of a program inhibited NAND string may be controlled in a manner to reduce or eliminate a lateral electric field that could possibly accelerate electrons in the NAND channel. If the electrons gain enough energy due to the lateral electric field, they could potentially be injected into the charge storage region of a memory cell, thereby causing program disturb. Thus, the voltage boosting can prevent or reduce injection of hot electrons from the NAND channel to a charge storage region of a NAND memory cell during a programming operation, thereby preventing or reducing program disturb.
US09640269B2
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment comprises: a memory cell array, the memory cell array including a memory block, the memory block including a memory cell, the memory cell including a semiconductor layer, a conductive layer, and a charge accumulation layer, the charge accumulation layer being disposed between the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer; and a control circuit that executes an access operation on the memory cell, the control circuit, triggered by the access operation, detecting a leak current of the conductive layer, and when the leak current is a certain value or more, executing a faulty memory block processing that registers as an access-prohibited region the memory block including the conductive layer.
US09640253B2
A non-volatile memory system including multi-level storage optimized for ramp sensing and soft decoding is provided. Sensing is performed at a higher bit resolution than an original user data encoding to improve the accuracy of reading state information from non-volatile storage elements. Higher resolution state information is used for decoding the original user data to improve read performance through improved error handling. Ramp sensing is utilized to determine state information by applying a continuous input scanning sense voltage that spans a range of read compare points. Full sequence programming is enabled as is interleaved coding of the user data over all of the data bit sets associated with the storage elements.
US09640244B1
A method and apparatus for pre-calibration of various system performance states is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes, for each of a number of different performance states (or operating points), performing initial calibrations of various parameters associated with transfers of data between a memory and a memory controller. After completing the initial calibrations, the calibrated values are stored. Thereafter, during normal operation and following a change to a new performance state, the values of the various parameters are set to the values to which they were calibrated during the initial calibration for that state.
US09640228B2
Methods and devices for providing unclonable chip identification are provided. An integrated circuit device includes: a first transistor having a first gate oxide thickness; a second transistor having a second gate oxide thickness different than the first gate oxide thickness; and a reading circuit connected to the first transistor and the second transistor, wherein the reading circuit reads a difference in threshold voltage between the first transistor and the second transistor.
US09640225B2
Provided are an image processing apparatus and method for processing images. The image processing apparatus is connected to at least one camera and includes: a performance calculating unit configured to calculate a decoding performance of the at least one camera based on information about at least one of a codec, a resolution and a frame rate of image frames which are received from the at least one camera, and a filtering unit configured to filter the received image frames to select image frames for decoding, based on a result of the calculation of the decoding performance of the at least one camera.
US09640223B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for time-based and geographic navigation of video content are provided. Video content and associated metadata information are recorded and encoded using a video capture and encoding module. The associated metadata information includes at least one of date and time information of the recording and geographic position information indicative of a recording location. The recorded video content and the associated metadata information are communicated to a remote storage and web server device. A graphical user interface enables the display of an interactive map showing a route and current location of the video capture and encoding module. The video content may be searched using at least one of the graphical user interface and the interactive map by the date and/or time information and the geographic position information. Selected video content can be streamed or downloaded to a select location for display or storage.
US09640222B2
A multivariant video segmentation system and method including accepting video segments that make up a video, accepting video segment variants for the video segments, and selecting a particular video segment variant to provide as a video segment at a particular sequential time order. The video segments are provided to a user at each relative sequential time order via a video player on a first webpage, user inputs associated with the video player and at least one webpage are accepted, and engagements and conversions from the user inputs are determined and stored. The engagements include at least a viewing time of the user viewing the video, and conversions include completion of a predefined task by the user that differs from the user viewing the video. The video segment path with the highest engagement or conversion value associated with information related to the user viewing the video is provided to the user.
US09640204B2
Implementations disclosed herein provide an apparatus comprising a write pole, and a two-layer front shield formed on the write pole, the front shield comprising, a first dielectric material formed on the first layer of the front shield, an active shield control (ASC) device formed between the two layers of the front shield on the first dielectric material configured to synchronize the response to a magnetomotive force (MMF) of a write pole and the front shield, and a second dielectric material formed on the ASC device, wherein the second layer of the front shield is formed only on top of the second dielectric material and the first layer of the front shield.
US09640203B1
An apparatus comprises a recording transducer configured for microwave-assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) and a magnetic recording medium. The recording transducer comprises a write pole configured to generate a write magnetic field and a write-assist arrangement proximate the write pole. The write-assist arrangement is configured to generate a radio frequency assist magnetic field at a plurality of different frequencies. The magnetic recording medium comprises a plurality of tracks, wherein adjacent tracks of the medium have different ferromagnetic resonant frequencies.
US09640195B2
Embodiments of the invention include a device for reducing noise. The device may include a storage configured to store noise data; a processor configured to: classify a segment of noise utilizing noise data which was accumulated prior to initiation of a communication session; estimate the segment of noise, utilizing information received from the noise classification; and select a noise profile which accounts for a user's current context based on a context defined by the data which was accumulated prior to initiation of the communication session.
US09640190B2
In a speech coding scheme based on a speech production model, such as a CELP-based scheme, an object of the present invention is to provide a decoding method that can reproduce natural sound even if the input signal is a noise-superimposed speech. The decoding method includes a speech decoding step of obtaining a decoded speech signal from an input code, a noise generating step of generating a noise signal that is a random signal, and a noise adding step of outputting a noise-added signal, the noise-added signal being obtained by summing the decoded speech signal and a signal obtained by performing, on the noise signal, a signal processing that is based on at least one of a power corresponding to a decoded speech signal for a previous frame and a spectrum envelope corresponding to the decoded speech signal for the current frame.
US09640182B2
Systems and vehicles that provide speech recognition system status notifications are described herein. Systems described herein include one or more processors, one or more memory modules, and machine readable instructions. In some embodiments described herein, when executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the speech recognition system to transform the acoustic vibrations received by a microphone into a speech input signal, determine to remotely process the speech input signal with a remote computing system, and provide a remote processing notification. In some embodiments described herein, when executed by the one or more processors, the machine readable instructions cause the speech recognition system to output an audible sequence with a speaker and provide a barge-in availability notification on a display.
US09640178B2
A speech recognition method and system enables user-configurable speech commands. For a given speech command, the speech recognition engine provides a mechanism for the end-user to select speech command terms to use in substitution for the given speech command. The speech recognition engine, or module thereof, forms a replacement command for the given speech command from the user-selected speech command terms. The speech recognition engine thereafter is synonymously responsive to user utterance of the replacement command as though the user issued/voiced the associated counterpart given speech command.
US09640176B2
An apparatus and a method are provided for building a spoken language understanding model. Labeled data may be obtained for a target application. A new classification model may be formed for use with the target application by using the labeled data for adaptation of an existing classification model. In some implementations, the existing classification model may be used to determine the most informative examples to label.
US09640169B2
A method and system for a noise cancellation comprises an amplifier in communication with the three or more speakers disposed in an area. A system controller produces a driver signal for each of the speakers in response to a signal from at least one microphone detecting sound in the area and communicates the driver signals to the amplifier. The amplifier drives each speaker with the driver signal produced for that speaker. In response to the driver signals, the speakers emit sound that combined produces a substantially uniform sound pressure field for a particular zone within the area. The substantially uniform sound pressure field produced by the speakers has a magnitude and phase adapted to attenuate a noise field in the area corresponding to the sound detected by the at least one microphone.
US09640167B2
A smart pillow unit and processes for providing active noise cancellation and biofeedback.
US09640165B2
An active vibration noise control apparatus is provided. When a vehicle speed changes thereby to change frequency characteristics (peak-amplitude frequency) of vibration noise, the active vibration noise control apparatus refers to a vehicle speed versus frequency correspondence table representing a correspondence relation between a vehicle speed of a vehicle and a frequency of a reference signal, and changes the frequency of the reference signal that is used by an adaptive notch filter.
US09640148B2
A data processing system comprises a host processor and a graphics processor that renders frames to be output and writes those frames to a frame buffer.When a new frame is to be generated and written to the frame buffer, the host processor determines, for a set of plural sub-regions that the frame has been divided into, which of those sub-regions could have changed from the frame previously used for the frame buffer 30 and generates information indicating which sub-regions should be rendered to generate the new frame on the basis of the determination 31. The information indicating which sub-regions should be rendered to generate the frame is provided to the graphics processor 32 and the graphics processor uses the provided sub-region information to render only the indicated sub-regions 33.
US09640146B2
A self refresh method with dithering has at least the following steps: generating a plurality of original frames; performing a dithering process upon the plurality of original frames to generate a plurality of dithering frames to a timing controller; checking if the plurality of original frames is unaltered; and when it is detected that the plurality of original frames is unaltered, requesting the timing controller to enter a self refresh mode, and stopping transmission of dithering frames after transmitting a specific frame and dithering information associated with the specific frame to the timing controller for further dithering processing.
US09640145B2
A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes: a detector configured to detect one or more user viewing positions; a display configured to have a changeable curvature; and a controller receiving information of the one or more user viewing positions from the detector, the controller configured to determine deviations between right-side viewing angles and left-side viewing angles at each of the one or more detected user viewing positions for a first curvature and a second curvature of the display; and the controller configured to set the changeable curvature of the display based on the deviation determinations between the right-side viewing angle and the left-side viewing angle.
US09640142B2
A method for detecting a region of interest (ROI) is provided, which includes acquiring a plurality of photographed images by photographing a display apparatus sequentially displaying thereon a plurality of different mono-color images, comparing gray levels of the plurality of photographed images and detecting a target region, and detecting a plurality of corner points of the target region, and detecting the region of interest (ROI) corresponding to a display screen of the display apparatus based on the plurality of corner points.
US09640140B2
A color management system is provided that includes a color transformation unit that uses a profile connection space to perform a color transformation process on input image data based on an input side color transformation parameter associated with the input image data for translating an input device-dependent color value that describes the input image data into a device-independent color value of the profile connection space and an output side color transformation parameter for matching the device-independent color value to an output device-dependent color value. The color management system further includes an output device selection unit that enables a user to select at least two output devices from plural output devices that are available for selection, and a profile connection space generation unit that automatically generates the profile connection space according to a predetermined profile connection space generation method based on the gamuts of the output devices selected by the user.
US09640137B2
An electronic apparatus includes a locking unit to selectively lock a physical connection with an external apparatus and a control unit to control an operation mode of the electronic apparatus, according to a connection state with the external apparatus, in which the control unit controls the locking unit to lock the connection with the external apparatus, when the electronic apparatus is in an operation mode of using a graphic processing unit of the external apparatus.
US09640130B2
A display driver is connectable with and serves to activate an active matrix type display panel having a plurality of source lines wired to run in an up-and-down direction and a plurality of gate lines wired to run in left and right directions when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a substrate, and a plurality of pixels respectively arranged at intersections where the source and gate lines intersect with one another; electric charges corresponding to display data are transmitted from the source lines to the pixels selected by the driven gate line. The display driver includes a circuit capable of adjusting, in amplitude, first gate drive circuits operable to drive, of the plurality of gate lines, gate lines wired from the left, and second gate drive circuits operable to drive gate lines wired from the right independently of one another.
US09640119B2
The present invention provides driving methods for color displays using electrophoretic fluids comprises four types of particles to display four colors at each pixel. Methods are also provided for displaying mixtures of certain pairs of colors at each pixel.
US09640116B2
The present invention provides an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display apparatus displaying a grayscale of one frame with N number of subfields. The OLED display apparatus includes a display panel where pixels are defined by an intersection of data lines and gate lines, a gate driving unit that provides a scan signal to the gate line, and a data driving unit that controls a data voltage in an analog manner. Here, the data voltage is provided to the data line in at least one subfield.
US09640114B2
A device includes a matrix of active pixels. Each active pixel includes an OLED and a control circuit configured to refresh the active pixel and including at least one transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to a supply line and a second conduction terminal coupled to the OLED. Supply circuitry is configured to apply a supply voltage to the supply line of each active pixel during the refreshing of the active pixel and for a time period less than a duration of the refreshing of the active pixel.
US09640110B2
A light-emitting device comprising an emitting unit including at least two emitting elements, a driving unit configured to control the emitting unit, and a capacitor unit formed over the driving unit. A shield layer may be located between the two emitting elements. In one example, the capacitor unit is formed at a level higher than a level of the driving unit, and a shield layer that is located between the two emitting elements is formed at a level that is higher than the level of the driving unit and equal to or lower than the level of the capacitor unit.
US09640105B2
A signal processing method includes: inputting a first image signal and a second image signal, the first image signal containing gradation levels of respective pixels of a first frame, the second image signal containing gradation levels of respective pixels of a second frame that is continuous from the first frame; storing at least one predetermined gradation level as a correction-free gradation level that needs no correction; determining whether or not the gradation level of the first frame for every pixel is the stored correction-free gradation level, based on the input first image signal; and outputting a gradation level in the input second image signal by using, as a correction-free pixel that needs no correction, a pixel for which the gradation level of the first frame is determined as the correction-free gradation level.
US09640104B2
To reduce power consumption of a display device. A sequence of supply of video signals to a plurality of pixels included in an active matrix display device is controlled. For example, a supply sequence is controlled so that the potentials of the video signals supplied to a plurality of pixels are in ascending order or in descending order. This enables a reduction in the amount of charge and discharge of electric charge of signal lines which supply video signals to a plurality of pixels. Consequently, power consumption of the display device can be reduced.
US09640099B2
The present disclosure relates to the field of display technique. Disclosed are a display control circuit, a display control method and a display apparatus. The circuit comprises: a signal supplying unit for outputting an image data signal; a timing control unit for processing the image data signal into an signal recognizable for a driving circuit unit; a storage unit for storing and transmitting the signal recognizable to the driving circuit unit; a sample storing unit connected with the signal supplying unit, for acquiring and storing the image data signal; and a sample comparing unit for comparing a current frame signal outputted from the signal supplying unit with a previous frame signal stored in the sample storing unit and controlling the timing control unit to be turned on or off and controlling whether the signal stored in the storage unit needs to be updated according to a comparison result. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part of modules in the timing control unit are turned off and the image data signal to be displayed is provided to the driving circuit unit by the storage unit when the signal outputted from the signal supplying unit is unchanged, so that intermittent operations of part of the modules are realized to reduce the power consumption in the circuit.
US09640095B2
The present invention provides a photography light panel reflector clamp for mounting a photography light panel reflector with a rod member. The photography light panel reflector clamp of the present invention includes a central member, a groove and a turning clamp set. A rod member clamping seat is disposed on the central member, and a mounting portion is disposed at an opening of the rod member clamping seat. The groove is formed across a mounting face on a side of the central member, and the turning clamp set is disposed on the central member next to the groove. A flange of the photography light panel reflector has a segment fitted in the groove, and the turning clamp set is utilized to fix the segment of the flange of the photography light panel reflector in the groove with the photography light panel reflector clamp.
US09640094B2
A sign holder includes a sign sleeve having a width and being defined by a viewing flange, a base flange and a first joint that couples the viewing flange to the base flange. At least one protruding member has a width and is coupled to and extends from the base flange at an at least one second joint. Each protruding member includes a leg portion and at least two hook portions coupled to the leg portion at an at least one third joint. The leg portion is oriented relative to the base flange by a first angle and each hook portion is oriented relative to the leg portion by a second angle. The width of the sign sleeve is greater than the width of the at least one protruding member.
US09640093B1
A new and innovative way to display images at a gravesite. This by using the monument mounted flower vase or vase mounting as the placement point for the display. The display can be introduced to an existing vase or mounting through the use of an adapter. A mounting point could also be incorporated into the vase or mounting at the time of manufacture, this to support the image display.
US09640091B2
An article such as a greeting card (10) comprising a sheet (11) defining at least one central portion (16) and at least one versatile portion (18) connected together via at least one fold (20). The central portion (16) has two opposing edges (26, 28) adapted to be drawn together to create a three-dimensional form. The fold (20) is located at a junction of the central portion (16) and versatile portion (18). These portions (16, 18) are foldably connected together whereby the versatile portion (18) can be folded and adapted for location adjacent to or at an angle to the three-dimensional form, and may be secured at that location. The greeting card (10) may further comprise numerous engagement means (30, 32), apertures (38) and cords (39). The greeting card (10) can be delivered in a collapsed condition and can be readily assembled into a three-dimensional form revealing the ingenuity of the card.
US09640086B2
A method of radio simulation is provided. The method includes a first computer executing a communication manager, the communication manager configured to provide a radio simulation environment comprising a virtual radio network. The method also includes the first computer executing a communication management controller, wherein the communication management controller receives radio control input for the virtual radio network. The method also includes the first computer executing a tactical and environment cue controller, the tactical and environment cue controller configured to provide simulated audible sounds for the radio simulation environment. The method also includes the first computer executing a configuration controller, the configuration controller coupled to the communication manager and configured to receive at least one radio simulator configuration that designates at least a number of radios and frequencies.
US09640083B1
A method for providing electronic content for a learning appliance is disclosed. The method includes selecting a learning appliance from a set of different learning appliances on a host site. The set of learning appliances is previously selected from a group of learning appliances. The electronic content package is received and is loaded into the learning appliance.
US09640074B2
Systems and methods for tracking a vehicle may use a mobile device associated with a tracking account, a server, and one or more client devices associated with one or more users. The mobile device may be configured to receive a location update from a location service and transmit data associated with the location update over a network. The server may be configured to receive the data associated with the location update from the mobile device, map the location update to a predefined route comprising one or more predefined stops to generate a route update, and transmit data associated with the route update over a network. The one or more client devices may be configured to receive the data associated with the route update from the sever. Access to the route update may be limited to a pre-authorized set of the one or more users associated with the tracking account.
US09640073B2
Disclosed herein is a traveler information monitoring and dissemination system. The system disclosed herein provides real time information to a traveler, wherein the real time information may be pre-selected by the traveler. The system ensures consistent and quality data are produced and issued to the traveler.
US09640068B2
What is provided is recording capability for each of the modules utilized by the first responders and other personnel within the area of the incident, with the stored information at each of the first responders' modules being read out through the ad hoc network, where it can be uploaded to storage. The stored information can be displayed at an incident commander work station in real time to give the incident commander a realistic view of the timeline and the severity of the incident, as well as the response. The use of the ad hoc network permits offloading stored information from each of the first responders' modules so as to free up storage within the modules. By providing storage at every node of the ad hoc network, one has access to a timeline of the actions at the incident as well as redundancy, which enhances the memories and observational skills of the first responders. Incident reporting is made complete due to the fact of all recordings being made available at one node on the temporary ad hoc network from which information reports and analysis can proceed, as well as subsequent training.
US09640067B1
Described herein are systems and methods for a media controller configured to associate data from a media device received using a media device interface with actions on the media devices. The associated data and actions may be used to build a media device interface command map. The media device interface command map may be used by the media controller to control the media device. A user interface provided by the media controller may thus be used to control disparate devices, allowing for a coordinated and consistent user experience across multiple media devices, even when they are from different manufacturers.
US09640060B2
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to track the location of lost payment cards.
US09640054B2
An item tracking system includes a plurality of items for storage and removal from a compartment. The system includes tags affixed to the items and configured to store identifiers for the items. A tag reader receives data from the tags in response to the items being removed from and returned to the compartment. A sensor in the compartment identifies a state change associated with the compartment. A processor identifies removal of an item with data received by the tag reader, identifies the state change with the sensor after the item is removed and before it is returned, and generates an output with an output device including the identifier corresponding to the item in response to the state change in the compartment.
US09640043B1
A remote display device for displaying real time measurement values is configured to operate as a device in a metrology personal area network (“MPAN”) which also includes a dimensional metrology user interface device and one or more dimensional metrology measurement devices (e.g., calipers, etc.). In various implementations, the remote display device is configured to be operable in either a first mode (e.g., a slave mode) or a second mode (e.g., an independent mode). In a slave mode, the remote display device is responsive to control instructions that are received from the dimensional metrology user interface device to configure a display of real time measurement values from one or more of the measurement devices. In an independent mode, the remote display device is configurable to display real time measurement values from one or more of the measurement devices without receiving control instructions from the dimensional metrology user interface device.
US09640041B2
In an example embodiment, an automated banking machine that allows a customer to employ a mobile wireless device for performing banking transactions. The customer may request assistance from a teller or other bank personnel at a remote location. An audio, and optionally video, communication may be initiated between the remote location and the customer. The customer may use either the automated banking machine, mobile wireless device, or both for communicating with the remote location.
US09640036B2
A gaming machine comprises a display and a game control to control images of symbols to be displayed on the display. Symbols are stored for positioning in an array. The symbols include game-specific standard symbols and bonus symbols and are organized in a predetermined mix and number to define a bonusing scheme for filling positions of the array. The game control randomly selects portions of the array for displaying images of the symbols in a matrix format on the display during a play of the game, and associates symbols within paylines of the matrix to provide play outcomes in accordance with the bonusing scheme and a paytable prescribed for the particular game. The game control is configured to provide play options individually selectable by a player before a play. Each play option has a prescribed set of symbols and each set is designed with a predetermined bonusing scheme.
US09640026B2
In a gaming machine including a symbol region where reels having symbols are arranged in predetermined arrangement. The symbols are displayed in an arranged manner in longitudinal and transverse directions. A reel control unit that independently controls movement of the reels. A winning determination unit determines whether the symbols appearing on a valid line set to span the reels form a predetermined winning pattern. The symbol region includes layer. At least one reel is disposed in each layer. A symbol group is provided in at least one reel or in a specific layer in such a manner that symbols capable of forming at least portion of the winning pattern are arranged in the symbol group.
US09640011B2
A memory card reader unit, which has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The unit includes a memory card insertion face having an insertion recess and an insertion slot for a memory card, which has a lower lip and an upper lip. The lower lip extends longitudinally and parallel to an insertion plane of a memory card in the reader unit, forming an extended insertion lip extending beyond an insertion plane.
US09640007B2
The precision of detection of abnormal media is increased using a unique identification number. A banknote deposit/withdrawal mechanism of an automated teller machine confirms whether a banknote having the same serial number is among transaction banknotes by comparing each transaction serial number obtained by reading the serial number for each transaction banknote with other transaction serial numbers. Thereby, when counterfeit notes having the same serial number are included among the transaction banknotes, the banknote deposit/withdrawal mechanism cannot determine a banknote as counterfeit in a process of collating the serial numbers with a counterfeit note serial number list, but can determine that a banknote is counterfeit in a collation process between the transaction serial numbers. In this case, the banknote deposit/withdrawal mechanism can prevent counterfeit notes from being transferred to a user by transporting a relevant transaction banknote together with all other transaction banknotes to a reject compartment.
US09640006B2
A method for detecting the actuation of a handle (10) of a motor vehicle door (20), the handle (10) including at least a locking electrode (60), having a capacitance across its terminals, and an unlocking request detection device (50) generating an unlocking request signal, the method including continuously measuring a variation of the unlocking request signal and a variation of the capacitance (ΔCV) of the locking electrode, determining an unlocking request, and then comparing the variation of the capacitance (ΔCV) with a threshold (S2) during consecutive first and second predetermined periods (t1, t2), respectively, in order to detect whether the handle (10) has been actuated.
US09640004B2
A method of operating a lock from a portable remote device includes sending a radio frequency identification signal from the portable remote device to a controller for the lock, and receiving the radio frequency identification signal at the lock controller and identifying the remote device as an authorized user of the lock. The method then includes sending a sound frequency identification signal from the portable remote device to the lock controller, receiving the sound frequency identification signal at the lock controller and identifying the remote device as an authorized user of the lock. The method further includes authorizing operation of the lock in accordance with the radio or sound frequency identification signal from the portable remote device. A system for practicing the method includes a lock controller capable of receiving a radio frequency identification signal and a sound frequency identification signal from the portable remote device.
US09640001B1
Obtaining and/or validating time-varying representations for user credentials at client devices is described.
US09639995B2
Systems and methods pertaining to generating a test drive script (TDS) based on vehicle data values (VDV) from a vehicle and driving circumstance parameters (DCP) that correspond to use of the vehicle when the VDV are captured are described herein. The TDS can include a baseline path that includes the paths taken by the vehicle while the VDV are captured. The TDS can include an alternate path that includes paths that approximate one or more paths taken by the vehicle while the VDV are captured. The VDV can include, but are not limited to, DTC and PID values from the vehicle. The DCP can include, but are not limited to, traffic condition parameters, meteorological parameters, location parameters, and motion parameters. The TDS can include notifications to alert a user to a location where certain VDV were captured to assist the user in recreating a symptom in a vehicle.
US09639986B2
The present specification relates to a head mounted display (HMD) and a method of controlling therefor. More specifically, the present specification provides a method for a user wearing an HMD to recognize at least one object positioned at the front via a virtual map. The HMD includes a display unit configured to display visual information, a position sensing unit configured to sense a position of the HMD, a camera unit configured to sense at least one object positioned at the front of the HMD, and a processor configured to control the display unit, the position sensing unit, and the camera unit. The processor is further configured to obtain position information of the HMD, generate a first virtual map indicating a virtual object corresponding to the at least one object positioned at the front of the HMD, based on the position information of the HMD, and display the first virtual map.
US09639984B2
A system and method for data manipulation based on real world object manipulation is described. A device captures an image of a physical object. The image is communicated via a network to a remote server. The remote server includes virtual object data associated with the image and a communication notification for a user of the computing device. The device receives the virtual object data and displays the virtual image in a virtual landscape using the virtual object data. In response to relative movement between the computing device and the physical object caused by the user, the virtual image is modified.
US09639977B2
A method of processing model data representing a body section with bilateral symmetry of a biological organism is proposed that comprises the steps of providing object imaging data representing the body section having one or more defect portions; calculating a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the body section based on mathematical analysis of the object imaging data; and determining a mirror plane based on the calculated longitudinal and lateral axes. Said mirror plane allows for reconstructing the one or more defect portions by mirroring one or more corresponding portions having no defects at the mirror plane.
US09639976B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for displaying shadows of circular light sources. A computing device can determine a light source and an occluding polygon that is between the light source and a receiver surface, where the occluding polygon includes vertices connected by edges. The computing device can determine a shadow of the occluding polygon on the receiver surface by at least: determining, for a particular vertex, a projection vertex on the receiver surface by projecting a ray from the center point through the particular vertex; determining an outline polygon based on the projection vertex; determining a projection circle around the projection vertex; determining a penumbra of the shadow based on exterior tangents outside of the outline polygon; and determining an umbra of the shadow based on interior tangents inside the outline polygon. The computing device can display at least part of the shadow.
US09639975B1
A computer-implemented method for generating a shadow in a graphics scene. The method includes casting a ray having a finite length associated with a point on a surface of an object in the graphics scene towards a light source; determining whether the ray intersects any other objects in the graphics scene; and generating a shadow value associated with the point on the surface of the object based on a combination of geometric scene information obtained as a result of determining whether the ray intersects any other objects in the graphics scene and an image-based shadow map value.
US09639972B2
A display control program executed by a computer of a display control apparatus displaying a virtual space on a display apparatus capable of stereoscopic display, the display control program causing the computer to function as: object placement means for placing an object in the virtual space; transparency degree setting means for calculating a distance specified between the object displayed in the virtual space, and a viewpoint position based on the position of a virtual camera for virtually shooting the virtual space, and setting the degree of transparency of the object such that the longer the distance is, the higher the degree of transparency is; image generation means for generating right-eye and left-eye images by shooting the virtual space with right and left virtual cameras, respectively; and display control means for displaying the right-eye and left-eye images generated by the image generation means, on the display apparatus.
US09639967B2
A circuit diagram supplying apparatus 10, for supplying a user with whole contents of an device system circuit diagram, then requests a server 30 for first-of-all transmission of part-connection-drawing overall circuit diagram data in which connection diagrams LSd are added to a part placement diagram included in the circuit diagram and having electrical component parts PSd arranged therein. Then, after displaying a part-connection-drawing overall circuit diagram based on the transmitted and received part-connection-drawing overall circuit diagram data, the circuit diagram supplying apparatus 10 requests the server 30 for sequential transmission of circuit-element-drawing divisional circuit diagram data (a)-(e).
US09639961B2
A method of selecting a homography model from point correspondences of an associated image pair; a method of filtering point correspondences from a pair of associated images; a method of calculating a homography transformation; and a method of image differencing; including implementing one or more sampling constraints, e.g. partition zones and an exclusion zone, that provide a more even spread of point selection over the image, and/or that provide for selected points to be spread further apart, than would be the case if the one or more sampling constraints were not implemented. Repeated selections of combinations of points may be selected in a deterministic manner, and the deterministic manner may be tailored to an escape condition.
US09639959B2
A particular method includes determining, based on data received from at least one motion sensor, a movement of a mobile device from a first position to a second position. The method also includes computing a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object based on a first image of the object corresponding to a first view of the object from the first position of the mobile device, a second image of the object corresponding to a second view of the object from the second position of the mobile device, and the movement of the mobile device.
US09639956B2
Implementations relate to adjusting images using a texture mask. In some implementations, a method includes detecting one or more texture regions having detected texture in an image, and generating a mask from the image based on the detected texture regions. The detected texture regions are distinguished in the mask from other regions of the image that do not have detected texture. The method applies one or more adjustment operations to the image in amounts based on values of the mask.
US09639953B2
A surgical mechanism control system including an acceleration or orientation detection unit to output a control signal in response to detecting an acceleration or orientation of the unit, the unit being attachable to a surgeon. The unit includes an acceleration sensor and the acceleration sensor has an associated threshold acceleration, such that an acceleration below the associated threshold acceleration does not cause actuation of an associated switch unit and an acceleration above the associated threshold acceleration does cause the associated switch unit to actuate. A control signal is output on actuation of the switch unit and foot pedal, and the control signal is used to control a surgical mechanism.
US09639948B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable storage media are provided for determining a depth measurement of a scene using an optical blur difference between two images of the scene. Each image is captured using an image capture device with different image capture device parameters. A corresponding image patch is identified from each of the captured images, motion blur being present in each of the image patches. A kernel of the motion blur in each of the image patches is determined. The kernel of the motion blur in at least one images patch is used to generate a difference convolution kernel. A selected first image patch is convolved with the generated difference convolution kernel to generate a modified image patch. A depth measurement of the scene is determined from an optical blur difference between the modified image patch and the remaining image patch.
US09639935B1
Generating a calibrated camera alignment model for image capture devices having overlapping fields-of-view may include identifying a camera alignment model describing a first candidate alignment path for a defined location in a first input frame and a second candidate alignment path for the defined location in a second input frame, identifying a third candidate alignment path spatially adjacent to the first candidate alignment path, identifying a fourth candidate alignment path spatially adjacent to the second candidate alignment path, identifying a first point along the first candidate alignment path or the second candidate alignment path corresponding to a second point along the third candidate alignment path or the fourth candidate alignment path, and updating the camera alignment model based on the first point, the second point, or both.
US09639933B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for fast and adaptive computer-aided detection of pulmonary nodules and differentiation of malignancy from benignancy in thoracic CT images using a hierarchical vector quantization scheme. Anomalous pulmonary nodules are detected by obtaining a two-dimensional (2D) feature model of a pulmonary nodule, segmenting the pulmonary nodule by performing vector quantification to expand the 2D feature model to a three-dimensional (3D) model, and displaying image information representing whether the pulmonary nodule is benign, based upon the 3D model expanded from the 2D feature model, with duplicate information eliminated by performing feature reduction performed using a principal component analysis and a receiver operating characteristics area under the curve merit analysis. A textural feature analysis detects an anomalous pulmonary nodule, and 2D texture features are calculated from 3D volumetric data to provide improved gain compared to calculation from a single slice of 3D data.
US09639932B2
An epidermis pattern detection unit detects epidermis patterns in an epidermis image captured from the epidermis of skin by an epidermis image capturing unit. An acquired element analysis unit analyzes uniformity of shapes of the epidermis patterns in the epidermis image. A texture evaluation unit evaluates a texture state of the skin based on the uniformity of shapes of the epidermis patterns. The present technology, for example, may be applied to systems that evaluate the texture state of the skin.
US09639927B2
An image processing apparatus includes an abnormal portion candidate region detection unit configured to detect a candidate region of an abnormal portion based on color information of each pixel constituting an image obtained by capturing an image of an inside of a lumen of a subject, a border neighboring pixel identifying unit configured to identify a border neighboring pixel which is a pixel existing in proximity to a border of the candidate region, a feature data calculation unit configured to calculate feature data based on a pixel value of the border neighboring pixel, and an abnormal portion region distinguishing unit configured to distinguish an abnormal portion region based on the feature data.
US09639918B2
A method for image edge anti-aliasing with super-resolution is provided and used to achieve enlargement conversion from low resolution to high resolution, by applying the steps of: detecting a received image data and saving as an original edge pixel frame; enlarging the original edge pixel frame in double size along the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively; retaining the original edge pixel information; replacing pixels to be interpolated with a zero grayscale; and compensating the pixels to be interpolated which are temporarily replaced by the zero grayscale along edge directions of the original edge pixel, such that the jagged phenomenon of output picture is output picture is significantly decreased, such that the jagged phenomena of an output picture is significantly decreased, with a detailed image information is well-maintained. The method is simple, with fewer calculations and faster operating speed, the cost can be effectively reduced.
US09639917B2
According to some examples, a method for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) image modification includes receiving an OCT image of a region of interest of patient tissue from an OCT imaging system configured to direct an OCT beam at the region of interest and determining that an OCT transparent instrument is within the OCT image. The method further includes detecting an artifact in the OCT image, the artifact resulting from the OCT transparent instrument being within a path of the OCT beam. In response to detecting the artifact, the method further includes creating an image modification plan to remove the artifact from the OCT image. The method further includes executing the image modification plan to remove the artifact from the OCT image.
US09639905B2
A power control apparatus includes a processor configured to collect first information related to operation of a performing unit configured to perform data processing and information related to operation of a bus configured to transfer data; determine an operating frequency and an operating voltage for the performing unit, based on the collected information; estimate based on the collected information, a period elapsing until the performing unit suspends operation and a period elapsing until the bus suspends operation; derive a discriminant that obtains a difference of total power consumption and power consumption pre-switching; and execute a switching of an operating frequency and an operating voltage of the performing unit, based on a value of the discriminant.
US09639900B2
A computer-implemented method of acquiring tax data for use in tax preparation application includes acquiring an image of at least one document containing tax data therein with an imaging device. A computer extracts one or more features from the acquired image of the at least one document and compares the extracted one or more features to a database containing a plurality of different tax forms. The database may include a textual database and/or geometric database. The computer identifies a tax form corresponding to the at least one document from the plurality of different tax forms based at least in part on a confidence level associated with the comparison of the extracted one or more features to the database. At least a portion of the tax data from the acquired image is transferred into corresponding fields of the tax preparation application.
US09639895B2
Networks, systems and methods for dynamically filtering market data are disclosed. Streams of market data may be buffered or stored in a queue when inbound rates exceed distribution or publication limitations. Inclusive messages in the queue may be removed, replaced or aggregated, reducing the number of messages to be published when distribution limitations are no longer exceeded.
US09639893B2
Embodiments of the invention comprise systems, computer program products, and methods for a financial and social management system that provides improved tracking and management related to how, where, when, and with whom a user enters into activities. The financial and social management system captures activity information and images from various sources of information, including but not limited to social networking accounts, e-receipts, location determination devices, and the like, and associates the activity information and images with the activities. The financial and social management system aggregates the activity information for a number of activities based on the location, user, entity, category, cost, time period, or the like and displays the aggregated activity information in an activity review interface. The financial and social management system may supplement the aggregated activity information with educational data.
US09639881B2
A method is provided for personalized video recommendation based on user interests modeling. The method includes detecting a viewing activity of at least one user of a content-presentation device capable of presenting multiple programs in one or more channels, and representing user interests of the at least one user by using a topic model. The method also includes discovering the user interests from user viewing histories, and generating a personalized video list of personalized video contents. Further, the method includes recommending the personalized video contents to the at least one user; and delivering the recommended personalized video to the at least one user such that the personalized video contents are presented on the content-presentation device.
US09639878B2
Computer-aided extraction of semantics from keywords to confirm match of buyer offers to seller bids
One embodiment involves a method and apparatus for mapping lexical keywords into entity description semantics in order to create unambiguous buyer-confirmed descriptions of entities. The method described herein relies on a computer program and some mechanism for computer data storage.
US09639876B1
An ecommerce outsourcing system and method provides hosts with transparent, context-sensitive e-commerce supported pages. The look and feel of a target host is captured for future use. The host is provided with one or more links for inclusion within a page on the host website that correlates with a selected commerce object, which may be contextually related to material in the page. The commerce object can be a product, a product category, or a dynamic selection indicator. Upon activation of the provided link, a visitor computer is served with a page with the look and feel of the host website and with content based upon the associated commerce object. Where the commerce object is a dynamic selection indicator, the content is selected at the time of activation based upon an analysis of the page containing the activated link.
US09639872B2
A sales management system may include a pricing data store operable to store a manufacturer price for a sales item; a retail input device adapted to receive a margin applicable to the sales item from a retailer and operable to store the margin; a retail display device residing at a retail location and configured to display a retail price for the sales item; and a product information provider located remotely from the retail display device and in communication with the manufacturer pricing data store, the product information provider configured to receive a request for product information from the retail display device and operable to compute the retail price for the sales item based in part on the manufacturer price for the sales item and the margin associated with the retailer and to provide the retail price to the retail display device for display in relation to the sales item.
US09639859B2
Disclosed is a method for providing an advertisement on a display of a mobile communication terminal, the method including: receiving an user input when the mobile communication terminal is capable of communication while the display of the mobile communication terminal is being off; and activating the display upon receiving the user input. The activated display provides an advertisement, an unlock interface, and an additional input interface thereon. The unlock interface is capable of receiving an additional user input whereby unlocks the mobile communication terminal upon receiving the additional user input thereof, and the additional input interface is capable of receiving an additional user input whereby the display displays an additional information related to the advertisement upon receiving the additional user input thereof.
US09639857B2
An approach is provided for presenting a user interface and associating one or more commenting information with on one or more content items detected in one or more media items. Further, a user may associate one or more commenting information related to a point of interest/object wherein one or more content items associated with the point of interest/object may be retrieved and aggregated with the one or more commenting information.
US09639854B2
A system with an associated method for preloading advertisements by a server to a user's device is disclosed. In response to inquiries made by members of a user group, the system presents advertisements to the members and keeps a record of these presentations. Next, the system identifies those advertisements which have been frequently presented to the members, and preloads the identified advertisements on the device of a user who belongs to the user group. Subsequently, upon receiving a specific inquiry from the user's device, the system determines a response to the specific inquiry. When the determined response contains one of the preloaded advertisements, the system sends an instruction to the user's device to present the preloaded advertisement to the user.
US09639851B2
Multiple copies of the same coupon are delivered to a consumer simultaneously via different delivery channels. After one copy of the coupon has been presented in connection with a transaction and used, the coupon is marked as used with respect to all delivery channels for that consumer. Different copies of the coupon can have different coupon identifiers, for example when delivered through different channels. Consumers also can access such multichannel coupons without having to login each time they wish to access their coupons from multiple channels. In one implementation, each consumer has a user profile. A promotion is associated with that consumer's user profile. Each user profile also is associated with different channel identifiers representing communication channels to deliver instances of the promotion to the consumer. Each delivered instance of the promotion includes a coupon identifier associated with the promotion.
US09639848B1
Based on historical data describing product sales or other types of transactions, indicator scores may be calculated for users who have purchased, reviewed, or otherwise consumed products, the indicator scores based on subsequent diffusion of the products. Measured, current activities of the scored users with regard to another product may then be employed to develop a diffusion model that predicts the future sales of the other product over time. The diffusion model may be employed to determine product pricing, marketing, distribution, or acquisition.
US09639843B1
A mobile computerized apparatus for use with a roadside assistance program to assist in identifying a service provider, such as a tow truck, is disclosed. The apparatus transmits relevant information to a remote server. The server in turn provides information about a plurality of service providers available to service the vehicle.
US09639837B2
Systems, methods, apparatus, processes, computer program code and means for conducting transactions are described which allow a first party to a transaction to identify a second party to a transaction.
US09639830B2
Embodiments of systems, methods and devices for electronic bill presentment and payment are disclosed. Such embodiments include receiving one or more instructions from a biller at a remote computer server. Further, the remote computer server implements an electronic bill presentment and payment (EBPP) workflow configuration module and provisions, using the EBPP workflow configuration module, one or more configuration parameters for the biller based on the one or more received instructions. In addition, embodiments include configuring, dynamically an EBPP workflow based on the one or more received instructions and provisioned configuration parameters using the EBPP workflow configuration module. The configuring of the EBPP workflow includes generating a state machine implementing the EBPP workflow. Moreover, embodiments include configuring one or more business logic scripts by the EBPP workflow configuration module to implement the EBPP workflow as well as configuring one or more view templates by the EBPP workflow configuration module to implement the EBPP workflow.
US09639826B2
A method of controlling a mobile terminal including executing, via a controller of the mobile terminal, an application; displaying, via a display unit of the mobile terminal, a display screen including information output by the executing application; displaying, via the display unit, a memo writing window on the display screen including the information output by the executing application; receiving, via the controller, a memo written in the memo writing window; linking, via the controller, the written memo to the information displayed in the display screen when the memo was written in the memo writing window; storing, via a memory of the mobile terminal, the linked memo and information; and re-displaying the memo linked with the information on the display screen if the application is re-executed.
US09639822B2
A method and system of processing a mailing label through a postal service are provided. The method includes causing, by a computer system associated with a postage provider, a mailing label for mailing a mail piece to be generated, the mailing label including a tracking mark; receiving, by the computer system associated with the postage provider an indication that the tracking mark is detected when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream; and creating, by the computer system associated with the postage provider, a record of a transaction for an amount of postage based on the received indication that the tracking mark is detected.
US09639810B2
An information processing device performs data communication with a server through a predetermined network, and transmits a result of reviewing a review target to the server. The information processing device executes, in accordance with an operation of a user, execution processing of any review target which is selected from a plurality of review targets, and updates and stores an execution history of the review target. The information processing device extracts a reviewable review target from the plurality of review targets based on the stored execution history of each review target. The information processing device generates review information reviewing at least one extracted review target in accordance with an operation of the user, and transmits the review information to the server.
US09639799B2
According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system, method and apparatus for a matrix-less inlay design may be described. The system, method and apparatus can include the formation of an inlay with a pattern, such as a starburst pattern, surrounding an antenna that can be formed during laser ablation process. The starburst pattern may be utilized to provide for the efficient generation of inlays of varying sizes.
US09639790B2
An image processing apparatus includes a dither processing unit configured to perform dither processing on image data having a first resolution M by using a dither threshold value matrix and a resolution conversion unit configured to perform resolution conversion to convert the image data that is generated by the dither processing unit and which has the first resolution M into image data having a second resolution N lower than the first resolution M by using a filter, and the pixel of a growth center of the dither threshold value matrix and the center pixel of the processing using the filter coincide with each other.
US09639789B2
An image processing system includes a process execution control apparatus to control an execution of processes, and an image generation-output control apparatus to control an execution of an image generation-output operation. The process execution control apparatus includes a control-side drawing information generator to generate drawing information, and a process allocator to allocate a plurality of text information adding processes to the process execution control apparatus and the image generation-output control apparatus when generating the drawing information. The image generation-output control apparatus includes an output-side drawing information generator corresponding to the control-side drawing information generator.
US09639787B2
This is directed to defining the orientation in which a document is printed from the orientation of the device on which the document is displayed. In particular, some electronic devices can have limited user interfaces that do not provide for a simple or elegant interface for defining print settings. To overcome limitations in a displayed user interface, the orientation of an electronic device can be used to define the print orientation of a displayed document. In particular, a motion-sensing component of an electronic device can determine whether the electronic device display is in a portrait or landscape orientation, and define the page orientation of the displayed document to match the determined device orientation. The electronic device can then transmit the document, in the defined page orientation, to a printer system for printing in the desired page orientation.
US09639777B1
Systems and methods are provided for image classification using histograms of oriented gradients (HoG) in conjunction with a trainer. The efficiency of the process is greatly increased by first establishing a bitmap which identifies a subset of the pixels in the HoG window as including relevant foreground information, and limiting the HoG calculation and comparison process to only the pixels included in the bitmap.
US09639772B2
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for video comparison using color histograms are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to compare video sequences include determining a color histogram corresponding to an input video sequence based on color values of pixels sampled from a plurality of video frames of the input video sequence. Such disclosed example methods also include adjusting the color histogram corresponding to the input video sequence based on a first reference color histogram corresponding to a first reference video sequence different from the input video sequence to determine an adjusted color histogram corresponding to the input video sequence. Such disclosed example methods further include comparing the adjusted color histogram and the first reference color histogram to determine whether the first reference video sequence matches the input video sequence.
US09639771B2
An image processing device (1000) includes a luminance variation detection unit (1), an angular variation detection unit (2), an image region detection unit (3), and an image processing unit (4). The luminance variation detection unit (1) detects a degree of variation of pixel value in a pixel reference region including a pixel of interest and pixels around the pixel of interest. The angular variation detection unit (2) acquires a contour direction where the pixel value is constant in the pixel reference region for each pixel and detects a degree of variation of the acquired contour direction. The image region detection unit (3) acquires an image region detection signal representing characteristics of the image region including the pixel of interest based on the degree of variation of the pixel value and the degree of variation of the contour direction. The image processing unit (4) performs a predetermined image process on the pixel of interest based on the image region detection signal.
US09639763B2
An image processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment includes a detection unit 11 and an identification unit 12. The detection unit 11 included in the image processing apparatus 10 detects a region in which a pixel value is changed between frames included in moving image data. The detection unit 11 outputs a detected result to the identification unit 12. The identification unit 12 sets a circumscribed rectangle to the region detected by the detection unit 11. The identification unit 12 specifies a frame including a detection target based on a filling ratio of the region to the circumscribed rectangle.
US09639760B2
In some embodiments, a method of monitoring a secure location is provided that includes (1) providing one or more sensors that monitor the secure location, each sensor generating sensor data; (2) establishing a policy region for the secure location employing world coordinates, the policy region establishing one or more alarm criterion for at least one of objects entering the policy region and objects exiting the policy region; (3) tracking an object within the secure location using the sensor data from the one or more sensors; and (4) determining if the sensor data indicates that the object has violated one or more alarm criterion of the policy region. Numerous other embodiments are provided.
US09639759B2
A video processing apparatus tracks an object in a video and performs detection processing for detecting that an object in the video is a specific object such that a number of times the detection processing is performed within a predetermined period on a tracking object not detected to be the specific object is more than a number of times the detection processing is performed within the predetermined period on a tracking object detected to be the specific object.
US09639756B2
A pair of images is obtained having pixel intensities substantially proportional to wave height for a majority of pixels. The images are aligned, orthorectified, and adjusted for relative reflectance in their respective spectral bands. The images are Fourier transformed, and then one image is propagated to the time of the other image. A deglinted image is calculated by taking the difference in wavenumber space, then inverse Fourier transforming. Alternatively, an equivalent formula can be obtained using convolutions. The propagation uses a gravity wave propagation function, which, in general, can be a function of depth, surface current, and wave direction which can be obtained from external data, assumed constant, or calculated from wave images depending on the particular circumstances.
US09639751B2
A data verification system is configured to verify machine-recognized data elements acquired during a machine-implemented data acquisition process. The system includes a data verification workstation, an image server, and a data entry server. The data verification workstation is configured to obtain document images from the image server, present portions of document images to an operator, wherein the document images include text, and receive input from the operator based on the text. The input includes data elements. The data verification workstation is also configured to acquire machine-recognized data elements from the data entry server. The machine-recognized data elements were acquired from the document image during a machine-implemented data acquisition process based on the text. The data verification workstation is also configured to compare the data elements received from the operator to the machine-recognized data elements and selectively prompt the operator to re-input the data elements based on the comparison.
US09639749B2
A method of processing an image is provided. The method includes identifying edge components of a background image by a unit of a predetermined size, identifying input coordinate points of a touch input which is input on a touch screen, determining distorted coordinate points by applying the edge components to the input coordinate points, and displaying a drawing image formed by connecting the distorted coordinate points, on the background image.
US09639745B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for evaluating results of gaze detection, wherein these results are present or are obtained in the form of information which defines, for each of a multiplicity of successive times, a viewing direction detected at this time and a focal point identified thereby in a scene image assigned to this time. For this purpose, the invention provides for the following steps to be carried out: —a temporal change in the viewing direction and/or the focal point is evaluated in order to identify different viewing events which differ from one another by different speeds of an eye movement, wherein saccades and fixations and/or pursuit movements are detected as different types of viewing events and the identified viewing events are classified according to the type thereof, —a period of time spanned by the times is divided into intervals in such a manner that an interval corresponding to a duration of the particular viewing event is assigned to each of the identified viewing events, wherein at least some of these intervals each contain a sequence of a plurality of times, —precisely one of the times or a true subset of the times is selected in each case from each of the intervals assigned to a fixation or a pursuit movement, —and, for each of these selected times, the focal point identified in the scene image assigned to the particular time is mapped to a position corresponding to this focal point in a reference image.
US09639744B2
The invention provides a robust method to control interactive media using gestures. A method to retrieve metadata information from a multimedia outlet device, wherein the method follows the steps: (1) extracting image hot spot areas in a current captured image using face detection, (2) detecting a human gesture directive in at least one image hot spot area using gesture recognition, (3) determining if the gesture directive matches a pre-assigned command to a rich interaction module, (4) sending a signal to a rich interaction module corresponding to the pre-assigned command detected, (5) extracting a media image hot spot area from electrical signals sent from the multimedia, (6) matching any detected human gestures in at least one image hot spot area using gesture recognition with a specific pixel on a device screen, and (7) retrieving information from metadata assigned to an area of pixels on the screen.
US09639742B2
Technologies for analyzing various features detected in a face detected in an image. Such features may include at least the eyes, eyebrows, node, and mouth of a face. Such analyzing may include scoring aspects of these features. Such scores may be weighted. The analysis may be used to determine expressions and/or poses of the face, as well as indicate if the face is smiling, frowning, or neutral. An overall quality score for the face may also be determined and provided based on the aforementioned analysis as well as whether or not the face is near an edge of the image or cut-off in the image. Finally, a face signature may be determined that uniquely identifies the face, at least within the scope of the analyzed features. Such face signatures may be used to detect a similar face in other images.
US09639733B2
Techniques for fully-differential multi-phase scanning in capacitive fingerprint applications are described herein. In an example embodiment, a system comprises a capacitive fingerprint sensor array and a processing device coupled to the capacitive fingerprint sensor array. The processing device is configured at least to: scan the capacitive fingerprint sensor array in a fully-differential multi-phase mode; receive a plurality of measurements that represents a portion of finger on the capacitive fingerprint sensor array; and generate a fingerprint image for the portion of the finger based on the plurality of measurements. In some embodiments, a capacitive fingerprint sensor array may include receive (RX) electrodes and one or more reference electrodes configured to detect noise, where the one or more reference electrodes have width that is substantially equal to the width of the RX electrodes, but the one or more reference electrodes are disposed at a smaller pitch than the RX electrodes.
US09639732B2
An apparatus and system for operating a handheld barcode scanner in a presentation mode are provided. The apparatus includes an upright stand having a lower end for placement adjacent to a work surface, and an opposing upper end. The apparatus includes a lower mirror, an upper mirror and a dock all supported by the stand. The dock holds the handheld barcode scanner between the lower mirror and a scan volume above the work surface to define a first beam path segment between the handheld barcode scanner and the lower mirror. The upper mirror defines a second beam path segment between the upper mirror and the lower mirror, and a third beam path segment between the upper mirror and the scan volume. The first, the second and the third beam path segments define a beam path between the handheld scanner and the scan volume.
US09639726B2
A code symbol reading system is provided. The code symbol reading system has an object detection subsystem that can be configured to detect only those objects that are positioned at a specified distance from the system. The object-detection subsystem thereby initiates the scanning process only when an object is detected at substantially the specified distance from the system.
US09639725B1
A tracking associate system that comprises a rotatable platform; an optically retroreflective label reader attached to the platform; a control unit attached to the rotatable platform; a scene recording camera; and a data network configured to process data produced by the label reader and/or the camera. Another tracking system comprises one, or more, label tracking pairs that each have a recording camera associated with a light source emitter; a platform configured to allow the label tracking pair to track a plurality of optically retroreflective labels that are affixed to objects; and a data network in communication with the label tracking pair that is configured to process data received from the label tracking pair.
US09639720B2
Signal interference is automatically avoided between product proximity subsystems that emit signals through mutually facing presentation windows of different workstations. A magnetometer in each workstation determines a direction faced by a respective presentation window. A controller in each workstation controls a respective product proximity subsystem to emit and receive a signal with a first signal characteristic when the respective magnetometer determines that the respective presentation window faces a first direction, and controls a respective product proximity subsystem to emit and receive a signal with a different second signal characteristic when the respective magnetometer determines that the respective presentation window faces a different second direction.
US09639713B2
Embodiments for preventing data loss in a business environment are provided. In some embodiments, a secure endpoint file export application assigns users to different classes having different permissions for accessing and writing data. In an embodiment, the system and method are configured to identify a plurality of users in a business environment; classify the plurality of users according to business needs; assign the users to one of at least two classes based on the classification; determine that the first user is permitted to access the data; transmit the secure file to a second user who is permitted to write the data in the secure file to removable media; write the data in the secure file to the removable media; and track a location of the removable media.
US09639709B2
Priority-based content retrieval mechanisms for digital entertainment devices are provided. In various embodiments, the download prioritizations may be interrupt-based, sequence-based, or a combination of the two. In interrupt-based prioritizations, a higher priority download request will interrupt a lower-priority download that is already in progress. In sequence-based prioritizations, a plurality of file download requests may be ordered in a download queue depending on the priority of the request, with higher priority requests being positioned towards the top of the queue and lower priority requests being positioned towards the bottom of the queue.
US09639702B1
A method for calculating a partial risk score for a data object may include identifying a request to calculate a partial risk score for a data object, the request including a partial risk score filter, and the data object being associated with one or more policies. The method may further include for each policy associated with the data object, determining whether characteristics associated with the policy match a parameter in the partial risk score filter, and when the characteristics associated with the policy match information in the partial risk score filter, including a data object risk score associated with the policy in the partial risk score for the data object.
US09639695B2
A system and method uses any or all of information of a user and/or user's activity at a second web site, information of the user's friends or other connections at the second web site, or registration information of the user, to determine whether to allow the user to communicate with other users of a first web site, prevent the user from communicating with other users of the first web site, or monitor the user's communications and allow or prevent the user from further communication based on the monitored communications at the first web site.
US09639693B2
Techniques for detecting security vulnerabilities are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for detecting security vulnerabilities including assigning a reputation to an application, distributing the reputation to a client, receiving monitored system behavior from the client related to the client executing the application, determining whether to change the reputation of the application based on the monitored system behavior, distributing the changed reputation to the client, receiving further monitored system behavior from the client, and determining whether to generate a rule for the application based on the monitored system behavior received from the client.
US09639691B2
A system for managing credentials for authenticating and securely communicating with trusted hosts, for example, in a cloud computing environment. The system dynamically updates credentials stored in a database and injects the updated credentials back into a runtime environment without restarting the runtime environment or applications running on the runtime environment. Embodiments of the present invention further enable credentials to be tracked and managed on a per-tenant basis, allowing each tenant that is running an application on a runtime environment to customize which hosts should be trusted.
US09639687B2
A server receives a piece of data for encryption. The server encrypts the piece of data such that no single key can decrypt the encrypted piece of data and any combination of a first multiple of unique keys taken a second multiple at a time are capable of decrypting the encrypted piece of data. Each of the first multiple of unique keys is tied to account credentials of a different user. The second multiple is less than or equal to the first multiple. The encrypted piece of data is returned.
US09639686B2
Provided is an operation limiting device which makes it possible to achieve more robust security and safety in processing of a workpiece by a processing apparatus. The operation limiting device limits operations relating to processing of a workpiece by a processing apparatus, and is provided with: an authentication unit for authenticating each of a plurality of users; a receiving unit for receiving an operation request or permission for said operation, from a plurality of authenticated users; an operation enabling unit for enabling an operation if an operation request or permission has been received from the plurality of authenticated users; and a releasing unit for releasing the operation enabled state set by the operation enabling unit if processing relating to the operation has terminated or if a predetermined period of time corresponding to the operation has elapsed.
US09639684B2
A remote control method with identity verification mechanism is suited for a wearable device. The remote control method includes the following steps. Detecting whether the wearable device is close to a target device within a specific distance is performed. If the wearable device is close to the target device within the specific distance, a fingerprint data inputted by the user is obtained from the wearable device and determined whether the fingerprint data matches a predetermined fingerprint data. If yes, a control command is sent to the target device.
US09639668B2
A system comprising a holding area, a manual section, a distribution section, and at least one conveyor. The manual section may include a handling area enabled for pill counting, pharmacist verification, exception handling, or combinations thereof. The distribution section may be disposed proximate the handling area and the manual section, and may include a robot and a scanner. The at least one conveyor may enable transportation of a container between said distribution section and said manual section. The robot may be adapted to pick a container from the holding area and move the container to the scanner for scanning. The robot may also be further adapted to place the container onto the conveyor to direct the container to a handling area which is enabled for an action based on the scan.
US09639664B2
Computer-implemented methods for executing transactions between parties seeking services and parties offering services.
US09639661B2
A system simulating the reviewing process of breast imaging examination (i.e. mammographic) information provides a data file of breast imaging information including mammographic (and other breast imaging examinations) images that may be scored by a trainee on computerized worksheet and expert assessments of those images. Quantitative data in the expert assessment may be compared to trainee-entered data recovered from the worksheet to provide an assessment of trainee proficiency in interpreting breast imaging studies. The data file of breast imaging information may be derived from actual clinical data anonymized and selected to provide for realistic yet demanding simulation.
US09639650B2
At least one method, apparatus and system disclosed involves circuit layout for an integrated circuit device comprising an asymmetrically placed metal formation. A design for an integrated circuit device is received. The design comprises at least one functional cell. A first metal formation is placed asymmetrically about a first cell boundary of the functional cell for providing additional space for routing.
US09639648B2
Systems and techniques are provided to correctly handle obstacles during cell partitioning, thereby preventing electronic design automation (EDA) tools from being subject to performance penalties during subsequent operations that are performed by the EDA tools on the cell partitions.
US09639642B2
A method of forecasting a resource load for consumption at a site, e.g., an electrical load of a site. The method includes receiving historical load data and historical ambient condition data that are time series data pertaining to a site and generating additional data from the received data. The method includes building a best sub-model for each of multiple forecast intervals. The building includes clustering in parallel training portions of the historical load data and the additional data, training possible sub-models using the clustered training portions, verifying forecasted loads output from the possible sub-models against verification portions of the historical load data and the additional data, and determining a first subset of parameters for the best sub-model based upon accuracy of the forecasted loads. The method includes forecasting a resource load at the site for each of the forecast intervals using an ensemble of the best sub-models.
US09639640B1
An approach for generating delay values for circuit elements in a clock network of a programmable IC includes determining for each clock resource in the clock network, different possible contexts of the clock resource. Each context specifies a combination of possible types of circuit elements in the context. Circuit elements of the possible types are selected from the different contexts, and configuration data is generated for implementation of respective ring oscillator circuits that include the selected circuit elements. The programmable IC is configured with the configuration data, and the programmable IC as configured with the respective ring oscillator circuits is operated. Respective delay values of the selected circuit elements are determined from output of the ring oscillator circuits. The delay values are stored in association with identifiers of the selected circuit elements in a memory arrangement.
US09639637B2
A method for predicting fatigue crack growth in materials includes providing a prior distribution obtained using response measures from one or more target components using a fatigue crack growth model as a constraint function, receiving new crack length measurements, providing a posterior distribution obtained using the new crack length measurements, and sampling the posterior distribution to obtain crack length measurement predictions.
US09639626B2
A method includes associating a state identifier with a page of a user interface; associating an element identifier with an element of the page of the user interface; and tracking a state of the element based on the state identifier and the element identifier throughout a user session of the user interface.
US09639623B2
Administration of a Web page is contemplated. The contemplated administration may be used to facilitate identifying state of a Web page at a first device from a remotely located second device, optionally independently of a Web server that downloads the Web page to the device. The contemplated administration may be used to facilitate changing state of Web page as provided through the first device from the remotely located second device, optionally independent of the Web server that downloads the Web page to the device.
US09639622B2
A web site determination unit determines web sites associated with any one of a plurality of users of interest. A web site association unit associates, among the determined web sites, a plurality of the web sites with each other, each of the plurality of the web sites satisfying at least one of a condition on a feature amount of the each of the plurality of the web sites and a condition on at least one of the users of interest associated with the each of the plurality of the web sites. Accordingly, web site groups possibly having a commonality may be determined among web site groups associated with users of interest.
US09639621B2
Computer-implemented methods and systems for creating and managing website content involve, for example, providing a user at a computer terminal a data capture template for a user-selected content type, providing the user at the computer terminal presentation pages using content management tags, allowing the user at the computer terminal to author content using the data capture template, and allowing the user at the computer terminal to deploy the content to a server. Other aspects of the methods and systems for creating and managing website content include, for example, allowing the user to personalize content, allowing the user to embed dynamic content in the middle of static content, allowing the user to refresh the deployed content in real-time without impacting current existing user sessions on the server where content is being deployed.
US09639612B2
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for distributing a content item toward target recipients solely via first degree connections (e.g., in a professional network, in a social network). For a selected content item and identified target recipients of the item, when a user initiates a message to forward or otherwise convey the content item, one or more schemes are applied to select and automatically populate the message with suitable addressees. In one scheme, values are computed for each neighbor of the sender, to indicate the value of delivering the item to that neighbor; the message is automatically addressed to the highest-value neighbors. In another scheme, user communities that encompass the target recipients are identified and the message is automatically addressed to neighbors that are best able to disseminate the item throughout a community. In another scheme a minimal set of neighbors having connections to all target recipients is identified.
US09639610B1
Described is system and method for gauging public interest in a topic using network analysis of online discussions. A message from an online discussion related to a specific topic is received as input. The message is analyzed for information related to the message, and a graph comprised of nodes is generated where each node represents information related to the message, such as user name, location, hyperlinks, and annotations. The graph is updated over time as additional messages from the online discussion are received. Additional nodes are generated and linked with at least one of the existing nodes in the graph to form at least one connected component. A normalized diameter of the largest connected component in the graph is determined, and a level of collective focus in the online discussion related to the topic based on the normalized diameter is output to a user.
US09639603B2
An electronic device includes a receiving unit, a searching unit, a storing unit, and a displaying unit. The receiving unit receives a search character string. The searching unit searches a dictionary database according to the received search character string. The storing unit stores headwords which are obtained by the searching unit in a memory as search history data. The displaying unit displays a search history graph based on the search history data. Marks are arranged in the search history graph. The marks show positions of headwords searched for in past times, within a range of headwords collected in the dictionary data.
US09639598B2
A system and method for dynamic, semi-supervised clustering comprises receiving data attributes, generating a set of ensemble partitions using the data attributes, forming a convex hull using the set of ensemble partitions, generating a simplex vector by performing ensemble clustering on the convex hull, receiving dynamic links, deriving an optimal simplex vector using the simplex vector and the dynamic links, computing a current optimal clustering result using the optimal simplex vector, and outputting the current optimal clustering result.
US09639593B2
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a sequence engine comprising a local queue configured to receive captured data in a first sequence, the captured data including a plurality of individual messages, each message including sequence information representative of a chronological order in which the messages was captured, a coupling facility in communication with the local queue, the coupling facility comprising a plurality of data tables wherein a first one of the plurality of data tables is configured to store the captured data in the first sequence, and a dispatcher in communication with the plurality of data tables and configured to resequence, based on the sequence information, the captured data into a second sequence, wherein the second sequence corresponds to the chronological order in which the plurality of individual messages were captured, and to forward the captured data to a destination database in the second sequence.
US09639591B2
A CAS data storage method and apparatus comprising: receiving input data including a succession of data items with corresponding logical addresses at a source CAS data storage space for storage therein and for replication at a destination CAS data storage space, generating a hash key for each data item at the source storage space, comparing respective hash keys with hash keys stored at a hash key storage table, to determine whether respective further data items are already present at the destination storage device; transferring respective data items to the destination storage space if no match is made to a hash key stored at the hash key storage table, but not transferring respective further data items if a match is made to a hash key stored at the hash key storage table, thereby transferring to the destination storage space only unique data items.
US09639590B2
A plurality of servers are each coupled to a different one of a plurality of databases that are synchronized with each other. A search request specifying a search range is sent from a search-requesting device to the servers. Each server calculates a search subrange from the search range specified in the search request received from the search-requesting device, performs a data search operation only within the calculated search subrange of the database coupled thereto, and sends a search result back to the search-requesting device.
US09639587B2
A system and method are described herein that provide for visualizing business objects stored in a backend system in database model views for display as nodes in a user interface. Business objects are retrieved from the backend system, with metadata from the business objects being customized and sorted into a plurality of node types. Each business object may be displayed in a user interface as a node along with other nodes generated from the database model views. The nodes represented by the business objects may be connected by edges that provide for an interconnection between each of the nodes. The edges may be customized by providing directional components to the edges to demonstrate the relationship between the displayed nodes.
US09639571B2
A distributed shared-nothing database provides serializable isolation for transactions and includes a mechanism for adding storage and processing capacity to the database without stopping the database from processing transactions.
US09639568B2
A system and method for storing, reading, and updating data structures in a database. The system and method can include storing an entry in a structure table for each data structure, where each data structure is associated with a unique identifier. The system and method can also include storing an entry for each field of a data structure in n field table corresponding to a data type of the field, where the entry for each field is associated with the unique identifier of the data structure. A field for a data structure can be accessed by searching the appropriate field table for the unique identifier of the data structure. Additionally, the data structure can be updated by adding a new entry in the structure table and new entries in the field tables.
US09639567B2
A system includes determination of a value identifier for each value of a first table, based on a data dictionary of a second table, generation of a hash function, the hash function mapping, for each row of the first table, one or more value identifiers of one or more columns of the row to a pointer to the row, application of the hash function to one or more value identifiers of a row of a second table, determination of whether the output of the hash function is a valid hash, and, if it is determined that the output of the hash function is a valid hash, determination that the row of the second table is associated with the first table.
US09639554B2
An extensible file system format for portable storage media is provided. The extensible file system format includes the specification of primary and secondary directory entry types that may be custom defined. The primary and secondary directory entry types can be further classified as critical and benign directory entries.
US09639546B1
An object-backed block-based storage system may store data blocks in a block cache in a non-relational database and data block objects in an object data store. Access requests for a particular data block may be received at a storage protocol target that are formatted according to a network-based storage protocol. Translated access requests formatted according to respective programmatic interfaces may be generated and sent to the non-relational database or to the object data store in order to access the particular data block. A response indicating success or failure of the access request may be sent.
US09639541B2
A computerized method and apparatus for distinguishing between false positive read events and true positive events of reading a file, comprising determining an amount of date read from the file, in case the amount of data exceeds a threshold generating a true positive read event, otherwise generating a false positive read event in case a decision condition is met, and an apparatus to carry out the same.
US09639533B2
A computer-implemented method is disclosed to assist a user to view image product designs at a graphic user interface. The method includes displaying an image representation in a page view at a graphic user interface, allowing a user to select the image representation in the page view, displaying a navigation panel in association with the image representation in the same page view, allowing the user to make a first selection in the navigation panel in the page view, displaying a first product design in the same page view according to the first selection, allowing the user to make a second selection in the navigation panel in the page view, displaying a second product design in the same page view according to the second selection, and removing the display of the navigation panel in the same page view when the product designs are deselected by the user.
US09639527B2
A system and method for a website administrator to order the translation of the strings within a website from the original language to “supported” language(s) by injecting computer code one time from a translation service website into the administrator's website template. The code subsequently analyzes, collects, and electronically transmits un-translated character strings via the Internet to the service's computer server for human or machine translations. When a user-visitor-of the administrator's website selects the supported language to view the website in, then the translated text immediately appears on the administrator's website. When the user visits the website in the future, the system automatedly displays the text in the supported language, and it will determine if new un-translated strings appear on the website, and automatedly translate and store them, and/or store the identity of the supported language, on the user's device.
US09639515B2
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for transfer of customer information between a first user interface and a third user interface by way of a second user interface are provided. In some embodiments, customer information may be imported into an intermediate user interface from a text-based user interface based on a first mapping associating portions of the text-based user interface with portions of an intermediate user interface. In some embodiments, the intermediate user interface is associated with a spreadsheet. The imported customer information may be reviewed by a user and accepted. The accepted customer information is used to populate a graphical user interface according to a second mapping associating one or more fields of the graphical user interface with portions of the intermediate user interface. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is a browser-based user interface.
US09639511B2
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for editing documents with non-native applications using an application engine. A request to open a document file using a non-native application is received from a user. An engine of the non-native application is selected, the engine being configured to edit the format of the file. Modifications to the document are received by the non-native application engine, and the document is saved to the file using the format of the file, without converting the document to a different format.
US09639498B2
An Ethernet/Fibre Channel conversion system includes a chassis having a first end and a second end that is located opposite the chassis from the first end. An Ethernet interface is located on the first end and is configured to directly mate with an Ethernet port on an Ethernet device. A Fibre Channel interface is located on the second end. An Ethernet/Fibre Channel conversion engine is housed in the chassis and configured to receive Ethernet protocol signals through the Ethernet interface, convert the Ethernet protocol signals to Fibre Channel protocol signals, and send the Fibre Channel protocol signals through the Fibre Channel interface. The Ethernet/Fibre Channel conversion engine is also configured to receive Fibre channel protocol signals from the Fibre Channel IHS through the Fibre Channel interface, convert the Fibre channel protocol signals to Ethernet protocol signals, and send the Ethernet protocol signals through the Ethernet interface.
US09639497B2
A physical layer network interface module (PHY-NIM) adaptation system provides a PHY-NIM device and an attachable media access control (MAC) device. The PHY-NIM device interconnects with the attachable MAC device and the attachable MAC device interconnects to a network appliance where the network appliance does not have at least one of an internal network switch and a MAC device in a southbridge input/output (I/O) interface chip of the network appliance. The PHY-NIM device interconnects directly to the network appliance without the attachable MAC device where the network appliance has at least one of the internal network switch and the MAC device in the southbridge I/O interface chip of the network appliance.
US09639490B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for implementing low latency interconnect switches between CPU's and associated protocols. CPU's are configured to be installed on a main board including multiple CPU sockets linked in communication via CPU socket-to-socket interconnect links forming a CPU socket-to-socket ring interconnect. The CPU's are also configured to transfer data between one another by sending data via the CPU socket-to-socket interconnects. Data may be transferred using a packetized protocol, such as QPI, and the CPU's may also be configured to support coherent memory transactions across CPU's.
US09639489B2
An I/O device sharing system characterized by comprising: an I/O device (50) shared by a plurality of hosts (20-1 to 20-N); a system manager (10) which sets the I/O device (50); a virtual bridge (40) which virtualizes the I/O device (50); and a network (3) which connects the I/O device (50), the system manager (10), the plurality of hosts (20-1 to 20-N) and the virtual bridge (40) to each other, wherein the virtual bridge (40) includes a connection virtualization unit (41) by which it is detected that an address setting of a plurality of virtual functions provided in the I/O device (50) that is set by the system manager (10) is performed, the virtual function is enabled, or both of them are performed and each host is permitted to access each virtual function.
US09639486B2
A computer, having: a first OS to which a first processor core group is allocated; and a virtualization module to which a second processor core group is allocated, wherein a virtualization module registers interrupt handler processing for resetting the second processor core group, wherein a first OS has: a monitoring module for monitoring the virtualization module; and an interrupt control module for obtaining identifiers of the second processor core group at a time of booting of the virtualization module, and, when the monitoring module determines to reboot the virtualization module, issuing resetting interrupt to the processor cores of the second processor core group that are associated with the kept identifiers, wherein the second processor core group receives the resetting interrupt and executes the interrupt handler processing to reset its own processor cores, wherein the interrupt control module issues startup interrupt to the second processor core group.
US09639485B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting data in an Android platform based terminal device are provided. In the method, when the terminal device establishes a connection for data transmission with another device over a USB, the terminal device transmits data in an internal storage of the terminal device to the another device based upon a file transfer protocol and receives and writes into the internal storage data transmitted from the another device based upon the file transfer protocol; and the terminal device transmits data in an external storage of the terminal device to the another device in a UMS mode and receives and writes into the external storage data transmitted from the another device in the UMS mode.
US09639483B1
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for protecting state data of computer system code. The computer system code may be operating system code, subsystem code or application code and the item of state data is not expected to change within the execution of the computer system code. The method includes: creating or modifying an item of state data having a field value and being stored in memory for access by computer system code; registering an item of state data for protection; preserving the field value of the item of state data in a form inaccessible to third party software; validating the field value of the item of state data by comparing a current field value with the preserved field value to determine if the field value has been modified; and, if the field value has been modified, taking appropriate action.
US09639477B2
In some embodiments, a memory corruption prevention process includes detecting a memory instruction of a program, where the memory instruction specifies a virtual memory address of data. The memory corruption prevention process further includes accessing, in response to the memory instruction, a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) using at least a portion of the virtual memory address. The memory corruption prevention process further includes, in response to accessing the TLB, obtaining a physical memory address corresponding to the virtual memory address, where the physical memory address corresponds to the data. The memory corruption prevention process further includes, in response to accessing the TLB, obtaining an authentication value corresponding to the physical memory address. The memory corruption prevention process further includes determining, using the authentication value, whether the memory instruction is authorized to proceed.
US09639474B2
Techniques are provided by which memory pages may be migrated among PPU memories in a multi-PPU system. According to the techniques, a UVM driver determines that a particular memory page should change ownership state and/or be migrated between one PPU memory and another PPU memory. In response to this determination, the UVM driver initiates a peer transition sequence to cause the ownership state and/or location of the memory page to change. Various peer transition sequences involve modifying mappings for one or more PPU, and copying a memory page from one PPU memory to another PPU memory. Several steps in peer transition sequences may be performed in parallel for increased processing speed.
US09639473B1
Described herein are systems and methods to prevent a controller in a DDIO (data direct input output) system from shifting currently-required data out of a cache memory. In one embodiment, a compute element disables caching of some specific addresses in a non-cache memory, but still enables caching of other addresses in the non-cache memory, thereby practically disabling the DDIO system, so that data sets not currently needed are placed in the addresses in the non-cache memory which are not cached. As a result, currently-required data are not shifted out of cache memory. The compute element then determines that the data sets, which formerly avoided being cached, are now required. The system therefore copies the data sets that are now required from addresses in non-cache memory not accessible to cache memory, to addresses in non-cache memory accessible to cache memory, thereby allowing the caching and processing of such data sets.
US09639471B2
Attributes of access requests can be used to distinguish one set of access requests from another set of access requests. The prefetcher can determine a pattern for each set of access requests and then prefetch cache lines accordingly. In an embodiment in which there are multiple caches, a prefetcher can determine a destination for prefetched cache lines associated with a respective set of access requests. For example, the prefetcher can prefetch one set of cache lines into one cache, and another set of cache lines into another cache. Also, the prefetcher can determine a prefetch distance for each set of access requests. For example, the prefetch distances for the sets of access requests can be different.
US09639470B2
An interconnect has coherency control circuitry for performing coherency control operations and a snoop filter for identifying which devices coupled to the interconnect have cached data from a given address. When an address is looked up in the snoop filter and misses, and there is no spare snoop filter entry available, then the snoop filter selects a victim entry corresponding to a victim address, and issues an invalidate transaction for invalidating locally cached copies of the data identified by the victim. The coherency control circuitry for performing coherency checking operations for data access transactions is reused for performing coherency control operations for the invalidate transaction issued by the snoop filter. This greatly reduces the circuitry complexity of the snoop filter.
US09639462B2
Device for selecting a level for at least one read voltage for reading data stored in a multi-level memory device. The multi-level memory device includes a plurality of memory blocks, in which each of the memory blocks includes a plurality of word lines, each of the word lines being allocated to a plurality of memory pages and being indexed by a word line index. The device includes a first mapping unit for mapping each of the word line indices to one bin label, in which the number of bin labels is smaller than the number of word lines, and a second mapping unit for mapping each of the bin labels to a voltage information being indicative for at least one read voltage, in which the level for the at least one read voltage for reading data is selectable for each word line based on the respective word line index.
US09639460B1
A system and method for providing a print formatted string wherein a format object is created for a format string a format string having a set of format specifiers, an amount of memory to allocate to a string buffer for the format object is determined, and the determined amount of memory is allocated to the string buffer. For each set of parameter values received with the format object, where each parameter value corresponds to a format specifier in the format string, a determination is made whether the determined amount of memory for the string buffer is sufficient to hold the set of input parameter values in accordance with the format string. If the determined amount of memory is insufficient, an amount of memory sufficient for the set of input parameter values in accordance with the format string is re-determined, and the string buffer is reallocated to the re-determined amount of memory.
US09639453B2
Techniques are disclosed for automatically determining tests to run on source code based on code coverage. In one embodiment, an extensible system takes as input a configuration file having pointers to an IP address of a server where tests are being run and a type of code coverage instrumentation. An agent configured to instrument source code and collect code coverage information is copied to the server at the IP address. During a training phase, the agent intercepts tests being run on source code and provides a dump of the interception results after each test is executed. Using such results, mappings of the tests to the source code is created and stored. During an execution phase, when new or modified source code file is being checked in, a testing application retrieves for execution tests which map to the source code file and to code dependent on the source code file.
US09639452B2
Systems and methods for testing and deploying an update are provided. A first server can execute a current version of an application in a production environment. A client communication from a client to the first server can be identified. The client communication can be transmitted to a second server in the production environment. The second server can be executing an updated version of the application. A first response to the client communication from the first server and a second response to the client communication from the second server can be received. The first response from the first server can be compared with the second response from the second server to determine whether the updated version of the application is compatible with the production environment.
US09639444B2
One or more computers is configured to run an end-to-end test including at least a plurality of independent tests of multiple stages of an asynchronous multi-stage data processing system. One of the set of independent tests is configured to send a request for test input data from a test data repository service for a particular stage. A converted version of the test input data is obtained. A comparison of the converted version to the output of the particular stage to verify operation of the particular stage is obtained. The output of the particular stage is transmitted to the test data repository service. One or more computers is configured to provide the test data repository service. The test data repository service is configured to store in the test data storage the output of the particular stage as test input data for a next stage of the asynchronous multi-stage data processing system.
US09639443B2
Systems and methods may include receiving real-time data from real components operating in a real-world environment. The systems and methods may further include generating a virtual representation of the real components based on the real-time data received from the real components and historical data associated with the real components. In addition, the systems and methods may include determining whether the real-time data from a component of the real components indicates an anomaly. The systems and methods also may include, in response to determining that the real-time data from the component indicates the anomaly, determining whether the anomaly indicated by the real-time data from the component is consistent with the virtual representation of the real components. Moreover, the systems and methods may include, in response to determining that the anomaly indicated by the real-time data from the component is not consistent with the virtual representation of the real components, determining that the component is a malfunctioning component.
US09639440B2
An apparatus configured to operate as a Backup system in a Data Layered Architecture Public Land Mobile Network. The apparatus comprises an interface for enabling a data exchange between the apparatus and a plurality of Authentication Centre Front Ends, and a memory for storing subscriber authentication data. The apparatus further comprises a processor for detecting a failure of a Data Back End and for receiving a redirected authentication data set request from an Authentication Centre Front End via the interface. The processor is further configured, in the event of a detected failure of Data Back End, to generate one or more authentication data sets in response to the request using the data stored in the memory, and send the generated data set(s) to the Authentication Centre Front End via the interface.
US09639431B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for multicast transport configuration, for multicast transport, and/or for fault policy implementation. In an example, a multicast component may receive a data copy request from an application to copy data to multiple destinations. A scheduler component may create a transport schedule specifying an order with which to facilitate data copy operations across transports, such as heterogeneous transports, to the destinations. A dispatcher component may apply application specified transport modifiers to the data copy operations (e.g., a modification to a quality of service for a transport). The dispatcher component may facilitate the data copy operations and provide operation result information to a policy agent. The policy agent may provide notifications of data copy operation statuses from the operation result information and/or may implement a fault policy (e.g., a retry on a different transport) for a data copy operation that experienced a fault.
US09639430B2
Machines, systems and methods for performing intermediate data backups, the method comprising monitoring data updates to one or more data blocks in at least a target data storage medium, wherein the target data storage medium is subject to an incremental data backup routine at prescheduled time intervals; in response to determining that said at least one or more data blocks is updated prior to a prescheduled time interval for the incremental data backup routine, performing one or more intermediate data backups to store data from the updated data blocks to at least one backup data storage medium; and in response to determining that said at least one or more data blocks is updated prior to the prescheduled time interval for the incremental data backup routine but after the last of the intermediate data backups, copying data on one or more updated data blocks after the last of the intermediate data backups to the backup data storage medium.
US09639429B2
Virtual databases are provisioned using point-in-time copies of a source database. Transaction logs received from the source database are applied to a point-in-time copy of the source database to create recovery milestones comprising database blocks that can be used to provision virtual databases. The recovery milestones are created in advance of receiving a request to provision a virtual database. Each recovery milestone is validated to determine that a consistent database snapshot can be created using the recovery milestone. If a problem is identified that prevents creation of a consistent database snapshot, the problem is fixed before creating the next recovery milestone. In response to receiving a request to provision a virtual database corresponding to a point in time, a recovery milestone is identified and transaction logs applied to the recovery milestone to create a database snapshot corresponding to the requested point in time.
US09639423B2
A system including first and second memory and a control module. The first memory stores a first lookup table with first metadata that includes a first mapping between logical and physical addresses and is lost due to an unexpected power down event. The second memory stores a second lookup table with second metadata and an event log. The second metadata includes a second mapping between the logical and physical addresses. The event log includes entries indicating updated associations between respective ones of the logical addresses and one of the physical addresses as included in the first metadata prior to the power down event. The control module: prior to the power down event, performs segmented flushes each including updating a segment of the second metadata with a corresponding segment of the first metadata; and walks the event log to recover a full flush cycle of segments of the first metadata.
US09639417B2
A storage control apparatus controls a storage device. The storage device includes a first storage area and a second storage area different from the first storage area. An error detection information storage unit generates an ECC for each of data blocks in data to be written, as error detection information. The error detection information storage unit stores generated ECC 1 to ECC 4 in the first storage area. A data storage unit stores data blocks DB1 to DB4 in the second storage area. A detection unit performs error detection on each of the data blocks according to the error detection information read from the first storage area and the data to be written read from the second storage area.
US09639411B2
Methods for notifying, in the event of a power outage, planned maintenance activity, a plurality of stakeholders of an enterprise infrastructure. The enterprise infrastructure may include components and relationships between components. The components may include data centers, data center components, applications, application components, and any other suitable components. The relationships may include relationships between data centers and data center components, relationships between data center components and applications, relationships between applications and application components, relationships between applications and stakeholders. Methods may receive power outage information at an impact notification center. Methods may determine the effect of the power outage on remaining components of the enterprise infrastructure and based on the determination, identify affected components. Methods may notify stakeholders of the power outage, identify service components which might get impacted and perform impact analysis and capacity planning in case of any disaster event where a data center and/or location is impacted.
US09639409B2
A device and method for communicating between cores are provided. The device comprises: a postbox component, configured to store a message sent from a message sending core to a message receiving core and notify the message receiving core to read the message; and a bus adapter component, connected between the postbox component and the message receiving core and the message sending core which communicate with each other and configured to provide read/write interfaces of the postbox component and the message receiving core and the message sending core. By means of the disclosure, the problems that the device and method for communicating between cores with high complexity, poor timeliness and poor expandability during multi-core application in the related art are solved, thereby achieving the effects of reducing the communication between cores complexity significantly, reducing communication time delay and having excellent expandability and scalability.
US09639408B1
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor and a management controller communicatively coupled to the processor for out-of-band management of the information handling system. The management controller may be configured to receive an event relating to an information handling resource of the information handling system and communicate a command to the information handling resource for applying a customized indicator code behavior to a visual indicator associated with the information handling resource.
US09639405B2
A method for providing settlement information in which a device provides settlement information to an application which is installed on the device includes executing a first application which is installed on the device, receiving settlement information from an external device via the executed first application, converting at least a part of the received settlement information, and providing the converted settlement information to a second application which is installed on the device in order to allow the second application to use the received settlement information.
US09639392B2
A processing device implementing unbounded transactional memory with forward progress guarantees using a hardware global lock is disclosed. A processing device of the disclosure includes a hardware transactional memory (HTM) hardware contention manager to cause a bounded transaction to be translated to an unbounded transaction, the unbounded transaction to acquire a global hardware lock for the unbounded transaction, the global hardware lock read by bounded transactions that abort when the global hardware lock is taken. The processing device further includes an execution unit communicably coupled to the HTM hardware contention manager to execute instructions of the unbounded transaction without speculation, the unbounded transaction to release the global hardware lock upon completion of execution of the instructions.
US09639391B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide efficient systems and methods for scaling past the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) thread limit in a Java Virtual Machine. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to ensure that a received workload is executed, even if the workload is greater than a JVM thread limit of the system, by spawning a reduced number of threads from a main process, in order to provide enough resources for the effective execution of a received workload.
US09639390B2
A cloud manager monitors available resources on host computer systems, including a number of hardware threads supported by CPUs on the host computer systems. The cloud manager receives a request to provision a virtual machine (VM) that includes a hardware multithreading parameter that specifies the amount of hardware multithreading required on the host computer system. The cloud manager then selects a host computer system for the VM taking the hardware multithreading parameter into consideration.
US09639389B1
For managing a pool of virtual computer systems, master status and a rebasing task are assigned to at least one virtual computer system of the pool. A non-reserved status is assigned to virtual computer systems of the pool that are not assigned tasks. A virtual computer system of the pool is selected to respond to a rebasing request. The selecting includes selecting one of the at least one virtual computer system that currently has a master status and that currently has a processing load less than a predetermined threshold and, when no virtual computer system of the pool currently has a master status and a processing load less than the predetermined threshold, selecting a non-reserved one of the virtual computer systems to perform rebasing for the request and changing the non-reserved status of the selected, non-reserved one of the virtual computer systems to master status.
US09639373B2
An information processing apparatus providing a specific function includes a non-volatile function program memory that stores a function program for providing the specific function, a main memory, and an arithmetic device that reads and stores the function program from the function program memory into the main memory at startup of the information processing apparatus and performs an arithmetic operation based on the function program to execute the function program. The arithmetic device operates at a start frequency set for startup as a clock frequency for accessing the function program memory when reading and storing the function program from the function program memory into the main memory at the startup, and operates at a frequency lower than the start frequency as the clock frequency for accessing the function program memory after reading and storing the function program into the main memory.
US09639372B2
A heterogeneous processor architecture is described. For example, a processor according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a set of large physical processor cores; a set of small physical processor cores having relatively lower performance processing capabilities and relatively lower power usage relative to the large physical processor cores; virtual-to-physical (V-P) mapping logic to expose the set of large physical processor cores to software through a corresponding set of virtual cores and to hide the set of small physical processor core from the software.
US09639368B2
Branch prediction using a correlating event, such as an unconditional branch that calls a routine including the branch, instead of the branch itself, to predict the behavior of the branch. The circumstances in which the branch is employed, and not the actual branch itself, is used to predict how strongly taken or not taken the branch is to behave. An anchor point associated with the branch (e.g., an address of the instruction calling a routine that includes the branch), an address of the branch, and a value that represents the number of selected branch instructions between the anchor point and the branch are used to select information to be used to predict the direction of the branch.
US09639355B2
A semiconductor chip is described having a functional unit that can execute a first instruction and execute a second instruction. The first instruction is an instruction that multiplies two operands. The second instruction is an instruction that approximates a function according to C0+C1X2+C2X22. The functional unit has a multiplier circuit. The multiplier circuit has: i) a first input to receive bits of a first operand of the first instruction and receive bits of a C1 term of the second instruction; ii) a second input to receive bits of a second operand of the first instruction and receive bits of a X2 term of the second instruction.
US09639354B2
A method of an aspect includes receiving an instruction indicating a destination storage location. A result is stored in the destination storage location in response to the instruction. The result includes the result including a sequence of at least four non-negative integers. In an aspect, values of the at least four non-negative integers are not calculated using a result of a preceding instruction. Other methods, apparatus, systems, and instructions are disclosed.
US09639351B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for matching and attributing code violations. One of the methods includes receiving a plurality of snapshots of a code base, including data representing a revision graph of the snapshots of the code base and data representing respective violations in each of the plurality of snapshots. A plurality of transitively matched violations in the code base are generated, wherein each transitively matched violation represents a respective sequence of matching violations from a first violation of a first snapshot to a second violation of a second snapshot, wherein each transitively matched violation identifies a respective first violation representing an initial occurrence of a coding defect in the code base and a respective second violation representing a last occurrence of the coding defect in the code base.
US09639342B2
The present disclosure includes some examples of methods, systems, and machine readable media which deliver firmware updates to a computing device of a hearing professional while requiring little or no user interaction. For example, the firmware patches may be delivered in a way that does not require administrator access on the computer. In various embodiments, the updates may only require periodic access to a network (e.g., the Internet), the updates may not require the fitting software to be running, and/or the updates may not even require a user to be logged in to the computing device.
US09639320B2
Embodiments are described for handling situations when a window or application is repositioned and clipped in a multi-screen device. In embodiments, if the window is repositioned such that it cannot be displayed entirely on one display, but would otherwise spillover or spill onto another display, the window or application is clipped. Such clipping is performed based on the size and location of the window and the size and location of the display.
US09639316B2
Print control of access information for which a valid period is set is performed properly. A printing apparatus acquires access information which is to be used for accessing a server and which has a valid period set for the access. If an elapsed time from the acquisition of the access information exceeds a predetermined time, the printing apparatus does not print the access information even if the valid period has not expired. If the elapsed time does not exceed the predetermined time, the printing apparatus prints the access information.
US09639314B2
An information processing apparatus for creating drawing data based on a printing job, comprises a plurality of drawing data creating units configured to create respective drawing data based on the printing job, a printing job receiving unit configured to receive the printing job designating a drawing data creating unit of the drawing data creating units, a printing job outputting unit configured to output the printing job received by the printing job receiving unit to the designated drawing data creating unit.
US09639310B2
Methods and systems evaluate the most recent print job processed with different printing sites to calculate the current residual capacity for each of the different printing sites. The current residual capacity is determined and maintained by a computerized server. These methods and systems can then calculate the turnaround time of a print job for each of the different printing sites based on the current residual capacity, can calculate the cost of the print job for each of the different printing sites based on historical cost information maintained by the computerized server, and can calculate a weighted sum of the turnaround time and cost of the print job for each of the different printing sites. This allows these methods and systems to select one of the different printing sites based on the relatively lowest weighted sum for the print job, and to assign the print job to the selected printing site.
US09639306B1
A method of generating a cell design of print production devices for a print production environment includes receiving a print job list, and identifying a plurality of print production devices located in the production environment. The system identifies a list of functions associated with the print jobs, and generates a graph. The system determines a threshold value, and partitions the graph into a number of groups equal to the threshold value such that a number of edges extending between groups is minimized. The system generates an initial cell design for the print production environment, and causes a hardware setting of each of the plurality of production devices to be updated to reflect the cell to which the production device was assigned and to enable the production device to perform one or more functions associated with the cell to which the production device was assigned.
US09639305B1
Method and apparatus of processing information in an environment with multiple devices and resources
A method and apparatus are disclosed that provide processing data associated with a job request. In one example, the job request may be a printer job to print a particular document based on predefined settings. The data processing operation may include determining at least one job specific resource available to fulfill the job request, and performing at least one of a prioritization computation, a job specific requirement computation, and a geographical determination computation. Additional operations may include selecting at least one appropriate device to fulfill the job request based on the at least one computation operation and the at least one available job specific resource, and processing and completing the job using the at least one appropriate device based on the at least one computation.
US09639298B2
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing obtaining estimated future availability information for storage units and organizing a plurality of sets of encoded data slices into a plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices. For each of the plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices, the method continues with the DS processing module estimating an approximate storage completion time to produce a plurality of approximate storage completion times. The method continues with the DS processing module establishing a time-availability pattern for writing the plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices to the storage units based on the estimated future availability information and the plurality of approximate storage completion times. The method continues with the DS processing module sending the plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices to at least some of the storage units for storage therein in accordance with the time-availability pattern.
US09639284B2
The present invention includes embodiments of systems and methods for increasing the operational efficiency and extending the estimated operational lifetime of a flash memory storage device (and its component flash memory chips, LUNs and blocks of flash memory) by monitoring the health of the device and its components and, in response, adaptively tuning the operating parameters of flash memory chips during their operational lifetime, as well as employing other less extreme preventive measures in the interim, via an interface that avoids the need for direct access to the test modes of the flash memory chips. In an offline characterization phase, “test chips” from a batch of recently manufactured flash memory chips are used to simulate various usage scenarios and measure the performance effects of writing and attempting to recover (read) test patterns written with different sets of operating parameters over time (simulating desired retention periods).
US09639277B2
A virtual LU astride a plurality of storage devices is a virtual volume composed of a plurality of partial volumes. Functions of the storage system, Zoning information of a SAN and a host group information of the virtual volume are inherited to a partial volume created for each physical device. When a page granularity data migration is executed, volume or data are migrated to other storage devices without depending on the relationship between a physical port and the physical device. When a host IO request is received when migration is on-going, response processing is performed by synchronizing storage devices within the range of migration data. The host IO request related to the page being migrated sends a partial complete response including information for re-routing the request to a path of the appropriate data migration destination device capable of issuing the IO.
US09639257B2
A system and method are disclosed. A user input device may be configured to receive an input from a user. A visual display may be configured to display interface elements in a frame configured to scroll along a first axis based on the input as received by the user input device being substantially along the first axis and to switch display of interface elements of a subset of the interface elements between an unselected configuration and a selected configuration in response to a first input as received by the user input device being substantially along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The visual display may not switch display of the interface elements between the unselected configuration and the selected configuration based on the input along the first axis without first receiving the first input along the second axis.
US09639256B2
Some embodiments of the application provide a method for starting an Activity of a mobile terminal and the mobile terminal. The method may comprise: determining a display mode of a new Activity after determining that the new Activity is required to be started; and setting a window flag for starting the Activity according to the determined display mode so as to start the Activity in the display mode indicated by the window flag; where the display mode comprises a window mode and a full-screen mode.
US09639250B2
The present disclosure includes displaying a matrix. In one embodiment, a computing device is configured to display an N×M matrix comprising N rows and M columns of matrix cells. A selection is received by the computing device of a first matrix cell of the N×M matrix. The first matrix cell has a particular display area. The computing device is reconfigured to display the N×M matrix, wherein a first display area of the first matrix cell is increased, and wherein display areas of a plurality of other matrix cells are decreased.
US09639248B2
Methods are described for maximizing the size of a video displayed in a display area of a video player. The maximum height of the video is determined using its aspect ratio and the dimensions of the display area in the video player. The control panel is removed from the display in the video player if this allows the video to be shown at its maximum height while preserving the video's resolution. The control panel is displayed in the video player if the video can be shown at its maximum height without removing the control panel from the display.
US09639246B2
A streaming composition system is described herein that provides easy workflow and playback capabilities for content producers to create composite media assets from existing and on-going media content and for streaming clients to seamlessly playback composite multimedia streams provided from different sources. These assets provide broadcasters an option to quickly turn around highlights for an on-going event. The streaming composition system allows a producer to identify clips within existing media assets and compose the clips into a new unified streaming presentation. For producers that already have smooth streaming media assets, the system leverages these assets to provide seamless playback across clip boundaries including advanced playback support for advertisement insertion, fast forward, rewind, and so on.
US09639240B2
A computer-implemented method for launching an installed application comprising the steps of: providing a web browser; displaying in the web browser a first list of at least one three-dimensional object; selecting at least one three-dimensional object among said first list; determining a second list of at least one installed application(s) able to use the selected object(s) of the first list; displaying in the web browser said second list; selecting an application in said second list; and launching said selected application of said second list together with the opening of the selected object(s) of the first list.
US09639210B2
A device implements a data processing method for an optical FTIR-based touch system. The touch system defines detection lines across a surface portion of a panel by propagating light inside the panel from a plurality of incoupling points to a plurality of outcoupling points, such that each location on the surface portion is illuminated by incident light rays. At least one light detector is coupled to the outcoupling points to generate an output signal. The device obtains signal values for the detection lines from the output signal and processes the signal values to at least partly compensate for variations in the apparent interaction among the subset of detection lines that interact with an object on the surface portion.
US09639208B2
A touch panel system (1) includes a touch panel (3) and a touch position detecting section (5) for detecting a touch position on the touch panel (3). The touch position detecting section (5) includes a touch start determining section (56) for (i) setting a determining region based on a touch start position candidate which is a touch position that has been detected relatively earliest and (ii) determining that touches have been started from the touch start position candidate in a case where the touches whose starting point is at the touch start position candidate have been successively detected within the determining region a predetermined number of times or more.
US09639200B2
A touch detection circuit includes: a map generation section configured to compare a touch signal corresponding to a proximity state of an external proximity object with each of a plurality of thresholds to generate a plurality of pieces of map data each showing touch regions; a labeling section configured to selectively perform labeling on the touch regions in the plurality of pieces of map data, based on inclusive relationship of the touch regions between the plurality of pieces of map data; and a detection section configured to perform touch detection based on processing results by the labeling section.
US09639198B2
A semiconductor device connected to the display panel including the in-cell type touch sensor is configured as follows. The semiconductor device includes a driving circuit of the display panel, a touch sensing circuit of the touch sensor, a power supply circuit that supplies a power source to these circuits, and a bias control circuit that controls a bias current flowing through these circuits. The semiconductor device is able to perform a time-division operation in which one frame period of display is divided into a plurality of display driving periods and sensing periods. In the display driving periods, the supply of power to the touch sensing circuit is suppressed, and/or a bias current is reduced. In the sensing periods, the supply of power to the driving circuit is suppressed, and/or a bias current is reduced.
US09639196B2
The present invention presents a mobile electronic device comprising dynamic hardware controls and a method for controlling dynamic hardware controls. The mobile electronic device comprises a pressure sensing film arranged to detect a pressure applied on at least one portion of at least one side of the mobile electronic device and electroactive polymer film with a conductive coating arranged overlaying the pressure sensing film. The electroactive polymer film comprises at least one deformable segment that may be deformed temporarily by the application of a voltage over the at least one deformable segment in the electroactive polymer film, the mobile electronic device further comprises a control unit arranged to control the dynamic hardware controls.
US09639195B2
A method for controlling an input from a user to a computerized system including a touchpad is presented. The method includes obtaining data from the touchpad. The data is associated with the location and force of a finger and/or a hand of the user upon the touchpad and not associated with an image of the finger from an image sensor, when the user operates the computerized system using the touchpad. The method further includes communicating the data from the touchpad to the computerized system and analyzing the data in accordance with a model of a human hand. The method further includes determining, using the model, that at least one finger of the user is touching a first control region of the touchpad using a first force.
US09639194B2
An in-cell touch display structure includes: an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a display material layer configured between the upper and lower substrates, and a thin film transistor and sensing electrode layer. The thin film transistor and sensing electrode layer includes a gate line sub-layer having a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of connection segments separated by the gate lines, and a source line sub-layer having a plurality of source lines, a plurality of sensing conductor lines, and a plurality of sensing conductor segments separated by the source lines and the sensing conductor lines, wherein part of the sensing conductor segments and part of the connection segments are electrically connected together to form a plurality of sensing conductor blocks.
US09639192B2
A multi-touch system for controlling liquid crystal capacitors to reduce touch sensing interferences includes K gate driving lines, which are divided into N groups each corresponding to a common voltage conductive line. When a display driving signal is applied to an i-th group of gate driving lines for performing a display driving, the liquid crystal capacitor corresponding to the i-th group is set to a predetermined voltage, where i=1 to N. Finally, a touch driving signal is applied to an i-th common voltage conductive line corresponding to the i-th group for sensing touch points, so as to reduce touch sensing affections caused by noises of the liquid crystal display.
US09639180B2
A computer system that includes a data-processing unit, a touch-sensitive, position-resolving input surface in data communication with the data-processing unit, and a freely movable input device, by which the input surface is to be touched for the purpose of inputting into the data-processing unit. The freely movable input device is a computer mouse, which is in data communication with the data-processing unit. With comparatively low sensor complexity, inter alia, both the absolute position of the computer mouse and also subtle position changes of the computer mouse can therefore be very easily detected by the data-processing unit.
US09639177B2
A mobile terminal is provided that is capable of effectively displaying information to users by utilizing characteristics of a flexible display unit. The mobile terminal includes a flexible display unit configured to display image information on an entire screen; a sensing unit configured to sense a folded state of the flexible display unit; and a control unit configured to divide an entire screen of the flexible display unit into a plurality of screens based on a folded position, rearrange image information according to the plurality of divided screens, and display the rearranged image information on at least one of the plurality of divided screens.
US09639162B2
Embodiments of vehicle gesture recognition systems and methods are disclosed. An example vehicle gesture recognition system comprises a data interface configured for receiving 2d image data from a 2d sensor and/or from a portable device camera via a portable device interface. Additionally or alternatively, the data interface is configured for receiving gesture data indicating a gesture. A vehicle processing unit is configured for controlling user interfacing with a user interface based on the gestures recognized from the 2d image data and/or as indicated by the gesture data.
US09639160B2
A tactile sensation providing device can provide a user with an appropriate tactile sensation by efficiently vibrating a panel and is waterproof or dustproof. The tactile sensation providing device includes a panel; a tactile sensation provider, which provides a tactile sensation by vibrating the panel; a housing; and silicon rubber with a general U-shaped cross-section, disposed between the panel and the housing, for suppressing intrusion of dust or water from outside the housing to inside the housing.
US09639152B2
For display alignment based on eye tracking, a method is disclosed that includes displaying, by use of a processor, a graphical object on a display screen, detecting an aspect of a user relative to the display screen, and moving the graphical object to reduce a viewing angle between the graphical object and the aspect of a user.
US09639145B2
In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a computing device is provided. The computing device includes an interface module and a power management module. The interface module is to provide a user interface that facilitates enabling and disabling of an always on feature, and further facilitates configuration of a permissible advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) S3 state period. The power management module to receive a request to enter an ACPI S3 state, determine whether the always on feature is enabled, and in response to determining that the always on feature is enabled, determine whether the computing device is within a user-defined permissible ACPI S3 state period. In response to determining that the computing device is within the user-defined permissible ACPI S3 state period, the power management module is to set a wake event and cause the computing device to enter the ACPI S3 state.
US09639134B2
In an embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of cores including a first core. The first core includes a first plurality of accumulator logics, each accumulator logic of the first plurality of accumulator logics to store corresponding first core telemetry data. The processor also includes a power management unit (PMU) to request telemetry data from the first core and in response to receive the first core telemetry data stored in at least one accumulator logic of the first plurality of accumulator logics. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09639131B2
A variety of data storage devices, methods and systems are implemented for control of memory associated with backup functionality. One such data storage device includes a power circuit that provides main power. The data storage device has a first solid-state memory circuit that maintains data in the absence of electrical power. A second memory circuit is subject to data loss in the absence of electrical power. A storage circuit stores energy and provides the stored energy to the second memory circuit in response to a loss of main power. A test circuit discharges a portion of the stored energy to provide output data indicative of power-providing capabilities of the storage circuit. A memory controller controls data transfers to the data storage device by temporarily storing data destined for the first solid-state memory circuit and setting the amount of memory available for temporary storage in response to the output data.
US09639129B2
The economical load distribution adjusting device 10 acquires an optimal hydroelectric output, optimal demand, and optimal power price from the supply-demand planning device 23, acquires the planned hydroelectric output planned by the water level planning devices 21, and acquires a planned demand planned by the hot water tank temperature control devices 22. The economical load distribution adjusting device 10 reduces the power price of the time at which the planned hydroelectric output exceeds the optimal output and makes the water level planning devices 21 replan the hydroelectric output, and raises the power price of the time at which the planned demand exceeds the optimal demand and makes the hot water tank temperature control devices 22 replan the amount of demand.
US09639123B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing having a base plate and a sidewall, the sidewall having a shape bent and extended from an end of the base plate, a duct in the base plate that is parallel to a surface of the base plate and having an external end open to the sidewall of the housing, an electronic part placed on an internal surface of the base plate to cover at least a portion of the duct, and a waterproof sheet disposed between the duct and the electronic part to protect the electronic part.
US09639118B2
A housing includes a main portion and at least one insulating portion. The main portion includes two portions, an inner surface and an outer surface opposite to the inner surface. The inner surface defines at least one groove. The outer surface defines at least one gap that is coupled to the at least one groove. The at least one insulating portion is corresponding to the at least one groove and each insulating portion is filled in one groove. The two portions of the main portion are positioned at two sides of the at least one gap and the two portions are insulated by the at least one gap and the at least one insulating portion.
US09639114B2
A spread spectrum clock generation circuit includes a generation unit configured to generate and output a spread spectrum clock based on an input reference clock, a monitoring unit configured to monitor a difference between the number of pulses of a reference clock input to the generation unit after a reference time and the number of pulses of a spread spectrum clock output from the generation unit after the reference time, and a control unit configured to control a frequency of a spread spectrum clock to be generated by the generation unit so as to make the difference fall within a predetermined range.
US09639113B2
The present invention relates to communication technology and provides a display method and an electronic device capable of solving the problem associated with limited operation space due to a small screen of an electronic device. In particular, the method comprises: detecting a trigger event when the first display unit displays a first content and the second display unit is in a first power consumption state; determining whether the trigger event satisfies a predetermined condition to obtain a determination result; generating a switching instruction when the determination result indicates that the trigger event satisfies the predetermined condition; and switching the second display unit from the first power consumption state to a second power consumption state and displaying the first content on the second display unit in response to the switching instruction. The first power consumption state has a lower power consumption than the second power consumption state. The present invention can be applied in a display of an electronic device.
US09639105B2
One aspect is a method that includes applying a plurality of incrementally varying voltage targets to a plurality of power phase converters operating in parallel between a source voltage rail and a load voltage rail. A phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is monitored. The phase temperature of each of the power phase converters is compared to a thermal adjustment limit. One or more of the power phase converters are adjusted to reduce an associated output current based on determining that at least one of the power phase converters exceeds the thermal adjustment limit. Power phase converter adjustments can be performed in a balanced manner such that a net sum voltage at the load voltage rail is substantially unchanged after the adjustments.
US09639101B2
To provide a voltage regulator capable of maintaining the accuracy of an output voltage even if it is set to an arbitrary output voltage. A voltage regulator includes an output transistor comprised of an NMOS transistor having a backgate grounded, an error amplifier circuit configured to amplify and output a difference between a divided voltage obtained by dividing an output voltage outputted from the output transistor and a reference voltage and thereby to control a gate of the output transistor, a constant voltage circuit, and a transistor having a gate inputted with a voltage of the constant voltage circuit, a drain connected to the gate of the output transistor, and a source connected to a source of the output transistor.
US09639099B2
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for regulating the room temperature in a room or in a plurality of rooms, the room temperature can be regulated by regulating the mass flow of a heat-carrying fluid flowing through a heat exchanger according to a determined current room temperature. In accordance with some embodiments, a temperature sensor in the room can be dispensed that can determine the current room temperature, in each case the mass flow of the heat carrying fluid through the heat exchanger and the flow temperature prevailing at the input to the heat exchanger and the return temperature prevailing at the output of the heat exchanger are measured, and that a temperature assigned to the determined values of the mass flow, the flow temperature and the return temperature is output as the current room temperature and used for regulation.
US09639095B2
In the case of a sanitary fixture (1), it is provided that at least one covering surface (7), by way of which at least one flow opening (4) of a flow element (3) is openable and at least partially closable in a temperature-dependent manner, is formed on a covering element (6) made of a temperature-sensitive material (cf. FIG. 1).
US09639093B2
A valve poppet (54) is provided for use in a regulator valve assembly (200) for regulating the pressure of a flowing gas through a gas flow pressure regulator (300). The valve poppet is includes a valve disc (54) having a flexible portion (60a) so as to permit upward and downward movement of a valve stem (52) in an axial direction. The valve disc may have an edge portion (60b) that provides a preloading force to self-align the valve disc within a valve seat (70), and axially constrain the motion of valve stem. The valve stem (52) may extend perpendicularly relative to the valve disc from a sealing portion (58). The movement of the valve stem is axially constrained and results in upward and downward movement of the flexible portion when the valve is opened and closed. The flexible and end portions of the valve disc may be formed of a plurality of spiral arms for self-aligning and axially constraining the valve disc.
US09639091B2
A system for collecting a fluid sample from a machine having a fluid module is provided. The system includes a docking station disposed on the machine. The system also includes a pump selectively disposed in fluid communication with the fluid module of the machine. The pump is configured to draw a fluid from the fluid module. The system further includes an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The UAV is configured to detachably dock onto the docking station. The UAV is also configured to collect the fluid sample from the pump.
US09639089B2
A gust compensation system is configured to adaptively reduce gust loads exerted into an aircraft. The gust compensation system may include a first sensor proximate to a front of the aircraft. The first sensor is configured to output a first signal. A second sensor may be distally located from the front of the aircraft. The second sensor is configured to output a second signal. A gust signal sub-system is configured to receive the first and second signals and generate a gust signal based on analysis of the first and second signals. The gust signal sub-system outputs the gust signal and may modify a load parameter signal in response to the gust signal exceeding a load alleviation threshold.
US09639077B2
A control device efficiently performs priority-dependent data transmission through a communication line and a control method aimed at the priority-dependent data transmission. The control device includes a transmitter that transmits data as a frame to another unit through the communication line and a generator that generates the data to be transmitted to another unit. When the higher-priority data to be transmitted is generated in a receiver or a controller while the transmitter transmits a first frame, the transmitter transmits a second frame including the higher-priority data to be transmitted after transmitting a first frame up to a predetermined block.
US09639076B2
A switch apparatus for connecting an arithmetic processing apparatus and a control apparatus that controls the processing apparatus to an I/O apparatus is disclosed, the switch apparatus includes: a switch unit that connects either the processing apparatus or the control apparatus to the I/O; a first input/output control unit that outputs a first command that is received from the processing apparatus to the I/O through the switch unit, receives a response from the I/O that is operated based on the first command, through the switch unit, and outputs the received response to the processing apparatus; and a second input/output control unit that outputs a second command that is received from the control apparatus, to the I/O through the switch unit, receives a test result of the I/O that is tested based on the second command, through the switch unit, and outputs the received test result to the control apparatus.
US09639072B2
A system is provided for reducing temperature gradients within a building. For example, temperature gradients between the air temperature measured at a thermostat controlling an HVAC system and the air temperature in one or more rooms of the building can be reduced. A model of the building is created by measuring the temperature gradient between the thermostat and one or more rooms of the building. This model is used to determine the operation of the HVAC system so as to reduce one or more of such temperature gradients.
US09639069B2
The invention relates to a method for optimizing the supply of energy, over a time interval I of duration D, to an installation equipped with N energy distribution devices operating in all-or-nothing mode and by duration modulation, an operation duration Ai being allocated to each of the N energy distribution devices over the time interval I by a command/control system of the installation. According to the method: a schedule is defined over the time interval I by means of the time division of the set of operating sequences of the N energy distribution devices (B1, B2 . . . BN), and the schedule is calculated before the start of the time interval I by taking account of the desired operation durations Ai of each energy distribution device and, for the distribution device of order number 1, by searching for the optimal position(s) over the time interval of the operating sequence(s) of this distribution device which make it possible to minimize a function U representative of the fluctuations of the energy throughput over the time interval, the sequences of the other devices retaining the positions of the initial schedule, so as to obtain a resulting optimal schedule; and the above is repeated on the basis of the optimal schedule, using successively the distribution devices of higher order number up to the distribution device of order number N, and that which minimizes function U is adopted.
US09639067B2
Time adjustment device, timekeeping device with a time adjustment device, and time adjustment method
A timepiece can acquire time information in a short time, reduce power consumption, and display the correct time. A timepiece comprises a receiver to receive a satellite signal, and a time information generator to generate internal time information. The receiver runs a first reception process that acquires first information including week information from the satellite signal, a second reception process that acquires second information including leap second information from the satellite signal, or a third reception process that acquires third information including hour, minute and second information from the satellite signal. In the first reception timing, after the internal time information is initialized, the receiver runs the first reception process and runs the second reception process after running the first. In a next reception timing, after the first reception timing, the receiver runs the third reception process if the first and second information are acquired in the first reception timing.
US09639066B2
A display device and an electronic apparatus using the display device include a display component configured to output initial light corresponding to a first image; and a light path converting component configured to receive the initial light corresponding to the first image from the display component and to perform light path conversion on the initial light corresponding to the first image to form a virtual image corresponding to the first image, wherein the virtual image corresponding to the first image is perceived at a particular position and a size of the virtual image perceived being greater than a display size of the display component, wherein the light path converting component comprises a visible area, the particular position and the display component are located separately at two sides of a plane on which the visible area is located.
US09639057B2
A watch type mobile terminal includes: a body having a power supply unit, a printed circuit board, and a display unit formed to implement a touch input thereon; a band unit formed to be wearable on a user's wrist by being connected to the body, and formed such that at least part thereof is wound or unwound in the body; and a length control unit configured to implement winding or unwinding of the band unit such that a length of the band unit is controllable in accordance with a user's wrist size.
US09639054B2
An image forming device includes a main casing, a process cartridge, a sheet passage, and a first guide. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive body, and a transfer member, and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main casing. The sheet passage extends in a first direction and is configured to allow a sheet to pass between the photosensitive body and the transfer member. The first guide is configured to guide the process cartridge such that the process cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the main casing. The first guide has a support portion extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and configured to support the process cartridge in a state where the process cartridge is attached to the main casing.
US09639052B2
An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet in an electro-photographic method and detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; a chassis configured to accommodate the image forming unit and including an opening portion, through which the image forming unit is detachably attached to the body; a handle arranged in the image forming unit to protrude at least partly through the opening portion when the image forming unit is attached to the body; and a cover movable between a closed position, in which the opening portion is closed, and an open position, in which the opening portion is exposed, the cover including a protrusion cover configured to cover a protrusive part of the handle protruded through the opening portion when the cover is in the closed position, is provided.
US09639048B1
A media accumulator-ejector for use with an imaging apparatus. Rotatable upper and lower roll assemblies are located above and below a media accumulation zone comprised of an accumulation plate and positioned to receive media exiting an imaging device. The roll assemblies are moveable like jaws between an open position where media can accumulate on the accumulation plate without interference with the roll assemblies and a clamping position where the accumulated media is grasped by the upper and lower roll assemblies. The upper and lower roll assemblies are then rotated to eject the accumulated media from the accumulation plate. The upper and lower roll assemblies can also grasp and continuously eject individual sheets of media at a predetermined process speed.
US09639047B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device for forming a pattern image having unit images on a photosensitive member, a sensor for irradiating the pattern image with light and detecting reflected light, and a controller for controlling the image forming device to form a pattern image for printing used when printing and a pattern image for detection to be detected by the sensor on the photosensitive member. A first pattern image for printing includes a predetermined number of first unit images arranged to be spaced from each other, each of the first unit images being smaller than a predetermined size. A first pattern image for detection corresponding to the first pattern image for printing includes more than the predetermined number of the first unit images arranged to be spaced from each other.
US09639042B2
A fixing device includes a nip formation pad to press against a fixing rotator. A primary heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator in a primary heating span spanning in an axial direction of the fixing rotator to heat the primary heating span of the fixing rotator from which heat is conducted to the nip formation pad with a primary conduction. A secondary heater is disposed opposite the fixing rotator in a secondary heating span that is outboard from the primary heating span in the axial direction of the fixing rotator. The secondary heater is interposed between a first nip formation portion and a second nip formation portion of the nip formation pad to heat the secondary heating span of the fixing rotator through the nip formation pad from which heat is conducted to the fixing rotator with a secondary conduction greater than the primary conduction.
US09639041B2
A fixing device includes a belt member that rotates to fix a toner image to a recording material; a pressing unit that, along with the belt member, presses the recording material while the pressing unit rotates; a heating section that contacts an inner side of the belt member and heats the belt member; and a nip forming portion that is provided at the inner side of the belt member, and that forms a nip where the recording material is nipped between the belt member and the pressing unit. In the fixing device, the heating section is disposed at an outer side of a locus of the belt member where the heating section is not provided and that is nipped by the nip forming portion and the pressing unit.
US09639039B2
An image forming apparatus detects that the temperature of a fixing member reaches a lower limit value at which the temperature once reduced by the start of a heating and fixing process to a paper turns to rise, after an image forming operation starts, and determines the type of the paper based on at least one of an elapsed time from a predetermined reference time point after the image forming operation starts to a time point at which it is detected that the temperature reaches the lower limit value, and a temperature difference between the temperature of the fixing member at the reference time point and the lower limit value.
US09639038B1
A system and method for controlling the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device, including initiating reading line current and line voltage for a plurality of consecutive AC cycles; from the AC cycle readings, identifying heater on cycles in which power is applied to the fuser heater and heater off cycles in which power is not applied to the fuser heater; calculating heater power from the identified heater on cycles and the heater off cycles, the heater power being the power of the fuser heater during a predetermined heater on cycle of the consecutive AC cycles; calculating a fuser heater voltage of the fuser heater during the predetermined heater on cycle based on the voltage readings; calculating a resistance of the fuser heater based on the calculated heater power and the calculated fuser heater voltage; and controlling the fuser assembly based upon the calculated resistance of the fuser heater.
US09639023B2
A sliding member has a free end that extends toward the downstream side of the direction of rotation of a developer bearing member, and a tip portion on the free end side of the sliding member slides against the developer bearing member. The developer bearing member has a region where, when a developer is placed on a vertical direction upper side of the developer bearing member which is in a stationary state, the developer can remain without dropping. A position against which the tip portion of the sliding member slides, the region, and a position against which a regulating member slides are located on the developer bearing member in this order toward the downstream side of the direction of rotation of the developer bearing member.
US09639018B2
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a toner core and a shell layer. The shell layer includes a plurality of first shell particles and a plurality of second shell particles. The first shell particles cover the toner core at a coverage of at least 25% and no greater than 50%. The second shell particles additionally cover the toner cores at a coverage of at least 5% and no greater than 30%. An SP value of the toner core is greater than an SP value of the first shell particles. The SP value of the first shell particles is greater than an SP value of the second shell particles.
US09639015B2
Disclosed is toner particles having controlled and tailorable fusing characteristics. In particular, there is provided toner particles comprising styrene acrylate which have specific shape characteristics that allow for tailorable fusing characteristics without generating a detrimental effect on the blocking characteristics of such toners.
US09639009B2
The present invention provides a highly electro-conductive electrophotographic member which contributes to formation of high-quality electrophotographic images while bleeding out of an ion conducting agent is reduced, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus. Accordingly, the electrophotographic member according to the present invention includes an electro-conductive mandrel and an electro-conductive layer, wherein the electro-conductive layer contains a resin synthesized from a nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic cation and a compound being able to react with the nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic cation, and an anion; the nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic cation has two substituents bonded to hydroxyl groups; and the substituent bonded to the hydroxyl group is bonded to a nitrogen atom of a nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycle of the nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic cation.
US09639006B2
A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed where at least part of a space between a projection system of the apparatus and a substrate is filled with a liquid by a liquid supply system. The projection system is separated into two separate physical parts. With substantially no direct connection between the two parts of the projection system, vibrations induced in a first of the two parts by coupling of forces through the liquid filling the space when the substrate moves relative to the liquid supply system affects substantially only the first part of the projection system and not the other second part.
US09639003B2
An imaging assembly for directing a pattern of energy at a workpiece includes (i) a reticle that defines a reticle array that includes a plurality of spaced apart, transmitting regions; (ii) an illumination source that generates an illumination beam; and (iii) a director assembly that selectively directs the illumination beam at the reticle array, the director assembly includes a plurality of director elements that are individually controlled to selectively control the beam pattern that is directed at the reticle array.
US09638990B2
A projector device of the present disclosure includes a luminous tube made of quartz glass, a concave reflecting mirror in which the luminous tube is disposed, and an optical unit for projecting an image by utilizing light emitted from the concave reflecting mirror. The luminous tube has a luminous part, in which at least mercury is enclosed inside and a pair of electrodes is disposed so as to face each other, and a pair of sealing parts extending from the luminous part in opposite directions to each other. The luminous tube is disposed so as to direct the pair of electrodes in a vertical direction. A region of the image projected from the optical unit is a horizontally long rectangle.
US09638987B2
The camera side mount is brought, by relative rotation with the accessory side mount, from a first state where each accessory side bayonet claw is inserted between the camera side bayonet claws into a second state where the camera side and accessory side bayonet claws engage with each other. The leaf spring biasing the camera side contact pins in the protruding direction is disposed between the camera side mount and the camera body. When the camera being in the normal position is viewed from the direction facing the camera side mount, the leaf spring extends from both sides of the mount center line, which extends from the center of the camera side mount in the direction of gravity, toward the camera side contact pins. The camera side contact pins are arranged at positions other than a position on the mount center line.
US09638977B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for mitigating defects in optical devices such as electrochromic devices. One method mitigates a pinhole defect in an electrochromic device by identifying the site of the pinhole defect and obscuring the pinhole to make it less visually discernible. In some cases, the pinhole defect may be the result of mitigating a short-related defect.
US09638971B2
To provide a liquid crystal display device capable of controlling deterioration of contrast even in the case where an opening is formed in an organic flattened film and the film has unevenness. In the liquid crystal display device that includes a TFT substrate, a CF substrate, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the CF substrate and that drives the liquid crystal with a lateral electric field, the TFT substrate has the organic flattened film in which a through hole for contacting a source electrode of the TFT and a pixel electrode and a sectional shape of the through hole is asymmetrical between a side on which the pixel electrode extends and the other side.
US09638965B2
A display panel and a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate are disclosed. A peripheral electrode, a first bar-shaped electrode array, a second bar-shaped electrode array, a third bar-shaped electrode array, and a fourth bar-shaped electrode array are included in a pixel electrode in the display panel. The first bar-shaped electrode array, the second bar-shaped electrode array, the third bar-shaped electrode array, and the fourth bar-shaped electrode array respectively are disposed on a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area which are surrounded by the peripheral electrode. The peripheral electrode connects with the first bar-shaped electrode array, the second bar-shaped electrode array, the third bar-shaped electrode array, and the fourth bar-shaped electrode array. The penetration rate of a pixel unit can be improved by the present invention.
US09638962B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal panel and a manufacture method thereof. The liquid crystal panel comprises: a first substrate (1), a TFT layer (2) located on the first substrate (1), a color resist layer (3) located on the TFT layer (2), a photospacer layer (4) located on the color resist layer (3), a protective layer (5) located on the color resist layer (3) and the photospacer layer (4), a via hole (6) penetrating the color resist layer (3) and the protective layer (5), a pixel electrode layer (7) formed on the protective layer (5) and electrically connected to the TFT layer (2) with the via hole (6) and a second substrate (8) oppositely located to the first substrate (1), and one or more color resist material in the photospacer layer (4) and the color resist layer (3) are the same, and the photospacer layer (4) and the color resist layer (3) are formed at the same time during a manufacture process.
US09638955B2
A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a rear light source device, a rear polarizing plate, a liquid crystal cell including liquid crystal molecules that are substantially perpendicularly aligned during black display, and a front polarizing plate, which are provided in the stated order, wherein: an absorption axis of a polarizer of the rear polarizing plate is perpendicular to an absorption axis of a polarizer of the front polarizing plate; and condensed light in which a half-value angle in a direction perpendicular to the absorption axis of the polarizer of the rear polarizing plate is smaller than a half-value angle in a direction parallel to the absorption axis of the polarizer of the rear polarizing plate enters the rear polarizing plate. According to the present invention, a liquid crystal display device having an excellent front contrast ratio, and a polarizing plate with a condensing element for realizing the liquid crystal display device having the excellent front contrast ratio may be provided.
US09638954B2
A first LED substrate and a second LED substrate are included each of which includes: on a main surface thereof, a plurality of LEDs connected in series in a longitudinal direction; a first connector including (i) a first terminal disposed on one of short sides of the LED substrate and connected to an anode of an LED positioned first among the LEDs connected in series, and (ii) a second terminal connected to a cathode of another LED positioned last among the LEDs connected in series. The second terminal of the first LED substrate and the first terminal of the second LED substrate are interconnected. The first terminal of the first LED substrate is connected to a positive terminal of a power circuit and the second terminal of the second LED substrate is connected to a negative terminal of the power circuit.
US09638949B1
A display of an electric device includes a plurality of separated transparent electrode blocks, which are configured to provide one or more of supplemental features such as touch recognition. Signal paths between the transparent electrode blocks and the driver for the supplemental feature are implemented with a plurality of conductive lines placed under positioned under one or more planarization layers. The conductive lines implementing the signal paths are routed across the display area, directly toward a non-display area where drive-integrated circuits are located.
US09638948B2
A touch panel having a central region and a peripheral region, including: a substrate; a touch sensing layer disposed on the substrate; a wiring layer disposed on the peripheral region of the substrate electrically connected to the touch sensing layer; a first decorative layer disposed on the peripheral region and covering the wiring layer; a transparent adhesive layer disposed on the touch sensing layer and the first decorative layer; a cover substrate disposed on the transparent adhesive laver; and a second decorative layer disposed between the cover substrate and the transparent adhesive layer, and corresponding to the peripheral region.
US09638938B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polarizing lens, including conducting curved surface processing to change a shape of a polarizing film into a shape of a curved surface, conducting heat treatment by heating polarizing film that has been processed into a curved surface to a heating temperature of equal to or higher than 105° C. but less than 150° C., assembling an upper mold, a lower mold, and a seal member to provide a casting mold having a cavity within which the polarizing film following heating treatment is positioned, upper and lower molds being positioned opposite each other to sandwich the polarizing film at a space therebetween, and seal member sealing space between the upper and lower molds, casting a curable composition into the cavity, curing curable composition to provide a polarizing lens within which a polarizing film is positioned, and separating polarizing lens thus provided from casting mold.
US09638936B2
Contact lenses incorporate high plus or add power profiles that at least one of slow, retard or preventing myopia progression and minimize halo effect. The lens includes a center zone with a negative power for myopic vision correction; and at least one treatment zone surrounding the center zone, the at least one treatment zone having a power profile that increases from an outer margin of the center zone to a positive power within the at least one treatment zone of greater than +5.00 D.
US09638935B2
Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, including: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.
US09638934B2
An eyewear hinge is provided for removably connecting an earpiece to a lens frame. A lens mount is attached to the lens frame and has one of a hinge receiver and a security slot or a hinge post and a security ledge. A hinge support is attached to the earpiece and has the other of the hinge receiver and the security slot or the hinge post and the security ledge. The hinge post is removably insertable into the hinge receiver and the security ledge is removably receivable in and engages with the security slot as the lens mount and hinge support pivot relative to one another.
US09638931B2
A lens driver with camera shake reducing function, in which the spring member is easily mountable, and the spring member does not undergo a plastic deformation. The lens driver with camera shake reducing function takes the direction of the photographed object as the forward direction of the optical axis of the lens, comprising: a focusing unit, which causes a lens holder holding the lens to move in the direction of the optical axis; and a camera shake reducing unit, which causes the focusing unit to swing in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis, characterized in that, comprising: a connecting hole, which is formed at the focusing unit and the camera shake reducing unit and which is opened in the direction of the optical axis; a spring member, which extends in the direction of the optical axis and the end of which passes through the connecting hole; and an open route, which extends from the connection hole of at least one of the focusing unit and the camera shake reducing unit in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and which engages the spring member temporarily before the spring member is connected to the connecting hole.
US09638927B2
A polarization combiner includes: a base member that includes a body portion, an arm portion extending from the body portion, and a notch portion surrounded with the body portion and the arm portion; a polarization rotating element that is fixed to the arm portion of the base member and that rotates a polarization direction of a first polarized wave; and a polarization combining element that is fixed to the base member so as to face the notch portion of the base member and the polarization rotating element, the polarization combining element combining two polarized waves entering from a surface facing the notch portion and the polarization rotating element, the two polarized waves including the first polarized wave whose polarization direction is rotated by the polarization rotating element and a second polarized wave passing the notch portion.
US09638923B2
An optical element for terahertz waves that transmits terahertz-wave incident beams through itself after being compressed into half or less a wavelength of the beam, the optical element comprising: a substrate that allows terahertz waves to be transmitted through itself; and a conductive coat that covers a surface of the substrate and is capable of blocking the waves, wherein the coat has an aperture provided in a circular region and ring-shaped grooves, provided on a surface of the coat, having the same center as the circular region and having radii which increase every fixed length, and wherein in the circular region, four or more fan-shaped tips each having an arc with the same radius of curvature as the radius of the region, are arranged at equal distances toward the center of the circle without contacting each other as the arc contacts an outer periphery of the region.
US09638920B2
A binocular head mounted display includes a first binocular eye piece including a first torsional brace and a second binocular eye piece including a second torsional brace configured to engage the first torsional brace. The binocular head mounted also includes a frame assembly holding the first binocular eye piece and the second binocular eye piece at an adjustable interpupillary distance. The frame assembly includes a torsional support to directly or indirectly engage the first torsional brace and the second torsional brace. Such engagement resists rotational movement of the first binocular eye piece relative to the second binocular eye piece.
US09638916B2
An image processing device includes a signal processing circuit, a chromatic aberration extraction circuit, and a diaphragm control circuit. The signal processing circuit generates image data by signal-processing output data generated by an image sensor in accordance with light passing through a diaphragm and a lens. The chromatic aberration extraction circuit extracts a chromatic aberration from the image data. The diaphragm control circuit changes an f-number of the diaphragm. The diaphragm control circuit sets the f-number of the diaphragm based on the chromatic aberration extracted by the chromatic aberration extraction circuit.
US09638908B2
The image measurement device includes: a side-emitting illumination device that has a light amount distribution sharply changing in a photographing axis direction of a camera, and irradiates a workpiece on a movable stage with illumination light from a side; a measurement target place specifying part that specifies a measurement target place on a workpiece image; an illumination position adjusting part that moves the side-emitting illumination device in the photographing axis direction, to adjust a relative position of the side-emitting illumination device to the movable stage; a relative position identifying part that obtains a change in luminance in the measurement target place with respect to two or more of the workpiece images photographed by making the relative position different, to identify a relative position; an imaging control part that controls the illumination position adjusting part based on the identified relative position and drives the side-emitting illumination device.
US09638902B2
The projection zoom lens essentially consists of a positive first lens group fixed while changing magnification and the second lens group through the fourth lens group which move while changing magnification, and a fifth lens group fixed while changing magnification; and an aperture stop positioned between adjacent moving lens groups or within one moving lens group, whereinthe numerical number of the zoom lens is set to be constant over the entire zoom range,the reduction side is configured to be telecentric, andthe projection zoom lens satisfies conditional formulas (4) and (5): 2.0
US09638890B2
An imaging lens consists of, disposed in order from the object side, a front group, a stop, and a rear group, wherein the front group includes, in order from the most-object side, a positive first lens, a negative second lens, and a negative third lens which are adjacently disposed, the rear group consists of two sets of cemented lenses having positive refractive powers and a positive single lens, the object-side cemented lens is formed by cementing, in order form the object side, a positive lens with a convex surface toward the image side and a negative meniscus lens together, the image-side cemented lens is formed by cementing, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens with a concave surface toward the image side and a positive lens together, and the image-side cemented lens is disposed at the most-image side of the rear group.
US09638885B2
A lens driving apparatus includes a lens holding member, a static member including a housing, a biasing member, and a moving mechanism. The biasing member includes upper and lower leaf springs. The upper leaf spring includes an upper first portion, an upper second portion, and an upper elastic arm portion. A through hole is formed in the upper first portion of the upper leaf spring. The lens holding member includes a fastening portion that includes a mount surface on which the upper leaf spring is placed, a recess facing the through hole, and a protrusion inserted into the through hole. An adhesive held in the recess surrounds the protrusion and part of the adhesive spreads to an upper surface of the upper first portion of the upper leaf spring through the through hole. The upper leaf spring is fixed to the lens holding member with the adhesive.
US09638878B2
An optical coupling device including a housing, a first optical port provided on the housing, a second optical port provided on the housing and configured to couple to an optical fiber cable, an optical signal path guiding optical signals between the first and second optical port, a monitoring device provided on the housing, and an decoupling element optically coupled to the optical signal path and the monitoring device for coupling an optical monitoring signal coupled out from the optical signals guided between the first and second optical port onto the monitoring device. Furthermore, an optical communication system is provided, the system including an optical module with an optical signal processing device, the optical signal processing device being configured for at least one of receiving optical signals by a receiving device and transmitting optical signals by an optical signal source, and an optical coupling device guiding the optical signals.
US09638874B2
A method for determining receiver coupling efficiency includes varying optical power inputted into a half active optical cable to determine a maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining a receiver coupling efficiency by calculating a ratio of a threshold optical power to the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches. A method of determining link loss in a channel includes varying optical power of a light source to determine the maximum optical power at which the TIA squelches and determining the link loss in the channel by subtracting the maximum optical power from the threshold optical power. A method of determining link topology includes selecting a pattern of optical powers and matching a pattern of squelched and non-squelched outputs with the pattern of optical power. An active optical cable includes memory storing a value related to an initial link loss of the active optical cable.
US09638873B2
A receptacle ferrule assembly for a fiber optic receptacle connector. The receptacle ferrule assembly comprises a first lens with first second optical surfaces and a receptacle ferrule body having first and second ends. At least one monolithic optical system is formed in a monolithic receptacle ferrule body and includes a lens formed at the second end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body and an optical surface formed at the first end of monolithic receptacle ferrule body. The optical surface is situated adjacent to, and mated to the second optical surface of the first lens The monolithic optical system is configured, in conjunction with the first lens, to define a receptacle optical pathway from the second end of the monolithic optical system to the first surface of the first lens. According to some embodiments the first lens is a gradient index lens.
US09638871B2
A method of terminating an optical fiber drop cable with an optical fiber connector and said optical fiber connector are described herein wherein said optical fiber connector can be inserted into a port structure of a telecommunication enclosure to provide an environmentally sealed connection. The exemplary connector has a main body with an interior passageway extending from a first end to a second end of the main body and a compressible portion at the second end of the main body, a compression member attachable to the second end of the optical fiber connector over the compressible portion, an optical connection portion disposed at least partially within the interior, and an outer housing disposed over the connection portion wherein the outer housing has an external shape mateable with a standard format optical coupling.
US09638869B2
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector and cable assembly. The fiber optic connector includes a connector body and ferrule assembly mounted in the connector body. A spring is positioned within the connector body for biasing the ferrule assembly in a forward direction. The spring has a first spring length when the ferrule assembly is in a forwardmost position. A rear housing of the connector body includes a front extension that fits inside a rear end of the spring, the front extension having a front extension length. The fiber optic connector defines a gap between the front extension and a ferrule hub of the ferrule assembly, the gap having a first dimension measured between the front extension and the ferrule hub when the ferrule assembly is in the forwardmost position, the front extension length being longer than the first dimension.
US09638866B2
A mechanism for securing a series of fiber optic cable connectors includes a base that has several connector recesses and a lid that is removably attached to the base. The mechanism may be used to ruggedly connect a series of fiber optic cables in a downhole instrument where space is limited, with the ability to break each of the series of fiber optic cables individually.
US09638865B2
The present invention provides a switch device for an optical signal which has high extendibility and which can suppress an increase of loss in extension. A switch device in one embodiment of the present invention includes, in a housing, four splitter portions, four switch portions, and extension splitter portions. The splitter portions are connected to path-side ports, the switch portions are connected to client-side ports, and the splitter portions and the switch portions are connected to one another via shuffle fiber arrays. One ends of the extension splitter portions are connected to path-side extension ports, and the other ends thereof are connected to client-side extension ports. The number of wavelengths processable by the switch device can be easily changed by changing a connection state of optical fibers to the path-side ports, the client-side ports, the path-side extension ports, and the client-side extension ports.
US09638863B2
An optical coupling device includes a multi-core fiber alignment station, a single-mode fiber alignment station, and a furcation lens assembly. The multi-core fiber alignment station and single-mode fiber alignment station include alignment hardware configured to position optical fibers at fixed positions relative to an optical axis of the furcation lens assembly. The furcation lens assembly includes a furcating and projecting axicon surfaces that are rotationally invariant and are configured such that optical modes of an optical fiber aligned in one of the fiber alignment stations are spatially separated and substantially telecentrically mapped to corresponding optical modes of optical fibers aligned in the other fiber alignment station.
US09638861B2
A first lens transmits a beam of light having a vertical cross-sectional diameter made closer to a horizontal cross-sectional diameter. The beam of light is emitted from an optical waveguide on a substrate and configured such that the vertical cross-sectional diameter which is the diameter of a vertical cross section along the direction of the thickness of the substrate is greater than the horizontal cross-sectional diameter which is the diameter of a horizontal cross section along the direction of the width of the substrate. A second lens is disposed at a position, at which the vertical cross-sectional diameter and the horizontal cross-sectional diameter coincide with each other, so as to focus the beam of light on the optical fiber. The position is closer to the optical fiber than the first lens along the direction of travel of the beam of light transmitted by the first lens.
US09638859B1
A fiber alignment or “fiberposer” device enables the passive alignment of one or more optical fibers to a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) device using mating hard-stop features etched into the two devices. Accordingly, fiber grooves can be provide separate from the electrical and optical elements, and attached to the PIC with sub-micron accuracy. Fiberposers may also include a hermetic seal for a laser or other device on the PIC. All of these features significantly reduce the typical cost of an actively aligned optical device sealed in an hermetic package.
US09638848B2
A pattern phase difference film is manufactured by a process including a laminate body formation step of applying a pattern alignment layer composition on a substrate to form a laminate body, a heat-drying layer formation step of heat-drying the composition to form a heat-dried layer, a pattern alignment layer formation step of irradiating a polarization pattern onto the heat-dried layer to form a pattern alignment layer, and a phase difference layer formation step of forming a phase difference layer including a rod-shaped compound on the pattern alignment layer. During the steps between the heat-drying layer formation step and the phase difference layer formation step, the heat-dried layer and the pattern alignment layer are exposed to the air for four hours or less.
US09638847B2
A method for producing a colored or fluorescent substrate with a view to formation of a colored or fluorescent image including the formation. The method defines on a substrate of a colored or fluorescent matrix, pixels of at least two different colors, wherein each pixel forms a filter for a given color. At least one filter is an interferential filter or a filter obtained with colored or fluorescent particles.
US09638845B2
A UV mask and a fabrication method thereof. The UV mask fabrication method includes: forming a UV shielding layer on a coverage area of a base substrate by using a color filter layer mask plate and a black matrix mask plate; or forming a UV shielding layer on the base substrate by using the color filter layer mask plate. In this way, the cost spent in manufacturing a display device by using a special mask plate (mask) to fabricate the UV mask is reduced.
US09638834B2
A composition includes: a continuous liquid phase including an acrylic monomer and an epoxy monomer; and a dispersed nanoparticulate including ZrO2 modified with an acrylic silane; and wherein the composition is transparent to visible light when coated on a lens. In addition, a method including the steps of: mixing an acrylic silane and a methanol-based ZrO2 sol to create a methanol-based silane-modified ZrO2 sol; then mixing at least an acrylic monomer, an epoxy monomer, and the methanol-based silane-modified ZrO2 sol to obtain the composition. The composition can be adapted for coating and curing onto another substrate, such as an ophthalmic lens.
US09638830B2
A method for optimizing drilling operations. The method includes providing an earth model of a volume having a well, obtaining petrotechnical data about the volume while drilling the well, comparing the petrotechnical data with the earth model, updating the earth model with the petrotechnical data based on the comparison, and modifying a drilling plan of the well using the updated earth model.
US09638824B2
Buried object locators including an omnidirectional antenna array and a quad gradient array are disclosed. A locator display may include information associated with a buried object based on both omnidirectional antenna array signals and quad gradient antenna array signals.
US09638820B2
An apparatus includes a detector assembly, a positioning unit, and interface circuitry. The detector assembly includes an array of multiple magnetic field detectors. The positioning unit is configured to fix the detector assembly at one or more known positions relative to a location pad, which generates magnetic fields for performing position measurements on an intra-body magnetic field detector using a positioning system. The interface circuitry is configured to output electrical signals that are produced by the magnetic field detectors of the detector assembly when the detector assembly is fixed at the known positions, so as to calibrate the position measurements performed by the positioning system.
US09638819B2
A modular resistivity sensor disposable in a drillstring having a drill bit on a distal end for drilling a wellbore in a formation, includes a sensor body having a longitudinal axis radially offset from a longitudinal axis of the drillstring, one or more transmitting coil antennas disposed along a length of the sensor body, one or more receiving coil antennas disposed along a length of the sensor body, and a calibrating device configured to calibrate signals generated from the receiving coil antennas.
US09638807B2
A host lattice modified GOS scintillating material and a method for using a host lattice modified GOS scintillating material is provided. The host lattice modified GOS scintillating material has a shorter afterglow than conventional GOS scintillating material. In addition, a radiation detector and an imaging device incorporating a host lattice modified GOS scintillating material are provided. A spectral filter may be used in conjunction with the GOS scintillating material.
US09638797B2
A monitoring device comprising a plurality of emitters and a plurality of receivers is provided. The emitters are capable of being driven to emit waves with directivity. The receivers are correspondingly disposed with respect to the emitters for receiving the waves. The transmitting paths of the waves define a monitoring area. The monitoring device is able to determine the moving trend and the location of the first object in the monitoring area when the specific waves are reflected to and received by the corresponding receivers.
US09638796B2
A radar sensor for motor vehicles, having a transmitting antenna in the form of a planar group antenna having multiple antenna elements situated side by side on a shared planar substrate, and having a feed network and a switching device for supplying microwave power to the antenna elements. The antenna elements are situated at equal distances in at least one row; the feed network is designed for supplying the antenna elements with the microwave power having a phase shift which increases at constant increments from one end of the row to the other; and the switching device is designed for controlling the supply of the microwave power to the antenna elements in such a way that, depending on the operating mode, the supply is implemented in a mirror-inverted fashion from opposite ends of the at least one row.
US09638789B2
An embodiment relates to a method for processing input data that includes multiplying a portion of the input data with a first set of coefficients or with a second set of coefficients, wherein the first set of coefficients and the second set of coefficients are stored in a memory, wherein the first set of coefficients is used on phase modulated input data and wherein the second set of coefficients is used on input data that are not phase modulated.
US09638786B2
Embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems and computer program products. Systems, methods and computer program products of the various preferred embodiments can include one or more sensors disposable in a finite location and adapted to receive a communication channel signal from a mobile terminal located in the finite location and a controller connected to the one or more sensors and adapted to calculate a position of the mobile terminal within the finite location. The systems, methods and computer program products of the various preferred embodiments can also include a pseudo-station disposable in the finite location and connected to the controller and adapted to induce a communication channel signal from the mobile terminal by transmitting a control channel signal in the finite location.
US09638751B2
A parallel test device and method are disclosed, which relates to a technology for performing a multi-bit parallel test by compressing data. The parallel test device includes: a pad unit through which data input/output (I/O) operations are achieved; a plurality of input buffers configured to activate write data received from the pad unit in response to a buffer enable signal, and output the write data to a global input/output (GIO) line; a plurality of output drivers configured to activate read data received from the global I/O (GIO) line in response to a strobe delay signal, and output the read data to the pad unit; and a test controller configured to activate the buffer enable signal and the strobe delay signal during a test mode in a manner that the read data received from the plurality of output drivers is applied to the plurality of input buffers such that the read data is operated as the write data.
US09638740B2
A test system with rotational test arms for testing semiconductor components includes a transport device, a first test socket, a second test socket, a first test arm, and a second test arm. The first test socket and the second test socket are electrically connected to different test signals respectively and correspond to the first test arm and the second test arm. The first test arm and the second test arm test arms operate rotationally to carry and place the semiconductor components to the transport device, the first test socket and the second test socket, so the test time is improved.
US09638739B2
A defect coordinates measurement method includes a step of detecting detected coordinates of a fiducial mark and a defect of a mask blank placed on support pins, a step of detecting detected coordinates of the alignment mark of a reference mask placed on the support pins, a step of extracting a reference mark near the detected coordinates of the defect among the plurality of reference marks based on the detected coordinates of the defect of the mask blank and the alignment mark of the reference mask, a step of detecting detected coordinates of the extracted reference mark, and a step of calculating coordinates of the defect based on the detected coordinates of the reference mark and the detected coordinates of the defect.
US09638724B2
Current measurement apparatus comprises a measurement arrangement and a signal source. The measurement arrangement is configured to measure a current signal drawn by a load. The signal source is operative to apply a reference input signal to the measurement arrangement whereby an output signal from the measurement arrangement comprises a load output signal corresponding to the load drawn current signal and a reference output signal corresponding to the reference input signal. The signal source comprises a current multiplier which defines first and second current paths and is configured such that: the first path carries a multiplier input current signal; the second path carries a multiplier output current signal which determines the reference input signal and which corresponds to the multiplier input current signal multiplied by a multiplier value determined by the current multiplier; and the multiplier input current signal and the multiplier output current signal are carried on their respective paths in a same direction relative to a power supply voltage. Power drawn through the second path as divided by the multiplier value is less than the power drawn through the first path.
US09638719B2
A probe device includes an electrode plate arranged above a mounting table for mounting thereon a semiconductor wafer and electrically connected to a tester, a connection conductor arranged at a side of the mounting table and electrically connected to a mounting table electrode formed on a mounting surface of the mounting table, and a cleaning mechanism including a polishing unit for polishing a contact portion of the connection conductor, a brush cleaning unit for performing a brush-cleaning of the contact portion, and a contact resistance measuring unit for measuring a contact resistance of the contact portion. The mounting table electrode is in contact with a backside electrode of a semiconductor device of the semiconductor wafer. When the connection conductor is connected to the electrode plate, a backside electrode formed on a backside of the semiconductor device and the tester are electrically connected to each other.
US09638717B2
The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires for use in sensors and other applications. In various embodiments, a probe comprising a nanotube (or other nanoscale wire) is provided that can be directly inserted into a cell to determine a property of the cell, e.g., an electrical property. In some cases, only the tip of the nanoscale wire is inserted into the cell; this tip may be very small relative to the cell, allowing for very precise study. In some aspects, the tip of the probe is held by a holding member positioned on a substrate, e.g., at an angle, which makes it easier for the probe to be inserted into the cell. The nanoscale wire may also be connected to electrodes and/or form part of a transistor, such that a property of the nanoscale wire, and thus of the cell, may be determined. Such probes may also be useful for studying other samples besides cells. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such probes, kits involving such probes, devices involving such probes, or the like.
US09638707B2
Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.
US09638698B2
An analyte measurement system is provided having sensors with embossed test chamber channels. In one embodiment, the sensors are elongate test strips for in vitro testing, each test strip having a substrate, at least one electrode, an embossed channel in the electrode, and lidding tape covering at least a portion of the embossed channel. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed for filling the sensor channels with reagent, and for trimming the ends of the sensors to eliminate the need for a calibration code during use of the sensors with a meter.
US09638697B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a monoclonal antibody, which is suitable for the quantitative analysis of asparagine synthetase in a cell. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes asparagine synthetase that is present in a cell.
US09638692B2
The present invention provides kits and assay methods for the early detection of pathogens, precise identification of the etiologic agent, and improved disease surveillance. More specifically, the present invention discloses an immunoassay leading to the rapid and simultaneous detection of antibodies to a wide range of infectious pathogens in biological fluids of infected patients. This immunoassay involves the covalent and oriented coupling of fusion proteins comprising an AGT enzyme and a viral antigen on an identifiable solid support (e.g. fluorescent microspheres), said support being previously coated with an AGT substrate. This coupling is mediated by the irreversible reaction of the AGT enzyme on its substrate. The thus obtained antigen-coupled microspheres show enhanced capture of specific antibodies as compared to antigen-coupled microspheres produced by standard amine coupling procedures. The methods of the invention possess the ability to multiplex, minimize the amount of biological sample, and have enhanced sensitivity and specificity toward target antibodies as compared with classical ELISA or Radio-Immunoprecipitation assays.
US09638681B2
Accurate, real-time formation fluids analysis can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A fluid analyzer includes a first mode of analysis, such as an optical analyzer, configured to determine a physical (optical) property of a fluid sample. The fluid analyzer also includes another mode of analysis, such as a composition analyzer, such as a gas chromatograph, configured to determine a component composition of the fluid sample. A data processor is configured to determine a quantity, such as a weight percentage, of a target component of the fluid sample in response results obtained from the first and second modes of analysis. Beneficially, the results are obtained at least in near real-time, allowing for interim results, such as results from the first analyzer to be used for one or more of tuning the compositional analyzer and for implementing quality control.
US09638675B2
A gas chromatography system includes a gas chromatography oven and a gas chromatography column. The gas chromatography oven includes a housing and a flow generating system. The housing defines an oven chamber and an intake port fluidly communicating with the oven chamber. The fluid flow generating system includes a radial flow impeller. The gas chromatography column is disposed in the oven chamber. The oven is configured to selectively operate in each of: a cooling mode wherein the radial flow impeller generates a cooling fluid flow that is drawn from the intake port and flows about the column and out of the oven chamber; and alternatively, a recirculating mode wherein the radial flow impeller generates a recirculating fluid flow within the oven chamber that repeatedly flows about the column and back to the radial flow impeller.
US09638664B2
A method of material analysis, including; placing an electrode in proximity to the material; applying a voltage signal to generate plasma, preferably Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air, between the material and the electrode; moving the electrode relative to the surface; monitoring an electrical signal associated with the microdischarge; and detecting a change in a physical characteristic of the material through variation in the monitored signal.
US09638662B2
Apparatuses and methods for manipulating droplets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for manipulating droplets is provided, the apparatus including a substrate, multiple arrays of electrodes disposed on the substrate, wherein corresponding electrodes in each array are connected to a common electrical signal, and a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate first side surface and patterned to cover the electrodes.
US09638658B2
The concentration of glucose in a blood sample is determined by methods utilizing test strips having a sample receiving cavity having a volume from about 0.3 μl to less than 1 μl and determining the glucose concentration within a time period from about 3.5 seconds to about 8 seconds.
US09638657B2
A technique is provided, wherein any influence, which would be otherwise exerted on a reaction of an objective substance caused by a reagent enzyme by an interfering substance contained in a specimen, is suppressed in relation to an electrochemical sensor for measuring the objective substance contained in the specimen. A sensor comprises a substrate; a detecting unit which is provided on the substrate and which detects an objective substance; a filter which covers the detecting unit, which permits permeation of the objective substance on one hand, and which regulates permeation of an interfering substance contained in a sample on the other hand; and removing unit which removes the interfering substance adhered to the filter.
US09638654B2
A composite elastomeric flexible element has an elastomer layer between rigid members. When subjected to loads, and as time goes by, the elastomer layer will undergo damage in the form of micro-voids and polymer chain scission. The time it takes the damage to reach a predetermined, but safe state is a known function of several parameters such as loading rate and load magnitude, time at load, temperature and frequency. The damage decreases the electrical permittivity of the elastomer and changes the electrical conductance of the elastomer if the elastomer is in the environment of an electrically conductive fluid or when the elastomer includes conductive filler. The health of the flexible element is monitored by measuring the electrical impedance of the elastomer layer, computing an indication of health from the electrical impedance and trend data for the elastomer layer, and reporting the indication of health to a human administrator.
US09638637B2
A method and system for using spatially modulated excitation/emission and relative movement between a particle (cell, molecule, aerosol, . . . ) and an excitation/emission pattern are provided. In at least one form, an interference pattern of the excitation light with submicron periodicity perpendicular to the particle flow is used. As the particle moves along the pattern, emission is modulated according to the speed of the particle and the periodicity of the stripe pattern. A single detector, which records the emission over a couple of stripes, can be used. The signal is recorded with a fast detector read-out in order to capture the “blinking” of the particles while they are moving through the excitation pattern. This concept enables light detection with high signal-to-noise ratio and high spatial resolution without the need of expensive and bulky optics.
US09638633B2
The present invention relates to a gas sensor comprising a sensor layer (100) comprising a plasmonic sensor (102) provided so as to allow, upon illumination with electromagnetic radiation a localized surface plasmon resonance condition, a sensing layer (106) comprising a gas permeable material that, when exposed to a gas, modifies the localized surface plasmon resonance condition, a separating layer (104) arranged in between the sensor layer (100) and the sensing layer (106) such that the plasmonic sensor (102) is separated from the sensing layer (106). A gas sensing system and a method for sensing a presence of a gas is further disclosed.
US09638620B2
A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic pathway includes a delivery region configured to receive the plurality of particles from the inlet and focus the plurality of particles from a random distribution to a focused state, a deformation region defining an intersection located downstream of the delivery region and coupled to the outlet, and wherein the deformation region is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the delivery region and to transmit each particle in the plurality of particles into the intersection from a single direction, a first branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a first flow into the intersection, and a second branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a second flow, substantially opposing the first flow, into the intersection, wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to induce extension of one or more particles in the plurality of particles.
US09638601B2
A method of adjusting a rotary blade includes receiving performance data for a rotary blade, receiving an adjustment constraint for the rotary blade, defining an adjustment space for alternative adjustment solutions for the rotary blade including a plurality of alternative adjustment solutions, and calculating expected performance for one of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions. Based on the expected performance of the one of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions, the method determines whether to calculate expected performance for another of the plurality of alternative adjustment solutions.
US09638600B2
A process fluid pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure of a process fluid. The assembly includes a pressure sensor body formed of an insulating material. The pressure sensor includes a plurality of electrical contact pads which couple to a pressure sensing element of the body of the pressure sensor. An interconnect body is configured to fit over an end of the pressure sensor body. A plurality of electrical connectors carried in the interconnect body are in electrical contact with the plurality of electrical contact pads. A wiring harness attaches to the interconnect body and includes a plurality of wires which are electrically connected to the plurality of electrical connectors.
US09638596B2
A cavity-down pressure sensor device has a pressure-sensing die that is electrically connected to a master control unit (MCU) using face-to-face bonding. Connecting the pressure-sensing die in this manner avoids the need to wire bond the pressure-sensing die to the master control unit.
US09638595B2
An eccentric guide surface portion (48), which has a shape of a partially cylindrical surface, is formed at a front end portion of a second cylindrical surface portion (32a), into which a torque detecting coil unit (31a) is fitted and fixed, of an inner peripheral surface of a housing body (16a) that is joined and fixed to a front end portion of a steering column. The center of curvature of the eccentric guide surface portion (48) is offset to a side opposite to a connection hole (39a), which is formed at the housing body (16a), in a radial direction so that a connection terminal (36a) of the torque detecting coil unit (31a) is connected to a circuit board (40a). Accordingly, a torque measuring unit for an electric power steering device, of which the size and weight are reduced while good assembly workability is ensured, is obtained.
US09638587B2
A capacitive sensor for detecting the movement of an object, such as actuation of a key of an operating unit, includes first and second electrodes that are provided for connection or mechanical coupling to or arrangement on the object, the distance of which second electrode from the first electrode changes when the object moves. The electrodes form a first capacitor with a volume between the electrodes, the size of which changes when the object moves. An evaluation unit determines a change of capacitance between the two electrodes resulting from a change of their spacing and volume. A deformable, non-gaseous first dielectric is arranged between the electrodes and defines at least one gas volume that is filled by a gaseous second dielectric that can escape from the gas volume when the two electrodes approach one another.
US09638585B2
A sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate including a cold junction area and a hot junction area and a thermocouple including a pair of thermoelectric elements which is formed to extend linearly between the cold junction area and the hot junction area, and stacked on an upper surface of the substrate. Wherein, a stepwise portion is formed adjacent to an end portion of the thermocouple by removing a portion adjacent to an end portion of one of the pair of thermoelectric elements, and a wiring part of metal is formed in the stepwise portion so as to connect electrically the pair of thermoelectric elements each other.
US09638579B2
The present invention relates to a method and the corresponding system for checking the color quality of preforms (2) intended for the manufacture of containers, in particular beverage bottles, the preforms (2) being transported to a collection vessel (4) by a transport device (3), and an image of the preforms (2) being made by means of an imaging device (6) and being transmitted to a processing device for checking, in which the preforms (2) are led unsorted into the collection vessel (4) upon leaving the transport device (3), the image being made between the leaving of the transport device (3) and the collection vessel (4), and in which the image is processed by the processing device in such a way that the color quality of the preforms (2) and/or defective preforms (2) are discovered.
US09638578B2
A terahertz wave detecting device includes: a substrate; a first metal layer that is disposed above the substrate; a pyroelectric layer that is disposed on the first metal layer; and a second metal layer that is disposed on the pyroelectric layer, wherein the second metal layer has a periodic structure in which a unit structure is disposed in a predetermined period, and the pyroelectric layer absorbs terahertz waves being incident on the pyroelectric layer and converts the terahertz waves into heat and converts the converted heat into an electrical signal.
US09638576B2
An infrared-sensor filter member includes an optical filter disposed in an opening portion of a second member and a first member. The infrared-sensor filter member includes a recess portion formed from a light-incident surface of the optical filter and the first member. At least a part of a bottom surface of the recess portion is formed by the light-incident surface and side walls of the recess portion, which are formed by the first member.
US09638572B2
Removable luggage scale devices are disclosed herein that include: at least one measuring device, at least one gripping member coupled to the measuring device, at least one coupling unit, wherein the coupling unit couples the at least one measuring device to at least one piece of luggage.
US09638568B2
A weight apparatus for a waveguide has a wave resistance. The weight apparatus includes a weight body having a fixing device. The fixing device is adapted to fix the weight body to the waveguide and has a wave resistance which is substantially adapted to the wave resistance of the waveguide.
US09638562B2
A fluid measurement or control device has an outer housing with a corner portion cut out, in which an electric line connection is located and which optionally can be closed with a lid.
US09638555B2
A method includes the steps of (a) providing a flow of a flowable substance, the flow comprising bulk material and additional material; (b) determining the volume flow of the flow of the flowable substance at one or more detection points X along the flow of the flowable substance; (c) determining a signal caused by the additional material present in the flow of the flowable substance at one or more detection points Y along the flow of the flowable substance, the signal being proportional to the amount of the additional material present in the flow of the flowable substance passing the one or more detection points Y; and (d) converting the signal caused by the additional material present in the flow of the flowable substance into a signal per unit of volume of the flow of the flowable substance.
US09638546B2
A pressure transducer is disclosed wherein no wetted areas have been welded. A cavity is milled into the back of each of the blocks of a material which will make up the body of the transducer. Pickup coils are placed into these cavities and are held in place generally with epoxy cement. With the coils mounted within the sensor body, the surface which will be exposed to the sample or reference fluids is comprised of a single, solid material with no welding joints. Further, as the sensor block half is made of a single, solid material, fluid fitting connections may be machined directly into the body. The pickup coil placed within the improved sensor body may be wound on an open frame of nickel superalloy (NiSA). Another embodiment involves coating or encapsulating the sensing membrane within a soft, non-magnetic material protecting it from corrosion.
US09638542B2
A system of route scheduling for a vehicle presents fuel information for a vehicle. The system receives vehicle related drive information and fuel information from the vehicle via a vehicle interface, including fuel tank capacity, a current fuel level, and fuel economy, calculates routes to points from a current vehicle position based on the drive related information of sensors, estimates first fuel amounts for reaching the points based on the calculated routes and the fuel economy, selects fuel stations within a predetermined range of the calculated routes based on their locations, estimates second fuel amounts for reaching the fuel stations based on their locations, the fuel economy and the current vehicle position, obtains fuel prices of the fuel stations from a network, and instructs a screen to display the fuel prices, the point information, the locations of the fuel stations, the fuel tank capacity and the current fuel level along with a segment.
US09638540B2
The present invention relates to a device and method for displaying a map according to the guiding of a navigation system. The device for displaying a map may include: a situation-identifying unit for identifying a situation requiring guiding through a map screen of a navigation system; a control parameter setting unit for setting, according to the identified situation, a control parameter that is a display requirement for the map screen; and a map indication control unit for indicating the map screen in a display mode that has applied the control parameter.
US09638539B2
A method of operating a navigation apparatus is provided. A calculated route is shown on a map display of the apparatus together with a current position indication. In one embodiment, a maximum map scale is determined which will result in a representation of the entire remainder of the route being shown within a visible map display area during travel along the route. In another embodiment, a map scale is set, and the map display is then controlled to maximize the amount of the remainder of the route which is shown within a visible map display area for the given map scale during travel along the route.
US09638533B2
At least one subsystem among the plurality of subsystems includes a managing section operable to manage individual event information for events occurring in a management target region of the at least one subsystem among the plurality of regions and adjacent event information for events occurring in a partial range from a boundary of the management target region among routes in an adjacent region that is adjacent to the management target region, and an event selecting section operable to select events about which the moving object is to be informed, from the individual event information and the adjacent event information managed by the at least one subsystem. Also provided is a method and computer program product.
US09638524B2
A sensing assembly device includes a substrate, a chamber above the substrate, a first piezoelectric gyroscope sensor positioned within the chamber, and a first accelerometer positioned within the chamber.
US09638521B2
Methods and systems for non-line-of-sight positioning are disclosed for arbitrarily short to long ranges, where positioning is achieved using a single anchor not requiring tri-/multi-lateration or tri-/multi-angulation. Magnetoquasistatic fields can be used to determine position and orientation of a device in two or three dimensions. Two or three axis coils can be used in receivers and transmitters. The magnetoquasistatic equations are solved in different scenarios, taking into consideration the image signals originating from the interaction between the fields and ground/earth.
US09638515B2
A method is disclosed for actuating a tandem roll train, in particular a cold-strip tandem roll train, for producing a strip, e.g., a metal strip, wherein a plurality of drives are provided in a production direction of the strip, the speeds of which drives are adapted via cascade control by way of a master drive, wherein a property of the strip is determined and the direction of action of the cascade control is changed depending on said property, by a control factor (K) being provided, by way of which the direction of action of the cascade control is changed, wherein 0≦K≦1, and wherein if 0
US09638513B2
A device for the interferometric measuring of an object, including a radiation source for generating an output beam, at least one beam splitter, as well as at least one detector, with the beam splitter being arranged in the radiation path of the output beam such that the output beam is split into at least one measuring beam and one reference beam, and the device is embodied to interfere the reference beam on the detector with an interference beam to form an optic interference. The device has an open optic resonator, which is arranged in the radiation path of the device such that the measuring beam enters the open optic resonator and the interference beam emitted from the open optic resonator is interfered with a reference beam on the detector to form an optic interference. The invention further relates to a method for the interferometric measuring of an object.
US09638505B2
Systems for delivering explosives with variable densities are disclosed herein. Methods of delivering explosives with variable densities and methods of varying the energy of explosives in a blasthole are disclosed herein.
US09638503B1
A hand grenade fuze includes a secondary safety feature in the form of a trigger pin inserted through the striker lever. One end of the trigger pin has an undercut portion. A slide bar is disposed in the fuze body and has a keyhole opening at one end for selectively engaging the undercut portion of the trigger pin. A trigger has one end connected to the slide bar and another end rotatably fixed to the fuze body. A spring biases the trigger away from the fuze body. When the trigger is depressed, the slide bar translates and releases the trigger pin, which releases the restraint on the striker lever.
US09638493B2
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods for providing accurate linear and angular positioning with a payload mounted to a beam having freely moveable ends. The payload can be a laser pointer mounted on a firearm, which maintains the initial precise pointing during and after exposure in high G shock and vibration environments. Vertical and lateral adjustment controls can adjust minute changes in beam orientation. Precision adjustments can be performed in a zero G, one G, or high G environment and maintains the adjustment during and after being exposed to a high G shock or vibration environment.
US09638488B1
An archery bow support has adjustable or movable jaws and adjustable legs to a permit a releasable attachment to a plurality of different types of bows for positioning the bow during a downtime or brief period of non use during a period of heavy use for the bow, to assist the archer with a rest period.
US09638483B1
An ammunition magazine is used with a reciprocally-cycled weapon for delinking and firing cartridges in close-end linked ammunition belts. The magazine includes a housing with an ammunition indexing mechanism fixed to one side of the housing. A magazine feed box is disposed above the ammunition indexing mechanism. The magazine feed box includes a movable follower having an upper and a lower position and cam pins that engage cam slots in the magazine feed box. The movable follower is configured to receive a cartridge from the weapon.
US09638481B1
Semi-automatic features can be eliminated from a weapon that originally had a bolt carrier that was reciprocated by a gas tube communicating with a barrel. After eliminating the gas tube, a carriage and pushing member can be taken from a kit and installed on the weapon. The carriage is reciprocatably mounted at the barrel forward of the bolt carrier, with the pushing member connecting between the carriage and the bolt carrier. The carriage can be manually reciprocated to reciprocate the push member and the bolt carrier.
US09638473B2
A beverage dispensing assembly 10 comprises a beverage distribution python 18 extending between a beverage storage area and a beverage tapping area. The beverage distribution python 18 comprises a liquid carrying line defining a center line 22. The liquid carrying line comprises a beverage tube 16 and/or a beverage guide tube. The beverage distribution python 18 further comprises a pipe 34 covering the liquid carrying line in a coaxial relationship to the center line and establishing a space in-between the pipe 34 and the liquid carrying line. An insulation layer 32 comprises at least 80% aerogel by volume is located in the space between the pipe 34 and the liquid carrying line and encircles the liquid carrying line.
US09638471B2
A heat exchanger is provided having a first fluid circuit defining a first volume and configured to permit a first fluid to flow therethrough with a first fluid supply. The heat exchanger includes a second fluid circuit defining a second volume separate from the first volume and sharing at least one common wall with the first enclosed volume, and configured to permit a second fluid to flow therethrough from a second fluid supply. One or more thermal transfer sheets having one or more channels therein are configured in structural and thermal contact with both the first and second fluid circuits, the channels having a thermodynamic fluid disposed therein and configured to transfer heat between the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A thermal transfer rate through the at least one common wall is less than a thermal transfer rate of the one or more thermal transfer sheets.
US09638470B2
Disclosed herein is a heat exchanger in a vehicle including a supply manifold which supplies fluid introduced from the outside while distributing the fluid to first and second cooling units. The first and second cooling units cool the fluid supplied from the supply manifold by heat exchange action. A first return manifold collects and discharges the fluid discharged from the first cooling unit and a second return manifold collects and discharges the fluid discharged from the second cooling unit.
US09638461B2
Refrigerator appliances and methods for operating refrigerator appliances are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a user's presence, associating the user's presence with a heated beverage preference, and initiating heating of a liquid stored in the refrigerator appliance. The detecting step, the associating step and the initiating step are performed by a controller of the refrigerator appliance.
US09638455B2
A refrigerator including an evaporator to carry out heat exchange, a frost sensing unit to sense an amount of frost formed on the frost sensing unit, and a heater to be operated for removing the frost from the frost sensing unit is provided. The heater is operated in at least a portion of a defrosting section. Methods for operating the refrigerator are also provided.
US09638451B2
A clad metal ice forming tray assembly for a refrigerator is disclosed. The ice forming tray includes a clad metal comprised of at least a first alloy sheet and a second alloy sheet different from the first and having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The tray also includes ice recesses stamped in the clad bi-metal.
US09638445B2
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described to help manage oil return such as in a chiller system of a HVAC system. A refrigerant/oil mixture can be directed out of the evaporator into an oil return heat exchanger that is configured to help vaporize a refrigerant portion of the refrigerant/oil mixture. Superheat refrigerant vapor can be directed from a condenser into the oil return heat exchanger as the heat energy to vaporize the refrigerant portion in the refrigerant/oil mixture. The oil return heat exchanger can be positioned lower than the evaporator so that gravity can help the refrigerant/oil mixture to flow into the oil return heat exchanger.
US09638443B2
An air-conditioning apparatus is capable of suppressing refrigerant flow noise regardless the refrigerant state of an inlet of an expansion mechanism. In parallel to a flow control valve, an opening and closing valve that opens and closes a refrigerant passage and an expansion mechanism having porous bodies capable of passing a refrigerant therethrough are connected in series with each other. In a heating mode, in the case where a controller stops an operation of one or more of a plurality of indoor units and causes the other indoor unit(s) to operate, the flow control valve of the stopped indoor unit is fully closed and the opening and closing valve of the stopped indoor unit is opened.
US09638436B2
A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building includes a monitoring device installed at the building, a monitoring server located remotely from the building, and a review server. The monitoring device measures an aggregate current supplied to components of the HVAC system and transmits current data based on the measured aggregate current. The monitoring server receives the transmitted current data and, based on the received current data, assesses whether failures have occurred in first and second components of the HVAC components. The monitoring server generates a first advisory in response to determining that the failure has occurred in the first component. The review server provides the first advisory to a technician for review and, in response to the technician verifying that the failure has occurred, transmits a first alert.
US09638433B2
A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a bypass duct configured to selectively receive a bypass airflow therethrough in response to a supply air pressure of the HVAC system and a supply air temperature of the HVAC system.
US09638426B2
A gas burner safety system comprises dual sensor arrays, the first array positioned proximal to the gas burner and the second array positioned proximal to a control used to turn on and of and regulate the flame of the gas burner. The first array senses the flame components such that a flame signature is obtained when no object is placed on or above the flame and a flame image is obtained when an object is proximal to the flame. By comparing the flame signature and the flame image, a central control unit operatively connected to the sensor arrays can determine the presence or absence of an object proximal to the flame. The second sensor array is positioned to detect a human hand proximal to the control. In operation, if the flame image matches the flame signature and a human hand is not detected proximal to the control, the central control unit turns off the gas burner by causing the closure of a valve in the gas supply line to the gas burner.
US09638424B2
An elongated gripping device for grasping objects, and particularly useful for moving and adjusting logs used to build a fire. The elongated gripping device includes an elongated outer shaft having an extension shaft on an end thereof. The extension shaft includes one or more prongs on an end thereof, disposed transversely to the extension shaft. The elongated gripping device further includes an elongated inner shaft extending through the outer shaft, and having a handle at a first end thereof. The inner shaft further includes one or more prongs on the second end thereof that are arranged transversely to the inner shaft. The prongs on the inner shaft and on the extension shaft oppose one another so as to form a claw-like structure that can be used to grasp objects of various shapes and sizes by rotating the handle to actuate the prongs.
US09638417B2
An apparatus for reducing air pollution includes a piping system, at least one compressor fan, a cooling system, and a tank having at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member. The piping system is coupled to a cooling system adapted to saturate the exhaust with water. The exhaust and contaminated water flow downward into the tank containing at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member where the exhaust and the contaminated water are filtered. The cleaned water is recirculated through the cooling system, and the exhaust is filtered a second time through the at least one second filter, the at least one intermediary member, and the at least one first filter prior to release into the atmosphere. A method for reducing air pollution from exhaust is also provided.
US09638405B2
An assembly for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture. The assembly includes a support member and a photocontrol receptacle over and secured with respect to the support member. The support member is on an exterior surface of a light-fixture housing at an opening formed in the housing. The photocontrol receptacle is rotatable about the support member for angular photocontrol adjustment on the light fixture. The support member is fixed with respect to the exterior surface of the light-fixture housing. The receptacle has an engagement portion rotatably engaging the support member, thereby holding the receptacle with respect to the light-fixture housing while permitting rotation of the receptacle with respect thereto. Another aspect is a related method for connecting and holding a photocontrol with respect to a light fixture.
US09638400B2
The present invention discloses a lighting module using an organic light emitting device (OLED) and particularly, a lighting module using the OLED which stably couples a power supply terminal to an electrode pad which is formed on a glass substrate of an OLED illumination plate.
US09638395B2
An apparatus comprises: an artificial visible light source (8); a layer of photochromic material (2) overlying the artificial light source (8); a layer of opaque material (4) overlying the layer of photochromic material; and one or more apertures (6) through the layer of opaque material (4). The apparatus and a method providing the apparatus are used in different ambient lighting conditions.
US09638392B2
A lamp optic (100) for a lamp includes a proximal end (104), a distal end (106) and a longitudinal axis (L). The proximal end (104) has a proximal inner side wall (112) linearly extending toward the distal end (106) and intersecting a proximal flat portion (114). The distal end (106) has a distal inner side wall (120) linearly extending toward the proximal end (104) and intersecting a distal flat portion (122). The distal flat portion length (LD) is at least 25 percent of the proximal flat portion length (LP). A lateral side (108) extends from the proximal end (104) to the distal end (106). The lateral side (108) has a first skirt region (124) and a second skirt region (126). The first skirt region (124) and the second skirt region (126) extend linearly and successively from the proximal end (104) to the distal end (106).
US09638389B2
A vehicle lighting device includes a case, a lens, a light guide, a waterproof member, hooks, and catches. The catches are elastically deformed outward to separate from an accommodation portion so that the hooks enter the catches from the side closer to the accommodation portion. Engaging surfaces of the hooks engage with catch surfaces of the catches so that the case and the lens are joined. The joining causes the waterproof member to be compressed. The engaging surfaces and the catch surfaces are inclined by an equal angle relative to an imaginary plane perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the case and the lens such that the catch surfaces are located inward of the engaging surfaces and close to the accommodation portion.
US09638380B2
The invention relates to a flexible LED strip, comprising modules that include light-emitting diodes (3) arranged successively at intervals, in particular equal intervals longitudinally, wherein the light-emitting diodes (3) of each module are electrically interconnected on one circuit board (2) each, in particular together with other electronic modules (4), and the LED strip can be severed between the modules, in particular without destroying the electrical functionality of the modules, wherein each module has at least one contact region at which a power supply can be connected to the module and all circuit-board sections (2) are mounted in a flexible enclosure (1), wherein the at least one contact region of each module extends through the enclosure (1) and can be electrically contacted outside the enclosure (1). The invention furthermore relates to an end piece (7), a coupling piece (8), and a connector piece for power-supply lines (6) or control-signal lines (6) of this LED strip.
US09638376B2
A susceptor includes a first body including a plurality of first holes and a second body including a plurality of second holes. According to one arrangement, the second body is spaced from the first body to form a gap which allows a gas to pass from the second holes to the first holes. According to this or another arrangement, the first body is removably or rotatably coupled to the second body, or both. Rotation of the second body by a first amount or in a first direction brings at least one first hole in alignment with at least one second hole. And, rotation of the second body by a second amount or in a second direction causes a misalignment to occur between these holes.
US09638370B2
A lubricating system for supplying at least one lubricating point with lubricant is described. The lubricating system is equipped with at least one feed device and at least one line extending between this feed device and a lubricating point. In order to very easily and effectively monitor and indicate the severance of a lubricant line, an electrical connection is respectively provided on the feed device and the lubricating point. An electric conductor extending between the two connections is assigned to the line. A monitoring device is assigned to the line in such a way that it generates a signal when the electric conductor is interrupted. The invention furthermore pertains to a vehicle, particularly a construction machine, which is equipped with such a lubricating system.
US09638365B1
A multipurpose connector system for securing various planar and rigid structures to cylindrical bodies, such as tubes and pipes wherein the connector system comprises a versatile arrangement of connection capabilities that allows for the tight interconnections, adaptability, and internal system to carry and protect wires. The system includes the ability to connect a planar or rigid body, such as a VESA display screen, to a rod or tube system using a combination of eight independent connectors that allow for a large variety of connection arrangements.
US09638361B2
A crimp fitting comprises a metal tube wall that forms both a cylindrical tube portion and an adjacent annular O-ring channel portion. The tube wall has a first wall thickness along the cylindrical tube portion and a second wall thickness along at least part of the O-ring channel portion. The second wall thickness is less than the first wall thickness. The cylindrical tube portion and O-ring channel are configured and adapted to encircle a cylindrical end portion of a tube when such end portion of the tube is inserted into the fitting.
US09638360B2
A seal member for sealingly securing a first and a second pipe at a crimp connection, the seal member including a ring-shaped body having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the ring-shaped body and extend radially outwardly from the outer diameter. The ring-shaped body permits fluid to pass around adjacent protrusions prior to attaining the crimp connection and inhibits fluid from passing therearound subsequent to attaining the crimp connection.
US09638347B2
An insertion guide tube that is inserted into a sealing case and that houses a blockage bag in a reduced-size state can be moved inside the sealing case and inside a branch pipe portion along an axis of the branch pipe portion until the insertion guide tube is brought into an abutting position in which at least a part of a leading end portion of the insertion guide tube abuts against an outer surface-side peripheral edge portion of a branch port on an outer circumferential surface of a fluid pipe. In a state in which the blockage bag is located at a predetermined internal flow passage blocking position, an axis adjustment portion that can make sliding contact with an inner surface of the insertion guide tube is located in a portion corresponding to branch port in a radial direction of the fluid pipe.
US09638334B2
The flow control gate for detention ponds includes a movable gate that discharges fluid at a constant flow despite the depth of the fluid for a given depth range. The gate is moved by a lever that supports a float on the opposite end of the lever than the gate. As the fluid level around the flow control gate changes, the float tracks the changes, therefore raising and lowering the gate. Since the fluid head to discharge area relationship is not linear in the orifice equation, the curved track that the lever rests on is shaped in such a way so that the gate is moved non linearly to match the orifice equation. The flow control gate for detention ponds does not use electricity and can vastly reduce the required size of detention ponds.
US09638329B2
In an engine rear seal installed to an engine rear portion having an end plate arranged in a motor exterior side of a housing, and a flywheel arranged in a motor exterior side of the end plate, the engine rear seal has an oil seal and a muddy water preventing seal. The muddy water preventing seal integrally has an attaching portion, and a seal lip directed to a diametrically outer side from the attaching portion and slidably coming into close contact with an end surface in the motor exterior side of the end plate. The seal lip has an inclined lip end back surface portion, and is structured such that a lip end comes into contact with the end surface at the low-speed rotating time and the lip end moves away from the end plate on the basis of an action of a centrifugal force at the high-speed rotating time.
US09638326B2
A ring seal for a shaft includes a plurality of arc-shaped ring segments, each of the plurality of ring segments having a radially outer face, a radially inner face, a first axial side face, a second axial side face, a first end and a second end, a spring holding the plurality of arc-shaped segments in an arch-bound configuration, and at least one circumferential ramp in the radially inner face of each of the plurality of ring segments configured to generate an air cushion when a shaft rotates inside the ring seal. Also a ring sealing system including the ring seal and a shaft.
US09638319B2
Provided is a method for controlling a dual clutch transmission of a vehicle with a first clutch associated with a first set of gears and a second clutch associated with a second set of gears. The method includes the steps of a) engaging the first clutch to transmit the torque through one of the associated first set of gears, while the second clutch is not engaged, and b) thereafter engaging, before the first clutch is fully closed, the second clutch at least partially and releasing the first clutch assembly until the first clutch is completely disengaged.
US09638317B2
A transmission device of a vehicle that can use a manual transmission. The transmission is provided with shift blocks for regulating shifting between gear positions so as to achieve automatic gear shifting. This vehicle transmission device includes the shift block for a reverse-1st speed, a 4th speed-5th speed, a 2nd speed-3rd speed, and a 6th speed arranged in this order in a selection operation direction. The vehicle transmission device also includes first through fourth shift levers that engage respectively with the shift blocks, a first select actuator that moves the first or second shift lever for a select operation, a first shift actuator that moves the first or second shift lever for a shift operation, a second select actuator that moves the third or fourth shift lever for the select operation, and a second shift actuator that moves the third or fourth shift lever for the shift operation.
US09638312B2
A drive unit includes a speed reducer that includes a plurality of gears having helical teeth and rotatably supported by bearings, and transfers rotation of a drive motor to rear drive wheels of a vehicle. The maximum value of torque to be generated by the drive motor during rearward travel of the vehicle is set to be lower than that during forward travel. Under such a precondition, the size of a bearing that receives a load during rearward travel, among the bearings which constitute the speed reducer, is smaller than the size of a bearing that receives a load during forward travel.
US09638310B2
A drive assembly is disclosed, including a housing cylinder having a cap end and an attachment end including a first attachment surface, with gear teeth being disposed around an inner circumference forming at least one ring gear. The housing cylinder encloses a planetary gear set including at least one sun gear and at least one set of planet gears. An output interface includes an interface body having an annular attachment lip including a second attachment surface. The first attachment surface contacts, and is connected, as by welding, to the second attachment surface, whereby rotational power may be transmitted from the planetary gear set to the output interface via the gear teeth and the contact between the attachment surfaces.
US09638308B2
A drive pulley structure has a cylindrical pulley member, a hub structure that is provided inside the pulley member so as to rotate relative to the pulley member, a coil spring that is fixed to the hub structure, a tapering which has a conical round surface as of a cone whose axis is made up of a rotational axis J of the hub structure, and a frictional member that is inserted to be interposed between the conical round surface of the tapering and the pulley member, and the coil spring is inserted to be interposed in place while being compressed in the direction of the rotational axis of the hub structure, the tapering, the frictional member and the pulley member being brought into press contact with each other by virtue of a restoring force P of the coil spring.
US09638289B2
A multi-stage transmission for a vehicle includes an input shaft, an output shaft, first to fourth planetary gear devices each having three rotary elements and transmitting rotary forces between the input and output shafts, and at least six shifting elements connected to the rotary elements of the planetary gear devices. Of the first planetary gear device, the first rotary element is installed to be fixable by any one of the shifting elements and permanently connected to the second rotary element of the third planetary gear device and the third rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device, the second rotary element is variably connected to the third rotary element of the second planetary gear device and the third rotary element of the third planetary gear device, and the third rotary element is variably connected to the first and second rotary elements of the second planetary gear device.
US09638282B2
A damper apparatus includes a first rotation member, a second rotation member, a first elastic portion interposed between the first and the second rotation members and elastically deformed by a relative rotation between the first and the second rotation members, a third rotation member, a second elastic portion interposed between the second and third rotation members and elastically deformed by a relative rotation between the second and third rotation members, and a dynamic vibration absorber. The dynamic vibration absorber includes an anchor member and a third elastic portion that is interposed between the anchor member and the second rotation member and that is elastically deformed by a relative rotation between the anchor member and the second rotation member. At least the third elastic portion is positioned at an inner side of the first elastic portion and the second elastic portion in a radial direction of the rotation axis.
US09638280B2
A shock absorber has a pressure tube with a piston assembly slidably disposed within the pressure tube and attached to a piston rod. The pressure tube is disposed within a reserve tube and a working fluid reservoir is formed between the pressure tube and the reserve tube. The piston assembly divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. A base valve assembly controls a flow of working fluid between the working fluid reservoir and the lower working chamber. The base valve assembly includes a frequency dependent valve system that provides an increased level of damping for each compression stroke of the piston assembly during low frequency movements of the shock absorber. A lesser level of damping is provided for each compression stroke during high frequency movements of the shock absorber.
US09638272B2
The invention relates to an electromagnetic brake and a method for making an electomagnetic brake. The electromagnetic brake comprises a frame part, an armature part movably mounted on the frame part and having a magnetic core, one or more spring elements for activating the brake by moving the said armature part forwards, an electromagnet fitted to the frame part and arranged to release the brake by pulling the said armature part backwards by resisting the said one or more spring elements, and a planar, elastically bendable damping plate fitted to be bent when the armature part is moving and, while being bent, to produce a damping force resisting the bending to dampen brake noise.
US09638266B2
An electronic vehicular transmission including a sensor for providing an electrical signal for electronic transmission control is provided. The transmission includes a transmission case and a controllable coupling assembly including a coupling member supported for rotation within the case about a rotational axis. The coupling member has a coupling face oriented to face radially with respect to the axis and has a set of ferromagnetic or magnetic locking formations. An electromechanical component includes a locking element and a sensor. The component is mounted to and extends into the case so that both the locking element and the sensor are in close-spaced opposition to the coupling face. The sensor senses magnetic flux to produce an electrical output signal indicative of a speed of rotation of the coupling member. A variable magnetic field is generated in response to rotation of the locking formations past the sensor.
US09638256B2
A bearing assembly for mounting relative to a housing is provided that includes a bearing ring, a plurality of rotational members, and a bearing ring baffle. The bearing ring has a housing surface, an inner radial surface, a first axial end, a second axial end, and a plurality of channels disposed in the first axial end of the ring. The bearing ring baffle has a housing surface, an inner radial surface, a first axial end, a second axial end, and a plurality of fins extending out from the second axial end of the baffle. The fins and channels are configured to mate with one another and to create at least one passage there between, and the passage is con figured for the passage of lubricant there through.
US09638255B2
A rolling bearing includes an inner race, an outer race, a row of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer races, and a first seal fixed to one of the inner and outer races. The first seal includes at least one sealing lip cooperating with the other of the inner and outer races. The rolling bearing further includes a second seal fixed to the other of the inner and outer races. The first seal includes at least one sealing lip cooperating with the first seal.
US09638241B2
The link for an aircraft comprises at least two portions respectively made of metal and of composite material together forming a common section of a middle segment of the link in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the link.
US09638240B2
A hydroformed driveshaft tube formed using a hydroforming process is provided. The hydroformed driveshaft tube comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The middle portion is at least partially defined by a circular arc shaped surface of revolution. At least a portion of the middle portion has a diameter greater than a diameter of the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion comprises a first transition portion, a first constriction portion, a second constriction portion, and a second transition portion and is formed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The middle portion is formed between the first constriction portion and the second constriction portion and the middle portion affects a critical speed and a breathing mode frequency of the hydroformed driveshaft tube. The hydroformed driveshaft tube reduces a cost of a driveshaft assembly.
US09638235B2
A clevis pin assembly includes a pin that may be removably inserted into a coupling. The pin is structured to have a channel extending therethrough. The channel may receive a lubricant thereby inhibiting the pin from becoming seized within the coupling. A fitting is removably coupled to the pin. The fitting may be fluidly coupled to a lubrication source thereby facilitating the lubricant to be introduced into the channel. A retainer is removably inserted through the pin thereby retain the pin within the coupling.
US09638233B1
A fastener system that includes a female fastener assembly with a housing having a channel defined therein and a switch member movable within the channel between removing and fastening positions. The switch member includes a receiver portion having a post opening defined therein and a switch portion. The housing includes a lower opening. The post opening includes a removing portion that is aligned with the lower opening when the switch member is in the removing position and a fastening portion that is aligned with the post opening when the switch member is in the fastening position. The system also includes a male fastener assembly having a post with a slot therein. The post is received through the lower opening in the housing and the post opening so that the slot is aligned with the channel. The slot receives a portion of the receiver portion when the switch member is in the fastening position.
US09638225B2
A closure element for a fire-protection sleeve is disclosed. The closure element has a body, a connecting element, and at least one locking element for a form-fitting connection to an intumescent strip. The body and the connecting element are designed in one piece.
US09638221B2
A fluid pressure cylinder includes: a piston rod; a cushioning chamber that decreases in capacity in accordance with extension of the fluid pressure cylinder; a communication passage that allows the cushioning chamber and an in-rod chamber to communicate with each other; a throttle passage that exerts a cushioning function by applying resistance to a flow of a working fluid from the cushioning chamber to the in-rod chamber; a check valve that is provided in a piston, allows the in-rod chamber and a driving chamber to communicate with each other, and has a checking function for permitting only a flow of the working fluid from the in-rod chamber to the driving chamber; and a pilot passage that is formed in the piston and disables the checking function by guiding a pressure in the cushioning chamber to the check valve as a pilot pressure.
US09638216B1
An actuation pressure to actuate one or more hydraulic actuators may be determined based on a load on the one or more hydraulic actuators of a robotic device. Based on the determined actuation pressure, a pressure rail from among a set of pressure rails at respective pressures may be selected. One or more valves may connect the selected pressure rail to a metering valve. The hydraulic drive system may operate in a discrete mode in which the metering valve opens such that hydraulic fluid flows from the selected pressure rail through the metering valve to the one or more hydraulic actuators at approximately the supply pressure. Responsive to a control state of the robotic device, the hydraulic drive system may operate in a continuous mode in which the metering valve throttles the hydraulic fluid such that the supply pressure is reduced to the determined actuation pressure.
US09638210B2
A rolling bearing arrangement (1) of a shaft (2) of an exhaust-gas turbocharger (3) having two spaced-apart rolling bearings (4, 5), the inner rings (6, 7) of which are arranged on the shaft (2) and between which (6, 7) is arranged a spacer (8), and the outer rings (9, 10) of which are seated in a bearing bushing (12) which is fastened in a bearing housing (11); and having an oil supply device (13) arranged in the bearing housing (11), which oil supply device is flow-connected to an oil supply duct (14A, 14B) which is arranged in the bearing bushing (12) and which opens into an annular chamber (15). A check valve (16) is arranged in the oil supply duct (14A, 14B).
US09638207B2
A centrifugal pump for handling abrasive-laden fluid is described. A centrifugal pump system for handling abrasive-laden fluid includes an impeller including an annular balance ring extending longitudinally on a top side of the impeller and an annular skirt extending longitudinally on a bottom side of the impeller, one of the annular balance ring, the annular skirt or a combination thereof having portions defining a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures form an abrasive-media relief path that bypasses at least a portion of a clearance gap and merges with a primary working-fluid flow path. A centrifugal pump impeller includes a bottom shroud, an annular skirt extending longitudinally upstream from the bottom shroud, the annular skirt encircling a central hub, and the annular skirt having an aperture extending through a thickness of the annular skirt.
US09638201B2
An air bleed system for a jet engine is provided. The air bleed system is located in the low pressure compressor chamber and comprises a movable bleed valve and a stationary, annular bleed case having a forward section and an aft section and ligaments connecting the two sections and providing structural support to the bleed case. The ligaments are machined from the bleed case into an aerodynamic shape that maximizes the flow of air through the bleed ports.
US09638196B2
A compressor comprises a casing, a bundle which is housed inside the casing, and an inner roller which is provided at a front of the bundle in the inserting direction and rolls on an inner circumferential surface of the casing, a sealing surface protruded from the inner circumferential surface toward an inner circumferential side of the casing in a radial direction, a recess which is provided on the inner circumferential surface and in which the inner roller is settled when the bundle is housed inside the casing, a sealing member provided on an outer circumferential surface of the bundle and abutting on the sealing surface of the casing when the bundle is housed inside the casing. An extension part extending the sealing surface to a front side thereof in the insertion direction of the bundle is provided in the inner circumferential surface of the casing.
US09638188B2
A hydraulic pump or motor includes a body having a chamber and a rotor rotatably mounted within the chamber. The chamber and rotor are shaped to define one or more rise regions, fall regions, major dwell regions and minor dwell regions between walls of the chamber and the rotor. The rotor has a plurality of slots and vanes located in each slot. Each vane is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the vanes are unable to work the hydraulic fluid introduced into the chamber whereas they are able to work the hydraulic fluid introduced into the chamber in the extended position. A vane retaining member that is selectively actuable enables the vanes to be retained in the retracted position.
US09638178B1
An ion electrospray device with a porous reservoir and at least one porous emitter includes a porous compliant interface sandwiched between the porous reservoir and the porous emitter for transferring fluid from the porous reservoir to the porous emitter. The interface has a characteristic capillary pressure stronger than the characteristic capillary pressure of the porous reservoir to fill the porous emitter with fluid via a fluid injection section of the interface and before the porous reservoir is then partially filled with fluid. Emitter leakage and propellant bridging problems are addressed.
US09638177B2
A device having a vibration based propulsion system includes at least one of an extendible and retractable diaphragm, a vibrating mechanism, and an expandable and collapsible body section for driving movement of the device. Some embodiments may also include one or more coverings configured to move to adjust the fluid resistance of the device to improve the efficiency of the device's movement. At least one processor may be connected to at least one of: a transceiver, sensors, a camera, and a drive system for controlling the operations of these mechanisms. A power source may also be attached to these elements of the device to power the device. A remote controller or other computer device may communicate with the device via the transceiver to provide input for steering the device or to receive data collected by the device.
US09638171B2
A method of operating a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a rotor that is rotatably coupled to a generator that is positioned within a nacelle. The rotor includes one or more rotor blades that are coupled to a hub. The method includes transmitting, from a first sensor to a control system, at least a first monitoring signal indicative of a first wind condition at a first distance from the wind turbine. A second sensor transmits at least a second monitoring signal that is indicative of a second wind condition at a second distance from the wind turbine that is longer than the first distance to the control system. The control system calculates a wind turbine operating command based at least in part on the first monitoring signal and the second monitoring signal. One or more wind turbine components are operated based on the calculated wind turbine operating command.
US09638169B2
A wind turbine blade (22) is cantilevered from a shaft (50) of a rotor (20). A pitch reference azimuth (74) of the blade may be located by generating a function (66, 67, 68, 69) of gravitational bending strain or moment magnitude of the blade versus pitch angle of the blade for a vector component (85, 86) of gravitational force (GF) relative to a predetermined transverse line (CL, 83) of the blade, such as a chord line, over a range of pitch angles of the blade. The pitch reference azimuth may be set at a characteristic point (70, 71, 72) on the function, such as an inflection point Two such functions (67, 69) may be generated with the blade in two respective positions on opposite sides of the rotor The intersection point (73) of these functions is a pitch reference point that is compensated for rotor tilt.
US09638157B2
A quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator for producing corona discharge plasma from is presented. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator has a folded cavity made of opposing concentric cavity members that are nested together to form a continuous cavity ending in a aperture. A center conductor with a tip is positioned in the cavity. The folded cavity advantageously permits the coaxial cavity resonator to resonate at a lower operating frequency than an unfolded quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator of the same length. Embodiments of the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator use narrower apertures to reduce radiative losses, and include center conductors that are reactive load elements, such as helical coils. When a radio frequency (RF) oscillation is produced in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator, corona discharge plasma is formed at the tip of the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma can be used to ignite combustible materials in combustion chambers of combustion engines.
US09638147B2
A filter housing (11) has at least one inlet (15) and at least one outlet (17) for the fluid. The filter element (10) includes an open filter bellows (16) of a filter medium (18).The filter element (10) is arranged in a filter housing (11) separating the at least one inlet (15) from the at least one outlet (17). An element axis (14) of the filter element (10) and a housing axis (25) of the filter housing (11) can be aligned parallel or axially to an installation direction (12) of the filter element for installing the filter element (10) into the filter housing. The filter element (10) includes at least one guide crosspiece (46, 48) which extends axially and radially outward on a peripheral exterior side (26), relative to the element axis (14), of the filter element (10). The filter element (10) has at least one seal (42) running peripherally relative to the element axis (14), the seal (42) having a seal line with at least one convexity (54) arranged peripherally between two corner regions of the filter element (10) and is separated by these corner regions.
US09638133B2
An attachment structure and ceramic matrix composite liner combination for a gas turbine engine has a ceramic matrix composite liner including plural flanges extending away from a face of said liner. The flanges have an opening and a bracket secured to the flanges by a securement member extending through the opening in the flange, and through an opening in the bracket. The flanges are secured to the securement member through at least one washer having a spherical face facing a spherical recess in the flanges.
US09638132B2
In an internal combustion engine, a first oil chamber includes a curved surface portion provided on the upstream side in an oil flow direction and an inclined surface portion provided on the downstream side. The engine is so constructed that oil drops from upper oil passages onto the curved surface portion on the upstream side of the first oil chamber and the inclined surface portion on the downstream side. The curved surface portion on the upstream side has a curved shape which is convex downward, and the inclined surface portion on the downstream side has a slope shape which is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction. The curved shape of the curved surface portion on the upstream side is connected to the inclined surface portion before a tangent line of the curved surface portion turns to the horizontal direction.
US09638128B2
A compression ignition engine (10) operates to fuel an engine cylinder (12) to create an in-cylinder air-fuel charge and to cause that charge to autoignite. A fuel injector (20) operates to inject fuel into the engine cylinder for substantially the entire duration of a first phase (24) of fuel injection at substantially the maximum injection pressure that the fuel injector can deliver to create a premixed fraction of the in-cylinder air-fuel charge prior to autoignition. As the first phase ends, fuel injection transitions to a second phase (26) which commences in advance of autoignition. During the second phase, the fuel injector injects fuel into the engine cylinder at a rate of injection that is significantly less than the rate of injection used during the first phase.
US09638127B2
A method for verifying the validity of an output of a particulate matter sensor mounted in an engine exhaust system downstream of a diesel particulate filter, the particulate matter sensor including a pair of electrodes spaced apart from each other, includes initiating regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, applying and maintaining a higher than nominal voltage across the electrodes following the step of initiating regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, and measuring an electrical parameter across the electrodes while the higher voltage is applied across the electrodes, where the electrical parameter is indicative of an amount of soot accumulated on the sensor. The reading of accumulated soot is evaluated to determine whether the sensor is indicating that the amount of accumulated soot is within an expected range based on a clean diesel particulate filter and the elevated applied voltage.
US09638122B2
Methods and systems are described for an engine with a SCR system including NOx sensors upstream and downstream of catalyst. One method includes monitoring SCR performance via calculating SCR conversion efficiency at different catalyst temperatures. Further, feedgas NOx levels are artificially increased when SCR device temperature is above a threshold to obtain more reliable readings from NOx sensors.
US09638112B2
The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a vehicle, more particularly, the power train of a compacting machine for earth moving operations, comprising a hydraulic travel pump and a hydraulic travel motor. Control is effected according to a specified control profile when a specified driving operation is to be carried out in that an adjustment of the travel pump is carried out which is independent of the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. This makes it possible to retain, on the one hand, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine in the case of abrupt stops of movement or changes in the direction of movement and, on the other hand, to adapt the rotational speed of the engine in the case of somewhat longer uninterrupted pauses between two changes in the traveling behavior, wherein comparatively large fluctuations in the rotational speed are avoided.
US09638110B2
A natural gas engine equipped with a mechanism that introduces exhaust gas into a cylinder during an intake stroke, and in which an amount of diesel fuel injected into a cylinder is set to a diesel fuel amount for idling condition across an entire operating region of an engine, engine output is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing an amount of a natural gas fuel, and fuel injection of the diesel fuel into a cylinder is performed using multi-injection in a high load region in which the accelerator opening degree is greater than a preset first opening degree.
US09638103B2
An inlet particle separator system for an engine includes a hub section, a shroud section, a splitter, and a plasma flow control actuator. The shroud section surrounds at least a portion of the hub section and is spaced apart therefrom to define a passageway having an air inlet. The splitter is disposed downstream of the air inlet and extends into the passageway to divide the passageway into a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path. The plasma flow control actuator is coupled to the hub section and is disposed between the air inlet and the splitter.
US09638101B1
At least one controller manages a gas turbine engine driving a generator directly or indirectly coupled to the engine. The controller is programmed to automatically determine and adjust inputs to the gas turbine engine in order to cause the generator to produce a user-specified electrical output. Multiple sets of generator, engine, and controller may be used, in which case a master controller individually manages the other controllers to collectively provide the a user-specified electrical output.
US09638098B2
A bypass mechanism is disclosed for use with a turbocharger. The bypass mechanism may have an exhaust passage formed by at least a first wall, and a bypass manifold formed by at least a second wall surrounding the exhaust passage and including a space between the first wall and the second wall. The bypass mechanism may further have at least one opening in the first wall fluidly connecting the exhaust passage with the space. At least one valve is configured to open and close the opening to selectively allow exhaust gas to pass from the exhaust passage to the space through the at least one opening. The space may be fluidly connected to at least one entry passage of an exhaust stack. In addition, the at least one opening and the at least one entry passage may be positioned on opposite sides of the exhaust passage.
US09638094B2
A charge air cooler comprises an outlet tank having a drain mechanism integrated in a wall thereof. The drain mechanism comprises a first valve head disposed to a first side of the wall, a first spring member disposed between the first valve head and the wall, a second valve head disposed to a second side of the wall, a second spring member disposed between the second valve head and the wall, and a valve stem coupled to each of the first valve head and the second valve head. The valve stem is reciprocatingly disposed within an aperture formed in the wall. The drain mechanism is configured to be in a closed position when an internal pressure within the outlet tank is at least one of greater than a first pressure value and lower than a second pressure value.
US09638089B2
A gasket assembly has a middle layer located between an upper layer and a lower layer. The middle layer includes spacer portions that at least partially surround a gap. The gap, the spacer portions and the layers may have insulating and/or conducting portions as needed.
US09638088B1
A noise arresting system includes a landscape maintenance implement that has an internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine has an exhaust. A resonator has a first end, a second end and a peripheral wall extending therebetween. The first end and the second end each is open and the resonator is substantially hollow. An intake pipe is insertably positioned within the first end. The intake pipe is fluidly coupled to the exhaust to reduce a sound level of the exhaust. An exhaust pipe has a primary end, a secondary end and a flexible section extending between the primary end and the secondary end. The primary end is insertably positioned within the second end. The flexible section is bendable to direct the secondary end away from the resonator at a selected angle.
US09638084B2
A holding sealing material includes a one-sheet mat including inorganic fibers. The one-sheet mat includes a first mat with a first side face and a second mat with a second side face. A part of the first side face and a part of the second side face are foldably and integrally connected.
US09638064B2
A back-up boiler system for a solar thermal power plant (201) for transferring solar energy into electricity, said back-up boiler system comprising a combustion chamber (70) and a convection section (80) in fluid connection with said combustion chamber (70), wherein in the convection section (80) at least a first heat exchanger (92) is provided for heating a molten salts mixture of the solar thermal power plant and a second heat exchanger (90) for pre-heating boiler feed water of the solar thermal power plant, wherein the back-up boiler system (25) is configured to allow selection between only providing heat to the first heat exchanger (92), only providing heat to the second heat exchanger (90) and providing heat to both heat exchangers (90, 92), preferably dependent on availability of solar radiation and/or dependent on demand of power generation. The invention also relates to a solar thermal power plant (201) for transferring solar energy into electricity and a method for operating a solar thermal power plant.
US09638062B2
A gas turbine engine includes a bearing. A bearing support includes a first wall that extends between the first and second ends and is operatively supported by the bearing at a first end. An engine case is secured to the second end radially outward of the first end. A flexible support is provided by a second wall integral with and extending transversely from the first wall. The second wall has a first flange and a gear train component is secured to the first flange.
US09638058B2
In a scroll structure for a radial turbine configured such that a turbine rotor 02 is rotationally driven by causing exhaust gas to flow from a spiral scroll portion 4 formed in a turbine housing 1 toward a rotor blade 3 of the scroll portion 4 in a radial direction, and act on the rotor blade 3, then flow out in an axial direction, a heat radiation space portion is formed in a shroud portion 11 between the turbine housing 1 and a turbine chamber provided with the rotor blade 3.
US09638057B2
An apparatus and method for cooling a dual, walled component is disclosed herein. An augmented cooling system according to the present disclosure includes transporting a cooling fluid through one wall of a cooling pathway formed between two opposing spaced apart walls of the dual walled component. The cooling fluid can be deflected away from one wall of the cooling pathway with a first trip strip as the cooling fluid traverses along the cooling pathway. The cooling fluid can be deflected away from the opposing wall of the cooling pathway with a second trip strip as the cooling fluid continues traversing along the cooling pathway. The cooling fluid can then be discharged from the cooling pathway through the opposing wall of the dual walled component.
US09638052B2
There is described a seal assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising: a first seal having a sealing passage which defines a flow path trajectory for leakage air, the first seal for partitioning a first pressure area to a lower pressure area; a second seal located along the line of the flow path trajectory of the first seal, the second seal for partitioning a second pressure area and the lower pressure area; a deflection member located between the first seal and second seal, and in the trajectory of the flow path from the first seal.
US09638048B2
A method of constructing a cured composite assembly includes positioning a composite assembly within a bonding tool, wherein the composite assembly comprises an uncured composite spar and a skin and performing a curing cycle on the composite assembly to simultaneously cure the uncured composite spar and bond the skin to the cured composite spar.
US09638041B2
Various embodiments of the invention include turbine buckets and systems employing such buckets. Various particular embodiments include a turbine bucket having: an airfoil having: a suction side; a pressure side opposing the suction side; a leading edge spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and a trailing edge opposing the leading edge and spanning between the pressure side and the suction side; and a base connected with a first end of the airfoil along the suction side, pressure side, trailing edge and the leading edge, the base including a non-axisymmetric contour proximate a junction between the base and the airfoil.
US09638036B2
A compression mechanism can include a first scroll member, a second scroll member, and an Oldham coupling. The first scroll member can include a base plate. The second scroll member can meshingly engaged with the first scroll member, and include a first radially extending slot. The Oldham coupling can include a ring portion disposed about the base plate and a first radially extending key portion disposed in the first radially extending slot. The ring portion and the key portion can include a pair of upper surfaces and a pair of lower surfaces. At least one pair of upper surfaces or lower surfaces can be substantially coplanar.
US09638034B2
A system for pressure testing a formation includes a downhole tool configured to measure formation pressure, storage containing pressure parameters of a plurality of simulated formation pressure tests, and a formation pressure test controller coupled to the downhole tool and the storage. For each of a plurality of sequential pressure testing stages of a formation pressure test, the formation pressure test controller 1) retrieves formation pressure measurements from the downhole tool; 2) identifies one of the plurality of simulated formation pressure tests comprising pressure parameters closest to corresponding formation pressure values derived from the formation pressure measurements; and 3) determines a flow rate to apply by the downhole tool in a next stage of the test based on the identified one of the plurality of simulated formation pressure tests.
US09638030B2
One embodiment includes a method comprising receiving an acoustic signal that is propagated along a drill string. The method also includes correlating the acoustic signal to a first stored acoustic signal representing a first symbol, wherein the first stored acoustic signal is acquired from a propagation along the drill string in an approximately noise free environment.
US09638027B2
An assembly can include a casing string with an outer surface. The assembly can also include an antenna for wirelessly communicating data by generating a surface wave that propagates along an interface surface. The antenna can be positioned coaxially around the casing string. The antenna can include a cylindrically shaped conductor that is positionable coaxially around an outer surface of a casing string for generating a magnetic field component of the surface wave that is non-transverse to a direction of propagation of the surface wave along the interface surface. The antenna can also include a pair of conductive plates positioned at an angle to the cylindrically shaped conductor for generating an electric field component of the surface wave.
US09638014B2
A well pump assembly includes rotary pump and a submersible motor. A shroud surrounds the pump intake and the motor. The shroud has an open upper end in fluid communication with the pump intake for drawing well fluid along an upper flow path down the shroud into the pump intake. A dip tube is secured to and extends downward from a junction with a lower end of the shroud. The dip tube is in fluid communication with the pump intake and has an open lower end for drawing well fluid along a lower flow path up the dip tube to the pump intake. The upper flow path has a minimum flow area that is smaller than a minimum flow area of the lower flow path. The dip tube has a smaller outer diameter than an outer diameter of the shroud.
US09638006B2
A safety system for a well having a cable deployed electronic submersible pump includes a barrier valve having a control line for opening and closing the valve, a first flapper safety valve assembly, and a second flapper safety valve assembly. The second flapper safety valve allows the cable for the pump to pass through the second flapper safety valve when the valve is in a closed position. An integral flapper safety valve assembly incorporates the first and second flapper safety valves.
US09637993B2
A hydraulic connector for a wellhead hub is provided that includes a piston and a bottom portion configured to move in an axial direction via hydraulic pressure applied to one or more hydraulic ports in the connector. The movement of the piston and the bottom portion moves a ring and a segment of the connector in a radial direction to engage recesses in the wellhead hub. The connector may be unlocked by applying hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic port of the connector. A system and method of operating the connector are also provided.
US09637992B2
A downhole retrieval tool for engaging and retrieving an object from a wellbore includes a mandrel and a grapple having a contracted position and an expanded position. In the expanded position, the grapple engages the object for retrieval. The grapple is operably associated with an expansion member disposed on the mandrel to facilitate movement of the grapple between the contracted and expanded positions. The expansion member is releasably connected to the mandrel. In the event that the downhole tool and object, once secured to each other, are unable to be retrieved from the wellbore, the expansion member can be released from the mandrel which, in turn, causes the grapple to release from the object so that the downhole tool can be removed from the wellbore. A stored energy member facilitates movement of the grapple from the contracted position to the expanded position.
US09637990B2
An apparatus includes a propellant chamber, an expansion chamber, an exit chamber comprising a port providing fluid communication outside the apparatus, and a longitudinal acceleration chamber. The longitudinal acceleration chamber includes a first end in fluid communication with the propellant chamber, a second end in fluid communication with the expansion chamber, and a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. An acceleration mass is slidably contained in the acceleration chamber. The acceleration chamber includes a propellant side between the propellant chamber and the acceleration mass, and a target side between the acceleration mass and the expansion chamber. A transfer piston is slidably positioned between the expansion chamber and the exit chamber. The transfer piston includes a first end projecting into the expansion chamber and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the acceleration chamber, and a second end projecting into the exit chamber.
US09637983B2
A casing connection is provided having a first sub with a first circular radius face and a second circular radius face. A second sub is provided having a third circular radius face and a threaded profile on at least a portion of an outside surface of the second sub. An adjusting collar is further provided having a fourth circular radius face and a threaded profile on at least a portion of an inner surface of the adjusting collar. Sealing surfaces are formed at connections between the first circular radius face and the fourth circular radius face, the second circular radius face and the third circular radius face and the second sub threaded portion and the adjusting collar threaded portion. Bendability and rotatability of the casing connection is adjustable by tightening or loosening said threaded connection between said second sub and said adjustable collar.
US09637981B2
Wellbore component life monitoring system. A life of a component in a wellbore can be monitored by periodically receiving a load value of a load while the load is being applied to a component in a wellbore. While the load is being applied to the component in the wellbore, a fatigue on the component caused by the load can be periodically determined based, at least in part, on the periodically received load value.
US09637979B2
Rotary drag bits comprise a body comprising a face at a leading end of the body. An abrasive-impregnated cutting structure is located at the face of the body. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure comprises abrasive particles dispersed within a matrix material. The abrasive-impregnated cutting structure exhibits an anisotropic wear resistance. The wear resistance varies at least substantially continuously within the abrasive-impregnated cutting structure.
US09637976B2
A directional drilling tool includes a housing defining a central cavity for enabling the transmission of drilling fluid through the drill string. A motor contained in the housing includes a rotor-stator assembly, and produces eccentric motion of the rotor. An inverter or shock absorbing assembly disposed along the housing upstream from the motor functions to expend and contract the central cavity in response to fluid pressure changes produced by the drilling fluid flow. A valve assembly, comprising a multi-port flow head that rotates under influence of the motor and a multi-port flow restrictor, creates a varying pattern of pressure spikes in the drilling fluid as the ports of the flow head move into and out of alignment with the ports of the flow restrictor, which in turn induces a percussive effect and axial movement in the drill string.
US09637974B2
A roller door system (100) particularly for opening and closing a doorway (120) defined in the wall of a lightweight structure (110) such as a marquee, hangar, field hospital, emergency shelter and the like. The door system comprises a rollable door (150) secured, in use, along one edge of the doorway (152); a roller (140) for rolling and unrolling the rollable door about the roller; an opening mechanism and a closing mechanism for controlling the deployment of the rollable door by translating the roller across the doorway; and reusable sealing means (135, 136, 155, 156) for sealing between the lateral margins of the rollable door and the doorway; characterized in that the rollable door comprises a plurality of collapsible hoses (165, 166) connected to a pressurized fluid power system (160, 161, 163) such that in use a positive pressure applied to the fluid power system causes the rollable door to unroll from the roller and controls the deployment of the rollable door.
US09637961B2
A sliding door assembly for incorporation within a wall, the assembly comprising a sliding door panel, a top rail guide and a bottom rail guide operatively associated with respective top and bottom ends of the sliding door panel to guide the same within a pair of cooperating guide tracks provided within each of the top rail guides and bottom rail guides, the top and bottom rails guides are not vertically interconnected whereby the pairs of cooperating guide tracks extend in a separate plane from that of the wall so that when the sliding door panel is fully opened it is disposed behind the wall. The invention includes a guide track that is bifurcated to provide multiple sliding door panels.
US09637958B2
Device for unlocking a door, comprising at least one operating element; a bolt; a coupling which can be placed in the door and which is coupled between the bolt and the operating element, wherein the coupling comprises a pair of scissor arms mounted rotatably around a fixed shaft, and a pair of pivot arms, wherein each pivot arm is connected at a first end for pivoting around a first shaft to a scissor arm and connected at a second end for pivoting around a second shaft to a push part intended to engage against the bolt, such that a tilting of the operating element brings about a movement of the push part, and thus of the bolt.
US09637951B2
Systems (100) and methods (1000) for operating a Security Tag (“ST”). The methods involve rotating a Rotational Clip (“RC”) of ST (132) towards a Housing Base (“HB”) of ST until RC (406) contacts a latch (610) disposed within HB (404), where an article resides between a first pad (602) fixedly coupled to RC and a second pad (604) movably coupled to HB. An angled surface (626) of RC slides against an angled surface (624) of the latch so as to cause compression of a cap spring (614) and a latch spring (612). The cap spring is disposed in HB such that a center axis (818) thereof is perpendicular to a center axis (816) of the latch spring. When the latch becomes aligned with an aperture (628) formed in the rotational clip, the latch travels into the aperture as result from a pushing force applied thereto by the latch spring.
US09637950B2
Locks for use with pest-control devices such as bait stations or other loadable devices, kits that include a lock and key, and pest control devices that include a lock.
US09637937B2
A mechanical coupling arrangement for a scaffold includes a pole and a mounting collar having an attachment surface to which elongated support members can be attached. A level of radial play between the pole and the mounting collar in a first relative angular position is larger than the level of radial play between the pole and the mounting collar in a second relative angular position. The second relative angular position corresponds to a fastening position of the mounting collar, and the first relative angular position corresponds to an axial sliding position of the mounting collar.
US09637933B2
A hanging system for securing cladding panel on a building structure, the cladding panel having a mounting channel extending at least partly across a surface thereof. An embedded anchor block has a core and two engaging portions outwardly projecting from the core, the two engaging portions operable to lock the anchor block in the mounting channel of the cladding panel in an interlocking fit when the embedded anchor block is received within the mounting channel, and the embedded anchor block having an outer surface that is configured to be flush or near flush with the surface of the cladding panel when the embedded anchor block is received within the mounting channel. A hanging clip removably connects or fastens to the anchor block, the hanging clip having an engagement surface to engage the outer surface of the anchor block. The cladding panel is secured to a building structure by fastening the anchor block to the hanging clip which is securable to a support.
US09637932B2
A railing and baluster plug system that facilitates installation of balusters at a plurality of angular orientations, such as installations for level railing and installations for non-level or angled railings such as for stairs. The baluster plugs are configured to cooperate with the balusters and include both a level mounting surface and an angled mounting surface for alternatively mounting the balusters in a level or an angled orientation.
US09637931B2
A connector apparatus has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion mounts to an upright that has knobby hand grip protrusions. The second portion provides a connection for a laterally extending cross-member. The first portion interacts with the knobby hand grip protrusions to have a combination of a first degree of freedom permitting motion in one direction, while inhibiting motion in a second degree of freedom. The second portion has a releasable connection to the cross-member, and when engaged, has a degree of freedom of motion about an axis of the second portion cross-wise to the axis of the upright. The second portion has a releasable, retained, pin connector with a quarter-turn lock to prevent accidental disengagement. The connection of the second portion is offset such that when two connectors are seated back-to-back their cross-tie connections stand in substantially the same horizontal plane relative to the ground.
US09637921B1
Embodiments of a quad-beams and rail-arm-leg modules for use in modular assembly systems for office and industrial work stations. The embodiments have four corner tubes, bars, or channels arranged in a rectangular pattern in cross-section and connected in ways that provide improved ability to transmit torque along a long axis of the multi-track beam while providing improved resistance to twisting under the forces of the torque.
US09637919B2
A ceiling system is disclosed in which two type of ceiling panels are mounted in a support grid. In one embodiment, the ceiling system may comprise: a support grid defining a plurality of grid openings; a plurality of grid-concealment ceiling panels mounted to the support grid and disposed in the grid openings, each of the grid-concealment ceiling panels comprising peripheral edge portions which extend beneath and at least partially conceal the support grid; and one or more tegular ceiling panels mounted to the support grid and disposed within the grid openings, wherein the one or more tegular ceiling panels do not extend beneath the support grid.
US09637917B2
A device for fixing an item to a building structure, for example for use as a roof fixing, is disclosed. It consists of a base plate (30) having a projecting member projecting from one side of it, for example a threaded stud or bolt (40), and an impermeable cover member, for example in the form of a solid block (35) which can be threaded on to the projecting member. The cover member compresses a waterproof membrane located between it and the base plate (30) to form a waterproof seal. The waterproof membrane extends past the edges of the base plate (30) and its projecting edges are sealed to the structure.
US09637906B1
The urine attachment for toilets is a device that includes a mounting bracket that is configured to attach onto a toilet. The mounting bracket supports a telescoping funnel that is adapted to be urinated in and which directs urine along a conduit, and into a toilet bowl. The mounting bracket includes a mounting member that is adapted to interface with a bottom surface of a toilet tank, and which is affixed to a mounting conduit. The mounting conduit extends from the mounting member over to a rotating disk. The rotating disk is adapted to be positioned adjacent a toilet rim of a toilet bowl. The rotating disk enables the conduit that extends from the telescoping funnel to be adjusted.
US09637904B2
A bidet includes one or more water sources, a generally elongate wand, and a spray head. The wand is configured to communicate water from the one or more water sources to the spray head. The spray head is configured to spray the water received from water sources, and the spray head is also configured to releasably couple to the wand by being received through an upper surface of the wand into a receptacle thereof.
US09637900B2
A flush handle assembly for a toilet includes a locking unit having a locking member extending through the wall of the water tank, and a sleeve positions the locking member at the water tank. A shaft extends through the locking member and a flush handle is connected to the first end of the shaft. The second end of the shaft protrudes from the locking member and is connected to a positioning member which is connected with a link. The second end of the shaft has two plates with a slot formed therebetween. The locking member has a groove which is located in the recess of the positioning member and a pin extends through the positioning member and is engaged with the groove of the locking member to connect positioning member to the locking member. The shaft is removed from the positioning member by squeezing the two plates of the shaft.
US09637889B2
A motor grader having a moldboard and tiltable wheels is provided with a sensor system and electronic controller for determining a required wheel tilt to overcome anticipated draft forces resulting from the angle to which the moldboard is adjusted. The wheels are automatically leaned as determined necessary for counteracting the draft forces. An all-wheel-drive system can be controlled together with wheel lean for counteracting draft forces. Inputs from moldboard tilt and roll, motor grader positioning and orientation and the like can be included in determining anticipated draft forces.
US09637887B2
A 3D volume rate control method and apparatus (10) for a slewing bucket-wheel stockpile reclaimer 16 is described. The apparatus (10) comprises four 3D image sensors (12) mounted adjacent a bucket-wheel (14) of the (reclaimer 16), which are adapted to provide 3D images of a stockpile bench face. The apparatus includes a data processor (20) for: (i) processing the 3D images produced by the 3D image sensors (12) to generate a 3D stockpile bench face profile, (ii) calculating a reclaim cut volume rate at which material is being cut from the stockpile face based on a measured change in volume of the 3D stockpile bench face profile in the area abutting the excavation tool, (iii) calculating a reclaim cut volume of material that will be cut from the stockpile face based on the shape of the excavation tool and the 3D stockpile bench face profile to determine a feed forward reclaim cut volume rate profile, and (iv) calculating an operating parameter for the reclaimer based on a desired reclaim cut volume rate compared to the measured reclaim cut volume rate and the feed forward reclaim cut volume rate profile. The method and apparatus provide accurate reclaim volume measurement so that the reclaim volume rate becomes independent of the product characteristics, stockpile bench face shape and bucket-wheel cutting parameters.
US09637880B2
A snow melting vehicle includes a receptacle for receiving a snow load to be melted inside the receptacle into meltwater and a debris collecting system for moving the debris fallen to the bottom of the receptacle into a collecting chamber disposed adjacent the receptacle. A debris lifting system is also provided for raising the debris from the collecting chamber to a position above the meltwater filling the collecting chamber, whereby the meltwater is substantially drained before the debris is gravity discharged outside the snow melting vehicle.
US09637870B1
A pavement repair system utilizing solid phase auto regenerative cohesion and homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization technologies. The system is suitable for use in repairing asphalt pavement, including pavement exhibiting a high degree of deterioration (as manifested in the presence of potholes, cracks, ruts, or the like) as well as pavement that has been subject to previous repair and may comprise a substantial amount of dirt and other debris (e.g., chipped road paint or other damaged or disturbed surfacing materials). A system utilizing homogenization by liquid asphalt oligopolymerization is suitable for rejuvenating or repairing aged asphalt, thereby improving properties of the paving material.
US09637867B2
A spike claw puller for pulling a rail spike has a handle a first feeder tooth and a second feeder tooth. The handle includes a feature for coupling the spike claw puller to a rail spike pulling machine. The first and second feeder teeth extend from the handle and form a jaw opening therebetween to receive a rail spike. The first feeder tooth includes a first feeder extension and the second feeder tooth includes a second feeder extension to help align the spike claw puller with the rail spike.
US09637865B2
Disclosed is a method for producing an aldehyde crosslinked polyacrylamide composition useful for strengthening paper. The method includes steps, wherein a) an aldehyde crosslinker and polyacrylamide are mixed in water to form an aqueous solution of aldehyde crosslinked polyacrylamide prepolymer; b) acid is added to the aqueous prepolymer solution to adjust the pH of the solution to a value between 1 to 5; c) storing and transporting the prepolymer solution to the location where the final glyoxalated polyacrylamide composition will be used; and d) adding a base to the stabilized prepolymer solution to adjust the pH of the solution to value between 5.5 to 12, and e) allowing the aldehyde crosslinker and polyacrylamide contained in the aldehyde crosslinked polyacrylamide prepolymer solution to react further and form aldehyde crosslinked polyacrylamide composition useful for strengthening paper.
US09637858B2
The laundry treating apparatus includes a door to open and close the introduction port about a first rotational or a second rotational axis which is different from first rotational axis. A first switching unit is provided in the door to allow rotation of door about the first rotational axis, and a second switching unit is provided in the door to allow rotation of the door about the second rotational axis. A lock fixes a position of at least one of the first switching unit or second switching unit when the door opens the introduction port. As can be appreciated, the mechanism used for the laundry apparatus may be applicable to other home appliances or non-home appliances where two different rotational axes may be needed to open and close a door.
US09637846B1
A double-sided fabric stacked with a continuous cord material in a predetermined knitting section. The double-sided fabric is knit from a face yarn by a flat knitting machine including a front needle bed, a back needle bed and a loop presser bed. The front needle bed includes a plurality of front knitting needles. The back needle bed includes a plurality of back knitting needles. The loop presser bed is disposed above the front needle bed or the back needle bed, and includes right-directed knitting pressing pieces and left-directed knitting pressing pieces. The double-sided fabric is further embedded with a continuous cord material, which is pressed into the predetermined knitting section by the right-directed knitting pressing pieces and the left-directed knitting pressing pieces to become folded and stacked in the predetermined knitting section.
US09637840B2
This invention provides a process for increasing the crystallinity of at least one solid material which is less than 100% crystalline, comprising contacting said solid material with solvent in which the solid material is insoluble or poorly soluble (a non-solvent); and applying ultrasound to the solid material when in contact with said non-solvent.
US09637825B2
A high-temperature long lifespan electrode includes a through type aluminum sheet, a plurality of first hollow protrusion members protruded to one side of the through type aluminum sheet, a plurality of second hollow protrusion members protruded to the other side of the through type aluminum sheet, a metal protection layer coated on the through type aluminum sheet, the plurality of first hollow protrusion members, a first active material sheet bonded to one surface of the through type aluminum sheet, and a second active material sheet bonded to the other surface of the second surface of the through type aluminum sheet.
US09637824B2
A method of fabricating a metal cellular structure includes providing a sol-gel that is a colloid dispersed in a solvent, the colloid including metal-containing regions bound together by polymeric ligands, removing the solvent from the gel using supercritical drying to produce a dry gel of the metal-containing regions bound together by the polymeric ligands, and thermally converting the dry gel to a cellular structure with a coating in at least one step using phase separation of at least two insoluble elements. Also disclosed is a metal cellular structure including interconnected metal ligaments having a cellular structure and a carbon-containing coating around the metal ligaments.
US09637823B2
Plasma atomic layer deposition (ALD) is optimized through modulation of the gas residence time during an excited species phase, wherein activated reactant is supplied such as from a plasma. Reduced residence time increases the quality of the deposited layer, such as reducing wet etch rates, increasing index of refraction and/or reducing impurities in the layer. For example, dielectric layers, particularly silicon nitride films, formed from such optimized plasma ALD processes have low levels of impurities remaining from the silicon precursor.
US09637820B2
Certain example embodiments relate to an in-line scalable system that may be used in the combustion deposition depositing of thin films. The systems of certain example embodiments may comprise one or more modules, with each such module including at least one burner and at least one high volume cooling section. In certain example implementations, multiple burners and multiple cooling sections are provided to a single module in alternating order. The systems of certain example embodiments may, in addition or in the alternative, comprise a combined flame guard and exhaust system. The combined flame guard and exhaust system of certain example embodiments advantageously may provide a means to reduce the amount of interference of the deposition process by ambient conditions, improve flame uniformity in the deposition zone, contain and exhaust combustion products while reducing restrictions to the stable operating space of the combustion deposition process, etc.
US09637819B2
Methods for depositing cobalt in features of a substrate include providing a substrate to a process chamber, the substrate having a first surface, a feature formed in the first surface comprising an opening defined by one or more sidewalls, a bottom surface, and upper corners, and the substrate having a first layer formed atop the first surface and the opening, wherein a thickness of the first layer is greater proximate the upper corners of the opening than at the sidewalls and bottom of the opening; exposing the substrate to a plasma formed from a silicon-containing gas to deposit a silicon layer predominantly onto a portion of the first layer atop the first surface of the substrate; and depositing a cobalt layer atop the substrate to fill the opening, wherein the silicon layer inhibits deposition of cobalt on the portion of the first layer atop the first surface of the substrate.
