US09054253B2
Group III nitride based light emitting devices and methods of fabricating Group III nitride based light emitting devices are provided. The emitting devices include an n-type Group III nitride layer, a Group III nitride based active region on the n-type Group III nitride layer and comprising at least one quantum well structure, a Group III nitride layer including indium on the active region, a p-type Group III nitride layer including aluminum on the Group III nitride layer including indium, a first contact on the n-type Group III nitride layer and a second contact on the p-type Group III nitride layer. The Group III nitride layer including indium may also include aluminum.
US09054239B2
A process of forming a front-grid electrode on a silicon wafer having an ARC layer, comprising the steps: (1) printing and drying a metal paste A comprising an inorganic content comprising 0.5 to 8 wt.-% of glass frit and having fire-through capability, wherein the metal paste A is printed on the ARC layer to form a bottom set of thin parallel finger lines, (2) printing and drying a metal paste B comprising an inorganic content comprising 0.2 to 3 wt.-% of glass frit over the bottom set of finger lines, wherein the metal paste B is printed in a grid pattern which comprises (i) thin parallel finger lines forming a top set of finger lines superimposing the bottom set of finger lines and (ii) busbars intersecting the finger lines at right angle, and (3) firing the double-printed silicon wafer, wherein the inorganic content of metal paste B contains less glass frit plus optionally present other inorganic additives than the inorganic content of metal paste A.
US09054236B2
The object of the present invention to provide a solar cell sealing film, which has superior durability that maintains adhesive performance for a long duration under the circumstances of a high temperature and high humidity, exerts high crosslink rate at production of the solar cells, and suppresses occurrence of blister, and a solar cell using the sealing film. The solar cell sealing film includes: ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, an organic peroxide, and a silane-coupling agent, wherein the silane-coupling agent is represented by formula (I): in which R1 represents alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, three R1s are the same as or different from each other, and “n” is an integer of 1 to 8; and the silane-coupling agent is contained in the range of 0.02 to 1.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ethylene-polar monomer copolymer.
US09054233B2
A device includes a support including at least a first area and a second area, and a plurality of first light emitting devices located over the first area of the support, each first light emitting device containing a first growth template including a first nanostructure, and each first light emitting device has a first peak emission wavelength. The device also includes a plurality of second light emitting devices located over the second area of the support, each second light emitting device containing a second growth template including a second nanostructure, and each second light emitting device has a second peak emission wavelength different from the first peak emission wavelength. Each first growth template differs from each second growth template.
US09054230B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which unevenness generated under a light-emitting element does not impart an adverse effect on the light-emitting element. It is another object of the invention to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which penetration of water into the inside of the display device through a film having high moisture permeability can be suppressed without increasing processing steps considerably. A display device of the present invention comprises a thin film transistor and a light-emitting element, the light-emitting element including a light-emitting laminated body interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein the first electrode is formed over an insulating film formed over the thin film transistor; and wherein a planarizing film is formed in response to the first electrode between the first electrode and the insulating film.
US09054217B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. A first gate pattern and a second gate pattern are adjacent to each other and are formed on an active region of a substrate. The active region is defined by an isolation film. A first recess is formed between the first gate pattern and the second gate pattern. A first sacrificial film pattern is formed on a bottom surface of the first recess using a directional deposition process. A second recess is formed by etching the first recess using the first sacrificial film pattern as a etch mask. The first recess is laterally extended to form the second recess.
US09054204B2
There are provided a thin-film transistor suppressing influence of light and having stable characteristics, and a method of manufacturing the thin-film transistor, as well as a display unit and an electronic apparatus. The thin-film transistor includes: a gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film having a channel region that faces the gate electrode; and a protective film covering at least the channel region and containing an aluminum lower oxide (AlXOY, where 0
US09054189B1
A semiconductor device is provided. An active fin protrudes from a substrate. A gate structure is formed on the substrate and the active fin. The gate structure extends in a first direction. The gate structure crosses a first region of the active fin in a second direction. A first epitaxial layer is formed on a second region of the active fin. The second region of the active fin is not covered with the gate structure. A second epitaxial layer is formed on the first epitaxial layer, the second epitaxial layer including an impurity. The first epitaxial layer includes a blocking material. The blocking material of the first epitaxial layer prevents the impurity of the second epitaxial layer from passing through the first epitaxial layer to block diffusion of the impurity to a channel region formed in the first region of the active fin.
US09054186B2
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a channel layer of at least a first III-V semiconductor compound above the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack structure above a first portion of the channel layer; a source region and a drain region comprising at least a second III-V semiconductor compound above a second portion of the channel layer; and a first metal contact structure above the S/D regions comprising a first metallic contact layer contacting the S/D regions. The first metallic contact layer comprises at least one metal-III-V semiconductor compound.
US09054182B2
A semiconductor device with a field electrode and method. One embodiment provides a controllable semiconductor device including a control electrode for controlling the semiconductor device and a field electrode. The field electrode includes a number of longish segments which extend in a first lateral direction and which run substantially parallel to one another. The control electrode includes a number of longish segments extending in a second lateral direction and running substantially parallel to one another, wherein the first lateral direction is different from the second lateral direction.
US09054175B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a gate structure including a select gate formed over a substrate and a memory gate formed on one sidewall of the select gate and having a P-type channel, a drain region formed in the substrate at one sidewall of the gate structure and overlapping a part of the memory gate, and a source region formed in the substrate at the other sidewall of the gate structure and overlapping a part of the select gate. The memory gates include a grid of rows and columns with bits of 1's and 0's selectively forming a memory in a nonvolatile memory device.
US09054156B2
A metal layer is deposited over a material layer. The metal layer includes an elemental metal that can be converted into a dielectric metal-containing compound by plasma oxidation or nitridation. A hard mask portion is formed over the metal layer. A plasma impermeable spacer is formed on at least one first sidewall of the hard mask portion, while at least one second sidewall of the hard mask portion is physically exposed. Plasma oxidation or nitridation is performed to convert physically exposed surfaces of the metal layer into the dielectric metal-containing compound. A sequence of a surface pull back of the hard mask portion, cavity etching, another surface pull back, and conversion of top surfaces into the dielectric metal-containing compound are repeated to form a hole pattern having a spacing that is not limited by lithographic minimum dimensions.
US09054154B2
A semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode that is provided on a first insulating film along one side wall of a first trench and is provided in a second trench, a shield electrode that is provided on a second insulating film along the other side wall of the first trench and is provided in a third trench, a gate runner that is an extended portion of the second trench, has a portion which is provided on the first gate electrode, and is connected to the first gate electrode, and an emitter polysilicon layer that is an extended portion of the third trench, has a portion which is provided on the shield electrode, and is connected to the shield electrode. The semiconductor device has improved turn-on characteristics with a slight increase in the number of process steps, while preventing increase in costs and reduction in yield.
US09054152B2
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type on the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type on the second semiconductor region, a control electrode disposed within and insulated from the first, second, and third semiconductor regions, a first electrode electrically connected with the second and third semiconductor regions, a second electrode, and a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type between the second electrode and the first semiconductor region. The fourth semiconductor region includes a first portion having a first dopant concentration and a second portion having a second dopant concentration higher than the first dopant concentration, and a contact area of the first portion with the second electrode is larger than a contact area of the second area with the second electrode.
US09054148B2
A method is provided for treating a bipolar ESC having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface including an anodized layer. The method includes eliminating the anodized layer, disposing a new anodized layer onto the front surface, and treating the new anodized layer with water to seal the new anodized layer.
US09054145B2
A substrate stopped at a first position is transferred toward a second position and is stopped at the second position in an accurate and stable manner. An intermediate position arrival time AT is measured while the substrate is being transferred from a substrate stop position toward a mounting work position, and a transfer status of the substrate (whether or not an unexpected factor has occurred) is assessed based on the intermediate position arrival time AT. Before the substrate reaches the second position, a deceleration pattern is controlled by altering a deceleration start timing T14 and the deceleration b in accordance with the intermediate position arrival time AT, thereby accurately stopping and positioning the substrate at the mounting work position. In this manner, under feed-forward control, the substrate can be stably transferred to the mounting work position.
US09054138B2
It is an object to manufacture and provide a highly reliable display device including a thin film transistor with a high aperture ratio which has stable electric characteristics. In a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device having a thin film transistor in which a semiconductor layer including a channel formation region is formed using an oxide semiconductor film, a heat treatment for reducing moisture and the like which are impurities and for improving the purity of the oxide semiconductor film (a heat treatment for dehydration or dehydrogenation) is performed. Further, an aperture ratio is improved by forming a gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer using conductive films having light transmitting properties.
US09054131B2
A vertical MOSFET electrostatic discharge device is disclosed, including a substrate comprising a plurality of trenches, a recessed gate disposed in each trench, a drain region disposed between each of the two neighboring recessed gates, an electrostatic discharge implant region disposed under each drain region, and a source region surrounding and disposed under the recessed gates and the electrostatic discharge implant regions.
US09054123B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes: providing a wafer including an upper surface and a plurality of semiconductor mesas extending to the upper surface; forming a first support structure made of a first material and adjoining the plurality of semiconductor mesas at the upper surface so that adjacent pairs of the plurality of semiconductor mesas are bridged by the first support structure; forming a second support structure made of a second material different from the first material and adjoining the plurality of semiconductor mesas at the upper surface so that the adjacent pairs of the plurality of semiconductor mesas are bridged by the second support structure; removing the first support structure; and at least partly removing the second support structure.
US09054121B2
A method includes forming a MEMS device, forming a bond layer adjacent the MEMS device, and forming a protection layer over the bond layer. The steps of forming the bond layer and the protection layer include in-situ deposition of the bond layer and the protection layer.
US09054117B1
A method of forming an electronic component package includes coupling a first surface of an electronic component to a first surface of a first dielectric strip, the electronic component comprising bond pads on the first surface; forming first via apertures through the first dielectric strip to expose the bond pads; and filling the first via apertures with an electrically conductive material to form first vias electrically coupled to the bond pads. The bond pads are directly connected to the corresponding first vias without the use of a solder and without the need to form a solder wetting layer on the bond pads.
US09054110B2
A system and method for a low-k dielectric layer are provided. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a matrix and forming a porogen within the matrix. The porogen comprises an organic ring structure with fewer than fifteen carbons and a large percentage of single bonds. Additionally, the porogen may have a viscosity greater than 1.3 and a Reynolds numbers less than 0.5.
US09054107B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device is presented. A substrate prepared with a dielectric layer formed thereon is provided. A sacrificial and a hard mask layer are formed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric, sacrificial and hard mask layers are patterned to form an interconnect opening. The interconnect opening is filled with a conductive material to form an interconnect. The conductive material is processed to produce a top surface of the conductive material that is substantially planar with a top surface of the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is removed. The sacrificial layer protects the dielectric layer during processing of the conductive material.
US09054099B2
Semiconductor devices with external wirebond sites that include copper and methods for fabricating such semiconductor devices are disclosed. One embodiment of a method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a dielectric layer on an active side of a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer has openings aligned with corresponding wirebond sites at the active side of the substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of wirebond sites located at the openings in the dielectric layer. The wirebond sites are electrically coupled to an integrated circuit in the semiconductor substrate and electrically isolated from each other. Individual wirebond sites are formed by electrolessly depositing nickel into the openings and forming a wirebond film on the nickel without forming a seam between the nickel and the dielectric layer.
US09054094B2
The present invention relates to an interposer substrate for interconnecting between active electronic componentry such as but not limited to a single or multiple integrated circuit chips in either a single or a combination and elements that could comprise of a mounting substrate, substrate module, a printed circuit board, integrated circuit chips or other substrates containing conductive energy pathways that service an energy utilizing load and leading to and from an energy source. The interposer will also possess a multi-layer, universal multi-functional, common conductive shield structure with conductive pathways for energy and EMI conditioning and protection that also comprise a commonly shared and centrally positioned conductive pathway or electrode of the structure that can simultaneously shield and allow smooth energy interaction between grouped and energized conductive pathway electrodes containing a circuit architecture for energy conditioning as it relates to integrated circuit device packaging. The invention can be employed between an active electronic component and a multilayer circuit card. A method for making the interposer is not presented and can be varied to the individual or proprietary construction methodologies that exist or will be developed.
US09054092B2
A method and apparatus of minimizing resin bleed and mold flash on integrated lead finishes by providing groves on the external leads that can control the length of resin bleed.
US09054079B2
A contact lens having a thin silicon chip integrated therein is provided along with methods for assembling the silicon chip within the contact lens. In an aspect, a method includes creating a plurality of lens contact pads on a lens substrate and creating a plurality of chip contact pads on a chip. The method further involves applying assembly bonding material to the each of the plurality of lens contact pads or chip contact pads, aligning the plurality of lens contact pads with the plurality of chip contact pads, bonding the chip to the lens substrate via the assembly bonding material using flip chip bonding, and forming a contact lens with the lens substrate.
US09054078B2
A signal processing device includes: signal processing circuits. The signal processing circuit includes an input/output circuit configured by an input circuit serving as an input interface of a signal of a predetermined frequency band and/or an output circuit serving as an output interface of a signal of the frequency band and performs transmission of a signal of the frequency band between the signal processing circuit and another signal processing circuit. The output circuits of one and another signal processing circuits include circuits having the same configuration. The input circuits of the one and another signal processing circuits include other circuits having the same configurations. The input/output circuits of the one and another signal processing circuits can perform transmission of a signal of the predetermined frequency band even when any one of transmission media having mutually different characteristics is mediated.
US09054071B2
A semiconductor device is formed with a stepped field plate over at least three sequential regions in which a total dielectric thickness under the stepped field plate is at least 10 percent thicker in each region compared to the preceding region. The total dielectric thickness in each region is uniform. The stepped field plate is formed over at least two dielectric layers, of which at least all but one dielectric layer is patterned so that at least a portion of a patterned dielectric layer is removed in one or more regions of the stepped field plate.
US09054068B2
Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures.
US09054061B1
An OLED display device includes a first oxide semiconductor layer including first to fourth regions; a first gate electrode on a first insulating layer and the first oxide semiconductor layer, and completely overlapping the first region; a first storage electrode extending from the first gate electrode and overlapping the second region; a second insulating layer covering the first gate electrode and the first storage electrode and exposing the third and fourth regions; first source and drain electrodes on the second insulating layer and contacting the third and fourth regions; and an emitting diode connected to the first drain electrode, wherein a portion of the second region at an edge of the first storage electrode except a center of the first storage electrode is conductive to form a second storage electrode, and the first and second storage electrodes and the first insulating layer constitute a first storage capacitor.
US09054058B2
A high-quality light-emitting device having low power consumption, capability of emitting light of a bright color, and less luminance unevenness is provided. Provided is a light-emitting device in which a plurality of light-emitting units each include a light-emitting element which includes a layer (EL layer) containing an organic compound between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is separated between light-emitting elements. The EL layer includes a layer (light-emitting layer) containing a light-emitting substance and a layer containing a donor substance and an acceptor substance provided between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer. An inversely tapered partition is provided only between adjacent light-emitting units emitting light of different colors.
US09054057B2
An organic light-emitting display device is disclosed. The organic light-emitting display device may include a substrate, an organic light-emitting portion provided on the substrate, a first inorganic film that seals and covers the organic light-emitting portion, and a second inorganic film provided on the first inorganic film and including a low temperature viscosity transition (LVT) inorganic material. A coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the first inorganic film may be smaller than a CTE of the second inorganic film.
US09054054B2
In a method forming patterns, a layer on a substrate is patterned by a first etching process using an etch mask to form a plurality of first preliminary patterns and a plurality of second preliminary patterns. The second preliminary patterns are spaced apart from each other at a second distance larger than a first distance at which the first preliminary patterns are spaced apart. First and second coating layers are formed on sidewalls of the first and second preliminary patterns, respectively, and the first and second coating layers and portions of the first and second preliminary patterns are removed by a second etching process using the etch mask to form a plurality of first patterns and a plurality of second patterns. The first patterns have widths that are smaller than widths of the first preliminary patterns. The first patterns may have generally vertical sidewalls relative to the substrate.
US09054045B2
According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the anisotropic etching of patterns in at least one layer to be etched through a hard mask comprising carbon in an inductive-coupling plasma etching reactor (ICP), the method being characterized in that the hard mask is made from boron doped with carbon (B:C), and in that, prior to the anisotropic etching of the patterns in said layer to be etched through the hard mask of carbon-doped boron (B:C), the following steps are performed: realization of an intermediate hard mask situated on a layer of carbon-doped boron intended to form the hard mask made from carbon-doped boron (B:C), etching of the layer of carbon-doped boron (B:C) through the intermediate hard mask in order to form the hard mask made from carbon-doped boron (B:C), the realization of the intermediate hard mask and the etching of the hard mask made from carbon-doped boron (B:C) being done in said inductive coupling plasma etching reactor (ICP).
US09054038B2
The present invention generally relates to a floating gate structure and method of forming the same. The floating gate structure has an upper portion which is wider than a middle portion of the floating gate structure. The upper portion may have a flared, rounded or bulbous shape instead of being pointed or having sharp corners. The reduction in pointed or sharp features of the upper portion reduces the electric field intensity near the upper portion, which decreases current leakage through the interpoly dielectric. The method includes forming a nitride cap on the upper surface of the floating gate structure to assist in shaping the floating gate. The floating gate is then formed using multiple selective oxidation and etching processes.
US09054029B2
A memory device includes a magnetic layer including a plurality of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells, a first conductive layer, a layer including a strap connecting MRAM cells included in the plurality of MRAM cells, and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer includes a conductive portion electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of MRAM cells, and a field line configured to write data to the at least one of the plurality of MRAM cells. The second conductive layer includes a conductive interconnect electrically connected to the at least one of the plurality of MRAM cells, where the magnetic layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. At least one of the plurality of MRAM cells is directly attached to the second conductive layer and the strap.
US09054022B2
A method for manufacturing a high-quality semiconductor device having stable characteristics is provided. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor device includes the steps of: preparing a silicon carbide layer having a main surface; forming a trench in the main surface by removing a portion of the silicon carbide layer; and removing a portion of a side wall of the trench by thermal etching.
US09054016B2
A radiation-emitting semiconductor chip includes a carrier and a semiconductor body having a semiconductor layer sequence, wherein an emission region and a protective diode region are formed in the semiconductor body having the semiconductor layer sequence; the semiconductor layer sequence includes an active region that generates radiation, the active region being arranged between a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer; the first semiconductor layer is arranged on a side of the active region which faces away from the carrier; the emission region has a recess extending through the active region; the first semiconductor layer in the emission region is electrically conductively connected to a first connection layer, wherein the first connection layer extends in the recess from the first semiconductor layer toward the carrier; and the first connection layer in the protective diode region is electrically conductively connected to the second semiconductor layer.
US09054009B2
A CMOS image sensor has an image array as a matrix of unit pixels each including at least a photodiode, a memory for holding a charge stored in the photodiode, a floating diffusion region for converting the charge in the memory into a voltage, a first transfer gate for transferring the charge from the photodiode to the memory, a second transfer gate for transferring the charge from the memory to the floating diffusion region, and a resetting transistor for resetting the charge in the floating diffusion region. The unit pixels are driven to set the potential of a potential barrier at a boundary between the memory and the floating diffusion region to a potential such that a charge overflowing the memory is transferred to the floating diffusion region, when the first transfer gate is turned on. The CMOS image sensor operates in a global shutter mode for capturing moving images.
US09054006B2
Provision is a radiation detector that allows eliminating short between electric wires crossing over each other via an interlayer insulating layer and thus suppression of defective detecting elements. A construction of this embodiment has a design idea that eliminates short between electric wires of an amorphous selenium layer and an active matrix substrate. Specifically, the electric wires are in a position covered with a thick center portion of the amorphous selenium layer. This ensures to separate the electric wires away from an electrode layer, achieving provision of a radiation detector capable of being used for a long period of time.
US09054005B2
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate are electrically connected to each other in a state in which a first connection surface of the first semiconductor substrate and a second connection surface of the second semiconductor substrate face each other. A concave portion is formed in at least one of the first connection surface and the second connection surface. An electrode, which is electrically connected to a portion of wirings included in a wiring layer provided in the first semiconductor substrate or the second semiconductor substrate in which the concave portion is formed and is capable of being electrically connected to an outside, is formed in an inside of the concave portion.
US09054002B2
A process of forming an isolation region that defines an active region on a semiconductor wafer, a process of forming a photoelectric conversion element in the active region defined by the isolation region, and a process of forming a micro lens over the photoelectric conversion element are provided. Alignment in the process of forming the photoelectric conversion element and alignment in the process of forming the micro lens are performed using an alignment mark formed in the process of forming the isolation region.
US09053997B2
A solid-state image sensor having a pixel region and a peripheral circuit region, includes wiring lines arranged in the pixel region and the peripheral circuit region, dummy patterns arranged in the peripheral circuit region, and a planarizing layer arranged on the wiring lines and containing a resin. The wiring lines in the peripheral circuit region include a plurality of electrically conductive patterns. The dummy patterns are arranged between the plurality of electrically conductive patterns. The dummy patterns are electrically insulated from the wiring lines.
US09053995B2
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion element, a floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor. The photoelectric conversion element photoelectrically convert incident light into electric charges with an amount corresponding to an amount of the incident light, and accumulates the electric charges. The floating diffusion accumulates the electric charges read out from the photoelectric conversion element. The amplifying transistor includes a gate electrode connected to the floating diffusion, and outputs a signal based on the amount of the electric charges accumulated in the floating diffusion. The amplifying transistor includes a first concentration region disposed in at least a part of the maximum region of the depletion layer and a second concentration region disposed at a deeper position than the first concentration region, and has higher impurity concentration than that of the first concentration region.
US09053988B2
According to embodiments of the invention, a TFT array substrate, a manufacturing method of the TFT array substrate and a display device are provided. The method comprises: depositing a metal film on a substrate, and forming a gate electrode and a gate line; forming a gate insulating layer and a passivation layer on the substrate; depositing a transparent conductive layer, a first source/drain metal layer and a first ohmic contact layer, and forming a drain electrode, a pixel electrode, a data line, and a first ohmic contact layer pattern provided on the drain electrode; and depositing a semiconductor layer, a second ohmic contact layer and a second source/drain metal layer, and forming a source electrode, a second ohmic contact layer pattern provided below the source electrode, and a semiconductor channel between the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US09053987B2
A manufacturing method of a display device includes: forming a thin film transistor on a substrate, forming a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, and forming a common electrode insulated from the pixel electrode. At least one of forming the pixel electrode and forming the common electrode includes: forming an electrode layer on the substrate, coating a photoresist on the electrode layer to form a first electrode sub-layer on which the photoresist is coated and a second electrode sub-layer on which the photoresist is not coated, generating etching vapor by heating an etching solution in a double boiler, and etching the second electrode sub-layer by using the etching vapor.
US09053977B2
A non-volatile memory device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate including a P-type impurity-doped region, a channel structure comprising a plurality of interlayer insulating layers that are alternately stacked with a plurality of channel layers on the substrate, a P-type semiconductor pattern that contacts sidewalls of the plurality of channel layers, wherein a lower end of the P-type semiconductor pattern contacts the P-type impurity-doped region, and source lines that are disposed at both sides of the P-type semiconductor pattern and contact the sidewalls of the plurality of channel layers.
US09053965B2
A transistor device and a method for forming a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET) device, with the channel portion of the fins on buried silicon oxide, while the source and drain portions of the fins on silicon. An example method includes receiving a wafer with a silicon layer electrically isolated from a silicon substrate by a buried oxide (BOX) layer. The BOX layer is in physical contact with the silicon layer and the silicon substrate. The method further comprises implanting a well in the silicon substrate and forming vertical sources and drains over the well between dummy gates. The vertical sources and drains extend through the BOX layer, fins, and a portion of the dummy gates.
US09053963B2
A multiple well bias memory device that includes a semiconductor substrate; a first well of a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate and having a memory cell formed therein; and a second well of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate and having formed therein a sense amplifier configured to sense and amplify data from the memory cell. The first and second wells have different doping concentrations and are biased to first and second voltages, respectively. The first voltage being lower than the second voltage.
US09053962B2
A disclosed semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first area, a gate electrode formed over the first area of the semiconductor substrate, a first active region formed in the first area of the semiconductor substrate at a lateral side of the gate electrode, a first silicide layer formed at least on a sidewall surface of the gate electrode in the first area, the first silicide layer is electrically connected to the first active region.
US09053960B2
An integrated circuit includes a capacitor having first, second and third nodes. The first and second nodes of the first transistor are connected together and the first and second nodes of the second transistor are connected together. The third node of the first transistor is connected to the third node of the second transistor. Each of the third nodes is constructed so that each node comprises a width and a length that is at least ten percent of the width.
US09053956B2
A trench capacitor and method of fabrication are disclosed. The SOI region is doped such that a selective isotropic etch used for trench widening does not cause appreciable pullback of the SOI region, and no spacers are needed in the upper portion of the trench.
US09053955B2
A nitride semiconductor device includes a dislocation control layer on a substrate, and a nitride semiconductor layer on the dislocation control layer. The dislocation control layer includes a nanocomposite of a first nanoparticle made of a first material and at least one second nanoparticle made of a second material.
US09053951B2
An embodiment of this invention uses a massive parallel interconnect fabric (MPIF) at the flipped interface of a core die substrate (having the core logic blocks) and a context die (used for in circuit programming/context/customization of the core die substrate), to produce ASIC-like density and FPGA-like flexibility/programmability, while reducing the time and cost for development and going from prototyping to production, reducing cost per die, reducing or eliminating NRE, and increasing performance. Other embodiments of this invention enable debugging complex SoC through large contact points provided through the MPIF, provide for multi-platform functionality, and enable incorporating FGPA core in ASIC platform through the MPIF.
US09053947B2
A method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor fin, wherein the semiconductor fin forms a ring, and etching a portion of the semiconductor fin not covered by the gate stack to form a recess. The method further includes performing an epitaxy to grow an epitaxy semiconductor region from the recess, forming a first contact plug overlying and electrically coupled to the epitaxy semiconductor region, and forming a second contact plug, wherein the second contact plug is overlying and electrically coupled to the gate stack.
US09053943B2
A bond pad design comprises a plurality of bond pads on a semiconductor chip and a plurality of under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layers formed on respective bond pads of the plurality. At least one of the bond pads has an elongated shape having an elongated portion and a contracted portion, the elongated portion oriented substantially along a stress direction radiating from a center to the periphery of the chip.
US09053941B2
Methods for the fabrication of nanostructures, including nanostructures comprised of carbon nanotubes, and the nanostructures, devices, and assemblies prepared by these methods, are described.
US09053940B2
A mask for forming a semiconductor pattern includes a first body portion provided with a first through hole for injecting a semiconductor material and a second body portion provided with a second through hole for exhausting a gas. As the result of the gas suction through the second through hole, the semiconductor material may be crystallized to form a semiconductor pattern on a base substrate. A thickness of the semiconductor pattern can be controlled by a space between the mask and the base substrate, and a crystal structure of the semiconductor pattern can be controlled by an amount of the gas to be exhausted through the second through hole.
US09053925B2
A device for cleaning a bevel edge of a semiconductor substrate. The device includes: a lower support having a cylindrical top portion; a lower plasma-exclusion-zone (PEZ) ring surrounding the outer edge of the top portion and adapted to support the substrate; an upper dielectric component opposing the lower support and having a cylindrical bottom portion; an upper PEZ ring surrounding the outer edge of the bottom portion and opposing the lower PEZ ring; and at least one radiofrequency (RF) power source operative to energize process gas into plasma in an annular space defined by the upper and lower PEZ rings, wherein the annular space encloses the bevel edge.
US09053920B1
An internal induction lamp with a glass envelope bulb assembly and an inductor shaft assembly. The glass envelope bulb assembly is a hollow glass envelope bulb with a mercury amalgam stem protruding downwards from the bottom of the hollow glass envelope bulb. The mercury amalgam stem is fragile, and protected by a stem protector. The inductor shaft assembly, which inserts into the glass envelope bulb assembly accommodates the protrusion of the mercury amalgam stem along with the stem protector. The inductor shaft assembly and envelope bulb assembly may attach via a threaded ring connector. The inductor shaft assembly may have a heat sink, and a gap within the heat sink to accommodate placement of the stem protector within this gap.
US09053917B2
A Vacuum Fired and Brazed (“VFB”) anode array element for use in an ion pump is described. The VFB anode array element includes a first VFB conduit anode element and second VFB conduit anode element, wherein the second VFB conduit anode element is adjacent the first VFB conduit anode element. The first VFB conduit anode element is vacuum brazed together with second VFB conduit anode element.
US09053914B2
A method of detecting one or more compounds, chemicals or contaminants in a substrate by mass spectrometry is disclosed. A non-living substrate is analyzed by contacting the substrate with a diathermy knife. An electric current is applied to the diathermy knife such that the diathermy knife vaporizes a portion of the substrate. The vapor is aspirated via a sampling tube pumped by a venturi pump into a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer. Analyte molecules are aspirated into the vacuum chamber whereupon they impact a surface of the vacuum chamber and are ionized to form analyte ions which are then mass analyzed.
US09053910B2
A magnetron sputtering target containing a ferromagnetic metal element includes a magnetic phase containing the ferromagnetic metal element; a plurality of non-magnetic phases containing the ferromagnetic metal element, the plurality of non-magnetic phases containing a different constituent element from each other or containing constituent elements at different ratios from each other; and an oxide phase. Regions of the magnetic phase and the plurality of non-magnetic phases are separated from each other by the oxide phase.
US09053906B2
To irradiate a target with a beam of energetic radiation formed by electrically charged particles, the beam is formed and imaged onto a target, where it generates a pattern image composed of pixels. The pattern image is moved along a path on the target over a region to be exposed, and this movement defines a number of stripes covering said region in sequential exposures and having respective widths. The number of stripes is written in at least two subsequent passes such that for each pass, the widths of the stripes of one pass combine into a cover of the total width of the region to be exposed; and each pass is associated with one of a number of partial grids of pattern pixels which are exposable during the respective pass. The mutually different partial grids combine to the complete plurality of pattern pixels which compose the region to be exposed.
US09053903B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for 4D ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM)—in situ imaging with ultrafast time resolution in TEM. Single electron imaging is used as a component of the 4D UEM technique to provide high spatial and temporal resolution unavailable using conventional techniques. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for convergent beam UEM, focusing the electron beams onto the specimen to measure structural characteristics in three dimensions as a function of time. Additionally, embodiments provide not only 4D imaging of specimens, but characterization of electron energy, performing time resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).
US09053897B2
An anode (30) is formed by building a carbon, such as a carbon reinforced carbon composite, or other ceramic substrate (50). A ductile, refractory metal is electroplated on the ceramic substrate to form a refractory metal carbide layer (52) and a ductile refractory metal layer (54), at least on a focal track portion (36). A high-Z refractory metal is vacuum plasma sprayed on the ductile refractory metal layer to form a vacuum plasma sprayed high-Z refractory metal layer (56), at least on the focal track portion.
US09053896B2
A rotating anode includes a focal track that has a microstructure on a surface of the focal track. The microstructure is produced using deep reactive ion etching.
US09053893B2
A radiation generator includes an insulator, with an ion source carried within the insulator and configured to generate ions and indirectly generate undesirable particles. An extractor electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the ion source and has a first potential. An intermediate electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the extractor electrode at a ground potential and is shaped to capture the undesirable conductive particles. In addition, a suppressor electrode is carried within the insulator downstream of the intermediate electrode and has a second potential opposite in sign to the first potential. A target is carried within the insulator downstream of the suppressor electrode. The extractor electrode and the suppressor electrode have a voltage therebetween such that an electric field generated in the insulator accelerates the ions generated by the ion source toward the target.
US09053891B2
A lamp having a longitudinal axis, comprising of a burner pinched at one end and a cement less base holding the contact points protruding from the burner. At least one end of the burner is sealed and aligned at the centre of the base in an upright direction following the lamp axis by means of a spring clip, which is mounted from the side of the pinch of the burner and does not interfere with the lead wires.
US09053885B2
Bistable high-performance miniature relay, comprising an insulating housing having a first housing chamber (1b) with a single-phase contact assembly (4) with two current bars (8a, 8b) and a contact spring (13). The contact spring (13) being permanently connected with one leg end a current bar (8a). In a second housing chamber (1a), a bistable magnetic actuator assembly (3) with a pivotable armature (11) is placed. The contact assembly (4) and the actuator assembly (3) are located in one or two planes in the insulation material housing, the contact assembly (4) is provided with a multiplate contact spring (13) bent U-shaped to a current loop, and the actuator assembly (3) is provided with a one-part U-shaped yoke (14) with an excitation coil (17) per yoke leg and a yoke central leg (16), borne by a flat permanent magnet, supporting a rocker armature (11) formed in a slightly V-shaped.
US09053884B2
The present invention relates to a safety switching device for actuating actuators in a fail-safe manner, and further relates to an emergency shut-off circuit comprising a safety switching device according to the present invention. The safety switching device includes at least one first and second safety input for receiving a first and second input signal, at least one first and second safety output for transmitting a first and second output signal, and a control unit for evaluating said input signals and for generating said output signals. The first and second safety outputs further comprise a feedback loop said that couples the output signals back to the control unit such that the control unit is operable to perform a test routine for testing said output signals.
US09053883B2
A gas circuit breaker includes: a sealed tank filled with insulation gas; a pair of arc contacts that are arranged to face each other in the sealed tank and connectable and disconnectable with each other; a thermal puffer chamber that is provided on an outer circumferential portion of the pair of arc contacts; a mechanical puffer chamber that is provided on an outer circumference of the thermal puffer chamber and constituted by a cylinder formed in a toric shape centering around an axial line of the arc contacts; and a piston that is formed in a toric shape centering around the axial line and accommodated in the cylinder, and configured to move according to connection and disconnection of the arc contacts.
US09053882B2
A magnetic actuator unit is disclosed for a circuit-breaker arrangement, having an armature arranged to be movable between first and second, closed and opened end switching positions of the circuit-breaker, a single electrical coil for moving the armature to the second position due to electrical current feed, a permanent magnet for loading the armature in the direction of the second position, an outer ferromagnetic yoke at least partly surrounding the single electrical coil and the ferromagnetic core for directing magnetic flux to the armature, and an opening spring for permanent loading of the armature in the direction of the first position, which is coaxially arranged between the armature and the front side of the electrical coil. The opening spring can be at least partly accommodated inside an armature groove.
US09053881B2
In an electrical distribution system having an arc management system for removal of arcing voltage from feeder circuits triggered at least in part by light signals, a secondary optical detector monitors a downstream branch circuit breaker in the feeder circuit compartment to produce an optical signal for arc detection more accurately reflecting the possibility of an arcing fault.
US09053879B2
An electromagnetic actuator for operating at least one movable contact of a switch into a switched-on position or a switched-off position, the actuator having: a static pole body; a movable pole body movable relative to the static pole body; a first magnetic circuit with a first coil for making the movable pole body and the fixed pole body move towards each other to a switched-on position and a second coil for making the movable pole body and the fixed pole body move away from each other to a switched-off position; and a second magnetic circuit with a permanent magnet and a retaining plate to keep the static pole body and the movable pole body in the switched-on position; first spring unit for urging the static pole body and the movable body away from each other; wherein the first and second magnetic circuit are arranged concentrically.
US09053874B2
Miniaturized devices such as MEMS switches (10) have encapsulating enclosures (100). The enclosure (100) and the remainder of the switch (10) are fabricated on a concurrent basis by depositing layers of an electrically-conductive material, such as copper, on a substrate (26).
US09053856B2
Disclosed are a conductive paste for an inner electrode and a multilayer ceramic electronic component having the same. There is provided a conductive paste for an inner electrode, including: a conductive metal powder for manufacturing the inner electrode for multilayer ceramic electronic component; an organic binder including at least one selected from a group consisting of acryl-based resin, butyral-based resin, and a cellulose-based resin to disperse the conductive metal powder; and a solvent including eucalyptol.
US09053843B2
Aspects of the invention are directed to a method for forming a hybrid structure. Initially, a wire is received and an encapsulating film is deposited on the wire. Subsequently, the wire is selectively removed to leave a hollow tube formed of the encapsulating film. A plurality of active particles are then placed into the hollow tube by immersing the hollow tube in a suspension comprising the plurality of active particles and a liquid. Lastly, the hollow tube and the plurality of active particles therein are removed from the suspension and allowed to dry so as to form a cluster of active particles at least partially encapsulated by the encapsulating film.
US09053841B2
A theft deterrent cable may be provided. First, a plurality of unique codes may be created. Then a plurality of indicia may be placed periodically and longitudinally on the interior of the cable that may not be viable from the exterior of the cable. The plurality of indicia may respectively correspond to the plurality of unique codes. An indicator may be placed on the exterior of the cable. In a database, the plurality of unique codes may be assigned to an organizational entity. The organizational entity may comprise a first enterprise. Next, an indication that the cable is to be transferred from the first enterprise to a second enterprise may be received. In response to the received indication, the plurality of unique codes may be assigned in the database from the organizational entity comprising the first enterprise to the organizational entity comprising a second enterprise.
US09053840B2
A printing paste composition includes a metallic particle of 50 to 90 parts by weight, a binder resin of 2 to 20 parts by weight, a solvent of 2 to 50 parts by weight having a boiling point of 250° C. or more and a swelling property of 5 or less, and a glass frit of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, and the solvent is tetraglyme or pentaglyme.
US09053831B2
A fuel assembly 20 is constituted by combining a plurality of fuel rods 21, holding the fuel rods 21 by a plurality of support grids 22, and arranging a lower nozzle 24 and an upper nozzle 23 at opposite ends of the fuel rods 21. A shock-absorbing device 10 for a fuel assembly is fitted to the lower nozzle 24 and the upper nozzle 23. The shock-absorbing device 10 for a fuel assembly is constituted a nozzle support 12 fitted to a depression 24U of the lower nozzle 24 and a depression 23U of the upper nozzle 23, and a buffer 11 combined with the nozzle support 12, with stiffness thereof in a longitudinal direction of the fuel rods 21 being equal to or lower than that of the nozzle support 12.
US09053829B2
A pipeline shut-off device (10) comprising a tube section (10a) arranged in a pipeline (3) and having a shut-off member (19), wherein the shut-off member (19) can be destroyed in the closed position by a device (22) arranged in the region of the pipe section (10a), with the device for destroying the shut-off member (19) being able to be actuated from the outside.
US09053812B2
Embodiments of the invention describe a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device that may abort a self-refresh mode to improve the exit time from a DRAM low power state of self-refresh. During execution of a self-refresh mode, the DRAM device may receive a signal (e.g., a device enable signal) from a memory controller operatively coupled to the DRAM device. The DRAM device may abort the self-refresh mode in response to receiving the signal from the memory controller.
US09053811B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for refreshing memory includes receiving a synchronization command at a memory device. An internal refresh timer is reset within the memory device based on receiving the synchronization command. An internal refresh trigger is generated within the memory device based on the internal refresh timer reaching a predetermined value. A refresh of a memory array is performed within the memory device based on the internal refresh trigger.
US09053796B2
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array including a vertical channel layer, two or more selection transistors, and a plurality of memory cells formed along the vertical channel; a peripheral circuit suitable for programming the two or more selection transistors and the memory cells; and a control circuit suitable for controlling the peripheral circuit to decrease a pass voltage applied to one word line adjacent to two or more selection lines coupled to the respective selection transistors, during a program operation in which the peripheral circuit applies a program voltage to the two or more selection lines and applies the pass voltage to a plurality of word lines connected to the memory cells.
US09053792B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory region, a second memory region suitable for storing the same data as the first memory region, and a ray detection circuit suitable for detecting an incident ray to the first memory region, wherein a data stored in the second memory region is copied into the first memory region when the incident ray is detected.
US09053789B1
Structures and methods of operating a resistive switching memory device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a resistive switching memory device, can include resistive memory cells configured to be programmed to a low resistance state by application of a first voltage, and to be erased to a high resistance state by application of a second voltage; a detector configured to detect when at least one resistive switching memory cell is to be rendered inoperable; and a program/erase controller configured to render the at least one resistive switching memory cell inoperable by application of a third voltage during a program/erase operation, where the third voltage is greater in absolute value than the first or second voltage, and where the at least one resistive switching memory cell rendered inoperable remains in the low/high resistance state after subsequent erase/program operations.
US09053764B2
There is a need to provide a small-sized memory interface circuit capable of adjusting timing between a strobe signal and a data signal without interrupting a normal memory access.An expected value acquisition latch latches write data in synchronization with a clock signal. A WDLL outputs a write strobe signal WDQS. An RDLL outputs a delayed write strobe signal WDQS_d. A read data latch latches looped-back write data in synchronization with the delayed write strobe signal WDQS_d. A comparator compares the read data latch with an output from the expected value acquisition latch. A register portion stores a delay value to be placed in the RDLL. A register control portion updates a delay value in the register portion in accordance with a comparison result. A delay selection portion places a delay value read from the register portion in the RDLL.
US09053763B2
This technology relates to nonvolatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same. A nonvolatile memory device can include a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of strings, a page buffer unit connected to the plurality of strings, respectively, and configured to sense data, and a switching unit disposed between the memory cell array and the page buffer unit and configured to comprise a variable resistor.
US09053758B2
A reading method of a memory is provided. The memory has a turn on window. The reading method comprises the following steps. A reading voltage is provided. The reading voltage is shown if the reading voltage is located in the turn on window. The reading voltage is updated by moving a predetermined distance if the reading voltage is not located in the turn on window. The predetermined distance is cut by half before the step of updating the reading voltage is performed again.
US09053757B2
A semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory blocks each including a first command generating circuit which generates a first command; a control circuit which controls the memory core based on the first command or based on a second command inputted via the input/output port; and an arbitration circuit which outputs a first delay signal to the control circuit of one memory block of the plurality of memory blocks, the first delay signal which delays a start of an execution of the first command, in a first case when the first command generated by the first command generating circuit of the one memory block and the second command inputted via the input/output port of another memory block of the plurality of memory blocks are overlapped.
US09053756B2
Circuitry and methods for restoring data in memory are disclosed. The memory may include at least one layer of a non-volatile two-terminal cross-point array that includes a plurality of two-terminal memory elements that store data as a plurality of conductivity profiles and retain stored data in the absence of power. Over a period of time, logic values indicative of the stored data may drift such that if the logic values are not restored, the stored data may become corrupted. At least a portion of each memory may have data rewritten or restored by circuitry electrically coupled with the memory. Other circuitry may be used to determine a schedule for performing restore operations to the memory and the restore operations may be triggered by an internal or an external signal or event. The circuitry may be positioned in a logic layer and the memory may be fabricated over the logic layer.
US09053744B2
A tape storage medium includes a tape head for reading/writing data from/to a tape storage medium. At least one servo band along a longitudinal extension of the tape storage medium determines positional information. The servo band includes a set of servo tracks having a width extending along the longitudinal extension and arranged next to each other. A total of two different servo patterns are contained in the set of servo tracks. The tape head includes two servo readers. A width of each servo reader orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the tape storage medium is at least half the width of a servo track. The two servo readers are offset from each other orthogonal to the longitudinal extension by d*wST+n*wST with wST being the width of the servo track, with 0
US09053743B2
Servo channel noise limits are defined through Viterbi decisions based on servo gate signals. Y values are used to produce a first Viterbi decision at each servo gate. Viterbi decisions and Y values are used to produce ideal Y values. Y values and ideal Y values are used to produce an error value which is adjusted by a noise factor based on estimated channel characteristics. The noise value is combined with Y values and used to produce a second Viterbi decision at each servo gate.
US09053741B2
A docking station for receiving a cartridge includes a housing having a receiving space configured to receive the cartridge. A movable carriage is disposed in the receiving space and configured to transport the cartridge into the receiving space. A movable mouth piece is configured to at least partially surround a multipoint connector of a non-tape storage medium of the cartridge through a horizontal access side opening of the cartridge so as to fix the multipoint connector. A fixing slider is configured to move the mouth piece through the horizontal access side opening so as to fix the multipoint connector within the receiving space. A connector slider is configured to move a connector within the docking station through a vertical access bottom opening of the cartridge against the electrical multipoint connector.
US09053740B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a dynamic fly height (DFH) actuator for controlling a fly height of the head over the disk in response to a DFH setting. A touchdown (TD) threshold is initialized, and the DFH setting that causes a TD signal to exceed the TD threshold is determined. The TD threshold is adjusted, and the DFH setting that causes the TD signal to exceed the adjusted TD threshold is determined. A slope of the DFH setting relative to the TD threshold is determined, and an operating TD threshold is determined in response to a change in the slope.
US09053734B2
Provided are a glass substrate for information recording media wherein air bubbles can be sufficiently removed, and an information recording medium using the glass substrate. The glass substrate contains 65 to 90 mass % of SiO2+Al2O3+B2O3 (where SiO2 is 45 to 75 mass %, Al2O3 is 1 to 20 mass %, and B2O3 is 0 to 8 mass %), 7 to 20 mass % of R2O (where R represents Li, Na, or K), 0.1 to 12 mass % of R′O (where R′ represents Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or Zn), and 0.5 to 10 mass % of TiO2+ZrO2. Moreover, the glass substrate contains at least one multivalent element selected from among a group consisting of V, Mn, Ni, Mo, Sn, Ce, and Bi; the molar ratio of the total amount of the oxide of the multivalent element to the total amount of TiO2+ZrO2 is within the range of 0.05 to 0.50.
US09053722B1
An NFT is used in a HAMR magnetic write head. The NFT functions as a resonant circuit when in operation. The resonant circuit, which comprises the NFT, is a split-ring resonator (SRR) that has a capacitive portion and an inductive portion. The inductance and the capacitance results in a very well focused ultra-small spot-size concentrated on the magnetic media. The focus occurs at the capacitive area of the NFT with minimal to no impact upon the write pole of the HAMR magnetic head.
US09053721B1
A magnetic read sensor having a magnetic seed layer, a pinned layer structure formed over the magnetic seed layer, a non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer formed over the pinned layer structure and a magnetic free layer structure formed over the non-magnetic barrier or spacer layer. The pinned layer has a stripe height (measured from the media facing surface) that is greater than a stripe height of the magnetic free layer structure. In addition, the magnetic seed layer structure has a stripe height (also measured from the media facing surface) that is greater than the stripe height of the magnetic pinned layer structure and the magnetic free layer structure. The stripe height of the magnetic seed layer structure can be controlled independently of the stripe heights of the magnetic pinned layer structure and the magnetic free layer structure.
US09053719B2
A magnetic read transducer including a magnetoresistive sensor is described, as well as a fabrication method thereof. The magnetoresistive sensor includes a cap layer overlaying a free layer. The cap layer is situated with a first thickness to absorb boron from the free layer. The magnetoresistive sensor is annealed, and boron is diffused from the free layer and absorbed by the cap layer, improving the magnetic performance of the free layer. The cap layer thickness is then reduced to a second thickness, thereby reducing the shield-to-shield (SS) stack spacing of the magnetoresistive sensor and allowing for increased areal recording density.
US09053711B1
A system and method matches a digitized stream of audio signals to a known audio recording by receiving an audio stream from an application. The method performs signal analysis on sound and silence in the audio stream to compute a stream audio print of the audio stream, to identify a pattern associated with the audio stream. The method compares the stream audio print to one or more known audio prints from a library of known audio prints. The method first applies a silence constraint to match periods of silence. If application of the silence constraint is successful, the method computes a total scoring metric function to identify a match between the stream audio print and the known audio print. The total scoring metric function employs a scoring metric function that is computed at a subset of temporal points in the non-silent portion of the audio stream audio print.
US09053710B1
Described are systems and methods for content-adaptive presentation of content. A presentation profile for use in presentation of content is determined based at least in part on one or more determination characteristics. The determination characteristics may include metadata descriptive of the content, such as genre, style, artist, and so forth. The presentation profile may include equalizer settings, overall amplitude or volume, speaker configuration, and so forth.
US09053707B2
One-to-many comparisons of callers' words and/or voice prints with known words and/or voice prints to identify any substantial matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customer's and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract different words, such as words of anger. The system may also segment at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a tone profile, and it formats the segmented words and tone profiles for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's words and/or tone profiles with multiple known words and/or tone profiles stored on a database to determine any substantial matches. The identification of any matches may be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing representative feedback or customer follow-up.
US09053695B2
A compositional tool classifies and indexes loops in a library of audio loops by generating a time-stamped series of the durations of the percussive events that comprise each loop. The duration of a percussive event is based on spectral masking, in which a subsequent event having a spectral similarity to a prior event terminates the prior event. A composer queries the library with a query loop, and the system returns loops ranked according to the distance of their rhythmic signatures from that of the query loop, the distance determination being based on dynamic time warp analysis. Rhythmic signatures may also be used to classify and index video sequences.
US09053692B2
An electronic musical instrument whose operation is similar to a harmonica, and which can be played easily by anyone familiar with a harmonica. The instrument measures positive or negative pressure at the mouthpiece, with a MEMS (Micro-electro-mechanical system) pressure sensor, which produces an electronic signal, which is then converted to pre-sampled sounds of a variety of instruments via an on-board synthesizer, and is capable of sending MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) signals to control other electronic musical instruments or devices.
US09053677B2
Provided is a display panel including: a display area; and a gate driver to receive a first clock signal, a first clock bar signal, a second clock signal and a second clock bar signal, the gate driver comprising a first stage and a second stage to respectively apply a first gate voltage and a second gate voltage to the display area, wherein the first clock signal and the first clock bar signal have opposite phases to each other, the second clock signal and the second clock bar signal have opposite phases to each other, the second clock bar signal has phases later than the first clock bar signal, the first stage discharges the first gate voltage based on the first clock signal and a first transfer signal, and the second stage outputs the first transfer signal based on the second clock bar signal.
US09053676B2
A display device includes a substrate with a display area having gate lines and data lines defining cells that each has a pixel electrode, a driving circuit on the substrate, at least one first signal line including lower and upper lines overlapping each other with an insulation layer interposed therebetween, the first signal line adjacent to the driving circuit, and at least one second signal line to connect the first signal line to the driving circuit.
US09053675B2
To prevent malfunctions from occurring. A shift register, a selection circuit having a function of determining which a first pulse signal or a second pulse signal is output at the same potential level as a pulse signal input from the shift register, and a plurality of driving signal output circuits each having functions of generating and outputting a driving signal are provided. Each of the plurality of driving signal output circuits includes a latch unit, a buffer unit, and a switch unit for controlling rewriting of data stored in the latch unit.
US09053674B2
An overdrive apparatus includes a data storage device, a plurality of table storage devices, and a table access interface. The data storage device is arranged for storing a plurality of overdrive look-up tables corresponding to a plurality of first display regions included in a display area of a display apparatus. The table storage devices are arranged for storing a plurality of selected overdrive look-up tables, respectively. The table access interface is coupled between the data storage device and the table storage devices, and arranged for loading the selected overdrive look-up tables selected from the overdrive look-up tables stored in the data storage device into the table storage devices. The number of the table storage devices is smaller than the number of the display regions.
US09053668B2
An organic light emitting diode display device comprises: a display panel having a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels comprising: a driving TFT comprising a gate electrode coupled to a first node, a source electrode coupled to a second node, and a drain electrode coupled to a high-potential voltage source; an organic light emitting diode comprising an anode coupled to the second node and a cathode coupled to a low-potential voltage source; a first TFT in response to a scan signal having a first logic level voltage to connect the first node to a data line; a second TFT in response to an emission signal having the first logic level voltage to connect the second node to the third node; a first capacitor coupled between the first node and the third node; and a second capacitor coupled between the third node and a reference voltage source.
US09053667B2
The electro-optic device includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of pixel areas arranged at crossings of the data lines and the scan lines, and light emitting elements, wherein first pixel areas are in alternating columns, each first pixel area including only one pixel circuit configured to cause the light emitting elements to emit light, wherein second pixel areas are in alternating columns between the first pixel areas, each second pixel area including two pixel circuits configured to cause the light emitting elements to emit light, and wherein a writing process is performed on the second pixel areas to cause light emitting elements on the pixel circuits on one side to emit light in a period for causing light emitting elements on the pixel circuits on the other side to emit light.
US09053666B2
A display device includes: (A) scanning circuits; (B) a video signal output circuit; (C) a current supply unit; (D) M current supply lines connected to the current supply unit and extending in a first direction; (E) M scanning lines connected to the scanning circuits and extending in the first direction; (F) N data lines connected to the video signal output circuit and extending in a second direction; and (G) N×M light-emitting elements in total of N light-emitting elements in the first direction and M light-emitting elements in the second direction different from the first direction arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, each light-emitting element having a light-emitting unit and a driving circuit for driving the light-emitting unit. The driving circuit of each light-emitting element is connected to the corresponding current supply, scanning, and data lines. A capacitive load unit is provided between each scanning line and each scanning circuit.
US09053665B2
A display device including a plurality of pixels and a driving module is disclosed. Each pixel stores voltage and displays brightness according to the stored voltage. The driving module updates the stored voltage during a frame period. The frame period includes a plurality of row times. Each row time includes at least one programming period and at least one emission period. The driving module de-activates the pixels to stop displaying brightness during the programming periods and activates the pixels to display brightness during the emission periods.
US09053664B2
A luminance control method of a display device is provided to control luminance of a display device. The display device has a display unit having a plurality of pixels emitting light. In some aspects, the luminance control method includes receiving a luminance level, applying a first luminance control method if the received luminance level is less than a reference luminance level, calculating an average value of video data for each frame if the luminance level is greater than the reference luminance level, applying the first luminance control method if the average value is less than a reference gray level value, and applying a second luminance control method if the average value is greater than the reference gray value level.
US09053656B2
An interocular luminance analyzing unit analyzes luminance perceived between eyes of an observer based on a luminance distribution image, thereby generating a stereoscopy determination image, a stereoscopy determining unit determines a stereoscopy possible region based on this stereoscopy determination image. This is applicable irrespective of the kind of 3D displays including the two-view type, the multi-view type, and the integral type. Therefore, with the apparatus for evaluating optical properties of a 3D display and the method for evaluating optical properties of a 3D display, the evaluation of optical properties can be performed independently of the kind of 3D displays.
US09053655B2
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driver of a display unit including a latch circuit holding gradation information, a D/A converter outputting analog signal based on the gradation information held by the latch circuit, a test circuit provided between the latch circuit and the D/A converter, the test circuit inputting or outputting test signal regarding the latch circuit, a switch connecting voltage output of the D/A converter and a driver output terminal in normal operation, and a test switch connecting the test circuit and the driver output terminal in test operation and disconnecting the test circuit and the driver output terminal in normal operation.
US09053653B2
A display monitor chassis comprises user controls and a display screen. The display screen displays a first graphical user interface (GUI) that can be manipulated using at least one of the user controls to adjust the display monitor. The display screen is capable of displaying a second GUI that can be manipulated using at least one of the user controls to adjust an accessory communicably coupled to the display monitor chassis.
US09053650B2
A backlight unit and a display device having the same are provided. The backlight unit includes a light source, a reflector arranged on and under the light source to totally reflect at least a part of light emitted from the light source in a lateral direction, a reflective sheet arranged under the reflector, and a diffusion sheet arranged on the reflector.
US09053649B2
The present invention provides a backlight module, assembly method and assembly fixture for backlight module. The backlight module comprises an optical component set and a back plate. Optical component set is disposed in a stacked manner, the back plate comprises at least two independent back plate elements for clamping respectively at least a side wall of the optical component set. Each back plate element comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. Each back plate element is assembled onto an optical component set from a side and clamping the optical component set with the top wall and the bottom wall of the back plate element. The assembly of the back plate can be performed on an assembly fixture to improve the assembly efficiency of backlight module.
US09053646B2
A spacer assembly for mounting a sign to a wall includes proximal and distal spacer members. The proximal spacer member includes a barrel and a coaxial coupling shaft extended distally from the barrel. The distal spacer member includes a distal barrel and a recess extending into the barrel and sized to slidably and rotatably receive the coupling shaft. A threaded stud extends proximally from the proximal barrel, and a distal threaded stud extends distally from the distal barrel. Each stud is removably threaded into its associate barrel. The distal member barrel supports a radially oriented set screw, movable toward and away from an advanced position in which the screw engages the coupling shaft to integrally secure the barrels. The spacer assembly allows the sign to be detached from the wall while leaving in place the studs coupled to the sign and wall.
US09053643B2
Described herein is a seal, having a tape-like shape, for doors of transport vehicles, attachable to the doors to indicate closure. The door includes a first area to be positioned onto the door and a second area to be positioned onto an area-around the door. The seal also includes an indicator suitable to be activated after attaching the seal to the transport vehicle—and suitable to send-out a warning signal-in case the seal is detached or damaged after activation of the indicator. A portable logging device for sealing doors of transport vehicles includes a data insert unit to insert a specific type of transport vehicle and to insert the executed attachment of a seal to a certain door, to record sealing the door.
US09053642B2
A self-supporting sign of unitary construction comprises a middle portion having a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side. A first foldable flap extends from the first side at a first distance beneath the upper side. A second foldable flap extends from the second side at a second distance beneath the upper side. A front foldable portion having a rounded perimeter extends from the lower side. In a use configuration, the middle portion forms an obtuse angle with respect to the front portion. A first slit is provided adjacent the first side and a second slit is provided adjacent the second side. The first and second slits are configured to aid in the respective folding of the first flap and the second flap with respect to the middle portion.
US09053640B1
An interactive electronic book provides a user access to interactive programming. The interactive programming may include interactive files that are linked to the electronic books using electronic links. The electronic links may be included in the text and graphics data of the electronic book. The interactive files may be located in the same file as the interactive electronic book, or may be located external to the interactive electronic book. External locations include an Internet web site, an electronic book viewer and other external locations. Access to the interactive file may be controlled by an operating program and a security program included with the interactive electronic book. The interactive file may include sample problems and quizzes associated with a college textbook, for example. The interactive files may also include accesses to Internet web sites, and other electronic files to complete purchase orders, answer questionnaires, and to receive other data.
US09053638B2
According to one embodiment, an unmanned vehicle simulation system includes a simulator translator coupled between an unmanned vehicle control system that is operable to control an unmanned vehicle and a vehicle simulator that is operable to simulate operation of the unmanned vehicle. The simulator translator is operable to receive a message from the unmanned vehicle control system, translate the message to another message suitable for use by the vehicle simulator, and transmit the translated message to the vehicle simulator.
US09053635B2
Disclosed is a cruise control method including traveling a vehicle at a speed input by a driver, receiving road information from a navigation device, confirming whether or not deceleration information is present in the road information, confirming a speed corresponding to the deceleration information if the deceleration information is present, and controlling a speed of the vehicle to the confirmed speed if the confirmed speed is greater than the input speed. If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit of a road, the vehicle speed is automatically reduced to below the speed limit, and a warning operation is performed. Thereby, probability of accidents due to speeding may be reduced, and it may be possible to make the driver obey the Road Traffic Act and to prevent imposition of fines due to speeding. Further, the vehicle speed is automatically reduced at bumps or curves, resulting in enhanced safety and driver convenience.
US09053633B2
System and method for tolling includes a location determining system arranged in a vehicle to determine its location during vehicular travel, a memory device that stores data about predetermined locations, and a processor coupled to the location determining system and that compares the location of the location determining system to data in the memory device to determine whether a transmission of the location is necessary and if so, directs the transmission to a remote site via the Internet. The memory device and/or processor may also be arranged on the vehicle, i.e., to provide a completely vehicle-resident system that may be installed on the vehicle during manufacture or retrofit to the vehicle.
US09053629B2
An electronic lockbox sends identifying data to a portable communications device, which relays that data to a central computer, generating a response from the central computer containing customized information of special interest to the user. Such data can include information relating to the lockbox's property, and contextually relevant information relating to other similar properties nearby. Such data from the central computer also can be delivered to one more auxiliary portable communication devices, including such devices carried by individuals either in close proximity to the lockbox or at a remote location. The data also could comprise visitation history relevant to the user, allowing an agent or a prospect to review information about previous visits to properties. The central computer can also query a user to provide location information for a lockbox that has been added to the system database.
US09053627B2
An integrated rehabilitation system with feedback mechanism for a rehabilitant includes a computing center, a memory unit, a plurality of screens, a following module, a plurality of rehabilitation machines, and a feedback module. The memory unit, the screens, the following module, the rehabilitation machines and the feedback module are signally connected with the computing center. A target value of the rehabilitant is stored in the memory unit. A movement-indicating image and a movement mark are displayed on each of the screens. A visual following mark displayed on each of the screens is provided by the following module and corresponds to the target value. Each of the rehabilitation machines corresponds to one of the screens respectively, the movement-indicating image displayed on the screen corresponds to the rehabilitation machine, and the movement mark displayed on the screen corresponds to an operation value generated from the rehabilitation machine.
US09053618B2
A portable terminal having a haptic module, in which a piezoelectric element is mounted on a hinge part elastically supporting a touch pad, includes: a main body; a touch pad which is included in the main body to recognize a touch of a user; a vibration stage which is disposed between the main body and the touch pad and has a hinge part upwardly elastically supporting the touch pad; a piezoelectric element which is mounted on the hinge part, and when power is applied, wrap-deforms the hinge part to generate a vibration on the touch pad. The vibration stage includes a base part connected to the main body. One end of hinge part is integrally connected with the base part and the other end thereof is spaced apart from the base part to be in a state of being free.
US09053615B2
A control circuit accesses information regarding both scanned optical product codes as correspond to items being purchased in a given transaction as well as read electronic product codes as correspond to items being purchased in that same transaction. The control circuit then compares that information to identify discrepancies. An example of a discrepancy of likely interest includes noting items for which there is a read electronic product code but not a corresponding scanned optical product code and vice versa.
US09053613B2
The gaming system receives a wager from a player for a play of a game including a plurality of multi-component symbols. Each of the multi-component symbols includes a plurality of symbol component locations. A plurality of the multi-component symbols include at least one of the symbol components in at least one of the symbol component locations. The gaming system randomly generates and displays a plurality of the multi-component symbols. The gaming system determines, for a first one of a designated number of the displayed multi-component symbols, a quantity of symbol component locations of the first one of the displayed multi-component symbols that display one of the symbol components and that correspond to a symbol component location of each of the other displayed multi-component symbols of the designated number of the displayed multi-component symbols that each display one of the symbol components. Any awards are determined based on the determined quantity.
US09053612B2
A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games on a reel band, The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in an area outside the window frame of the display window so that the visible light is applied to the reel, on the side of the reel band, and is used as a front light device that emits visible light which is not representing the visual information.
US09053602B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines. Some implementations allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the progressive pool size payable to players. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size. The function may cause relatively higher percentages to be payable to players when the current progressive pool amount is greater than a target progressive pool size and relatively lower percentages to be payable to players when the current progressive pool size is less than or equal to a target progressive pool size.
US09053600B2
A kiosk for sale or rental of secure USB flash drives employing digital rights management to implement secure digital media storage such as that provided by encrypted storage utilizing content protection for recordable media (CPRM) or the like. Preferably, the form factor of the secure USB flash drives is that of a standard USB flash drive, and a standard USB connector is employed therein making the devices and their use familiar and comfortable to the average consumer. Further, the kiosk may employ an array of USB ports and support writing of content from one drive to another to advantageously adjust inventory to respond to demand. Light, simple kiosks may be designed.
US09053597B1
A banknote validator (2) comprising: a first banknote input/output aperture (3); a second banknote input/output aperture (4); a banknote transport path (5) interconnecting the first banknote input/output aperture (3) and the second banknote input/output aperture (14); an intermediate validation transport branch (11) disposed between the first and second banknote input/output apertures (3, 4); and a diverter mechanism (12) disposed proximal to an entrance to said intermediate validation transport branch (11); characterized in that the diverter mechanism (12) is moveable between: a first position in which the banknote transport path bypasses the intermediate validation transport branch (11) providing a direct passage between the first and second banknote input/output apertures (3, 4); and a second position in which the banknote transport path is indirect between the first banknote input/output aperture (3) and the second banknote input/output aperture (4) and is via the intermediate validation transport branch (11).
US09053596B2
Systems and methods for authenticating a document are provided. In one embodiment, a method for authenticating a feature of a document includes capturing a first image of a region of a document while the region is subjected to a first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The region includes at least a portion of the document. The method also includes determining a first intensity value associated with the first image of the region, and comparing the first intensity value with a first training intensity value of a region of a training document. The first training intensity value is obtained using the first wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. The method also includes determining whether the document is authentic at least partially based on the comparison between the first intensity value and the first training intensity value.
US09053585B2
Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products useful for the gathering and use of data relating to structural loading and other operational use of transit and other vehicles, and their systems. Systems according to the invention can, for example, comprise one or more data acquisition devices such as strain gauges, accelerometers, or other sensors; data processors; memories; and communications systems. Such systems, methods, and programming are useful in a wide variety of ways, including, for example, monitoring the structural status and use of vehicles and their systems, including fatigue other operational analyses; gathering and applying data useful in the maintenance of such vehicles and the routes they travel; monitoring the use/abuse of such vehicles by operators and other individuals; reporting traffic events or anomalies; and routing transit and other vehicles around such events or anomalies. Rainflow, level-crossing and other peak-counting or event-counting algorithms are applied to advantage, such that required data storage is greatly reduced, and life-long monitoring is feasible.
US09053580B2
A system and method for controlling an integration of data processing resources. A first graphical element corresponding to a first endpoint node is displayed, wherein the first endpoint node corresponds to first data processing resources in a data processing environment. A second graphical element corresponding to a second endpoint node is displayed, wherein the second endpoint node corresponds to second data processing resources in the data processing environment, wherein the second data processing resources comprise data processing resources provided as a service by a provider of data processing resources. A third graphical element corresponding to an integration node is displayed. An arrangement of the first graphical element, the second graphical element, and the third graphical element is displayed, wherein the arrangement depicts integration of the first data processing resources and the second data processing resources by the integration node.
US09053578B2
Techniques for efficiently capturing, generating and distributing realistic images and dynamic reports with live sources are provided. Among other aspects, the system includes a user interface with identifier tags to create and manipulate dynamic and fixed representational image elements to create high resolution, seamless composite images or image streams with low processing and storage requirements, from databases or other sources. The identifier tags may be provided with Relational Aspects, including physical models governing image elements and their 3-D subjects. Image output may be in digital, analog or direct representational formats, and a new format combining features of each. Element Seeding or Borrowing may be implemented to further enhance elements of the image or report composites.
US09053575B2
A detecting unit detects an object in an input image. A depth map generating unit selects a depth template corresponding to a type of the object and places a selected depth template on a depth map in accordance with a position of the object to generate the depth map having a depth value for each pixel. A correcting unit calculates a weight of at least one interested pixel and a weight of a peripheral pixel based on a relationship between pixel values to the interested pixel and the peripheral pixel and corrects the depth value of the interested pixel based on a weighted sum of the respective depth values corresponding to the interested pixel and the peripheral pixel. An image generating unit generates parallax images based on the corrected depth map and the input image.
US09053574B2
Systems, methods, computer programs, and circuits that can provide 3-D perspective natural size views calibrated to ROIs.
US09053573B2
A color image and a depth image of a live video are received. A user is extracted from the information of the color image and the depth image. Spurious depth vales may be corrected. Points or pixels of an image as seen from a viewpoint of a reference camera at a reference camera location are mapped to points of the image as would be seen from a viewpoint of a virtual camera at a virtual camera location. As such, a transformed color image is generated. Disoccluded pixels may be processed to address any gaps within the transformed color image.
US09053569B2
The DCC (Data Consistency Condition) algorithm is used in combination with MLAA (Maximum Likelihood reconstruction of Attenuation and Activity) to generate extended attenuation correction maps for nuclear medicine imaging studies. MLAA and DCC are complementary algorithms that can be used to determine the accuracy of the mu-map based on PET data. MLAA helps to estimate the mu-values based on the biodistribution of the tracer while DCC checks if the consistency conditions are met for a given mu-map. These methods are combined to get a better estimation of the mu-values. In gated MR/PET cardiac studies, the PET data is framed into multiple gates and a series of MR based mu-maps corresponding to each gate is generated. The PET data from all gates is combined. Once the extended mu-map is generated the central region is replaced with the MR based mu-map corresponding to that particular gate. On the other hand, in dynamic PET studies the uptake in the patient's arms reaches a steady state only after the tracer distributes throughout the body. Hence, for dynamic scans, the projection data of all frames is summed and used to generate the MLAA based extended mu-map for all frames.
US09053564B1
This disclosure is directed at least in part to sensing movement of an electronic display and canceling perceived movement of content on the electronic display in response to the sensing. A controller may reassign “physical pixels” to “image pixels” (or virtual pixels) such that the image appears to be stationary while the physical pixels are moving due to movement of the electronic display. For example, if the physical pixels are moving upward, the image pixels may be reassigned downward in an equal and opposite manner. The user's persistence of vision may then be reinforced by reassignment of the pixels by the display manager. For example, text displayed on the electronic display may be more readable and images more easily viewed by a user.
US09053563B2
The present disclosure provides, in certain embodiments, a system and method for generating a 3D model of a biopsy specimen. The 3D model may greatly enhance the capability to identify insufficient margins surrounding neoplastic tissue obtained through an excisional biopsy, and improve communication from a pathologist back to a surgeon and/or patient. The model provides a 3D representation of the neoplastic tissue within the specimen, thereby allowing the surgeon (or other medical personnel) to rotate and orient the model at any desired angle to identify insufficient margins and relate the location of the insufficient margins to the removal site to more accurately identify the location at which additional tissue needs to be excised. By identifying the exact location at which additional tissue needs to be excised, the surgeon is able to minimize the amount of additional tissue removed from the patient in order to achieve sufficient margins.
US09053549B2
An encoded bit stream is processed by a lossless decoding unit (52), an inverse quantization unit (53), and an inverse orthogonal transform unit (54) in this order, to obtain orthogonally transformed coefficient data and encoding parameter information. The inverse orthogonal transform unit (54) performs an inverse orthogonal transform on the coefficient data by using bases that are set beforehand in accordance with the locations of transform blocks in a macroblock indicated by the encoding parameter information. In this manner, prediction error data is obtained. An intra prediction unit (62) generates predicted image data. An addition unit (55) adds the predicted image data to the prediction error data, to decode image data. By using bases that are set in accordance with the locations of transform blocks, an optimum inverse orthogonal transform can be performed, and encoding efficiency can be increased.
US09053547B2
A technique is provided for efficiently process three-dimensional point cloud position data that are obtained at different viewpoints. A projecting plane is set in a measurement space as a parameter for characterizing a target plane contained in plural planes that form an object. The target plane and other planes are projected on the projecting plane. Then, a distance between each plane and the projecting plane is calculated at each grid point on the projecting plane, and the calculated matrix data is used as a range image that characterizes the target plane. The range image is also formed with respect to the other planes and with respect to planes that are viewed from another viewpoint. The range images of the two viewpoints are compared, and a pair of the planes having the smallest difference between the range images thereof is identified as matching planes between the two viewpoints.
US09053545B2
A method of modifying the viewing parameters of digital images using face detection for achieving a desired spatial parameters based on one or more sub-groups of pixels that correspond to one or more facial features of the face. Such methods may be used for animating still images, automating and streamlining application such as the creation of slide shows and screen savers of images containing faces.
US09053537B2
In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, providing a multi-class classifier trained to identify edges in an image relative to computer actions to be taken in respect to the respective edges, determined as a function of illumination effects in the image and utilizing the multi-class classifier to classify edges in the image, for identification of computer actions to be taken in respect to the edges in the image.
US09053536B2
There is provided a technique for adaptively acquiring, from a tomogram of an eye region, diagnosis information data of the eye region which is used for the diagnosis of a plurality of kinds of diseases, without increasing load on a user. A layer acquisition unit (331) acquires a predetermined layer area from the tomogram of the eye region. A changing unit (332) changes an algorithm for the acquisition of diagnosis information data as information used for the diagnosis of the eye region from the tomogram based on the information data extracted from the layer area. A quantifying unit (336) acquires diagnosis information data from the tomogram based on the changed algorithm.
US09053528B2
A device for detecting offending objects such as insects on substrates such as on leaves, plants or in fluid. The device has a microscope lens which magnifies a portion of the substrate and sends an image of the substrate portion to an image recognition system. If the image recognition system detects the presence of an offending object—further steps are taken to remove, neutralize or mark the area where the offending object is located for subsequent action.
US09053523B2
In some embodiments, color and contrast enhancement video processing may be done in one shot instead of adjusting one of color and contrast enhancement, then the other, and then going back to the first one to readjust because of the second adjustment. In some embodiments, global lightness adjustment, local contrast enhancement, and saturation enhancement may be done at the same time and in parallel. Lightness adjustment improves visibility of details for generally dark or generally light images without changing intended lighting conditions in the original shot, and is used to enhance the range of color/saturation enhancement. Local contrast enhancement done in parallel improves visual definition of objects and textures and thus local contrast and perceived sharpness.
US09053519B2
A computerized method for modeling a utility network. The method includes retrieving geographical information system (GIS) data, asset management data, and sensor archive data of one or more assets of the utility network. The method also includes generating one or more mathematical elements from the one or more assets and creating probable connections between the one or more mathematical graph elements based on the GIS and asset data. A mathematical graph is generated based on the probable connections, the mathematical graph including one or more asset characteristics of the one or more assets. Analysis is performed on the utility network using the mathematical graph and the mathematical graph data is stored for use by other systems within the utility network.
US09053518B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide techniques that enable a first user to add a second user to a social subnetwork of the first user's social network. In one example, a method may include discovering a second computing device associated with a second user. A first user associated with a first computing device and the second user may each be associated with a social networking service. The method may include receiving, from the second computing device, identification data associated with the second user. The method may include determining an identifier based at least in part on the identification data received from the second computing device. The identifier may identify the second user in the social networking service. The method may also include sending a request to a remote computing device to associate the second user with the social subnetwork of the first user.
US09053517B2
Devices, systems, and methods for controlling, enhancing, archiving, and analyzing social media related to an event are disclosed. In some instances, the method includes: aggregating, using a computing device, posts made to at least one social media platform by a plurality of posters to identify a plurality of posts related to an event; filtering the identified plurality of posts related to the event to identify a plurality of relevant posts; and broadcasting the plurality of relevant posts for display on at least one display.
US09053513B2
The disclosed subject matter provides for fraud analysis for a location aware transaction. In an aspect, location information can be associated with historical fraud events. The location of user equipment can be analyzed against historical fraud information to facilitate determination of a fraud factor value. The fraud factor value can reflect a determination related to the likelihood of fraud occurring in the present transaction based on the historic fraud events at the same or similar location as the present location of the user equipment. The determination can be based on fraud rules. Further aspects provide for abstraction of the fraud factor to limit exposure of personal information associated with wireless carrier subscribers in fraud analysis for a location aware transaction.
US09053512B1
A method includes determining by a computing system a plurality of automated clearing house (ACH) data conversion rules and converting ACH data into converted ACH data according to the determined ACH data conversion rules. Each of the plurality of ACH data conversion rules includes a name associated with a source data field, a name associated with a target data field, and an instruction indicating how to convert ACH data in the source data field into converted ACH data to be stored in the target data field.
US09053511B2
In an example embodiment, a system for displaying a product in a touch-sensitive display of a hand-held electronic device comprises at least one module, executing on one or more computer processors to present a graphical image representative of the product in the touch-sensitive display, detect a slide-based contact with the touch-sensitive display at or over a first predefined location corresponding to the product image in the display, and display, in response to the detection of the slide-based contact, an array of swatch images associated with variants of the product in the touch-sensitive display.
US09053510B2
Methods and apparatus related to enabling a shopper to utilize a mobile electronic device to enhance the shopping experience. A shopper may utilize the mobile electronic device to access retail store-specific information regarding the location of items in a retail store. A mobile electronic device may be utilized to compile an electronic shopping list and/or transmit an electronic shopping list. Locations of one or more items in the retail store may be associated with items on the electronic shopping list.
US09053508B2
A system and method that improves and enhances the customer's in-store shopping experience. The consumer product of purchase interest or intent to buy expresses (or self-announces via technology) it's match (or fit based on known or understood buying habits, customer taste, tendencies, etc) against the customer preferences during an in-store shopping experience.
US09053501B2
A solution for spontaneous sharing between a sharer and a recipient device of a media asset reference for a media asset purchased through a media service by a user of the sharer device using a short-range wireless protocol is described. The reference includes a network resolvable identifier of a media service from which the media asset was purchased and an identifier of the media asset. The reference can also include the identity of the user who purchased and is sharing the reference thus allowing the media service to track distribution of its asset and provide an incentive based on sharing if desired when the recipient user sends a request for the media asset via the Internet to the media service including the media asset reference.
US09053491B2
A product evaluation system and a product evaluation method allow people to quickly, inexpensively, and accurately evaluate large amounts of products including those that do not have information attached in advance in the manufacturing stage. The system comprises an I/O component that functions as a product identification mechanism that identifies product type including at least one of product, product group, product brand, or product category, a characteristic acquisition mechanism that acquires characteristic information of the product, an evaluator that performs authentication and value estimations of products, and a data store that stores information related to the product. The evaluation mechanism performs authentication and value estimations of products based on characteristic information of the product acquired by the characteristic acquisition mechanism, and genuine product characteristic information, counterfeit product characteristic information, and value information and market information for each condition included in the information related to products stored in the data store.
US09053485B2
A security monitoring system has a monitoring location and a remote location with at least one monitoring device. A first image from one of the monitoring devices is recorded, and then compared with a second image from the same monitoring device. When the amount of change between the first and second images exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a scrutiny situation signal is generated. The video recorder may be located at either the monitoring location or the remote location. In some cases, the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one portion that is provided by an online computer service. In some cases, the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one wireless portion.
US09053484B1
A computer implemented system for forming an accelerated compliance plan with a plurality of graphic visualization indicators, markers, and displays. The system uses a database of regulatory compliance information relative to records retention which can be updated as regulations change to generate a plan that can be verified for compliance with regulations and has visual markers that show the updates quickly and easily.
US09053475B2
Techniques for automated transactions are provided. A customer uses a mobile device to interact with a self-service checkout device (SSCO) to perform a transaction. Initially, a unique barcode for the transaction is generated and displayed to the customer, via an attract screen of the SSCO. The mobile device scans the barcode (can be a QR code); this causes the mobile device to communicate with a remote server that identifies the customer. Preferences for the customer are retrieved and the transaction and features of the SSCO are configured based on the preferences. The transaction proceeds with the configured preferences.
US09053473B2
Techniques for assisted self checkout are provided. Customers or store personnel use scan devices that are independent of a self-checkout kiosk as they shop in a store to scan goods that are to be purchased. The transactions are independent of any particular checkout terminal. When the customer is ready to checkout, the customer approaches a checkout station and the transaction for the customer is located and recalled. The customer completes payment at the station to end the transaction and exit the store.
US09053463B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for pushing an e-mail to a portable terminal in an e-mail system. In an e-mail system for pushing an e-mail, an e-mail agent checks reception of a new e-mail, receives and stores the new e-mail, and generates a mail notification message, a message server receives the mail notification message and transmits it to an e-mail client, the e-mail client generates a mail request message and transmits it to the e-mail agent.
US09053459B2
A method and system for billing for time spent in an instant message session by a service person for a project for a customer. Responsive to the instant message session during which an instant message is received by a user from a sender, (i) retrieving the sender's name from the instant message; (ii) determining that the sender does not exist in a defined project; (iii) determining that the instant message does not contain any keywords associated with a project; (iv) determining that the sender has not been associated with a previous project; (v) determining that the sender has a profile having a keyword that the user has associated with a first project; (vi) associating the first project with the instant message; (vii) determining a charge to the first project for labor of the service person based on a duration of the instant message session. The user is the service person.
US09053455B2
In systems that enable collaboration, techniques are provided for communicating and displaying positional information with respect to these systems so as to enhance the collaborative experience. The systems may include interactive whiteboard (IWB) systems participating in a collaborative session. The position of an object (e.g., a user) at a first IWB system may be tracked and displayed at a second IWB system located remotely from the first IWB system.
US09053445B2
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system and methods are provided for managing business objects in memory. The system and methods may be provided for defining a context of one or more input parameters of data used to determine one or more properties of one or more business objects, defining one or more rules associated with the one or more properties of each business object, and generating a metadata model for each business object based on the context of the one or more input parameters of each business object and the one or more rules associated with the one or more properties of each business object.
US09053438B2
Systems and methods of analyzing energy consumption using node similarity are disclosed. An example of a method may be carried out by program code stored on non-transient computer-readable medium and executed by a processor. The method includes assigning a similarity score to a plurality of nodes using at least one of: domain based rules, attribute based similarity metrics, and machine learning. The method also includes identifying a similar node from the plurality of nodes, for a node under consideration, based on the similarity score. The method also includes determining energy consumption of the node under consideration based on energy consumption of the similar node.
US09053436B2
A complete end-to-end modeling system is provided that includes data sampling, feature engineering, action labeling, and model learning or learning from models built based on collected data. The end-to-end modeling process is performed via an automatic mechanism with minimal or reduced human intervention. A processor-readable medium is disclosed, storing processor-executable instructions to instantiate an automated data sampling and prediction structure training component, the automated data sampling and prediction structure training component being configured to automatically collect user event data samples, and use the collected user event data samples to train multiple prediction structures in parallel.
US09053426B2
System and methods for providing a cognitive network (300). Initialization parameters for distributed Multi-Objective Optimization (“MOO”) algorithms are generated based on project requirements. A Pareto Front (100) is determined for each protocol stack layer by solving the distributed MOO algorithms using the initialization parameters. The Pareto Fronts are analyzed in aggregate to develop best overall network solutions. The best overall network solutions are then ranked according to a pre-defined criteria. A top ranked solution is identified for the best overall network solutions that comply with current regulatory and project/mission policies. Subsequently, operations are performed to compute configuration parameters for protocols of the protocol stack layers that enable implementation of the top ranked solution within the cognitive network. Network resources of the protocol stack layers are then configured in accordance with the configuration parameters.
US09053421B2
A system for evaluating communicative acts to determine a social perception network based on communicative acts between a plurality of communicative pairs. Each communicative pair includes two communicating entities. The system includes a patterns database, a scoring processor, and a communications network aggregation processor. The patterns database stores behavior recognition patterns defining particular behaviors and a score associated with each of the particular behaviors. The scoring processor is configured to determine a pairwise social perception score for the communicative pair based on the particular behaviors identified in the communicative acts. The scoring processor is configured to determine a different pairwise social perception score for each one of the plurality of communicative pairs. The communications network aggregation processor is configured to combine the pairwise social perception scores for each of the plurality of communicative pairs into a social perception network. Other embodiments including other systems, methods, and products are also disclosed.
US09053417B2
A computer implemented method for clustering documents that includes receiving at least a first first-level cluster of documents and a second first-level cluster of documents, wherein the first first-level cluster includes one or more first documents associated with a first domain, the first documents satisfying a first first-level classification criterion, and the second first-level cluster including one or more second documents associated with a second domain, the second documents satisfying a second first-level classification criterion. The method also includes creating, by a processor of the computer system, a second-level cluster by combining the first first-level cluster with the second first-level cluster when a) the first first-level cluster and second first-level cluster satisfy a second-level classification criterion; and b) the first domain does not match the second domain.
US09053414B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing unit, a switch which receives an input of a power supply-off command, a first controller which supplies power to at least the image processing unit, and a second controller. The first controller detects an input to the switch, and when an input to the switch is detected at a state where the apparatus is supplied with power, performs power supply-off processing of switching the apparatus to a state where the apparatus is not supplied with power. The second controller detects whether the first controller is at an abnormal state, and when it is detected the first controller is at the abnormal state, performs vicarious processing of performing at least a part of the power supply-off processing of the first controller.
US09053413B2
Methods and systems print markings on a web of media using a printer to produce a printed roll of media. During the printing, the printer automatically analyzes the internal printer conditions, and automatically identifies printing errors based on the internal printer conditions during the printing. Further, such methods and systems automatically record the printing errors in an error log file using a computerized device that is operatively connected to the printer and store the error log file in a network storage element within a computerized network. Also, such methods and systems transmit the error log file from the computerized device (or the network storage element) to a post-printing processing device using the computerized network after receiving a request for the error log file. The post-printing processing device unwinds the printed roll and automatically stops the unwinding process at locations of the printing errors based on the error log file.
US09053409B2
The present invention is an image forming apparatus for interpreting data to generate intermediate data and the image forming apparatus includes: a unit configured to determine whether or not there is a periodic drawing pattern in data; a unit configured to determine whether or not there is a reduction command in data; a unit configured to obtain a ratio between the number of pitches of the period of the drawing pattern and a reduction ratio included in the reduction command; a unit configured to determine whether or not the ratio and a value in a table loaded by the image forming apparatus coincide with each other; and a unit configured to reduce, in the case where it is determined that the ratio coincides with a value in the table, an image by dividing the image into cells and performing thinning processing in units of cells.
US09053406B2
Provided are an antenna circuit constituent body for an IC card/tag capable of reducing environmental load in a manufacturing process for joining both end portions of an antenna circuit pattern layer and capable of enhancing reliability of joined portions of the both end portions of the antenna circuit pattern layer: and a method for manufacturing the antenna circuit constituent body for an IC card/tag. In the antenna circuit constituent body for an IC card/tag, an insulating layer (107) is formed so as to extend from an upper part of a first circuit pattern layer part (103), via an upper part of a third circuit pattern layer part (101), and to an upper part of a second circuit pattern layer part (104). A conductive layer (108) is formed on the insulating layer (107) so as to bring the first circuit pattern layer part (103) and the second circuit pattern layer part (104) into conduction. The insulating layer (107) has a plurality of inclined end surfaces on each of the first circuit pattern layer part (103) and the second circuit pattern layer part (104).
US09053400B2
Embodiments are directed to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) having a first circuit block electrically coupled to first and second antenna contacts. The first antenna contact is disposed on a first surface of the IC and the second antenna contact is disposed on a second surface of the IC different from the first surface. The first and second antenna contacts are electrically disconnected from each other.
US09053399B2
Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic card by measuring a swipe speed of the electronic card past a magnetic reader head during a swipe of the electronic card past the magnetic reader head and then adjusting a broadcast signal containing the magnetic stripe data packet according to the measured swipe speed so that the magnetic stripe data packet in the broadcast signal is read by the magnetic reader head during said swipe. The swipe speed is measured by a speed sensor. The electronic card can contain a false swipe detection means so that the capacitive sensor changes from a sleep mode to an active mode after a wake up sensor is activated during the swipe and the swipe speed is measured by the capacitive sensor while it is in the active mode before the broadcast signal is broadcast during the swipe.
US09053385B2
An object detection device includes: a binary difference image generation unit for generating a binary difference image C by binarizing a difference value between a background image B, which is an image as a reference for the absence of a detection target object in the detection area, and a detection target image F which is an image as a detection target to detect a detection target object in the detection area; a binary second derivative image generation unit for generating a binary second derivative image D by binarizing second derivatives of the detection target image F or of a smoothed image F′, obtained by smoothing the detection target image F; and an object detection unit for detecting the detection target object based on a logical product of the binary difference image C and the binary second derivative image D.
US09053375B2
A contactless bi-directional device including first and second generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas which are arranged in at least partially mutually overlapping orientation, first and second contactless communication chips, each of the first and second communications chips being connected to a corresponding one of the generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas, thereby providing bi-directional communication.
US09053373B2
An image based optical code scanner is presented that determines the health of each of a plurality of image capture devices located within the optical code scanner. The optical code scanner first determines a baseline performance for each of the image capture devices by capturing statistics for each of the image capture devices during item scanning operations. The optical code scanner then periodically determines the current performance of each of the image capture devices and compares it with the baseline performance. An alert message is generated if the current performance of any image capture device falls below its baseline performance.
US09053371B2
In response to detecting a motion within a video sequence, a determination is made of whether the motion is a particular type of movement. In response to determining that the motion is the particular type of movement, a location is identified within the video sequence of an object that does the motion.
US09053365B2
An enrollment template can be a collection of interest points such as vascular points (VPD) and corresponding features such as Enhanced Multi-Radii Local Binary Patterns (EMR-LBP), Pattern Histograms of Enhanced Multi-Radii Local Binary Patterns (PH-EMR-LBP), Pattern histograms of Enhanced Multi-Radii Center-Symmetric Local Binary Patterns (PH-EMR-CS-LBP), and Enhanced Multi-Radii Center-Symmetric Local Binary Patterns (EMR-CS-LBP). In some implementations, an enrollment template can be created only if the acquired image exceeds a certain threshold based on ratio of VPD points to that of size of segmented scleral region. More than one enrollments are possible for a single user. Enrollment templates can be updated to accommodate behavioral and/or environmental variations affecting the acquired scans. Updating the enrollment templates using verification can be based on quality of a candidate verification template, match score, and/or other image and exposure similarity measures.
US09053362B2
A city directory, having a listing of names and associated information of residents in a city (or similar location), is digitized. Zones of text having information not useful to users of the digitized directory are removed, and lines of information corresponding to residents are reconstructed, to make the digitized directory more easily accessed and reviewed.
US09053357B2
A method includes identifying a named entity, retrieving images associated with the named entity, and using a face detection algorithm to perform face detection on the retrieved images to detect faces in the retrieved images. At least one representative face image from the retrieved images is identified, and the representative face image is used to identify one or more additional images representing the at least one named entity.
US09053352B2
A rapid and efficient method and apparatus for detecting electrophysiologic, proarrhythmic, contractile, and other effects of substances such as compounds and drugs in native cellular cardiac preparations, the preparations representing an integrated cell-based pharmacologic response is disclosed. More specifically, a method to (1) rapidly and efficiently detect and verify the effects of chemicals, compounds and drugs on cardiac repolarization, contractility, and excitability using optically based techniques and customized simulation protocols, and (2) rapidly and efficiently screen and select compounds for electrophysiologic and proarrhythmic effects on cardiac myocytes is disclosed.
US09053345B2
A computing system includes: an initialization module configured to generate initial sharing options; a rating analysis module, coupled to the initialization module, configured to generate a privacy score and a benefit score with a control unit for one or more of the initial sharing options; a mapping module, coupled to the rating analysis module, configured to generate a map based on the initial sharing options, the privacy score, and the benefit score; and a tuning module, coupled to the mapping module, configured to: analyze an initial distribution of the map, and generate the tuned sharing options based on the initial distribution for displaying on a device.
US09053333B2
An information processing apparatus, method, and program product for appropriately setting confidentiality of a target electronic document even when copied data is pasted into a document from an electronic document including confidential information, without limiting replication from an electronic document including confidential information depending on attributes of the target electronic document. Also provided is an information processing apparatus, method and program product that saves content data specified by the user and a label indicating the confidentiality of the electronic document including the content data in a clipboard; pastes the user-specified content data to a target electronic document; temporarily saves the label for the electronic document including the user-specified content data in a data table which stores electronic document labels, as a label for the target electronic document; checks the confidentiality of the target electronic document; and establishes or deletes the temporarily saved label.
US09053332B2
Techniques (400, 600, 700) and apparatuses (102, 106, 108, 800) are described that enable a policy for secure packet transmission using required node paths and cryptographic signatures. These techniques and apparatuses enable a secure execution environment (SEE) of a target device to receive trustworthy sensitive data.
US09053324B2
Methods and apparatus for enabling upgrading of a television (TV) device that is connectable to an internet protocol TV (IPTV) system including an operator system and a TV manufacturer system are described. The upgrading is based on a token object and verifies a requested upgrading of the TV device. A token object is generated at the TV manufacturer system in response to receiving a request for upgrading from the TV device, and delivered to the TV device, thus enabling the TV device to complete the requested upgrading process due to possessing a valid token. A TV device, an operator system, and a TV manufacturer system adapted to execute the suggested methods are also provided.
US09053319B2
In one implementation, a tag is associated with a tainted value of an application and an output context of the application that is associated with output from the application that includes the tainted value is determined. A taint processing is a applied to the tainted value in response to the output of the tainted value, the taint processing is compatible with the output context.
US09053318B2
A method for authenticating a software application instance, the method includes a user device transmitting a request for access to a server device, wherein the request includes an App ID. The method further includes a server device transmitting a session ID to the user device and transmitting the session ID and the App ID to an anti-clone engine. The method further includes the anti-clone engine generating and transmitting a challenge token to the user device, and receiving and processing a response token to determine whether the user device is an authentic software application instance. The method further includes the anti-clone engine transmitting an authorization message to the server device.
US09053313B2
A system and method for providing continued access to authentication and encryption services that includes a secure key store communicably coupled to a virtual smart card server. A virtual smart card driver is also provided and is communicably coupled to a virtual smart card secure hardware server. The virtual smart card driver communicates with an authentication client to authenticate a user, and access the user's private key stored in the secure key store when the user's physical smart card is unavailable. Continued access is provided when the user has been authenticated.
US09053310B2
A system and method that includes receiving a first biometric profile and associating the first biometric profile with a first application instance that is assigned as an authentication device of a first account; receiving a second biometric profile for a second application instance, wherein the second application instance is making a request on behalf of the first account; comparing the second biometric profile to the first biometric profile; and completing the request of the second application instance according to results of comparing the second biometric profile to the first biometric profile.
US09053309B2
The present invention discloses a method of verifying the authenticity of a provided signature, comprising the steps of: receiving a set of sampled data points, each sampled data point being associated with a different position along the signature; identifying a set of characterizing nodes within the set of sampled data points using a set of predetermined characterizing nodes comprised in a pre-stored user profile; determining if each identified characterizing node lies within a predetermined threshold range of a corresponding predetermined characterizing node; and generating a positive verification when the characterizing nodes lie within the predetermined threshold range. A system arranged to carry out the method is also disclosed.
US09053300B2
A method to generate final software code resistant to reverse engineering analysis from an initial software code, said initial software code transforming an input data to an output data, said final software code being executed by a processor being able to directly handle data of a maximum bit length M, comprising the steps of: building a conversion table comprising in one side one instruction and in the other side a plurality of equivalent instructions or sets of instructions; splitting the input data into a plurality of segments of random length, said segments having a length equal or smaller than the maximum bit length M; for each instruction of a block of instructions, selecting pseudo-randomly an equivalent instruction or set of instructions from the conversion table so as to obtain an equivalent block of instructions; and appending the plurality of equivalent blocks of instructions to obtain the final software code.
US09053299B2
Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. A user rating (preference) may be explicitly provided by the user or may be determined at least partially based on a count, a cumulative-time and/or control-action(s) by the user, that are related to the composition. In one embodiment, a target time for playback or presentation is at least partially based on a rating (preference) of the user for the composition, and at a time when the composition was previously played or presented to the user.
US09053291B2
A fault detection method in a continuous annealing process based on a recursive kernel principal component analysis (RKPCA) is disclosed. The method includes: collecting data of the continuous annealing process including roll speed, current and tension of an entry loop (ELP); building a model using the RKPCA and updating the model, and calculating the eigenvectors {circumflex over (P)}. In the fault detection of the continuous annealing process, when the T2 statistic and SPE statistic are greater than their confidence limit, a fault is identified; on the contrary, the whole process is normal. The method mainly solves the nonlinear and time-varying problems of data, updates the model and calculates recursively the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the training data covariance by the RKPCA. The results show that the method can not only greatly reduce false alarms, but also improve the accuracy of fault detection.
US09053286B1
Fractured mask data in variable shape beam format is verified. The fractured mask data and unfractured design data from which the fractured mask data was generated is received, as is at least one control parameter related to the fractured mask data. A filter algorithm is performed with the at least one control parameter as an input. The filter algorithm identifies at least one error in the fractured mask data as compared to the unfractured design data other than approximation differences resulting from a fracture algorithm used to generate the fractured mask data. The at least one error includes an edge shift in the fractured mask data as compared to the unfractured design data that is smaller than a defined value, such as the maximum skew value in certain examples.
US09053284B2
A method for overlay monitoring and control is introduced in the present disclosure. The method comprises forming resist patterns on one or more wafers in a lot by an exposing tool; selecting a group of patterned wafers in the lot using a wafer selection model; selecting a group of fields for each of the selected group of patterned wafers using a field selection model; selecting at least one point in each of the selected group of fields using a point selection model; measuring overlay errors of the selected at least one point on a selected wafer; forming an overlay correction map using the measured overlay errors on the selected wafer; and generating a combined overlay correction map using the overlay correction map of each selected wafer in the lot.
US09053283B2
Methods for verifying the layout for standard cells using finFET standard cell structures with polysilicon on cell edges. Standard cells are defined using finFET transistors. Polysilicon dummy structures are formed on the edges of the active areas of the standard cells. Where two standard cells abut a single polysilicon dummy structure is formed. In a design flow, a pre-layout netlist schematic for the standard cells is formed that does not include devices corresponding to the polysilicon dummy structures. After an automated place and route process forms a device layout using the standard cells, a post layout netlist schematic is extracted including MOS devices corresponding to the polysilicon dummy structures. A layout versus schematic comparison is then performed, but during the comparison MOS devices corresponding to the polysilicon dummy structures are filtered from the post-layout netlist and are not compared. Additional methods are disclosed.
US09053271B1
An electronic design automation (EDA) tool that analyzes a circuit design to identify sequential elements (flip-flops) that do not need to be reset, for example, because they do not need to be initialized in order to be in a known state, and converts the identified sequential elements to non-resettable circuits, which saves power and area.
US09053263B2
The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and non-transitory article of manufacture embodying computer readable instructions for scheduling discrete event simulation. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for scheduling discrete event simulation. The method includes: extracting two or more event types in the discrete event simulation in response to having loaded the discrete event simulation; constructing a correlation graph used for the discrete event simulation based on the two or more event types; and scheduling events that are classified into the two or more event types according to the correlation graph wherein each node in the correlation graph describes one of the two or more event types, and an edge in the correlation graph describes the creation or dependency relationship between the two or more event types. Other embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and computer program product for scheduling discrete event simulation.
US09053252B2
A storage expansion apparatus and a server, where the storage expansion apparatus includes a quick path interconnect (QPI) interface module, which communicates with a central processing unit (CPU) through a QPI bus; a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface module, which communicates with the CPU through a PCIe bus; an interface selecting module, connected to the QPI interface module and the PCIe interface module separately; a home agent (HA) module, connected to the interface selecting module; and a memory controller engine (MCEng) module, connected to the HA module and the interface selecting module separately. The storage expansion apparatus may serve as a CPU memory capacity expansion device, and may also serve as storage expansion hardware of storage input and output (TO).
US09053243B2
A dock connects to a user's host device and provides video output to a display. The host device is a computing device that executes one or more applications. One or more controllers are peripheral devices that can be used to control applications on the host device. A service module provides support for additional communication profiles that are more versatile than the communication profiles supported by the operating system on the host device. The service module establishes a unidirectional connection between the host device and the peripheral devices as well as a bidirectional connection. A control scheme identifying an operating mode associated with a peripheral device is retrieved from a server. The peripheral device is configured to send data to the host device in a format recognizable by one or more applications based on the operating scheme.
US09053236B1
A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and system for creating directory services is described for testing a software application that accesses directory services and comprises receiving a configuration file specifying identification parameters and configuration parameters for configuring directory services, automatically generating a plurality of directory service processing instructions based upon the plurality of identification and configuration parameters in the configuration file, executing the plurality of directory service processing instructions to perform operations to set up directory services without requiring a user to manually provide parameters to set up the directory services, and executing a software application access a storage system using the directory services, including evaluating operations performed by the software application. The operations performed include detecting an operating system environment, invoking a plurality of directory service components, installing and setting up a directory service instance, configuring the directory service instance, and validating that the directory service instance.
US09053228B1
A device may provide a user interface that includes a first section for displaying multiple portions of program code and a second section for displaying multiple results of evaluating the multiple portions of program code. The device may detect an evaluation trigger associated with an unevaluated portion of program code of the multiple portions of program code. The device may determine one or more portions of program code to be evaluated based on detecting the evaluation trigger. The one or more portions of program code may be less than the multiple portions of program code. The device may cause the one or more portions of program code to be evaluated to generate one or more corresponding results. The device may provide the one or more corresponding results for display via the second section of the user interface.
US09053226B2
Administering connection identifiers for collective operations in a parallel computer, including prior to calling a collective operation, determining, by a first compute node of a communicator to receive an instruction to execute the collective operation, whether a value stored in a global connection identifier utilization buffer exceeds a predetermined threshold; if the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer does not exceed the predetermined threshold: calling the collective operation with a next available ConnID including retrieving, from an element of a ConnID buffer, the next available ConnID and locking the element of the ConnID buffer from access by other compute nodes; and if the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer exceeds the predetermined threshold: repeatedly determining whether the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer exceeds the predetermined threshold until the value stored in the global ConnID utilization buffer does not exceed the predetermined threshold.
US09053214B2
Disclosed are an apparatus for collecting lifelog data and a method thereof according to the present invention.The present invention relates to an apparatus for collecting lifelog data and a method thereof, which collect information for analyzing a behavior pattern from devices used by a user in everyday life, convert the collected information according to a preset schema, and provide the converted information.
US09053209B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for categorizing a plurality of vertices of a graph. A predetermined plurality of random numbers is assigned to each vertex of the plurality of vertices, a determination is made whether each of the assigned predetermined plurality of random numbers of a single vertex is greater than a corresponding random number of the assigned predetermined plurality of random numbers of each of the neighbors of the single vertex, and in response to the determination, one of the assigned random numbers is selected from a group of assigned random numbers of the single vertex.
US09053207B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to database query management and execution and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for processing an adaptive query expression in an on-demand data service. In one embodiment of the invention, an adaptive query handling method can include receiving an initial query in a database driven application, parsing the initial query to identify a query expression key, matching the query expression key to an adaptive query expression, and transforming the adaptive query expression to a final query expression through a replacement of annotations in the adaptive query expression with static expressions conforming to a query language for the final query expression. Thereafter, the final query expression can be applied to a database subsystem for the database driven application.
US09053204B2
A method for navigating within a search result obtained with a search engine installed on an electronic device, wherein a list of results is obtained from a data server, the navigation method including: identifying, in each result in the list of results, first components of the result considered, and second components of the result considered; organizing the first components into a first sub-list of results and the second components into a second sub-list of results; restoring the first sub-list of results into a first display area of the screen, and the second sub-list of results into a second display area of the screen; synchronizing the selection of a result in the first sub-list of results with the selection of a corresponding result in the second sub-list of results; and using a multi-touch interface in order to select a search result spread over a plurality of lists showing a different view of the same information.
US09053203B2
This document describes techniques for, and apparatuses capable of, provider-specific parsing for content retrieval. In one embodiment, a user's computing device receives code (e.g., an executable script) from a content provider and utilizes a parsing scheme associated with the content provider to parse the code and determine an address that can be used to retrieve an instance of content. The instance of content can then be retrieved using the address and without executing the code. In some embodiments, the parsing scheme is specific to the content provider and can be updated based on a change to the code.
US09053198B2
Systems and methods for the creation, transmission and storage of information related to a specific person, animal, place or object and subsequent retrieval of information by a user positioned at remote locations are disclosed. The systems and methods comprise information; data input computer equipment, an operating system, software and methods for the electronic recording, scanning or creation of information; a remote electronic memory storage facility or capability, commonly known as “cloud computing and/or storage”; unique infographic symbols and a mobile computing device equipped with a camera capable of retrieving information via a communications link to the Internet and displaying the information at a remote location. The infographic symbol can be a QR code or other code laser bonded to the surface of a substrate.
US09053197B2
An apparatus and a method for suggesting a web site is described. In one embodiment, a user at a client enters a web address. A suggestion server receives the web address and generates one or more suggested web addresses for the user based on an analysis of captured aggregate online users behavior in relation to the web address. The suggestion server stores and organizes results of the analysis of the captured aggregate online users behavior. The results includes a list of two or more substantially related and relevant web addresses. The suggestion server compares the web address with the results of the analysis to generate the one or more suggested web addresses. The one or more suggested web addresses are sent to the client.
US09053194B2
A computer-implemented method comprising collecting data from a plurality of information sources, identifying a geographic location associated with the data and forming a corresponding event according to the geographic location, correlating the data and the event with one or more topics based at least partly on the identified geographic location and storing the correlated data and event and inferring the associated geographic location if the data does not comprise explicit location information, including matching the data against a database of geo-referenced data.
US09053193B1
In order to provide filtering of content to be presented on a mobile device, a gesture-based preferencing system and method may be employed. When content is presented to a user, the user may indicate a positive or negative preference toward that content by making a gesture. The gesture may be detected by a motion sensor and the preference of the content indicated by the gesture may be stored in a preference datastore. The preference may be used to subsequently filter content that is to be presented to the user.
US09053189B2
In one embodiment, a server receives a request from a first user to share content from a first forum (e.g., a webpage) with a second user. In response, the server generates a link to the content for use by the second user. This link includes a pointer to a first user preference associated with the first user. In some instances, the first user preference is stored in conjunction with a unique identifier associated with the first user. Subsequently, when the second user attempts to access the content, the server generates a second webpage that includes the content. The server customizes the webpage (that is to be displayed to the second user) by using the user preferences associated with the first user.
US09053185B1
A computerized method for generating a representative model for a plurality of different models identified by similar feature data. A processing circuit receives a plurality of different models, each model configured for use in generating a second set of network user identifiers based on a first set of network user identifiers. The processing circuit receives feature data for each of the plurality of different models, each feature data having a corresponding feature weight data. The processing circuit identifies similar models within the plurality of different models based on a similarity of the feature data between models within the plurality of different models. The processing circuit generates the representative model to represent the similar models. The representative model may be used to generate the second set of network user identifiers based on the feature data and corresponding weight data of the representative model.
US09053177B1
A computing device may receive a request for sitelinks corresponding to a document and identify a plurality of hyperlinks corresponding to the document. Each hyperlink, of the plurality of hyperlinks, may include a hyperlink object within the document. The computing device may determine a visual location corresponding to each hyperlink of the plurality of hyperlinks corresponding to the document, and assign a score to each hyperlink, of the plurality of hyperlinks, based on the visual location corresponding to the hyperlink. The computing device may provide a sitelink, corresponding to a hyperlink, of the plurality of hyperlinks, based on the score assigned to the hyperlink.
US09053175B2
Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user's predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result.
US09053174B2
Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user's predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result.
US09053165B2
A content management system defines a synchronization application programming interface (API) used by applications executing on client devices to synchronize content items after the content items are changed. Functions of the API specify changes to the content items in terms of semantically-meaningful locations within the content items, rather than physical file locations. The content management system can represent the state of a content item in terms of change descriptors that reference the semantic locations of the API. The content management system can then distribute the change descriptors to the client devices, which refer to the semantic locations of the change descriptors when determining how to reconcile changes made by other client devices.
US09053162B2
Technologies are described herein for implementing a hosted multi-tenant application system. The server computers utilized to provide the hosted application are organized into logical groupings of server computers called scale groups. One or more tenants are assigned to each scale group. When a new tenant is provisioned, the tenant is assigned to a scale group and a database server in the assigned scale group creates a database for the tenant. An association between the tenant and the scale group is also created in a shared configuration database. When a request is received from a tenant to access the hosted application, the shared configuration database is consulted to locate the scale group hosting the tenant. Once the appropriate scale group has been located, the request is redirected to the appropriate scale group for processing.
US09053156B1
Systems and methods for returning results to a query based upon topic are disclosed herein. Aspects disclosed can be particularly useful when searching for videos or other media content for which associated textual information are generally relatively sparse compared to other types of content. Text associated with the query can be semantically associated with various domain topics by mapping one or more words included in the query to one or more domain topics based upon a conditional probability of the domain topic given the query. A set of results can be identified based upon a conditional probability of the result given the domain topic.
US09053154B1
A system and method for generating a compatibility score are provided. Elements associated with a web content as rendered by a benchmark browser engine are received. Elements associated with the web content as rendered by the test browser engine are received. The elements of the web content as rendered by the test browser engine are compared with corresponding elements of the web content as rendered by the benchmark browser engine. A compatibility for the web content is generated based on differences from the comparison between the elements of the web content as rendered by the benchmark browser engine and the elements of the web content as rendered by the test browser engine.
US09053151B2
According to some embodiments, an anchor transactional view may be defined for at least one business object data structure. The anchor transactional may have a plurality of anchor fields, each anchor field representing a data source and being associated with a field of an anchor search view. An indication of at least one extension field to the anchor search view may be received. The anchor search view and at least one extension field may represent, for example, a virtual fast search infrastructure view. Responsive to the received indication of the at least one extension field, an additional view may be dynamically joined at runtime to the anchor transactional view. The additional view may have at least one additional field, and each additional field may be associated with one of the extension fields.
US09053149B2
Systems and methods for defining a composite view and using the definition of the composite view to obtain, aggregate, analyze, and present data from a variety of data sources to a user. These systems and methods may allow for the definition of a visual framework to aggregate and display related data. This visual framework, or composite view, may in turn be composed of a master view and a set of subviews, each of which may display data collected from a particular data source according to a particular format. By interacting with the master view data from a variety of data sources can be displayed.
US09053148B2
A method and device relating to destination prediction of communication messages is presented. The device may include an analyzer configured to analyze a message entered in a universal input field. The analyzer may also provide a search variable based on the entered message. The device may also include a or which may be configured to receive the search variable and determine at least one suggested destination based on the search variable. The prediction of communication destinations eliminates the need for various menus and sub-menus. Thus, a user may send a communication message without the need of lengthy navigations.
US09053147B2
A method, device and computer program product for address-based historical records research includes receiving input of an address in researching history of persons. In response to receiving the address input, querying, using a computing device, a database to determine if any information is associated with the address, the database comprising information including, for example, names of people who were associated with the address, historical pictures of the address, and community information about the address. In response to locating address data about the inputted address in the database, retrieving the address data and outputting the address data.
US09053142B2
Systems and methods are disclosed which enable the establishment of file dates and the absence of tampering, even for documents held in secrecy and those stored in uncontrolled environments, but which does not require trusting a timestamping authority or document archival service. A trusted timestamping authority (TTSA) may be used, but even if the TTSA loses credibility or a challenger refuses to acknowledge the validity of a timestamp, a date for an electronic document may still be established. Systems and methods are disclosed which enable detection of file duplication in large collections of documents, which can improve searching for documents within the large collection.
US09053136B2
A system and method of identifying users of a multi-tenant database and application service is provided. The system and method is configured to generate a list of contacts from a contact database of a multi-tenant database and application service. Each contact in the list of contacts is sent a message that includes a link to web site that includes a query. Specifically, each contact visiting the web site is queried to determine if the contact is a user of a multi-tenant database and application service. Additionally, contacts are queried to determine if they are an administrator user, and if not, who is an associated administrator user. The contact database is updated to indicate contacts that are users of the multi-tenant database and application service when approved of by the associated administrator.
US09053129B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining content item quality based on content item presentation data are presented. In one aspect, a method includes storing a first count of occurrences of a pair of content items being presented; storing a second count of second occurrences of a first content item of the pair being interacted with when it was presented in a lesser position in a resource relative to a second content item of the pair when the second content item of the pair was not interacted with; determining that the first count meets a first threshold; determining that a ratio of the second count to the first count meets a second threshold; and storing correlation data for the second content item based on the ratio.
US09053125B2
Identification systems and methods for utilizing light signals with wavelengths approximately above or below human sensitive light spectrum are disclosed comprising a special mark, wherein the special mark emits or absorbs light signals in light spectrums approximately below or above the visible light spectrum, a server comprising a processing unit, and a storage area, wherein the special mark is capable of being detected by the photographic instrument, and wherein a digital file is saved in the storage area, and wherein the special mark carries information which identifies the digital file saved in the storage area.
US09053111B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to interaction-based management of contact entries. In one embodiment, at least one contact in a set of contacts is determined to be associated with an archiving indicator. The archiving indicator indicates that one or more archiving operations are to be performed on the at least one contact. The set of contacts is associated with a user. At least one archiving threshold associated with the at least one contact is identified based on the determination. A determination is made as to whether the at least one archiving threshold has been satisfied. The at least one contact is archived based on the at least one archiving threshold having been satisfied.
US09053108B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to providing file system extended attribute support in an operating system. A request from an application to access extended attribute data in a multi-platform file system using an interface specified by the operating system is received. It is determined whether the specified interface supports an exchange of full content of the extended attribute data between the application and the multi-platform file system. Based on determining that the specified interface does not support an exchange of full content, the request is processed by an alternate interface. Based on the access being a read, the full content of the extended attribute data is retrieved and returned to the application using the alternate interface. Based on the access being a write, the full content of the extended attribute data is received from the application using the alternate interface and written to the multi-platform file system.
US09053107B1
Configurations for only transmitting modified files in a file system update over a network to a target computer system are provided. The target computer system can store a root file system on a storage device. The subject technology determines differences between a previous image of the root file system and a new (e.g., updated) image of the root file system. When a file has not been updated or modified, the subject technology does not transmit the file in an update over the network to the target computer system. The root file system includes metadata that at least describes the location of each file on the storage device. For a file in which the position is preserved (i.e., unchanged), the location metadata for that file is not changed. The subject technology therefore forgoes transmitting the unmodified metadata over the network.
US09053106B2
A method and system for measuring latency is provided. A monitor node is used to measure latency in a computer network or in a computing device by time stamping signal messages sent from nodes in the computer network and/or tasks in a particular node or device. The time stamps are generated using a system clock of the monitor node to reduce any discrepancies in timing. In addition, the monitor node may compensate for latencies between the monitor node and each of the one or more nodes or devices across which latency is to be measured. Signal messages may include a data message ID and/or a node ID identifying the message that is being tracked and for which latency is being measured. Latency may further be measured across multiple tasks being performed in the same or different nodes or devices by transmitting signal messages for each of the multiple tasks.
US09053103B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for facilitating interaction with a plurality of media files. In this regard, a method may be provided that includes causing the display of an image of a respective function and a plurality of images of respective media files. The display of the images may be such that at least one image is displayed in the foreground and at least one image is displayed in the background. The method may also receive a selection of the image of the respective function. In response to the selection of the image of the respective function, the respective function is performed with respect to at least one of the media files. For example, the respective function may include a shuffle function such that the plurality of media files are caused to be played in a random order.
US09053100B1
A computer-implemented method for compressing database objects may include 1) identifying a database object within a relational database, 2) determining that the database object meets a compression criterion that is not met by at least one additional database object within the relational database, 3) identifying a location of the database object within a database file of the relational database, and 4) compressing a portion of the database file at the location of the database object without compressing all of the database file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09053099B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method, system, and computer program product for validating a data structure, comprising: responsive to identifying a data structure in a first programming language, identifying an equivalent data structure in a second programming language; comparing a data definition of the data structure with a data definition of the equivalent data structure; determining an incompatibility between a compared data definition of the data structure and a compared data definition of the equivalent data structure; and responsive to determining an incompatibility, identifying a rule defining an action to be taken in order to correct the incompatibility.
US09053098B2
A computer method and an electronic device enable a user to lookup words and insert new words in a text based on the results of the look up. The method executed by the device includes: providing a user with a capability to select at least one word in a text displayed on the screen of the device; performing a dictionary lookup of the identified word so as to determine translation alternatives of the identified word; displaying at least some of the translation alternatives; selecting one of the displayed alternatives; determining its word forms, wherein the word forms consist of gender, number, grammatical tense and grammatical variations of the same word; selecting one of the word forms; and inserting the selected word from in the text.
US09053091B2
A method and a system to automatically segment text based on header tokens is described. A relevance value and an irrelevance value are determined for each token in a description, assuming no tokens are left out of computations. The irrelevance value is based on occurrences of a token in a sample set of descriptions. The relevance value is an estimated probability of relevance based on the header of the description being segmented.
US09053087B2
A semantic error rate calculation may be provided. After receiving a spoken query from a user, the spoken query may be converted to text according to a first speech recognition hypothesis. A plurality of results associated with the converted query may be received and compared to a second plurality of results associated with the converted query.
US09053076B2
A method has steps receiving a plurality of digital images at a network-connected computing appliance, sorting the plurality of images by one or more functions of software executing from a non-transitory physical medium on the computing appliance to determine a subset of images that are related according to data associated with individual ones of the digital images, and dedicating the determined subset of images to a single page of a photo album being prepared by the software.
US09053073B1
Systems and methods for maintaining data consistency across mirrored storage nodes. Data consistency may be maintained in networked storage environments using a timestamp of an I/O in the primary and secondary servers (also referred to as nodes) in synchronous replication to re-synchronize the data efficiently, without much performance drop and while reducing the memory footprint. According to an aspect presented herein, data consistency is maintained in a mirror node by timestamping the I/O for a volume's logical territory in both the primary and secondary nodes. The timestamp acts as a watermark. Thus, whenever a disaster or failure occurs, the watermark point determines the re-synchronization point.
US09053071B2
Sensor circuitry including probabilistic switching devices, such as spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junctions (STT-MTJs), is configured to perform ultra-low power analog to digital conversion and compressive sensing. The analog to digital conversion and compressive sensing processes are performed simultaneously and in a manner that is native to the devices due to their probabilistic switching characteristics.
US09053069B2
A mechanism is provided for efficient communication of producer/consumer buffer status. With the mechanism, devices in a data processing system notify each other of updates to head and tail pointers of a shared buffer region when the devices perform operations on the shared buffer region using signal notification channels of the devices. Thus, when a producer device that produces data to the shared buffer region writes data to the shared buffer region, an update to the head pointer is written to a signal notification channel of a consumer device. When a consumer device reads data from the shared buffer region, the consumer device writes a tail pointer update to a signal notification channel of the producer device. In addition, channels may operate in a blocking mode so that the corresponding device is kept in a low power state until an update is received over the channel.
US09053068B2
Systems and methods for RDMA-based state transfer in virtual machine live migration. An example method may comprise: determining, by a first computer system, that a memory block has been modified by a virtual machine undergoing live migration from the first computer system to a second computer system; designating the modified memory block for transfer via a remote direct memory access (RDMA) adapter to the second computer system; selecting, asynchronously with respect to the designating, a memory block from a plurality of memory blocks designated for RDMA transfer to the second computer system, wherein a sum of an amount of pinned physical memory in the first computer system and a size of the selected memory block does not exceed a pre-defined value; registering the selected memory block with the RDMA adapter; and transmitting the selected memory block to the second computer system via the RDMA adapter.
US09053066B2
A NAND flash memory chip has a configurable interface that can communicate with a NAND flash memory controller using either parallel communication or serial communication. Serial communication requires fewer channels. Control information from the NAND flash memory controller uses a small number of channels. Double Data Rate (DDR) communication provides serial communication with adequate data transfer speed.
US09053064B2
A process for lazy checkpointing a virtual machine is enhanced to reduce the number of read/write accesses to the checkpoint file and thereby speed up the checkpointing process. The process for saving a state of a virtual machine running in a physical machine to a checkpoint file maintained in persistent storage includes the steps of copying contents of a block of memory pages, which may be compressed, into a staging buffer, determining after the copying if the buffer is full, and upon determining that the buffer is full, saving the buffer contents in a storage block of the checkpoint file.
US09053061B2
The restore of user data techniques include a method, a system, a device and/or a computer program product. In some embodiments of these techniques, the method includes receiving user selection for restoring backed up user data to a client device. The method further includes receiving backed up user data from a server based on the user selection. The method further includes determining file location for a file in the received backed up user data based on the user selection and a parameter associated with the client device. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US09053052B1
In one example, a direct memory access controller includes a memory interface, a requestor interface, and an address generator. The memory interface is configured to cause a memory to provide at least a subset of data stored in the memory. The requestor interface is configured to receive a request for a consecutively addressed subset of the data stored in the memory to be provided in a non-consecutive order. The address generator is in communication with the requestor interface and the memory interface. The address generator is configured to, based on the request, sequentially generate non-consecutive addresses of the requested subset of the data to cause the memory to provide the requested subset of data in the requested non-consecutive order.
US09053036B2
Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a system and method for providing a flash memory cache input/output throttling mechanism based upon temperature parameters for promoting improved flash life. The mechanism restricts flash memory cache caching of inputs/outputs associated with Least Recently Used data and Most Recently Used data when a temperature of the flash memory is at or above a threshold temperature.
US09053033B1
A method, computer program product, and computing system for defining a first assigned cache portion within a cache system, wherein the first assigned cache portion is associated with a first machine. At least one additional assigned cache portion within the cache system is defined. The at least one additional assigned cache portion is associated with at least one additional machine. Content received by the first machine is written to the first assigned cache portion. After the occurrence of a reclassifying event, the first assigned cache portion is reclassified as a public cache portion that is added to an initial cache portion within the cache system. The public cache portion is associated with the first machine and the at least one additional machine.
US09053030B2
A cache memory comprises a data array that stores a cashed block; a first address array that stores an address of the cached block; a second address array that stores an address of a first block to be removed from the data array when a cache miss occurs; and a control unit that transmits to a processor the first block stored in the data array as a cache hit block, when the address stored in the second address array results in a cache hit during a period before a second block which has caused the cache miss is read from a memory and written into the data array.
US09053029B2
An example multicore environment generally described herein may be adapted to improve use of a shared cache by a plurality of processing cores in a multicore processor. For example, where a producer task associated with a first core of the multicore processor places data in a shared cache at a faster rate than a consumer task associated with a second core of the multicore processor, relative task execution rates can be adapted to prevent eventual increased cache misses by the consumer task.
US09053020B2
A method for automatic protection coordination in a power system network comprises identifying radial source-to-load paths and fault protection devices in the source-to-load paths, for a portion of the power system network to be coordinated. Device settings data for fault protection devices are retrieved, including multiple preconfigured settings for some devices. Fault currents for each of multiple possible electrical faults in said portion of the power system network are predicted, and a selectivity check for each pair of fault protection devices that are adjacent to one another in an identified radial source-to-load path is performed, for each of one or more of the predicted fault currents, taking into account multiple preconfigured settings for remotely controllable fault protection devices. A combination of settings for remotely controllable fault protection devices that minimizes selectivity violations among the pairs is selected, and necessary change-setting commands are sent to remotely controllable fault protection devices.
US09053019B2
A swapping method performed using a data processing device, which includes a processor including a plurality of cores, the swapping method including searching for an empty page of a swap memory in response to the swap memory being connected to the data processing device, the search being performed by using at least one core of the plurality of cores, selecting a page to be swapped from a main memory of the data processing device, the selection being performed by using the at least one core by accessing a corresponding main memory list among a plurality of main memory lists, and swapping data of the page selected to be swapped to the empty page, the swapping being performed by using the at least one core.
US09053014B2
A system and method of controlling a flash memory device such as a NAND memory device may involve receiving a command to execute an operation. A Ready/Busy contact of the memory device may be pulsed low in response to determining that execution of the operation has completed.
US09053011B2
Lower page data that may be endangered by programming upper page data in the same memory cells is protected during upper programming using protective upper page programming schemes. High overall programming speeds are maintained by selectively using protective upper programming schemes only where endangered data is committed and may not be recoverable from another location.
US09053008B1
Disclosed herein is a controller architecture that pairs a controller with a NVM (non-volatile memory) storage system over a high-level, high speed interface such as PCIe. In one embodiment, the NVM storage system includes a bridge that communicates with the controller via the high-level interface, and controls the NVM via an interface. The controller is provided a rich set of physical level of controls over individual elements of the NVM. In one embodiment, the controller includes a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) that stores parameters related to the operation of the NVM as provided by the bridge. The parameters may be related to optimizing use of the NVM and are automatically appended by the controller to appropriate data storage commands to the bridge. The parameters may be stored in a table format in which each entry is indexed by a physical address of the NVM.
US09053005B2
Various embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for assigning a plurality of version number values to instances of a logical entity of a memory device. Each version number value of the plurality version number values may be separately assigned to one of the instances of the logical entity. The version number values may be recycled after the plurality of version number values are assigned. Other embodiments including additional methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.
US09052996B2
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool can be configured to communicate a message including indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The message can indicate for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency and whether the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle through one or both of a display and a speaker.
US09052983B2
Apparatus, process and product useful for source code patches. The computerized apparatus having a processor, the apparatus comprising: a source code obtainer for obtaining a source code of a computer program; a patch instructions obtainer for obtaining a set of source code patches instructions, wherein a first patch instructions comprise a set of modification instructions to the source code associated with a first source code patch, wherein a second patch instructions comprise a set of modification instruction to the source code associated with a second source code patch; a source code editor configured to display to a user the source code and annotations associated with applying each source code patch simultaneously; and wherein said source code editor is further configured to edit the source code in accordance with user input, wherein based on user input the first and second source code patch instructions are modified.
US09052979B2
An approach for integrated development environment (IDE)-based program code library searching and selection in multiple programming languages in a networked computing environment is provided. In a typical embodiment, a search request (e.g., to locate a desired program code library) will be received in an IDE and parsed. The search request generally includes a set of annotations corresponding to at least one of: a primary program code language of the program code library, an alternate program code language of the program code library, or a method pair associated with the program code library. A search of at least one program code library repository will then be conducted based on the set of annotations, and a set of matching results will be generated. The set of matching results may include one or more program code libraries, and may be provided to a device hosting the IDE.
US09052978B2
An aspect of the present disclosure provides for applying hot fixes to metadata customizing user interactions based on a software program. In an embodiment, a hot fix containing new files is received. Each new file contains a corresponding modified metadata. The user is presented for selection, differences between each new file and a corresponding existing file. Only the selected differences are then used to form patched files, which thereafter control the user interactions, for example, by replacing the corresponding existing file with the patched file. Accordingly the user is provided enhanced control over which of the differences is applied to the metadata.
US09052977B2
An indication is received from a user to initiate installation of an operating system onto a storage device of a computer. The storage device is partitioned into an original partition and a new partition. Installation software for the operating system is loaded onto the new partition. The computer is booted into the installation software on the new partition. The operating system is installed onto the original partition via the installation software on the new partition. The computer is then re-booted into the operating system on the original partition and the new partition is removed from the storage device.
US09052964B2
An approach is disclosed for enhancing mobile-device operation by resource sharing and/or pooling. The approach can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions operable to trigger a first device to share content or request functionality of any of a plurality of other devices. The programming instructions can further be operable to discover a candidate device that is capable of receiving the content or a request to provide the functionality. The programming instructions can further be operable to determine that the candidate device can receive the content or provide the functionality based on predetermined criteria. The programming instructions can further be operable to establish a connection with the candidate device. The programming instructions can further be operable to send the content from the first device to the candidate device or receive functionality from the candidate device.
US09052952B1
This disclosure relates to a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus of adaptive storage system management for optimizing performance. In some embodiments, this includes polling attributes associated with a workload of a storage system to obtain corresponding values at a time instance, analyzing the values and the attributes to determine a need for modifying a set of the values corresponding to a set of the attributes when the workload is not at an optimized level, modifying the set of the values in response to the determination, and storing the time instance, the attributes, the values, and the modification.
US09052946B2
Constrained transactional processing is provided. A constrained transaction is initiated by execution of a Transaction Begin constrained instruction. The constrained transaction has a number of restrictions associated therewith. Absent violation of a restriction, the constrained transaction is to complete. If an abort condition is encountered, the transaction is re-executed starting at the Transaction Begin instruction. Violation of a restriction may cause an interrupt.
US09052940B2
A method for customizing virtual machines includes retrieving a virtual machine image file from a library of virtual machine image files. A target virtual machine image file is created by making a copy of the retrieved virtual machine image file. A file size of the target virtual machine image file is increased. A partition size of a primary partition of the target virtual machine image file is increases. The target virtual machine image file is booted after the partition size of the primary partition thereof has been increased.
US09052928B2
A method for automatically formatting a display screen upon initialization or refresh to reflect a user's prior resizing of frames with respect to one another.
US09052924B2
A managed composite control can be directly (without intermediary hosting layers) hosted within an unmanaged hosting application. A managed control which can host managed composite controls is provided, the managed control being directly hostable within any unmanaged hosting control. An adapter (control) wraps the managed control content before the control content is moved into the unmanaged layer. Overloaded methods are provided that accept managed controls and manage communication between layers in such a way that instead of internal references expecting a user control, the internal references expect an object.
US09052923B2
Replacing an object in an object oriented model in a computer system, by interrogating the model to retrieve information defining the relationships between the object to be replaced and other components of the model is described. These relationship definitions are then used to configure the replacement object within the model so as to assume corresponding relationships with the other components. There may be established as a part of the model functions to detect changes to the relationships between objects belonging to the model, and recording the changes in a registry. This registry is then interrogated to retrieve relationship definitions necessary to replace an object.
US09052914B2
Application code for deployment to a client over a data link is optimized to minimize download time by supplying only the application code with a particular object that is required by the object. In a web application that includes multiple pages, the HTML and JAVASCRIPT are scanned to identify code resources called by a particular web page. When all called resources are identified, they are extracted and concatenated into a single resource file. When the page is downloaded to the client, the import file is included with the page. The import file may be cached so that it need only be downloaded once, rather than being downloaded every time the page is requested. The invention is suitable for use with other interpreted scripting languages.
US09052906B2
A method for the modularized customization of a model within a model driven development environment includes selecting a template specifying a base model and different points of variability of a base model in a model driven development environment and transmitting over a data communications network an electronic form configured to receive data in different data fields representative of the points of variability. Thereafter, a submission of the electronic form can be received and data from the received submission representative of the points of variability can be extracted. Instructions can be added to a control file corresponding to the points of variability and the control file can be processed to generate artifacts in an import file specifying the points of variability. Finally, the import file can be imported into the model driven development environment and the base model modified with the points of variability of the artifacts.
US09052905B2
A mechanism is provided for minimizing power consumption for operation of a fixed-frequency processing unit. A number of timeslots are counted in a time window where throttling is engaged to the fixed-frequency processing unit. The number of timeslots where throttling is engaged is divided by a total number of timeslots within the time window, thereby producing a performance loss (PLOSS) value. A determination is made as to whether determining whether the (PLOSS) value associated with the fixed-frequency processing unit is greater than an allowed performance loss (APLOSS) value. Responsive to the PLOSS value being less than or equal to the APLOSS value, a decrease in voltage supplied to the fixed-frequency processing unit is initiated.
US09052900B2
Systems and methods for reducing power consumption of systems using serialized data transmission. In a multi-node system, the reiterative steps for the setup of the lanes within links between the nodes produces both a time invariant set of parameters associated with the channel properties of the lanes and a time variant set of parameters associated with receiver clock alignment. The time invariant set is stored in persistent storage. Links may be turned on and turned off. When a link is turned on again, the stored time invariant set may be used as initial values to reconfigure both the time invariant and the time variant sets, thereby greatly reducing the delay to begin using the link again. The reduced delay may significantly speed up the wakening process for the links, thereby encouraging the use of low-power techniques that include tuning off lanes.
US09052897B2
Method and computing system for controlling a supply voltage in the computing system. A voltage related indication for use in setting the supply voltage of the computing system is stored, and a supply voltage is set for the computing system based on the stored voltage related indication. A crash of the computing system is detected, and in dependence thereon, an adjusted indication is determined for use in the computing system. An adjusted supply voltage is set based on the adjusted indication, and the adjusted indication is stored for further use of the computing system.
US09052884B2
A device and a method for adjusting power consumption are provided. The method is adapted for adjusting power consumption of an external graphic processing unit (GPU) according to different voltage sources and includes following steps: determining whether power to the external GPU is supplied by a first voltage source or a second voltage source according to a comparison result of an input voltage of the external GPU and a default reference voltage. If the input voltage is higher than or equal to the default reference voltage, power to the external GPU is supplied by the first voltage source, and the external GPU is controlled to remain in a normal speed operation status. If the input voltage is lower than the default reference voltage, power to the external GPU is supplied by the second voltage source, and the external GPU is controlled to remain in a low speed operation status.
US09052881B2
A method for discovering thermal relationships in a data processing environment is provided in the illustrative embodiments. An output temperature of a cooling unit operating in the data processing environment is changed from a previous output temperature to a new output temperature. The difference between the previous and the new output temperatures is a change in the output temperature. A change in an ambient temperature proximate to a data processing system is measured. The change in the ambient temperature is a difference between a previous ambient temperature and a new ambient temperature. An expression that represents a relationship between the change in the output temperature and corresponding change in the ambient temperature is determined. The expression is used to determine a cooling correspondence between the cooling unit and the data processing system.
US09052880B2
A multi-level interconnect apparatus includes a substrate including a substrate body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a processing unit disposed on the second side of the substrate body, a first input/output (I/O) unit disposed on the first side of the substrate body and configured to be electrically communicable with the processing unit along a thickness dimension of the substrate body and a second I/O unit disposed on the second side of the substrate body and configured to be electrically communicable with the processing unit along a planar dimension of the substrate body.
US09052877B2
A server chassis can include a server bay; and media drive bays disposed adjacent to the server bay, each of the media drive bays configured for receipt of a media drive seated in a media drive tray, where each of the media drive bays includes a side wall, where each of the side walls includes a recessed, front facing surface (e.g., recessed from a front side of the chassis) configured to support force exerted by rotation of a hinge end of a handle of a media drive tray to extract the media drive tray from a media drive bay and a stop configured to contact a locking tab extending from a hinge end of a handle of a media drive tray to lock the media drive tray in a media drive bay. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09052865B2
A control method for image displaying applicable for use to a dual-side transparent display. The control method includes the following operations each required to be executed at least one time in a display period. The operations are: providing a left-eye signal of an image displayed on a first display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to a first side thereof; providing a right-eye signal of an image displayed on the first display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to the first side thereof; providing a left-eye signal of an image displayed on a second display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to a second side thereof; providing a right-eye signal of an image displayed on the second display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to the second side thereof; and configuring the dual-side transparent display to present a transparent state. A display system is also provided.
US09052838B2
The solid state drive device includes a memory device including a plurality of flash memories and a memory controller connected with a host and configured to control the memory device. The memory controller includes first and second cores, a host interface configured to interface with the host, and a flash memory controller configured to control the plurality of flash memories. The first core is configured to control transmission and reception of data to and from the host. The second core is configured to control transmission and reception of data to and from the memory device.
US09052828B2
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for volume placement across remote replication relationships. Responsive to applying a volume placement optimization to a source storage pool having at least one volume with a replication target in a target storage pool, the mechanism determines whether the source storage pool and the target storage pool have identical storage volume membership. Responsive to determining the source storage pool and the target storage pool not having the same storage volume membership, the mechanism generates workload performance data for each non-shared storage volume in the target storage pool that does not have a corresponding member of the source storage pool. The mechanism generates a hardware profile for hardware of the target storage pool. The mechanism generates a volume placement optimization for the storage volumes in the target storage pool based on the workload performance data for each non-shared storage volume in the target storage pool and the hardware profile for the hardware of the target storage pool.
US09052821B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for adjusting soft keyboard layout. The method includes: displaying an option for adjusting a soft keyboard layout; receiving information that a user selects the option for adjusting the soft keyboard layout, and after receiving the information that the user selects the option for adjusting the soft keyboard layout, displaying a soft keyboard adjustment interface on a touch screen, and receiving an adjustment scheme input by the user; and modifying the soft keyboard layout according to the adjustment scheme. In this way, a requirement of a user for adjusting a keyboard according to personal preference is satisfied.
US09052814B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with a device with a touch screen display is disclosed. In the method, at least a first portion of an electronic document is displayed at a first magnification. A gesture is detected on or near the touch screen display corresponding to a command to zoom in by a user-specified amount. In response to detecting the gesture, decreasing portions of the electronic document are displayed at increasing magnifications. If, upon detecting termination of the gesture, the magnification exceeds a predefined magnification, a respective portion of the electronic document is displayed at the predefined magnification.
US09052810B2
Methods and apparatus to manage zones of a multi-zone media playback system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a user interface; a controller to configure one or more zone groups each associated with one or more media playback devices; a detector to monitor the user interface for a drag of an icon representative of a first one of the zone groups on the user interface from a first position to a second position; and a configuration implementer to change a configuration of the one or more zone groups in response to a detected drag of the icon.
US09052804B1
Methods and devices for initiating a search of an object are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving video data recorded by a camera on a wearable computing device, where the video data comprises at least a first frame and a second frame. The method further includes, based on the video data, detecting an area in the first frame that is at least partially bounded by a pointing device and, based on the video data, detecting in the second frame that the area is at least partially occluded by the pointing device. The method still further includes initiating a search on the area.
US09052799B2
An image forming apparatus includes a unit configured to manage screen type information including a type that indicates a dependence relationship between UT screens, a unit configured to manage placement item type information including a type that indicates whether to reflect customization of a first UI screen into a placement item to be placed on a second UI screen depending on the first UI screen, a unit configured to perform management and display control for configurations of plural UI screens and a unit configured to, when a placement item of a predetermined UI screen that is display-controlled is customized, determine whether to reflect customization of the predetermined UI screen into a UI screen that depends on the predetermined UI screen based on the screen type information of the predetermined UI screen and the placement item type information of the placement item of the customization target.
US09052798B1
A compute device can receive a signal associated with a quantity of real-world activity (e.g., exercise) performed by a user. The compute device can define a quantity of virtual activity based, at least in part, on the quantity of real-world activity. The quantity of virtual activity can be different from the quantity of real-world activity. The compute device can send an indication of progress in a virtual world to an output device, for example, such that the user's progress is displayed.
US09052795B2
A method for displaying panels in a user interface of a computing device includes displaying, via the computing device, tabs vertically along sides of the panels on the user interface. The tabs correspond to the panels, and the panels provide control options for an application operating on the computing device. The method further includes displaying, via the computing device, a first one of the panels for a first one of the tabs selected for display on the user interface, and suppressing, via the computing device, display of a portion of the panels on the user interface. The portion of the panels does not include the first one of the panels.
US09052770B2
A display device includes a display element. The display device may include a touch substrate overlapping the display element and may overlap an external object when the external object provides a touch to the display device. The display device may include a first angle sensor disposed at a first corner of the touch substrate for determining a first touch angle related to the touch. The display device may include a second angle sensor disposed at a second corner of the touch substrate for determining a second touch angle related to the touch. The display device may include a force sensor disposed at the first corner of the touch substrate for determining a distance related to the touch. The display device may include a computation part configured to determine a touch coordinate associated with the touch based on the first touch angle, the second touch angle, and the distance.
US09052768B2
According to an aspect, a display device with a touch sensor has a display function and a touch sensor function. The display device includes: a panel unit that comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, and a display function layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode on the first substrate; a second electrode on the second substrate; a third electrode on the second substrate; and a capacitor for the touch sensor function. The capacitor is formed between either of the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode, or between both the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode. The frame portion outside the display area comprises, on the first substrate side thereof, a peripheral circuit, and the second electrode is provided in a position more distant upward from the peripheral circuit than the first electrode.
US09052766B2
An input device having a plurality of low-visibility sensor electrodes and method for fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an input device includes a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed over a display device. A first sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes includes a conductive mesh having a first periodicity defined by intersections of conductive traces forming the mesh. A terminal portion of one of the conductive traces terminating at an edge of the first sensor electrode has an orientation that is different than an orientation of a corresponding portion of the mesh defining the first periodicity. An end of the terminal portion proximate the edge laying over a subpixel has the same color as a subpixel of the display device which the end would lay over if the end had the same orientation as the corresponding portion of the mesh defining the first periodicity.
US09052764B2
A touch screen control system comprising a memory and control circuitry is configured to communicate with a host processing system. The control circuitry comprises a blended image generator and a display screen updater, and operates a touch sensor for detecting user input in a sensing region of the touch sensor. The sensing region overlaps a display screen. In response to detection of user input in the sensing region, the blended image generator autonomously generates a blended image by blending primary image and secondary images held in the memory. The display screen updater autonomously updates the display screen with the blended image. The display screen is updated at a higher rate when updated autonomously by the display screen updater than when directed by the host processing system. The autonomous updating of the display screen by the display screen updater reduces processing of the host processing system.
US09052763B2
According to an aspect, an electronic device includes: a first housing having a first display unit; a second housing having a second display unit; a detecting unit; and a control unit. The detecting unit detects a first form in which the first display unit is exposed to the outside and the second display unit is covered by the first housing and a second form in which the first and second display units are exposed to the outside. Then the detecting unit detects a change in the form of the electronic device from the first form to the second form, the control unit activates a function corresponding to a selected object among objects displayed on the first display unit, and displays a screen corresponding to the function on the second display unit.
US09052758B2
A detection device for detecting the manner in which a peripheral device is removed from an electronic device is proposed. The detection device can be on the peripheral device or the electronic device and detects whether the peripheral device was removed in a manner that indicates the removal was intentional or unintentional.
US09052757B2
A display device which can achieve compatibility between the simplicity of the configuration or control of electronic equipment and the maintaining of its high operability includes: a display panel and a touch panel arranged on a front surface side of the display panel as viewed from a viewer. The touch panel includes one transparent substrate and a conductive pattern disposed on the substrate. A plurality of detection areas in each of which a touch position can be detected are provided in the touch panel. A non-detection area in which the touch position is not detected is provided between two detection areas next to each other.
US09052744B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling a user interface (UI) of an electronic device by using a specific region of a virtual plane. In the method, the virtual plane is initialized according to spatial coordinates of two or more images detected by using locations of the images displayed in an image display unit of a first image capture device and an image display unit of a second image capture device. Furthermore, the location of a marker is determined and is indicated by a specific image on the virtual plane. Furthermore, a screen pointer corresponding to the marker is displayed at a position where the marker is located in an image display unit corresponding to the virtual plane. Furthermore, a menu of the electronic device is selected which is pointed to by the screen pointer while moving the marker. Accordingly, a user can conveniently control the UI of the electronic device by performing a simple operation.
US09052738B2
An active control method and system of varying a pedal effort for an accelerator through which the pedal effort for an accelerator is actively varied based on the locations of the accelerator.
US09052732B2
A system includes a processor and a non-transitory data storage device that contains instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions include an aggregator of distributed micro-generator energy sources capable of delivering an energy source to a power grid; a monitor of the distributed micro-generator energy sources, wherein the monitor communicates micro-generator energy usage data with a wholesale power producer and a microgenerator asset owner; and a portfolio optimizer of the distributed micro-generator energy sources, wherein the portfolio optimizer facilitates commercialization of the distributed micro-generator energy sources, wherein the monitor tracks and reports micro-generator energy source use by a wholesale power producer; and wherein assigning a specific one of the micro-generator energy sources to a wholesale power producer causes energy to be delivered to a wholesale power market via a wholesale power grid.
US09052718B2
Systems, devices, and methods are described for moving a patient to and from various locations, care units, etc., within a care facility. For example a transport and support vehicle includes a body structure including a plurality of rotatable members operable to frictionally interface the vehicle to a travel path and to move the vehicle along the travel path, and a surface structured and dimensioned to support an individual subject. A transport and support vehicle can include, for example, an imager operably coupled to one or more of a power source, a steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., and having one or more modules operable to control the power source, steering assembly, one or more of the plurality of rotatable members, etc., so as to maintain an authorized operator in the image zone.
US09052713B2
A method for controlling a vehicle, including determining a speed curve on a coasting route, in order to let the vehicle on the coasting route coast from an actual speed to a setpoint speed, detecting an additional vehicle approaching the vehicle from behind on the coasting route, and raising the speed of the vehicle compared to the determined speed behavior on the coasting route, in order to produce a predetermined threshold distance from the additional vehicle.
US09052707B2
An exemplary component manufacturing method includes scanning a first surface of a component to determine a location of pocket surfaces of the first surface. The method machines apertures in the component from a second, opposite surface of the component. The apertures each have a cooling air inlet within one of the pocket surfaces and a cooling air outlet within the first surface.
US09052706B2
A device information display apparatus that communicates with a field device and acquires a device information of the field device to display the device information on a display device, the device information display apparatus may include: a changing unit that changes the device information to be displayed on the display device, the changing being performed based on operation instructions received from an input device; a definition file generation unit that generates a definition file for prescribing the device information to be displayed on the display device, the generating being performed based on the device information changed by the changing unit; and a switching unit that switches the device information to be displayed on the display device, the switching being performed based on the definition file generated by the definition file generation unit.
US09052696B2
A control device for a timepiece, the device including a primary crown adapted to be rotated and pulled, having at least two axial positions, and also including a secondary crown arranged coaxially with respect to the primary crown, the primary crown including a crown head and a control rod fixed rigidly to the crown head and adapted to be coupled to or decoupled from a winding rod of a movement of the timepiece in order to control functions of the timepiece, and the secondary crown including a crown body. The control device distinguishes in that the secondary crown is adapted be rotated and pulled, has at least two axial positions, and includes a kinematic link adapted to control at least one additional function of the timepiece, the primary crown and secondary crown being actuatable independently of one another. The invention also includes a timepiece having such a control device.
US09052681B2
A static eliminating device includes: a housing; a substrate mounted to the housing; a light-emitting part mounted on a mounting surface of the substrate; a partition member connected to the housing to cover the substrate and the light-emitting part and face a portion of the housing to which the substrate and the light-emitting part are mounted so that an opening facing the surface of the image carrier is formed in a light-emitting region across which light is delivered from the light-emitting part to the surface of the image carrier; and a restricting protrusion abutting at a distal end thereof against the partition member to support the partition member and restricting the position of the partition member to ensure the formation of the opening. A distal side portion of the restricting protrusion located within the light-emitting region has a tapered shape narrowing with approach toward the partition member.
US09052677B2
An image forming apparatus sequentially transfers toner images formed on a plurality of photosensitive drums onto an intermediate transfer member or a transfer material to form an image. The image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt provided with electrical conductivity, and a power supply for applying a voltage to a current supply member contacting the intermediate transfer belt to pass a current from the current supply member to the plurality of photosensitive drums via the intermediate transfer belt, thus generating electric discharge on the upstream side of each of primary transfer sections.
US09052676B2
A high-voltage power source includes a switching unit configured to be driven according to a frequency signal, a voltage resonance unit configured to generate a voltage according to driving of the switching unit, a rectification unit configured to rectify and amplify the voltage generated by the voltage resonance unit, a separation unit configured to separate an alternating current generated by the voltage resonance unit and a direct current generated by the rectification unit from each other, and a current detection unit configured to detect the current generated by the voltage resonance unit.
US09052675B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising an electric energy receiving member; a frame of resin material; an electrode member which is molded by injecting electroconductive resin material into the frame which provides an electroconductive path between the electric energy receiving member and a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the electrode member having a projected portion projected from a surface of the frame for contacting the main assembly electrical contact, the projected portion being provided by changing a direction of flow of the injected electroconductive resin material by the metal mold or the frame.
US09052673B2
Provided is a structural member including an image holding member that holds a latent image, a developing member that develops the latent image, a first driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a first driving side coupling portion and transmits a driving force to the image holding member, and a second driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a second driving side coupling portion and transmits the driving force to the developing member, wherein the first driven side coupling portion includes a first engaged portion that is engaged with a first engaging portion provided on the first driving side coupling portion at no more than two engagement places, and the second driven side coupling portion includes a second engaged portion that is engaged with a second engaging portion provided on the second driving side coupling portion at three or more engagement places.
US09052672B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a sensor, a pattern forming section, and a position correction section. The position correction section specifies a first reference position and a second reference position. In a registration correction carried out when the image bearing member is in a time-elapsed state that is a state after the initial state, the position correction section specifies the position of each of the patch images of the respective colors included in the registration correction pattern formed by the pattern forming section at the time of registration correction and corrects based on the first reference position and the second reference position the correction amount to be applied to each image forming position specified in the registration correction currently being carried out.
US09052668B2
An image forming apparatus comprises: a sensor that includes a light-emitting part for emitting light to a moving body and a light-receiving part; a light-incidence adjusting mechanism that is able to alternatively select from a first state where the light-incidence adjusting mechanism causes light which have been emitted from the sensor and then reflected by the moving body to enter the sensor and a second state where the light-incidence adjusting mechanism causes a reflected light of light emitted from the sensor not to enter the sensor; and a processing unit that causes the sensor to emit light, and corrects output of the sensor when the light-incidence adjusting mechanism is in the first state on the basis of output of the sensor when the light-incidence adjusting mechanism is in the second state.
US09052660B2
An image forming apparatus includes a timing roller for conveying paper in the image forming apparatus, a first motor receiving supply of electric power from a power source for driving the timing roller, a second motor receiving supply of electric power from the power source, a sensor for detecting whether a jam occurs at the conveyance roller, a drive relay for cutting off supply of electric power from the power source to the first and second motors, if occurrence of a jam is detected, and a control circuit for controlling an operating state of the second motor such that regenerative power produced at the first motor due to rotation of the conveyance roller is supplied to the second motor, if occurrence of a jam is detected.
US09052648B2
An image apparatus includes: a first housing including an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material; a second housing including a heating unit for heating the formed image; a conveying unit, provided across the first and second housings, that conveys the recording material to a side of the heating unit using a no-end belt; a conveying unit including a first fixed unit disposed on a side of the second housing and a second fixed unit disposed on a side of the first housing; a first fixing unit positioning the first fixed unit to the heating unit, and fixing the first fixed unit to restrict directions other than a rotating direction of the conveying unit around the first fixed unit; a second fixing unit rotating the conveying unit around the first fixed unit, and fixing the second fixed unit to the first housing.
US09052647B2
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a charging section, an exposure section, a developing section, an ion-conductive transfer roller, a transfer bias applying section configured to apply a transfer bias of reverse polarity to charge of toner to the transfer roller, a conveyance section, and a control section. The control section is configured to, during double-sided printing, cause the transfer bias applying section to apply a reverse bias of the same polarity as the charge of the toner to the transfer roller while a recording medium is reversed and conveyed again to a toner image transfer position.
US09052639B2
The invention provides a developer cartridge with a counting mechanism. The developer cartridge comprises a developer and the counting mechanism, wherein the counting mechanism is provided with protrusions which come in contact with a contact lever on an electronic photographing device so as to count the developer cartridge; and each protrusion has a first position and a second position in the direction perpendicular to a side wall of the developer cartridge, and is, in the first position, in contact with the contact lever, but is not, in the second position, in contact with the contact lever. The working principle of the developer cartridge adopting the counting mechanism is greatly different from the prior art. Therefore, the structure of the counting mechanism of the developer cartridge is simpler and more convenient and reliable; the production precision and the production cost are reduced; and the market competitiveness of the developer cartridge is improved.
US09052636B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member which bears an electrostatic latent image, a development device which includes a developer bearing member conveying developer, a developing container containing the developer, and a stirring member stirring the developer inside the developing container. In addition, a first detecting portion detects information regarding humidity of the developer, a second detecting portion is disposed at a different position from the first detecting portion and detects information regarding humidity of the developer, and a controller starts image forming after driving the stirring member for a predetermined period after receiving an image forming signal. The controller controls to extend the predetermined period when a difference between the detecting result from the first detecting portion and the second detecting portion is larger than a predetermined value.
US09052616B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for a fluid transportation system having a first flexible tube with an inner wall. The fluid transportation system also has a second flexible tube with an outer wall. The second tube is located inside the first tube and a standoff is located between the inner wall of the first tube and the outer wall of the second tube. The first flexible tube is configured to transport a first fluid and the second flexible tube is configured to transport a second fluid. The first and second flexible tubes are configured such that the first fluid isolates the second fluid from an ambient environment, and the first fluid can be monitored for leakage.
US09052613B2
A displacement device with a first and second part which are displaceable relative to one another, the first part being provided with a system of magnets, the second part being provided with a set of coil block units including: at least three first coil block units having current conductors oriented parallel to a second direction, at least two second coil block units having current conductors oriented parallel to a first direction, wherein the displacement device includes a controller configured to control the position of the second part relative to the first part, and wherein when the second part mainly moves in the second direction the controller is configured to levitate the second part from the first part in the third direction by using first coil block units only.
US09052606B2
A microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes a projection light source. The apparatus also includes a heating light source for generating heating light which is at least partly absorbed by an optical element. An illumination optical unit directs the heating light onto the optical element such that the heating light has a predefined intensity distribution on an optical surface of the optical element. The illumination optical unit includes a deflection element which is a diffractive optical element or a refractive freeform element. The deflection element simultaneously directs the heating light impinging thereon in different directions.
US09052599B2
Example embodiments are directed to a maskless exposure apparatus using off-axis alignment to form a virtual mask pattern on a substrate. The maskless exposure apparatus includes a movement unit on which the substrate is placed, a light source unit configured to output light, a projection unit configured to divide the light output from the light source unit into a plurality of spot beams to form the pattern and configured to project the spot beams to the movement unit, an alignment unit configured to output alignment light to align the substrate and a virtual mask, a beam imaging unit configured to capture the spot beams and the alignment light, and a controller configured to measure distances between the captured alignment light and at least two of the captured spot beams and configured to determine alignment between the virtual mask and the substrate based on the measured distances to control movement of the movement unit.
US09052593B2
A polymer is obtained from copolymerization of a unit having a carboxyl and/or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group with a hydroxyphenyl methacrylate unit having one acyl, acyloxy or alkoxycarbonyl group. The polymer is useful as a base resin in a positive resist composition. The resist composition comprising the polymer is improved in contrast of alkali dissolution rate before and after exposure, acid diffusion control, resolution, and profile and edge roughness of a pattern after exposure.
US09052592B2
A resist composition contains a high-molecular weight compound which has a partial structure represented by a general formula (a0-r-1) and has a constituent unit represented by a general formula (a0-1). In the formula (a0-r-1), Y1 represents a divalent linking group; each of R2 and R3 represents a group having 0 to 20 carbon atoms, which is not a fluorine atom, and either R2 or R3 may form a ring with Y1; m represents an integer of 1 or more; and Mm+ represents an m-valent organic cation. In the formula (a0-1), R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a halogenated alkyl group; Ya01 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; X01 represents a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom; and Ra01 represents an optionally substituted cyclic group, chain alkyl group or chain alkenyl group.
US09052583B2
A portable electronic device with multiple projecting functions is provided. The portable electronic device includes a main body, a projecting module, and a switching mechanism. The projecting module is disposed within the main body for generating an image beam. The switching mechanism is movably disposed on the main body. When the switching mechanism is located at a first position, the image beam is projected along a first projecting path, and the portable electronic device is in a first operating mode. When the switching mechanism is located at a second position, the image beam is projected along a second projecting path, and the portable electronic device is in a second operating mode.
US09052576B2
There is provided a projection apparatus including a plurality of light-emitting devices for respectively emitting lights of a plurality of colors, a projecting unit for forming an optical image of a plurality of color components for each frame and sequentially projecting the optical image, and a power control unit for adjusting power to be supplied to the plurality of light-emitting devices to correct a decrease in luminance due to heat generation of the plurality of light-emitting devices.
US09052574B1
A two-piece extendable L-plate provides clearance between a camera and a quick-release receiver securing the camera to a support permitting a camera having cables connected to the side of the camera's body to be secured in either a landscape or a portrait orientation.
US09052565B2
A light deflector capable of deflecting light in a predetermined deflection direction and modulating the angle of deflection of light includes a plurality of liquid crystal deflection elements arranged in the predetermined deflection direction. In at least one pair of adjacent liquid crystal deflection elements, the dimension of one of the liquid crystal deflection elements in the predetermined deflection direction is different from the dimension of the other liquid crystal deflection element in the predetermined deflection direction.
US09052563B2
A display device includes an e-paper, a touch panel, and an external data interface. The e-paper has a display surface. The touch panel is located on the display surface of the e-paper. The touch panel is configured to control the e-paper. The data interface is configured to electrically connect the e-paper and the touch panel to an electric device. The e-paper and the touch panel include a plurality of processing units and control units integrated in the electric device. The present disclosure also relates to a display system using the display device.
US09052556B2
A display device includes a substrate, a display region, a peripheral region, an insulating layer which is disposed on a gate signal line and a conductor, a conductive layer which is disposed on the insulating layer and crosses a plurality of gate signal lines and the conductor in the peripheral region, a first semiconductor film which is disposed between the insulating layer and the conductive layer, and a second semiconductor film which is disposed between the insulating layer and the conductive layer and which is separated from the first semiconductor film. The conductive layer is connected to the plurality of gate signal lines via a plurality of diodes, and the plurality of gate signal lines are arranged in the display region and the peripheral region. A length of the conductor differs from a length of the gate signal line in the display region and the peripheral region.
US09052554B2
A liquid crystal display panel includes: substrates arranged opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer therebetween. One of the substrates includes scanning and signal lines arranged in a matrix in a display area, a common wiring line along a peripheral edge portion of the display area, an interlayer resin film at least over the whole display area, and lower and upper electrodes arranged opposite to each other with an inter-electrode insulating film therebetween. The upper electrode includes slits in each pixel area sectioned by the scanning and signal lines. One of the upper and lower electrodes is formed over the whole display area and connected to the common wiring line and operates as a common electrode. In the display area, a common line is formed in parallel to the scanning line, the electrode operating as the common electrode is connected to the common line through a contact hole and the common line is connected to the common wiring line at the peripheral edge portion.
US09052537B1
A 2D/3D image switching type liquid crystal display is described. The 2D/3D image switching type liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a film-type patterned retarder (FPR) and a liquid crystal barrier layer. When either the FPR is disposed between the LCD panel and the liquid crystal barrier layer or liquid crystal barrier layer is disposed between the LCD panel and the backlight module, an electrical field controls the first grating regions and the second grating regions to form a bright region and a dark region for adjusting the left-hand circularly polarized light and the right-hand circularly polarized light from the FPR to switch 2D/3D image by switching the liquid crystal barrier layer.
US09052535B1
The various technologies presented herein relate to phase shifting light to facilitate any of light switching, modulation, amplification, etc. Structures are presented where a second layer is juxtaposed between a first layer and a third layer with respective doping facilitating formation of p-n junctions at the interface between the first layer and the second layer, and between the second layer and the third layer. Application of a bias causes a carrier concentration change to occur at the p-n junctions which causes a shift in the effective refractive index per incremental change in an applied bias voltage. The effective refractive index enhancement can occur in both reverse bias and forward bias. The structure can be incorporated into a waveguide, an optical resonator, a vertical junction device, a horizontal junction device, a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a tuneable optical filter, etc.
US09052531B2
A pair of glasses has a glasses body and an adjusting structure. The glasses body has a lens frame and a nose pad. The nose pad is combined with the lens frame by two sliding slices and two tracks. The adjusting structure is mounted between the lens frame and the nose pad and has a first engaging block, a second engaging block, and a stopping block. The first engaging block and the second engaging block can be engaged with each other to keep the nose pad from separating from the lens frame. The stopping block is mounted to form a friction between the nose pad and the lens frame. The nose pad can be precisely adjusted and fine-tuned relative to the lens frame because of the sliding slices, the tracks, and the stopping block.
US09052530B2
An eyeglass frame assembly comprises an eyeglass frame including a pin hole therein, which has a hole axis, and a nose rest assembly. The nose rest assembly includes a nose pad, a pin member longitudinally extending from the nose pad along a pin axis and a coil spring mounted about the pin member. The pin member is at least partially disposed in the pin hole so that the nose rest assembly is movable relative to the eyeglass frame along the hole axis between extended and retracted positions thereof. The coil spring biases the nose pad to the extended position thereof away from the pin hole.
US09052523B2
A cassette for retaining a specimen of surgically exposed tissue from a patient in an orientation that facilitates optical sectioning of the tissue by a confocal microscopic or other optical imaging microscope. The cassette includes a base member having a rigid optically transparent window upon which a tissue specimen is situated, a pliable membrane locatable over a substantial portion of the base member including the window, and an upper member, having an aperture therethrough, which can cover the base member to provide an enclosed cavity between the membrane and the window sealing the tissue specimen therein. The edges of the tissue specimen may be positioned planar against the window and retained in that position by bonds formed between the membrane and window at multiple points or locations around the tissue specimen. The specimen retained in the cavity is imagible by a microscope through the window of the base member.
US09052516B2
A lens display device is disclosed. The device includes an optical thin film layer, a polarized switch unit, and a display unit emitting light. The optical thin film layer includes a single-refringent film layer, and first and second liquid crystal lens arrays on the single-refringent film layer. The arrays are positioned such that the lens elements of the first array are misaligned from the lens elements of the second array by half of the lens period. The polarized switch unit, when operative, polarizes the light emitting from the display unit into ordinary light entering the first liquid crystal lens array and into unordinary light entering the second liquid crystal lens array. In addition, when inoperative, the polarized switch unit polarizes the light emitting from the display unit into unordinary light entering the first liquid crystal lens array and into ordinary light entering the second liquid crystal lens array.
US09052514B2
Disclosed herein is a liquid-crystal lens including: a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode placed to be opposed to the first electrodes; and a liquid-crystal layer provided between the first electrodes and the second electrode. The first electrodes each receiving a relatively low voltage applied thereto are provided more adjacently to each other than the first electrodes each receiving a relatively high voltage applied thereto.
US09052511B1
A method and apparatus for resonant rotational oscillator have been disclosed. In one version a moving coil is mounted on a rotating member. By using a magnetic assembly and the moving coil the rotating member is made to rotate.
US09052502B2
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable an enhanced direct-viewing optical device to make customized adjustments that accommodate various optical aberrations of a current user. In some instances a real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements is based on known corrective optical parameters associated with a current user. In some implementations a control module may process currently updated wavefront measurements as a basis for determining appropriate real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements to produce a specified change in optical wavefront at an exit pupil of the direct-viewing device. Possible transformable optical elements may have refractive and/or reflective and/or diffractive and/or transmissive characteristics that are adjusted based on current performance viewing factors for a given field of view of the direct-viewing device. Some embodiments enable dynamic repositioning and/or transformation of corrective optical elements based on a detected shift of a tracked gaze direction of a current user of the direct-viewing device.
US09052497B2
A method includes receiving, at a computational station, photodetection data, originating at a source, encompassing a set of frequency channels and collected at a number of light gathering telescopes. The method also includes determining correlation between the received photodetection data in each frequency channel, and determining a time average of the correlation between the received photodetection data in the each frequency channel. Further, the method includes determining an average over the set of frequency channels to arrive at a mutual coherence magnitude for each pair of the number of light gathering telescopes, and computing imaging data of the source based on the determined mutual coherence magnitude and the correlation between the received photodetection data.
US09052493B2
An imaging lens includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. The first, second, and third lens elements have positive, negative, and negative refractive powers, respectively. The third lens element has an image-side surface having a convex portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the third lens element. The fourth lens element has a concave object-side surface. The fifth lens element has an object-side surface that has a convex portion in a vicinity of an optical axis of the imaging lens, and an image-side surface that has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the fifth lens element.
US09052488B2
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for interconnecting two optical fibers using a protective insert, wherein the protective insert includes a connective segment that provides optical communication connection between the two optical fibers. Furthermore the protective insert includes two attachment mechanisms adjacent to the connective segment with each of the two attachment mechanisms adapted to removably attach one of the two optical fibers to the connective segment. Such a protective insert may be implemented inside a network interface device (NID) or with a wall-plate to be installed inside customer premises in a manner that allows a customer to easily interconnect a home network cable to an optical network terminal.
US09052486B2
A fiber-optic cable for applications subject to extreme temperatures and high crushing and bending forces incorporating a loose fluoropolymer buffer material, a aramid/fiberglass strength member, and a fluoropolymer outer jacket compromising low smoke, low toxicity, and low flammability when exposed to flame.
US09052485B2
An optical assembly includes a substrate with a first row of apertures and a second row of apertures. A first optical die includes a first plurality of optical transducer elements and is mounted on the substrate such that an optical signal interface of each transducer element is aligned with an aperture of the first row of optical apertures. A second optical die includes a second plurality of optical transducer elements and is mounted on the substrate such that an optical signal interface of each of the second plurality of optical transducer elements is aligned with an aperture of the second row of optical apertures. A connector configured to mate with the optical assembly supports a plurality of optical fibers. A terminal end of each optical fiber protrudes from the connector and extends into one of the apertures when the connector is coupled with the optical assembly.
US09052484B2
A connector assembly is provided that mates on one side with an optical transceiver module holder and that electrically connects on the opposite side with an external system circuit board. When the connector assembly is mated with an optical transceiver module holder, a base of a parallel optical transceiver module held in the holder mates with a socket of the connector assembly such that respective arrays of electrical contacts disposed on the base and in the socket come into contact with one another. At least one gearbox IC for performing data rate conversion is mounted on the assembly circuit board. A lower surface of the assembly circuit board has an array of electrical contacts on it that are in contact with an array of electrical contacts disposed on the surface of the external system circuit board on which the connector assembly is mounted.
US09052483B2
A communication assembly can include: a module device; a cage having a body defining a first open end that is configured to receive the module device therethrough and the body defining one or more first receiver members between the first end and a second end opposite of the first end, the one or more first receiver members having a first part of fastening system (e.g., two-part fastening system); and a heat sink adapted to be received into the cage so as to be thermally coupled with the module device, the heat sink having a body defining one or more second receiver members configured to receive the one or more first receiver members, the one or more second receiver members having a second part of the fastening system that couples with the first part of the fastening system.
US09052472B2
One embodiment is directed to an optical adapter comprising a body in which at least one connector can be inserted; at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna and a visual indicator. The optical adapter further comprises at least one adapter contact that is electrically connected to the RFID antenna and the visual indicator; and a clip configured to electrically connect the adapter contact to a panel contact on a panel when the optical adapter is inserted into the panel and to mechanically hold the optical adapter in the panel. The RFID antenna is configured to be positioned near an RFID tag attached to the connector when the connector is inserted into the body of the optical adapter. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09052467B2
An optical fiber connector for transmitting high optical power, specifically power exceeding 1 kW. The connector includes an optical fiber having one of its ends in direct optical contact with a body made of a transparent material. The body in connection with the optical fiber end has a surface with an area exceeding the contact surface area of the optical fiber. The surface of the transparent body has a substantially conical design in order to provide an efficient flowing geometry around the contact end of the fiber, to increase the surface area for incident power loss radiation and deviate such radiation towards the optical axis of the connector.
US09052466B2
The present document describes a female optical receiving device for connecting a first optical fiber to a second optical fiber. The first optical fiber is substantially centered within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The female optical receiving device comprises a first ferrule or tubing having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the guidewire tubing, and a second ferrule or tubing having a longitudinal axis and an inside diameter adapted to an outside diameter of the second optical fiber. The longitudinal axis of the first ferrule or tubing is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second ferrule or tubing.
US09052457B1
An electronic apparatus, a light-transmissive cover member, and an electronic device are disclosed. The electronic apparatus may include an image display device that includes an image display surface and a light-transmissive cover member. The light-transmissive cover member is arranged such that at least part of the light-transmissive cover member faces the image display surface. The light-transmissive cover member is a single crystal that contains alumina (Al2O3) as a main component. Due to the light-transmissive cover member, the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 260 nm is less than 92% of the transmittance of light having a wavelength of approximately 550 nm.
US09052456B2
A bi-layer seed layer can exhibit good seed property for an infrared reflective layer, together with improved thermal stability. The bi-layer seed layer can include a thin zinc oxide layer having a desired crystallographic orientation for a silver infrared reflective layer disposed on a bottom layer having a desired thermal stability. The thermal stable layer can include aluminum, magnesium, or bismuth doped tin oxide (AlSnO, MgSnO, or BiSnO), which can have better thermal stability than zinc oxide but poorer lattice matching for serving as a seed layer template for silver (111).
US09052455B2
An improved head-mounted optical illuminator or magnifier of the type worn by a medical or dental professional includes an optical coating applied to one or more optical surfaces associated with the illuminator or magnifier, and wherein the optical coating is a rejection coating operative to blocks wavelengths in the green, blue, violet and/or ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, depending upon the embodiment. Short-wavelength coatings (blue/violet/uv) may be applied to the surface of a lens used in a head-worn illuminator, for example to the beam-forming optics. The head-worn illuminator may be an LED illuminator, xenon illuminator, or other high-intensity source. In the case of the green notch filter coatings, these would typically only be applied to a head-worn magnifier, including flip-up and through-the-lens styles. In all embodiments, the optical coating may be a multilayer dielectric coating, a holographic filter, or utilize other optical filter technology.
US09052446B2
The disclosure relates to a chip carrier, suitable for being inserted into a corresponding substrate. The light emitting/receiving chip mounted on the chip carrier is disposed within the corresponding substrate and aligned to the waveguide embedded in the corresponding substrate with an appropriate distance.
US09052439B2
Described herein is a cost-effective and time-efficient method for making UV-absorbing contact lenses. In contrast to the conventional method for making UV-absorbing contact lenses which involves copolymerizing a lens forming composition including a UV-absorbing vinylic monomer, a method of the invention involves covalent attachment of a UV-absorbing compound having a second reactive functional group to a preformed contact lens having a first reactive functional group therein and/or thereon.
US09052437B2
There is provided a photosensitive resin composition for forming a microlens. A photosensitive resin composition for forming a microlens, the photosensitive resin composition comprising: a component (A), a component (B), a component (C) and a solvent. The component (A) is a copolymer having a maleimide structural unit of formula (1) below, a vinyl ether structural unit of formula (2) below, and at least one of the three structural units of formula (3), formula (4), and formula (5) below, the component (B) is a photosensitizer, and the component (C) is a cross-linking agent (where X is a C1-20 hydrocarbon group that optionally has an ether bond or a cyclic structure; Y is an organic group that optionally has a substituent; and Z is an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an alkoxy group that optionally has a substituent).
US09052435B2
A bending-resistant large core diameter high numerical aperture multimode fiber includes a core and a cladding surrounding the core. The core has a radius R1 in a range of 28 to 50 microns, a refractive index profile of a parabola shape with α being in a range of 1.9 to 2.2, and a maximum relative refractive index difference Δ1% max being in a range of 1.9% to 2.5%. The cladding includes an inner cladding and/or a trench cladding, and an outer cladding disposed from the inner to the outer in sequence. The radius R2 of the inner cladding is in a range of 28 to 55 microns, and the relative refractive index difference Δ2% is −0.1% to 0.1%. The radius R3 of the trench cladding is in a range of 28 to 60 microns, and the relative refractive index difference Δ3% is in a range of −0.15% to −0.8%.
US09052434B2
A fiber structure for propagating one or more zero group-velocity modes is provided. The fiber structure includes a cladding arrangement comprising a photonic crystal having a complete bandgap at a specified index. A core is formed in a selective region of the cladding arrangement. The core allows the propagation of the one or more group-velocity modes.
US09052424B2
A backlight module includes at least one light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes at least one light incident surface, a light-emitting surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of lenticular lenses and a plurality of micro dots. The light incident surface is disposed adjacent to the light source, and the light-emitting surface is connected with the light incident surface and forms an angle with the light incident surface. The bottom surface is connected with the light incident surface and disposed opposite the light-emitting surface. The lenticular lenses are arranged on the light-emitting surface in a direction substantially parallel to the light incident surface, and the micro dots are formed on at least the bottom surface. The invention provides a backlight module having high directionality of light propagation and high light-utilization efficiency.
US09052421B2
A backlight unit for a display device includes a light source module which emits light, a light guiding plate which guides the light incident from the light source module toward a front surface thereof, and a light beam spread angle regulating sheet disposed between the light source module and a lateral surface of the light guiding plate, where the light beam spread angle regulating sheet regulates a light beam spread angle of the light incident from the light source module.
US09052412B2
Measurement data acquired by at least one sensor in a cable structure towed through a body of water is received. A torsional vibration noise component in the measurement data is estimated. The torsional vibration noise component is used to estimate a rotation angle of the at least one survey sensor with respect to a reference coordinate system of the cable structure.
US09052411B2
A group of techniques can be used to determine if components of a seismic spread have deviated from a planned path during a coil or other curved and substantially circular acquisition pattern. In one aspect, and in general, the presently disclosed techniques include a computer-readable program storage medium for determining the deviation of spread array element from a planned curved path during a towed-array marine seismic survey. The method comprises: determining a nominal position of the spread array element at a given point in the planned curved path; determining the actual position of the spread array element; and performing an error analysis predicated on the nominal and actual positions.
US09052410B2
The invention relates to methods and equipment for acquiring and processing marine seismic data are disclosed that correct source movement during inversion. By correcting source movement during inversion, multiple data sets may be acquired independently during overlapping time periods thus reducing the number of sweeps required, generating greater amounts of data, and simplifying data processing.
US09052409B2
Methods and related systems are described for extracting information about a system of nuclear spins including: performing a plurality of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements on the system of nuclear spins; acquiring NMR data from each of the plurality of NMR measurements; performing data inversion using an random-sampler to generate an ensemble of spectra so as to extract information about the system of nuclear spins; and analyzing the performed random-sampler inversion results to extract information about the system of nuclear spins.
US09052408B2
A method, system and a computer readable medium to compute geometric reflectivity enhancement (GRE) distributions based on seismic data are disclosed. The GRE distributions may be derived from absolute values of a seismic trace amplitude and a quadrature signal obtained by computing the Hilbert transform of the seismic trace amplitude. The derived GRE distributions preserve zero crossings and peaks of the seismic amplitude data.
US09052401B2
A radiation imaging system comprises a radiation source and a radiation image detection device. The radiation image detection device has a solid state detector and a wavelength converting layer arranged in this order from a radiation-incident side. The wavelength converting layer detects radiation passed through the solid state detector and converts the radiation into visible light. The solid state detector detects the visible light and produces image data. The wavelength converting layer is a phosphor layer, being a single layer, in which at least first phosphor particles having a first average particle diameter and second phosphor particles having a second average particle diameter are dispersed in a binder. The second average particle diameter is smaller than the first average particle diameter. The weight of the first phosphor particles per unit thickness of the wavelength converting layer decreases with increasing distance from the solid state detector.
US09052398B2
The invention relates to a liquid mixture used to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons, said mixture containing glycerol and comprising a mixture of glycerol, ethanol and water.
US09052394B2
An object detection system (24) is disclosed having a transducer (40, 40′) for detecting buried objects (26). The transducer is encapsulated within a robust, electromagnetically transparent construction (42).
US09052392B2
A velocity measurement apparatus comprising: first and second surface profile sensors for acquiring first and second surface profile data, a memory for storing the first and second surface profile data, and a calculation unit for calculating a velocity of a moving object. Each surface profile sensors acquires the corresponding surface profile data by measuring signal levels of reflected waves corresponding to a radio wave emitted to a ground surface and then reflected from structures on the ground surface, and measuring propagation durations from the emission of the radio wave to the return of the respective reflected waves. The calculation unit compares the first and second surface profile data, determines a difference between their measurement times, and divides a distance between the first and second surface profile sensors by the difference between the measurement times to calculate the velocity of the moving object.
US09052389B2
AltBOC-modulated satellite navigation signals transmitted in the two partial bands E5a and E5b of the so-called E5 frequency band are received using a common antenna (19) and thereafter are processed separately in an analog manner in the HF front-end in two physically different incoming signal paths for the two partial bands and then digitized and coherently summed to form a complete digital E5 band signal, which is fed to a digital signal processor, in which code acquisition and code tracking are performed using PRN reference code sequences produced in the receiver and tracking of the carrier phase is performed and raw data for the final navigation calculation are determined therefrom. From the PRN reference code sequences produced in the receiver, a PRN code calibration signal is produced, which is up-converted to the carrier frequency and then coupled into the HF front-end as a pseudo satellite navigation signal by means of a directional coupler (20) directly after the antenna, which pseudo satellite navigation signal is also tracked in the digital signal processor as an addition signal, which makes it possible to calibrate the HF front-end for the two partial bands during the normal satellite navigation signal reception.For application with Galileo satellite navigation receivers.
US09052388B2
The present invention relates to processing information generated by GNSS receivers received signals such as GPS, GLONASS, etc. GNSS receivers can determine their position in space. The receivers are capable of determining both coordinates and velocity of their spatial movement. When a receiver is used in any machine control systems, velocity vector heading (in other words, velocity vector orientation) should be determined along with velocity vector's absolute value. Angle, determining velocity vector orientation, is calculated based on velocity vector projections which are computed in navigation receivers. The accuracy of velocity vector orientation calculated based on velocity vector projections strongly enough depends on velocity vector's absolute value. To enhance the accuracy, a method of smoothing primary estimates of velocity vector orientation angles using a modified Kalman filter has been proposed. The bandwidth of this filter is varied depending on current estimates of velocity vector's absolute value which were calculated based on the same velocity vector projections.
US09052387B2
A tamper-resistant transponder system for craft is provided that inhibits attempted disablement and promotes very fast search and rescue operations for airplane and ship disasters. A key point in this invention is to have several simple transponders located on different places in the plane or a ship which can't be disabled by any means by any one or a number of people. The information which is transmitted periodically to a monitoring station through the satellite link are the GPS coordinates, date, time, altitude, speed and heading. In additions, the information may include the count of active transponders in the craft to be used to check against the number of monitored transponders. This information is the necessary and sufficient data to initiate a fast search and rescue operation anywhere in the world.
US09052385B2
A sun tracking device comprises a light sensing module, a processing module, a control module, and a driving module. The light sensing module includes eight light sensors, a pole fixing portion, and a pole. The eight light sensors each have a light sensing surface. The pole fixing portion has a fixing surface. The eight light sensing surfaces and the fixing surface cooperatively form a 3×3 grid, and the fixing surface is in the middle of the grid. The pole extends from the fixing surface. The processing module is configured for determining the direction of the sun, and calculating a rotating direction and angle of the light sensing module. The control module is configured for sending out a rotating instruction. The driving module is configured for driving the light sensing module to rotate so that the sunlight perpendicularly shines onto the light sensing surface.
US09052380B2
Method and system for determining positions of underwater sensors. The method includes sending a Doppler variant signal from a moving source; recording the signal with the at least one seismic sensor; evaluating a frequency drift of the recorded signal; and determining a position of the at least one seismic sensor based on the evaluated frequency drift and a source movement relative to the at least one sensor.
US09052377B2
A satellite-based SAR system having a space segment with a plurality of satellites and a ground segment with one or a plurality of ground stations is provided. A satellite receives a position report from an emergency transmitter in its service area and forwards it to a ground station. The ground segment stores the position of the emergency transmitter, received with the last position report, in a management system for emergency transmitters. The emergency transmitter sends position reports to the satellite such that the reception of position reports at the satellite is coordinated such that at any time only position reports arrive which differ with regard to their signal parameters such that simultaneous reception is possible. A rescue operation is initiated for the emergency transmitter if no deactivation message has been received from the emergency transmitter and no position report is received from the emergency transmitter within a specified period.
US09052367B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a control unit and a coil unit. The control unit generates a first clock signal, generates a data signal to indicate an operating condition, modulates the first clock signal by the data signal to obtain a modulated signal, generates a clock transmission signal including the modulated signal, and emits the clock transmission signal. The coil unit converts the clock transmission signal into an electric signal, detects the modulated signal from the clock transmission signal, generates a second clock signal synchronous with the first clock signal from the modulated signal, detects an MR signal generated in a subject, digitizes, synchronously with the second clock signal, the MR signal, detects the data signal from the detected modulated signal by using of the second clock signal, controls the operating condition of the coil unit to be the operating condition indicated by the data signal.
US09052357B2
A method for debugging comprising configuring a switching logic mapping source subchannels to destination subchannels, as virtual channels to forward the packets from the source subchannels to the destination subchannels. The method further comprising configuring a single queue coupled to the switching logic to record packets from the source subchannels into a packet stream for a delay period to distribute to the destination subchannels for the destination logic to emulate the source logic synchronously with the plurality of clock domains with the delay period.
US09052349B2
A magnetic field sensor and a method associated with the magnetic field sensor provide gain correction coefficients and/or offset correction coefficients stored in the magnetic field sensor in digital form. The gain correction coefficients and/or offset correction coefficients can be used to generate analog control signals to control a sensitivity and/or an offset of an analog signal path through the magnetic field sensor.
US09052347B2
A method of testing an electrical junction between a first metallic element and a second metallic element in an aircraft current return network, said network comprising a plurality of metallic elements, each of which is connected to at least two other elements, said aircraft comprising at least one element made of a composite material connected to said network. The method is remarkable in that its use does not damage the composite structure of the aircraft.
US09052342B2
An electrically conductive probe can comprise a post to which a beam structure is attached. The beam structure can comprise a cantilevered portion that extends away from the post to a free end to which a contact structure can be attached. The cantilevered portion of the beam can include both a solid section and a hollow section. Multiple such probes can be used in a test contactor to make electrical connections with an electronic device such as a semiconductor die or dies to be tested.
US09052329B2
In some aspects of the present application, a computer-implemented method for determining the speed of a motor vehicle in a vehicle speed detection system is disclosed. The method can include receiving a plurality of images of a motor vehicle traveling on a road, each of the images being separated in time by a known interval; determining, for each of at least two of the images, a point of contact where a same tire of the vehicle contacts a surface of the road based, in part, on one or more identified features of the vehicle in one or more of the plurality of images; and using the points of contact and the time interval separations to calculate a speed at which the vehicle is traveling on the road.
US09052328B2
The present invention inter alia provides a method, and use thereof, of predicting severe CVD complications such as AMI or CVD death by detecting the lipid concentrations or lipid ratios of a biological sample and comparing it to a control and has identified specific lipid markers that are more specific and sensitive in predicting these CVD complications than currently utilized clinical markers. Also provided are antibodies towards said lipids, and the use thereof for predicting, diagnosing, preventing and/or treating CVD complications. The invention additionally relates to kits comprising lipids and/or an antibody thereto, for use in the prediction and/or diagnosis of CVD complications.
US09052325B2
Systems and methods are provided for assessing the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus or neonate, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, or transfusion-associated lung injury in a patient or transfusion recipient.
US09052323B2
An osmolyte composition comprising 4 M glycerol and 4M urea for stabilizing previously transient protein folding intermediates as long-lived stable forms. A method to search for other possible stabilizing osmolyte mixtures using a screening array is also provided. These additional osmolyte mixtures may complement or augment the successful 4M glycerol/4 M urea mixture.
US09052321B2
Provided herein is a mammalian cell transformed to contain a plasmid encoding a T7 or SP6 promoter operably linked to one or more HCV genes, a subgenomic replicon from a flavivirus and a cytoplasmic T7 and SP6 RNA amplification system. Also provided herein are isolated replication-competent HCV particles produced by the method comprising the steps of providing a transformed mammalian cell according to the first embodiment, culturing the cell, and recovering the replication-competent HCV particles from the cell culture. Provided herein are isolated HCV structural proteins produced by the method comprising the steps of providing a transformed mammalian cell according to the first embodiment, culturing the cell, and recovering the HCV structural proteins from the cell culture. Further provided herein is a system for assaying HCV entry into a cell comprising a first plasmid encoding a T7 or SP6 promoter operably linked to an HCV polynucleotide comprising at least the 5′-UTR to NS2 operably linked to an EMCV IRES in frame with an SP6 or T7 polymerase gene, respectively, a first host cell line expressing a replicon from a flavivirus and comprising a cytoplasmic T7 and SP6 RNA amplification system, a second plasmid encoding a reporter gene operably linked to both T7 and SP6 promoters in tandem, and a second host cell line comprising a cytoplasmic T7 polymerase or SP6 polymerase RNA amplification system.
US09052320B2
An object of the present invention is to enable to accurately quantify HBs antigen in the samples for which measured values are low or false-negative results by the conventional assaying method of HBs antigen. In the method of assaying HBs antigen according to the present invention, at least one inner capture probe that binds to a first inner region peptide consisting of 26th to 80th amino acid residues of HBs antigen and at least one outer capture probe that binds to a second outer region peptide consisting of 98th to 156th amino acid residues of HBs antigen are used as capture probes; and at least one inner detection probe which binds to the first inner region and at least one outer detection probe which binds to the second outer region are used as detection probes.
US09052319B2
A method of analyzing a plurality of biopsy cores extracted from a plurality of respective biopsy locations in a prostate is disclosed. The method comprises: measuring a level of a chemical element in each of the biopsy cores, and generating a chemical element map of at least a portion of the prostate based on the levels and the respective biopsy locations. In some embodiments, the method determines at least one additional biopsy location for a future biopsy in the prostate.
US09052314B2
In some aspects, provided are methods relating to the use of bacterial N-methyl-2 superfamily proteins as a biomarker for the presence of bacteria in a sample. The invention also relates to novel methods of diagnosis of the presence of bacteria in a liquid or solid sample, detection of bacterial infections in humans or animals, and use of antibodies or other specific binding molecules capable of binding to N-methyl-2 superfamily proteins.
US09052312B2
The invention refers to a method for diagnosing an individual who is to be subjected to or is being subjected to an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα or TNF) treatment to assess the responsiveness to an anti-TNF treatment which comprises the detection of immunoglobulin(s) against one or more biomarker proteins in a bodily fluid or an excrement of said patient, and sorting the individual into one of two categories based on detection of said immunoglobulin(s), wherein individuals are classified as NON-responder or responder. The invention refers to diagnostic kits comprising said one or more biomarker proteins and the use of these kits for assessing the responsiveness to an anti-TNF treatment of an individual who is to be subjected to or is being subjected to an anti-TNFα treatment.
US09052307B2
A method for fabricating a plurality of biosensors includes the steps of: providing a base with a surface; forming a carbon nanotube array including a plurality of carbon nanotubes substantially parallels to each other on the surface; forming a plurality of lead pairs on the surface, the plurality of lead pairs divides the plurality of carbon nanotubes into a plurality of first carbon nanotubes and a plurality of second carbon nanotubes; eliminating the plurality of second carbon nanotubes; cutting the plurality of first carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of third carbon nanotubes and a plurality of fourth carbon nanotubes; and fabricating a plurality of receptors to electrically connect the plurality of third carbon nanotubes to the plurality of fourth carbon nanotubes.
US09052304B2
Apparatus and methods related to centrifugal liquid chromatography are described. An angular velocity can be simultaneously imparted to a large number of chromatographic enclosures. Via centrifugal forces, a mobile phase fluid including a sample can be driven through a stationary phase within the chromatographic enclosure to perform a chromatographic separation process on components of the sample. The use of centrifugation as a driving force can allow significantly smaller stationary phase particles to be employed as compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, for an equivalent chromatographic separation process, the use of centrifugation can provide much greater separation efficiencies than HPLC.
US09052299B2
A liquid transfer system is disclosed including a transport path that transports a plurality of vials through the liquid transfer system. Each of the plurality of vials has a cap that forms a seal with an open-ended vial body. The liquid transfer system is comprised of a vial capper/decapper assembly that is positioned adjacent to the transport path and includes a plurality of rotatable spindles. Each spindle has a rotatable shaft and a first projection supported by the shaft. The first projection also includes a cam surface that engages a cap of a vial so as to breach the seal and open the vial. The plurality of spindles is rotated simultaneously to simultaneously breach the seals and open the caps of the plurality of vials.
US09052295B2
Provided are a panel inspection method and apparatus, the panel inspection method including: (a) determining if a variance value of luminance of a captured image of a panel is greater than a reference value, and searching for an original image and at least one secondary reflective image of a defect of the panel if it is determined that the variance value is greater than the reference value; and (b) determining whether the defect is an actual defect or an impurity disposed on the panel based on at least one of a difference in a luminance characteristic between the original image and the secondary reflective image and a number of the searched secondary reflective image.
US09052289B2
Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for spectroscopic detection of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid, for example a formation fluid downhole. A reagent mixture is combined with the fluid. The reagent mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and a capping agent that limits growth of the insoluble metal sulfide species by electrosteric or steric stabilization. The particle growth is one of chemical reaction or significant aggregation, and the capping agent further functionalizes the reagent mixture to exhibit properties outside the natural characteristics of the metal sulfide species to allow for spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide species. The combined mixture and fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
US09052282B2
A water analysis measurement arrangement for determining a concentration of ions and/or ionic compounds in an aqueous medium includes a closed buffer solution housing comprising a pH buffer solution. The closed buffer solution housing is configured to communicate with the aqueous medium via an electrolyte bridge. A reference electrode is arranged in the closed buffer solution housing. An amplifier ground is disposed on a ground electrode and is configured to directly contact the aqueous medium. A high-impedance amplifier comprises a first capacitive element arranged between the reference electrode and the amplifier ground. An AC voltage generator is arranged between the amplifier ground and the ground electrode. A measurement electrode is configured to directly contact the aqueous medium. A redundant unit comprises a separate low-impedance redundant electrode arranged in the closed buffer solution housing and a high-impedance redundant electrode amplifier comprising a second capacitive element to the amplifier ground.
US09052279B2
When a detection signal obtained from the cell of a gas sensor (S15) has reached a start determination value (specifically, when the output voltage of the cell is higher than 600 mV (S16: YES) or lower than 300 mV (S17: YES)), a pulse voltage is applied to the cell (S18), and a start-time internal resistance is obtained on the basis of the detection signal having changed as a result of application of the pulse voltage (S20). The start-time internal resistance is compared with a deterioration determination value set in advance (S21). A target resistance of the cell used in temperature control (energization control) for the heater is corrected in accordance with the result of the comparison (S28). Thus, the temperature of the cell can be stably maintained constant irrespective of deterioration of the cell.
US09052277B2
Provided is an image capturing apparatus comprising a light emitting section that emits light to a subject; a light receiving section that receives light in a first wavelength region and light in a second wavelength region from the subject, the second wavelength region being different from the first wavelength region; a reflectance calculating section that calculates a first reflectance of light in the first wavelength region from the subject and a second reflectance of light in the second wavelength region from the subject, based on the light emitted by the light emitting section and the light received by the light receiving section; and a depth identifying section that calculates a depth, from a surface of the subject, of an object inside the subject that is included in an image resulting from the light received by the light receiving section, based on the first reflectance and the second reflectance.
US09052269B1
Methods for characterizing relative film density using spectroscopic analysis at the device level are provided. One such method includes obtaining a composition of materials at preselected areas of a workpiece using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, obtaining an electron energy loss spectrum-imaging data at each of the preselected areas using electron energy loss spectroscopy, removing, for each of the preselected areas, a preselected noise component of the electron energy spectrum-imaging data to form a plasmon energy spectrum-imaging data, generating, for each of the preselected areas, a plasmon energy map based on the respective plasmon energy spectrum-imaging data, determining, for each of the preselected areas, an average plasmon energy value from the respective plasmon energy map, and calculating a relative mass density of the preselected areas based on the average plasmon energy value, a number of valence electrons per molecule, and a molecular weight for each of the preselected areas.
US09052268B2
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a region of interest setter which sets a region of interest on a B-mode image, a controller which performs transmission and reception of ultrasonic beams with forming transmission focuses at a plurality of points set on sound rays at a shallower position and a deeper position than the region of interest to acquire reception data for sound speed measurement, and a sound speed calculator which calculates an average local sound speed value in the region of interest on the basis of reception data for sound speed measurement.
US09052267B2
Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10) including at least one light sensor (12); an interconnect structure (20) over the substrate; at least one passivation layer (30) over the interconnect structure, said passivation layer including a first area over the at least one light sensor; and a gas sensor such as a moisture sensor (50) at least partially on a further area of the at least one passivation layer, wherein the gas sensor comprises a gas sensitive layer (46′) in between a first electrode (42) and a second electrode (44), the gas sensitive layer further comprising a portion (46″) over the first area. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.
US09052262B2
The flow of particles (18) in an aperture (10) between two reservoirs (14) and (15) is controlled by suspending the particles (18) in a fluid (17) within the aperture (10), applying a potential difference across the aperture (10) so as to tend to electrophoretically transport the particles (18) between a region of higher potential field and a region of lower potential in the fluid (17), applying a pressure differential across the aperture (10) so as to tend to transfer the fluid (17) with the particles (18) therein though the aperture (10) from a high-pressure reservoir (14) to a low-pressure reservoir (15), and adjusting the potential difference and/or the pressure differential across the aperture (10) in order to achieve precise control over the translation of the particles (18) within the aperture (10). This permits precise control of velocity and displacement, and the measured delivery of particles in solution through an aperture from one reservoir to another by means of careful command over electrical potential and pressure differential over the aperture.
US09052256B2
A method for treating a tissue sample including placing at least one tissue sample on an cassette which has: a retaining member, a base and at least one biasing element; placing the at least one tissue sample in the tissue cassette; attaching the base and the retaining member to retain the tissue sample; processing the tissue sample in the tissue cassette with one or more solvents; and embedding the tissue sample in a paraffin to form an portion of paraffin in which the tissue sample is embedded in the tissue cassette, wherein the embedding comprises adding molten paraffin to the interior area of the tissue cassette and allowing the paraffin to become solid.
US09052246B2
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a preloaded force sensor, the preloaded force being greater than a force threshold separating a non-linear response region of sensor operation from a substantially linear response region of sensor operation. In an illustrative embodiment, the total applied force includes the preloaded force and an externally-applied force, the preloaded force being predetermined such that electrical signal response is substantially linear for positive externally-applied forces which when added to the preload force do not exceed the maximum force. In some embodiments, the externally-applied force may be transferred to a force-sensing die via a force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring having a predetermined spring coefficient may apply the predetermined preload force to the force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, externally-applied positive forces may be simply calibrated using gain and offset corrections.
US09052238B2
An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.
US09052236B2
The present invention comprises an approach for calibrating the sensitivity to polarization, optics degradation, spectral and stray light response functions of instruments on orbit. The concept is based on using an accurate ground-based laser system, Ground-to-Space Laser Calibration (GSLC), transmitting laser light to instrument on orbit during nighttime substantially clear-sky conditions. To minimize atmospheric contribution to the calibration uncertainty the calibration cycles should be performed in short time intervals, and all required measurements are designed to be relative. The calibration cycles involve ground operations with laser beam polarization and wavelength changes.
US09052235B2
An infrared (IR) sensor package includes a heat sink defining a first interior space and a radiation trap adjacent the first interior space. An IR sensor having a radiation-sensitive region which detects IR radiation is arranged within the first interior space of the heat sink. A first optical element and a second optical element are arranged at respective ends of the radiation trap. The radiation trap is configured to allow for the passage of a first portion of IR radiation incident the second optical element, through the first optical element, and into communication with the IR sensor element, and to absorb a second portion of IR radiation incident the second optical element.
US09052234B2
A novel and useful THz radiation detector comprising a suspended dipole antenna and a plurality of reflectors for achieving low thermal mass and high electrical performance. The reflectors used in the antenna do not physical contact the dipole element and are used to shape the radiation pattern in similar fashion as obtained by well-known Yagi-Uda reflectors. The dipole element is connected directly to a load resister for generating heat which is sensed by a sensing transistor. The lack of a mechanical connection to the dipole antenna element prevents any increase in the thermal capacitance of the antenna.
US09052221B2
A method and flow measuring device for ascertaining flow of a medium through a measuring tube based on at least a first measurement signal, which depends at least on the flow velocity of the medium in the measuring tube, wherein the first measurement signal is registered, wherein an additional, second measurement signal is registered, which depends on the flow cross sectional area of the medium in the measuring tube and is independent of the flow velocity of the medium in the measuring tube, and wherein flow is ascertained as a function of the first and second measurement signals.
US09052220B2
A maintaining member includes alignment portions that determine a maintaining position of a module, in which each of the alignment portions has a mounting face to fix the module. When the maintaining member is partitioned into a first region to a fourth region by a first axis and a second axis that are orthogonal to each other in plan view with respect to the center of the maintaining member, the alignment portions are provided at the regions one by one.
US09052219B2
An inductive position sensor determines a position of an object. The sensor incudes a circuit board, a wire source coil constructed and arranged to provide a certain operating frequency, a first wire sensing coil, and a second wire sensing coil. The source coil, and first and second sensing coils are embedded in the circuit board, and each of the first and second sensing coils are constructed and arranged to provide an output as the object passes by source coil and the first and second sensing coils. Eddy current generating material is associated with any of the coils so as to provide an eddy current that interferes with wire to wire communication between the sensing coils and the source coil, so as to alter the output of the sensing coils to improve accuracy of the sensor to shape the output.
US09052211B2
A non-scaled, linearly compressed pictographic mapping system is provided for the visual display of information in a navigational aid. Unlike today's road maps which use a point-arc-polygon paradigm, the new mapping uses a non-scaled, linearly-compressed pictographic design that shows roads as linear pictograms. The display has a columnar layout, whereby the descriptive elements are grouped together by type, and displayed one above the other in columns. The maps may also contain icons representing points of interest arranged in a cloud fashion. In this manner, the mapping paradigm also serves to increase traveler safety, provide navigation assistance during address-less trips, create valuable advertising space and new promotional opportunities, and dramatically increases the travelers' communications and entertainment options.
US09052209B2
A system of computers, wireless networks, and vehicle-based location sensors allows real time display of equipment location, utilization, and expected arrival times for mobile vehicles. Display of location by load status and expected arrival time allows monitoring of not just vehicle location but the impact on queue times at loading and unloading endpoints allowing for equipment reallocation. Overhead map views of actual location including hazard locations and queries for vehicle and operator status are also supported.
US09052204B2
There is provided a behavior pattern extraction system which can extract user's behavior pattern with high accuracy. The behavior pattern extraction system includes: a location information acquiring section measuring location points which each indicate a location of a user; a staying point extraction section setting staying points and staying records based on an range in which location points which are each measured in a first period are concentrated, wherein the staying points each indicate a location where the user has stayed temporarily; a representative staying point extraction section setting a representative staying point and a representative staying record based on an range in which the staying points which are set in a second period which is longer than the first period are concentrated, wherein the representative staying point indicates a location where the user has repeatedly visited, and the representative staying record indicates an error range of the location of the representative staying point; and a behavior pattern record section recording the representative staying point and the representative staying record in a storage area as behavior pattern information of the user.
US09052198B2
Interactive dialog device between an operator of an aircraft and a guidance system of the aircraft. The dialog device includes an interaction on a screen which represents, on the one hand, a playback element indicating the value of a guidance setpoint of the guidance system of the aircraft, and on the other hand, a control element which can be grasped and moved along a curve by an operator to modify the value of the guidance setpoint.
US09052194B2
An angular velocity sensor including a drive extension mode. In one aspect, an angular rate sensor includes a base and at least three masses disposed substantially in a plane parallel to the base, the masses having a center of mass. At least one actuator drives the masses in an extension mode, such that in the extension mode the masses move in the plane simultaneously away or simultaneously towards the center of mass. At least one transducer senses at least one Coriolis force resulting from motion of the masses and angular velocity about at least one input axis of the sensor. Additional embodiments can include a linkage that constrains the masses to move in the extension mode.
US09052190B2
A method of providing high accuracy inspection or metrology in a bright-field differential interference contrast (BF-DIC) system is described. This method can include creating first and second beams from a first light beam. The first and second beams have round cross-sections, and form first partially overlapping scanning spots radially displaced on a substrate. Third and fourth beams are created from the first light beam or a second light beam. The third and fourth beams have elliptical cross-sections, and form second partially overlapping scanning spots tangentially displaced on the substrate. At least one portion of the substrate can be scanned using the first and second partially overlapping scanning spots as the substrate is rotated. Radial and tangential slopes can be determined using measurements obtained from the scanning using the first and second partially overlapping scanning spots. These slopes can be used to determine wafer shape or any localized topography feature.
US09052187B2
An apparatus relating to the manufacture of stacked semiconductor devices includes, for example, a first holding section configured to hold a first semiconductor device and a second holding section configured to hold a second semiconductor device. Additionally, a measuring section including an imaging device for acquiring images of the first and second semiconductor devices and a control section configured to control the holding sections to correct misalignment between the semiconductor devices. The control section is further configured to determine misalignment using the images of the first and second semiconductor devices when the images include a first alignment mark disposed proximate to an edge of the first semiconductor device and a second alignment mark disposed proximate to an edge of the second semiconductor device.
US09052185B2
A rotation detecting device includes rotation detecting device includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member disposed around an axial line. The rotation detecting device further includes a pair of magnetic field generating portions for generating a magnetic field in a region between the first supporting member and the second supporting member. The rotation detecting device further includes at least one magnetic field detecting portion attached to the second supporting member for detecting the magnetic field. The rotation detecting device further includes a first magnetic member for covering one end portion of the magnetic field detecting portion and a second magnetic member for covering the other end portion of the magnetic field detecting portion.
US09052177B2
Metrology apparatus is described that includes a first structure rotatably connected to a second structure by a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement includes at least a first friction bearing including parts in sliding contact during rotation of the first structure relative to the second structure. The apparatus includes at least one magnet that relieves the load on the first friction bearing. Multiple magnets, provided in an attracting or repelling arrangement, may be used. The metrology apparatus may include an articulating probe head for a coordinate positioning apparatus.
US09052169B2
Provided is a target launching machine having a circular section portion. The machine includes a launching arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and a bearing surface that accommodates a circular section portion of the target and includes an offset portion that is configured so that a spacing between a trajectory of the launching arm and the offset portion increases in a direction of rotation of the launching arm. The offset portion includes a portion having a circular profile about a portion axis that is offset relative to the axis of rotation and parallel to the axis of rotation. The offset between the portion axis and the axis of rotation has a non-zero component in a primary direction defined in a vertical plane, with the non-zero component positioned relative to the axis of rotation opposite the portion.
US09052162B1
An amusement-type shooting gallery operates using a laser incorporated into a gun, that can be used to strike distant targets within the gallery. A gun emitting a short pulse laser is aimed at a target, which includes sensors for registering a hit. The sensor on the target can be a photovoltaic sensor that sends an electrical signal when impinged by the pulse laser, and the signal can be received by a local processor. The processor can be connected to the gun by a larger network, so that the coupling between the actuation of the trigger and the striking of the target can be coupled. A network with a display is coupled to the target and gun, enabling display of the results of the shooting operation.
US09052160B1
A front sight assembly that can be mounted to a barrel and a gas block is disclosed. The front sight assembly has a barrel mount that allows the front sight assembly to pivot about the barrel. The front sight assembly also has a gas block mount that allows the user to pivot and set the front sight left or right to allow for windage. The front sight assembly may also have a front sight disposed over the gas block mount.
US09052158B2
A gun sight is disclosed herein for use with a weapon configured for superelevation. The gun sight includes, but is not limited to, an imaging system configured to capture an image of an area down range of the imaging system, to display the image on a display unit having a display, and further configured to rotate in elevation. The gun sight further includes, but is not limited to, a drive mechanism configured to rotate the imaging system. The gun sight still further includes, but is not limited to, a processor communicatively coupled with the drive mechanism and with the imaging system, the processor configured to receive information from the imaging system relating to the image and to control the drive mechanism based on the information to rotate the imaging system in a manner that causes the image to remain on the display when the weapon is superelevated.
US09052147B2
A loop heat pipe structure includes an evaporator and a first pipe. The evaporator has a first chamber, a first wick layer, and a bottom. The first wick layer is provided in the first chamber. The first pipe includes a first inlet and a first outlet communicably connected to the evaporator. The first inlet internally defines a second chamber communicable with the first wick layer. By providing the second chamber outside the evaporator, the evaporator can have a reduced overall height without creating very high vapor pressure in the evaporator, enabling the loop heat pipe structure to have upgraded heat dissipation efficiency.
US09052142B2
A dryer includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably provided in the cabinet, a duct that defines a flow passage for air exiting the drum, and a filter assembly located at a position relative to the flow passage and contacting air that has exited the drum. The filter assembly includes a case defining the filter assembly, a filter portion configured to filter foreign substance from the air contacting the filter assembly, a brush frame configured for rotational movement relative to the case about a rotational axis, and a brush that is supported by the brush frame and configured to separate the foreign substance from the filter portion. A first distance from a first side of the case to the rotational axis of the brush frame is longer than a second distance from a second side of the case to the rotational axis of the brush frame.
US09052129B2
A charging device (1) of a cooling system comprising a coolant fluid; said charging device (1) comprises a supply system (2) suitable to place a reservoir (10) of coolant fluid in fluidic connection with the cooling system; said charging device (1) comprises measurement means (3) of the coolant fluid, comprising a pressure sensor (3a) suitable to measure the pressure of the coolant fluid in the cooling system and a thermometer (3b) suitable to measure the temperature of the coolant fluid in the cooling system; a connection means (4) suitable to functionally and simultaneously connect the supply system (2) and the measurement means (3) to the cooling system; and a control unit (5) suitable to measure at least the quantity of coolant fluid present in the cooling system as a function of said temperature and said pressure.
US09052125B1
A heat pump includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant is divided into a first portion and a second portion. Simultaneously, the first portion of the refrigerant is used in a first vapor-compression circuit to heat or cool a space and the second portion of the refrigerant is used in a second vapor-compression circuit to heat a fluid. In a single external source heat exchanger, both the first portion of the refrigerant in the first vapor-compression circuit and the second portion of the refrigerant in the second vapor compression circuit exchanges heat with an external source fluid.
US09052123B2
An apparatus for supporting a solar module is disclosed including: a first support member; a first wind deflector configured to be attached to the first support member; and a first attachment mechanism configured to attach the first support member to the first wind deflector and allow local motion of the first wind deflector relative to the first support member in response to thermal expansion or contraction of the first wind deflector.
US09052122B2
A thermal energy storage apparatus adapted to receive heat source input for the development and substantially continuous supply of thermal energy to a Stirling engine for the transfer of said thermal energy to electrical and/or mechanical energy, even during periods when heat source input is intermittent or unavailable for a period of time. The apparatus includes a series of elongate canisters containing silicon metalloid and made of refractory material. The canisters are interlaced with a thermal energy absorbing material in communication with a wicking material to which the Stirling engine is in communication.
US09052120B2
An A/C system can be provided. The A/C system can include an A/C unit and an equipment stand supporting the A/C unit. The equipment stand can include a plurality of legs. Each leg can include a hollow tube defining an interior hollow space bounded by an interior surface of the hollow tube and a longitudinal internal support means for strengthening the hollow tube integrally formed in the interior surface of the hollow tube. Further, an equipment elevation system can be provided that includes at least one piece of equipment and an equipment stand supporting the at least one piece of equipment.
US09052116B2
A toroidal combustion chamber and a plurality of plates are disposed with respect to one another such that their labyrinthine walls are juxtaposed and form labyrinthine conduits leading from an exhaust outlet of the toroidal combustion chamber to an exit perpendicular to the exhaust outlet.
US09052112B2
A combustor includes an end cap. The end cap includes a first surface and a second surface downstream from the first surface, a shroud that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the first and second surfaces, a plate that extends radially within the shroud, a plurality of tubes that extend through the plate and the first and second surfaces, and a first purge port that extends through one or more of the plurality of tubes, wherein the purge port is axially aligned with the plate.
US09052104B2
A lighting device includes a light source that includes at least one LED element and a module including a substrate on which the light source is mounted, and a holder in which at least a part of the module is arranged and held. The holder includes a cylindrical portion that includes a stepped portion and a flange of a heat conductor extending from an outer peripheral edge of the stepped portion on which the substrate is arranged, and the holder includes an insulation layer that covers at least outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.
US09052095B2
A light guide fixture system (10) includes a light guide (20) and a fixturing cassette (18). The guide (20) includes and a mounting surface (26) having a mounting feature (30) and a locating feature (28) for engaging a locating feature (72) of a light module (64) and align the guide (20) with respect to a light engine (12). The cassette (18) includes a light guide-receiving region (42) for receiving the mounting surface (26), a mounting feature (52), and a mounting region (44) for mounting the system (10) to the light module (64). The mounting features (30, 52) allow translational motion of the cassette (18) relative to the guide (20) when the guide (20) is received in the light guide-receiving region (42) while allowing the guide (20) to remain in the predetermined position. The cassette (18) secures the guide (20) to the light module (64).
US09052088B2
An LED optical assembly includes a linear array of LEDs, longitudinal reflecting surfaces along each side of the array and medial reflecting surfaces between the LEDs. The longitudinal reflecting surfaces include surfaces of rotation centered on the optical axis of each LED interspersed with linear reflecting portions defined by curves projected along a linear focal axis of the assembly.
US09052085B2
An LED video display includes an array of LED elements mounted on an LED panel. A light baffle has openings to accept the LED elements, and reflectors are formed about each LED opening. A shader or rib is provided above each LED reflector in the light baffle. A second rib is provided below each LED reflector to form a rib pair between adjacent LED reflectors. Mounting openings in the light baffle are in place of the rib pair that would otherwise be present in the arrangement of ribs. A mounting clip having a rib pair is fastened to the LED panel. The rib pairs of the mounting clips are inserted through the mounting openings in the light baffle to secure the light baffle and LED panel to one another. The rib pairs of the clips align with the rib pairs of the light baffle.
US09052079B2
A simulated flame effect fire comprising a liquid reservoir for containing liquid; at least one wick having a portion thereof configured for contact with the liquid; a heating element arranged relative to another portion of the at least one wick for evaporating liquid in the wick, thereby generating vapor; a light source arranged relative to the at least one wick for illuminating the vapor from the wick to generate simulated flame effects; and a fuel bed located such that the generated simulated flame effects appear to originate from the fuel bed.
US09052076B2
A lamp (100) comprises: at least one light-generating element (2); a partially transparent shade (5) arranged to surround the light-generating element (2) over an angle of at least 180° but preferably 360°; at least one LCD screen (10) arranged between the light generating element and the shade; a controller (20) for controlling the LCD screen such as to display an image. In horizontal cross-section, the LCD screen extends in two dimensions, with a concave side towards the light generating element.The LCD screen preferably is flexible, and may be bent to a cylindrical shape around the light-generating element.
US09052068B2
A dual-use light fixture having AC and DC LEDs includes a heat-dissipating housing, a printed circuit board located on a first end of the heat-dissipating housing, AC and DC LED chips located on the printed circuit board, and a power supply pedestal coupled to a second end of the heat-dissipating housing. The power supply pedestal includes an AC plug, a DC driving unit, and a thread connector. The AC plug is electrically connected to the printed circuit board for inserting into an AC outlet to provide an AC power. The DC driving unit is located in an accommodating space formed by the power supply pedestal and the heat-dissipating housing and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The thread connector is coupled to another AC power, and the AC power is converted into a DC power by the DC driving unit.
US09052065B2
Embodiments of the disclosure may include a dispenser for dispensing a liquid. The dispenser may include a measurement chamber configured to receive the liquid, a temperature probe positioned within the measurement chamber, and a capacitance probe positioned within the measurement chamber. The capacitance probe may house the temperature probe. The dispenser may also include a first conduit fluidly coupled to the measurement chamber and configured to deliver the liquid out of the dispenser.
US09052055B2
A holding apparatus for fastening camera accessory parts to a camera system can be fastened to support tubes of the camera system. The holding apparatus comprises a bridge part which has two pairs of openings for receiving support tubes, with the openings of the one pair differing from the openings of the other pair at least with respect to their spacing; at least one pair of clamping elements which are provided at the bridge part and are movable at least between a clamping position and a release position, with the clamping elements locking support tubes received in the openings at the bridge part in the clamping position of said clamping elements; and an actuation device which is configured to move the clamping elements together. The clamping elements have different clamping sections which are configured to lock support tubes of different diameter and/or different spacing at the bridge part.
US09052049B2
A disclosed pig trap door device serves as a tool for opening and/or closing a pig trap door of a pipeline. The pig trap door device may be fixed to a hinge portion of the pig trap door at a hinge attachment and may also be movably coupled to the pig trap door with a force actuator at a door attachment. Operation of the force actuator causes the door attachment to rotate the pig trap door with sufficient torque to seal and/or remove the pig trap door.
US09052044B2
An adjustable cushioned angle spout end for directing particulate matter flow from an inlet spout to a discharge spout. The adjustable angle spout end includes a chamber having a first opening in fluid communication with the inlet spout and a second opening in fluid communication with the discharge spout. The inlet spout receiving member is rotated and secured into position relative to the discharge spout receiving member to properly align an inlet spout receiving opening with the inlet spout and a discharge spout receiving opening with the discharge spout. A baffle is positioned within the chamber in the path of the particulate matter flowing through the chamber. As the inlet spout receiving member is rotated relative to the discharge spout receiving member, the baffle remains in alignment with the inlet spout to properly cooperate with the particulate matter flow.
US09052043B2
A wired pipe segment includes a body extending from a box end to a pin end and a coupler located in one of the box end or the pin end, the coupler including a communication element and a coupler connector in electrical communication therewith and extending away from the communication element. The segment also includes a transmission line extending away from the coupler towards the other of the box and pin end, the transmission line including an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating material, the inner conductor of the transmission line having an end with a non-cylindrical shape. The segment also includes a connector that electrically connects the coupler to the transmission line.
US09052036B2
An extension assembly for effectively extending a faucet stem to facilitate the maintenance of a faucet assembly. The extension assembly includes a stem extender which connects to a faucet stem, an extension tube which fits over the stem extender and determines the length by which the faucet stem is extended, and an optional adapter for interfacing between the faucet stem and the stem extender.
US09052033B2
A valve assembly suitable for regulating the flow of fluid between a working chamber of a fluid-working machine and a fluid manifold. The valve assembly comprises a valve body comprising a valve seat, a fluid passage extending through the valve body, and a travelling member comprising a valve member, which valve member is operable between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the valve seat and fluid can flow through the fluid passage and a closed position in which the valve member is in sealing contact with the valve seat preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passage. The valve assembly defining a fluid flow path passing, in a first fluid flow mode, between the valve member and the valve seat, and into the fluid passage. The valve assembly is characterized by defining a fluid flow path including a constricted flow region and further comprising a reduced pressure chamber in communication with both a first surface of the travelling member and the constricted flow region, arranged to exert a force on the travelling member by way of a pressure reduction in the reduced pressure chamber when fluid is flowing along the fluid flow path, through the constricted flow region, which force acts to resist closure of the valve. Thus, a force is generated which opposes forces acting on the valve member due to the flow of fluid past the valve member.
US09052032B2
A valve assembly for regulating the flow of fluid between a working chamber of a fluid-working machine and a fluid manifold. The valve assembly comprising a valve body comprising a valve seat, a fluid passage extending through the valve body, and a travelling member comprising a valve member and operable between an open position in which the valve member is spaced apart from the valve seat and fluid can flow through the fluid passage and a closed position in which the valve member is in sealing contact with the valve seat preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passage. The valve assembly further defines a fluid flow path passing in a first fluid flow mode, between the valve member and the valve seat, and into the fluid passage. The valve assembly is characterized by a barrier upstream of the valve member, to the barrier reduces one or more forces which would otherwise act on the valve member as a result of the flow of fluid to urge the valve member towards the valve seat. Thus, one or more forces which would otherwise act on the valve member to urge the valve member to the closed position due to the flow of fluid past the valve member in the first fluid flow mode are reduced or removed. There is also disclosed a valve assembly in which fluid flowing along the said fluid flow path is incident on the downstream surface of the valve member at an angle of at least 80° to the direction in which the valve member is operable to travel between the open position and the closed position.
US09052023B2
A push fitting for a valve includes a body having a longitudinal axis along which a fluid can flow, the body defining an opening at a first end of the body. A push fitting assembly at the first end of the body includes a housing. The housing includes a first end which is integrally formed within a wall of the opening at the first end of the body and a crimpable second end which extends longitudinally beyond the first end of the body. The housing also includes a crimpable material such that the second end of the housing is crimpable to capture elements of the push fitting assembly at the first end of the body.
US09052022B2
A bellows energized seal assembly includes a seal body, a main seal that is axially slidable within the seal body, and a bellows connected to the seal body and the main seal. The bellows both biases the main seal and provides a seal between the seal body and the main seal.
US09052018B2
An eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal assembly includes an elastomeric seal having an upper metal retainer extending down and within an upper seal portion which has an inwardly directed sealing lip for contacting a valve stem. There are also a flexible middle and a lower seal portions. The lower seal portion is connected to a lower metal seal retainer that is disposed up to a lower edge of the middle seal portion. The flexible middle seal portion allows the upper seal portion to flex from an eccentric valve stem without losing the sealing function of the sealing lip. In cooperation with the above described structure, a separate cover may be in a tight tolerance fit with the lower seal retainer over top of the eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal, in order to limit axial displacement of the upper portion of the seal due to high manifold pressure.
US09052005B2
A control method is provided for an electric motor which drives an apparatus through a gear unit. The method includes generating a gear output and input speed signals, low pass filtering the gear speed signals and subtracting the filtered gear input speed signal from the filtered gear output speed signal to provide a relative speed signal. The method also includes high pass filtering the relative speed signal, multiplying the filtered relative speed signal by damping gain value to generate a backlash compensation torque value, and subtracting the backlash compensation torque value from an apparatus control torque value to generate the desired motor torque value.
US09052004B2
In a wave gear device, similarity-curve tooth profiles BC and AC are adopted as addendum tooth profile shapes for gears, the tooth profiles being derived from a movement trajectory M1 of an external tooth of a flexible externally toothed gear having zero deviation (κ=1), in relation to an internal tooth at a main cross-section. Profile shifting is performed on the external tooth along the tooth trace for a movement trajectory M3 of the external tooth to share a bottom portion with the movement trajectory M1 at the main cross-section from the main cross-section to an inner edge. Profile shifting is performed on the external tooth along the tooth trace for the movement trajectory of the straight-line tooth-profile portion of the external tooth from the main cross-section to the outer edge to be consistent with the movement trajectory of the straight-line tooth-profile portion of the main cross-section.
US09051988B2
Shock absorber and method for operating a shock absorber for a bicycle wherein a relative motion of a first and a second component interconnected via a damper device is dampened. The damper device includes a controllable damping valve having at least one field generating device with which a field-sensitive medium can be influenced by applying a field intensity of the field generating device. A parameter for the current speeds of the first and second components relative to one another is obtained in real time. For damping, a current field intensity to be set is derived in real time by way of the parameter from a characteristic damper curve and by the field generating device the field intensity to be currently set is generated in real time for setting in real time a damping force which results from the predetermined characteristic damper curve at the parameter obtained.
US09051985B2
In a hydraulic shock absorber 10 in which a piston rod 14 is inserted into an oil chamber 27 of a cylinder 13 provided in a damper case 11, and a damping force generating device 40 is provided between a piston side oil chamber 27A and a rod side oil chamber 27B of the cylinder 13, an outer flow path 13C communicating the piston side oil chamber 27A and the rod side oil chamber 27B is provided around the oil chamber 27 of the cylinder 13 in the damper case 11, and an oil reservoir chamber 32 is provided around the oil chamber 27 of the cylinder 13 in the damper case 11 and the outer flow path 13C.
US09051984B2
The invention relates to an energy absorption device for a motor vehicle, said device comprising a structure provided so as to plastically deform under the effect of an impact of a given energy, the structure being made of a matrix of a ductile plastic material and high-tenacity fibers embedded in the matrix, the majority of the fibers having a length of between 0.1 and 10 mm, and the material comprising between 2 and 10 wt % of high-tenacity fibers.
US09051977B2
The lock-up device includes: a clutch part disposed between a front cover and a turbine; and a damper mechanism for transmitting torque from the clutch part to the turbine and for absorbing and attenuating a torsional vibration. The damper mechanism includes: an input plate into which torque is inputted from the clutch part; an output plate connected to the turbine; a plurality of torsion springs; an intermediate member; and a restriction member. The intermediate member is rotatable relatively to the input plate and the output plate, and causes two torsion springs to act in series. The restriction member is mounted to the input plate, and restricts the intermediate member from moving in both of an axial direction and a radial direction.
US09051975B2
A transmission control device includes even-numbered and odd-numbered transmission gears selected via a shift mechanism and causes the torque capacities of two clutches to be transitioned to a certain proportion until the clutch rotation speed difference of a low-speed gear-side clutch reaches 0 or approximately 0, sets the torque capacity of the clutch on the low-speed gear side to be the total torque capacity of both clutches, and sets the torque capacity of the clutch on the high-speed gear side to 0. The heat load on the clutch at the time when the vehicle starts to move is reduced and the durability thereof is improved, and the clutch can be made smaller and lighter.
US09051969B2
A bearing carrier for a shaft of an electric motor has a carrier member supporting two bearings supporting the shaft. The carrier member has a single bearing seat accommodating the two bearings to ensure the two bearings are coaxially mounted. A spacing member axially separates the two bearings. The spacing member has a central passage through which the shaft extends with radial play, as well as two end surfaces parallel with each other, orthogonal to the axis of the passage and axially separated by a distance which corresponds to the desired mounting distance between the bearings. During assembly, the bearings and spacing member are mounted on the shaft to form a preassembled group. The preassembled group is pressed into the bearing seat of the carrier member, with one bearing being pressed against a stop formed at one end of the bearing seat.
US09051966B2
A linear guide apparatus maintaining a high dust-proof performance over an extended period of time and includes side seal units attached to end parts of a slider in the axial direction. Each side seal unit is provided with: a first seal member, at the slider, arranged in the axial direction of the slider; a second seal member at the outside of the slider in the axial direction; and a lubricating member held between the first and second seal members. The first seal member has first lip parts sliding against the rolling element rolling grooves of the guide rail, while the second seal member has second lip parts sliding against the rolling element rolling grooves. The lubricating member has a first oil-containing member for supplying lubricant to the rolling element rolling grooves. The first and second lip parts are arranged not to come into contact with the first oil-containing member.
US09051951B2
A threaded post structure includes a first threaded post, a second threaded post and a positioning component. The first threaded post has a first internal thread and an external thread. The second threaded post has a second internal thread and at least two positioning portions. The first threaded post and the second threaded post are screwed with each other along an axis through the external thread and the second internal thread. The positioning component is disposed on the first threaded post. When the second threaded post moves to a position along the axis, the positioning component positions one positioning portion to fix the second threaded post at the position. When the second threaded post moves to another position along the axis, the positioning component positions another positioning portion to fix the second threaded post at the another position. Besides, an assembling structure having the threaded post structure is also provided.
US09051938B2
A fan includes a motor and an impeller. The motor includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion rotatably supported by the stationary portion. The stationary portion includes a stator and a bearing portion arranged inside of the stator. The rotating portion includes a rotor magnet arranged radially outside the stator; a shaft inserted in the bearing portion, and having an upper portion fixed to the impeller directly or through one or more members; and a thrust portion arranged axially opposite the bearing portion, and including an annular surface arranged around the shaft.
US09051936B2
The device for energy-optimization on operation of several centrifugal pumps controlled in rotational speed, in a hydraulic installation, begins firstly with determining which pumps as pilot pumps are assigned directly to a consumer and which pumps are hydraulically connected in series upstream of the pilot pumps. Thereafter, one or more energy-optimization circuits are formed, which in each case consist of one or more pilot pumps and of one or more pumps connected in series upstream, which deliver into the pilot pumps, wherein the energy-optimization circuits are selected such that the pumps connected in series upstream in each case are assigned to only one energy-optimization circuit, whereupon the energy-optimization circuits are energy-optimized with respect to the pumps.
US09051932B2
In a face sealing annular valve, an annular valve member is retained around or within a guide. The annular valve member is configured so that, when the annular valve member and the annular valve seat are coaxial, the spacing between the guide means and the guide-engaging surface region increases with distance along the central axis from a minimum of spacing between the annular valve member and the guide means. An end stop limits the tilt of the annular valve member. Advantageously, the annular valve member has restricted radial movement, enabling a good seal to be formed, while being unable to simultaneously contact diametrically opposite sides of the guide and jam.
US09051928B2
A safety device for a fuel outlet to prevent delivery of highly combustible fuel to a motor vehicle with a running engine. The safety device comprises a fuel pump for pumping the fuel from an underground tank and into a motor vehicle. The device includes a sound sensor disposed below an area to be occupied by a motor vehicle adjacent to the fuel pump and is adapted to sense the sound of a running engine in an adjacent vehicle and a temperature sensor adapted to detect the engine temperature of an adjacent vehicle. Further, the device or system includes an RF radiation detector adjacent said pump for detecting a running engine, a data analyzer and a control unit for disabling the fuel pump when a running engine is detected in the vicinity of the fuel pump.
US09051908B2
A resonator has a volume chamber, which is communicated with a surge tank through a communication passage. A primary intake passage communicates between a cylinder of an internal combustion engine and the surge tank. A secondary intake passage communicates between the surge tank and one of the cylinder and the primary intake passage. A passage length of the secondary intake passage is shorter than a passage length of the primary intake passage. A variable intake valve is fixed to a shaft. The variable intake valve opens and closes the secondary intake passage. A resonator valve is fixed to the shaft. The resonator valve opens and closes the communication passage. A drive device rotates the shaft to drive the variable intake valve and the resonator valve.
US09051906B2
Methods and systems are provided for conditioning fuel for diesel engine. The system may include a fuel pump located within a fuel tank configured to pump fuel to the diesel engine. The system may also include a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank operatively located upstream of a flow of fuel from the fuel pump. A method may include directing fuel from inside of the fuel tank through a fuel filter located outside of the fuel tank into a vacuum chamber positioned inside the fuel tank, before directing the fuel to the diesel engine.
US09051905B2
A combined system for detecting leaks in an evaporative emission control system and for inflating flat tires. The evaporative emission control system includes a vapor capture canister with a purge valve and a system pressure sensor, and the flat tire repair kit includes a reservoir containing tire inflation fluid, an attachment tube for attaching the reservoir to a tire, and a pump selectively connected to the evaporative emission control system and the reservoir. A controller is configured to perform the following actions: initiate a leak detection sequence by pressurizing the evaporative emission control system, and then performing a leak detection operation by measuring the pressure within the evaporative emission control system over time. A tire pressure monitoring system may be provided, allowing the pump to be switched between performing evaporative system testing and inflating a flat tire.
US09051904B2
An engine includes an EGR apparatus which refluxes a portion of exhaust gas from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold as EGR gas. A differential pressure sensor detects a differential pressure between intake pressure of the intake manifold and exhaust pressure in the exhaust manifold. The differential pressure sensor is mounted on a head cover which covers an upper portion of a cylinder head. An intake pressure taking-out passage which is in communication with the intake manifold is formed in the cylinder head. An intake pressure introducing passage which is connected to the differential pressure sensor is formed in the head cover. The intake pressure taking-out passage and the intake pressure introducing passage are in communication with each other.
US09051903B2
An EGR system is disclosed for reducing NOx emissions and that may eliminate the need for a SCR system. The disclosed EGR system includes dual valves, including a hot EGR valve disposed in the exhaust manifold and a cold EGR valve disposed upstream of the intake manifold. A VGT turbine with adjustable vanes may also be employed with a low pressure turbine. Intake air may proceed through both a high pressure compressor as well as a low pressure compressor and the high pressure compressor may be substantially bypassed by way of a bypass valve disposed between the low pressure compressor and the air intake. The EGR system may be controlled by adjusting the positions of the valves and VGT turbine vanes.
US09051892B2
Embodiments for determining oxygen concentration using an oxygen sensor are provided. In one example, a method for determining oxygen concentration O2 in a gas flow of an internal combustion engine which is equipped with an engine controller and an oxygen sensor comprises determining the oxygen concentration O2,sens of the gas flow in a ceramic measurement cell of the sensor by current ISens which is detected by measurement and which flows when a constant voltage USens is applied and maintained, and correcting the oxygen concentration based on a pressure pSens at the measurement cell. In this way, the measured oxygen concentration may be corrected based on the pressure of the air at the sensor.
US09051885B2
An inspection system for a continuous variable valve lift device includes: a drive motor configured to rotate a cam; a sensor unit including at least one sensor configured to output an electrical signal corresponding to rotational displacements at both ends of a swing arm which opens and closes a valve by receiving rotational motion of the cam through the continuous variable valve lift device; and an inspector configured to measure and inspect a valve lift of the continuous variable valve lift device by receiving and calculating the electrical signal of the sensor unit, and is installed in a vehicle engine assembly line to accurately measure and inspect the valve lift after the continuous variable valve lift device is assembled.
US09051880B2
A system includes a cooler configured to cool a first gas portion of a compressed gas fuel and discharge a cooled fluid. The cooled fluid comprises a cooled gas portion and a cooled liquid portion. The system also includes a separator configured to separate the cooled fluid into the cooled gas portion and the cooled liquid portion and a mixing tank configured to mix a second gas portion of the compressed gas fuel with the cooled gas portion in direct contact with one another to produce a superheated gas fuel. The superheated gas fuel comprises a degree of superheat above a lower threshold for a combustion system.
US09051871B1
An internal combustion engine defines a plurality of cylinders including full-time active cylinders and cylinders capable of being deactivated. A turbocharger having a twin scroll turbine includes a first turbine scroll in communication with the exhaust passages from the full-time active cylinders and a second turbine scroll in communication with the exhaust passages from the cylinders capable of being deactivated. A scroll control valve is provided in communication with the exhaust passages from the cylinders capable of being deactivated and being operable in an open position to allow exhaust gases from the cylinders capable of being deactivated to pass through the second turbine scroll, and being operable in a closed position to direct exhaust gases from the plurality of second cylinders capable of being deactivated to pass through the first turbine scroll.
US09051866B2
An internal combustion engine includes a particulate filter that is configured to treat exhaust gas. A method for monitoring the particulate filter includes employing a soot sensor to monitor the exhaust gas downstream of the particulate filter. A fault is detected in the particulate filter when accumulated soot mass indicated by the soot sensor exceeds a soot mass threshold over a course of engine operation between a first regeneration event and a second regeneration event of the particulate filter. A control module associated with operation of the internal combustion engine is notified of the fault.
US09051848B2
A turbocharger assembly includes: a housing with a through-bore and a cross-bore that intersects the through-bore to define an upper portion of the cross-bore with a first diameter and a lower portion of the cross-bore with a second diameter where the first diameter exceeds the second diameter; a bearing disposed in the through-bore of the housing where the bearing includes a through-bore configured to support a shaft and a cross-bore that intersects the through-bore; and a locating pin with a diameter that exceeds the second diameter of the lower portion of the cross-bore of the housing, the locating pin press-fit at least partially into the lower portion of the cross-bore of the housing and disposed at least partially in the lower portion of the cross-bore of the bearing to locate the bearing in the through-bore of the housing. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09051842B2
A system includes a turbine blade, which includes at least one cooling slot configured to convey a coolant in a flow direction from an interior to an exterior of the turbine blade. The cooling slot includes an entrance coupled to the interior and a converging section downstream from the entrance. The converging section includes a first cross-sectional area that decreases in the flow direction. The cooling slot also includes an exit disposed along a trailing edge of the turbine blade.
US09051828B2
A system and method for producing bitumen or heavy oil from a clastic or carbonate reservoir. The mobility of the bitumen or heavy oil is increased by conductive heating to reduce the viscosity. The bitumen or heavy oil is heated to temperatures below the thermal cracking temperature of the bitumen or heavy oil. As the bitumen or heavy oil is produced, evolved gases or evaporated connate water or both form a gas chamber which acts to replace the volume of the produced fluid required for the gravity drainage process.
US09051826B2
A downhole control system for actuating hydraulically controlled devices positioned in a well. The system includes a first set of N hydraulically controlled devices positioned in the well and a second set of at least one hydraulically controlled device positioned in the well. A common control line is ported to a first side of each of the hydraulically controlled devices in the first set. N control lines are each ported to a second side of one of the hydraulically controlled devices in the first set. A first control line of the N control lines is ported to a first side of a first hydraulically controlled device of the second set and a second control line of the N control lines is ported to a second side of the first hydraulically controlled device of the second set, such that N+1 control lines are operable to actuate N+1 hydraulically controlled devices.
US09051823B2
Fluid flow measurement device and method. In one embodiment, a tool comprises a rotating arm with a sensor pad to measure fluid flow into or out of the casing wall. The arm maintains the sensor pad in close proximity to the casing inner wall. The tool diameter is variable to allow the tool to traverse variable diameter casings and pass obstacles. The sensor pad comprises flow channels to direct the flow of fluid by electromagnetic sensors configured to detect conductive fluid flow.
US09051817B2
A pipe conveyed extendable well logging assembly includes a pipe end protector for preventing wellbore debris from entering an opening at the end of the pipe from which a logging tool is extendable. Plugging of the opening is prevented to ensure proper deployment of the extendable logging tool.
US09051814B2
A method and apparatus for estimating a time to failure of an electronic component used in a downhole environment is disclosed. A stress is applied to the electronic component to cause failure of a plurality of prognostic sensors associated with the electronic component, wherein the stress level at which a prognostic sensor fails is indicative of a stress level at which the electronic component fails. Failure times are obtained due to the applied stress for the plurality of prognostic sensors. A trend is determined from the obtained failure times of the prognostic sensors. The time of failure of the electronic component is estimated from the determined trend.
US09051812B2
A through tubing bridge plug (200) for providing a gripping and sealing engagement with a casing string of a wellbore. The bridge plug (200) includes an actuation rod (208), an anchor assembly (212), a pair of compression assemblies, each including a support assembly (216, 242) and an anti extrusion assembly (220, 238) and a packing assembly (224) disposed about the actuation rod (208) between the compression assemblies. Responsive to longitudinal movement of the actuation rod (208), the anchor assembly (212) establishes the gripping engagement with the casing string, the compression assemblies are radially deployed such that the anti extrusion assemblies (220, 238) are supported by the support assemblies (216, 242) and the packing assembly (224) establishes the sealing engagement with the casing string.
US09051810B1
Frac valves used in completing oil and gas wells are provided. The valves comprise a cylindrical housing adapted for assembly into a liner for a well. The valve housing defines a conduit for the passage of fluids through the housing. Preferably the conduit has a substantially uniform diameter. The housing has a port which can allow fluids to pass from the conduit to the exterior of the valve. The port may be shut off or left open by a valve body mounted on the housing. Preferably, the valve body is mounted between inner and outer walls provided in the housing. An actuator is provided to move the valve body between its open and closed positions. It comprises a receiver that is adapted to receive an activation signal. Thus, the valve may be actuated by introducing a transmitter into the housing conduit which transmits an activation signal.
US09051809B2
A pressure relief valve assembly may be coupled to one or more casings and/or tubular members to control fluid communication therebetween. The valve assembly is a one-way valve assembly that relieves pressure within an annulus formed between adjacent casings and/or tubular members to prevent burst or collapse of the casings and/or tubular members. The valve assembly includes a tubular body having a port for fluid communication and a valve ring disposed within the tubular body, the valve ring having a flap for closing the port, wherein the flap is configured to flex from a closed position to an open position in response to a pressure differential. In another embodiment, the valve assembly also includes a retainer sleeve movable from an engaged position for maintaining the flap in a closed position to a disengaged position to allow the flap to open.
US09051806B2
The separator serves to mechanically separate an actuator and an operating mechanism, such as a choke, a valve, a blow-out preventer or the like, which is displaceable by said actuator, for use especially in the field of oil or natural gas production. The separator is adapted to be arranged between the actuator and the operating mechanism and comprises at least a first component associated with the actuator and a second component associated with the operating mechanism. These first and second components are displaceable relative to one another by means of at least one application part, which is connected to the first or second component, between an engagement position and a release position. The application part is adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with a displacement part which is suitable for handling by a user. This allows the actuator and the operating mechanism to be easily separated by the respective separator, without said separator leading to any structural modifications or enlargements of the actuator and/or operating mechanism. In addition, the separator is easily operable especially by an external user, and a predetermined displacement of the operating mechanism is made possible.
US09051803B2
A control apparatus for use in controlling the fluid pressure in a borehole during drilling of the borehole, the apparatus including an inlet suitable for connection to a pump, a main outlet suitable for connection to a drill pipe, and an overflow outlet suitable for connection to a fluid reservoir, the inlet being connected to the main outlet by a main flow conduit, and the overflow outlet being connected to the main flow conduit by means of an overflow conduit, wherein the overflow conduit is provided with a pressure regulator by means of which the pressure of fluid in the main flow conduit may be maintained at or around a predetermined pressure value.
US09051799B2
A device is associated with a downhole tool to control the weight that can be set down on the tool while the tool is operating. A shroud is secured to the string that supports the tool with interior modular biasing components that for run in extend the tool past the shroud. Upon encountering a support for the tool, further set down weight compresses the biasing components for a predetermined stroke length delineated by the shroud landing on a support. If the tool is a mill, its operation takes place under the biasing force as the mill advances into the piece being cut or milled under a predetermined pressure. When the mill reaches full extension from the shroud the process can be repeated until the milling is complete. The shroud also centralizes the mill during milling.
US09051797B2
A well chemical dispensing system includes a tubular sub for securing into a drill string. A ball stop is located within the passage. A ball filled with a liquid surfactant is pumped down the well. The ball is formed of a frangible material for shattering on impact with the ball stop, so as to dispense the surfactant, causing foaming when mixing with well fluid. Struts within the ball extend across an interior of the ball and join to inner surfaces of the ball. The struts are formed of a solid surfactant material. The ball has a spherical shape with dimples formed in an exterior surface of the sphere. A spring in the passage applies an upward force on the ball stop. The ball stop has upper and lower grids extending across the passage.
US09051796B2
A system for performing a downhole operation including a tubular string having a locking profile non-movably located therewith. At least one member is movably mounted with the string and includes an engagement profile. A tool is runnable with the string and has at least one sub with a key. The key is selectively engagable and disengagable with the engagement profile for enabling the tool to control movement of the member with respect to the string when engaged therewith. The key is engagable with the locking profile for restricting relative movement between the string and the tool when engaged therewith. A method of performing a downhole operation is also included.
US09051779B2
A ladder assembly for use with movable shelving is disclosed. The ladder assembly may comprise an overhead track assembly, a carriage, and a ladder. The overhead track assembly includes a first guide track and a second guide track. The carriage is operatively configured to move longitudinally along the first and second guide tracks. The ladder is pivotally and slidably mounted to the carriage. The ladder has an operating position and a stored position. The operating position is located in an open available aisle of the movable shelving. The stored position may be located substantially vertical and outside of the aisle of the movable shelving allowing the movable shelving to close the aisle without interference from the ladder.
US09051771B2
A sun protection device is described including at least one optically transparent dielectric layer, which on both sides is joined with a structural layer of an opaque or only partially translucent material. The two structural layers are structured subject to the formation of light passage openings and light-impermeable zones in such a manner that optical radiation incident on the outer structural layer under a predetermined angular range is blocked through interaction of the two structural layers and a proportion of optical radiation, which is incident on the second structural layer under a different angular range is able to pass the structural layers unhindered. The sun protection device makes possible an angle-selective transmission of sun radiation to achieve an anti-glare effect and at the same time allowing vision in a downward direction without moving parts.
US09051764B1
An internal rotational locking device prevents separation of a front cover and a rear cover of a user device. The internal rotational locking device includes a rotational bracket coupled to the rear cover. The rotational bracket includes a locking tab to overhang a locking edge of the front cover. The internal rotational locking device further includes a compression spring to maintain a distance between the rotational bracket and the rear cover. The internal rotational locking device further includes a torsion spring to maintain a first rotational position of the rotational bracket, where the locking tab overhangs the locking edge in the first rotational position.
US09051761B2
An exterior actuator assembly for a manually driven electronic deadbolt assembly includes a torque blade driver having a perimetrical lock recess, and is rotatable about a first rotational axis. A clutch assembly is drivably interposed between an exterior turnpiece and the torque blade driver. A motor shaft is arranged to rotate about a second rotational axis that is non-coaxial with the first rotational axis. A locking shifter is configured for axial translation along the second rotational axis. The locking shifter has a blocking tab portion configured for selective engagement with the perimetrical lock recess of the torque blade driver. A rotational-to-linear motion converter is drivably interposed between the motor shaft and the locking shifter and is configured such that a rotation of the motor shaft results in an axial displacement of the locking shifter to one of a locked position and an unlocked position.
