US09123584B2
A metrology system for gauging and spatially mapping a semiconductor material on a substrate can be used in controlling deposition and thermal activation processes.
US09123583B2
The present disclosure relates to a method of monitoring wafer topography. A position and orientation of a plurality first alignment shapes disposed on a surface of a wafer are measured. Wafer topography as a function of wafer position is modeled by subjecting the wafer to an alignment which simultaneously minimizes misalignment between the wafer and a patterning apparatus and maximizes a focus of radiation on the surface. A non-correctable error is determined as a difference between the modeled wafer topography and a measured wafer topography. A maximum non-correctable error per field is determined for a wafer, and a mean variation in the maximum non-correctable error across each field within each wafer of a lot is determined, both within a layer and across layers. These values are then verified against a set of statistical process control rules to determine if they are within a specification limit of the manufacturing process.
US09123578B1
Provided is a non-volatile memory device having a zigzag body wiring. A well is disposed in a substrate. Word lines are arranged in an array, are disposed on the substrate and extend in a first direction. Inter-poly dielectric films are respectively between the substrate and the word lines. Floating gates are respectively disposed between the well and the inter-poly dielectric films. Tunnel oxide films are respectively disposed between the well and the floating gates. First bit lines and second bit lines, arranged periodically, are disposed over the word lines and extend in a second direction, wherein a first distance from the first bit lines to the substrate is smaller than a second distance from the second bit lines to the substrate.
US09123576B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed, which can improve device characteristics by increasing a process margin between an active region and a storage node contact. The semiconductor device includes an active region, a device isolation film formed to have a lower height than the active region, and exposing an upper part of the active region, and a barrier pattern formed at a sidewall of the exposed active region of an upper part of the device isolation film.
US09123573B2
An oxide semiconductor stacked film which does not easily cause a variation in electrical characteristics of a transistor and has high stability is provided. Further, a transistor which includes the oxide semiconductor stacked film in its channel formation region and has stable electrical characteristics is provided. An oxide semiconductor stacked film includes a first oxide semiconductor layer, a second oxide semiconductor layer, and a third oxide semiconductor layer which are sequentially stacked and each of which contains indium, gallium, and zinc. The content percentage of indium in the second oxide semiconductor layer is higher than that in the first oxide semiconductor layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer, and the absorption coefficient of the oxide semiconductor stacked film, which is measured by the CPM, is lower than or equal to 3×10−3/cm in an energy range of 1.5 eV to 2.3 eV.
US09123568B2
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of NMOS transistor elements, each including a first gate electrode structure above a first active region, at least two of the plurality of first gate electrode structures including a first encapsulating stack having a first dielectric cap layer and a first sidewall spacer stack. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of PMOS transistor elements, each including a second gate electrode structure above a second active region, wherein at least two of the plurality of second gate electrode structures include a second encapsulating stack having a second dielectric cap layer and a second sidewall spacer stack. Additionally, the first and second sidewall spacer stacks each include at least three dielectric material layers, wherein each of the three dielectric material layers of the first and second sidewall spacer stacks include the same dielectric material.
US09123566B2
Disclosed are complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and methods of manufacturing such CMOS devices. In some embodiments, an example CMOS device may include a substrate, and a buffer layer formed on the substrate, where the buffer layer comprises Si1-xGex, where x is less than 0.5. The example CMOS device may further include one or more pMOS channel layer elements, where each pMOS channel layer element comprises Si1-yGey, and where y is greater than x. The example CMOS device may still further include one or more nMOS channel layer elements, where each nMOS channel layer element comprises Si1-zGez, and where z is less than x. In some embodiments, the example CMOS device may be a fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) CMOS device and may further include a first fin structure including the pMOS channel layer element(s) and a second fin structure including the nMOS channel layer element(s).
US09123558B2
In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention provides a bipolar junction transistor including an emitter region; a base region; a first isolation between the emitter region and the base region; a gate on the first isolation region and overlapping at least a portion of a periphery of the emitter region; a collector region; and a second isolation between the base region and the collector region.
US09123555B2
A microelectronic package has a dielectric element with first and second parallel apertures. A first microelectronic element has contacts overlying the first aperture, and a second microelectronic element has contacts overlying the second aperture. The second microelectronic element can overlie a rear face of the first microelectronic element and the same surface of the dielectric element as the first microelectronic element. First terminals on a second surface of the dielectric element between said first and second apertures can be configured to carry all data signals for read and write access to memory locations within the first and second microelectronic elements.
US09123552B2
Various embodiments include apparatuses, stacked devices and methods of forming dice stacks on an interface die. In one such apparatus, a dice stack includes at least a first die and a second die, and conductive paths coupling the first die and the second die to the common control die. In some embodiments, the conductive paths may be arranged to connect with circuitry on alternating dice of the stack. In other embodiments, a plurality of dice stacks may be arranged on a single interface die, and some or all of the dice may have interleaving conductive paths.
US09123548B1
Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer having a first region with a first device and a second region with a second device; a device isolation pattern provided in the first semiconductor layer and electrically separating the first device and the second device from each other; a drain provided on a lower surface of the first region of the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer provided on a lower surface of the second region of the first semiconductor layer.
US09123545B2
A semiconductor device includes a parasitic silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) and a first transistor. The parasitic SCR includes a parasitic pnp bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a parasitic npn BJT. The first transistor is coupled between a first power supply node and an emitter of the parasitic pnp BJT. The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the first power supply node, a second terminal coupled to the emitter of the parasitic pnp BJT, and a control terminal. The first transistor is not positioned between a base of the pnp BJT and the first power supply node. The first transistor limits current conducted by the parasitic pnp BJT following a single-event latch-up (SEL) event.
US09123544B2
An electrical device includes a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a routing line. An insulating layer is arranged over the semiconductor chip. A solder deposit is arranged over the insulating layer. A via extends through an opening of the insulating layer to electrically connect the routing line to the solder deposit. A front edge line portion of the via facing the routing line is substantially straight, has a concave curvature or has a convex curvature of a diameter greater than a maximum lateral dimension of the via.
US09123543B1
A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor die including a bond pad, a redistribution layer, and a solder ball. The redistribution layer is formed by sequentially plating copper and nickel, sequentially plating nickel and copper, or sequentially plating copper, nickel, and copper. The redistribution layer includes a nickel layer in order to prevent a crack from occurring in a copper layer. Further, a projection is formed in an area of the redistribution layer or a dielectric layer to which the solder ball is welded and corresponds, so that an area of the redistribution layer to which the solder ball is welded increases, thereby increasing bonding power between the solder ball and the redistribution layer.
US09123541B2
Compositions for directed self-assembly (DSA) patterning techniques are provided. Methods for directed self-assembly are also provided in which a DSA composition comprising a block copolymer is applied to a substrate and then self-assembled to form the desired pattern. The block copolymer includes at least two blocks of differing etch rates, so that one block (e.g., polymethylmethacrylate) is selectively removed during etching. Because the slower etching block (e.g., polystyrene) is modified with an additive to further slow the etch rate of that block, more of the slow etching block remains behind to fully transfer the pattern to underlying layers.
US09123536B2
A semiconductor device of an embodiment is provided with a normally-off transistor having a first source connected to a source terminal, a first drain, and a first gate connected to a gate terminal and a normally-on transistor having a second source connected to the first drain, a second drain connected to a drain terminal, and a second gate connected to the source terminal. A withstand voltage between the first source and the first drain when the normally-off transistor is turned off is lower than a withstand voltage between the second source and the second gate of the normally-on transistor.
US09123534B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of forming a first layer of InAlN, a step of forming a second layer of InAlGaN on the first layer under a growth temperature higher than that of the first layer, and a step of forming a third layer of GaN, AlGaN or InGaN under a growth temperature higher than that of the first layer.
US09123530B2
Provided are: forming an oxycarbonitride film, an oxycarbide film or an oxide film on a substrate by alternately performing a specific number of times: forming a first layer containing the specific element, nitrogen and carbon, on the substrate, by alternately performing a specific number of times, supplying a first source containing the specific element and a halogen-group to the substrate in a processing chamber, and supplying a second source containing the specific element and an amino-group to the substrate in the processing chamber; and forming a second layer by oxidizing the first layer by supplying an oxygen-containing gas, and an oxygen-containing gas and a hydrogen-containing gas to the substrate in the processing chamber.
US09123529B2
A method suitable to reprocess a semiconductor substrate is provided. A semiconductor substrate in which a projection including a damaged semiconductor region and an insulating layer is provided in a peripheral portion of the semiconductor substrate is subjected to etching treatment for removing the insulating layer and to etching treatment for removing the damaged semiconductor region selectively with a non-damaged semiconductor region left using a mixed solution including nitric acid, a substance dissolving a semiconductor material included in the semiconductor substrate and oxidized by the nitric acid, a substance controlling a speed of oxidation of the semiconductor material and a speed of dissolution of the oxidized semiconductor material, and nitrous acid, in which the concentration of the nitrous acid is higher than or equal to 10 mg/l and lower than or equal to 1000 mg/l. Through these steps, the semiconductor substrate is reprocessed.
US09123521B2
A closed electron impact ion source with overall opening area of less than 30 mm2 is employed for direct and pulsed extraction into a time-flight mass spectrometer in order to enhance sensitivity and immunity to chemical noise of oil and fumes of the vacuum system. For compatibility with dual stage GCxGC separation, the source may contain an inert liner surrounded by an isothermal cage of thermally conductive material. The source inner surface may be reduced to under 100 mm2. A portion of carrier gas may be pumped down before admitting the sample and carrier gas into the source. A cooled surface may be used to condense fumes at the analysis time.
US09123518B2
A non-linear ion guide is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes. An ion guiding region is arranged between the electrodes, and the ion guiding region curves at least in a first direction. A DC voltage is applied to at least some of the electrodes in order to form a DC potential well which acts to confine ions within the ion guiding region in the first direction.
US09123509B2
Techniques for plasma processing a substrate are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized with a method comprising introducing a feed gas proximate to a plasma source, where the feed gas may comprise a first and second species, where the first and second species have different ionization energies; providing a multi-level RF power waveform to the plasma source, where the multi-level RF power waveform has at least a first power level during a first pulse duration and a second power level during a second pulse duration, where the second power level may be different from the first power level; ionizing the first species of the feed gas during the first pulse duration; ionizing the second species during the second pulse duration; and providing a bias to the substrate during the first pulse duration.
US09123507B2
The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting radicals. The arrangement includes a plasma generator and a guiding body. The plasma generator includes a chamber (2) in which a plasma may be formed. The chamber has an inlet (5) for receiving an input gas, and one or more outlets (6) for removal of at least one of the plasma and radicals created therein. The guiding body is hollow and is arranged for guiding radicals formed in the plasma towards an area or volume at which contaminant deposition is to be removed. The chamber inlet is coupled to a pressure device (40) for providing a pulsed pressure into the chamber so as to create a flow in the guiding body.
US09123504B2
Provided are a semiconductor inspection device and a semiconductor inspection method such that in a specimen image in a single field of view obtained by an electron microscope, it is possible to suppress variations in the edge position measurement error attributable to the materials and structures of the lower layers of measured patterns by a first method, wherein the area in the field of view obtained by electron beam scanning is divided into a plurality of regions on the basis of information regarding the structures and materials of the object to be observed and the electron beam scanning conditions are changed for individual regions (805, 806), a second method, wherein, the image processing conditions are changed for individual regions resulting from division of the obtained images, or a third method, wherein the edge detection conditions are changed for individual regions resulting from the division within the edge inspection regions of the obtained images.
US09123502B2
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method and system for imaging of samples, for example, imaging samples with charged particles.
US09123499B1
Electrode configurations for an AC or DC gas discharge device having a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels defined by a hollow gas-filled plasma-shell. One or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-shell. The electrical contact may include a conductive pad in electrical contact with the electrode and/or the plasma-shell.
US09123493B2
A switch includes a shuttle having an elongated length resiliently supported at opposing ends thereof and configured to move along a motion axis in response to an applied voltage. A shuttle switch portion includes a plurality of shuttle contact fingers extending transversely from opposing sides of the shuttle. A common contact at a common terminal side of the shuttle includes a plurality of contact fingers respectively interdigitated with the shuttle contact fingers. First and second terminal contacts are adjacent a switched terminal side of the shuttle, and include first terminal contact fingers and second terminal contact fingers respectively interdigitated with shuttle contact fingers. The shuttle switch portion is configured to selectively connect the common contact to the first terminal contact or the second terminal contact.
US09123491B2
A gas insulated switchgear includes: an enclosure; a stationary contact arm fixedly installed within the enclosure; a movable contact arm installed to be moved within the enclosure such that it is brought into contact with or separated from the stationary contact arm; a cam reciprocating between closing and opening positions to move the movable contact arm; and an actuator moving the cam, wherein the cam includes first and second cam surfaces, and when the cam moves to an opening position by the actuator, movement acceleration of the movable contact arm by the first cam surface is greater than movement acceleration by the second cam surface and a movement distance of the movable contact arm by the first cam surface is smaller than a movement distance by the second cam surface.
US09123488B2
The present invention relates to a safety shutter of a vacuum circuit breaker, and more particularly, to a safety shutter of a vacuum circuit breaker which is mounted on a cradle of a drawable type vacuum circuit breaker and opened or closed when a main body is retracted or pulled out to protect the safety of users from a charging part.
US09123483B2
A sealed pushbutton for a wristwatch includes a pushbutton head that is movable between a resting position and an active position, a first fixed conductive element, a second movable conductive element, and an elastically deformable capsule. The elastically deformable capsule hermetically covers the first fixed conductor, and an upper surface of the capsule is in physical contact with a lower surface of the pushbutton head and the capsule is locatable in a non-deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in a deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its active position. The first and second conductive elements form a capacitive or resistive switch device, and the switch is in open state when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in closed state when the pushbutton head is in its active position.
US09123482B2
A contact slide unit is disclosed for a switching unit, in particular for a circuit breaker, having a contact slide, in which a switching piece can be guided, and a contact slide guide apparatus, in which the contact slide is guided. In at least one embodiment, a linear contact is provided between the contact slide and the contact slide guide apparatus.
US09123479B2
An apparatus and method are disclosed for creating an integrated access door and switch actuator. The integrated access door and switch actuator are created from a single composite material. The composite material is flexible to allow movement, but is also durable to provide a protective covering. The integrated access door and switch actuator include a hinge, which allows the access door to move to an open and closed position while the switch actuator is stationary in a fixed position.
US09123478B2
A power tool switching device, in particular for portable power tools, includes at least one switching unit having at least one movably mounted control element configured to actuate a mechanical, electrical and/or electronic switching element. The power tool switching device further includes at least one guide unit, which, upon an actuation of the control element along a direction of main extent of the control element, is configured to convert a movement of the control element along the direction of main extent at least into a movement of the control element running transversely in relation to the direction of main extent.
US09123466B2
Wireless power transfer systems include at least one foil-type transmitter/receiver coil with a plurality of turns, which is configured to reduce eddy current losses therein when energized to conduct an alternating current that supports inductive power transfer including coil-to-coil power electrical transfer, inductive heating, etc. The plurality of turns includes at least an outermost turn with a first arcuate-shaped corner having a concave inner surface, which faces an immediately adjacent one of the plurality of turns. The immediately adjacent one of the plurality of turns may also have a second arcuate-shaped corner with a concave inner surface facing an innermost one of the plurality of turns. The first arcuate-shaped corner may have a non-uniform radius of curvature and/or an innermost one of the plurality of turns may have an arcuate-shaped corner, which is a mirror image of the first arcuate-shaped corner when the coil is view in transverse cross-section.
US09123459B2
An arrangement is provided at least one superconductive cable (4) and a first cryostat (K1). A second cryostat (K2) is provided, formed coaxially with and at a distance from the first cryostat (K1). Arranged in the intermediate space (12) between the first cryostat (K1) and the second cryostat (K2) is a high voltage resistant insulation (16) which completely surrounds the outer pipe (10) of the first cryostat (K1), and which rests on the latter, where liquefied gas conducted during the operation of the arrangement flows through the intermediate space (12) around the insulation and impregnates the insulation.
US09123458B2
An electrical power cable includes a central support or a ground conductor surrounded by an insulating material layer. An inner grounded shield is disposed on the support or on the ground conductor. A plurality of insulated line conductors and a plurality of insulated neutral conductors are circumferentially disposed in an annular arrangement about an insulation layer on the inner shield. The plurality of line and neutral conductors are disposed in various alternating single, double or triple conductor groups. The total cross-sectional area of all of the line conductors or all of the neutral conductors is substantially equal to the total cross-sectional area of a single large conductor of equivalent ampere rating. An outer shield is disposed about the line and neutral conductors and covered by an outer insulating layer.
US09123457B2
A differential transmission cable includes at least one pair of inner conductors arranged in parallel and extending parallel to each other, and a foamed insulating material formed on the inner conductors by a collective extrusion coating and molding of a resin material by using a chemical foaming method and have a variation of foaming degree of not more than 1%. The variation of foaming degree is defined as a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value among foaming degrees (%) of the foamed insulating material at 20 positions at intervals of 50 cm in a longitudinal direction in an arbitrary part of 10 m cut out from the differential transmission cable.
US09123455B2
A connection structure for superconducting cables includes: superconducting cables that are connected to each other and include cable cores containing formers and superconducting conductor layers, and each cable core is housed in a thermal insulation tube with a cooling medium, wherein the cable cores include electric insulating layers obtained by winding insulating sheets around the superconducting conductor layers, the electric insulating layers on both sides of a conductor connecting part, in which the formers and the superconducting conductor layers are connected to each other, include taper shape portions each having a diameter reducing towards the conductor connecting part, each taper shape portion is formed so as to have an inclination angle changing in a stepwise fashion by a plurality of tapered portions among which a tapered portion nearer the conductor connecting part has smaller inclination angle, and a reinforcing insulating layer is provided between the taper shape portions.
US09123450B2
A method and apparatus for inspecting an object is present. Radiation is emitted from a radiation source. A beam is formed from a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source using a collimator. The collimator is connected to the radiation source by a bearing system comprising a first structure associated with the radiation source and a second structure connected to the first structure. The second structure is configured to hold the collimator. The second structure of the bearing system is moved using a movement system such that the second structure rotates in one of a plurality of directions substantially about a center point in the radiation source while the radiation source remains stationary relative to the second structure. Rotation of the second structure substantially about the center point in the radiation source changes a direction in which the beam is directed.
US09123448B2
A method for treating a cladding within which there is a sintered material composed wholly or partly of sintered calcium hydride, the method comprising a step during which the sintered material is contacted with a reaction mixture comprising steam, carbon dioxide, and a chemically inert gas, the contacting being carried out for a duration allowing the sintered calcium hydride to be converted into a calcium carbonate powder.The treatment method provided by the invention results in a chemically inert waste, a limitation on the volume of wastes obtained, while allowing the removal or even recovery of these wastes by appropriate processing streams.
US09123447B2
A memory may include a plurality of word lines to which one or more memory cells are connected, and a control unit suitable for activating and precharging a first word line that is selected based on an address of a high-activated word line during a target refresh operation while sequentially activating and precharging the plurality of word lines in a refresh operation, wherein the control unit is suitable for writing a test data to one or more first memory cells connected to the first word line during the target refresh operation in a test mode, wherein the high-activated word line is a word line activated over a reference number or a reference frequency, among the plurality of word lines.
US09123446B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a memory array, a ring oscillator and a speed determination circuit. The memory array is defined by a plurality of memory cells that are based on a memory cell design. The ring oscillator has a plurality of inversion stages formed of a plurality of modified memory cells based on the memory cell design. The speed determination circuit is configured to determine a speed of the ring oscillator.
US09123436B2
An adaptive data-retention-voltage regulating system for static random-access memory (SRAMs) is revealed. The system includes a power supply unit, a data-retention-voltage (DRV) monitor cell for monitoring static noise margin (SNM) of SRAM, a data loss detector for generating a data loss signal, and a dynamic regulating controller that receives the data loss signal for generating a refresh signal and a switch signal. The DVR monitor cell consists of a DRV monitor circuit mounted with a plurality of memory cells, a reset signal generating circuit for resetting the DRV monitor circuit, and an adaptive variation control circuit that generates noise bias according to leakage current to adjust reaction speed of the DRV monitor circuit correspondingly.
US09123428B2
An e-fuse array circuit includes: an e-fuse transistor of a vertical gate type configured to have a gate for receiving a voltage of a program gate line and have one between a drain terminal and a source terminal floating; and a selection transistor of a buried gate type configured to have a gate for receiving a voltage of a word line gate line and electrically connect/disconnect the other one between the drain terminal and the source terminal with a bit line.
US09123422B2
An retention flash controller reads assigned-level bits from a bad block/erase count table or from a page status table that indicate when flash memory cells operate as Triple-Level-Cell (TLC), Multi-Level-Cell (MLC), or Single-Level-Cell (SLC). Pages that fail as TLC or MLC are downgraded for use as SLC pages by changing the assigned-level bits. The level bits adjust truth tables used by translation logic that receives inputs from voltage comparators reading a bit line. The range of voltages for each logic level may be adjusted by the truth tables or by programmable registers. The programming voltage or programming pulses may be adjusted to increase endurance and the number of permitted program-erase cycles while reducing retention times before a refresh is needed of the flash cells. Mixed configurations of flash memory have MLC blocks and MLC as SLC blocks, or other combinations.
US09123419B2
Methods of complementary pairing of memory cells are described. These methods include two physical memory cells in a complementary pair, a complementary pair of reference cells for each erase block, and a physical complementary pair storing multiple data bits.
US09123417B1
A CAM cell is disclosed that can be selectively configured to store either base-2 data words or base-3 data words. When configured to store base-3 data words, the quaternary CAM cell compares 3 comparand bits representative of a base-3 comparand value with the base-3 data value stored in the CAM cell. Storing base-3 data words in such CAM cells increases the data storage density of associated CAM arrays.
US09123413B2
A method can be used for managing the operation of a memory cell that includes an SRAM elementary memory cell and a non-volatile elementary memory cell coupled to one another. A data bit is transferred between the SRAM elementary memory cell and the non-volatile elementary memory cell. A control datum is stored in a control memory cell that is functionally analogous to and associated with the memory cell. The data bit is read from the SRAM elementary memory cell and a corresponding read of the control datum is performed. The data bit read from the SRAM elementary memory cell is inverted if the control datum has a first value but the data bit read from the SRAM elementary memory cell is not inverted if the control datum has a second value.
US09123409B2
A hierarchical memory device having multiple interfaces with different memory formats includes a Phase Change Memory (PCM). An input port and an output port connect the hierarchical memory device in a daisy-chain hierarchy or a hierarchical tree structure with other memories. Standard non-hierarchical memory devices can also attach to the output port of the hierarchical memory device.
US09123403B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus includes: a memory cell area including a plurality of banks each having a plurality of octet banks corresponding to a first group and a plurality of octet banks corresponding to a second group; and a control unit configured to generate a plurality of control signals to input a data signal to any one octet bank of the first group and any one octet bank of the second group with a predetermined margin.
US09123396B2
A semiconductor device may include first conductive patterns coupled to a common source and selection lines of a memory block formed at a substrate, second conductive patterns configured to form a bit line coupled to the memory block, and third conductive patterns configured to transmit a block selection signal to couple local lines of the memory block to global lines. The first to third conductive patterns are arranged in different layers over the memory block.
US09123393B2
The present invention discloses a discrete three-dimensional vertical memory (3D-MV). It comprises at least a 3D-array die and at least a voltage-generator die. The 3D-array die comprises a plurality of vertical memory strings. At least a voltage-generator component for the 3D-array die is located on the voltage-generator die instead of the 3D-array die. The 3D-array die and the voltage-generator die have substantially different back-end-of-line (BEOL) structures.
US09123390B2
In the disclosed technology, the device identification code of a memory integrated circuit is changeable. In some cases, multiple device identification codes are stored on the memory integrated circuit, and multiple device identification code selection data are stored on the memory integrated circuit. A device identification code register can store a selected device identification code.
US09123385B2
An electronic apparatus includes a thumbnail preparation unit configured to retrieve thumbnail images, each thumbnail image representing a scene of a different time of one or more moving images, a first thumbnail line display unit configured to time sequentially display a first plurality of thumbnail images corresponding to at least a part of one of the moving images as a first thumbnail line, a second thumbnail line display unit configured to display a second plurality of thumbnail images corresponding to a marked part of the moving images as a second thumbnail line, and a thumbnail shifting unit configured to shift a selection of a thumbnail along the second thumbnail line and update the first thumbnail line to display at least one thumbnail image of a temporally adjacent part of the marked part of the moving image corresponding to the newly selected thumbnail in response to a user instruction.
US09123380B2
A system, method, and computer program product for producing a show. In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a production system having a first production path, a second production path, and a control system that causes the first production path to generate a show in a first aspect ratio (4:3), and that causes the second production path to generate the same show in a second aspect ratio (16:9). In another embodiment, the invention is directed to producing a show from live material and from archived material. This aspect of the invention operates by producing a first show comprising a plurality of stories, segmenting the first show, and storing the show segments in an archive. Then, the invention produces a second show using live portions as well as show segments retrieved from the archive. The invention is also directed to a media manager that interacts with a server. In some cases, the server is integrated with the production system. The media manager automatically assigns channels/ports of the server when accessing material stored in the server.
US09123372B2
A transducer is configured to interact with a magnetic storage medium, a first channel comprises a first sensor and first circuitry configured to adjust a plurality of first channel parameters, and a second channel comprises a second sensor and second circuitry configured to adjust a plurality of second channel parameters. The first and second channel parameters are independently adjustable by the first and second circuitry, respectively. A detector is coupled to the first and second channels, and configured to detect a head-medium interface event.
US09123371B2
In certain embodiments, a head-suspension assembly includes a resonator attached to either a head or gimbal. The resonator is configured to resonate at a predefined resonant frequency. In certain embodiments, disc drives includes a recording medium, a head-suspension assembly, and a resonator. The resonator is attached to either a head or gimbal of the head-suspension assembly. The resonator is configured to resonate at a predefined resonant frequency.
US09123361B1
A later spin valve multi-reader includes at least two spin detectors, a spin injector and a spin diffusion medium. The spin diffusion medium bridges the spin detectors and the spin injector. Each of the spin detectors detects a unique spin accumulation signal.
US09123360B2
The present invention relates to an oxide sputtering target. By using the oxide sputtering target for formation of a protective film for an optical recording medium, a film, which has high storage stability and breakage resistance due to flexibility, can be deposited. Also, it can be utilized for direct-current sputtering and forms a less amount of particles during sputtering. The oxide sputtering target is made of an oxide sintered body including: with respect to a total content amount of metal compositions, 0.15 at % or more of one or more of Al, Ga, and In as a total content amount; 7 at % or more of Sn; and the balance Zn and inevitable impurities, wherein a total content amount of Al, Ga, In, and Sn is 36 at % or less.
US09123357B2
An optical pickup device includes a light source configured to output laser light, an objective lens configured to converge the laser light emitted from the light source onto an optical disc, a sensor lens including a lens surface on which return light reflected by the optical disc is incident and that is also configured to generate an astigmatism in the return light, and a light-receiving element configured to receive the return light which has passed through the sensor lens 40 and to generate a focus error signal based on the received return light. The lens surface includes a first curvature radius in a first direction and a second curvature radius different from the first curvature radius in a second direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
US09123355B1
A circuit may be configured to reduce the power consumption and extend the life of a near field transducer of a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device by pulsing a laser. The current that drives the laser may be of a frequency and magnitude so as to approximate the value of a continuous current in a continuous, non-pulsed laser. A system on chip (SOC), which may include a HAMR channel, can generate a laser data signal that may be synchronous with, and offset from, a write signal by a certain period of time, and may calculate certain parameters such as peak current and pulse width that may be applied to the signals in a preamp. The preamp signals can be used to program data to a disc medium.
US09123353B2
Systems and methods for adjusting pitch of an audio signal include detecting input notes in the audio signal, mapping the input notes to corresponding output notes, each output note having an associated upper note boundary and lower note boundary, and modifying at least one of the upper note boundary and the lower note boundary of at least one output note in response to previously received input notes. Pitch of the input notes may be shifted to match an associated pitch of corresponding output notes. Delay of the pitch shifting process may be dynamically adjusted based on detected stability of the input notes.
US09123348B2
A signal processing device processes a plurality of observed signals at a plurality of frequencies. The plurality of the observed signals are produced by a plurality of sound receiving devices which receive a mixture of a plurality of sounds. In the signal processing device, a storage stores observed data of the plurality of the observed signals. The observed data represents a time series of magnitude of each frequency in each of the plurality of the observed signals. An index calculator calculates an index value from the observed data for each of the plurality of the frequencies. The index value indicates significance of learning of a separation matrix using the observed data of each frequency. The separation matrix is used for separation of the plurality of the sounds from each other at each frequency. A frequency selector selects one or more frequency according to the index value of each frequency. A learning processor determines the separation matrix by learning with a given initial separation matrix using the observed data of the selected frequency.
US09123332B1
Example embodiments of the present invention may include a method that provides transcribing spoken utterances occurring during a call and assigning each of the spoken utterances with a corresponding set of first classifications. The method may also include determining a confidence rating associated with each of the spoken utterances and the assigned set of first classifications, and performing at least one of reclassifying the spoken utterances with new classifications based on at least one additional classification operation, and adding the assigned first classifications and the corresponding plurality of spoken utterances to a training data set.
US09123329B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for generating a sideband residual signal. The method includes: comparing energy of a first signal input by a first sound channel with energy of a second signal input by a second sound channel; if the energy of the first signal is greater than the energy of the second signal, generating a sideband residual signal by allocating a monophonic quantization error to the first signal; and if the energy of the first signal is smaller than the energy of the second signal, generating a sideband residual signal by allocating a monophonic quantization error to the second signal. By using the method and apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present invention, it can be avoided that a monophonic quantization error has a greater impact on a signal whose energy is smaller.
US09123327B2
A voice recognition apparatus includes a command recognizer and a data recognizer. The command recognizer recognizes a command portion of a voice input and outputs a command based on a voice recognition result of the voice input. The data recognizer recognizes a data portion of a voice inputs and outputs a data based on a voice recognition result of the voice input. The data recognizer further includes a plurality of data-category recognizers respectively using a data-category dictionary for recognizing the data portion of the voice input and outputting a data result. A voice recognition result selection unit of the voice recognition apparatus selects one of the data results from the data-category recognizers based on the command recognized by the command recognizer.
US09123326B2
An endoscopic device for generating acoustic waves with a sheath defining a center axis contains a first transducer for generating a first beam of acoustic energy radiating outwards of the endoscope sheath and a second transducer for generating a second beam of acoustic energy radiating outwards of the endoscope sheath. Both beams have different directions and intersect outside of the endoscope forming a focus spot. The second transducer is linearly movable parallel to the center axis with respect to the first transducer to displace the second beam and therefore to displace the intersection of the beams and therefore of the focus spot.
US09123321B2
A personal audio device, such as a wireless telephone, includes an adaptive noise canceling (ANC) circuit that adaptively generates an anti-noise signal from a reference microphone signal and injects the anti-noise signal into the speaker or other transducer output to cause cancellation of ambient audio sounds. An error microphone is also provided proximate to the speaker to provide an error signal indicative of the effectiveness of the noise cancellation. A secondary path estimating adaptive filter is used to estimate the electro-acoustical path from the noise canceling circuit through the transducer so that source audio can be removed from the error signal. Adaptation of adaptive filters is sequenced so that update of their coefficients does not cause instability or error in the update. A level of the source audio with respect to the ambient audio can be determined to determine whether the system may generate erroneous anti-noise and/or become unstable.
US09123314B2
An adjustable strap holder comprises a housing having an end face and a channel that extends from the end face axially into the housing. The adjustable strap holder also comprises an extension rod or bar that extends into the channel of the housing so as to have an exposed end that extends from the end face and a strap button secured to the exposed end of the extension rod. Further, the adjustable strap holder comprises a release mechanism coupled to the channel, where the release mechanism is operated by a user so as to allow the extension rod to be adjusted axially relative to the end face and/or removed from the instrument body.
US09123310B2
An LCD device according to an embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel in which n gate lines are formed; a timing controller to generate first to sixth clock signals; a first gate driver to apply a high gate voltage to one ends of the (2k−1)th gate lines in response to the first, third and fifth clock signals; a second gate driver to apply the high gate voltage to one ends of the (2k)th gate lines in response to the second, fourth and sixth clock signals; left discharge circuits each to apply a low gate voltage to the other end of the (2k−1)th gate line according to a voltage level on (2k+1)th gate line; and right discharge circuits each to apply the low gate voltage to the other end of the (2k)th gate line according to the voltage level on (2k+2)th gate line.
US09123307B2
Provided is a display system (1) capable of further reducing electric power consumption. The display system (1) includes: a host device (2) including transceivers (Tx1, Tx2); a display device (3) including receivers (Rx1, Rx2); a plurality of interfaces (IF1, IF2) for transmitting image data from the transceivers (Tx1, Tx2) to the receivers (Rx1, Rx2); changing means for changing the number of transmission lanes to be used by each of the plurality of interfaces (IF1, IF2); and a display panel (5) provided in the display device (3). Each of the interfaces (IF1, IF2) transmits the image data at an identical transmission rate irrespective of the number of the transmission lanes to be used. The display panel (5) displays an image indicated by the image data, at a frame rate corresponding to the total number of the transmission lanes to be used by the each of the interfaces (IF1, IF2).
US09123306B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a method of driving the LCD device. The LCD device includes a display panel having a plurality of pixels, a gamma voltage generating unit, and a source driver. The pixels are defined by a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines that cross each other. The gamma voltage generating unit generates a first gamma voltage at a higher voltage level than that of a target gamma voltage determined in advance based on a particular gradation and a second gamma voltage at a lower voltage level than that of the target gamma voltage. The source driver converts digital image data to analog image data by using the first gamma voltage and the second gamma voltage and displays the analog image data on the display panel using a dot inversion method.
US09123301B2
An electro-optical device includes: a display section that has a plurality of pixels; a control value acquisition section that acquires an initial value of a control value c which is used when an image is displayed on the display section; a calculation section that decreases the control value c whenever the image of the display section is rewritten; and a control section that selects one driving method from a plurality of driving methods on the basis of the control value c and rewrites the image of the display section by using the selected driving method.
US09123281B2
A lighting apparatus for an image display apparatus is provided with: a plurality of light sources corresponding to a plurality of areas of a screen; and a control unit configured to control a duty ratio of a turn-on period and a turn-off period of each light source according to an image signal to be inputted, by carrying out pulse width modulation control on the turn-on periods of time and the turn-off periods of time of the plurality of light sources. In cases where the duty ratio of each light source is controlled according to the image signal to be inputted, the control unit regulates turn-on start timing of each light source in such a manner that a variation in the number of light sources which are turned on at the same time to be suppressed.
US09123277B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for display of a screen according to brightness intensity of ambient light. One or more characteristic values configuring display data is set to be higher than a preset color characteristic value when measured brightness intensity of ambient light is higher than preset brightness intensity of ambient light, and one of the set color characteristic values is converted to a contrast characteristic value and is displayed. Therefore, even when brightness intensity of ambient light is high, the user can accurately view a screen.
US09123265B2
A planar light source device includes: a point light source that emits light; a circuit board that has a mounting portion, on which the point light source mounted, and a fixing portion, on which a connector supplying electric power to the point light source is mounted; and a frame that holds the circuit board with the point light source, wherein the circuit board has a protruding portion that protrudes from an end portion of the fixing portion, and wherein the fixing portion of the circuit board is fixed at an inner portion of the frame, and wherein the protruding portion of the circuit board is fixed at an outer portion of the frame, which is opposite to the inner portion of the fixing portion.
US09123261B2
Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training using a patient simulator, various anatomical inserts, and an integrated camera and computer system are disclosed. In some instances, a surgical simulator is provided that includes a uterine assembly. The uterine assembly simulates the appearance and feel of natural tissue and includes a plurality of materials arranged and dimensioned to simulate anatomic structures such as a right fallopian tube, a left fallopian tube, a right ovary, a left ovary, a uterus having a cervix, a bladder, ureters, a peritoneum, a uterine artery, a uterine vein, a plurality of ligaments, an ovarian artery, an ovarian vein, a perineum, and a vagina. In some implementations, at least the uterine artery, uterine vein, ovarian artery, and ovarian vein are in communication with a fluid supply such that each is pressurized with a blood-like fluid to simulate natural arteries and veins.
US09123256B2
This invention relates to a device for controlling of movement of limbs of a user in a substantially mirror symmetrical manner, a user's limb or limbs being held in position via support arms, said device comprising a bar (or bars) adapted to move about a point of rotation, said bar (or bars) having a first end and a second end, said ends separated by the point of rotation, a first support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards one end of said bar and a second support arm(s) operatively coupled at or towards a different end of the bar wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to substantially support and/or hold the limbs of a user of said device, the first and second support arms and the bar (or bars) configured such that, in use, as the bar (or bars) rotate(s) the support arms move in a substantially tandem synchronized manner with respect to each other.
US09123254B2
A method, a system, and a computer program product for creating and conducting a survey are disclosed. While creating the survey, one or more answer formats corresponding to each of the one or more questions are defined. Then, answering mediums corresponding to each of the one or more answer formats are defined. The survey is then created based on at least one of the questions, the answer formats, and the answering mediums. The survey is then available to the associated users. While conducting the survey, the system receives answers for the questions in the survey through the answering mediums in their associated answer format, and compiles a survey report.
US09123248B2
A control unit of an alarm device suppresses the activation of an alarm for a second another vehicle when a self-vehicle is reversing from a parked state, in a case where after one of a first detection unit, which is configured to detect another vehicle approaching from the back right of the self-vehicle, or the second detection unit, which is configured to detect another vehicle approaching from the back left of the self-vehicle, detects a first another vehicle, another one of the first detection unit or the second detection unit detects the second another vehicle, in a case where a distance difference between a first distance between the first another vehicle and the self-vehicle and a second distance between the second another vehicle and the self-vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, in a case where a speed difference between a first speed of the first another vehicle and a second speed of the second another vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined speed, or in a case where a time difference between a first estimated crossing time of the first another vehicle and the self-vehicle and a second estimated crossing time of the second another vehicle and the self-vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined time.
US09123246B2
A system and methods that account for vehicle human occupancy in parking management systems. Human throughput to an event is optimized by utilizing a smart parking guidance system based on the human occupancy of the vehicles to be parked.
US09123239B2
A framework for performance evaluation and active management of a transportation network infrastructure reconstructs traffic flow profiles by modeling annual average daily traffic data and collected traffic speed data to estimate an hourly traffic flow profile for a roadway segment, or link. Total daily flow for a link is derived from the corresponding annual average daily traffic data for that link, and is adjusting by the day of week and the monthly seasonal factors. An hourly flow distribution profile for a roadway link is then constructed using the traffic speed data relative to that link.
US09123236B2
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
US09123233B2
The present invention provides a hand sanitizer system that includes a proximity detector, a dispensing system and alarm feature, and is operative to provide an indication corresponding to a person in proximity of the system failing to dispense antiseptic or other solution from the dispenser within a predetermined period of time after moving within a predetermined range of the detector.
US09123220B2
An automatic fire suppression system used to provide protection of window glass and other structural elements in aircraft terminals which are exposed to exterior fires caused by natural, accidental, or intentional events comprises a directional passive microwave receiver, a central processor for processing received microwave signals over time and comparing the received signals over time with thermal event signatures stored in memory to selectively actuate a sprinkler system for protecting the window glass in the vicinity of an identified fire event. The memory may further store a model of the aircraft terminal, and the processor utilizes a fire dynamics simulator to simulate a thermal event at the terminal. A related fire suppression process involves the detection of incipient fires through an array of exterior passive microwave heat sensor fire detectors connected to an electronic control processor which identify zones such as 30 to 100 linear foot zones of exterior glass surface and automatically initiates an array of quenching sprinkler heads applying water to the exposed surfaces of glass and other structural elements in response to detection of an identified fire event by its signature.
US09123215B2
Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes evaluating conditions related to a vehicle, selecting a type of haptic alert based on the evaluated conditions, selecting a pattern of haptic actuators to command based on the type of haptic alert and a location of the haptic actuators in a seat of the vehicle, selecting a number of active haptic periods to command based on the type of haptic alert, selecting a duration of the active haptic periods and a duration of inactive haptic periods based on the type of haptic alert, and generating a signal indicating the active haptic periods based on the selected pattern of haptic actuators, the selected number of active haptic periods, and the selected duration of the active and inactive haptic periods.
US09123214B2
A commodity sales data processing device that processes sales data relating to a commodity includes a memorizing part (such as a RAM 3) that memorizes commodity data including unit mass information of a commodity, an imaging part that images a commodity, a quantity specifying part that specifies the number of commodities based on the picture data taken by the imaging part, a measuring part that measures the mass of the commodity, a number calculating part that calculates the number of commodities based on the mass of the commodity measured by the measuring part and the commodity data memorized in the memorizing part, a judging part that judges whether or not the number of commodities specified by the quantity specifying part and the number of commodities calculated by the number calculating part match, and an informing part that informs the result of judgment by the judging part.
US09123212B2
A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. A game has a feature having non-monetary characteristics which can be won, the non-monetary characteristics being able to be gambled. The gaming machine includes a selector by which a player is able to gamble at least one of the non-monetary characteristics of the feature.
US09123210B2
A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means. If a winning combination results, the machine awards a prize. In some circumstances, the console will display an animated character to communicate information to the player. The character is independent of and appears asynchronously with respect to the game being played and is arranged to appear super imposed over any game screen currently displayed at the time the character is displayed.
US09123199B2
The present disclosure provides a gaming system, device, and method providing wild reel wager options for a spinning reel type wagering game. The wagering game includes: a plurality of reels; a plurality of symbols; and one or more wild reel wager options, each of which is associated with one of a plurality of wild reel wager amounts. If a player wagers one of the wild reel wager amounts on a play of the wagering game, the gaming system determines, based on the wild reel wager option associated with that wild reel wager amount, a set of one or more of the reels to be wild reels, and causes each of the determined set of the reels to be wild reels for that play. The gaming system causes each of the reels to spin and display one or more of the symbols, and provides any awards based on the displayed symbols.
US09123198B2
A bonus game controller is disclosed for use with a plurality of gaming machines in networked relationship with the bonus game controller. The bonus game controller comprises a trigger determiner arranged to determine whether a bonus trigger signal has occurred at a gaming device. The bonus game controller is arranged to implement a first bonus game when a bonus trigger signal occurs at a gaming device, and also comprises a bonus prize allocator arranged to allocate a bonus prize to the gaming device based on an outcome of the first bonus game and based on one or more respective outcomes of at least one other subsequent bonus game implemented within a qualification period. A gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices and a game controller is also disclosed. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US09123196B1
A rotating sandwich dispenser assembly includes a housing that is positionable on a support surface. A processor is coupled to the housing. A bread dispenser is coupled to the housing. The bread dispenser is operationally coupled to the processor so the bread dispenser may dispense bread. An ingredient dispenser is rotatably coupled to the housing. The ingredient dispenser is operationally coupled to the processor so the ingredient dispenser may selectively dispense sandwich ingredients onto the loaf of bread. A conveyor belt is movably coupled to the housing. The conveyor belt is operationally coupled to the processor so the conveyor belt receives the loaf of bread from the bread dispenser. The conveyor belt may transport the loaf of bread to the ingredient dispenser. A control panel is coupled to the housing. The control panel is operationally coupled to the processor so the control panel may selectively actuate the processor.
US09123191B2
Money depositing/dispensing device and money management method of money depositing/dispensing device
A money depositing/dispensing device includes an inventory amount obtaining unit, a virtual inventory amount setting unit, and a device inventory amount management unit. The inventory amount obtaining unit is configured to count money to be stored in a storage unit and count money fed from the storage unit, thereby successively obtaining an inventory amount in the storage unit. The virtual inventory amount setting unit is configured to set an inventory amount of banknotes which are not present in the device but should be treated as money present in the device, as a virtual inventory amount. The device inventory amount management unit is configured to manage, as an inventory amount in the device, a sum of the inventory amount in the obtained by the storage unit inventory amount obtaining unit and the virtual inventory amount set by the virtual inventory amount setting unit.
US09123188B2
Provided is an acceleration detection apparatus installed in a vehicle and including a plurality of acceleration sensors having different characteristics, a function to input diagnosis signals in order to diagnose the outputs of the acceleration sensors and diagnose the fault detection functions while the vehicle stops, and a function to compare the outputs of the sensors in order to detect a fault while the vehicle runs.
US09123187B2
A vehicle data recording device wherein the housing is connected to a first supporting limb and a second supporting limb of the supporting bracket in such a way that it can pivot about a pivoting axis, wherein the pivoting axis is arranged above a housing central axis with respect to the height of the housing, and wherein the smallest distance between the pivoting axis and a mounting plate, connecting the supporting limb, of the supporting bracket is larger than the largest distance between the pivoting axis and a rear-side housing wall of the housing, with the result that the supporting bracket can be pivoted through an angle of 180° over a housing rear side, between a first position in a region underneath a housing lower side and a second position in a region above the housing upper side.
US09123180B2
A method for displaying a shadow of a 3D virtual object, includes steps of: (a) acquiring information on a viewpoint of a user looking at a 3D virtual object displayed in a specific location in 3D space by a wall display device; (b) determining a location and a shape of a shadow of the 3D virtual object to be displayed by referring to information on the viewpoint of the user and the information on a shape of the 3D virtual object; and (c) allowing the shadow of the 3D virtual object to be displayed by at least one of the wall display device and a floor display device by referring to the determined location and the determined shape of the shadow of the 3D virtual object. Accordingly, the user is allowed to feel the accurate sense of depth or distance regarding the 3D virtual object.
US09123172B2
A system for producing a visual representation of an object includes a structure for at least partially circumscribing the object, a plurality of still cameras mounted in fixed relation to each other, and at least one computer processor. The one or more computer processors trigger the plurality of still cameras to capture a plurality of still images of the object, create the visual representation of the object by, at least in part, arranging at least some of the plurality of still images in an order, and transmit a digital file that includes the visual representation of the object to a storage medium accessible by a user device. The visual representation of the object is user manipulable to permit presenting the visual representation in more than one way.
US09123169B2
A computer sets a first point on a first part in a plurality of tomographic images of an organ. The computer determines a relative position of the first point with respect to reference positions of the first part and a second part in the tomographic images. The computer sets a second point in association with the first point, on the first part in a 3D model representing a structure of the organ, such that a relative position of the second point with respect to reference positions of the first part and the second part in the 3D model matches the relative position of the first point. Then, the computer deforms the 3D model such that, when the tomographic images and the 3D model are placed in the same coordinate system, the position of the second point matches that of the first point.
US09123164B2
A method for extracting depth information, which may include extracting depth information relating to an object by using an actual nonlinear waveform instead of a mathematically ideal waveform and simultaneously may include effectively removing errors due to random noises that may be caused in a light source, an light modulator, an imaging device, or the like, is provided. The method may include performing simple multiplex and addition on captured images and performing a search of a look-up table. Thus, correct distance information may be extracted without being affected by a type of waveform being used, and an amount of memory which is used and calculated for removing random noise may be reduced.
US09123163B2
A medical image display apparatus includes an image obtainment unit configured to obtain a first image and a second image of a subject generated based on volume data, a base line setting unit configured to set a base line in the first image obtained by the image obtainment unit, an image division unit configured to divide, based on the base line that has been set in the first image by the base line setting unit, the second image into two divided images, and a display control unit configured to display the two divided images, which have been divided by the image division unit, on the first image at a display device in such a manner that the two divided images are away from the base line by a predetermined distance.
US09123158B2
An image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by a first imaging device provided in a HMD for presenting an image observed when a three-dimensional image in a virtual three-dimensional space is projected onto a real-world setting, the first imaging device being configured to visualize an area including a field of view of a user wearing the HMD. A marker detection unit detects a marker included in the image captured by the first imaging device and acquired by the image acquisition unit. The image acquisition unit acquires an image captured by a second imaging device having an angle of view that at least partially overlaps an angle of view of the first imaging device. If the marker is not captured in the image captured by the first imaging device, the marker detection unit detects the marker in an image captured by the second imaging device.
US09123155B2
A system and method for improving a surgeon's vision by overlaying augmented reality information onto a video image of the surgical site. A high definition video camera sends a video image in real time. Prior to the surgery, a pre-operative image is created from MRI, x-ray, ultrasound, or other method of diagnosis using imaging technology. The pre-operative image is stored within the computer. The computer processes the pre-operative image to decipher organs, anatomical geometries, vessels, tissue planes, orientation, and other structures. As the surgeon performs the surgery, the AR controller augments the real time video image with the processed pre-operative image and displays the augmented image on an interface to provide further guidance to the surgeon during the surgical procedure.
US09123152B1
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for assessing validity of a map using image data collected by a laser sensor along a vehicle path. The method may compile image data received from the laser sensor. The map subject to assessment may define an area prohibiting entry by a vehicle.
US09123150B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image information transmitting unit, a color information acquiring unit, a gradation characteristic determination unit, and a change instruction output unit. The image information transmitting unit transmits, to a display device, pieces of information corresponding to color measurement images. The color information acquiring unit acquires pieces of color information of images displayed on the display device on the basis of the transmitted pieces of information. The gradation characteristic determination unit determines, on the basis of the acquired pieces of color information, whether or not a setting of color adjustment that is performed in the display device satisfies a predetermined gradation characteristic. The change instruction output unit outputs an instruction to change the setting of color adjustment in the case where the gradation characteristic determination unit determines that the setting of color adjustment does not satisfy the predetermined gradation characteristic.
US09123145B2
Techniques are presented for controlling the amount of temporal noise in certain animation sequences. Sketchy animation sequences are received in an input in a digital form and used to create an altered version of the same animation with temporal coherence enforced down to the stroke level, resulting in a reduction of the perceived noise. The amount of reduction is variable and can be controlled via a single parameter to achieve a desired artistic effect.
US09123137B2
A motion vector computing device according to one embodiment includes: a difference computing unit that computes inter-frame temporal difference value It, uses horizontal direction inter-pixel difference value Ix and vertical direction inter-pixel difference value Iy in a same frame, the current frame signal and the different frame signals when the pixel moves for a small-time, a variance matrix generating unit computes the variances of the gradient in the horizontal direction, in the vertical direction and in the temporal direction of the luminance value on the basis of the difference values Ix, Iy and It, a coefficient computing unit computes a coefficient of a flat plane formula by calculating a formula for giving a minimum with regard to the square error of the flat plane formula approximating the distribution of luminance gradients of the pixel and a vector computing unit computes the motion vector uses the coefficient.
US09123131B2
A parallel correlation method and a correlation apparatus are provided, which can be adapted for an optical navigation device. The method includes: generating a reference array corresponding to a reference image and a compare array corresponding to a first compare image captured are generated; storing the reference array in a first memory bank such that the reference pixel values of an ith column thereof are indexed by the respective ith column; storing the compare array in a second memory bank such that the compare pixel values of a jth column thereof are indexed by the respective jth column; fetching the compare pixel values from the second memory bank and the corresponding reference pixel values with column indexing to simultaneously compute the correlation between the reference array and the compare array for a L×M correlation array, wherein M, i, and j are integers.
US09123122B2
A method and system for removing an object support from imaging data such as CT imaging data are provided. The automatic or semi-automatic removal process comprises identifying and locating the top edge of the object support in sagittal imaging plane data, and then removing the object support from transverse or volumetric imaging data.
US09123120B2
A computerized image guided biological cellular process progressive selection method receives at least one state cell image. A state cell region recognition is performed using the state cell image to generate state cell region output. A state cell measurement is performed using the state cell region to generate at least one state cell feature output. A state cell decision is performed using the state cell feature to generate state cell selection decision output. The selected cell is progressively selected in at least one follow-on states by its image guided state cell selection method. The method further includes at least one additional image acquired in a later frame of same state and state cell feature includes temporal features of growth patterns.
US09123116B2
A multiview face capture system may acquire detailed facial geometry with high resolution diffuse and specular photometric information from multiple viewpoints. A lighting system may illuminate a face with polarized light from multiple directions. The light may be polarized substantially parallel to a reference axis during a parallel polarization mode of operation and substantially perpendicular to the reference axis during a perpendicular polarization mode of operation. Multiple cameras may each capture an image of the face along a materially different optical axis and have a linear polarizer configured to polarize light traveling along its optical axis in a direction that is substantially parallel to the reference axis. A controller may cause each of the cameras to capture an image of the face while the lighting system is in the parallel polarization mode of operation and again while the lighting system is in the perpendicular polarization mode of operation.
US09123112B2
A method for inspecting a portion of a tire surface involves comparison with an image of a three-dimensional (“3D”) reference surface. The method includes: extracting contours of graphic elements of an image of a 3D profile of a surface to be inspected; transforming the reference surface by establishing a correspondence between the contours of the graphic elements of the surface to be inspected and contours of identical graphic elements of the reference surface using a series of transformations; associating a B-spline surface, which includes control points, with the graphic elements of the transformed reference surface; and deforming the contours of the graphic elements of the reference surface by modifying positions of the control points of the B- spline surface so as to minimize distances between the contours of the graphic elements of the reference surface and the contours of the graphic elements of the surface to be inspected corresponding thereto.
US09123109B2
The present invention relates to an image processing device and method which enable encoding efficiency in intra prediction to be improved.In the event that the optimal intra prediction mode is mode 0, adjacent pixels to be used for prediction of the current block are pixels A0, A1, A2, and A3. According to these pixels and a 6-tap FIR filter, pixels a−0.5, a+0.5, and so on with ½ pixel precision are generated, and further, pixels a−0.75, a−0.25, a+0.25, and a+0.75 with ¼ pixel precision are generated by linear interpolation. Subsequently, the optimal shift amount is determined with a value of −0.75 through +0.75 that is phase difference between an integer pixel and generated fractional pixel precision serving as a candidate of the shift amount in the horizontal direction. The present invention may be applied to an image encoding device which performs encoding using the H.264/AVC system, for example.
US09123104B2
Apparatus and methods reduce common-mode error. An integrated circuit includes a plurality of signal channels, a first proxy channel, and a subtraction block. The signal channels are configured to receive a plurality of input signals and to generate a plurality of output signals, and each of the signal channels has a substantially similar circuit topology. The first proxy channel has a substantially similar circuit topology as the plurality of signal channels, and includes an output that can vary in relation to a common-mode error of the signal channels. The subtraction block is configured to generate a plurality of modified output signals by using the output of the first proxy channel to reduce the common-mode error of the plurality of output signal channels.
US09123102B2
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a representative pixel calculation unit configured to select some pixels in an input image as representative pixels, a representative pixel update unit configured to update pixel values of the representative pixels, and a corrected image generation unit configured to set pixel values for pixels other than the representative pixels by applying the updated pixel values of the representative pixels. The representative pixel update unit is configured to, based on pixels around a position of the representative pixels in a smoothed image generated based on the input image as reference pixels, execute pixel value correction of the representative pixels by applying the pixel values of the reference pixels.
US09123091B2
Computer implemented methods for compressing 3D hyperspectral image data having a plurality of spatial pixels associated with a hyperspectral image, and a number of spectral dimensions associated with each spatial pixel, include receiving, using a processor, the 3D hyperspectral image data, a set of basis vectors associated therewith, and either a maximum error amount or a maximum data size. The methods also include partitioning the 3D hyperspectral image data into a plurality of 2D images, each associated with one of the number of spectral dimensions, and an associated one of the set of basis vectors. The methods additionally include ranking the set of basis vectors if not already ranked. The methods may further include iteratively applying lossy compression to the 2D images, in an order determined by the ranking. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
US09123088B2
In accordance with some embodiments, partial rendering of non-changing or slowly changing frame tiles allows the graphics processing unit to spend less time processing non-changing or slowly changing portions of each frame, saving power and creating more room for performance in some embodiments.
US09123086B1
A mobile data analysis system is provided that enables mobile device location tracking, secure messaging, and real-time sharing of intelligence information, among other features. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus is provided for creating data objects from one or more digital images captured by a mobile device. A computing device receives a first digital image file comprising first image metadata, wherein the first image metadata includes one or more image properties each having an image property value. The computing device transforms one or more of the image property values of the one or more image properties into one or more particular values. The computing device populates one or more data object property values of a data object with the one or more particular values. The computing device stores the data object in a data repository.
US09123081B2
A social media interaction application tool and related methods include a communication component, a dialog component, at least one social media link component, a tile display component, and an interaction component, wherein the social media interaction tool is stored on and executed from a portable media storage device, a hand held device, tablet computer, laptop computer, desk top computer or a combination thereof. In some contemplated embodiments, social media interaction application tools are embedded on or included in a media file or collection of media files that are stored or located on a portable media storage device, a hand held device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desk top computer, a network server, an internet server, the cloud or a combination thereof.
US09123078B2
An approach is provided for social networking-based item installation. A social network platform receives a request from at least one device, a service, or a combination to initiate an installation of at least one item. The platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of information associated with the at least one device, the request, or a combination thereof to determine at least one other device. The service platform then determines to cause, at least in part, an initiation of the installation of the at least one item at the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.
US09123074B2
Systems, methods and computer readable products are provided for enabling dynamic loading of one or more digital image branding functions associated with one or more distribution rules. A distribution rule is used to target a group of end users that are selected from a dataset mapping a plurality of end-users according to one or more distribution rules. Instructions are forwarded to present an indication the digital image branding function to each member of the end users group.
US09123059B2
A method and a device for making a wireless cellular communication using a merchandising product with a marketing message. A merchant delivers a merchandising product to a user. The merchandising device contains an electronic module that comprises memory that stores multimedia and an identifier such as telephone number. The electronic module contains the components necessary to play the multimedia, including one or more audio output devices and optionally a video screen. The electronic module also contains the components necessary to connect to a wireless network and to place a cellular communication using the wireless network to the identifier. The electronic module is activated by a switch. Upon activation, the electronic module plays the multimedia on the one or more audio output devices and, optionally, the video screen. While the multimedia is playing, the module connects to a wireless network. Upon the conclusion of playing the multimedia, the module makes a wireless communication with the stored identifier number with no further action on the part of the user.
US09123056B2
Methods and systems are provided herein for the analysis of clickstream data of online users. The analysis methods and systems allow for the creation of new offline business methods based on online consumer behavior.
US09123052B2
A system includes a variable determination module determining a variable operable to be used for the final model and also determining a modification to the at least one variable. An assumption determination module determines an assumption operable to be used for the final model. The assumption includes a transformation for the variable describing how the variable impacts the marketing objective or how the variable impacts another variable operable to be used in the final model. The assumption module also determines a modification to the assumption. A model generator generates a candidate model using the variable and the assumption, and generates a new candidate model using the modified assumption, the new variable or the modification to the variable. The candidate model or the new candidate model is operable to be selected as the final model based on at least one of a statistical measure and an indication of relevance for the variable in the candidate model and the new candidate model.
US09123051B2
Provided is a method for converting a generic system into a specifically-branded system after the sale of an item. The method alleviates a supplier's inventory burdens by allowing the supplier to inventory generic items, rather than items specifically branded for a particular retailer. The items may be branded with the selling retailer's logo or indicia after the sale of the item. Furthermore, the item may be associated with a customer service system, which may also be branded with the selling retailer's logo after the sale of the item. The conversion of the item and customer service system from a generic item and system into a specifically-branded item and system may foster the relationship between the supplier and retailer and entice the retailer to maintain the relationship with the supplier.
US09123045B2
In general, embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for providing a user with a predictive geo-location based receipt retrieval for post transaction action. Consumers receive e-receipts after handling a transaction with a merchant in many ways. These receipts can be stored and managed with considerably ease over physical receipts. Consumers may use these receipts after making a purchase for post transaction actions such as product return, product refund, warranty services, and/or the like. The present invention may be used to retrieve the receipts based on the consumer's geographic location, predicting a post transaction action scenario.
US09123042B2
Systems and methods for performing token transactions are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides for processing token transactions, including receiving an encrypted password for a debit card transaction, wherein the password was secured using encrypted debit-card information, decrypting the password using encrypted debit-card information for the debit card, recreating the password using actual debit-card information for the debit card, and forwarding the recreated password for subsequent transaction processing. The invention is suitable for implementation with other types of tokens in addition to debit-card tokens as well. The invention can be implemented in a scenario where the password includes a PIN block that is created by combining a clear or encrypted PIN for the token with token information.
US09123041B2
A system for presentation of multiple NFC credentials via an NFC baseband in a portable communication device during a single NFC transaction. The system comprises a secure element having a directory of available NFC credentials stored therein, wherein the ordering of the available NFC credentials usually indicates the priority. The system further comprises a pre-determined multiple-credential start Application ID (AID) wherein the directory includes a plurality of NFC credentials after the pre-determined multiple-credential start AID. A method for presenting multiple NFC credentials during a single NFC transaction is also disclosed.
US09123039B2
A system and method for facilitating a financial transaction over a network including use of a passphrase account identifier is described herein. In one embodiment, a system for facilitating a financial transaction over a network comprises a communication interface; and a payment provider system configured to receive via the communication interface a passphrase account identifier from a merchant system, match the passphrase account identifier to a corresponding funding instrument number of a corresponding funding instrument, communicate the corresponding funding instrument number to an issuer system, receive from the issuer system a notification indication of one of acceptance of the funding instrument or decline of the funding instrument, and communicate back to the merchant system the notification indication.
US09123031B2
Attendance tracking via mobile devices may be provided. Once a meeting begins, a plurality of mobile devices present at the meeting may be identified. An attendance report for a plurality of attendees at the meeting may be provided based on the presence of each of the identified plurality of mobile devices.
US09123025B2
A method for detection of spam in a tagging system can include assigning negative points to each tag in the tagging system responsive to the tag matching at least one spam filter criteria, assigning trust points to a tagger responsive to the tagger's behavior matching at least one tagger filter criteria, wherein the at least one tagger filter criteria depends upon tags assigned by the tagger that are assigned negative points, and restricting a tagging functionality of the tagging system for a tagger if a first predefined threshold of negative trust points is exceeded.
US09123023B2
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for managing sets of structured data. According to one embodiment, managing a set of structured data can comprise identifying a plurality of elements within the set of structured data. Each of the identified elements can be assigned to a record having a predefined schema comprising content of the assigned element and a plurality of control attributes for the assigned element. One or more of the control attributes can be defined for each of the records and the records can be stored in a repository. Upon receiving a request for one or more of the plurality of elements, those elements to be made available can be identified based on the control attributes of the stored records. The stored records for the identified elements can be retrieved and provided to one or more users in response to the request.
US09123020B2
A user interface accepts a model of a proposed system solution for a service assurance system. A Dimensioning Engine receives the solution and determines dimensions for the solution. The dimensions specify any of: a quantity of CPUs, a rating for the quantity of CPUs, an amount of disk storage, a memory requirement, or a CPU processing parameter. A Dimensioning Model Manager stores data from equipment and product vendors to determine the solution by taking into account specific characteristics of an equipment or a product to be used in the service assurance system. A Dimensioning Monitor (DM) monitors the model of the solution against events occurring in the service assurance system. The DM transmits an alert if the service assurance system underperforms or overperforms with reference to the model. The DM determines changes to the model into line with a current set of operational conditions, or updates the dimensions.
US09123015B2
A system and method is provided which determines optimal logistics solutions by allowing a purchaser of goods to vary order frequency and amount of goods ordered so as to lower logistics costs while still meeting inventory constraints. The logistics solution uses several models to search for the most optimal solution in any of a variety of metrics, including total cost, percentage trailer utilization, number of truck used, and miles driven.
US09123010B2
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for tracking and managing resource usage through a ledger feature that can trigger complex real-time reactions. The resource tracking can be managed through a ledger module and a ledger data structure. The ledger data structure can be updated each time a task requests a resource. Additionally, as part of the update, the ledger module can verify whether a resource has been over consumed. In response to the detection of an over consumption, the ledger module can set a flag. At some later pointer when the thread is in a stable, well-understood point, the ledger module can check if the flag has been set. If the flag has been set, the ledger module can call the appropriate callback function, which can react to the over consumption in a resource specific manner.
US09122985B2
The described implementations relate to expressing terminologies in a hierarchical form. One implementation can receive a terminology that can include concept-code pairs. For example, each of the concept-code pairs can include a concept and a code that is assigned to the concept by the terminology. The implementation can map the concepts to levels of a hierarchical ontology, and associate some of the concepts across different levels of the hierarchical ontology. The implementation can also provide programmatic access to the concept-code pairs of the terminology via the hierarchical ontology.
US09122975B2
Provided is a printing apparatus that, if information on sheets held by sheet holding unit for holding sheets is set, prints images based on the set information on sheets, and a method for controlling the printing apparatus. In a case that a job that uses the sheet holding unit has been interrupted when sheets are placed on the sheet holding unit, printing is performed based on information on sheets that was designated by the job.
US09122971B2
A label for enabling verification of an object includes a scannable region that enables determination of auto-acquired unique spatial orientation of the scannable region with respect to a reference thereby enabling determination of a spatial orientation of the label with respect to the reference. The label is applied onto the object and a change in the spatial orientation of the label indicates tampering of the label, thereby enabling verification of the object. Further, a method for detecting tampering of an object includes providing label on the object. The label has at least a portion which is scannable region with a plurality of patterns and is associated with an external reference point. Further, the method includes determining a first and a second spatial orientations of the label based on computation between the patterns and the reference point, and generating an alert on noticing a change between first and second spatial orientations.
US09122968B2
The disclosure provides a cross-linkable polymer composition, a core layer for an information carrying card comprising such cross-linked composition, resulting information carrying card, and methods of making the same. A crosslinkable polymer composition comprises a curable base polymer resin in a liquid or paste form, and a particulate thermoplastic filler. The base polymer resin is selected from the group consisting of urethane acrylate, silicone acrylate, epoxy acrylate, urethane, acrylate, silicone and epoxy. The particulate thermoplastic filler may be polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a copolymer of vinyl chloride and at least another monomer, or a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a compound or blend thereof.
US09122954B2
Parallel processing of an image using an array of addressable registers. Image features are extracted from the image. The image features are storable as data. According to respective values of a sorting key derived from a parameter of the data, the image features are sorted into N buckets. Using an array of M addressable registers, where M is less than N, the data are summed within the buckets to perform a histogram of the image features, according to values of a histogram key derived from said a parameter of the data.
US09122951B2
A teachable object contour mapping method for region partition receives an object boundary and a teaching image. An object contour mapping recipe creation is performed using the object boundary and the teaching image to generate object contour mapping recipe output. An object contour mapping is applied to an application image using the object contour mapping recipe and the application image to generate object contour map output. An object region partition using the object contour map to generate object region partition output. An updateable object contour mapping method receives a contour mapping recipe and a validation image. An object contour mapping is performed using the object contour mapping recipe and the validation image to generate validation contour map output. An object region partition receives a region mask to generate validation object region partition output. A boundary correction is performed using the validation object region partition to generate corrected object boundary output. An update contour mapping is performed using the corrected object boundary, the validation image and the contour mapping recipe to generate updated contour mapping recipe output.
US09122948B1
A method and apparatus are provided for optimizing one or more object detection parameters used by an autonomous vehicle to detect objects in images. The autonomous vehicle may capture the images using one or more sensors. The autonomous vehicle may then determine object labels and their corresponding object label parameters for the detected objects. The captured images and the object label parameters may be communicated to an object identification server. The object identification server may request that one or more reviewers identify objects in the captured images. The object identification server may then compare the identification of objects by reviewers with the identification of objects by the autonomous vehicle. Depending on the results of the comparison, the object identification server may recommend or perform the optimization of one or more of the object detection parameters.
US09122945B2
A method for processing data includes identifying a time signature of an infra-red (IR) beacon. Image data associated with the IR beacon is identified using the time signature.
US09122929B2
The invention relates a method of identifying a tracked object that has a known database of hyperspectral and spatial information. The method associates an identifier with the tracked object; selects a parameter associated with the hyperspectral or spatial information of the tracked object; detects a deviation in the selected parameter; compares the deviation with the database; and if the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold, assigns a new identifier to the tracked object, and if the deviation does not exceed the predetermined threshold, continues tracking the tracked object.
US09122924B2
Methods, devices, and systems for object identification are described herein. One or more method embodiments include converting data associated with an object on a geographical image or map into a number of primitives, fitting the number of primitives to a geometrical shape, and identifying the object based, at least in part, on the geometrical shape to which the number of primitives is fitted.
US09122909B2
The embodiments of the present invention provide a card reader, electronic apparatus and protection method for memory card. The card reader comprises: a card slot having an accommodation space for accommodating a memory card, with parallel guiding slots being arranged on the left side and right side walls of the card slot; and a cover arranged on the card slot and being slidable on the card slot via the guiding slots. With the embodiments of the present invention, the delay time for stopping the read-write protection may be increased, the memory card may be protected in time, and the back repair rate of the memory card may be reduce.
US09122907B2
A cell image segmentation method includes receiving a cell image, performing a nuclei initialization step to find an internal marker and an external marker to obtain a potential nuclei and a potential cell boundary, calculating a gradient map of the received cell image, performing a filtering step on the gradient map to generate a filtered gradient map, performing a nuclei detection step to obtain a segmented nuclei, and performing a nuclei validation step to obtain a valid nuclei. The nuclei initialization step includes performing a blob detection step to obtain a nuclei candidate, an outlier removal step to obtain the internal marker, a distance transform step to obtain a distance map, and a cell boundary initialization step to obtain the external marker. In another embodiment, a nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio evaluation method using the above cell image segmentation method is proposed.
US09122905B2
Systems and methods for analyzing digital slide images. In an embodiment, a digital slide image is acquired from a specimen on a slide. Then, until it is determined that a quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the quality of the digital slide image is determined and the digital slide image is reacquired. Once it is determined that the quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the digital slide image and a measure of the quality of the digital slide image is provided to one or more recipients.
US09122897B2
A method for the detection and classification of microcalcification clusters in digital mammograms which comprises the following steps: obtaining one or more digital mammograms; pre-processing the one or more digital mammograms by eliminating the noise from each one or more digital mammograms; detecting the points that are potential microcalcifications represented by their centroids, in the one or more pre-processed digital mammograms; identifying each mass center of potential microcalcifications as a microcalcification or non-microcalcification; identifying microcalcification clusters, using an algorithm for locating microcalcification cluster; and classifying each cluster into the classes benign or malignant.
US09122895B2
In a transient storage device (TSD) with multiple authentication silos, a host computing device connected to the TSD is configured by the TSD to discover and act upon various types of authentication information in the silos. One or more logical combinations of authentication silos are switched to the authenticated state to grant access to an associated storage area. A particular ordering of authentication silos may be required to achieve a valid combination of authenticated silos. Ordering may be suggested by configuration information in the TSD. Ordering may also be based upon whether or not user input is required for authenticating a given authentication silo, the environment of use of the TSD, or a hierarchy from most trusted to least trusted authentication silo. With this information, the host proceeds with the most efficient authentication sequence leading to a grant of access to the storage area.
US09122890B2
A data processing apparatus including processing circuitry having a secure domain and a further different secure domain and a data store for storing data and instructions. The data store includes a plurality of regions each corresponding to a domain, and at least one secure region for storing sensitive data accessible by the data processing circuitry operating in the secure domain and not accessible by the data processing circuitry operating in the further different secure domain and a less secure region for storing less sensitive data. The processing circuitry is configured to verify that a region of the data store storing the program instruction corresponds to a current domain of operation of the processing circuitry and, if not, to verify whether the program instruction includes a guard instruction and, if so, to switch to the domain corresponding to the region of the data store storing the program instruction.
US09122878B1
An improved technique for verifying a license of a software product includes performing license checks with a server and passing to the server, as part of the license checks, a drifting digital code. The drifting code forms a particular drift pattern, which the server detects over the course of multiple license checks. The drift pattern is typically unique, or relatively unique, to the machine on which the software product is run, and changes in a manner that is difficult for malicious users to replicate on other machines. If a second copy of the software is installed, e.g., if the software is pirated, the second copy will produce a drifting code that has its own drift pattern, which differs from that of the initial copy. The server detects the duplicate copy by observing a divergence in the codes it receives during license checks.
US09122876B2
A method for installing embedded firmware is provided. The method includes generating one or more firmware file instances and generating one or more digital certificate instances that are separate instances from the firmware file instances. The method includes associating the one or more digital certificate instances with the one or more firmware file instances to facilitate updating signature-unaware modules with signature-aware firmware or to facilitate updating signature-aware modules with signature-unaware firmware.
US09122869B1
A computer-implemented method for detecting client types may include identifying a communication from a client system transmitted according to a network protocol, analyzing the communication to determine at least one protocol implementation characteristic that describes how the client system implemented the network protocol in the communication, submitting the protocol implementation characteristic to a protocol implementation database that correlates client types with protocol implementation characteristics and receiving, in response to submitting the protocol implementation characteristic, a client type of the client system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09122858B2
Methods, computer systems, and computer-readable storage media for using a single application on a mobile device to access a plurality of client domain sites are provided. The single application on the mobile device receives from a user of the mobile device a set of authorization credentials. Based on the set of authorization credentials, the single application receives a first client domain uniform resource locator from a third-party directory service. The first client domain uniform resource locator is used to access a client gateway service; the client gateway service provides a secure access point to a number of different service solutions hosted by a client. Upon the user inputting a set of authentication credentials, the user is able to access information from one or more of the different service solutions.
US09122856B2
Methods are disclosed for performing an update to a biometric access system. An instruction is received at a handheld device defining the update. An encoded signal is generated from the instruction to be transmitted to a biometric terminal from the handheld device. An acknowledgment is received from the biometric terminal at the handheld device that the encoded signal has been received and acted upon. Update information is transmitted from the handheld device over a network to a server to record the update.
US09122854B2
A temperature key includes a temperature sensor, a microprocessor chip, a storage device, a port, a record button and an enter button. When the temperature key is connected to a computing device and the record button is pressed, the temperature sensor is triggered to record a temperature signal input by a user. The microprocessor chip converts the temperature signal into a password, stores the password in the storage device, and sends the password to the computing device to lock the computing device. When the temperature key is connected to the computing device again and the enter button is pressed, the microprocessor chip retrieves the password from the storage device and sends the password to the computing device. The computing device is unlocked in response to determining that the received password matches the password stored in the computing device.
US09122853B2
User authentication techniques based on geographical locations associated with a client device is provided. A network connection can be established between two or more host machines and a client device. Upon a request received from the client device by one of these host machines, round trip times of test messages may be measured between the client device and each of the host machines. The round trip times can be utilized to determine the current geographical location of the client device. If the location is within a tolerance geographical area, the client device may be authenticated. Otherwise, the authentication may fail or additional security procedures may be implemented. In some examples, a travel time from a historical geographical location to current geographical location can be determined. This data may be also utilized in the user authentication process.
US09122851B2
A method, system and software for assessing an entity (15) at a first user terminal (13) connected to a data network (10). A control system (11) is used to receive an access request (101) from the entity (15) or an assessing user (16) at a second user terminal (14). The control system (11) invokes or facilitates transmission of at least one unpredictable prompt (18) to the entity (15) for a performance of a visible prompted action (20). A video recording (21) of the prompted action performance is stored in a data store (61) and an automated assessment is made of the video recording (21) and/or a transmission of said video recording (21) and details of the prompt (18) is made to a second user terminal (14) for viewing and assessment by an assessing user (16).
US09122846B2
Transformations of digital records are used as lowest level inputs to a tree data structure having a root in a core system and having nodes computed as digital combinations of child node values. Signature vectors are associated with the digital records and have parameters that enable recomputation upward through the tree data structure to either a current calendar value or onward to a composite calendar value that is a function of calendar values in a calendar, which comprises a set of computed calendar values, such that the calendar values have a time correspondence. Recomputation yields the same value only if a candidate digital record is an exact version of the original digital record included in the original computation of the value, indicating authentication of the candidate digital record. The authentication process as such is independent of any trust authority that issues cryptographic keys.
US09122841B2
Applications and their application components are deployed on a cloud platform. The application components generate application logs on the underlying cloud runtime infrastructure of the cloud platform. In one aspect, the application logs may be stored on a network storage on the cloud platform. In another aspect, the application logs may be stored on the cloud runtime infrastructure. The cloud platform provides a service that exposes an interface to remotely provide the stored application logs. The exposed interface is instantiated to process remote requests for application logs for a specified application component. The remote requests are sent from a client. The requested application logs are retrieved based on the implementation of the interface. The application logs are provided to the client.
US09122837B1
A technique validates results from a circuit simulation estimation program. The technique determines whether the estimated results satisfy Kirchhoff's current law (KCL), Kirchhoff's voltage laws (KVL), and power conservation for the original circuit. A reporting tool shows the validation results and may be customized by the user. The tool can show in the original circuitry where the estimated results may be inaccurate.
US09122833B2
A method of designing a fin field effect transistor (FinFET)-based circuit includes designing, using a processor, a first circuit schematic design based on a performance specification, the first circuit schematic design is free of artificial elements, wherein the artificial elements are used to simulate electrical performance of the FinFET-based circuit. The method further includes modifying, using the processor, at least one device within the first circuit schematic design to form a second circuit schematic design taking the artificial elements into consideration. The method further includes performing a pre-layout simulation using the second circuit schematic and taking the artificial elements into consideration. The method further includes generating a layout, wherein the layout does not take the artificial elements into consideration, and performing a post-layout simulation, wherein the post-layout simulation does not take the artificial elements into consideration.
US09122832B2
Problematic open areas are identified in a semiconductor wafer layout. The problematic open areas have a size variation relative to one or more neighboring open areas of the layout sufficient to cause adverse microloading variation. In one embodiment, the adverse microloading variation is controlled by shifting a number of layout features to interdict the problematic open areas. In another embodiment, the adverse microloading variation is controlled by defining and placing a number of dummy layout features to shield actual layout features that neighbor the problematic open areas. In another embodiment, the adverse microloading variation is controlled by utilizing sacrificial layout features which are actually fabricated on the wafer temporarily to eliminate microloading variation, and which are subsequently removed from the wafer to leave behind the desired permanent structures.
US09122824B2
Aspects may include a method of designing a system-on-chip. The method may include receiving multiple processing modules, each representing in software one of multiple processing units of a system-on-chip. The method may further include modeling communications from one or more of the multiple processing modules as accesses to memory. The method may further include generating a coherent memory module associated with the multiple processing modules based on modeling the communications from the one or more of the multiple processing modules as accesses to memory. The coherent memory module may represent in software a coherent memory associated with the multiple processing units.
US09122823B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, program product, and a logic circuit structure for correcting early-mode timing violations in a digital circuit design. A portion of a digital circuit design is identified having an early-mode timing violation. A logic circuit is identified within the identified portion of a digital circuit design having the early-mode timing violation. At least one input of the identified logic circuit is identified as having the early-mode timing violation. At least one transistor is added to the identified logic circuit, wherein the input of the added at least one transistor is coupled to the identified at least one input of the identified logic circuit, and wherein the addition of the at least one transistor delays the signal received at the identified at least one input to eliminate the early-mode timing violation.
US09122821B2
Systems, methods, and computer readable mediums. A method includes receiving a three dimensional model for a simulation that includes a first material portion that extends between first and second material handling elements. The method includes simulating motion of the first and second material handling elements and simulating an interaction between the first material portion and the first and second material handling elements. The method includes maintaining a constraint between the first and second material handling elements according to the first material portion, dynamically updating the model and displaying the simulation, and storing the model. A method for fluid simulation is also discussed.
US09122819B2
A shoe with a three-dimensional (3-D) surface texture created using rapid manufacturing techniques is provided. A plurality of 3-D surface texture options is presented on a user interface; each of the options is associated with one of a plurality of 3-D surface textures to be applied to a portion of a shoe. A selection of a 3-D surface texture is received and is used in part to generate a design file. The design file is used to instruct a rapid manufacturing device to manufacture the portion of the shoe comprised of the 3-D surface texture using a rapid manufacturing technique.
US09122803B1
A request to generate a defect report is received for a defect observed within a software system under test. Context information is identified, provided by a plurality of instrumentation units, each instrumentation unit in the plurality of instrumentation units monitoring one or more respective software components within the system under test. The context information identifies characteristics of transactions performed in the system under test. At least some of the identified context information is automatically associated with the defect. The requested defect report is generated to include the context information associated with the identified defect.
US09122797B2
Devices systems and methods are provided for providing a deterministic remote interface unit (RIU) based on a finite state machine. The RIU emulator uses a sequence controller that is configured to receive a synchronization input and to execute a fixed list of unconditional commands in an invariable order of execution based solely upon the synchronization input. The RIU emulator also uses pre-defined or pre-certified data structures that are specific to one or more interface devices to successfully execute the at least one unconditional command of the plurality when encountered in the invariable order. As such, peripheral devices may be added, removed or updated without recertification by merely inserting pre-certified data structures into memory or deleting them.
US09122790B2
Evaluating software test comprehensiveness of an application. A subset of the software-under-test basic blocks is identified for emphasized and/or deemphasized testing. During test, execution of the basic blocks is monitored, and then aggregated into a weighted code coverage result which factors in the prioritization assignments of the subset of basic blocks.
US09122789B1
According to one embodiment, the invention comprise a Translation Tool, that translates messages in a client/server system into a form compatible with a Load Testing Tool, which are used to create a script for the Load Testing Tool. The Load Testing Tool utilizes the script created with the messages converted by the Translation Tool to generate emulated messages to test and evaluate the performance of the client/server system. The Translation Tool (possibly the same as the first translator) translates the messages generated by the Load Testing Tool into a form compatible by the client/server system.
US09122788B2
An appliance network has a network binder accessory to establish a private network among nodes that might be on different networks, using “one-click”.
US09122783B2
Systems and methods for filling a customer order. An automated label and verification machine is used to print and apply patient labels to products containing medical items and then verify the product label and patient label on each of the products. In order to supply the automated label and verification machine with a batch of different products making up the customer order, a user is sent to a storage carousel and prompted to pick the products from storage locations rotated into location adjacent to a door in the cage surrounding the storage carousel. The use of the storage carousels maximizes the number of distinct products and amount of those products that may be stored in close relation to the automated label and verification machine, thereby making the process more space and time efficient.
US09122773B2
A predetermined period is selected on timeline, and electronic medical record information about examination and treatment received by a predetermined person to be examined during the selected period is retrieved. All of examined regions recorded in the electronic medical record information are extracted therefrom. Further, external view image representing an external view of the person to be examined is displayed, and marks representing the examined regions are superimposed at the positions of the examined regions in the external view image.
US09122763B2
A request for a web page is received from a client device at a web server. At least a source web application and a target web application relating to the requested web page is identified. An output from the source web application and an output from the target web application are requested. A source style of the source web application is requested. The source style is combined with the output of the source web application and the output of the target web application into the requested web page. The requested web page is sent to the client device.
US09122762B2
A system to permit a user-friendly approach to determine and access the portions of a program code associated with respective web page components is described. In one example embodiment, the system comprises an option detector and a mapping module. The option detector may be configured to detect an instruction to augment HTML markup of a web page with mapping, where the mapping associated with correlation between web page components and corresponding portions of program code. The mapping module may be configured to generate the mapping and to augment the HTML markup of the web page with the mapping.
US09122759B2
A computer-based system for presenting interpersonal relationship recommendation that utilizes peer based opinions about a potential match to influence the recommendation, and that presents the peer based opinions along with the recommendation.
US09122747B2
Techniques provide for searching pieces of document data using a search keyword. The technique includes: calculating, as a first vector, respective first scores at which or respective probabilities that each of the pieces of document data belongs to clusters or classes; calculating, as a second vector, respective second scores at which or respective probabilities that the search keyword or a relevant keyword associated with the search keyword belongs to the clusters or the classes; calculating an inner product of each of the first vectors and the second vector, the calculated inner product being a third score of the corresponding piece of document data regarding the search keyword; and acquiring a correlation value from document data containing each keyword in a classification keyword set and document data with the third score that is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold or is included in a predetermined high-ranking proportion.
US09122738B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for selection of rows and values from indexes with updates. In general, rows of an index may be associated with validity flags that indicate whether a row has been updated with an update inserted in a delta index; one scheme for value identifiers may be used for an index and another scheme for one or more delta indexes where all of the indexes are, to at least some extent, compressed according to dictionary-based compression; and multiple delta indexes may be used in alternation such that one delta index may accept updates while another is being updated. The delta indexes may also have validity flags and all updates, such as modifications of values, deletion of records, and inserting of new records may be handled as updates accepted by one or more delta indexes.
US09122737B2
Methods, systems, and products are provided for monitoring the temperature of a high powered computing component. The high powered computing component has a thermal sensor and the high powered computing component in thermal communication with a liquid cooled heatsink. Embodiments include determining, by a thermal monitoring module, a temperature of the thermal sensor; determining, by the thermal monitoring module, a temperature of the heatsink; determining, by the thermal monitoring module, a power delivered to the high powered computing component; and calculating, by the thermal monitoring module, a thermal value in dependence upon the temperature of the thermal sensor, the temperature of the heatsink, and the power delivered to the high powered computing component.
US09122732B2
A data comparison system is described. The system may include a memory, an interface, and a processor. The memory may store a compare data structure containing multiple data item pairs, each pair including a legacy data item of a legacy dataset and a corresponding new data item of a new dataset, and a tolerance associated with each data item pair. The processor may receive the compare data structure and the associated tolerances. The processor may call a compare data subroutine to compare each data item pair in accordance with the associated tolerance if the data items are fields. Otherwise, the processor may recursively call the compare data subroutine for each record the data items until the data item are fields. The processor may then compare data items in accordance with the associated tolerance.
US09122730B2
An integration mechanism for managing computing components may be provided. It may comprise collecting management information about the computing components using a data collection component, storing objects of the collected management information in a full-text search-index data-structure, generating for each collected object a displayable result snippet, searching the full-text search-index data-structure for matching objects based on a received parameter, retrieving all matching objects of the full-text search-index data-structure related to the search, and displaying the matching objects in form of the related result snippets, wherein the integration mechanism is independent from the computing components it is collecting management information from.
US09122729B2
A method that builds a chain-of-custody for archived data is disclosed to ensure the integrity and reliability of the archived data. In one implementation, by using a certified Time Stamp Authority (TSA), an indelible record of each time the archived data is touched (e.g. created, stored, retrieved, accessed, tested, moved, or transformed) is generated to build verifiable links between events to ensure the custody of the data can be audited and verified that it has remained intact throughout its lifetime. The chain-of-custody, in combination with the storage architecture that ensures archive data has not changed through various software and hardware means (e.g., multiple hash signatures to ensure integrity, timestamp authorities to pinpoint each time the archived data was touched, location information to pinpoint physical location, and coordinated chain of custody on multiple replicas of the digital artifact) validates that the archived data has not changed since it was archived.
US09122728B2
A method for automatically acquiring a set of data opens a searchable Internet database; initiates an automated timed search of each one of a plurality of records, each record in the plurality of record includes common criteria with the other records; retrieves information associated with the searched record; and provides the retrieved information in a desired format.
US09122719B2
A database federation mechanism permits one or more applications external to the database to be registered. Applications so registered may be automatically invoked in response to database queries—where such invocation utilizes data from specific database entries.
US09122716B1
A system can include an upgrade system manager. The upgrade system manager can be configured to communicate with an upgrade database that employs a given schema. The system can also include a legacy system manager configured to communicate with a legacy database that employs a different schema, wherein the legacy database contains a subset of the data stored at the upgrade database. The legacy database can be configured to provide a forward migration trigger to the upgrade system manager in response to detecting an update to the legacy database. The upgrade system manager can further be configured to determine whether data received from an application configured to produce data for the upgrade database is to be provided to the legacy database.
US09122710B1
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and computer readable media for identifying a new business based on programmatically analyzing content received from online sources and, as a result, discovering one or more references to the business. In embodiments, the system stores historical data representing previously identified new businesses and then uses attributes of those businesses in search queries to receive related content. Additionally or alternatively, the system stores data representing online sources that historically provided content containing references to new businesses and then continues to access those sources for additional content. In embodiments, the system performs content analysis on structured and/or unstructured content. In some embodiments, analysis of content received from a particular online source includes a source-specific algorithm that takes a source-specific representation of the content as input and produces a result indicating the likelihood that the content includes a new business reference.
US09122708B2
A crowdsourced search and locate platform, comprising an application server and a crowdrank server. The application server: receives connections from crowdsourcing participants; navigates a first crowdsourcing participant to a specific geospatial location; sends an image corresponding to the geospatial location to the first crowdsourcing participant; receives tagging data from the first crowdsourcing participant, the tagging data corresponding to a plurality of objects and locations identified by the first crowdsourcing participant. The crowdrank server: retrieves a plurality of tags made by participating users computes agreement and disagreement values for each of the plurality of retrieved tags; performs an expectation-maximization or expectation-minimization process iteratively until a configured maximum number of iterations is performed or until an indicia of rate of change between iterations falls below a configured threshold; and provides resulting output values corresponding to geolocations of objects of a plurality of types to an administrative user.
US09122706B1
Methods and systems are described herein that allow a user to capture a single image snapshot from video, print, or the world around him or her, and obtain additional information relating to the media itself or items of interest displayed in the snapshot. A fingerprint of the snapshot is used as a query and transmitted to the server. Image Feature-Based Recognition, as described herein, uses a feature index to identify a smaller set of candidate matches from a larger database of images based on the fingerprint. Novel methods and systems using a distance metric and a radical hash table design exploit probabilistic effects and allow distinct image features to be preferred over redundant ones, allowing only the more distinctive data points to remain resident within the index, yielding a lean index that can be quickly used in the identification process.
US09122705B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for scoring hash functions. In one aspect, a method includes computing one or more first performance indicators for an objective function computed on each of one or more sets of input data elements using a set of hash functions. A first overall performance indicator is computed using each of the computed performance indicators. The candidate hash function is added to the set of hash functions to generate a second set of hash functions. Second performance indicators are computed for the objective function computed on each of the sets of input data elements using the second set of hash functions. A second overall performance indicator is computed using each of the computed second performance indicators, and a score is computed for the candidate hash function using the first overall performance indicator and the second overall performance indicator.
US09122699B2
A failure resilient distributed replicated data storage system is described herein. The storage system includes zones that are independent, and autonomous from each other. The zones include nodes that are independent and autonomous. The nodes include storage devices. When a data item is stored, it is partitioned into a plurality of data objects and a plurality of parity objects calculated. Reassembly instructions are created for the data item. The data objects and parity objects are spread across all nodes and zones in the storage system. Reassembly instructions are also spread across the zones. When a read request is received, the data item is prepared from the lowest latency nodes according to the reassembly instructions. This provides for data resiliency while keeping the amount of storage space required relatively low.
US09122690B1
A computer-implemented method for implementing non-native file attributes on file systems may include receiving at least one extended attribute to apply to at least one file within a file system that does not natively implement the extended attribute, identifying an index file that indexes extended attributes of files within the file system by file identifiers of the files, determining a file identifier that uniquely identifies the file within the file system, and applying the extended attribute to the file by indexing the extended attribute by the file identifier within the index file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09122679B1
A server computing system determines a plurality of statistics for a plurality of validation documents. The server computing system determines a plurality of statistics for a plurality of test documents. The number of test documents in the plurality of test documents is determined based on the plurality of statistics for the plurality of validation documents and the effectiveness measure of interest. The server computing system calculates an effectiveness of an information retrieval system on a corpus of documents based on the plurality of statistics for the plurality of test documents.
US09122673B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for the domain specific normalization of a corpus of text. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for domain specific normalization of a corpus of text is provided, including an industrial, organization, demographic or geographic domain. The method includes loading a corpus of text in memory of a computer and determining a domain for the corpus of text. The method also includes retrieving a lexicon of replacement words for the determined domain. Finally, the method includes text simplifying the corpus of text using the retrieved lexicon. In one aspect of the embodiment, the domain is determined through inference based upon words already presence in the corpus of text. In another aspect of the embodiment, the domain is determined based upon meta-data provided with the corpus of text.
US09122672B2
A method including receiving an input of a character from a virtual keyboard rendered on a display, generating a set of characters that includes the character, and displaying the generated set of characters at a location associated with a key of the virtual keyboard of the display which corresponds to a subsequent candidate input character. An electronic device including a display having a virtual keyboard rendered thereupon and a processor, the processor being configured to perform the method. Also disclosed is a keyboard, including a plurality of keys, each key corresponding to one or more different characters of a plurality of characters, wherein in response to receiving an input of a character, the keyboard is configured to perform the method.
US09122669B2
A method and system includes a server that provides a business management service to multiple independent customers. A template repository provides predefined templates, and a configuration storage stores customer changes to the predefined templates that represent customized templates. A user interface facilitates selection of customized templates as a function of scope of work for fine tuning.
US09122653B2
A method for managing data swapping in a migration of virtual memory data in a virtual machine, where the data swapping is from a first host associated with a first storage device to a second host associated with a second storage device, is provided in another embodiment. The method includes receiving a migration instruction indicating the virtual machine to be migrated, and instructing the first host to copy data of the virtual machine to a sub-logical unit in the first storage device, the sub-logical unit having a mirror logical unit in the second storage device. A notification is sent, the notification being usable to instruct the second host to read data from the mirror logical unit.
US09122649B2
A method and computing system for handling a page fault while executing a cross-platform system call with a shared page cache. A first kernel running in a first computer system receives a request for a faulted page associated with raw data from a second kernel running in a second computer system. In response to the request for the faulted page: (i) a first validity flag is updated to denote that the faulted page is unavailable to the first computer system in a first copy of the shared page cache and (ii) the faulted page is transmitted to the second kernel for insertion of the faulted page in a second copy of the shared page cache and for updating a second validity flag to denote that the faulted page is available to the second computer system in the second copy of the shared page cache.
US09122642B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a hybrid (e.g., local and remote) approach for data backup in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). In a typical embodiment, a set of storage configuration parameters corresponding to a set of data to be backed up is received and stored in a computer data structure. The set of storage configuration parameters can comprise at least one of the following: a recovery time objective (RTO), a recovery point objective (RPO), and a desired type of protection for the set of data. Regardless, the set of data is compared to previously stored data to identify at least one of the following: portions of the set of data that have commonality with the previously stored data; and portions of the set of data that are unique to the set of data (i.e., not in common with any of the previously stored data). The above-described process is referred to herein as “de-duplication”. A storage solution is then determined based on the set of storage configuration parameters. In general, the storage solution identifies at least one local storage resource and at least one remote storage resource (e.g., a cloud storage resource) for backing up the portions of the set of data that are unique to the set of data. Once the storage solution has been determined, the unique portions of the set of data will be stored in accordance therewith.
US09122639B2
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detection and deduplication of backup sets exhibiting poor locality. A first set of summaries of a first data set are determined, each summary of the first set of summaries being indicative of a data pattern in the first data set. A second set of summaries of a second data set are determined, each summary of the second set of summaries being indicative of a data pattern in the second data set. A set of comparison metrics are calculated, each comparison metric being based on a first subset of summaries from the first set of summaries and a second subset of summaries from the second set of summaries. A locality metric is calculated based on the set of comparison metrics indicative of whether the first data set and second data set exhibit poor locality.
US09122620B2
A system and method are disclosed for storing data in a hash table. The method includes receiving data, determining a location identifier for the data wherein the location identifier identifies a location in the hash table for storing the data and the location identifier is derived from the data, compressing the data by extracting the location identifier; and storing the compressed data in the identified location of the hash table.
US09122619B2
Approaches for decoding data read from memory cells of a nonvolatile, solid state memory involve attempting to decode hard data using a hard decoding process prior to a time that soft data is available to the decoder. The hard data includes information about the digital symbols stored in the memory cells without data confidence information. The soft data includes information about the digital symbols stored in the memory cells and data confidence information. In response to the hard decoding process failing to achieve convergence, after the soft data becomes available to the decoder, the soft data is decoded using a soft decoding process. The decoder generates an output of the decoded data after the hard decoding process or the soft decoding process achieves convergence.
US09122616B2
A method for performing dynamic configuration includes: freezing a bus between a portion of a dynamic configurable cache and at least one of a plurality of cores/processors by pending a request from the at least one of the cores/processors to the portion of the dynamic configurable cache during a bus freeze period, wherein the plurality of cores/processors are allowed to access the dynamic configurable cache and the at least one of the plurality of cores/processors is allowed to access the portion of the dynamic configurable cache; and adjusting a size of the portion of the dynamic configurable cache, wherein the portion of the dynamic configurable cache is capable of caching/storing information for the at least one of the plurality of cores/processors. An associated apparatus is also provided. In particular, the apparatus includes the plurality of cores/processors, the dynamic configurable cache, and a dynamic configurable cache controller, and can operate according to the method.
US09122611B2
A method for giving a read command to a flash memory chip to read data to be accessed by a host system is provided. The method includes receiving a host read command; determining whether the received host read command follows a last host read command; if yes, giving a cache read command to read data from the flash memory chip; and if no, giving a general read command and the cache read command to read data from the flash memory chip. Accordingly, the method can effectively reduce time needed for executing the host read commands by using the cache read command to combine the host read commands which access continuous physical addresses and pre-read data stored in a next physical address.
US09122609B2
A method of caching reference data in a reference data cache is provided that includes receiving an address of a reference data block in the reference data cache, wherein the address includes an x coordinate and a y coordinate of the reference data block in a reference block of pixels and a reference block identifier specifying which of a plurality of reference blocks of pixels includes the reference data block, computing an index of a set of cache lines in the reference data cache using bits from the x coordinate and bits from the y coordinate, using the index and a tag comprising the reference block identifier to determine whether the reference data block is in the set of cache lines, and retrieving the reference data block from reference data storage when the reference data block is not in the set of cache lines.
US09122601B2
In an embodiment, a data processing system comprises a storage system coupled to a unit under test comprising a heap memory, a static memory and a stack; second logic operable to perform: detecting one or more changes in a first state of the heap memory and the static memory; storing, in the storage system, as a state point of the unit under test, the one or more changes in the first state of the heap memory and the static memory; third logic operable to perform: receiving a request to change the memory under test to a particular state point; in response to the request, loading the particular state point from the storage system and applying the particular state point to the heap memory and the static memory to result in changing the heap memory and the static memory to a second state that is substantially equivalent to the first state.
US09122597B2
Disclosed is an information processing device provided with: a plurality of processing units each having a TLB (Translation Lookaside Buffer); a means for acquiring a designation of a processing unit, from among the plurality of processing units, where TLB information is to be collected, and for acquiring a designation of the timing at which the TLB information is to be collected; and a means for collecting the TLB information from the designated processing unit at the designated timing.
US09122596B2
A method begins by tracking age related failure levels of memory devices within the storage unit. The method continues by maintaining a data location table that maps a range of DSN addresses allocated to the storage unit to the memory devices and further records storing of encoded data slices having specific DSN addresses within the memory devices. The method continues, when the age related failure level for a memory device compares unfavorably to a first failure level threshold, by determining to reassign a portion of DSN addresses assigned to the memory device. The method continues by identifying a second memory device having a corresponding age related soft failure level comparing favorable to the first failure level threshold. The method continues by reassigning the portion of the DSN addresses from the memory device to the second memory device and updating the data location table.
US09122591B2
The present invention present methods and architectures for the pipelining of read operation with write operations. In particular, methods are presented for pipelining data relocation operations that allow for the checking and correction of data in the controller prior to its being re-written, but diminish or eliminate the additional time penalty this would normally incur. A number of architectural improve are described to facilitate these methods, including: introducing two registers on the memory where each is independently accessible by the controller; allowing a first memory register to be written from while a second register is written to; introducing two registers on the memory where the contents of the registers can be swapped.
US09122589B1
In a data storage system, a layered operating stack includes a file system layer, a file cache layer, and a unified cache layer including page descriptors each capable of referencing a data block stored in either/both DRAM or/and flash memory. A reference structure associates file references with corresponding page descriptors. The unified cache layer manages use of the memory for caching data blocks of files being written at the file system layer, including allocation, access, and eviction/destaging. Allocation establishes associative references in the reference structure, and access uses the reference structure to locate cached data blocks based on file references. Eviction/destaging relocates cached data blocks as necessary and includes first-level destaging from DRAM to flash and second-level destaging flash to physical storage. The first-level destaging maintains existing associative references and modifies page descriptors to add references to the flash.
US09122588B1
Some implementations provide a method for managing data in a storage system that includes a persistent storage device and a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) cache device. The method includes: accessing a direct mapping between a logical address associated with data stored on the persistent storage device and a physical address on the NVRAM cache device; receiving, from a host computing device coupled to the storage system, a request to access a particular unit of data stored on the persistent storage device; using the direct mapping as a basis between the logical address associated with the data stored on the persistent storage device and the physical address on the NVRAM cache device to determine whether the particular unit of data being requested is present on the NVRAM cache device.
US09122585B2
A method for managing data in a storage device includes: receiving a logical page from a host and calculating an actual time stamp of the logical page; finding a block of the storage device in which the logical page is stored and detecting a time stamp of the block and a page offset of the logical page stored in the block; calculating an approximate time stamp of the logical page stored in the block using the time stamp of the block and the page offset; and determining that the logical page is in a first state if the difference between the actual time stamp and the approximate time stamp is smaller than a threshold value, and determining that the logical page is in a second state different from the first state if the difference between the actual time stamp and the approximate time stamp is larger than the threshold value.
US09122581B2
Embodiments are directed to maintaining versions of data within a solid state memory. One or more embodiments create at least one data structure associated with at least one logical page of a solid state memory. The logical page is associated with at least one physical page in a data block of the solid state memory. A first set of information associated with the logical page is stored in the data structure. A second set of information associated with the physical page is stored in the data structure. The second set of information includes at least versioning information identifying which version of the logical page is represented by a dataset is stored within the physical page.
US09122566B2
An autonomous robotic transport system has been developed in which the individual robot vehicles are able to move in multiple directions, such as vertically as well as around curves. Through the use of a unique rail system, the vehicle is able to move around corners and turns without the need for expensive modifications. This eliminates the need for various differentials or multiple electric motors to provide the difference between inner and outer wheels in a turn. Moreover, a number of switches have been developed that allow the vehicles to move not only vertically but also horizontally as well as transition between vertical and horizontal movement. A technique for operating the robotic vehicles is also described.
US09122564B1
There is disclosed a method and system for use in evaluating a system event. A current storage configuration is captured in connection with a data storage system. A system failure event relating to the data storage system is simulated without impacting the data storage system. The system failure event is simulated using the current storage configuration in connection with the data storage system. A system failure event output is provided for enabling evaluation of the potential impact of the system failure event in the data storage system in response to simulating the system failure event.
US09122562B1
A technology is described for a software container recommendation service. An example method may include collecting utilization metrics for an application hosted on a computing instance. The utilization metrics may be a measure of computing resources used by the application. The utilization metrics may be analyzed to determine a level of computing resources for the computing instance used by the application. A software container configuration for the application may be determined based at least in part on the utilization metrics when analysis of the utilization metrics indicates an underutilization of computing resources by the application. The specifications of the software container configuration may then be provided to a customer.
US09122560B2
A network device provides an agent application to a user device. The network device receives, from the user device, device information that relates to performance of one or more applications residing on the user device. The network device provides, to a device associated with a registered developer account, a portion of the device information that is associated with a particular application. The network device receives, from the device associated with the registered developer account, optimized device configuration settings for the particular application on the user device. The network device stores the optimized configuration settings for the particular application and sends, to the user device, the optimized configuration settings for the particular application.
US09122557B1
User settings management using external sources is described, including providing a user interface for a user to configure one or more settings that affect functions of an application; the user interface allows the one or more settings to be manipulated by the user, and allows the one or more settings to be configured based on setting data from a third-party entity; receiving input from the user to configure at least a portion of the one or more settings based on the setting data from the entity; identifying that the setting data from the entity includes the at least the portion of the one or more settings; and configuring the at least the portion of the one or more settings based on the setting data from the entity.
US09122552B2
Methods and apparatus for implementing hybrid-cloud computing networks are disclosed. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a computing device, a request to provision a user application. The method further includes identifying an application blueprint corresponding with the request and identifying at least one computing resource corresponding with the request. The method still further includes identifying a network blueprint that includes the at least one computing resource, provisioning a computing network in accordance with the identified network blueprint and provisioning the at least one computing resource in the provisioned computing network. The method also includes, installing the user application in the provisioned at least one computing resource in accordance with the application blueprint.
US09122550B2
A method for installing an application program is disclosed. The method includes detecting a system platform, and detecting preprocessing software required by the application program according to the system platform and a compilation script and accordingly generating a relationship file and a log file, wherein the log file includes an acquisition method for the preprocessing software.
US09122549B2
A method includes receiving, from a requesting guest environment, a device call requesting access to a device; sending the device call to an emulating guest environment, the emulating guest environment emulating the device; receiving, from the emulating guest environment, a result of the device call; and sending the result of the device call to the requesting guest environment.
US09122547B1
Systems and methods embedding a guest module within an embedder module are disclosed. According to some aspects, an embedder module is executed at a computer. A request to access a guest module is received via the embedder module. The request comprises a tag in a programming language. The tag identifies the guest module. An event is provided, using information associated with the tag, to an executing instance of the guest module responsive to the request to access the guest module. Processing of the event at the executing instance of the guest module is signaled.
US09122535B2
Methods, systems, and computer executable instructions for performing distributed data analytics are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method of performing a distributed data analytics job includes collecting application-specific information in a processing node assigned to perform a task to identify data necessary to perform the task. The method also includes requesting a chunk of the necessary data from a storage server based on location information indicating one or more locations of the data chunk and prioritizing the request relative to other data requests associated with the job. The method also includes receiving the data chunk from the storage server in response to the request and storing the data chunk in a memory cache of the processing node which uses a same file system as the storage server.
US09122531B2
A method for managing a service is disclosed. A program system running on a computer system in a network data processing system identifies the service on the computer system and a set of resources used by the service. The program system collects information about the service and the set of resources used by the service. The program system uses the information collected to identify a change to a configuration for the service which will increase performance of the service. The program system then makes the identified change to the configuration for the service.
US09122527B2
A method and system for intelligent tiering is provided. The method includes receiving a request for enabling a tiering process with respect to data. The computer processor retrieves a migration list indicating migration engines associated with the data. Additionally, an entity list of migration entities is retrieved and each migration entity is compared to associated policy conditions. In response, it is determined if matches exist between the migration entities and the associated policy conditions and a consolidated entity list is generated.
US09122520B2
A generic wait service for facilitating the pausing of service-oriented applications. In one set of embodiments, the generic wait service receives, from a paused instance of an application, an initiation message comprising a set of key attributes and an exit criterion. The key attributes uniquely identify the paused instance, and the exit criterion identifies a condition that should be satisfied before the paused instance is allowed to proceed. The generic wait service then receives, from one or more event producers, notification messages comprising status information (e.g., statuses of business events) and information correlating the notification messages to particular instances. If a notification message is determined to be correlated to the paused instance, the generic wait service evaluates the exit criterion based on the status information included in the message. If the exit criterion is satisfied, the paused instance is notified of the status information and is allowed to proceed.
US09122515B2
A method for providing notification of completion of a computing task includes providing access to an information handling resource for a first information handling system, registering the first information handling system with a first completion queue, submitting commands from the first information handling system to a first submission queue, providing access to the information handling resource for second first information handling system, registering the second information handling system with the first completion queue, and submitting commands from the second information handling system to a second submission queue. Upon execution of commands in the first submission queue and the second submission queue, an entry in is created a first completion queue. Upon the creation of an entry in the first completion queue, an interrupt is selectively sent to the first information handling resource and to the second information handling resource.
US09122508B2
A computer system includes memory divided into a plurality of logical partitions (LPARs), each LPAR running one of a plurality of instances of an operating system (O/S). The system also includes a processor configured to run a hypervisor program to manage operation of the plurality of LPARs. The processor determines a reference I/O service time of an I/O operation on a server, measures an actual I/O service time of the operation, and determines a delay time of virtualization on the server based on the reference I/O service time and the actual I/O service time.
US09122493B2
Systems and processes for booting a device can be implemented by detecting a reset signal associated with the device and retrieving a predetermined page of data from a nonvolatile memory location into a register associated with the nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be designed and implemented such that each page of data is retrieved from the nonvolatile memory as a unit, and the page of data includes instructions for use in booting the device. A command to read data stored in the register is received, and the command can include an address identifying a location of one or more instructions within the register. In response, the one or more instructions are retrieved from the register for execution by a processor.
US09122488B2
A device receives program code, and receives size/type information associated with inputs to the program code. The device determines, prior to execution of the program code and based on the input size/type information, a portion of the program code that is executable by a graphical processing unit (GPU), and determines, prior to execution of the program code and based on the input size/type information, a portion of the program code that is executable by a central processing unit (CPU). The device compiles the GPU-executable portion of the program code to create a compiled GPU-executable portion of the program code, and compiles the CPU-executable portion of the program code to create a compiled CPU-executable portion of the program code. The device provides, to the GPU for execution, the compiled GPU-executable portion of the program code, and provides, to the CPU for execution, the compiled CPU-executable portion of the program code.
US09122478B2
A first power supply is configured to feed power to a computer. The power supply includes a virtual machine management unit configured to transmit an instruction to any one of a second virtual host that is executed on the computer and a fourth virtual machine that is run in the second virtual host. Here, the fourth virtual machine is configured to control a virtualization management system including virtual hosts different from the second virtual host.
US09122476B2
A processing core in a multi-processing core system is configured to execute a sequence of instructions as an atomic memory transaction. Executing each instruction in the sequence comprises validating that the instruction meets a set of one or more atomicity criteria, including that executing the instruction does not require accessing shared memory. Executing the atomic memory transaction may comprise storing memory data from a source cache line into a target register, reading or modifying the memory data stored in the target register as part of executing the sequence, and storing a value from the target register to the source cache line.
US09122467B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a primary voltage regulator to couple a regulated voltage to a processor via a supply line. This regulator includes a multi-phase controller to provide the regulated voltage in multiple phases and to provide a maximum current output sufficient to meet a thermal design power (TDP) of the processor. In addition, an auxiliary voltage regulator may be configured to provide an excess current to the processor via the supply line for a time limited duration, e.g., based on the supply line state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09122465B2
A method and circuit arrangement utilize a programmable microcode unit that is capable of being programmed via software to modify the instruction sequences output by the microcode unit in response to microcode instructions issued to the microcode unit. Multiple instruction sequences may be stored in different partitions defined in one or more rewriteable memories such that different instruction sequences may be output for different instances of a microcode instruction executing in different, concurrently-executing instruction streams.
US09122460B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for application development using middleware. A developer can launch a development request from a client or local network to a remote development server, thereby invoking a set of frameworks and other tools to carry out a desired application build. The development request can specify the type or configuration of the desired application, such as, for example, email, spreadsheet, media playback, or other applications, along with parameters such as target operating systems. The user can assemble desired code from libraries stored in the virtualized middleware framework, and debug the application build against a set of data sources aggregated by the development server. A developer can therefore leverage rapid application development tools at the middleware, without a necessity to invest in local development tools or separately build or locate test data sources.
US09122456B2
Enhanced detachable sensory-interface device for a wireless personal communication device and method
A system and method that utilizes a protective sensor-interface apparatus, which removably connects and interfaces to a mobile electronic device, enabling users to more readily access and engage mobile content and data. The present invention provides a method and device wherein the user interfaces with digital content by using touch-sensitive areas on the back and sides of a protective case that interfaces with the mobile device, the software application and other users. This enables additional features that can be customized by users and developers for enhanced sensory experiences and digital rights management by creating components of a separate environment that exists in the case.
US09122453B2
The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for processing one or more crowdsourced tasks. The method comprises converting an audio input received from a crowdworker to one or more phrases by one or more processors in at least one computing device. The audio input is at least a response to a crowdsourced task. A mode of the audio input is selected based on one or more parameters associated with the crowdworker. Thereafter, the one or more phrases are presented on a display of the at least one computing device by the one or more processors. Finally, one of the one or more phrases is selected by the crowdworker as a correct response to the crowdsourced task.
US09122451B2
Embodiments of a capacitive sensor configuration for proximity detection by a playback device are provided. The playback device may include a capacitive proximity sensor configured to detect physical movement in a first direction, and a speaker grille on a surface of the playback device oriented at a relative angle to the capacitive proximity sensor. The capacitive proximity sensor includes a first metal electrode coupled to the speaker grille such that the capacitive proximity sensor may be further configured to detect physical movement in a second direction that is substantially at the relative angle to the first direction. The playback device may be configured to determine based on a detection of physical movement by the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device from one or more of the first direction and the second direction.
US09122437B2
An image forming apparatus includes a job history control unit and a status control unit. If the job history control unit is transmitting a job history when the status control unit transmits status information to a management server, the status control unit transmits status information including prohibition against entering a power saving mode. If the job history control unit is not transmitting a job history, the status control unit transmits status information including permission to enter the power saving mode to the management server.
US09122433B2
Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for simplifying print job submission by a user in a network environment. A print job in a print job stream from a terminal apparatus is detected and intercepted, and it is determined whether the intercepted print job is to be processed in a job-specific selection mode or a silent mode. In the job-specific selection mode, a printer selection user interface is provided on the terminal apparatus to permit the user to select a specific printer amongst the plural printers, and the intercepted print job is then transmitted to the specific printer. In the silent mode, the user-submitted print job is transmitted to a previously-specified direct printer.
US09122423B2
The present invention relates to methods, systems and tools for programming tire pressure monitoring sensors based upon ascertained vehicle identification numbers. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of programming a tire pressure monitoring sensor of a vehicle wheel unit. The method includes obtaining identification information of a vehicle with a programming tool for a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The method further includes comparing the identification information with a database of identification information to determine a program software that is compatible with the vehicle. The method further includes programming the tire pressure monitoring sensor with the program software.
US09122422B2
In the present solution, as set of SDLC resources can be established, where each is separately addressable through a unique URL and is able to be managed through a simple set of operations. For example, a set of RESTful operations (GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE) can be used for the operations. Database management technologies can be leveraged for storing and indexing resources, but the underlying database schema for the solution can operate on a resource level, which results in the resources being stored as-is. Thus, storage (even when database based) of resources for the solution can be considered an Internet server exposing a space of URL addressable objects. Because the solution leverages Internet technologies and standards, it is scalable, standards based, extensible, and traceable.
US09122421B2
A connecting part of a storage device including a body, a plurality of connecting terminals, and a grounding member is provided. The body has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The connecting terminals are disposed at the first end and the second end respectively. The grounding member is assembled to the body. At least a part of the grounding member extends from one of the first and the second ends to another one of the first and the second ends. The connecting part of the storage device is grounded by contacting the grounding member to a connector of an external device when the connecting part of the storage device is connected to the connector of the external device.
US09122392B2
A mobile terminal including a sensor unit configured to sense an orientation direction of a housing of the mobile terminal, a first display unit configured to display a first screen image, an interface unit configured to be connected to an external display device having a second display unit, and a controller configured to interface with the external display device to display a monitor window including a second screen image corresponding to the first screen image on the external display device, and to control the monitor window to be displayed on the second display unit according to the sensed orientation direction of the housing.
US09122383B2
A method for object visualization includes providing an operator with an object filter tool through a graphical user interface, the tool comprising a rail having a number of shapes placed at distances from each other along the rail, the shapes representing divisions within a list of objects, distances between the shapes correlating to a number of objects between the divisions. The method further includes receiving from the operator, an interaction with the tool indicating a selection of objects within the list and presenting to the operator, a list of objects filtered based on the interaction with the filter tool.
US09122381B2
A user may make a digital item available to other users of a computer network, such as an instant messaging system, a chat environment, or a subscription-based computer network. Examples of digital items that may be shared with other users include digital representations of graphic images, photographs, audio segments, songs, video segments, movies, and text (such as lists of favorites (e.g., a list of favorite books, a list of favorite movies, and a list of favorite places to visit)). On-line presence information is provided to indicate the on-line presence of users with whom a digital item has been shared, may be shared or is being shared. For instance, an indication of the on-line or offline status of a user with whom an item has been shared or is being shared may be presented.
US09122380B2
A virtual world controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a particular virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among a plurality of separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular asset class from among a plurality of asset classes specified with the particular trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling from among at least one trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The virtual world controller accesses at least one particular asset assigned to the at least one particular asset class in an asset class database. The virtual world controller renders the at least one particular asset within the particular virtual world environment in a virtual location within the particular virtual world triggered by the particular trigger asset coupling.
US09122374B2
An embodiment provides a product comprising a machine-readable medium and machine-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method comprising providing a first array of information elements adapted to be expanded into at least one other array of information elements on a display. Another embodiment provides a method of displaying information elements on a display of a computer system with arrays of information elements, the method comprising displaying a first array of information elements, expanding the first array of information elements into at least one other array of information elements, wherein the first array of information elements and the at least one other array of information elements have a commonality. A system and a graphical user interface providing same are equally provided herein.
US09122373B1
Information of interest is graphically displayed in a manner which conveys the information to in a form which aids in comprehension of the information. Specifically, the information is preferably conveyed on the unit level through the use of the unit's floor plan in a graphical seating chart type format. A graphical icon is used to represent each room in the unit. Components of the icon indicate key considerations for every room. Additional information may also be displayed by clicking on a component of the icon.
US09122365B2
A method and system is disclosed that allows a user to easily and intuitively operate applications that require contact information, in a touch device, via a tray item associated with the contact information. The method for operating applications includes: displaying a contact tray comprised of a number of tray items based on contact information, on an execution screen; receiving an interaction to use a tray item in the contact tray; configuring an execution screen for an application based on contact information of the tray item; and operating the application based on the configured execution screen.
US09122363B2
Disclosed is a touch panel including a first electrode substrate including a first conductive layer; and a second electrode substrate including a second conductive layer and being stacked with the first electrode substrate such that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer face each other. The first conductive layer is composed of a first line of conductive areas and a second line of conductive areas adjacent to the first line where each of the first and the second lines includes an odd number greater than or equal to three of the conductive areas aligned in a second direction, and the conductive areas positioned in the middle of the first line and the second line are respectively connected with extracting areas extending toward different edges in the second direction.
US09122357B2
A touch panel, a display panel, and a display unit achieving prevention of erroneous detection caused by external noise, are provided. The touch panel includes: a plurality of detection scan electrodes extending in a first direction; and a plurality of detection electrodes facing the plurality of detection scan electrodes and extending in a second direction which intersects the first direction. A ratio of fringe capacitance to total capacitance between one or more selected detection scan electrodes and a first detection electrode is different from a ratio of fringe capacitance to total capacitance between the one or more selected detection scan electrodes and a second detection electrode. The one or more selected detection scan electrodes are selected, in a desired unit, from the plurality of detection scan electrodes, to be supplied with a selection pulse, and each of the first and the second detection electrodes is selected from the plurality of detection electrodes.
US09122356B2
An input device for use with an information handling system is disclosed. The input device may include a display device having a viewing area defined by a perimeter, a graphic user interface configured to display a virtual button within the viewing area adjacent the perimeter, a frame adjacent the perimeter of the viewing area, and a proximity sensing element associated with the frame and located outside the viewing area of the display device. The proximity sensing element may be configured to sense a user selecting the virtual button displayed by the graphic user interface.
US09122350B2
An optical touch apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, a light guide device, a light reflecting device and an image sensing module. The first light source emits first light beam which travels within the light guide device and is reflective by an object close to or in contact with a surface of the light guide device to become a first image light beam. The first image light beam is reflected by a light reflecting device. The image sensing module receives the first image light beam. The second light source emits a second light beam, wherein when the optical touch apparatus moves on a working surface, the second light beam is reflective by the working surface to form a second image light beam which is received by the same image sensing module.
US09122347B2
In a case where a plurality of touch points touching on a touch panel is detected, a touch point changed from a previous state among the plurality of touch points is determined to be valid, whether a touch point not changed is valid is determined, and information regarding the touch point determined to be valid is recognized as an input.
US09122346B2
One of the embodiments of the invention provides an input-output calibration method performed by a processing unit connected to an output device and an input device. The output device and the input device correspond to an output device coordinate system and an input device coordinate system, respectively. The processing unit first derives M calibration points' coordinates in the input device coordinate system by using the input device to sense a viewer specifying the M calibration points' positions, wherein M is a positive integer. Then, the processing unit uses the M calibration points' coordinates in the output device coordinate system and coordinates in the input device coordinate system to derive the relationship between the output device coordinate system and the input device coordinate system.
US09122344B2
Methods and apparatus include receiving a current set of measurements of a touch sense array using a first functional block of a processing device and processing the current set of measurements using a second functional block to render a touch map corresponding to the touch sense array. The methods and apparatus include performing the next set of measurements using the first functional block. Performing the next set of measurements and processing the current set of measurement are performed substantially concurrently.
US09122337B2
The present invention provides an information processing terminal that has improved operability in the vicinity of the gap between a plurality of touch panel displays. The information processing terminal has a first combination display and detector, a second combination display and detector, a detector, and a processing unit. The first combination display and detector displays an image and detects contact, and outputs first detected item of information upon detection of a contacting object making contact. The second combination display and detector displays an image and detects contact, and outputs second detected item of information upon detection of a contacting object making contact. The detector detects contact and outputs third detected item of information upon detection of a contacting object making contact. The detector is disposed in a gap between the first combination display and detector and the second combination display and detector. The processing unit carries out a processing sequence based on one or a plurality or all of the first detected item of information, the second detected item of information, and the third detected information.
US09122336B1
A conductive electrode structure includes a substrate layer; at least one adhesion layer formed on the substrate layer for forming a circuit pattern; a conductive electrode layer formed on the adhesion layer for forming a conducting circuit corresponding to the circuit pattern; a first blackened layer formed on the conductive electrode layer corresponding to the circuit pattern and manufactured with an easily etched material; and a weatherproof layer formed on the first blackened layer and manufactured with an etch-resistant material. The weatherproof layer has a thickness smaller than the first blackened layer. The first blackened layer has a dark color for absorbing and stopping light from entering into the conductive electrode layer, and accordingly forms a shielding surface that prevents the conductive electrode layer from being directly visually perceived by a user. The conductive electrode structure also avoids side etching of the conductive electrode layer to ensure increased yield rate.
US09122327B2
A method for syncing different touching systems uses a computer, which is electrically connected with a first input device and a second input device respectively and in which an input of the first input device is controlled by the second input device, to make the first input device and the second device synchronous. The method includes defining at least one correction point on the first input device; receiving time tags of signal inputs at the correction points of the first input device and the second input device respectively; calculating time differences for each time tag at each correction point with respect to other correction points; averaging all time differences for all correction points to determine a deviation value; and delaying a signal transmission of the second input device according to the deviation value.
US09122320B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a digital mirror is disclosed including an enclosure; a display device mounted in the enclosure to display images at a front side of the enclosure; an image capture device mounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device to reduce parallax error; lights mounted in the enclosure adjacent the display device; and a light diffuser mounted to the enclosure around the display device over the one or more lights. The one or more lights provide lighting in front of the display device and the image capture device captures images in the field of view in the front. The light diffuser diffuses and softens the light emitted by the one or more lights. Alternatively, the image capture device may be mounted on an articulated arm that may be used to capture and display various angles in the filed of view of the digital mirror.
US09122318B2
Method of and system for reducing data entry errors that ascertains a subset of keys that can be selected by a user based upon the respective likelihood that each key follows a previously selected key within a predetermined language, corpus, or subset thereof, and controls the display of the keys within an input device so that the keys within the ascertained subset are displayed in a visually distinguishable manner from the keys that not within the ascertained subset. In a touch screen device, the keys that are displayed are part of the soft keys displayed on the screen. In a system that includes an actual physical keyboard, the appearance of select keys of the keyboard can be modified in various manners, including the use of an LCD display or other controllable lighting mechanism disposed within the keyboard. Multiple additional techniques for reducing data entry also are disclosed.
US09122314B2
Key-input mechanisms are disclosed. An example mechanism includes an arced, resilient keycap, the arc of the keycap having a first central arc angle when un-pressed. The keycap is configured to, when pressed, deform so as to have a second central arc angle, the first central arc angle being greater than the second central arc angle. The keycap is further configured to, when released after being pressed, return to its un-pressed shape having the first central arc angle. The key input mechanism further includes a switch disposed under the keycap. The switch is configured to, when the keycap is pressed, electrically couple two or more circuit traces to indicate a keystroke for the key input mechanism. The switch is further configured to, when the keycap is released, electrically decouple the two or more circuit traces to indicate that the keystroke for the key input mechanism is complete.
US09122310B2
An input device and method for protecting input information from exposure, in which the time of input of information is determined using a tactile output to protect the input information from being exposed. The input device for protecting input information from exposure includes a user-input module for receiving predetermined input information from a user, a control module for setting the information inputted in association with a tactile signal among the input information as user-input information, and a tactile-output-generation module for generating and providing the tactile signal to the user-input module under the control of the control module.
US09122307B2
A head mounted microdisplay (HMD) device that uses hand, body, head movement or gesture and voice commands to control interaction with a local processor or host computer. The local processor overlays information, such as onto an operating system desktop or application program menu, indicating the motion, gesture, and/or voice input needed to activate an associated action.
US09122297B2
The master controller includes a main handle, a handle drum, a reverse handle, a lock collar, a first lock cam having an outer peripheral surface that locks the reverse handle at a neutral position when an operation key is at a locked position, a second lock cam that rotates integrally with the reverse handle, and has an outer peripheral surface that locks the reverse handle and the main handle at a neutral position when the operation key is at a locked position, and that locks the reverse handle at a forward position or a reverse position and unlocks the main handle when the reverse handle is operated to the forward position or the reverse position, and a rod holding unit that holds a rod movably between the lock collar and the second lock cam.
US09122284B2
A thermostatic mixing valve is used in a tempered water blending system. A cold water bypass line in the system acts under the control of a modulating valve and electronic controller to divert cold water back to a temperature sensing element in the mixing valve. By flooding the temperature sensing element, the mixing valve detects a false temperature and adjusts its flow rate of hot and cold water accordingly. The electronic controller acts in reverse of normal fashion, providing negative feedback to the sensing element of the mixing valve.
US09122281B1
A simplified method and device for sensing water level is disclosed. In particular applications the invention may be used for activating a fill valve or other control circuitry in order to maintain an average level in a reservoir or provide notification of a low fluid level. By incorporating a standard rectifier circuit as a biasing network for a solid-state circuit control driver on one side of a probe network, the level of the water may be determined when contact is made with the probes. AC current drawn across metallic probes provides a DC bias at the output of the rectifier that may be incorporated into various control circuits.
US09122272B2
A redundantable robotic mechanism is disclosed for improving reliability of transport equipment. The redundantable robot assembly typically comprises independent robots with separate controls, motors, linkage arms, or power, thus providing the capability of operation even if parts of the assembly are not operational or when parts of the assembly are removed for repair. The redundantable robot assembly can be also designed to allow in-situ servicing, e.g. servicing one robot when the other is running. The disclosed redundantable robot assembly provides virtual uninterrupted process flow, and thus greatly increases the yield for the manufacturing facility.
US09122261B2
A method includes identifying a nonlinear model used by an optimizer to perform optimization operations associated with an industrial process to be controlled. The method also includes generating a Hessian matrix associated with the nonlinear model. The method further includes providing the Hessian matrix to an advanced process controller that uses the Hessian matrix to perform both process control and optimization operations. The Hessian matrix can approximate a nonlinear objective function. The method can also include providing one or more approximated nonlinear constraints, a solution of a quadratic sub-problem that approximates the nonlinear model, or a combination of multiple solutions of the quadratic sub-problem to the advanced process controller. The Hessian matrix can be updated and provided to the advanced process controller during each of multiple iterations. During each iteration, the industrial process can be adjusted to move an operating point of the industrial process towards an optimal ending position.
US09122260B2
A control system (207) for optimizing a chemical looping process of a power plant includes an optimizer (420), an income algorithm (230) and a cost algorithm (225) and a chemical looping process models. The process models are used to predict the process outputs from process input variables. Some of the process in puts and output variables are related to the income of the plant; and some others are related to the cost of the plant operations. The income algorithm (230) provides an income input to the optimizer (420) based on a plurality of input parameters (215) of the power plant. The cost algorithm (225) provides a cost input to the optimizer (420) based on a plurality of output parameters (220) of the power plant. The optimizer (420) determines an optimized operating parameter solution based on at least one of the income input and the cost input, and supplies the optimized operating parameter solution to the power plant.
US09122256B2
Method of operating a mobile control unit intended to form part of a home-automation installation comprising elements including items of equipment fixed in a building, the elements of the installation communicating over a home-automation network, each element being furnished with an identifier which is specific to it and with an authentication key, termed “common key”, identical for all the elements of the home-automation network and authenticating an element's membership to the home-automation network, characterized in that it comprises:—a step of locating the mobile control unit with respect to a contour containing the elements of the home-automation installation, the mobile unit comprising a means of network linking to the home-automation network,—a step of automatic invalidation of the common key contained in the mobile control unit in the case where the mobile control unit is situated outside the contour.
US09122248B2
A case for a timepiece, of the wristwatch type, comprises a middle, a back and attachment members for attachment to a bracelet. The back is attached to the middle to pivot between open and closed positions, to use the timepiece as a table clock when it is in the open position. A first attachment member allows the attachment of a chain to use the timepiece as a pocket watch, and a second attachment member comprises at least one recess arranged so that one bracelet end can be inserted therein, in the open position of the back, and locked by the back when it is closed. The invention also relates to the corresponding timepiece and to an assembly comprising such a timepiece associated with adapted bracelet and chain. Advantageously, the transition from any configuration of the timepiece to another configuration can be carried out without using a tool.
US09122246B2
The regulating device includes an inertial balance (7) including a balance staff arranged to be pivotally mounted in the timepiece, a balance bridge (9) and a bearing (11) carried by the balance bridge and arranged to hold one end of the balance staff, a balance spring (1) including an inner end integral with the balance and an outer end (1a) integral with a stud (3; 103), and a mechanism for securing the stud (3; 103) including a housing (17) for receiving the stud and which is formed in a stud holder (5) pivoted on the balance bridge (9), the securing mechanism further including an elastic arm (15; 115) arranged to pivot concentrically to the balance staff between a first position where the elastic arm immobilizes the stud (3; 103) and a second position where the elastic arm is disengaged from the stud to allow the stud to be inserted into or removed from the housing.
US09122219B2
A recording medium placement device includes a placement unit in which a recording medium is placed; a guide member provided along an edge of the recording medium and movable in a first direction orthogonal to the edge, the edge being at a first position; a distance detection unit that detects a distance between the guide member and the edge; a drive unit that moves the guide member in the first direction until the distance detection unit detects that the guide member contacts the recording medium; a gap length calculation unit that calculates a length of a gap between the recording medium and the guide member when a movement of the guide member is stopped using a detection output from the distance detection unit; and an adjustment unit that moves the guide member to the edge at the first position based on the length of the gap.
US09122214B2
Provided is a fixing device including a fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording material, a pressurizing member that forms a pressurizing portion, in cooperation with the fixing member, through which the recording material holding a non-fixed toner image passes, a heating member that includes a heat generating portion having a predetermined pattern shape and being energized to generate heat, and heats the fixing member, a supporting member that supports the heating member along an inner circumferential surface of the fixing member, and a thermal diffusion member that faces the supporting member with interposing the heating member, and diffuses heat from the heating member and conducts the heat to the fixing member.
US09122211B2
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit, a gloss level measuring section, and a fixation condition setting section. The gloss level measuring section measures a gloss level of an image portion and a gloss level of a non-image portion in a recording medium after fixation, and separately measures, as the gloss level of the image portion, a first gloss level indicative of a gloss level of a chromatic toner image and a second gloss level indicative of a gloss level of a black toner image. The fixation condition setting section sets the fixation condition for the fixing unit so that the first gloss level and the second gloss level approach respective different target gloss levels, on the basis of a measured value of the first gloss level and a measured value of the second gloss level and a measured value of the gloss level of the non-image portion.
US09122209B2
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
US09122206B2
The present disclosure is drawn to a liquid toner composition comprising: (a) a carrier liquid; (b) particles comprising (i) a first component comprising a polymer having acidic side groups; and (ii) a second component comprising a polymer having ester side groups; and (c) a charge director. Also described herein are a method of producing a liquid toner composition and a method of electrophotographic printing using a liquid toner composition.
US09122197B2
A developer storage body includes a storage portion in which a developer is stored, a supplying opening through which the developer is ejected, and a conveying member provided in the storage portion. The conveying member is rotatable about a rotation axis so as to convey the developer to the supplying opening. The supplying opening is provided with a plurality of slits extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the conveying member.
US09122195B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member where an electrostatic latent image is formed, a developing device developing the electrostatic latent image at a developing position facing the image bearing member, the developing device including a developer bearing member which rotates while bearing developer containing toner and which supplies the image bearing member with the toner, and a regulating member regulating a layer thickness of the developer born by the developer bearing member. In addition, a vibrating member vibrates the regulating member when the vibrating member is driven, and a control unit performs a mode of vibrating the regulating member while rotating the developer bearing member during a non-image forming period and of transferring from the developer bearing member to the image bearing member the toner passing through the regulating member during vibration of the regulating member.
US09122193B2
A developing roller includes a roller main body disposed to face, without contact, an outer circumferential surface of an image carrier. A resin coat layer has been formed on an outer circumferential surface of the roller main body, the resin coat layer being made of a resin material having electric conductivity. A product of resistance component Rs [Ω] and electrostatic capacitance component Cs [F] in AC impedance Z of the roller main body is in a range from 2.79×10−7 to 6.77×10−5, the AC impedance Z being obtained when an AC voltage of a predetermined frequency f is applied.
US09122189B2
An imaging device scan unit, including an oscillator oscillating in a predetermined oscillation pattern; a light source generating a light beam for deflection by the oscillator and including a forward sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a first direction of the oscillation pattern and a reverse sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a second direction different from the first direction thereof; and components defining at least two optical paths for the light beam, the forward sweep portion of the light beam passes through a first optical path and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam passes through a second optical path, the second optical path reverses a sweep direction of the reverse sweep portion of the light beam such that the forward sweep portion and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam are in the substantially same direction when exiting the scan unit.
US09122174B2
The invention relates to a method of loading a first object on a second object in a lithographic apparatus. The method includes: a) loading the first object on the second object, b) waiting a predetermined time interval and c) performing a relaxation action. The first object may be a substrate and the second object a substrate table. The first object may also be a substrate table and the second object a support structure, supporting the substrate table.
US09122171B2
Exposure apparatus includes photomasks on which a mask pattern having the same shape as that of an exposure pattern exposed onto a surface of a TFT substrate held on a stage is formed, lens assemblies in which unit lens groups in each of which a plurality of convex lenses are arranged in a normal direction to the photomasks so that same-size erect images of mask patterns formed on the photomasks can be formed on the surface of the TFT substrate are arranged in a plane parallel with the photomasks and the surface of the TFT substrate held on the stage, and moving device that moves the lens assemblies in a plane parallel with the masks and the surface of TFT substrate held on the stage.
US09122168B2
Lithography methods and devices are shown that include a semiconductor structure such as a mask. Methods and devices are shown that include a pattern of mask features and a composite feature. Selected mask features include doubled mask features. Methods and devices shown may provide varied feature sizes (including sub-resolution) with a small number of processing steps.
US09122165B2
Provided are a method of manufacturing graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerene, graphite, or a combination thereof having a regulated resistance, and a material manufactured using the method.
US09122160B2
An approach is provided for enabling simulation of photomask contour shapes, performing verification on the simulated photomask shapes, and correcting errors in OPC correction or bad fracturing methods to perform photomask proximity correction in real time before physically writing of the photomask. Embodiments include performing optical proximity correction of a photomask of a semiconductor layout to generate a corrected photomask, simulating the corrected photomask to generate one or more simulated contour shapes within a simulated photomask, verifying the simulated contour shapes to determine errors associated with the simulated photomask, and correcting the errors in the simulated contour shapes of the simulated photomask to generate a final photomask.
US09122159B2
Topcoat layer compositions suitable for use in forming a topcoat layer over a layer of photoresist include: a matrix polymer which is aqueous alkali soluble; a first additive of mer which is aqueous alkali soluble and comprises polymerized units of a monomer of the following general formula (I): wherein: R1 is hydrogen or a C1 to C6 alkyl or fluoroalkyl group; R2 is a C3 to C8 branched alkylene group; and R3 is a C1 to C4 fluoroalkyl group; and wherein the first additive polymer is present in the composition in an amount less than the matrix polymer, and the first additive polymer has a lower surface energy than a surface energy of the matrix polymer; wherein a layer of the topcoat composition in a dried state has a water receding contact angle of from 75 to 85°. The compositions find particular applicability to immersion lithography processing.
US09122149B2
An imprint apparatus which cures a resin dispensed on a substrate while the resin and a pattern surface of a mold are in contact with each other, comprises a supply portion configured to supply a gas, used to accelerate filling of a concave portion of the pattern surface of the mold with the resin, to a space which the pattern surface of the mold faces, and a controller configured to control the supply portion to supply the gas to the space before the resin and the pattern surface of the mold are brought into contact with each other, wherein the supply portion is configured to supply the gas to the space via a porous portion formed in at least part of the mold.
US09122144B2
A three dimensional (3D) object with a rear projection (RP) surface. The 3D object includes an RP element, which behaves as an RP substrate or surface. A structural portion of the 3D object has a first thickness, and the RP element has a second thickness that is less than about one half of the first thickness. The RP element is formed of a translucent white plastic for example, such that it is translucent to provide an RP element integrally formed with an adjacent structural element which is opaque with or without additional coating or treatment.
US09122140B2
The disclosure generally relates to refractive polarization converters, polarized color combiners using the refractive polarization converters, and in particular polarized color combiners using the refractive polarization converters that can be useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed refractive polarization converters include at least one birefringent prism that can separate an unpolarized light beam into divergent polarized light beams having orthogonal polarization directions.
US09122136B2
A toy image projector includes a housing including a peripheral wall, an accommodation chamber surrounded by the peripheral wall and a transparent view window at the peripheral wall, a rotating body accommodated in the accommodation chamber and including a peripheral wall, multiple sets of patterned holes formed in the peripheral wall and a space surrounded by the peripheral wall, a driving mechanism operable to rotate the rotating body relative to the housing, and a light-emitting device accommodated in the space within the rotating body and adapted to emit light through one set of patterned holes and the transparent view window to the outside. Thus, by means of rotating the rotating body, different image patterns can be projected to the outside of the toy image projector, increasing consumer interest in playing the toy image projector.
US09122132B2
A motor for providing rotational movement along different directions simultaneously includes a stator, a rotor, a power shaft rotated together with the rotor, a first driving shaft, a first transmission gear located on the first driving shaft, a second driving shaft, and a second transmission gear located on the second driving shaft. The power shaft includes at least one driving gear located on an end portion of the power shaft. The first transmission gear and the second transmission gear engage with the driving gear to drive the first driving shaft and the second driving shaft to rotate, respectively.
US09122130B1
A cable traversing camera carrying device is provided having a manifold and a camera carriage coupled to the manifold. The manifold includes a first side plate and a second side plate. The manifold also includes two idler pulleys coupled between the first and second side plates located at opposing sides of the manifold and adjacent the top side of manifold. The manifold further includes a drive pulley coupled between the first and second side plates operatively engaged by a remotely activated and controlled motor. The drive pulley is located in a middle portion of the manifold below a line defined between axes of the two idler pulleys. The two idler pulleys and the drive pulley are adjustable to adjust the tension in a cable operatively extending through and engaging the idler pulleys and the drive pulley.
US09122119B2
A constitution of the display device of the invention is shown in the following. The display device includes a pixel unit including TFTs of which the active layer contains an organic semiconductor material for forming channel portions in the opening portions in an insulating layer arranged to meet the gate electrodes. The pixel unit further includes a contrast media formed on the electrodes connected to the TFTs for changing the reflectivity upon the application of an electric field, or microcapsules containing electrically charged particles that change the reflectivity upon the application of an electric field. The pixel unit is sandwiched by plastic substrates, and barrier layers including an inorganic insulating material are provided between the plastic substrates and the pixel unit. The purpose of the present invention is to supply display devices which are excellent in productivity, light in weight and flexible.
US09122114B2
An embodiment of the disclosed technology provides a method of manufacturing an array substrate, including: a first mask process of forming an inorganic material protrusion on a base substrate; a second mask process of forming a reflective region pattern, a gate line, a gate electrode branched from the gate line, and a common electrode; a third mask process of forming an active island and a data line formed and forming a source electrode connected to the data line and a drain electrode on the active island and a channel; a fourth mask process of forming an insulation material layer, treating the insulation material layer to form a planarization layer, and forming a through hole above the drain electrode; and a fifth mask process of forming a pixel electrode and connected to the drain electrode via the through hole in a reflective region.
US09122110B2
A first polarizing plate having a polarization axis in a first direction, a second polarizing plate having a polarization axis in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a plurality of first structure bodies provided for the first substrate, a plurality of second structure bodies provided for the first substrate, a first electrode layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of first structure bodies, a second electrode layer covering top surfaces and side surfaces of the plurality of second structure bodies, and a third electrode layer that is provided for a second substrate and overlaps at least partly with the second electrode layer are provided. The side surfaces of the first structure bodies and the side surfaces of the second structure bodies are parallel to the first direction or the second direction.
US09122105B2
A liquid crystal display device having 2 pixel multi-domain type pixels, in which columnar spacers are disposed in optimal positions. Each of plural video lines has a first portion in which an acute-angled crossing angle of two crossing angles crossing each of scanning lines becomes a positive angle in a clockwise direction from each of the scanning lines, and a second portion in which an acute-angled crossing angle of the two crossing angles crossing each of scanning lines becomes a negative angle in the clockwise direction from each of the scanning lines. The first and second portions are alternately disposed so as to hold the scanning line between them.
US09122104B2
A display apparatus and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus are disclosed. A display may include a base substrate, a plurality of pixel rows each of which includes a plurality of pixels arranged both in a first direction and in a second direction, a sealant layer covering the pixel rows, and a trench disposed between the pixel rows. Each pixel row may include a plurality of active cavities arranged along the trench and a drain cavity disposed on at least one end of the trench. A capillary force decreases along the active cavities, the drain cavity, and the trench.
US09122094B2
Provided is a backlight unit (49) which includes a plurality of LEDs (11). The LEDs (11) are two-dimensionally disposed, thereby having the collection of light emitted from the LEDs (11) in a state of planar light. Furthermore, the backlight unit (49) has the planar light divided into a plurality of sections, and includes a luminance variable system (for instance, a system having disposition which a difference in the density of LEDs (11)), which can change luminance, corresponding to each section.
US09122093B2
An optical member realizing suppressed occurrence of a light loss between a phosphor layer performing color conversion and itself, and a display device using the same is provided. The optical member includes a base member having two opposed surfaces, and a phosphor layer provided integrally with one surface of the base member and containing a phosphor that converts a color light to another color light.
US09122091B2
The phase difference plate for a circularly polarizing plate includes a first optically anisotropic layer; and a second optically anisotropic layer, in which the first and second optically anisotropic layers contain a liquid crystal compound that is helically aligned around a helical axis which is in a thickness direction of each of the layers, the liquid crystal compound has a same helix direction in the first optically anisotropic layer and in the second optically anisotropic layer, and a helix angle of the liquid crystal compound each in the first optically anisotropic layer and in the second optically anisotropic layer is in a predetermined range. The phase difference plate can sufficiently suppress the mixing of black with another color observed in the front direction when being stuck as a circularly polarizing plate on a display apparatus.
US09122087B2
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display apparatus includes a display region including a plurality of display pixels arrayed in a matrix, an array substrate including a plurality of first electrodes which are arrayed in a matrix, second electrodes which are arranged on the same layer as a layer of the first electrodes and connect the first electrodes to each other, and third electrodes which are arrayed in a matrix on the first electrodes and the second electrodes, a countersubstrate which is arranged to face the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the array substrate and the countersubstrate.
US09122086B2
A display apparatus includes a liquid crystal panel unit including a quadrilateral display portion, a screen protector protecting the liquid crystal panel unit, and a spacer disposed between the liquid crystal panel unit and the screen protector so as to surround the display portion. The spacer has a cut, the cut cutting its corresponding side of the spacer.
US09122084B2
A phase modulation apparatus has a light source outputting continuous light, two phase modulators, and an intensity modulator. The phase modulation apparatus is provided with an RZ phase modulation circuit, in which the phase modulators phase-modulate the continuous light from the light source with data signals input to the phase modulators and generate two phase modulation optical signals, a phase shifter shifts the phase of one phase modulation optical signal by π/2, and an intensity modulator intensity-modulates a multiplexed signal, combined with the other phase modulation optical signal, with an input clock signal CLK to convert the signal into an RZ signal, and, thus, to output the RZ signal, and a phase control circuit which adjusts the phases of the phase modulation optical signals generated by the phase modulator of the RZ phase modulation circuit so that the output of the RZ phase modulation circuit is maximum.
US09122083B2
An eyewear system including an eyewear frame and an application module. The eyewear frame including a docking station, and an electronic connector including a first set of preconfigured application connection points. The application module adapted to be mounted to the docking station, and including an electronic device configured to perform a function, and a second set of preconfigured application connection points corresponding to at least some of the first set of preconfigured application connection points. The second set of preconfigured application connection points including at least two different sub-function connections used to support the function of the electronic device.
US09122076B2
A pair of reduced profile wrap-around glasses (100) including a pair of lenses (102), a pair of support arms (112), and a pair of frames including a right frame (104a) and a left frame (104b) forming at least one locking hinge (106) at the nose bridge. The locking hinge is manually operable to pivotally hinge the pair of frames between two states: wrap-around wearable and reduced profile. The locking hinge comprises a central axle (114) and one ledge (110) formed on the medial side of one of the right frame and the left frame, a front slit (108a) and a back slit (108b) formed on the medial side of the other one of the right frame and the left frame, wherein said ledge pivotally engage with said front slit in the wrap-around wearable state and pivotally engage with said back slit in the reduced profile state. In an alternative embodiment, the locking hinge may comprise one slit and two ledges. In another alternative embodiment, the pair of frames may form two locking hinges at the nose bridge with two central axles.
US09122075B2
The present disclosure refers to eyeglasses that may be worn in alternate forms. The eyeglasses include an eyepiece having a pair of lenses that may be positioned in front of a wear's eyes by an attachment assembly, which may be deformed or adjusted to secure the lenses to the wear's wrist. The design of the attachment assembly may vary according to specific needs. In one embodiment, the attachment assembly comprises temples having temple tips. The temples may be deformed to serve alternating purposes—placing the eyepiece in front of the eyes and securing the eye piece around the wear's wrist, or other body parts. The eyepiece may also include a bendable bridge that connects the two lenses. The design of the bridge may facilitate the transition of the eyepiece from one position to the other. The eyeglasses are suitable for individuals that wear eyeglasses periodically and particularly in outdoor settings.
US09122066B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to stereo display systems. In one embodiment, the stereo display system includes a display (402), a viewing area (404), and one or more pairs of stereo projectors (409-411). Each pair of stereo projectors corresponds to a sub-region of the viewing area. In addition, each pair of stereo projectors projects a rectified image pair onto the display so that one or more viewers located in the corresponding sub-region exclusively view the image pair, enabling the viewers in the sub-region to perceive three-dimensional images presented on the display.
US09122058B2
A light guiding device is operable to receive incident light emitted by a light source through a capture surface. The received light exits the light guiding device through an exit surface provided adjacent to and aligned with an aperture of light receiver. In this manner, light from the light source can be inserted into the receiver where it may be combined with additional incident light captured by the receiver. The light source might be a projector and the light projected may correspond to operational data relating to the operation of the receiver or images corresponding to data captured by a further receiver device operating with a different form of sensor or in a different region of the spectrum. In order to improve the composite image observed by a user of the light receiving device, the operation of the light source can be controlled to vary the intensity of the light emitted. In one example, this variation can be in response to the ambient light level, as sensed by a suitable sensor. An additional or alternative variation is to vary the intensity in a pulsed manner between a peak and a low level.
US09122045B2
The projection zoom lens substantially consists of a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens groups through a fourth lens group all having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group having positive or negative refractive power, and a sixth lens group having positive refractive power, arranged in this order from the magnification side; wherein the reduction side is telecentric. Further, the first lens group and the sixth lens group are fixed and the second lens group through the fifth lens group move along the optical axis while changing magnification. The fourth lens group substantially consists of only one positive meniscus lens with a concave surface toward the reduction side. The projection zoom lens satisfies conditional expression (1) below: 1.2
US09122029B2
An optical connector package includes a substrate and a casing positioned on the substrate and comprising a positioning pin. The casing and the substrate cooperatively define a receiving space. The positioning pin defines a vent functioning as a sole channel communicating the receiving space with the outside of the casing. The vent is sealed after the optical connector package subjects to all required heating processes.
US09122028B2
A method for aligning optical components comprised in an optical component assembly and optical waveguides comprised in an optical waveguide assembly according to a common optical axis and by using an adapter includes providing the optical component assembly with a first alignment structure comprising a cavity designed according to the position of the optical components within the optical component assembly; providing an adapter presenting a base surface comprising a first step structure; providing the optical waveguide assembly with a second alignment structure comprising a distinct step structure designed according to the position of the waveguides within the waveguides assembly; and positioning the optical component assembly, the optical waveguide assembly and the adapter, so that a sidewall of the cavity and the distinct step structure are put in contact with a sidewall of the first step structure.
US09122027B2
A method for aligning optical components comprised in an optical component assembly and optical waveguides comprised in an optical waveguide assembly according to a common optical axis and by using an adapter includes providing the optical component assembly with a first alignment structure comprising a cavity designed according to the position of the optical components within the optical component assembly; providing an adapter presenting a base surface comprising a first step structure; providing the optical waveguide assembly with a second alignment structure comprising a distinct step structure designed according to the position of the waveguides within the waveguides assembly; and positioning the optical component assembly, the optical waveguide assembly and the adapter, so that a sidewall of the cavity and the distinct step structure are put in contact with a sidewall of the first step structure.
US09122022B2
A fiber optic connector has a connector outer housing and a connector inner housing. The connector inner housing has a projection to interact with a latch on an adapter into which the connector is inserted. The force required to move the connector outer housing relative to the connector inner housing is less than the force to remove the connector inner housing from the latch. A groove or opening may also be formed in the connector outer housing to effectively shorten the connector outer housing and prevent interaction of the latch with the outer housing, reducing debris.
US09122016B2
An optical measurement apparatus that measures an optical property of a scattering medium includes a light source that supplies illumination light having at least one spectral component, an illumination fiber for guiding the light supplied by the light source and emitting the light to the scattering medium, a detection fiber for receiving returned light from the scattering medium at a tip thereof and guiding the returned light toward a base end thereof, a detecting unit that detects light output from the base end of the detection fiber, a measuring unit that measures a property of the scattering medium based on a detection result obtained by the detecting unit, and a switching unit that switches between total areas of emission regions, in which light is emitted, at an end face of the illumination fiber.
US09122012B2
An optical unit is disclosed. In one aspect, the optical unit includes a polarizing plate, a first protective layer positioned on a first side of the polarizing plate and a first adhesive layer positioned on the first protective layer. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the surface of the first protective layer.
US09122000B2
There is provided an illuminator comprising: a light source; and a lens sheet that is arranged on the optical axis of the light source and that has a plurality of prisms, wherein the light source is composed of: a luminous element; and phosphors that irradiate with lights emitted from the luminous element, and the lens sheet includes prisms that have focal distances each different from the prisms adjacent thereto.
US09121999B2
An optical film and a display device having the same are provided. The optical film has a light input face, a light output face opposite to the light input face, and a light-output structure disposed on the light output face. The light-output structure includes a plurality of light output microstructures such as prisms disposed side by side along a first direction on the light output face. Each prism has a first quadrilateral cross section parallel to the first direction. A first side of the quadrilateral cross section is connected to the light output face and includes a first angle with the light output face, wherein the first angles of the prisms continuously arranged have angle values varying in a periodic manner.
US09121994B2
The present invention relates to method of fabricating a wafer level optical lens substrate. The method comprising providing a first wafer substrate having a plurality of bumps, applying a first polymer liquid on a first contact optical surface of said plurality of bumps, providing a second wafer substrate, and contacting said first wafer substrate with said second substrate in such that said first polymer liquid is located in a slit created between said first contact optical surface of said plurality of bumps and said second wafer substrate under capillary forces. The method comprises thereafter curing said polymer liquid(s) to form a lens.
US09121986B2
This microlens array comprises hexagonal field diaphragms in inverted-image-forming positions, i.e., microlenses, a plurality of which are arranged in the direction perpendicular to a direction of scanning, and from which rows of microlenses are configured. Further, for three rows of microlenses, microlens rows are arranged with offset by (a length S) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning such that triangular portions of the hexagonal field diaphragms overlap in the direction of scanning. Furthermore, microlens row groups, which are configured from three microlens rows, are arranged with offset in the direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning in increments of a minute amount of shifting F (for example, 2 μm). Thereby, this scanning exposure device using a microlens array is capable of preventing exposure ununiformity even in the direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning.
US09121982B2
A light-emitting device which has a plate-shaped light guide (102) having front and rear surfaces (106, 108), being major surfaces, and edge surfaces (110, 112, 114, 116); and a light source (104) arranged at the plate-shaped light guide at such a position that the generated light is entered into the plate-shaped light guide and propagates in a substantial direction of propagation that is parallel with the front surface. At least a portion of the plate-shaped light guide includes a three-dimensional surface structure (118) arranged to provide a controlled light output through at least one of the front and rear surfaces and at least one of the edge surfaces. The controlled light output is controlled in terms of light output characteristics.
US09121978B2
A front light module, including: a light source; a light guide plate, having a first refractive index and having a side face close to the light source; and a plurality of pillar structures, having a second refractive index and being placed under the light guide plate, and the second refractive index is larger than or equal to the first refractive index.
US09121977B2
A liquid crystal display module is provided including a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image; a backlight unit including a light source unit for providing light to the liquid crystal panel; and a packaging chassis which holds the liquid crystal panel and the backlight unit in a single module. The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources; a light source support board for supporting the light sources; a wavelength conversion member, disposed in front of the light sources, which converts wavelengths of light emitted from the light sources; and a fixing member which holds the wavelength conversion member in front of the light sources, defines a mounting space within which the wavelength conversion member is disposed and defines an accommodation space within which the plurality of light sources are accommodated.
US09121976B2
A light guide plate disclosed in the present disclosure includes a board body, a prism component and at least one optical microstructure. The prism component is disposed on at least one surface of the board body. The at least one optical microstructure is disposed on a top end of the prism component. The optical microstructure includes a first light guiding unit and at least two second light guiding units. A first angle is formed between two inclined surfaces of the first light guiding unit, and the first angle is substantially between 45˜60 degrees. The second light guiding units are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the first light guiding unit. A second angle is formed between an inclined surface and a bottom surface of each second light guiding unit, and the second angle is substantially between 10˜60 degrees.
US09121975B2
A light guide plate and a backlight module are provided. The backlight module includes a light source and the light guide plate. The light source includes a light emitting surface. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface, a first surface, and a second surface, wherein the first surface is opposite to the second surface. The light guide plate is disposed at a side of the light source. The light incident surface of the light guide plate is opposite to the light emitting surface of the light source. The light incident surface is connected to the first surface and the second surface and includes a first curved surface and a second curved surface. The first curved surface is adjacent to the first surface, and the second curved surface is adjacent to the second surface. The first curved surface is a concave surface.
US09121963B2
Methods, systems, and devices for evaluating an earth formation. Methods may include conveying the carrier into a formation borehole; and using measure electrodes, in one mode of measurement, to make current measurements by applying a voltage to each measure electrode in a first set of sensor arrays while making first current measurements; and applying another high frequency voltage to each measure electrode in a second set of sensor arrays while making second current measurements. Optionally, methods include using the measure electrodes, in another mode of measurement, to make further resistivity measurements by applying a voltage to each measure electrode in both sets of sensor arrays while making third current measurements. Methods include combining first current measurements, second current measurements, and third current measurements to simulate a virtual impedance for each measure electrode. Optionally, any two consecutive sensor arrays around the circumference of the tool body are in different sets.
US09121955B2
A single photon counting detector system has a layer of photosensitive material and an N×M array of photo-detector diodes. Each photo-detector diode has a bias potential interface and a diode output interface. The bias potential interface is connected to bias potential. An N×M array of high gain, low noise readout unit cells is provided, one readout unit cell for each photo-detector diode. Each readout unit cell has an input interface connected to the diode output interface, a high-gain voltage amplifier with an integration capacitor at least two parallel lines of digital counters, each having a comparator with an individually selectable threshold and a gateable section to determine the counting intervals of the digital counters. A multiplexer allows access to the readout cell unit either on a per pixel basis or for several pixels in parallel to read out the digital counter to a data processor transferring the data off chip.
US09121943B2
The present disclosure relates to a beam forming device, comprising a transmit unit comprising at least two transmit elements that transmit radiation towards a scene, a receiver unit comprising at least two receive elements that receive radiation from said scene and that generate receive signals from said received radiation, and a beam forming unit that performs beam forming to obtain beam formed output signals from said receive signals by use of beam forming weights, wherein said beam forming weights are adapted to a distance between the scene and one or more transmit elements and/or receive elements, said distance being indicated by a distance indicator, and wherein said beam forming weights are changed if said distance changes.
US09121940B2
A navigation system includes a navigation radio and a sensor onboard a vehicle. The navigation radio receives and processes low earth orbit RF signals to derive range observables for a corresponding LEO satellite. A sensor is operable to generate at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data under high vehicle dynamics. The navigation radio includes a navigation code operable to obtain a position, velocity and time solution (a “navigation solution”) based on the one or more range observables, ephemerides for the corresponding LEO satellite, a heading pseudomeasurement, a navigation radio altitude pseudomeasurement; one or more vehicle velocity pseudomeasurements orthogonal to the altitude pseudomeasurements; and the generated at least one of vehicle speed data, acceleration data, angular rate data and rotational angle data. The navigation radio uses the navigation solution to acquire a GPS signal during interference with a coarse acquisition GPS signal.
US09121927B2
The present invention teaches acoustic absolute position encoders and methods for deploying the same. The encoder has a moving member with a mechanical contacting portion, and a stationary member associated with the moving member. Reed elements are mounted on the stationary member such that they are mechanically engaged by the contacting portion of the moving member as the latter moves linearly or rotates. The reed elements generate sound tones in response to transient contact with the contacting portion. A receiver receives the tones and an acoustic processing circuit determines the absolute position of the moving member based on the sound tones.
US09121924B2
Method for determination of wireless terminals positions and associated system and apparatus thereof
Conventional position estimation methods require the deployment of more fixed anchors in order to increase the accuracy in a crowded indoor environment, or they suffer from inaccuracies due to multipath fading. The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior arts by selecting one or more mobile nodes as virtual anchors when estimating the position of a target mobile node. This takes advantage of the fact that mobile nodes are closer to the target mobile node than the access points in most typical deployments, thus eliminating the need to deploy more access points or fixed anchors for the purpose of position determination. After obtaining an initial estimate of the position of the target mobile node, the target mobile node can serve as virtual anchors to estimate the positions of other mobile nodes, which can then be used to further refine the position estimate of the target mobile node.
US09121920B2
A method is provided for operating a sensor of a vehicle. The sensor is configured to detect objects within a detection range and the method includes, but is not limited to detecting an object with the sensor. In addition, a position of the object is determined with data from the sensor. Furthermore, position data emitted by the object is received with a receiving apparatus of the vehicle and the position of the object is determined with the position data. Moreover, the position determined with the sensor is compared with the position of the object and comparative data is determined and an automatic adjustment of the sensor and/or output of a message inside the vehicle is made depending on the comparative data.
US09121912B2
A loading state determiner for determining a loading state of an electric power source including a source impedance includes a voltage drop determination circuit which is implemented to provide, based on a detection of an instantaneous current provided under load by the power source to a load, an electric quantity describing a voltage drop at a source impedance of the power source. Further, the loading state determiner includes an evaluation circuit which is implemented to obtain, based on electric quantity describing the voltage drop at the source impedance of the power source and an electric quantity describing a terminal voltage of the power source, a load state signal carrying information on an instantaneous relation between the terminal voltage of the power source and a no-load voltage of the power source.
US09121910B2
The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determining data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery using the data which is representative of (i) the relaxation time of the battery and/or (ii) the overpotential of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt one or more characteristics of a charge signal using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine a state of charge of the battery using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery.
US09121905B2
The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for improving the operation of a TAP architecture in a device through the use of Command signal inputs to the TAP architecture. In response to a Command signal input, the TAP architecture can perform streamlined and uninterrupted Update, Capture and Shift operation cycles to a target circuit in the device or streamlined and uninterrupted capture and shift operation cycles to a target circuit in the device. The Command signals can be input to the TAP architecture via the devices dedicated TMS or TDI inputs or via a separate CMD input to the device.
US09121904B2
An integrated circuit can have plural core circuits, each having a test access port that is defined in IEEE standard 1149.1. Access to and control of these ports is though a test linking module. The test access ports on an integrated circuit can be arranged in a hierarchy with one test linking module controlling access to plural secondary test linking modules and test access ports. Each secondary test linking module in turn can also control access to tertiary test linking modules and test access ports. The test linking modules can also be used for emulation.
US09121895B2
A test apparatus features an upper RF impermeable hood and lower RF impermeable hood, wherein each of the hoods have internal dividers. When in a closed position, the hoods and dividers create two or more RF impermeable chambers. The hoods are configured to enclose or sandwich a pallet supporting two or more printed circuit boards. One of the printed circuit boards is disposed in each chamber formed by the hoods and dividers.
US09121892B2
A semiconductor circuit comprises a digital circuit portion, which in turn comprises a combinatorial logic block. The semiconductor circuit comprises a scan chain for loading and applying a predefined digital test pattern to inputs of the combinatorial logic block. A bi-directional communication port is adapted for writing incoming data to an address space of the digital circuit portion such as register addresses and/or memory addresses. Scan control hardware comprises a plurality of individually addressable scan control registers which are mapped to the address space of the bi-directional communication port. A method of testing the digital circuit portion through the scan chain involves writing bit values to inputs of the individually addressable scan control registers and reading bit values from at least one output of an individually addressable scan control register.
US09121880B2
A magnetic sensor device includes a magnet configured to generate a bias magnetic field. A plurality of electrical wires extend through the magnet. A magnetic sensor chip is attached to an end face of a first electrical wire of the plurality of electrical wires.
US09121875B2
There is provided a potential measuring device of non-contact type which can improve measurement sensitivity. A potential measuring device which measures a charged object in a non-contact manner with a sensor includes: a first shutter and a second shutter each having a shutter part provided with an opening and a leaf spring part; a magnet attached to the leaf spring part of each of the first shutter and the second shutter; a yoke on which a coil is disposed, the coil applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnet of each of the first shutter and the second shutter to cause the shutter part to reciprocate via the leaf spring part; and a natural frequency adjusting means for adjusting a natural frequency of at least one of a first shutter system including the first shutter and the magnet and a second shutter system including the second shutter and the magnet.
US09121871B2
A voltage measuring apparatus for use in an energy harvesting system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a capacitor (6) adapted to be charged by means of a voltage to be measured, and an asynchronous digital counter (12) having power supply terminals adapted to be selectively connected to the capacitor during discharge of the capacitor and to provide a digital output signal dependent upon the voltage level of the capacitor the start of discharging of the capacitor.
US09121868B2
A probe having a conductive body and a contacting tip that is terminated by one or more blunt skates for engaging a conductive pad of a device under test (DUT) for performing electrical testing. The contacting tip has a certain width and the blunt skate is narrower than the tip width. The skate is aligned along a scrub direction and also has a certain curvature along the scrub direction such that it may undergo both a scrub motion and a self-cleaning rotation upon application of a contact force between the skate and the conductive pad. While the scrub motion clears oxide from the pad to establish electrical contact, the rotation removes debris from the skate and thus preserves a low contact resistance between the skate and the pad. The use of probes with one or more blunt skates and methods of using such self-cleaning probes are especially advantageous when testing DUTs with low-K conductive pads or other mechanically fragile pads that tend to be damaged by large contact force concentration.
US09121861B2
A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.
US09121847B2
Provided are methods and devices for formation and study of three-dimensional biological systems, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation.
US09121843B2
Chemical functionalization of solid-state nanopores and nanopore arrays and applications thereof. Nanopores are extremely sensitive single-molecule sensors. Recently, electron beams have been used to fabricate synthetic nanopores in thin solid-state membranes with sub-nanometer resolution. A new class of chemically modified nanopore sensors are provided with two approaches for monolayer coating of nanopores by: (1) self-assembly from solution, in which nanopores −10 nm diameter can be reproducibly coated, and (2) self-assembly under voltage-driven electrolyte flow, in which 5 nm nanopores may be coated. Applications of chemically modified nanopore are provided including: the detection of biopolymers such as DNA and RNA; immobilizing enzymes or other proteins for detection or for generating chemical gradients; and localized pH sensing.
US09121836B2
An oral aroma sampling device includes a mouthpiece which defines an in-mouth surface and an external surface, the in-mouth surface bearing a delivery conduit, and the external surface bearing a manifold in communication with the delivery conduit, the manifold bearing a plurality of capillaries, each of which capillary is the conduit for an aroma substance, the mouthpiece additionally comprising a breathing conduit passing from the external surface to the in-mouth surface. The device is useful as part of a retronasal testing apparatus, which allows a large variety of flavor combinations to be tested quickly and efficiently.
US09121832B2
An apparatus includes a scanning head configured to move one or more sensors back and forth across a surface of a moving web of material. The apparatus also includes a vibration dampening device configured to reduce vibrations of the one or more sensors when the scanning head moves the one or more sensors back and forth across the surface of the web. The vibration dampening device includes at least one mass and one or more springs configured to create oscillatory movement of the at least one mass. The at least one mass and the one or more springs can be located within a housing that rides on a rail back and forth to move the scanning head across the surface of the web. The at least one mass and the one or more springs can also be located on a web deflector connected to the scanning head.
US09121831B2
The invention relates to a moisture indicator which includes iodide, copper, and starch.
US09121824B2
A microfluidic chip interface for providing fluid communication with external fluid sources and external fluid waste containers, and for providing electrical contact with voltage sources and voltage and current measuring devices, is described. The microchip is first placed into electrical communication with at least one electrical source and at least one electronic measurement device, and reversibly secured in place. Chosen fluids are provided into the microchip and directed through the chip using a fluid manifold having dispensing tubes and fluid aspiration tubes, which is brought into the vicinity of the secured microchip. The distance between the fluid manifold and the microchip is chosen such that the injection tubes are located within wells in the microchip connected to microfluidic channels, and the aspiration tubes are located near the surface of the microchip in the vicinity of the wells such that fluid spillage onto the surface of the microchip during fluid transfer is avoided. The fluid manifold is removed from fluid communication with the microchip during electrical measurements.
US09121822B2
A method of operating a portable biochemical testing apparatus is disclosed. The portable biochemical testing apparatus includes a light source module, a sample module, a photoconductive material layer, a touch module, and a control module. At least one sample is disposed in the sample module. The photoconductive material layer is disposed between the sample module and the light source module. The touch module generates a driving signal according to a touch action of the user to drive the light source module to emit a light. When the light is emitted to the photoconductive material layer, the photoconductive material layer will generate a photoelectric driving effect. The at least one sample is affected by the photoelectric driving effect and generates a change corresponding to the touch action.
US09121821B2
A process for analyzing a sample by a capillary electrophoresis method is provided that allows for high analytic precision and reduction in apparatus size, and can be readily carried out by electrophoresing a complex of a sample and an anionic group-containing compound in the capillary channel, wherein the capillary channel includes an A layer that is coated on an inner wall thereof and a B layer that is coated on the A layer, where the A and B layers are as described.
US09121812B2
The invention relates to a device for the delivery of a beam of X-rays for analysis of a sample (50), comprising: a source block (100) comprising X-ray emission means; an optical block (200) placed downstream of the source block (100), said optical block (200) comprising an optical monochromator component (210) having a reflecting surface (212) provided for conditioning X-rays emitted by the source block (100) according to unidimensional or bidimensional optical effect; and definition means (300) of X-rays comprising: an anti-diffusing member (310) for spatially delimiting X-rays conditioned by the optical monochromator component (210), placed downstream of the optical monochromator component (210) and comprising one or more plates (311) having portions (313) arranged to form a delimiting orifice (312), said portions (313) being coated with a monocrystalline material limiting the scattering of X-rays; a cut-off member (320) of X-rays emitted by the source block (100), comprising X-ray absorption means arranged in the delivery device to cut off the direct X-ray beams likely to reach the spatial delimitation anti-diffusing member (310) without conditioning by the optical monochromator component (210).
US09121810B2
A probe including NE ultrasonic emitters and NR ultrasonic receivers is applied on the medium to be characterized. Each emitter is activated successively and each time signals are detected on the set of receivers during a time window. Each of the NE×NR signals detected is converted by temporal Fourier transformation to a sum of vibrational components each having its temporal frequency. For each frequency, a matrix NE×NR of complex amplitudes of vibrational components having this frequency is extracted. These matrices are decomposed into singular values, the smallest are eliminated, and the singular vectors associated with the singular values retained, a base of the space of the reception signals is formed, for each frequency. The contribution of each plane wave, characterized by its velocity, in this base is calculated. This contribution is represented in the form of a grey level in a frequency-propagation velocity reference system.
US09121809B2
An x-ray scanner includes an x-ray source producing a fan of x-rays, an x-ray detector array, a collimator disposed between the source and the array, fixed to the source, and defining a slit collimating the fan of x-rays into a linear x-ray beam. The array is spaced from the source such that a linear extent of the linear x-ray beam is no greater than a detector dimension of the array. An x-ray processing unit processes detection of the linear x-ray beam by the array. A processor-controlled motor moves the x-ray source about a source movement axis to pan the linear x-ray beam and create an x-ray emission cone and moves the array correspondingly with the source. The x-ray processing unit form an x-ray scanned image of an object disposed between the collimator and the array within the x-ray emission cone when the linear x-ray beam is panned across the object.
US09121805B2
A radiation generating apparatus and a radiographing apparatus configured to allow a radiation generating unit to be installed at arbitrary positions include an arm configured to support a radiation generating unit that generates radiation, a pillar configured to rotatably support the arm, and a movable base configured to support the pillar and move on a floor surface are provided, and the arm includes an expandable mechanism configured to expand and contract in a longitudinal direction of the arm.
US09121803B2
A thermal distortion tester for testing thermal distortion of a sand specimen, comprising a gimbal to support the sand specimen, an actuator to raise and lower the sand specimen, and a hot surface, wherein the sand specimen is brought into contact with the hot surface at a pre-determined pressure or pressure profile. The temperature of the hot surface is maintained at a pre-determined temperature or temperature profile. The distortion of the sand specimen while applied to the hot surface is directly measured through measurement of the longitudinal movement of the gimbal, and radial distortion is measured by a micrometer camera. The temperature gradient of the sand specimen is also measured throughout the duration of the test. A method of using the same is also described herein.
US09121795B2
The present invention provides devices, apparatuses and methods for automated processing of biological samples. This invention provides automated devices and automated methods of sequentially treating a biological sample with processing fluids in more than one washing basin. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of western blot processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of Southern blot processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of northern blot processing. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of staining biomolecules on solid supports. In some embodiments, the invention provides automated devices and automated methods of nucleic acid separation and isolation.
US09121794B2
Devices for the preparation of a plurality of samples on mass-spectrometric sample supports are presented, where the samples are prepared by the application of liquids such that they are suitable for ionization in a mass spectrometer, for example ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The invention proposes that the dispenser and sample sites are positioned with respect to each other by means of two rotations about two eccentric axes. As acids and aggressive solvents are used, which have to evaporate on the samples, the preparation can be carried out in a closed chamber with air circulation, filter, dispenser and mounting table for the sample support. Drives for positioning the dispenser and sample support relative to each other are preferably kept outside the chamber because aggressive vapors would very quickly damage the motors and the complex cross-rails of the XY translation stages used to move the sample supports.
US09121790B2
A method is provided for evaluating a tire. The method includes impacting the tire with a force; measuring motion information; extracting the resonant frequencies from the measured motion information; and calculating stiffness characteristics of the tire from the resonant frequencies.
US09121782B2
A first substrate that includes pressure sensors which are disposed in plural around a reference point; an approximately hemispherical elastic protrusion that is positioned so that the center of the elastic protrusion is approximately disposed in a position which is overlapped with the reference point, and is elastically deformed by an external force; and a second substrate that is separated from the elastic protrusion and installed on a side which is opposite to the first substrate are provided. When the external force is applied, a predetermined calculation is performed by using a pressure value which is detected through each pressure sensor, and the direction and the intensity of the applied external force are obtained.
US09121776B2
A welding accessory and a system for detecting thermal and/or UV radiation exposure during welding operations are disclosed. The welding accessory may have a surface exposed to thermal and/or UV radiation generated by electric arc welding, a first image visible without exposure to the thermal and/or UV radiation, and a second image formed from either a UV activated dye that is visible only after exposure to UV radiation generated by the electric welding arc or a thermochromic dye that is visible only after exposure to a predetermined level of thermal radiation generated by the welding arc. A system may include either a thermal or UV exposure indicator with a first state and at least a second state, and include either a thermochromic or UV activated dye adapted to provide a reversible or persistent visual indication upon exposure to radiation. The visual indication may include any combination of symbols, logos, images, text, or other decorative or informational designs as desired.
US09121769B2
An exemplary sensor for an aircraft includes a sensor mountable within an aircraft and operative to communicate wirelessly communications to a distributed aperture antenna. The sensor is operative to harvest energy from the aircraft to power the sensor.
US09121766B2
A multi-pixel photodetector array may include a semiconductor substrate having a back side and a front side, Geiger mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APDs) on the semiconductor substrate, each including an anode contact, and a common cathode for the GM-APDs and having a first connection lead on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The multi-pixel photodetector array may include a second connection lead, and a common anode on the front side of the semiconductor substrate and configured to couple in common the anode contacts of the GM-APDs to the second connection lead. Each GM-APD may be configured to generate, when a photon impinges thereon, a current pulse of different shape for discrimination by an external circuit connected to the common cathode and the common anode.
US09121762B2
The output of an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprises a “photocurrent” component comprising photon initiated events resulting from the interaction of photons with the APD and a “dark current” component comprising dark carrier events arising in the APD even when the APD is not exposed to light. Differences in the pulse height distributions of photon initiated events and dark carrier initiated events are used to statistically discriminate between photocurrent and dark current components of APD output.
US09121759B2
Disclosed is an arrangement for detecting first light (L1) and second light (L2), with the first light (L1) and second light (L2) having no wavelength in common. The arrangement includes a first effective detector area (D1) and a second effective detector area (D2). The first effective detector area (D1) is exposed to the first light (L1) and/or second light (L2) different from the first light (L1) and/or second light (L2) to which the second effective detector area (D2) is exposed when the arrangement is exposed to spatially uniformly distributed first light (L1) and second light (L2). The difference between the first light (L1) and/or second light (L2) to which said first detector area (D1) and second detector area (D2) are exposed to can be a difference in intensity and/or difference in an angle of incidence relative to the arrangement.
US09121746B2
An ultrasonic liquid-height detector employs conductive rods extending from a housing, and corresponding transducers, into a liquid, where elastic seals surround the rods at their exit point from the housing. Acoustic crosstalk between the rods through the seals and the housing (rather than through the liquid) is minimized by displacing the seals from each other as measured through the housing to increase a path length through the housing so that the crosstalk energy is delayed with respect to the direct energy indicating liquid height. A sampling window is positioned to sample transmitted sound across the rods at a time before the arrival of the crosstalk energy.
US09121744B1
A beverage dispenser (10) having a hollow, insulated dispenser body (12), a removable cover (16) with an inlet opening (24) for receipt of freshly brewed beverage to an interior of the dispenser body (12), a closed bottom (18) and a faucet (22) for dispensing beverage from the body (12) has a level display system including an elongate, relatively flexible, probe body, or down tube (40) with a flexible probe circuit and having a bottom and a top with a plurality of electrically conductive sensors (43, 45, 47 and 49) mounted within an elongate mounting groove (182, FIGS. 21-23) formed in, and extending along, the elongate relatively rigid probe body (36). The flexible probe assembly (40) is secured within the groove by non-adhesive means, either by a thermal fusion joint 183) formed during injection molding (FIG. 20) of the rigid probe body (36) or by mechanical tabs (178, 180). The flexible probe circuit is made of a flexible plastic strip (127) with sensor locations (124) and a leads connector (130) on one side (125) of a middle layer (127) through-connected (136) to associated elongate leads (134) on the opposite side of the middle layer (127) and two covering top and bottom protective covering layers (114, 138) on opposite sides of the middle layer (127).
US09121741B2
In an electromagnetic flow meter, a signal amplifying circuit has an FET-input type differential amplifier wherein one input terminal is connected to a flow rate signal input terminal and the other input terminal is connected to a flow rate signal input terminal. An amplified output signal, which is obtained through performing differential amplification on the flow rate signals, is outputted from an output terminal. A fault detecting circuit detects a fault in the flow rate signal through comparing the electropotential of the amplified output signal to an upper limit reference electropotential and a lower limit reference electropotential.
US09121734B2
In a photoelectric absolute encoder including a scale having a plurality of tracks with different pitch patterns, and a detector having a light source and light receiving elements including a plurality of light receiving element arrays corresponding to the plurality of tracks, a light receiving element array is additionally arranged at a position in the detector corresponding to a boundary between the track having a pattern with a wide pitch and the track having a pattern with a narrow pitch adjacent to each other in the scale, and displacement of the detector relative to the scale in a lateral direction is detected from a signal amplitude of the added light receiving element array. In this manner, displacement of the detector relative to the scale in the lateral direction can be detected.
US09121720B2
A system for providing driving information of an electric includes a telematics terminal configured to collect driver information, internal state information, and external environment information, and transmitting the collected driver information, internal state information, and external environment information. A path information server is configured to transmit road information and traffic information to the outside. A telematics server is configured to accumulate information received from the telematics terminal and the path information server, calculate a driving pattern of a first driver based on the accumulated information, calculate one or more candidate paths based on the driving pattern, and transmit the calculated one or more candidate paths to the telematics terminal.
US09121710B2
A vehicle interface system and method is provided. The system and method includes an interface for communicating with a vehicle user. A controller is in communication with the interface and configured to retrieve a calendar event and verify the calendar event based on an input from the user via the interface. Trip information is generated based on the calendar event and vehicle data. Trip information, based on the calendar event and vehicle data, is communicated to the user via the interface.
US09121706B2
A compass system includes a processing circuit configured to use the deviations for each of the plurality of headings to calculate a plurality of compass deviation coefficients representative of different types of noise sources. At least one compass deviation coefficient is determined based on a database of geographic zone error factors stored in the memory device and based on a position of the compass. The processing circuit is configured to update the database of geographic zone error factors using an internet connection. The processing circuit is configured to store the deviation coefficients in memory and to at least one of calibrate the compass and adjust an output from the compass using the compass deviation coefficients.
US09121696B2
The present invention pertains to a device and a method for measuring a via hole of a silicon wafer, wherein it is possible to precisely measure the depth of the via hole without damaging the wafer. Broadband infrared light is radiated to a silicon wafer which has a superior light transmission property, so that the depth of the via hole may be measured from the light which is reflected from each boundary surface of the wafer and the interference signal of reference light. The via hole measuring device according to the present invention includes: a light source unit for generating broadband infrared light; and an interferometer for radiating the light generated from the light source unit to a silicon wafer, so as to measure the depth of a via hole formed on the wafer according to the spectrum period of the interference signal of the light, which is reflected from the silicon wafer.
US09121693B2
A two-dimensional displacement sensor includes first and second laser units that emit first laser light incident on the surface of the strip-shaped member from a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the strip-shaped member and second laser light incident on the surface of the strip-shaped member from a direction parallel to the thickness direction of the strip-shaped member, a camera that has a light receiving element for receiving light reflected from the surface of the strip-shaped member and measures the amount of displacement of the surface of the strip-shaped member from the reflected light receiving position detected by the light receiving element, an optical element for focusing the reflected light on the light receiving element, and a switching member for switching the laser light to be incident on the surface of the strip-shaped member between the first laser light and the second laser light.
US09121686B2
A method of determining the width of a nip formed by an industrial roll and a mating structure includes the steps of: providing an industrial roll having a cylindrical core and a polymeric cover surrounding the core, the industrial roll further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors mounted in the roll (optionally distributed in a helical pattern on the roll about a longitudinal axis of the roll); positioning the industrial roll in contact with the mating structure to form a nip; rotating the industrial roll; receiving pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors at a controller; and in the controller, utilizing the pressure signals from the pressure sensors to determine the width of the nip at locations on the roll associated with the pressure sensors.
US09121681B2
A hand-throwable grenade including a detonator initiating mechanism, a detonator and a locking key. The detonator initiating mechanism is activatable by an operator before the grenade is thrown. The detonator is associated with the detonator initiating mechanism. The locking key interacts with the detonator initiating mechanism to preclude an arming of the detonator until the locking key is removed from the detonator initiating mechanism. The locking key has at least one notch therein.
US09121678B1
The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate an indicator for determining if and/or where a projectile has struck a target. The illustrative embodiment pictured herein is specifically adapted for application to a shaft, such as a shaft of an arrow. The external surface of the indicator may be textured so as to retain a certain amount of liquid within the target upon striking the target. In one example, the indicator is configured for use with deer hunting such that the external texture of the indicator is configured to retain a specific amount of deer blood so that the hunter may determine, based on blood characteristics retained within the indicator, if and where the arrow to which the indicator is affixed struck the deer.
US09121677B2
A bullet with controlled fragmentation has a core in the form of a generally cylindrical body having a forward end and a rear end and intermediate side portions extending there between, the forward end of the core defining a cavity, a jacket encompassing the rear end and at least selected portions of the sides of the core, the jacket having a sidewall having a first drive band portion having a first wall thickness, and a second portion immediately forward of the drive band portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness, the exterior of the jacket defining a cannelure groove encircling the bullet, and the cannelure groove being positioned forward of the first drive band portion. The drive band may have forward edge defining a step. The bullet of the present invention may also be received in the case mouth of a rimless case and be partially protruding therefrom.
US09121676B1
An arrowhead for capturing and releasing prey during archery bowfishing or other archery activities includes an elongate housing for mounting to an arrow shaft; an elongate slot extending through the housing; an aperture extending transversely through the elongate slot, the aperture having a cross dimension that is larger than a width of the slot; and a barb having a middle section normally captured in the elongate slot in an extended position and at least one leg section extending from the middle section for movement therewith. The barb is slidable within the slot between a retracted capture/release position where the middle section of the barb is captured against rotation and a contracted position where the middle section of the barb is coincident with the aperture to allow rotation of the barb within the aperture about a central axis of the middle section to thereby adjust the at least one leg portion between capture and release positions of the barb for respectively capturing and releasing prey.
US09121675B1
This disclosure is directed to an improved ballistic concrete barrier and methods of using the barrier for training with weapons using live ammunition or grenades or other fragmentation devices.
US09121674B2
A ballistic armor system adapted to protect against penetration of the armor system by projectiles, including a first armor layer; a second armor layer, in which the second armor layer is mounted in spaced-apart relationship to the first armor layer, the relationship defining a void volume between the first armor layer and the second armor layer; and a fluid disposed in the void volume, in which the fluid includes a viscoelastic surfactant at a concentration sufficient to exhibit pseudosolid elastic behavior. The fluid may be removed from the void volume by use of a suitable breaker.
US09121662B1
A racking device is provided that can assist an individual with racking a pistol, using only one hand. The device includes a slide channel that narrows in a direction toward an intersection with a barrel channel. The narrowing enables the slide channel to receive any of a wide variety of pistols and to restrain the slide portion, or slide, thereof from moving past the intersection. The barrel channel is wide enough to accommodate the pistol barrel but not the slide. A pistol can be positioned in the slide channel and forced into the device so that the pistol barrel moves into the barrel channel while the slide is restrained by the slide channel, thereby racking the pistol with a single hand. A belt clip and a surface mount are also provided for mounting the device and stabilizing the device during use.
US09121659B1
A crossbow assembly includes a body having an insertion hole and a retention member protrudes from the insertion hole. A barrel has a first end inserted into the insertion hole and a second end of the barrel extends beyond the insertion hole. A recess is defined in the top of the second end of the barrel. An upper portion is connected to the top of the barrel. A lower portion is formed at the underside of the barrel. The thickness of the upper portion is smaller than or equal to a half of that of the lower portion. A bow unit is connected to the second end of the upper portion and includes a riser, two limbs and two cam units. The upper portion is connected to two plates extending from a slot in the riser by two bolts. The crossbow assembly has a stable weight center.
US09121641B2
A system and method to retrofit a building structure having a forced air cooling system with a thermal storage system. The method typically includes the steps of: installing a coolant loop that is free of a compressor, and a condenser, where the coolant loop comprises a refrigerant fluid pump and refrigerant fluid conduits that deliver coolant loop refrigerant fluid to a coolant loop evaporator spaced within a building air cooling passageway that delivers air to at least a portion of the interior volume of the a building structure and in thermal communication with air passing through the passageway and where the coolant loop is in thermal communication with a thermal energy storage material within a thermal energy thermal storage fluid tank; and activating the coolant loop pump to provide cooling to the coolant loop evaporator thereby cooling air moving in the building air passageway of a building structure.
US09121639B2
A slider unit for a tertiary air duct between a clinker cooler and a calciner of a clinker kiln line. The slider unit has at least one shutoff device, which is insertable into a tertiary air duct to seal it without further reducing the cross section of the tertiary air duct, and provides reliable sealing of the tertiary air duct and control of the tertiary air flow, if the slider unit has at least one control device which is insertable into a section of the tertiary air duct to reduce its cross section.
US09121628B2
Heat pumps for climates where demand for cooling and heating are unequal and methods of adapting and distributing heat pumps for such climates. Heat pumps include a compressor, compressor motor, variable speed drive, and controller. In a number of embodiments, non-volatile memory stores sets of constant speeds for cooling and heating, and a person can select, via an input device, different sets of speeds for cooling and heating to provide the different cooling and heating capacities. The controller then operates the unit at the selected speeds, selecting from within the set based on demand for cooling or heating. In some embodiments, different sets of speeds may have the same minimum speed but different maximum speeds. Identical heat pumps can be configured to have different capacity ratings and different advertised efficiencies for different climates.
US09121621B2
A structured cover that is placed on an automobile's dashboard (and/or the rear window shelf) and provided with a quantity of water, or other suitable liquid, that on heating will evaporate into the interior air of the vehicle. The device includes a water impermeable layer that lays against and partially covers the top surface of the dashboard and/or rear shelf and a water wicking layer over the impermeable layer that may be saturated with water (on a repeated basis as necessary) and serve as a reservoir for the evaporative process to be carried out. The multilayered surface may be manually refilled with water (or other suitable liquid) from a hand held container or may be automatically refilled from reservoirs structured in fluid connection to the evaporative surface.
US09121617B2
Expandable shelters having a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system arranged to receive outside air away from a mechanical compartment are disclosed. The expandable shelters may comprise an air inlet vent disposed in a front of the expandable shelter interconnected to an in-floor air duct arranged to draw outside air below an interior floor and exchange heat with the coolest area of the expandable shelter. By virtue of having an air inlet vent receive outside air from a location substantially away from the mechanical compartment and exchange heat with the coolest area of the expandable shelter, an environmental control unit (ECU), housed in the mechanical compartment, receives relatively cool outside air, keeping air temperatures inside the mechanical compartment below the upper operating limit of the ECU.
US09121614B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to cartridges and modifications for an M16/AR15 rifle. In one embodiment, a modified M16/AR15 rifle or carbine includes a bolt having a maximum outside diameter greater than that of a standard M16/AR15 bolt; and a bolt extractor pivoted to the bolt. The bolt and the bolt extractor are operable to: transport a cartridge from a magazine to a barrel, and eject a spent cartridge from the barrel. The rifle or carbine further includes a barrel extension configured to receive the bolt; a standard M16/AR15 upper receiver coupled to the barrel extension; a standard M16/AR15 lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver.
US09121612B2
A system for reducing combustion dynamics in a combustor includes an end cap having an upstream surface axially separated from a downstream surface, and tube bundles extend from the upstream surface through the downstream surface. A divider inside a tube bundle defines a diluent passage that extends axially through the downstream surface, and a diluent supply in fluid communication with the divider provides diluent flow to the diluent passage. A method for reducing combustion dynamics in a combustor includes flowing a fuel through tube bundles, flowing a diluent through a diluent passage inside a tube bundle, wherein the diluent passage extends axially through at least a portion of the end cap into a combustion chamber, and forming a diluent barrier in the combustion chamber between the tube bundle and at least one other adjacent tube bundle.
US09121609B2
Disclosed is a combustor including a baffle plate having at least one through baffle hole and at least one fuel nozzle extending through the at least one baffle hole. At least one shroud is secured to the baffle plate and includes at least one piston ring disposed at the shroud. The at least one piston ring is configured to meter a flow of diluent between the at least one shroud and the at least one fuel nozzle. Further disclosed is a method for providing diluent to a combustor including providing a piston ring gap defined by at least one piston ring disposed at a baffle plate and a fuel nozzle extending through a through hole in the baffle plate. The diluent is flowed through the piston ring gap toward at least one airflow hole in the fuel nozzle.
US09121595B2
A lighting device includes a support structure formed from a thermally conductive material such as aluminum. The support structure or extrusion has a channel for receiving and retaining a circuit board with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed thereon. One or more fins adapted for dissipating heat produced by the LEDs may be disposed on the support structure. The support structure may also comprise multiple arrays of LEDs arranged laterally.
US09121584B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for an optical assembly for an end cap (30) of a lighting fixture (10). The optical assembly includes an outer lens (50) and an inner lens (40) interior of the outer lens (50). The end cap (30) may be coupled to a lighting fixture main housing (12) and configured to enable light from a light source (18) within the main housing (12) to enter the end cap (30), be directed through the inner lens (40), and out the outer lens (50).
US09121578B2
A light source unit comprising: a pump light source (1) for an emission of pump light (2), a phosphor element (3) for a conversion of said pump light (2) into converted light (4), an optical system (6) for transmitting at least a part of said converted light (4) for further use, wherein at least a part of said pump light (2) is coupled into said optical system (6) and transmitted by said optical system (6) to said phosphor element (3) for said conversion.
US09121575B2
A stage light fixture is provided with a light source adapted to emit a light beam along an optical axis, and a color filter assembly comprising a plurality of color filters rotating about a same first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being parallel to the optical axis and not coincident with the optical axis.
US09121563B2
A collimator comprising a base, a plurality of side walls and an integral hinge coupled to at least one of the sidewalls to the base and tillable within a range of motion. The collimator is configured such that light emitted by the light source enters the collimator through a light entry opening and exits substantially only through a light exit opening for any position of the hinged side wall over its range of motion. A semiconductor light source may be arranged on a substrate, wherein the collimator encloses the semiconductor light source and an actuator moves the hinged side wall over at least part of its range of motion to adjust the light exit opening.
US09121553B2
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp structure fixed to a mount and capable of emitting light for illumination includes a substrate, a light emitting element, a lamp cup and a joint member, and the light emitting element is installed on the substrate and has an LED lamp, and the lamp cup is mounted on the substrate and covered onto the light emitting element, and both joint member and mount have a joint portion, and one of the joint portions is concave and the other one is convex, and the concave joint portion has a diameter difference to define a large end and small end, and the convex portion is plugged from the large end of the concave joint portion, rotated with the joint member to move to the small end, and then fixed to the mount of the joint member.
US09121552B2
An LED lamp A1 includes an LED unit 1 in the shape of a straight tube with a plurality of LED modules 12 fixed therein, and also includes a pair of bases 2 that receive electric power from outside and are attached to the ends of the LED unit 1 spaced in the longitudinal direction of the LED unit. The LED unit 1 and the bases 2 are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction. With this arrangement, the direction of light emission can be changed, with the LED lamp attached to a general-use fluorescent lighting fixture.
US09121549B2
An in-line venturi orifice trap (10) in which a condensate flow path (26) defined by the venturi is at an oblique angle with respect to the axis (18) of a pipeline in which the trap is to be mounted. With this configuration, the orifice (30) may be accessible (e.g. through a port (36) formed in a side wall of the trap or pipeline) without requiring removal of the steam trap from the pipeline.
US09121541B2
A system for supporting a portable electronic device atop a surface includes a planar back side having a top and a bottom for resting on the surface in use, a front side having an upper edge connected to the top of the planar back side, forming an angle between the planar back side and the front side, and a bottom edge, and a cupped bottom connected to the bottom edge, the cupped bottom extending from the front side opposite the angle, and the cupped bottom for resting on the surface in use. The portable electronic device, in use with the system, rests on the cupped bottom and against the front side. An opening formed in the front side and an opening formed in the back side accommodate a cord of the portable electronic device. The back side includes a retainer for the cord.
US09121535B2
A coupling unit having at least one tubular section; a casing; at least one detent ring, which is arranged radially between the casing and the at least one tubular section when the at least one tubular section, is inserted in the casing, wherein the at least one detent ring, the casing, and the at least one tubular section are configured to adapt to one another such that the tubular section is inserted axially into the casing in a first relative rotational position of the tubular section and the casing, wherein the tubular section is secured by the detent ring against axial withdrawal, the casing and tubular section can be rotated relative to one another, and wherein for decoupling purposes, the tubular section can be withdrawn axially from the casing in a second relative rotational position of the casing and the tubular section that differs from the first rotational position.
US09121533B2
A crankcase ventilation for an internal combustion engine with a ventilation conduit which connects the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to an intake duct of the internal combustion engine, as well as a tank ventilation conduit and a connection system for a fluid conduit. The ventilation conduit comprises: a first pipe connector (10), and a second pipe connector (20) with a receiving chamber (24) into which the first pipe connector (10) is insertable, wherein a second groove (22) is formed in the receiving chamber (24), and the first pipe connector (10) has a first groove (12), wherein a compressible retaining ring (40) is inserted into the first groove (12), the compressible retaining ring being engageable with the second groove (22) when the first pipe connector (10) is inserted into the receiving chamber (24), or an expandable retaining ring is inserted into the second groove (22), the expandable retaining ring being engageable with the first groove (12) when the first pipe connector (10) is inserted into the receiving chamber (24).
US09121526B2
A microfluidic device may include a substrate having a cavity therein, and a bendable membrane within the cavity and having a plurality of spaced apart valve passageways therein. The bendable membrane may be bendable between a first position with the valve passageways being opened, and a second position with the valve passageways being closed. The microfluidic device may further include an actuator configured to bend the bendable membrane between the first and second positions.
US09121519B2
A locking mechanism for a nozzle in an inflatable object includes a membrane member having a ledge extending outward for securely engaging with the inflatable object, a nozzle seat having a flange to firmly engage with the ledge, a positioning element having two arms, a cap having a lifting mechanism to elevate location of the positioning element, a descending mechanism to descend the location of the positioning element and a sealing part integrally formed and a sealing part integrally extending from the flange and a core having a directing rod securely connected to the positioning element so as to move with the positioning element accordingly and a sealing flange formed with the directing rod such that movement of the core together with the positioning element allows the sealing flange to selectively and sealingly engage with the sealing part of the nozzle seat to block airflow.
US09121512B2
A valve assembly (10) comprising two valve portions, an upper and lower valve portion (12, 14), each having a valve housing indicated generally at (16, 18), a valve seat (28, 28′) and a valve closure member (20, 20′) moveable between a first position in which the valve closure member is displaced from the valve seat and the valve is open, and a second position in which the valve closure member cooperates with the valve seat and the valve is closed, wherein the assembly has a first configuration in which the first and second valve portions engage with one another, the valve closure members being closed, and the valve closure members being disposed at a distance apart defining, with the housing, a chamber (29) therebetween, which is capable of being sealed from the surrounding environment, having an inlet (44, 44′) and an outlet (45, 46′) through which sterilizing medium may pass, and a second configuration in which the valve closure members engage with one another and are moveable from their first to their second position, and a third configuration in which two valve portions are disengaged from one another.
US09121507B2
A seal includes a polymeric jacket defining a seal surface and an inner cavity extending within the polymeric jacket along a length of the polymeric jacket. The seal further includes a spring extending within the inner cavity and including a plurality of laser cut spring elements. The seal can be disposed between a static component and a rotatable component.
US09121506B2
This application describes a leaf seal arrangement, including: a first component having a high pressure area and a low pressure area therein; a second component which passes from the high pressure area to the low pressure area; a leaf seal having an array of leaf elements between the high and low pressure areas, each leaf element having a fixed end and a free end, wherein the fixed end is attached to the first component and the free end defines a sealing surface through which the second component sealably passes, a sealing gap therebetween, and wherein the sealing gap generally converges from the high pressure area toward the lower pressure area. Also described is a method of providing a leaf seal.
US09121504B2
The present invention is a generally circular rotary seal that establishes sealing between relatively rotatable machine components for lubricant retention and environmental exclusion, and incorporates seal geometry that interacts with the lubricant during relative rotation to distribute a lubricant film within the dynamic sealing interface. The features of a variable inlet size, a variable dynamic lip flank slope, and a reduction in the magnitude and circumferentially oriented portion of the lubricant side interfacial contact pressure zone at the narrowest part of the lip, individually or in combination thereof, serve to maximize interfacial lubrication in severe operating conditions, and also serve to minimize lubricant shear area, seal torque, seal volume, and wear, while ensuring retrofitability into the seal grooves of existing equipment.
US09121502B2
Sealing device (23) for a machine (1) for the plasma treatment of containers (2), comprising at least first and second annular sealing surfaces (24, 25) suitable for cooperating respectively with first and second separate annular zones (13, 15) of the neck (12) of a container (2).
US09121499B2
For actuating a manual transmission in an automated manner, an actuator comprises a gate selection actuating cylinder for selecting a shift gate, a gear selection actuating cylinder for engaging a gear in the shift gate, and a catch device configured to releasably fix one of the gate selection actuating cylinder and a component moveable by the gate selection actuating cylinder in at least one predetermined catch position.
US09121490B2
The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive (10), in which at least one operating medium of the motor vehicle is heated to a predefined desired temperature by a dielectric heating device (36, 38). In this way, immediately following a cold start of the motor vehicle, components through which the operating medium flows can be brought particularly rapidly to their optimum operating temperature so that a particularly energy-saving operation of the motor vehicle is possible.
US09121484B2
A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine and a stator. The torque converter may also include an impeller clutch configured to releasably couple the impeller to a power source, the impeller clutch having a disc stack with a plurality of splined friction discs and a plurality of separator plates. The friction discs may be rotationally engaged with the impeller. Each of the separator plates has an ear extending radially outward from an outer diameter and an opening formed in the ear, the openings in the ears of the stator plates being circumferentially aligned to define a channel. A pin is received in the channel and in a recess defined by the rotating housing.
US09121478B2
A hand-held tool device includes: a tool spindle; a striking mechanism; and a planetary transmission having at least one first planetary transmission stage which drives the striking mechanism, a second planetary transmission stage which drives the tool spindle, and a striking mechanism shut-off clutch.
US09121473B2
A gear box includes an output shaft defining multiple output drivers and includes a plurality of gear sets having the same diametral pitch. A common input shaft is operatively attached to each of the plurality of gear sets such that the gear sets rotate continuously and concurrently with rotation of the input shaft. Each of the output drivers is operatively attached to the output shaft and rotatably driven by a respective one of the plurality of gear sets. The multiple output drivers share a common axis of rotation with the output shaft. The output speed of the gear box may be changed by disconnecting one of the output drivers from a driven device and reconnecting another one of the output drivers to the driven device. The output speed of the gear box may be changed without having to disengage and/or change out any of the gears in the gear box.
US09121472B2
An internal combustion engine with a cylinder and with a crank drive is described herein. The internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft in which the crankshaft mounted in a crankcase has an associated crankshaft throw for the cylinder. The internal combustion engine further includes a compensation weight serving as a counterbalance for mass compensation arranged on the crankshaft on the side opposite the crankshaft throw, where the compensation weight includes an outward-facing side and a distance from a peripheral surface of the outward-facing side to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft is not constant along the length of the peripheral surface of the outward-facing side.
US09121471B2
A Torsional Vibration Damper includes a hub, a ring, and a rubber member that is compression fitted between the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring. The cross-sectional profile of the outer surface of the hub and the inner surface of the ring after the assembly of the TVD consists of two concave or convex arcs with their radii such that the cross-sectional profile's gap increases from the center to the sides. This variation of the cross-sectional profile's gap reduces the principal-strain buildup in the rubber, thereby improving the life of the Torsional Vibration Damper. This design also facilitates proper assembly as the components are self aligning.
US09121468B2
The rotary damper comprises: case having viscous fluid 13 filled cylindrical chamber; rotor housed in the chamber; check valve; and pressure-regulating valve. In the chamber, projecting bulkheads are formed. The rotor comprises: the rotor body and vanes. The check valve closes when the rotor rotates in the normal rotation direction, so as to restrict movement of the viscous fluid between areas 111a-111d partitioned by the bulkheads and the vanes. On the other hand, the check valve opens when the rotor rotates in the reverse rotation direction, so as to allow movement of the viscous fluid between the areas 111a-111d. The pressure-regulating valve opens when rotating force applied for rotating the rotor in the normal rotation direction is above a predetermined value, to cancel the restriction of movement of the viscous fluid between the areas 111a-111d.
US09121466B2
According to the invention, there is provided a damping structure capable of obtaining a sufficient damping effect even against vibrations of small amplitudes, by promoting movements of powder/particle materials inside a hollow body. In the damping structure of the invention, a damping member 2 is provided on a structure 1 to be damped. The damping member 2 includes a hollow body 5 which is filled with powder/particle materials 3, partially leaving a space 4. A vibration wall face part 7 which vibrates more violently than the structure 1, on receiving vibration, is formed in at least a part of wall face parts 6 of the hollow body 5. The vibration wall face part 7 is preferably formed of a material having a lower elastic modulus and/or a lower density than the other parts.
US09121464B2
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
US09121457B2
A wear compensator apparatus of a clutch actuator for compensating for worn-out thickness on a disc facing may include a main plate, a support plate installed on the main plate and linearly movable on the main plate, wherein the pull rod may be connected thereto, an moving piece installed on the support plate and linearly movable on the support plate, wherein the moving piece may be connected to the operation lever by a rotation shaft, a first space adjusting unit engaged with the pulling rod and moving the pull rod in a direction so that wear on the disc facing may be compensated for, and a second space adjusting unit engaged with the moving piece and moving the moving piece in the other direction so that an initial position of the rotation shaft may be maintained when the pull rod may be moved in the direction.
US09121455B2
A clutch management system has a ramp actuator, an inner plate housing, an outer plate housing, and a clutch assembly. The clutch assembly may have a motor, a ratio adaptor, a primary sun gear, a secondary sun gear, a primary planet carrier and a secondary planet carrier. The primary sun gear is in contact with the ratio adaptor and primary planet gears. The primary planet gears are in contact with a ring gear. The primary planet carrier forms part of the ramp actuator. The second sun gear is connected to a housing and a secondary planet gears. The secondary planet gears are also in contact with the ring gear. A secondary planet carrier is connected to the ramp actuator and the outer plate housing.
US09121448B2
A hermetically sealed damper assembly includes a sealed damper housing, a plunger, and a load transferring member coupled to the plunger. The sealed damper housing includes a body having a cavity and a resistive flow path defined therein. The cavity and resistive flow path are filled with a viscous fluid. The body includes a plurality of springs integrally formed therein. The plunger is disposed within the cavity, and separates the cavity into a first control volume and a second control volume. The resistive flow path provides fluid communication between the first and second control volumes. The plunger is coupled to the damper housing by the plurality of springs such that the springs provide a restorative force to the plunger. The load transferring member is configured to transmit mechanical loads to the plunger.
US09121447B2
A rotational gas bearing allows rotation about a single axis while supplying a pressurized gas through the bearing. The gas bearing includes a gas supply member and a gas sink member. A cylindrical depression is located in one of the gas supply member and the gas sink member. A cylindrical protrusion protrudes from the other of the gas supply member and the gas sink member and is sized to fit within a cylindrical depression with a predetermined clearance. The gas supply bearing surface is opposed to the gas sink bearing surface. An opening is located in the gas supply bearing surface. A porous coating covers a portion of the gas supply bearing surface surrounding the opening. The porous coating communicates with the pressurized gas supply via the gas supply member for maintaining a bearing pressure between the porous coating and the gas sink bearing surface, such that the bearing pressure is greater than the feed pressure. An annular channel located in the gas sink bearing surface is aligned with and located opposite the opening, and communicates with the gas sink via the gas sink member.
US09121439B2
In one embodiment there is provided a multiple piece shifter cable system. The cable pieces may each have a core section with a connector, and a conduit section with a connector. The core connectors may be coupled together to connect the core sections of the cable pieces and the conduit connectors may be coupled together to connect the conduit sections of the cable pieces. When mated together, the conduit connectors may surround at least a portion of the mated core connectors. Also, in at least some implementations, the act of mating together the conduit connectors may also mate together the core connectors.
US09121430B2
A wave thread form for threaded fasteners includes multiple thread pitches along a generally helical path, and includes multiple wave thread portions each deviating from a straight-line helical path, with adjacent wave thread portions along the helical path being separated by standard thread portions extending along the generally straight-line helical path.
US09121417B2
An energy storage system that includes a compressor for compressing a gas, a thermal energy storage for cooling the gas coming from the compressor to a given temperature by heating a thermal storage medium to store thermal energy and a reservoir for storing the compressed gas. The energy system also includes a heat recuperator for further cooling the gas coming from the compressor and thermal energy storage below the given temperature by heating the gas supplied to the compressor.
US09121413B2
A compressor rotor includes a rotor body mounting a disk supporting an array of blades on a radially outer surface of the disk in a primary flow path. A radially inner portion of the disk is formed with an annular array of radially extending vanes adapted to move cooling air flowing in a secondary flow path from a radially-inward direction to an axial direction at a substantially center portion of said disk. Some of said radially-extending vanes have relatively longer radial lengths and some of the radially extending vanes having relatively shorter radial lengths to thereby provide a sufficient flow area while also lessening the formation of vortices along the vanes.
US09121398B1
The float-operated pump switch provides float-operated pump switching for automatically maintaining the water level in a water tank supplied by a reservoir. The switch operates to start pumping water when the level in the upper tank is one-quarter of the volume of the tank, and continues pumping until the tank is full, thereby providing a hysteresis and reducing the number of times the pump needs to be operated.
US09121397B2
A pressure pulsation dampening system for a pump that pressurizes a working fluid. In some embodiments, the dampening system includes a hydraulic cylinder, a valve, and a controller. The hydraulic cylinder has a piston that is movably disposed within a housing and divides the housing into a working fluid chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber. An outlet of the pump is in fluid communication with the working fluid chamber, and the valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid chamber. The controller is operable to actuate the valve to a first configuration, wherein pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic fluid chamber, and to a second configuration, wherein hydraulic fluid is exhausted from the hydraulic fluid chamber. The piston is movable under fluid pressure, whereby working fluid is relieved from the outlet to the working fluid chamber or supplied to the outlet from the working fluid chamber.
US09121393B2
A closed-loop heat exchange system and related methods for harnessing subterranean heat energy from a subterranean zone having a passive heat transfer device with multiple operational modes for targeting hotspots within the subterranean zone and adjusting the rate of energy harnessed according to consumption demands. The system can also have at least one enhanced surface section for increasing the heat exchange efficiency and/or a variable pump for controlling the rate at which the working fluid travels through the passive heat transfer device.
US09121387B2
An apparatus for extracting power includes a track and an airfoil coupled to the track. The track includes first and second elongate sections, where the first elongate section is positioned above the second elongate section. The airfoil includes a suction surface lying between a pressure surface and the track, and is moveable in opposite directions when alternately coupled to the first elongate section and second elongate section.
US09121363B2
A method is provided for operating an engine to limit soot emissions during fuel-enriched operation. The method includes operating the engine using a first fuel injection pattern and timing to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. The method further includes receiving a request for an increased engine power output and operating the engine using a second fuel injection pattern and timing to inject more fuel into the combustion in response to the request for the increased power output, where the second fuel injection pattern and timing is configured to minimize soot emissions during enriched fuel operations, such as during transient operations.
US09121353B2
A control structure is provided for a throttle valve of engine. The throttle valve includes a throttle plate arranged inside the valve body and mounted to a control shaft having an end extending outside the valve body and received in a control seat mounted outside the valve body and having a shaft hole seat, a constraint block, a coupling hole seat, and a cable outlet section. A control assembly includes a return spring and a control rocker arm that includes a connection section forming a connection hole to be fit over the control shaft and a cable connection section, a positioning section, and a push section. The control motor is mounted to the coupling hole seat of the control seat and has a driving rod having a front tip section positioned against the push section of the control rocker arm. The control seat lid is secured to the control seat.
US09121352B2
A device for purging a feed device that supplies liquid fuel to a gas turbine includes a combustion chamber that can be supplied alternately with gaseous and liquid fuel, and a purge air circuit that includes a manifold to distribute air to the combustion chamber, and at least one valve for regulating the air pressure in the purge air circuit. The purge device includes an electronic control unit that makes it possible to regulate the air pressure and flow rate in the purge air circuit according to the mode of operation of the gas turbine.
US09121345B2
In a turbine for an exhaust gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine having a housing part which has a receiving chamber and which comprises a spiral duct through which exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine can flow, the spiral duct having an outlet cross-section via which exhaust gas is directed onto a turbine wheel disposed in the receiving chamber whereby the turbine wheel can be rotated, at least one flow control member is provided which can be moved in the circumferential direction of the receiving chamber and by means of which the flow cross-section can be adjusted, wherein a warp angle of the outer contour region of the wall over which the flow cross-section can be adjusted is smaller than a wrap angle over which the outer contour region thereof extends.
US09121333B2
A cooling device is incorporated into a V-type engine E in which a front cylinder and a rear cylinder are arranged in V-shape and a rear exhaust pipe is placed at a right side of a vehicle body. The cooling device 1 includes an intake duct and a fan. The intake duct has a suction port which opens toward the rear exhaust pipe. The fan suctions the air into the interior of the intake duct through the suction port and exhausts the suctioned air to a location distant from the exhaust pipe.
US09121332B2
When the passing of coolant in an internal combustion engine is restricted to accelerate the warm-up of the internal combustion engine and the coolant in this engine is undergoing nucleate boiling, the restriction of the passing of the coolant in the internal engine is maintained. Specifically, the restriction of the passing of the coolant in the internal combustion engine is maintained during nucleate boiling from the beginning of nucleate boiling of the coolant in the internal combustion engine until the maintenance period has elapsed. Thus, the warm-up of the internal combustion engine is effectively accelerated by restricting the passing of the coolant in the engine. Furthermore, the restriction of the passing of the coolant in the internal combustion engine is canceled when the maintenance period has elapsed. Thus, low-temperature coolant flows in the internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine is cooled by this coolant, so nucleate boiling of the coolant in the engine is suppressed.
US09121325B2
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust purification catalyst (13) are arranged. The concentration of hydrocarbons which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst (13) is made to vibrate by within a predetermined range of amplitude of a 200 ppm or more and within a predetermined range of period of 5 second or less, whereby the NOx which is contained in exhaust gas is reduced at the exhaust purification catalyst (13). At this time, the nitrogen-containing intermediate which is produced in the NOx reduction process is exhausted from the exhaust purification catalyst (13). An intermediate purification catalyst (14) for removal of the exhausted nitrogen-containing intermediate is arranged downstream of the exhaust purification catalyst (13).
US09121321B2
Disclosed is a passive noise cancelling assembly suitable for reducing exhaust drone from an exhaust system, whereby one or more tuning rods or tuning assemblies are disposed between two exhaust pipes of the system to cancel out or shift the target frequencies thereof. One or more elongated tuning rods are sandwiched between a first and second support plate, wherein a carrier rod extends through the assembly and connects to the exhaust pipes at its ends. An alternative embodiment contemplates smaller tuning rod subassemblies that include shorter tuning rods and a pair of support plates, whereby several subassemblies are supported along a single support rod. The modes of the assembly are controlled by the stiffness of the tuning rods, and its connection between the exhaust pipes attenuates exhaust modes creating audible drone.
US09121320B2
A muffler includes a shell, baffles, and a plurality of pipes. The shell defines first and second end cavities and a central cavity. The end cavities have larger cross-sectional areas that a cross-sectional area of the central cavity. The baffles cooperate to form multiple chambers within the shell. A first inlet directs a first portion of the exhaust into a first chamber. A second inlet directs a second portion of the exhaust into a second chamber. A first pipe extends through first, third and fourth baffles and includes an inlet in the fourth chamber. The first pipe directs exhaust from the fourth chamber to a first outlet at the first end cavity. A second pipe extends through the second, third and fourth baffles and includes an inlet in the third chamber. The second pipe directs exhaust from the third chamber to a second outlet at the second end cavity.
US09121319B2
Disclosed are devices that include spark or particle arresting, features and muffler features. The disclosed devices may include: (a) an upstream inlet receiving exhaust gas flow; (b) a downstream outlet discharging exhaust gas flow; (c) a cylindrical body disposed between the upstream inlet and downstream outlet; and (d) a particle trap having an opening for collecting particulate matter in the exhaust gas flow, the particle trap disposed downstream of the cylindrical body on a wall of the device. The cylindrical body of the devices typically includes an annular channel permitting axial flow of gas therethrough from an upstream end of the annular channel through a downstream end of the annular channel. The downstream end of the annular channel may be configured to have openings for discharging exhaust gas flow and imparting a spiral flow to the discharged gas flow. As gas exits the annular channel, the particulate matter is forced radially outward via centrifugal force towards the wall of the device where the particulate matter is collected in the particle trap.
US09121315B2
A passive valve assembly for an exhaust component includes a vane that is positioned within an exhaust gas flow path. The vane is pivoted from a closed position to an open position in response to exhaust gas flow overcoming a biasing force. A stop is positioned within the exhaust component and cooperates with the vane to define a closed position for the vane.
US09121309B2
A gas turbine including at least one compressor, one combustion chamber, and at least one turbine including at least one rotor and at least one generator coupled to the at least one rotor is provided. The at least one turbine is coupled to the at least one compressor. Once the gas turbine is shut down, the at least one generator can be used as a motor in order to drive the at least one rotor for a predetermined time period following shutdown of the gas turbine and thereby effect a uniform cooling of the rotor. A method of operating a gas turbine is also provided.
US09121302B2
A diaphragm assembly includes a cylinder, a circular flange, and a diaphragm. The cylinder defines an axis and includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The circular flange is coaxial with the cylinder and at a greater radial distance from the axis than the cylinder. The diaphragm extends from the second end of the cylinder to the flange.
US09121301B2
A thermal isolation apparatus is provided and includes an annular casing surrounding a turbine bucket stage and defining an annular recess from an interior facing surface thereof, an annular shroud disposed within the casing to provide for a predefined clearance about rotating bucket tips of the turbine bucket stage, the shroud including an annular main member and an annular flange extending from an outwardly facing surface of the main member and being sized to fit within the recess and a thermal barrier formed of porous material, which is interposed between opposing surfaces of the casing and the flange within the recess.
US09121296B2
A rotatable component includes a first section and a second section that is located radially outwards of the first section with regard to an axis of rotation about which the sections are co-rotatable. These sections are attached together at a bonded interface. At a perimeter region of the bonded interface a perimeter portion of the first section has a first stiffness and a perimeter portion of the second section has a second stiffness that is greater than the first stiffness.
US09121291B2
Provided is a turbine blade including: a platform; a blade body including a cooling flow channel including a meandering serpentine cooling flow channel; a fillet portion provided in a joint surface between the blade body and the platform; and a base portion including a cooling flow channel communicated with the serpentine cooling flow channel. The cooling flow channel includes a bypass flow channel that is branched off from a high-pressure part of the cooling flow channel, passes through along the inside of the fillet portion, and is connected to a low-pressure part of the cooling flow channel.
US09121284B2
A vane having a cambered airfoil body is frequency-tuned via a number of cavities formed in a surface of the vane. At least some of the cavities are filled with a nonmetallic filler material, and the remainder of the cavities are left unfilled. A cover is affixed to the vane so as to cover at least the unfilled cavities. In an embodiment, the filling and covering of cavities is performed in a manner that excludes the frequency modes of the guide vane from a precluded band, e.g., an engine excitation band.
US09121282B2
Embodiments of a method for controllably reducing of the flow area of a turbine nozzle component are provided, as are embodiments of turbine nozzle components having reduced flow areas. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of obtaining a turbine nozzle component having a plurality of turbine nozzle flow paths therethrough, positioning braze preforms in the plurality of turbine nozzle flow paths and against a surface of the turbine nozzle component, and bonding the braze preforms to the turbine nozzle component to achieve a controlled reduction in the flow area of the turbine nozzle flow paths.
US09121281B2
A turbine housing 11 includes a first shell body 40 in which a reinforcement portion 42 is superposed on an outer peripheral face 53A of a lateral wall portion 53 of a scroll portion. Further, a reinforcement portion having a slit portion 43 that is partially discontinuous in a circumferential direction is provided as the reinforcement portion 42. Further, a shell body 30 and a base body 60 are combined with each other such that a pillar portion 65 is so located as to intersect with those ones of tangential lines T1, T2 of a turbine wheel 21 which pass a thin-walled portion 32A of the shell body 30, namely, such that the pillar portion 65 is located in a travel path of a fragment of the wheel 21 moving from a main body of the wheel 21 toward the thin-walled portion 32A.
US09121279B2
A system and method for tuning a gas turbine combustion system having a plurality of seals positioned between the combustion system and the turbine inlet is disclosed. The system and method provide ways of permitting a predetermined amount of compressed air to bypass the combustion system and enter the turbine so as to control emissions and dynamics of the combustion system. The seals contain a plurality of holes to meter airflow passing therethrough and are positioned such that they can be removed from the engine and modified to increase or decrease the amount of air passing therethrough.
US09121278B2
Disclosed is a positive displacement expander equipped with an expansion mechanism in which power is generated using fluid energy produced while a high-pressure fluid, supplied to a plurality of expansion chambers partitioned by an orbiting scroll or a rolling piston, is being expanded and decompressed. The expander includes a communicating pipe that allows each of the expansion chambers to communicate with an expander discharge side and an opening and closing device disposed on the communicating pipe. When supply of the high-pressure fluid is stopped, the opening and closing device is opened by the time when high and low pressures between each of the expansion chambers and the expander discharge side are equalized, thus stopping the orbiting scroll or the rolling piston at a predetermined position so that an expander obtains sufficient driving force when resuming.
US09121273B2
A system and methodology facilitate flow control through actuation of valves individually along a plurality of zones. The system and methodology may be used in a variety of applications, including fracturing operations in which the valves are selectively actuated to control flow of fracturing fluid to specific zones of a formation. In fracturing applications, a well string is provided with a plurality of stages positioned sequentially along a plurality of surrounding zones, e.g. well zones. Each stage may be uniquely actuated relative to other stages by dropping a ball or balls down to the desired stage and actuating the valve via application of pressure.
US09121270B2
A submersible pump system includes a submersible pump assembly having one or more stages of impellers and a submersible motor assembly that drives the pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly includes a motor housing, a motor within the motor housing for driving the pump assembly and a control module mounted to the motor housing for operating the motor. The control module is electrically connected to a power line and comprises a controller and a variable frequency drive driven by the controller. The controller operates the variable frequency drive to drive the motor to maintain a constant pressure output condition from the pump assembly.
US09121263B2
The examples described herein relate to methods and apparatus for cleanup prediction and monitoring. A disclosed method of predicting cleanup of a sample fluid obtained by a downhole tool includes drawing the sample fluid into the downhole tool via a probe assembly; measuring optical densities of the sample fluid at a plurality of different respective times; selecting at least some of the measured optical densities as fitting points; identifying one or more inversion parameters; and performing, via a processor, an inversion using the fitting points, the inversion parameters and simulation data to generate data associated with a predicted cleanup of the sample fluid.
US09121258B2
A drilling apparatus includes a drill string to be disposed in a borehole. The drill string includes a tubular, a borehole assembly coupled to the tubular and a drill bit disposed at an end of the borehole assembly. The apparatus includes a strain gauge directly deposited on the drill string.
US09121255B2
A stage tool for wellbore annular cementing may be opened for cementing by hydraulic actuation of a sliding sleeve valve from over a fluid port. After sufficient cement has been introduced, the stage tool fluid port can be closed by compressing two telescopically arranged parts of its tubular body to further overlap each other and overlie the fluid port. This permits the stage tool to be closed without employing a plug.
US09121252B2
An apparatus and method for providing a time delay in injection of pressured fluid into a geologic formation. In one aspect the invention is a toe valve activated by fluid pressure that opens ports after a predetermined time interval to allow fluid to pass from a well casing to a formation. The controlled time delay enables casing integrity testing before fluid is passed through the ports. This time delay also allows multiple valves to be used in the same well casing and provide a focused jetting action to better penetrate a concrete casing lining.
US09121248B2
An apparatus, system and method relating to a valve assembly for use in a subterranean well for oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons. The valve assembly comprises an engaging element with a resilient portion having a first shape when a first pressure differential is applied across the engaging element in a direction and a second shape when a second pressure differential is applied across the element in the direction; a receiving element having sealing section; wherein the engaging element is engagable with the first receiving element to substantially prevent the flow of fluids through the sealing section a pressure differential is applied to the engaging element that is less than a first pressure differential; wherein the engaging element is extrudable through the first receiving element by applying a second pressure differential that is greater than the first pressure differential.
US09121240B2
A setting tool for use inside a well bore casing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wrap spring. The upper portion includes a mandrel coupled to a connecting line. The upper portion is configured to receive an input. The lower portion includes a first sleeve configured translate along an axis of the setting tool. The lower portion is selectively coupled to the upper portion. The wrap spring has a torsional preload and is coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion. The wrap spring is configured to selectively release the lower portion and upon reception of the input, such that the first sleeve is permitted to translate along the axis.
US09121235B2
The present invention provides a rapid rig-up and rig-down pipe stand building and racking system that is capable of being retrofit to an existing drilling rig. In particular, the invention relates to a horizontal to vertical pipe delivery machine that is mountable to a drilling rig. The horizontal to vertical machine delivers sections of pipe to a pair of drilling rig mounted elevators. The elevators receive and vertically translate the sections of pipe. A power tong may be used to make connections between the sections of pipe to form a pipe stand, and may also break the connections of the pipe stand. A drill floor mounted pipe racking system receives the connected drill pipe from the elevators. A pipe racking system that may be used in conjunction with the stand building system is capable of controlled, rapid, and precise movement of multiple connected sections of pipe.
US09121230B2
A seabed-to-surface riser system is disclosed. The seabed-to-surface riser system has a group of subsea riser supports that each support riser pipes extending from the seabed to mid-water. Jumper pipes extend from there to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) offset horizontally from the riser support in a flow direction. The group of riser supports is disposed to one side of the surface installation. Laterally-extending lines are attached to at least the outermost riser supports of the group. Those lines apply mutually-opposed stabilizing forces to those outermost riser supports in directions transverse to the flow direction.
US09121227B2
Telescoping riser arrangement forming part of a riser string (1) connecting a subsea well and a floating installation. The riser arrangement is adapted to be switched between a high pressure mode, in which an upper part of the riser assembly will move vertically with respect to the installation when the installation heaves, and a low pressure mode in which the upper part of the riser assembly will move vertically along with the installation when the installation heaves. In the low pressure mode, a low pressure inner sleeve (9) is adapted to reciprocate inside a high pressure outer sleeve (1a), the reciprocating heave path being above the position of the inner sleeve (9) in the high pressure mode. In the high pressure mode, the telescoping section of the low pressure inner sleeve (9) is enclosed within a high pressure compartment.
US09121223B2
A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores with a steerable system having a plurality of pads which may be selectively actuated in a lateral direction to apply a side force. Application of the side force is used to steer a drill bit. A valve system is positioned to control delivery of actuating fluid under pressure to individual pads in a manner that enables steering of the drill bit. The valve system allows drilling along a desired curve by controlling the flow of actuating fluid under pressure to specific steering pads at specific angular positions. The valve system also allows drilling along a desired trajectory by preventing exposure of the pads to the pressurized actuating fluid.
US09121220B2
A hollow built-in blind includes two glass plates, an annular spacer cooperating with the glass plates to define a receiving space, and a blind disposed in the receiving space and including a lower rail, a plurality of slats, and two pull cords connected to the lower rail. A transmission unit includes a transmission shaft, a winding mechanism disposed on the shaft, and a belt pulley fixed to one end of the shaft. A drive unit is located at one lateral end of the blind and includes a guide wheel spaced apart from the belt pulley, an internal control device operable to move upward and downward in the receiving space, and a timing belt looped over the belt pulley and the guide wheel and having two opposite ends connected to the internal control device to form a closed loop.
US09121205B2
A vehicle door fixing apparatus includes a fixed wedge configured to be provided at one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, and a movable wedge configured to be provided at the other one of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, wherein the movable wedge is configured to be assembled together with a base plate of a door lock striker or with a door lock assembly that is engageable with a shaft of the door lock striker, the movable wedge includes a strength member, the movable wedge includes a contact member fixedly attached to the strength member and configured to be in pressure contact with the fixed wedge, and the strength member includes a rigidity that is higher than a rigidity of the contact member.
US09121202B2
A latch including a locking lever pivotally mounted to the latch. The latch also including an intermittent lever pivotally coupled to the locking lever at a first end, wherein movement of the locking lever causes a movement of the intermittent lever. A gear is pivotally coupled to a second end of the locking lever such that rotation of the gear causes movement of the locking lever. The locking lever is formed from a resilient material and has an area of reduced thickness reproducing a spring effect. Movement of the second end of the locking lever with respect to the first end of the locking lever creates a biasing force in the locking lever.
US09121200B2
A lockset has an actuator unit, a mounting unit and a latch retractor mechanism. The mounting unit attaches the lockset to a door and supports the actuator unit and latch retractor mechanism. The actuator unit includes inside and outside door knobs and a cam mechanism that move together within the mounting unit. During rotational movement, a first cam of the cam mechanism engages the latch retractor mechanism to retract the latch. The actuator is axially movable along an axis of the actuator unit when one of the knobs is pushed or pulled. During axial movement, a second cam of the cam mechanism engages the latch retractor mechanism to retract the latch. A locking mechanism is selectively actuable to act between the actuator unit and the mounting unit to prevent both rotational and axial movement of the actuator unit relative to the mounting unit, thereby locking the lockset.
US09121194B2
An article of elongate metal piece (101a) comprising a retaining track (102a) and a shaft (103a) at its respective long edges, wherein multiple pieces (101a) of the identical articles are arranged in a side-by-side fashion to assemble a pole section with two contiguous arranged metal pieces (101a) interlocked by engaging the shaft (103a) of one metal piece to the retaining track (102a) of another adjacent metal piece.
US09121192B2
A shade shelter includes a frame, roller assemblies, and one or more solar panels selectively mounted on the roller assemblies so as to be movable with respect to the frame. The shade shelter may be erected over an associated structure in order to at least reduce the thermal radiation effects of the sun on the associated shelter.
US09121189B2
A portable solar kiosk is provided. The solar kiosk is configured for use with vending machines, outdoor kitchens, parking lot payment booths, bus stop waiting areas, and the like, as well as associated battery systems, solar power assemblies, traditional power access, wiring systems and harnesses, and so forth. The solar kiosk includes a multiplicity of solar panels. The multiplicity of solar panels can charge batteries to power a vending machine. The solar kiosk includes side beams supported by a base such that the solar panel array can swivel on swivel rod to an appropriate angle to the sun. The base of the solar kiosk can support battery bank assemblies.
US09121188B2
A protective structure for personal and or group protection designed to withstand falling objects, flying objects and structural failure resulting from earthquakes or other dangers known and unknown is provided. The protective structure includes a support structure having an internal cavity sized to accommodate one or more persons. The support structure has a skeletal frame of elongated structural members and a structural skin coupled to at least a majority of a perimeter of the skeletal frame. An overlay may cover at least a portion of an exterior surface of the support structure such that the support structure is at least partially concealed and resembles school, office or home furniture. The protective structure is designed to protect the occupant from an initial disaster, such as an earthquake, and maintain protection until rescue is made or risks of injury diminish.
US09121185B2
A staircase of skeletal form is prefabricated and is provided with prefabricated decorative cladding finishing plates for the treads, the risers and the stringer boards, the plates being pre-drilled for ease of assembly, a plurality of finishing plates can be preassembled, or factory assembled, together before installation over a portion of the prefabricated staircase, and the installation method thereof.
US09121181B2
A locking element is arranged on one component, the locking element being bringable into locking engagement with a locking recess on the other component for the purpose of a vertical lock. The locking element is provided with functional elements, via which the components are substantially horizontally and vertically locked. The locking element can be designed as a profiled slide that has a locking projection with a first guiding surface which is positioned angularly with respect to the installation plane and which comes into contact with a locking surface or another circumferential section of the locking recess during the connecting process such that a force component that causes a movement from a release position into a locked position is applied to the profiled slide.
US09121177B1
A bolster for use in construction has a pair of spaced apart frame members and a plurality of rung members in spaced relationship extending between the pair of spaced apart frame members. The pair of spaced apart frame members have a generally rectangular configuration and a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The pair of spaced apart frame members and the plurality of rung members are formed integrally together of a polymeric material. The openings of the pair of spaced apart frame members have a generally rectangular shape.
US09121164B1
A bucket for a skid loader has a screw auger with right-hand and left-hand auger fighting which meet in the center on a single shaft. Rotation of the shaft in one direction causes sand or other granular material in the bucket to move toward the end outlets for loading into conventional sandbags. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction advances the material in the bucket to the center where it is discharged through a bottom outlet into a bulk bag such as an FIBC bag which is supported on tubes suspended from the bucket on lines. A cover is releasably attached to the bucket to block the bottom outlet when a bulk bag is not being filled.
US09121163B2
The present disclosure provides a boom structure including an elongated body having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to couple to a dipper and the second end configured to couple to a support structure. The boom structure further includes a top member, a bottom member, and a pair of sides members of the body coupled to the top member and bottom member. Each side member includes a first portion extending between the first end and second end of the body and forming an outer frame structure. Each side member also includes a second portion coupled to an inner surface of the first portion and being substantially enclosed by the first portion.
US09121153B2
A marine barrier gate includes a pleated row of buoyant panels movable between an expanded position where the panels have an angle therebetween, and a retracted position where the panels are substantially parallel. A first buoy is attached to a first end of the panel row, and a second buoy is remote from the panels when the panels are in the retracted position. The second buoy has a tow winch and cable attached to a second end opposite the first end, for moving the panels from the retracted position to the expanded position. The first buoy comprises a catenary winch and cable movably engagable with the panels and attached to the second buoy. When the panels are in the retracted position, the catenary winch sets a length or tension of the catenary cable such that it absorbs catenary loads on the barrier when the panels are moved to the expanded position by the tow winch.
US09121150B2
This disclosure relates to street sweepers and interchangeable conveyor modules for use with street sweepers that are interchangeable. A first conveyor module is provided that is mountable to the conveyor support structure of the vehicle wherein the conveyor is configured to transport debris from the broom assembly to the hopper on a continuous belt having paddles. A second conveyor module is also provided that is mountable to the vehicle structure wherein the second conveyor is a squeegee type conveyor. The first conveyor module and the second conveyor module are interchangeable on the street sweeping vehicle. Because the size envelope and attachment points and mechanisms are common, the two modules can be interchanged at will.
US09121147B2
An example includes a concrete grinding apparatus with a jackshaft configuration to efficiently transmit torque from an engine to a grinding arbor. An example includes a method of grinding a road lane in two passes. An example includes a vacuum system to generate vacuum with a centrifugal pump to collect debris and cool a grinding arbor.
US09121135B2
A method of producing cellulose from lignocellulosic material by sulfite digestion or sulfate digestion in the presence of a salt of dithionous acid comprises using the salt of dithionous acid in an amount from 0.1 to 4.0 wt. % based on the amount of oven-dry lignocellulosic material.
US09121134B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing an oxidized cellulose pulp fibrillar network and a composite with lignocellulosic fibers comprising the following steps: (a) oxidizing a cellulose pulp to obtain about 0.3 to 2.5 mmol carboxylic groups per gram cellulose pulp; and about 0.1 to 5.0 mmol aldehyde groups per gram cellulose pulp; (b) homogenization of the cellulose pulp of step (a) wherein the cellulose fibers are refined to provide a cellulose pulp comprising 0-50% of fibers having an average length 0.7 mm-2.1 mm; and 50-100% of fibers having a particle size of 0.05-500 micrometer (μm); and optionally (c) combining with lignocellulosic fiber. Also step (d) drying of the cellulose pulp obtained by step (b) or step (c) may be included in the process.
US09121132B2
A method of treating a mesh pocket of a lacrosse stick includes providing a solid wax compound, providing a mesh pocket having a plurality of inter-engaged strands that define a plurality of mesh openings, and manually applying the solid wax compound to at least a portion of at least some of the inter-engaged strands of the mesh pocket. A kit for treating a mesh pocket of a lacrosse stick includes a solid wax compound disposed in a retractable applicator, a mesh pocket attached to or attachable to a lacrosse stick, and instructions describing manually applying the solid wax compound to the mesh pocket.
US09121129B2
A washing machine having a balance weight. The washing machine includes a main body, a tub provided within the main body, a drying duct connected to the tub so as to supply low-humidity air to the tub, and the balance weight mounted on the tub so as to reduce vibration of the tub. The balance weight includes a first weight member and a second weight member separably connected to the first weight member. The first weight member includes a connection part provided at one end thereof such that the second weight member is connected to the connection part, and a space formation part having a smaller thickness in the axial direction of the tub than the second weight member so as to form a space in which the drying duct is disposed.
US09121128B2
A dryer is provided. The dryer (1) includes a cabinet (10), a drum (11), a rear supporter (30), and a dry duct (42). The cabinet (10) defines an external appearance. The drum (21) is rotatably provided in the cabinet an housing articles to be dried. The rear supporter (30) supports a rear end of the drum (21). The dry duct (42) supplies dry air. Here, the dry duct (42) is connected to a circumference of the rear supporter (30) to supply the dry air into the drum through the circumference of the rear supporter.
US09121126B2
A washing machine in which performance of a balancer is improved and a control method thereof. The washing machine includes at least one balancer housing provided with a ring-shaped channel, at least one mass body movably disposed in the channel, a confinement unit to confine the at least one mass body to the at least one balancer housing so as to allow the at least one mass body to be rotated under the condition that the at least one mass body is fixed to the at least one balancer housing, an adjustment unit to release confinement of the at least one mass body so as to allow the at least one mass body to descend due to gravity during rotation of the drum, and a control unit to control the adjustment unit so that unbalanced load is offset by the at least one mass body.
US09121122B2
A washing machine and a control method thereof are disclosed. The present invention relates to a washing machine, more specifically, to a washing machine that is able to the amount of rinsing water used in a rinsing course.
US09121121B2
A method for driving laundry to roll in an upright tub with a pulsator and uses of the same are disclosed. The method makes laundry alternately but not simultaneously form at least two rolling faces in the upright tub. The rolling faces have a certain angle therebetween, laundry is performed more than one rolling on one of the rolling faces and then switched to another rolling face to be performed more than one rolling on the other rolling face. There is at least one pulsator to provide a side auxiliary force during rolling processes. The number of the pulsators driving laundry is preferably 3˜5, the number of rib on the pulsator is preferably 3˜8. The method can significantly improve cleaning performance and provide the advantage of multi-direction rolling.
US09121119B2
A partial revocation list and a system and method for using the partial revocation list for tracking the authenticity of replacement cartridges in a manufactured device to inhibit cloning of the cartridges is provided. A revocation pool is maintained by a manufacturer who chooses a partial revocation list from the revocation pool to store in the memory of the cartridge. The device stores its own revocation list, informs the manufacturer of cartridges which have been used and checks when a new device is installed to ensure a cloned replacement is not being used. The partial revocation list distributes enough revocation information to devices to statistically impair the cartridge yield of a cloning operation.
US09121111B2
A method for the spinning of a fiber comprising cellulose nano-fibrils being aligned along the main axis of the fiber from a lyotropic suspension of cellulose nano-fibrils, said nano-fibril alignment being achieved through extension of the extruded fiber from a die, spinneret or needle, wherein said fiber is dried under extension and the aligned nano-fibrils aggregate to form a continuous structure. The fibrils used in this method can be extracted from a cellulose-rich material such as wood. The invention also related to a cellulose-based fiber obtained according to this method and to a cellulose fiber which contains at least 90% wt of crystallized cellulose.
US09121110B2
The present invention is directed to the synthesis of molecules guided by connector polynucleotides (CPNs) capable of hybridizing to complementary connector polynucleotides (CCPNs) harboring at least one functional entity comprising at least one reactive group. At least one of the CCPNs is capable of hybridizing to at least two CPNs. Each CPN will “call” for one or more CCPNs capable of hybridization to the CPN. Following the formation of a supramolecular hybridization complex comprising a plurality of CPNs and a plurality of CCPNs, the reaction of reactive groups results in the formation of a molecule comprising covalently linked functional entities. The formation of the molecule involves the transfer of functional entities from one or more “donor CCPNs” to at least one “acceptor CCPN” with which the transferred functional entities were not associated prior to the transfer.
US09121108B2
A method for positioning nano-objects on a surface and an apparatus for implementing the method. The method includes: providing a first surface and a second surface in a position facing each other, where one or more of the surfaces exhibits one or more position structures having dimensions on the nanoscale; providing an ionic liquid suspension of the nano-objects between the two surfaces, where the suspension comprises two electrical double layers each formed at an interface with a respective one of the two surfaces, and the surfaces have electrical charges of the same sign; enabling the nano-objects in the suspension to position according to a potential energy resulting from the electrical charge of the two surfaces; and depositing one or more of the nano-objects on the first surface according to the positioning structures by shifting the minima of the potential energy towards the first surface.
US09121107B2
A method for electrochemically activating a doped diamond electrode by bringing the electrode into contact with an aqueous solution containing an electrolyte and applying at least one electrical pulse to the electrode. This method may be used to restore the electrochemical reactivity of a doped diamond-based electrode, the activation of the electrode in some cases possibly being done in the same aqueous solution containing an electrolyte in which the electrode lost its electrochemical reactivity.
US09121104B2
Systems, methods and apparatus relating to evaluation of alumina feedstocks are disclosed. A system may include an alumina storage unit comprising an alumina feedstock, an alumina supply member in communication with the alumina storage unit and an aluminum electrolysis cell. The alumina feedstock of the alumina storage unit may periodically flow through the alumina supply member and to the aluminum electrolysis cell. A measurement device may be in communication with the alumina supply member, and may be configured to measure a supply member property and transmit a first signal to a processor. The processor may be configured to receive the first signal and produce supply member property data based, at least in part, on the first signal.
US09121099B2
A vacuum processing apparatus includes a process chamber; a transport unit for transporting a plurality of substrates; a gas supply unit; a substrate processing unit for processing the substrates placed on the transport unit; a detection unit for detecting a substrate interval between adjacent substrates out of the plurality of substrates; and a control unit for controlling, based on the substrate interval detected by the detection unit, a supply amount of the gas to be supplied by the gas supply unit.
US09121098B2
A NanoLayer Deposition (NLD) process for depositing composite films of tertiary, quaternary, pentanary, and hexary stoichiometric films is provided. The inventive deposition process is a cyclic process consisting of a sequence of thin film deposition and treatment steps to obtain a desired film stoichiometry. The deposition steps are not self-limiting as in atomic layer deposition. In one embodiment for depositing a compound oxide film, the deposition process comprises a first deposition, followed by a hydrogen-containing plasma treatment, a second deposition followed by a hydrogen-containing plasma treatment, and then a third deposition followed by a hydrogen-containing plasma and then an oxygen-containing plasma treatment to produce a stoichiometric quaternary film. The cyclic process is repeated until the desired overall film thickness is achieved. The inventive process is used to fabricate high k dielectric films, ferroelectric films, piezoelectric films, and other complex oxides.
US09121087B2
A high-strength steel sheet has good ductility and stretch-flangeability and has a tensile strength (TS) of 980 MPa or more. The steel sheet contains 0.17%-0.73% C, 3.0% or less Si, 0.5%-3.0% Mn, 0.1% or less P, 0.07% or less S, 3.0% or less Al, and 0.010% or less N, in which Si+Al is 0.7% or more.
US09121082B2
A plasma separator and mass filter system is described. In some aspects the system is designed and configured to cause a plasma in a vacuum chamber and to move charged particles therein axially and circumferentially towards one or more sets of collectors. Waste material is ejected from the system while the one or more collectors yield one or more corresponding products.
