US09252244B2
The inventive concepts provide methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method includes patterning a substrate to form an active pattern, forming a gate pattern intersecting the active pattern, forming a gate spacer on a sidewall of the gate pattern, forming a growth-inhibiting layer covering an upper region of the gate pattern, and forming source/drain electrodes at opposite first and second sides of the gate pattern.
US09252239B2
This invention discloses semiconductor power device that includes a plurality of top electrical terminals disposed near a top surface of a semiconductor substrate. Each and every one of the top electrical terminals comprises a terminal contact layer formed as a silicide contact layer near the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The trench gates of the semiconductor power device are opened from the top surface of the semiconductor substrate and each and every one of the trench gates comprises the silicide layer configured as a recessed silicide contact layer disposed on top of every on of the trench gates slightly below a top surface of the semiconductor substrate surround the trench gate.
US09252233B2
The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a FinFET device having sidewalls spacers comprising an air gap that provides for a low dielectric constant, and an associated apparatus. In some embodiments, the method is performed by forming a fin of semiconductor material on a semiconductor substrate. A gate structure, having a gate dielectric layer and an overlying gate material layer, is formed at a position overlying the fin of semiconductor material. Sidewall spacers are formed at positions abutting opposing sides of the gate structure. Respective sidewall spacers have a first layer of insulating material abutting the gate structure and a second layer of insulating material separated from the first layer of insulating material by an air gap. By forming the FinFET device to have sidewall spacers with air gaps, the parasitic capacitance of the FinFET device and a corresponding RC time delay are decreased.
US09252229B2
A method of forming a transistor device includes forming an interfacial layer on a semiconductor substrate, corresponding to a region between formed doped source and drain regions in the substrate; forming a high dielectric constant (high-k) layer on the interfacial layer, the high-k layer having a dielectric constant greater than about 7.5; forming a doped metal layer on the high-k layer; performing a thermal process so as to cause the doped metal layer to scavenge oxygen atoms diffused from the interfacial layer such that a final thickness of the interfacial layer is less than about 5 angstroms (Å); and forming a metal gate material over the high-k dielectric layer.
US09252226B2
Provided is a thin film transistor array panel. The thin film transistor array panel according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: a gate wiring layer disposed on a substrate; an oxide semiconductor layer disposed on the gate wiring layer; and a data wiring layer disposed on the oxide semiconductor layer, in which the data wiring layer includes a main wiring layer including copper and a capping layer disposed on the main wiring layer and including a copper alloy.
US09252224B2
An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric over the substrate, a metal gate structure over the semiconductor substrate and the gate dielectric, a dielectric film on the metal gate structure, the dielectric film comprising oxynitride combined with metal from the metal gate, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) on either side of the metal gate structure.
US09252215B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor fins on an insulator layer of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a plurality of gate stacks on the insulator layer. Each gate stack wraps around a respective portion of the semiconductor fins. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer on the insulator layer. The dielectric layer fills voids between the semiconductor fins and gate stacks, and covers the semiconductor fins. The method further includes etching at least one portion of the semiconductor fins until reaching the insulator layer such that at least one cavity is formed. The cavity exposes seed regions of the semiconductor fins located between adjacent gate stacks. The method further includes epitaxially growing a semiconductor material from the seed regions to form source/drain regions corresponding to a respective gate stack.
US09252210B2
A semiconductor device capable of decreasing a reverse leakage current and a forward voltage is provided. In the semiconductor device, an anode electrode undergoes Schottky junction by being connected to a surface of an SiC epitaxial layer that has the surface, a back surface, and trapezoidal trenches formed on the side of the surface each having side walls and a bottom wall. Furthermore, an edge portion of the bottom wall of each of the trapezoidal trenches is formed to be in the shape bent towards the outside of the trapezoidal trench in the manner that a radius of curvature R satisfies 0.01 L
US09252200B2
In a first semiconductor chip, a first multilayer interconnect layer is formed on a first substrate, and a first inductor is formed in the first multilayer interconnect layer. In a second semiconductor chip, a second multilayer interconnect layer is formed on a second substrate. A second inductor is formed in the second multilayer interconnect layer. The first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip overlap each other in a direction in which the first multilayer interconnect layer and the second multilayer interconnect layer face each other. In addition, the first inductor and the second inductor overlap each other when seen in a plan view. At least one end of a first insulating film does not overlap the end of a facing region, in a Y direction.
US09252197B2
A display panel includes: a plurality of pixel circuits formed in a matrix on a substrate; an insulating layer covering the plurality of pixel circuits; a plurality of light emitting elements connected to the plurality of pixel circuits, and arranged in a matrix on the insulating layer; a filtering layer including a light transmitting section at least in a part of a region facing the light emitting element and a light shielding section formed in a same plane as the light transmitting section, and formed on an opposite side from the pixel circuit in relation to the light emitting element; a light reflecting section formed in a region facing the light shielding section, and between the light emitting element and the filtering layer; and a light receiving element formed in a region facing the light shielding section, and on the pixel circuit side in relation to the light emitting element.
US09252195B2
A display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the display device includes a first substrate including a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area and a display unit formed over the first substrate in the display area and configured to display an image. The display device also includes a plurality of first reinforcing members formed over the first substrate in the non-display area, wherein the first reinforcing members are spaced apart from each other. The display device further includes a second substrate formed over the first substrate with the display unit interposed therebetween, and a sealant formed in the non-display area and substantially sealing the first and second substrates, wherein the sealant is interposed between the display area and the plurality of first reinforcing members.
US09252189B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory element includes: a variable resistance element including a first electrode, a variable resistance layer, and a second electrode, and having a resistance value which changes according to a polarity of an electric pulse applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a current steering element which is electrically connected to the variable resistance element, allows a current to flow bidirectionally, and has a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic. The current steering element (i) has a structure in which a first current steering element electrode, a first current steering layer, and a second current steering element electrode are stacked in this order, and (ii) includes a second current steering layer which covers side surfaces of the first current steering element electrode, the first current steering layer, and the second current steering element electrode.
US09252187B2
Methods for testing magnetoresistance of test devices with layer stacks, such as MTJs, fabricated on a wafer are described. The test devices can be fabricated along with arrays of similarly structured memory cells on a production wafer to allow in-process testing. The test devices with contact pads at opposite ends of the bottom electrode allow resistance across the bottom electrode to be measured as a surrogate for measuring resistance between the top and bottom electrodes. An MTJ test device according to the invention has a measurable magnetoresistance (MR) between the two contact pads that is a function of the magnetic orientation of the free layer and varies with the length and width of the MTJ strip in each test device. The set of test MTJs can include a selected range of lengths to allow the tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) and resistance area product (RA) to be estimated or predicted.
US09252186B1
A pixel array and a display device are provided. The pixel array includes a two-dimensional array that is formed by arranging a plurality of color sub-pixels and a plurality of white sub-pixels in the row direction and in the column direction, the color sub-pixels include color sub-pixels in three different colors. For color sub-pixels in each color in each row, color sub-pixels with the same color in the same row are arranged so that, the odd-numbered column sub-pixel and the even-numbered column sub-pixel alternate one by one, or they are disposed by way of groups each including two odd-numbered column sub-pixels alternating with even-numbered column sub-pixels or by way of groups each including two even-numbered column sub-pixels alternating with odd-numbered column sub-pixels.
US09252183B2
When forming a hollow portion between each color filter, in order to realize the formation of the hollow portions with a narrower width, a plurality of light receiving portions are formed on the upper surface of a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of color filters corresponding to each of the light receiving portions are formed above the semiconductor substrate, a photoresist is formed on each color filter, side walls are formed on the side surfaces of the photoresist, and a hollow portion is formed between each color filter by performing etching using at least the side walls as a mask.
US09252179B2
An image sensor structure is provided. The image sensor structure includes a substrate including a central area and a peripheral area, a sensing area including a plurality of pixels located at the central area of the substrate, a plurality of bond pads disposed at the peripheral area of the substrate, and an array of protrusions disposed between the bond pads and the sensing area and surrounding the sensing area, wherein a largest distance between any two points of the protrusion under a top view is getting smaller from the peripheral area to the central area.
US09252169B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a first semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion element; and a second semiconductor substrate including at least a part of a peripheral circuit arranged in a main face of the second semiconductor substrate, the peripheral circuit generating a signal based on the charge of the photoelectric conversion element, a main face of the first semiconductor substrate and the main face of the second semiconductor substrate being opposed to each other with sandwiching a wiring structure therebetween; a pad to be connected to an external terminal; and a protection circuit electrically connected to the pad and to the peripheral circuit, wherein the protection circuit is arranged in the main face of the second semiconductor substrate.
US09252167B2
An active device array substrate includes a flexible substrate, a gate electrode, a dielectric layer, a channel layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode. The flexible substrate has a transistor region and a transparent region adjacent to each other. The gate electrode is disposed on the transistor region. The dielectric layer covers the flexible substrate and the gate electrode. A portion of the dielectric layer disposed on the gate electrode has a first thickness. Another portion of the dielectric layer disposed on the transparent region has a second thickness less than the first thickness. The channel layer is disposed above the gate electrode. The source electrode and the drain electrode are electrically connected to the channel layer. The pixel electrode is disposed on the dielectric layer which is disposed on the transparent region. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the drain electrode.
US09252163B1
In the present disclosure, it is provided an array substrate including a pad area, signal lines arranged on the substrate, conductive connection lines arranged at least on the pad area and directly connected to a flexible circuit, and conductive connection lines arranged at least on the pad area and directly connected to a flexible circuit. The conductive connection lines may be connected to the signal lines through a via hole, and may include a first wire and a second wire electrically connected to each other. The second wire may be arranged in such a manner that a contact area between the conductive connection lines and the flexible circuit is not less than a predetermined threshold when the flexible circuit is displaced in a first direction relative to the first wire. The first direction may be substantially perpendicular to an extending direction of the first wire.
US09252158B2
A thin film transistor array panel includes a first insulating substrate, a gate electrode positioned on the first insulating substrate, a gate insulating layer positioned on the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer positioned on the gate insulating layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode positioned on the semiconductor layer and spaced apart from each other, in which the semiconductor layer includes three or more amorphous silicon layers having different bandgap energies from one another in order to reduce a leakage current and improve performance of a liquid crystal display.
US09252150B1
The present disclosure relates to a non-volatile memory cell structure, and an associated method. A non-volatile memory cell includes two transistors spaced apart from one another with floating gates connected together by a floating gate bridge. During the operation, the non-volatile memory cell is programmed and erased from one first transistor and read from the other second transistor. Since the floating gates of the two transistors are connected together and insulated from other ambient layers, stored charges can be controlled from the first transistor and affect a threshold of the second transistor.
US09252149B2
A device including a drain, a channel, a floating gate, and a control gate. The channel surrounds the drain and has a channel area. The floating gate includes an active floating gate region that has an active floating gate region area. The control gate is coupled to the active floating gate region via a control capacitance, wherein the active floating gate region area is smaller than the channel area.
US09252139B2
A stacked semiconductor package includes a first semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface which faces away from the first surface and including first bonding pads which are formed on the first surface and first through electrodes which pass through the first surface and the second surface; a second semiconductor chip stacked over the second surface of the first semiconductor chip, and including second bonding pads which are formed on a third surface facing the first semiconductor chip and second through electrodes which pass through the third surface and a fourth surface facing away from the third surface and are electrically connected with the first through electrodes; and a molding part formed to substantially cover the stacked first and second semiconductor chips and having openings which expose one end of the first through electrodes disposed on the first surface of the first semiconductor chip.
US09252137B2
A semiconductor substrate capable of detecting operating current of a MOSFET and diode current in a miniaturized MOSFET such as a trench-gate type MOSFET is provided. A semiconductor substrate includes a main current region and a current sensing region in which current smaller than main current flowing in the main current region flows. The main current region has a source electrode disposed on a main surface, the source electrode being in contact with a p-type semiconductor region (body) and an n+-type semiconductor region (source), and the current sensing region has a MOSFET current detecting electrode and a diode current detecting electrode on a main surface, the MOSFET current detecting electrode being in contact with the p-type semiconductor region (body) and the n+-type semiconductor region (source), the diode current detecting electrode being in contact with the p-type semiconductor region (body).
US09252128B2
A semiconductor manufacturing method includes attaching a first die to a substrate panel. The method also includes applying a mold compound after attaching the first die to the substrate panel to the first die and the substrate panel. The method further includes thinning the first die and the mold compound after applying the mold compound. Attaching the die to the substrate panel before thinning eliminates usage of a carrier wafer when processing thin semiconductors.
US09252124B2
A circuit module including: a wiring substrate having a shape elongated in one direction; a semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring substrate; and a molding material that molds the semiconductor chip, wherein end faces of the molding material that extend along a lengthwise direction of the wiring substrate and intersect with a lateral direction of the wiring substrate are formed by dicing performed along end faces of a partial region of the wiring substrate.
US09252121B2
A packaged assembly is disclosed, including thermal interface material dispensed on an organic package and methods of manufacturing. The method includes dispensing a thermal interface material (TIM) on an electronic assembly. The method further includes removing volatile species of the TIM, prior to lid placement on the electronic assembly. The method further includes placing the lid on the TIM, over the electronic assembly. The method further includes pressing the lid onto the electronic assembly.
US09252120B2
A method of assembling a semiconductor flip chip comprising a wafer having solderable electrical conducting sites and a substrate having electrical connecting pads and electrically conductive posts operatively associated with the pads and extending away from the pads to terminate in distal ends, comprises the pre-assembly steps of solder bumping the distal ends through openings in a solder mask by injection molding solder onto the distal ends so that the distal ends extend into the mask through the openings to produce a solder bumped substrate, and soldering the solder bumped substrate to the sites.
US09252118B2
A semiconductor metallurgy includes a ratio of germanium and palladium that provides low contact resistance to both n-type material and p-type material. The metallurgy allows for a contact that does not include gold and is compatible with mass-production CMOS techniques. The ratio of germanium and palladium can be achieved by stacking layers of the materials and annealing the stack, or simultaneously depositing the germanium and palladium on the material where the contact is to be manufactured.
US09252115B1
Apparatuses and methods for an improved semiconductor layout are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a microelectronic device including a microelectronic die and one or more redistribution paths formed thereon for electrically interconnecting at least one bond pad with an exposed portion of the redistribution path. The redistribution paths, bond pads, and exposed portions may be configured to result in the device having a width narrowed by at least the width of the bond pads due to their absence on at least one edge.
US09252113B2
A no-exposed-pad ball grid array (BGA) packaging structure includes a metal substrate, a first die coupled to a top surface of the metal substrate, and a plurality of outer leads formed on the metal substrate and extending to the proximity of the die. A metal layer that contains a plurality of inner leads corresponding to the plurality of outer leads and extending to the proximity of the die is formed on the metal substrate by a multi-layer electrical plating process such that a lead pitch of the plurality of inner leads is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the die and the plurality of inner leads are connected by metal wires, and a plurality of solder balls is attached to a back surface of the plurality of outer leads and a die pad. The die, the plurality of inner leads, and the metal wires are sealed with a molding compound.
US09252104B2
A complementary back end of line (BEOL) capacitor (CBC) structure includes a metal oxide metal (MOM) capacitor structure. The MOM capacitor structure is coupled to a first upper interconnect layer of an interconnect stack of an integrated circuit (IC) device. The MOM capacitor structure includes a lower interconnect layer of the interconnect stack. The CBC structure also includes a second upper interconnect layer of the interconnect stack coupled to the MOM capacitor structure. The CBC structure also includes a metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitor layer between the first upper interconnect layer and the second upper interconnect layer. In addition, CBC structure also includes a MIM capacitor structure coupled to the MOM capacitor structure. The MIM capacitor structure includes a first capacitor plate having a portion of the first upper interconnect layer, and a second capacitor plate having a portion of the MIM capacitor layer(s).
US09252094B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a first conductive layer formed over an active surface of the semiconductor die. An insulation layer is formed over the active surface of the semiconductor die. A second conductive layer is conformally applied over the insulating layer and first conductive layer. Conductive pillars are formed over the first conductive layer. Conductive rings are formed around a perimeter of the conductive pillars. A conductive material is deposited over the surface of the conductive pillars within the conductive rings. A substrate has a third conductive layer formed over a surface of the substrate. The semiconductor die is mounted to a substrate with the third conductive layer electrically connected to the conductive material within the conductive rings. The conductive rings inhibit outward flow of the conductive material from under the conductive pillars to prevent electrical bridging between adjacent conductive pillars.
US09252089B2
A universal lead frame for semiconductor packages includes a solid lead frame sheet comprising an electrically conductive material and a plurality of columns etched into the lead frame sheet and distributed with a predetermined lead pitch so that the universal lead frame has a solid first main side opposite the columns and a patterned second main side opposite the first main side. A method of manufacturing the universal lead frame includes providing a solid lead frame sheet of an electrically conductive material and etching a plurality of columns into the lead frame sheet so that the columns are distributed with a predetermined lead pitch and the universal lead frame has a solid first main side opposite the columns and a patterned second main side opposite the first main side. A method of manufacturing molded semiconductor packages using the universal lead frame is also provided.
US09252076B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a semiconductor device, a package and methods of forming a semiconductor device and a package. An embodiment is a semiconductor device including a molding material over a first substrate with a first opening having a first width in the molding material. The semiconductor device further includes a second opening having a second width in the molding material with the second width being greater than the first width. A first connector is in the first opening and a second connector is in the second opening.
US09252070B2
A three-dimensional mounting semiconductor device includes a layer structure including a plurality of first substrates with a trench-shaped concavity formed in and a plurality of second substrates with semiconductor elements formed in, which are alternately stacked, wherein an unevenness defined by a size difference between the first substrate and the second substrate is formed on a side surface, and a first through-hole are defined by an inside surface of the trench-shaped concavity and a surface of the second substrate, and a third substrate jointed to the side surface of the layer structure and having an unevenness formed on a surface jointed to the layer structure which are engaged with the unevenness formed on the side surface of the layer structure.
US09252069B2
A cooling apparatus includes a direct-bonded copper (“DBC”) substrate, the DBC substrate having a plurality of micro-structure tabs formed on a fluid impingement side of the DBC substrate, and a jet head in complementary opposition to the fluid impingement side. The jet head has a first plurality of micro-jets facing the fluid impingement side, each of the first plurality of micro-jets having a nozzle, and a second plurality of micro-jets facing the fluid impingement side so the jet head is configured to deliver a fluid to the plurality of micro-structure tabs through the first and second plurality of micro-jets.
US09252064B2
A fingerprint module of fingerprint identification chip is provided. The fingerprint module includes a substrate, a fingerprint identification chip, a molding layer, a color layer, and a protecting layer. The substrate includes a pair of surfaces and a plurality of pads. The surfaces are on the opposite sides of the substrate. The pads are exposed on one of the surfaces. The fingerprint identification chip electrically connects with the substrate according to at least a wire. The molding layer disposes on the substrate and covers the fingerprint identification chip and the wire. The color layer disposes on the molding layer. The protecting layer disposes on the color layer.
US09252058B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor device and systems incorporating the same include transistors having a gate metal doped with impurities. An altered work function of the transistor may alter a threshold voltage of the transistor. In certain embodiments, a gate metal of a first MOSFET is doped with impurities. A gate metal of a second MOSFET may be left undoped, doped with the same impurities with a different concentration, and/or doped with different impurities. In some embodiments, the MOSFETs are FinFETs, and the doping may be a conformal doping.
US09252055B2
In a wafer dicing press for reducing time and cost for wafer dicing and for evenly applying a dicing pressure to a whole wafer, a wafer dicing press includes a support unit supporting a first side of a wafer; and a pressurization device applying a pressure, by dispersing the pressure, to a second side of the wafer so that a laser-scribed layer of the wafer operates as a division starting point. Accordingly, the wafer dicing press reduces laser radiation and pressure-application times for dividing a wafer into semiconductor devices. This increased efficiency is achieved without increasing the likelihood of damaging the wafer.
US09252039B2
An electrostatic chuck apparatus includes a pedestal part including a side surface, an electrostatic chuck including a side surface and provided on the pedestal part, an adhesive part including a side surface and provided between the pedestal part and the electrostatic chuck, the adhesive part containing a resin adhesive agent that adheres the pedestal part and the electrostatic chuck together, a recess part provided in a portion of the side surface of the pedestal part and a portion of the side surface of the electrostatic chuck, the recess part being provided in an area that includes a side surface of the adhesive part, the recess part being provided along an outer periphery of the pedestal part, an outer periphery of the adhesive part, and an outer periphery of the electrostatic chuck, and a focus ring engaged with the recess part and covering the side surface of the adhesive part.
US09252037B2
A vacuum treatment apparatus and method for manufacturing has a plurality of treatment chambers for treating workpieces, in particular silicon wafers, a transfer chamber attached to the treatment chambers communicating via respective openings and having handling zones located adjacent to each of the treatment chambers. A workpiece carrier is arranged within the transfer chamber and configured to transfer the workpieces between the handling zones, and one or more handlers for moving the workpieces between the handling zones and the treatment chambers. The transfer chamber is ring-shaped about an axis and the openings have opening substantially parallel thereto. This way, forces on the transfer chamber are redirected to a large support structure and thus, a cost-effective, light and still rigid mechanical construction can be achieved.
US09252036B2
A substrate transfer system includes a substrate transfer robot disposed in a robot installment area defined between a first apparatus and a second apparatus. The first apparatus includes a first cassette, a second cassette and a first wall. The second apparatus includes a second wall. The substrate transfer robot transfers a substrate from each of the first cassette and the second cassette to the second apparatus. The substrate transfer robot includes a hand and an arm. The arm includes a first arm rotatable about a center of rotation. The first cassette is closer to the center of rotation than the second cassette. The arm moves with being partially disposed beyond the second wall in plan view and the arm moves without being disposed beyond the second wall in plan view when taking out the substrate from the first cassette.
US09252034B2
A substrate processing system and substrate transferring method is capable of improving substrate-transferring efficiency by transferring a substrate bi-directionally through a substrate transferring device between two rows of processing chambers, and transferring the substrate to a precise position by rotating the substrate transferring device. The processing system includes a transfer chamber, a bi-directional substrate transferring device; and processing chambers which apply a semiconductor-manufacturing process to the substrate. The processing chambers are linearly arranged along two confronting rows, and the transfer chamber is between the two rows of processing chambers. The substrate transferring device includes a moving unit inside the transfer chamber; a bi-directional substrate transferring unit in the moving unit, that transfers the substrate to the processing chamber through a bi-directional sliding movement; and a rotating unit between the moving unit and the bi-directional substrate transferring unit, that rotates the bi-directional substrate transferring unit at a predetermined angle.
US09252031B2
Provided is a semiconductor package including a lower package, an interposer on the lower package, and an upper package on the interposer. The lower package may include a lower package substrate, a lower semiconductor chip on the lower package substrate, and a lower heat-transfer layer on the lower semiconductor chip. The interposer may include an interposer substrate, first and second heat-transfer openings defined by recessed bottom and top surfaces, respectively, of the interposer substrate, an upper interposer heat-transfer pad disposed in the second heat-transfer opening, and an upper heat-transfer layer disposed on the upper interposer heat-transfer pad. The upper package may include an upper package substrate, an upper package heat-transfer pad, which may be disposed in a third heat-transfer opening defined by a recessed bottom surface of the upper package substrate, and an upper semiconductor chip disposed on the upper package substrate.
US09252029B2
A packaged assembly is disclosed, including thermal interface material dispensed on an organic package and methods of manufacturing. The method includes dispensing a thermal interface material (TIM) on an electronic assembly. The method further includes removing volatile species of the TIM, prior to lid placement on the electronic assembly. The method further includes placing the lid on the TIM, over the electronic assembly. The method further includes pressing the lid onto the electronic assembly.
US09252023B2
An etching method comprises etching an oxide layer with a first dc bias of a plasma chamber, removing a photoresist layer with a second dc bias of the plasma chamber and etching through a liner film with a third dc bias of the plasma chamber. In order to reduce the copper deposition on the wall of the plasma chamber, the third dc bias is set to be less than the first and second dc bias.
US09252020B2
Proposed are a composite material having a high adhesiveness, wherein non-penetrating pores that are formed in a silicone surface layer are filled up with a metal or the like without leaving any voids by using the plating technique and the silicone surface layer is coated with the metal or the like, and a method of producing the composite material. A composite material, which has a high adhesiveness between a second metal or an alloy of the second metal (106a, 106b) and a silicone surface, can be obtained by filling up non-penetrating pores that are formed in the surface of a silicone substrate (100) substantially with a second metal or an alloy of the second metal (106a) with the use of the autocatalytic electroless plating technique wherein a first metal located at the bottom of the non-penetrating pores as described above serves as the starting point, and coating the surface of the silicone substrate (100) with the second metal (106b).
US09252015B2
An ultra-shallow junction semiconductor field-effect transistor and its methods of making are disclosed. In the present disclosure, a mixture film is formed on a semiconductor substrate with a gate structure formed thereon using a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, which employs a mixture of metal and semiconductor dopants as a target. The PVD process is followed by annealing, during which ultra-shallow junctions and ultra-thin metal silicide are formed. After removing the mixture film remaining on the semiconductor substrate, an ultra-shallow junction semiconductor field-effect transistor is formed. Because the mixture film comprises metal and semiconductor dopants, ultra-shallow junctions and ultra-thin metal silicide can be formed in a same annealing process. The ultra-shallow junction thus formed can be used in semiconductor field-effect transistors for the 14 nm, 11 nm, or even further technology node.
US09252013B2
A method of depositing a nanomaterial onto a donor surface comprises applying a composition comprising nanomaterial to a donor surface. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of depositing a nanomaterial onto a substrate. Methods of making a device including nanomaterial are disclosed. An article of manufacture comprising nanomaterial disposed on a backing member is disclosed.
US09252011B2
A method for forming an oxide layer on a substrate is described, wherein a plasma is generated adjacent to at least one surface of the substrate by means of microwaves from a gas containing oxygen, wherein the microwaves are coupled into the gas by a magnetron via at least one microwave rod, which is arranged opposite to the substrate and comprises an outer conductor and an inner conductor. During the formation of the oxide layer, the mean microwave power density is set to P=0.8-10 W/cm2, the plasma duration is set to t=0.1 to 600 s, the pressure is set to p=2.67-266.64 Pa (20 to 2000 mTorr) and a distance between substrate surface and microwave rod is set to d=5-120 mm. The above and potentially further process conditions are matched to each other such that the substrate is held at a temperature below 200° C. and an oxide growth is induced on the surface of the substrate facing the plasma.
US09251998B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes: a radio frequency (RF) power source which applies an RF power to a lower electrode; a direct current (DC) power source which applies a DC voltage to an upper electrode; a ground member for the DC voltage that is a ring shape formed of a conductive material, that is arranged in the processing chamber such that at least a part of the ground member is exposed to the processing space, and that forms a ground potential with respect to the DC voltage applied to the upper electrode; and a plurality of vertical movement mechanisms which move the ground member for the DC voltage in a vertical direction to adjust a grounding state of the ground member for the DC voltage.
US09251993B2
According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube including an electron emission source which emits an electron, an anode target which comprises a target layer emitting an X-ray by the electron from the electron emission source, and a substrate supporting the target layer and composed from a carbide-strengthened molybdenum alloy, an evacuated outer surrounding envelope which contains the electron emission source and the anode target, a diffusion barrier layer which is integrally formed with the substrate by a powder metallurgy method on a part of a top surface of the substrate and is composed of a high-melting-point metal lacking of carbon-element content compared with carbon-element content in the substrate, and a thermal radiation film which is formed on at least a part of a top surface of the diffusion barrier layer and composed of metallic oxide.
US09251992B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a stereo x-ray radiation device that is small and for which handling is simple. One cathode that functions as an emitter and two anodes that function as targets are disposed in a single straight-tube shaped vacuum vessel. The stereo x-ray generating device is characterized by the cathode being a cold cathode disposed in the center part of the vessel, the anodes being disposed each to one end of the vessel, and the spaces between the anodes disposed in the two ends of the vessel and the cathode being constituted such that the same can be moved closer or apart along the axial line of the vessel.
US09251989B2
A method of making a field emitter includes following steps. A carbon nanotube layer is provided, and the carbon nanotube layer includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A carbon nanotube composite layer is formed via electroplating a first metal layer on the first surface and electroplating a second metal layer on the second surface. A first carbon nanotube layer and a second carbon nanotube layer is formed by separating apart the carbon nanotube composite layer, wherein a fracture surface is formed in the carbon nanotube composite layer, a number of first carbon nanotubes in the first carbon nanotube layer are exposed from the fracture surface, and a number of second carbon nanotubes in the second carbon nanotube layer are exposed from the fracture surface.
US09251983B2
A switch for a marine seismic sensor. The switch includes a bellows having a closed end, a side portion and an open end, wherein the side portion connects the closed end to the open end, the closed end includes a conductive surface, and the side portion acts as a spring; a base plug that includes first input and first output contacts on a first side and second input and second output contacts on an opposite side; and a plug located in the open end of the bellows and configured to form a chamber, inside which the second input contact and the second output contact are provided. The conductive surface short-circuits the second input contact and the second output contact when a pressure larger than a predetermined pressure (P) acts on the conductive surface.
US09251968B2
Disclosed is a free-standing hybrid nanomembrane capable of energy storage. The free-standing hybrid nanomembrane includes carbon nanotube sheets and a conducting polymer coated on the carbon nanotube sheets. The carbon nanotube sheets are densified sheets formed by evaporating an alcohol from carbon nanotube aerogel sheets. The conducting polymer is coated on the carbon nanotube sheets by vapor phase polymerization. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating the free-standing hybrid nanomembrane.
US09251960B2
A multipolar feedthrough filter capacitor assembly for an active implantable medical device includes a feedthrough filter capacitor including a first active electrode plate, a second active electrode plate and a plurality of ground electrode plates. The plates are in spaced parallel relation disposed within a monolithic dielectric substrate where the first and second active electrode plates are disposed between the plurality of ground electrode plates. A first conductive terminal pin is disposed through the feedthrough filter capacitor electrically coupled to the first active electrode plate and in non-conductive relation to both the second active electrode plate and ground electrode plate. A second conductive terminal pin may be disposed through the feedthrough filter capacitor electrically coupled to the second active electrode plate and in non-conductive relation to both the first active electrode plate and ground electrode plate.
US09251955B2
A PZT-based ferroelectric thin film is formed by coating a PZT-based ferroelectric thin film-forming composition on a lower electrode of a substrate one or two or more times, pre-baking the composition, and baking the composition to be crystallized, and this thin film includes PZT-based particles having an average particle size in a range of 500 nm to 3000 nm when measured on a surface of the thin film, in which heterogeneous fine particles having an average particle size of 20 nm or less, which are different from the PZT-based particles, are precipitated on a part or all of the grain boundaries on the surface of the thin film.
US09251953B2
A method of manufacturing common mode filter having heterogeneous laminates, the method includes steps of providing a nonmagnetic insulating substrate; forming a magnetic layer; forming a first lead; forming a first insulating layer; forming a first through hole; forming a first coil; forming a second insulating layer; forming a second coil; forming a third insulating layer; forming a second through hole; forming a second lead; forming a fourth insulating layer; and depositing a first magnetic material.
US09251950B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a magnetic element for wireless power transmission, which is capable of feeding power with high power transmission efficiency, while increasing the heat dissipation performance; and a method for manufacturing the magnetic element for wireless power transmission magnetic element for wireless power transmission have configurations that respectively comprise planar coils through which an alternating current passes and magnetic parts which are arranged in parallel in the intervals between the copper wires of the planar coils when viewed in cross section. The magnetic parts comprise an epoxy resin in which iron-based amorphous particles FINEMET® serving as magnetic particles are dispersed, and the magnetic parts are integrated with the planar coils by being bonded to the planar coils in an electrically insulated state by means of the epoxy resin.
US09251946B2
A compact 10 is obtained by compression-molding coated soft magnetic particles covered with insulating coatings, and is a modified frustum body having, as a main body, a frustum portion 113 sandwiched between plate-shaped portions 111 and 112 arranged in opposing relation. A vertical cross-section of the compact 10 is made up of a trapezoidal surface 113s, a long-side rectangular surface 111s joining to a long side of the trapezoidal surface 113s, and a short-side rectangular surface 112s joining to a short side of the trapezoidal surface 113s.
US09251937B2
A method of sterilizing a nanoparticle preparation at a high temperature is provided. A plurality of nanoparticles are purified to form the preparation, wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least a core and a shell and the shell comprises one or more ligand species attached to the core. The nanoparticle preparation is made by a purified nanoparticle composition, a carrier fluid and an excess of the one or more ligand species not attached to the core. The ligand species attached to the core and the excess ligand species added after purification are structurally identical. The nanoparticle preparation provided by the present invention may be used as contrast agents in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.
US09251926B2
A collective conductor includes a plurality of conductive wires that is arranged collectively; and a copper foil that is wound around the collectively-arranged conductive wires and fusion-bonded to the conductive wires, and the copper foil has a tin plating on the side in contact with the conductive wires.
US09251918B2
A semiconductor memory device includes: a bank including a normal area including normal columns, and a redundancy area including redundancy columns and to be replaced with a failure column of the normal area; sense amplifiers connected to the normal area; and a redundancy sense amplifier connected to the redundancy area. A normal replacement unit is formed of normal columns allocated to each of the sense amplifiers. A redundancy replacement unit is formed of redundancy columns allocated to the redundancy sense amplifier. The redundancy replacement unit is smaller than the normal replacement unit.
US09251915B2
A method for testing memory devices under test (DUTs) using automated test equipment (ATE) is presented. The method comprises retrieving a portion of raw test data from a memory device under test (DUT). It also comprises comparing the portion of raw test data with expected test data to determine failure information, wherein the failure information comprises information regarding failing bits generated by the memory DUT. Next, the method comprises utilizing paging to transfer data comprising the failure information to a filtering module and filtering out the failure information from transferred data using the filtering module. Further, it comprises updating a fail list using the failure information, wherein the fail list comprises address information for respective failing bits within the memory DUT. Finally, it comprises repeating all the prior steps for the next block of raw test data.
US09251913B2
A method and system for an infrastructure for performance-based chip-to-chip stacking are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A critical path monitor circuit (infrastructure) is configured to launch a signal from a launch point in a first layer, the first layer being a first circuit. The infrastructure is further configured to create an electrical path to a capture point. The signal is launched from the launch point in the first layer. A performance characteristic of the electrical path is measured, resulting in a measurement, wherein the measurement is indicative of a performance of the first layer when stacked with a second layer in a 3D stack without actually stacking the first and the second layers in the 3D stack, the second layer being a second circuit.
US09251911B2
A shift register circuit includes first-type and second-type shift registers, each comprising a pull-down control circuit, a pull-down circuit, a key pull-down circuit, a 3D-mode pull-up circuit, and a 2D-mode pull-up circuit. The pull-down circuit is connected to the pull-down control circuit. The key pull-down circuit, connected to the pull-down circuit, pulls down a driving signal and a gate control signal. When the 2D-mode pull-up circuit operates, a first-type shift register generates a driving signal for a second-type shift register. When the 3D-mode pull-up circuit operates, a first-type shift register generates another driving signal for another first-type shift register.
US09251910B2
Provided are a semiconductor memory device and an operating method thereof. The semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array having a plurality of strings each including a drain select transistor, a plurality of drain side memory cells, a pipe transistor, a plurality of source side memory cells, and a source select transistor. The semiconductor memory device may also include a peripheral circuit suitable for providing a plurality of operation voltages including an erase verify voltage to the plurality of strings, and a control logic suitable for controlling the peripheral circuit to adjust a voltage level of the erase verify voltage applied to a selected memory cell, from among the plurality of drain side memory cells and the plurality of source side memory cells, according to a distance between the selected memory cell and the pipe transistor when an erase verify operation is performed.
US09251908B2
This disclosure concerns memory kink checking. One embodiment includes selectively applying one of a plurality of voltages to a first data line according to a programming status of a first memory cell, wherein the first memory cell is coupled to the first data line and to a selected access line. An effect on a second data line is determined, due at least in part to the voltage applied to the first data line and a capacitive coupling between at least the first data line and the second data line, wherein the second data line is coupled to a second memory cell, the second memory cell is adjacent to the first memory cell, and the second memory cell is coupled to the selected access line. A kink correction is applied to the second data line, responsive to the determined effect, during a subsequent programming pulse applied to the second memory cell.
US09251905B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate a reference voltage, and a voltage changing circuit configured to generate a second voltage from a first voltage based on a difference between the second voltage and the reference voltage and apply the second voltage to a load capacitance. The reference voltage generation circuit includes a variable current source and a capacitor which are connected in series and is configured to change the reference voltage linearly.
US09251904B2
A nonvolatile memory device may include a memory cell array which is arranged in rows and columns and has multi-level memory cells; a voltage generator providing a plurality of read voltages to a selected row of the memory cell array; and control logic performing a plurality of page read operations using the read voltages. A first read voltage and a second read voltage among the plurality of read voltages are each associated with a higher probability of occurrence of a bit read error than at least one other read voltage among the plurality of read voltages. The control logic uses the first read voltage and the second read voltage in different page read operations than each other.
US09251896B2
In a method for writing into a variable resistance nonvolatile memory device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a verify write operation of newly applying a voltage pulse for changing a resistance state is performed on a variable resistance element which does not satisfy a determination condition for verifying that the resistance state has been changed despite application of a voltage pulse for changing the resistance state, and the determination condition in the verify write operation is relaxed when an average number of times of verify write operation, having already been performed on all or part of a plurality of variable resistance elements that are targets for write operation, exceeds a predetermined number of times.
US09251894B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a device and methods of accessing the device. The device can include a plurality of memory cells, each cell including a plurality of resistive memory components each designed to store data as resistance and an access transistor configured to control access to the plurality of resistive memory components. A wordline is configured to enable access to the set of resistor memory components by enabling the access transistor. A plurality of bitlines are each connected to a respective and different set of resistive memory components from each of the plurality of memory cells. A bitline controller is configured to access the plurality of resistive memory components by applying a first voltage to a first set of the plurality of bitlines and a second voltage to a second set of bitlines.
US09251890B1
A memory device with an age-detect-and-correct (ADAC) circuit that detects skew caused by bias temperature instability fatigue (that is, bias temperature instability stress accumulated over time), and counters skew by selectively adjusting the proportion (measured temporally) of active state operation to idle state operation. Also, a memory burn-in device using a similar ADAC circuit.
US09251888B1
A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell includes a first and a second pull-up transistor, a first and a second pull-down transistor forming cross-latched inverters with the first and the second pull-up transistors, and a first and a second pass-gate transistor. Each of the first and the second pull-up transistors, the first and the second pull-down transistors, and the first and the second pass-gate transistors includes a bottom plate as a first source/drain region, a channel over the bottom plate, and a top plate as a second source/drain region. A first isolated active region is in the SRAM cell and acts as the bottom plate of the first pull-down transistor and the bottom plate of the first pass-gate transistor. A second isolated active region is in the SRAM cell and acts as the bottom plate of the second pull-down transistor and the bottom plate of the second pass-gate transistor.
US09251883B2
Systems and methods are directed to a single-phase non-volatile flip-flop (NVFF), which includes a master stage formed from a dual giant spin Hall effect (GSHE)-magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure, the dual GSHE-MTJ structure comprising a first GSHE-MTJ and a second GSHE-MTJ coupled between a first combined terminal and a second combined terminal, and a slave stage formed from a first inverter coupled to a second inverter. During a single clock cycle of a clock, a first data value is read out from the slave stage when a clock is in a high state and a second data value is written into the master stage, when the clock is in a low state. The first and second inverters are cross coupled in a latch configuration to hold the first data value as an output, when the clock is in the low state.
US09251876B1
A method of retiming a circuit that includes a RAM having data stored therein, a register following the RAM, and registers preceding the RAM for registering input, address and enable signals of the RAM includes pushing a value in the register following the RAM back into a memory location in the RAM, pushing back data stored in the RAM and initial values in the registers preceding the RAM to accommodate the value pushed back from the register following the RAM, and setting new values in the registers preceding the RAM so that, on a first clock cycle after retiming, the circuit assumes a condition before retiming. The method also may be used to configure a programmable logic device with a user logic design.
US09251870B2
A system is provided for transmitting signals. The system comprises a first processing unit, a cache memory, and a package. The first processing unit comprises a first ground-referenced single-ended signaling (GRS) interface circuit and the second processing unit comprises a second GRS interface circuit. The cache memory comprises a third and a fourth GRS interface circuit. The package comprises one or more electrical traces that couple the first GRS interface to the third GRS interface and couple the second GRS interface to the fourth GRS interface, where the first GRS interface circuit, the second GRS interface, the third GRS interface, and the fourth GRS interface circuit are each configured to transmit a pulse along one trace of the one or more electrical traces by discharging a capacitor between the one trace and a ground network.
US09251868B2
An object of the invention is to make effective use of the structure of a multilayered semiconductor device that uses penetration electrodes in such a manner that the layered chips obtain stable internal power supply voltages with no increase in current consumption or in the area of the layered chips. Internal power supply generation circuits furnished in each of the layered core chips have their outputs commonly coupled via electrodes penetrating the layered core chips. This allows electrical charges to be shared among the core chips, optimizes internal power consumption of the multilayered semiconductor device as a whole, and inhibits fluctuations in the internal power supply voltages.
US09251866B2
A semiconductor memory device is provided which includes a function block including a plurality of transistors; a body bias control unit configured to detect a command and to generate a body bias selection signal according to the detection result; and a body bias generator configured to generate a body voltage according to the body bias selection signal and to provide the body voltage to bodies of the plurality of transistors, wherein the body bias generator down-converts a power supply voltage supplied from an external device to generate the body voltage.
US09251859B2
A drive vibration prevention system includes a fan and a drive. The drive includes a vibration detection device and a vibration notification pin. A management engine is coupled to the drive and the fan. The management engine is operable to determine whether the vibration notification pin is being asserted in response to the vibration detection device detecting a vibration that exceeds a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the vibration notification pin is being asserted, the management engine retrieves vibration data from the drive. The management engine then modifies a fan speed of the fan using the vibration data. Drives may be grouped into drive groups that output a single vibration notification signal to the management engine, and in response to the assertion of a vibration notification pin in the drive group, the management engine retrieves vibration data from each of the drives in that drive group.
US09251858B2
A method and apparatus for providing a stackable hard-disk drive (“HDD”) carrier using pull-out drawers and fasteners are disclosed. The carrier, in one embodiment, includes an inner case or drawer and an outer frame casing. The inner cage includes a base plate, a front cover, a first side panel, and a second side panel, wherein the first and second side panels are hinged to the base plate. The inner cage is configured to house a removable HDD. The first and second side panels also include fasteners for securing the HDD to the inner cage. The outer frame casing is configured to receive the inner cage via its two opposite guiding walls. The guiding walls are configured to allow extending the inner cage to a predefined distance from the outer frame casing for accessing the HDD.
US09251856B1
A reader failover system and method are described for a data storage system. At least two reader systems, including a first reader element and a second reader element, situated on the same head, are employed to read a magnetic storage medium. In an aspect, the head is a two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) head. Control circuitry detects when the first reader system provides less than a predetermined performance or fails, and thereafter causes the second reader system, but not the first reader system, to read the magnetic storage medium. In an aspect, a buffer stores a first reader element signal until the control circuitry detects whether or not the first reader element provides less than a predetermined performance or fails. In an aspect, when a reader element fails, data recovery is performed, and all of, or a majority of, the media continues to be readable, improving the data storage system robustness.
US09251855B2
Some embodiments provide a media-editing application. The application includes several image processing destinations for performing operations on video images. The application includes a scheduling engine for scheduling disk read, decode, and graphics processing operations to perform on images to prepare the images for the several destinations. The scheduling engine includes a first set of instructions for scheduling images based on a speed at which a particular one of the several destinations processes the images when none of the destinations require images in real-time. The scheduling engine includes a second set of instructions for scheduling images based on a real-time clock when at least one of the several destinations requires images in real-time.
US09251853B2
A method, medium, and system generating a video abstract with high processing speeds, may include a detecting of an event candidate section from video data, based on audio information, a detecting of shot change information from the detected event candidate section, a detecting of final event sections from the detected event candidate section, based on the detected shot change information and visual information, and a generating of video abstract information by merging the extracted final event sections.
US09251847B2
A tape head system. The tape head system includes: a head for reading from and/or writing to magnetic tape; a support; and at least one leaf spring assembly supporting the head moveably relative to the support so as to allow the head to follow a motion of the tape, the at least one leaf spring assembly including at least one leaf spring and at least one damping element configured for damping a motion of the head relative to the support.
US09251845B2
A storage system includes a storage medium operable to maintain a data set, a read/write head assembly operable to write the data set to the storage medium and to read the data set from the storage medium, a multi-level enumerative encoder operable to encode the data set before it is written to the storage medium as encoded data, wherein the enumerative encoder applies an enumeration using a plurality of level-dependent bases, and a decoder operable to decode the data set after it is read from the storage medium.
US09251841B1
Technology is provided for a disc drive for use in a disc drive module having two or more opposed disc drives. The disc drive comprises a disc drive housing and a disc tray movable in and out of the disc drive housing between an open position and a closed position. A support tab is pivotably coupled to the disc tray and pivotable between an extended position and a stowed position. The support tab is biased toward the extended position and is mateable with an opposing disc drive when the disc tray is in the open position. A bumper is positioned in the disc drive housing to abut the support tab and rotate the support tab toward the stowed position when the disc tray is moved from the open position to the closed position.
US09251830B1
An apparatus comprises a slider of a magnetic recording head having an air bearing surface (ABS), a write pole terminating at or near the ABS, and a near-field transducer (NFT) adjacent the write pole. A light delivery arrangement extends through the slider and terminates at the ABS. The light delivery arrangement is configured to communicate light through the slider and to the NFT. A transparent heat sink layer abuts a terminal end portion of the light delivery arrangement and terminates at the ABS. The heat sink layer has a thermal conductivity greater than that of the light delivery arrangement.
US09251816B2
A magnetic sensor may generally be configured as a data reader capable of sensing data bits from an adjacent data storage medium. Various embodiments of a magnetic element may have at least a magnetic stack that contacts at least a first shield. The first shield can have at least one synthetic antiferromagnetic structure (SAFS) that is pinned by a high-coercivity ferromagnetic (HCFM) layer.
US09251805B2
An object of the present invention is to process the speech of a particular speaker. The present invention provides a technique for collecting speech, analyzing the collected speech to extract the features of the speech, grouping the speech, or text corresponding to the speech, on the basis of the extracted features, presenting the result of the grouping to a user, and when one or more of the groups is selected by the user, enhancing, or reducing or cancelling the speech of a speaker associated with the selected group.
US09251793B2
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device and determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation. The method can further include, in response to determining whether to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data. The method can also include providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation.
US09251792B2
A system and method of verifying the identity of an authorized user in an authorized user group through a voice user interface for enabling secure access to one or more services via a mobile device includes receiving first voice information from a speaker through the voice user interface of the mobile device, calculating a confidence score based on a comparison of the first voice information with a stored voice model associated with the authorized user and specific to the authorized user, interpreting the first voice information as a specific service request, identifying a minimum confidence score for initiating the specific service request, determining whether or not the confidence score exceeds the minimum confidence score, and initiating the specific service request if the confidence score exceeds the minimum confidence score.
US09251789B2
A speech recognition system that recognizes speech data is provided. The speech recognition system includes a speech recognition part that performs speech recognition of the speech data, and calculates a likelihood of the speech data with respect to a registered word that is pre-registered, a reliability judgment part that performs reliability judgment on the speech recognition based on the likelihood, and a judgment reference change processing part that changes a judgment reference for the reliability judgment, according to an utterance speed of the speech data.
US09251784B2
A method and apparatus are provided for training a transformation matrix of a feature vector for an acoustic model. The method includes training the transformation matrix of the feature vector. The transformation matrix maximizes an objective function having a regularization term. The method further includes transforming the feature vector using the transformation matrix of the feature vector, and updating the acoustic model stored in a memory device using the transformed feature vector.
US09251779B2
A noise reduction apparatus includes a noise reduction amount calculator. The noise reduction amount calculator includes a difference calculator that obtains a difference between a level of the noise detected by a first noise detecting microphone and a level of the noise detected by a second noise detecting microphone when control sound is not output, a storage unit that stores the difference, an estimated noise value calculator that estimates a noise level that is to be detected by the second noise detecting microphone when the control sound is output, based on the level of the noise detected by the first noise detecting microphone when the control sound is output and the difference, and a reduction amount calculator that calculates a noise reduction amount on the noise reduction target position, based on the estimated noise value and the level of the noise detected by the second noise detecting microphone when the control sound is output.
US09251770B1
A multi-staged cam assembly comprises a connecting element 1 secured to a tip of a stamping pedal 2; a cam 10 of which a front end is secured to the other end of the element 1, wherein the element 1 is guided along an outer periphery of the cam 10; a drive shaft 6 to which a drum beating rod 5 is fixed; and a revolving body 3 comprising a boss 14 and a space keeping plate 16, wherein a hole 7 for the drive shaft 6 is formed in the boss 14. An elongated hole 17 is formed in the middle of the plate 16. A bolt 22 is inserted in the hole 17 and screwed in a screw hole 21 in the front face of the cam 10, such the cam 10 is fixed at a desired position. A length from the center of the hole 7 of the boss 14 to the back end of the cam 10 is varied in a multi-staged way according to the fixed position of the bolt 22 in the hole 17.
US09251733B2
A display panel including: a panel section including a display region where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a gap region provided in a gap between the pixels; and a barrier section including a plurality of transmissive regions in a two-dimensional arrangement, and a light-blocking region to be around each of the transmissive regions. The transmissive regions are each configured to make entirely visible any one of the pixels therethrough when a viewer views the panel section not from a front but from a first or second direction via the barrier section, the pixels are each configured by a plurality of sub-pixels varying in type, and the sub-pixels in each of the pixels are arranged not in stripes but differently.
US09251732B2
A method of dithering of an image is described. The method includes analyzing each of a plurality of pixels of the image, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels exhibits integer value N-bit color depth and determining a particular index value of each pixel of the image, a particular numerical value associated with a particular color component of each pixel of the image, and a particular threshold value associated with the particular color component of each pixel of the image. The particular threshold value is common between pixels of the image separated by a predetermined number of pixels. The method further includes modifying, based on the determining, each of the plurality of pixels of the image to exhibit integer value M-bit color depth, wherein integer value M is less than integer value N.
US09251728B2
In a method of driving a display panel, a first data voltage having a first potential difference with respect to a reference voltage is outputted to pixel units of the display panel during a first frame which the data voltage has a same polarity with respect to the reference voltage as a data voltage of a following frame, and a second data voltage having a second potential difference less than the first potential difference is output to pixel units of the display panel during a second frame in which the data voltage has a polarity with respect to the reference voltage that is reversed with respect to a data voltage of a following frame.
US09251724B2
A beverage identification tile is provided that includes a sheet of material and a plurality of beverage type identifiers. The sheet of material has a first face and a second face which have a polygonal shape defined by a plurality of edges. A different beverage type identifier of the plurality of beverage type identifiers is printed along each edge of the plurality of edges of the first face and of the second face. A shelf labeling system includes a shelf, a plurality of slots, and the beverage identification tile. The shelf includes a front wall, a back wall, and a base mounted between the front wall and the back wall. The sheet of material is sized to slide into a slot of the plurality of slots formed in the front wall along an edge of the front wall with a beverage type identifier visible above the edge.
US09251722B2
There is provided a map information display device including an operating tool detector for, on a display panel where map information MI and view image information VI are displayed, detecting a position and a pointing direction of an operating tool M in touch with an area corresponding to the map information; and a display controller for controlling display of the view image information in accordance with a view point on the map information indicated by the position of the operating tool and a line-of-sight direction on the map information indicated by the pointing direction of the operating tool.
US09251717B2
A method and device for providing a language system. The method includes displaying a home screen including a first plurality of user selectable communication keys, wherein each communication key represents a first word. In response to receiving a first indication of a user selection of a first key, it is determined whether the first key is linked to a secondary screen. If the first key is not linked to a secondary screen, an audible signal representing the first word is output. Otherwise, a secondary screen is displayed including a second plurality of communication keys that are related to the first word and a communication key that represents the first word. The device includes appropriate hardware for performing the method. In both the method and device, the language system is configured to output an audible output of a user selected word after no more than two user selections.
US09251710B2
Computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer readable mediums for solving large systems of linear equations, such as for aircraft traffic control and analysis, are disclosed. A method for aircraft traffic control, includes receiving as input, airspace sector information and aircraft traffic information, configuring a homogeneous system of linear inequalities comprising a plurality of linear inequalities based upon the airspace sector information and the aircraft traffic information, and resolving the homogeneous linear system to determine a second airspace sector information and a second aircraft traffic information, wherein the second airspace sector information and the second aircraft traffic information are based upon a predetermined future point of time, and wherein the resolving includes at least one of reducing a maximum infeasibility of the homogeneous linear system and reducing a sum infeasibility of the homogeneous linear system.
US09251707B2
The present invention is a highly accurate detector system for detecting and responding to wrong-way driving incidents. An optimum configuration and combination of sensors gather data corresponding to predetermined vehicle movement test parameters; a set number of parameter deviations from pre-determined thresholds will initiate various sensor signals. The sensor signals may be transmitted to the computer processor, which may in turn produce a range of system outputs. In various embodiments, system outputs may include but are not limited to outputs activating other system components, outputs initiating data storage and analysis, and outputs interfacing and communicating with other systems.
US09251698B2
A method and apparatus for managing a location. Soil sensor units are deployed in the location in a forest from a group of aerial vehicles. Information is generated about a number of soil conditions in the location in the forest using the soil sensor units in the location. The information is transmitted from the soil sensor units to a remote location for analysis.
US09251693B2
A method of providing an alert that a portable electronic device has been left at a vehicle. The method comprises determining that an occupant has exited the vehicle. The method further comprises detecting that a portable electronic device is located at the vehicle. When it has been determined that the occupant has left the vehicle and that the electronic device has been left behind, the method still further comprises generating an alert to notify the occupant that the electronic device has been left at the vehicle. A system for performing or utilizing the above-described methodology is also provided.
US09251692B2
A GPS directed intrusion system with data acquisition is provided. Some methods can include detecting a threat event associated with a monitored facility, collecting data relevant to the threat event, and transmitting the data relevant to the threat event to a mobile device of an authority figure dispatched to the monitored facility. Some methods can also include placing a surveillance device associated with the monitored facility in a tracking mode, tracking motion captured by the surveillance device, and transmitting data representative of the motion to a mobile device of an authority figure dispatched to the monitored facility.
US09251686B1
A system and method for facilitating personal safety tracking via an apparatus with multiple sensors are disclosed. The sensors may include a water sensor, an accelerometer, a water pressure sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and/or any other sensors. The apparatus may be configured to generate various alerts in response to signals generated by the sensors. For example, the apparatus may generate a drowning alert when a submersion signal is generated and a drowning acceleration signature is detected in the same period. As another example, an abduction alert may be generated when an abduction acceleration signature and an out-of-boundary situation is detected for the apparatus. The alerts generated by the apparatus may be transmitted to a server or a client device associated with the apparatus for further processing, which may include generating a notification for presentation on the client device in response to an alert being received from the apparatus.
US09251683B2
A multi-sensor fire detector includes first and second flame sensors which are coupled to an external environment by a rigid, tapered, optical coupling element. An external end of the coupling element has a cured hemispherical shape with a viewing angle approaching one hundred eighty degrees. Processing and control circuits coupled to the sensors make a determination as to the presence of a fire condition.
US09251674B2
A human machine interface includes a display screen coupled to a processing device. The display screen is disposed on a case and displays an image frame. In the processing unit, a comparing module compares a first trigger signal stored in a storage unit with a monitored signal transmitted from a signal source. A notification signal is generated when the first trigger signal is detected appearing in the monitored signal. A control module receives the notification signal and generates a first alert signal to display in the image frame or on the case.
US09251668B2
A method is provided for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device, the method including the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conduct a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game, the portal game having a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game.
US09251663B1
A system and method for selling pre-printed instant-winner lottery tickets by use of a central computer communicating with widely-distributed enclosed vending machines and other terminals. Tickets used in the system either have no play data marked on them, or all of the data is in encrypted machine-readable form on the ticket. Deferred disclosure of win/loss results is provided at the ticket buyer's option. Internet tickets including gift tickets are created by using them to defer reporting game results until later inquiry by the recipient. The win/loss results can be retrieved remotely by the use of laptops, PCs and other mobile devices, at a time after sale. A two-ticket game is provided, preferably presenting poker hands on each of a pair of tickets for comparison with one another. Preferably, each ticket provides a traditional instant-winner game with a chance for an added instant-winner progressive jackpot prize.
US09251662B2
In a method of pari-mutuel wagering, one or more primary bettors place wagers having an applicable base take-out rate, and thus yielding a base pari-mutuel payout for winning wagers. One or more secondary bettors may place wagers having an applicable modified take-out rate (preferably lower than the base take-out rate), thus yielding a higher payout for winning wagers than the base payout. In one embodiment, primary bettors may place wagers through a host, such as a track. Secondary bettors may place wagers through a non-host distributor, such as an off-track betting location (OTB). Secondary bettors may apply take-out points to lower the base take-out rate to a new modified take-out rate which is applicable to their wager.
US09251657B2
Systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention include: a gambling game; an entertainment game; and a game world engine constructed to communicate, to the real world engine, gameplay gambling event occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of the entertainment game that triggers a wager in the gambling game, the game world engine utilizing a skill calibration module constructed to receive, from the entertainment software engine, player performance information for the player, analyze the player performance information to determine the player's skill level in playing the entertainment game, determine whether the terms of the wager of the gambling game are calibrated in a manner appropriate to the player's skill level in the entertainment game, and send, to the real world engine, a command that causes the real world engine to calibrate the terms of the wager in the gambling game.
US09251650B2
Disclosed is a computer-implemented method of (and system for) operating instances of a game having a plurality of game positions that can be occupied by players, such as a poker-type game. The method comprises assigning a player a plurality of weights relating to game positions, where each weight indicates a bias towards placement of the player at a game position. When a player has played in a first game at a given position, the weights are updated to indicate an altered bias towards placement at each position. The player is then assigned to a second game based on the updated weights.
US09251644B2
Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases such as long shot bias and favorite bias. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases relating to the Monty Hall paradox. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may include wagering on hands of cards, e.g., poker wagering games.
US09251643B2
A method comprising displaying a display area adapted to display a multimedia element, displaying a progression bar adapted to represent at least a portion of a duration of the multimedia element, and providing an indicator associated with the progression bar, the indicator being displayable at a timely position along the at least a portion of a duration of the multimedia element and is further adapted to timely enable an action when the multimedia element is played, the display bar includes a movable play position indicator and wherein the action is enabled on a basis of a proximity between the indicator and the play position indicator, the action encompassing timely displaying an image.
US09251638B2
A bracket supporting apparatus includes a side plate, two fixing brackets, a first mounting bracket defining a first through hole, and a second mounting bracket defining a second through hole. Each of the two fixing brackets includes a connection portion defining a fixing hole. Two supporting portions extend from two sides of the connection portion. A mounting portion extends from one side of each of the two supporting portions. The two supporting portions of each of the two fixing brackets are substantially parallel to the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket. The mounting portions are fixed to the side plate. A first fastener passes through each of the first through holes, the second through holes, and the fixing holes to fix the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket to each of the two fixing brackets.
US09251624B2
The device includes a unit obtaining an object's point cloud position data, a unit obtaining the object's image data, a unit in which co-relationship between point cloud position data obtained in the point cloud position data obtaining unit through a primary viewpoint or image data obtained in the image data obtaining unit through the primary viewpoint and image data obtained in the image data obtaining unit through a secondary (different from the primary) viewpoint are identified, a unit forming a three-dimensional model by the data obtained in the point cloud position data obtaining unit, and a unit controlling displaying of the model formed in the model forming unit on a displaying device. The model forming unit forms a three-dimensional model having direction seen from the secondary viewpoint, depending on the co-relationship identified in the co-relationship identifying unit. Operators see the model seen from the secondary viewpoint as an image.
US09251619B2
An image processing device, including an analyzer calculating cutting data and difference data from image data, a selector receiving data from a working node, the data including cutting data, cost data, and position data, an assembler receiving data from working nodes and from a predecessor node and calculating updated node data as a function of the cost data, a driver configured to call the analyzer with image data of an input image, call the selector with an input node and with the cutting data calculated by the analyzer, call the assembler with the successor nodes determined by the selector as working nodes and with the input node as a predecessor node, and repeatedly call the selector and the assembler using one of the updated nodes as a working node for the selector, until a condition relating to the cutting data and the position data of an updated node is satisfied.
US09251618B2
The movement of skin on an animated target, such as a character or other object, is simulated via a simulation software application. The software application creates a finite element model (FEM) comprising a plurality of finite elements based on an animated target. The software application attaches a first constraint force to a node associated with a first finite element in the plurality of finite elements. The software application attaches a second constraint force to the node. The software application detects a movement of the first finite element that results in a corresponding movement of the node. The software application determines a new position for the node based on the movement of at least one of the first finite element, the first constraint force, and the second constraint force.
US09251616B2
A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.
US09251604B2
A method of generating a tomography image includes performing a depth scan on one spot on a surface of a subject using modulated light received from a spatial light modulator, obtaining depth scan data for each of a plurality of patterns of the spatial light modulator by repeating the depth scan on the spot for each of the plurality of patterns, forming a matrix R representing a vector space based on a correlation of signal values of the depth scan data for each of the plurality of patterns, performing a matrix decomposition on the matrix R, dividing the vector space into a noise subspace and a signal subspace based on a matrix obtained by the matrix decomposition, constructing a vector space based on either one or both of components of the signal subspace and components of the noise subspace, and generating a tomography image based on the reconstructed vector space.
US09251599B2
A tracking assistance device includes: a target-to-be-tracked setting unit that causes captured images stored in a recorder to be displayed on a monitor and, in response to an input operation performed by a monitoring person to designate a moving object to be tracked, sets the designated moving object as a target to be tracked; a candidates selection unit that selects, as a candidate(s), a moving object(s) highly relevant with the moving object set as the target to be tracked; a candidate image presenting unit that extracts, as a candidate image(s), a captured image(s) in which the candidate moving object(s) is(are) included, and causes the monitor to display the candidate image(s) is(are) such that the monitoring person selects an appropriate candidate image; and a tracing information correction unit that changes the target to be tracked to the moving object associated with the selected candidate image and corrects the tracing information accordingly.
US09251594B2
Cropping boundary simplicity techniques are described. In one or more implementations, multiple candidate croppings of a scene are generated. For each of the candidate croppings, a score is calculated that is indicative of a boundary simplicity for the candidate cropping. To calculate the boundary simplicity, complexity of the scene along a boundary of a respective candidate cropping is measured. The complexity is measured, for instance, using an average gradient, an image edge map, or entropy along the boundary. Values indicative of the complexity may be derived from the measuring. The candidate croppings may then be ranked according to those values. Based on the scores calculated to indicate the boundary simplicity, one or more of the candidate croppings may be chosen e.g., to present the chosen croppings to a user for selection.
US09251590B2
Camera pose estimation for 3D reconstruction is described, for example, to enable position and orientation of a depth camera moving in an environment to be tracked for robotics, gaming and other applications. In various embodiments, depth observations from the mobile depth camera are aligned with surfaces of a 3D model of the environment in order to find an updated position and orientation of the mobile depth camera which facilitates the alignment. For example, the mobile depth camera is moved through the environment in order to build a 3D reconstruction of surfaces in the environment which may be stored as the 3D model. In examples, an initial estimate of the pose of the mobile depth camera is obtained and then updated by using a parallelized optimization process in real time.
US09251589B2
A depth measurement apparatus calculates depth information on a subject in an image by using a plurality of images having different blurs taken under different imaging parameters, and includes a region segmentation unit that segments at least one of the images into regions based on an image feature amount, wherein in each of the regions pixels are presumed to be substantially equal in depth to the subject, and a depth calculation unit that calculates a depth for each region resulting from the segmentation by the region segmentation unit and serving as a processing target region for depth calculation, and sets the calculated depth as the depth of the processing target region.
US09251579B2
A computing device reads an entire image of an object. The entire image is spliced by a plurality of part images. A user selects an area on the entire image. The computing device determines a first number of first pixel points between a center point of the selected area and a center point of each covered image. The converted images are part images that the selected area covers. The coordinate values of the center point of the selected area are calculated according to the first number of pixel points and a size of each pixel point of the entire image. The computing device calculates coordinate values of each point of a selected area according to the size of each pixel point and the coordinate values of the center point of the selected area.
US09251569B2
Systems and methods herein provide for reduced computations in image processing and a more efficient way of computing distances between patches in patch-based image denoising. One method is operable within a processing system to remove noise from a digital image by generating a plurality of lookup tables of pixel values based on a plurality of comparisons of the digital image to offsets of the digital image, generating integral images from the lookup tables, and computing distances between patches of pixels in the digital image from the integral images. The method also includes computing weights for the patches of pixels in the digital image based on the computed distances and applying the weights to pixels in the digital image on a patch-by-patch basis to restore values of the pixels.
US09251568B1
In a document image enhancement method, text character strokes are enhanced in a way such that areas closer to the center (skeleton) of each stroke are enhanced (e.g. made darker) by greater amounts than areas farther away from the center. Each text or line region of the input image is first binarized to generate a binary image containing connected components corresponding to character strokes and lines. Multiple levels of pseudo-skeletons are computed for each connected component, for example by using successive thinning. Multiple pseudo-skeleton difference areas, i.e. differences between successive levels of pseudo-skeletons, are generated. Pixels located in different pseudo-skeleton difference areas are enhanced by different amounts, by applying different inverse-degradation functions. Graphical regions of the input image may be treated with edge enhancement.
US09251564B2
A method for processing a stereoscopic image that includes a first image and a second image that has at least one first black band. To reduce the display errors linked to black bands, the method estimating at least one first parameter representative of the at least one first black band generating a third image from the stereoscopic image by disparity compensated interpolation. The third image includes at least one second black band, with at least one second parameter representative of the at least one black band being a function of at least one first parameter. The invention also relates to a corresponding stereoscopic image processing module and a display device including the processing module.
US09251560B2
In order to provide a medical image diagnosis apparatus and a phase determination method using a medical image diagnosis apparatus that can determine an appropriate movement phase when obtaining a tomographic image corresponding to a specific movement phase, there are provided a storage unit that stores material distribution information, which is acquired from an object including a target organ that moves periodically, and movement information, which is measured together with the material distribution information, an image reconstruction unit that reconstructs a plurality of tomographic images of different movement phases using the material distribution information and the movement information, a superimposed image creation unit that creates a superimposed image by superimposing the plurality of tomographic images, a specific position calculation unit that calculates a specific position of the target organ based on the superimposed image, and a specific phase determination unit that determines a specific phase of the target organ based on the specific position.
US09251559B2
A camera device is provided with: an imaging unit for generating an area image obtained by shooting an area from above; and a display image generation unit for generating a display image of a target moving in the area using a clip image which is clipped from the area image. In this case, a rotation angle of a current frame is calculated on the basis of the rotation angle of the previous frame and a reference angle of the current frame. As a result, a rapid change in an orientation of the target displayed in the display image can be suppressed.
US09251552B2
An apparatus may include a memory and graphics logic operative to render a set of one or more data frames for storage in the memory using a received set of data of a digital medium, and output one or more control signals at a first interval. The apparatus may also include a display engine operative to receive the one or more control signals from the graphics logic, retrieve the set of one or more data frames from the memory, and send the one or more data frames to a display device for visual presentation. The one or more data frames may be sent periodically in succession at a second interval corresponding to a native frame rate of the digital medium.
US09251546B2
A system installed with a vehicle for evaluating operation of the vehicle with respect to environmental factors includes: (a) operational sensors for sensing data relating to operational factors of the environmental factors; (b) an operational information store coupled with selected sensors for storing operational data received from the selected sensors relating to the operational factors; (c) an operational standards store for storing operational standards associated with operating the vehicle; (d) an operational standard compliance evaluation unit coupled with the information store and coupled with the standards store for effecting comparison of the operational data with the operational standards to ascertain an operational comparison result, and determining whether the vehicle complies with the standards based upon the comparison result; and (e) an operational report and store unit coupled with the compliance evaluation unit for receiving the operational determination and generating at least one report relating to the operational determination.
US09251545B2
An arbitrator receives a request to use a plurality of content in an aggregation. The arbitrator determines whether there exist proper rights to use the plurality of content in the aggregation. The requestor is communicated whether permission is granted. The determination may include negotiating for extending right of use by an arbitrator. This negotiation may communicate with content hosting service(s) or the content author(s). The determining step retrieves, stores, and maintains rights information to and from an information store which is accessible by the rights management system.
US09251543B2
Methods, Apparatus and Program Products for predicting resource usage data, weather data and econometric data, such as: demands on resources such as electrical power, water supply, communications infrastructure; temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and degree days; and commodity price, gross domestic product, and a price index.
US09251542B2
A waferstart process for integrated circuit fabrication includes entering order information from requested wafers into a computer through a data input interface of the computer. A container is provided including supplied wafers and having a machine-readable medium associated therewith. The machine-readable medium is encoded with wafer data pertaining to the supplied wafers. The wafer data is entered from the machine-readable medium associated with the container into the computer. The order information and the wafer data are compared within the computer to create a verified data set in the computer upon the computer determining that the supplied wafers in the container correspond to the requested wafers in the order information. The verified data set is stored in a storage medium within the computer. The supplied wafers are transferred from the container to a front opening unified pod after creating the verified data set.
US09251541B2
Data filters, models, and/or profiles for identifying and/or predicting the never-pay population (for example, those customers that make a request for credit and obtain the credit instrument but over the life of the account, never make a payment) can be useful to various commercial entities, such as those issuing mortgages, home equity lines of credit, consumer or business lines of credit, automobile loans, credit card accounts, or those entities providing services, such as utility services, phone services, and the like.
US09251538B1
A computer-implemented method for automatically populating fields of a webpage. The method includes transmitting data from a browser add-on installed in a second webpage to a code segment inserted in a first webpage, where the code segment is configured to populate one or more fields included in the first webpage with received data, where the browser add-on is not installed in the first webpage, and where the first webpage is displayed on a display device in a web browser application executing on a computer system; and executing the code segment to populate the fields included in the first webpage with the received data.
US09251537B2
A first computer identifies electronic commerce activity related to a first user. The first computer retrieves a first data, wherein the first data is coupled to the electronic commerce activity. The first computer analyzes the first data and generates a second data. The first computer generates an electronic commerce display for a social network platform using the second data, wherein the electronic commerce display includes at least one timeline of the electronic commerce activity of the first user.
US09251534B2
Inspection of over the top (OTT) content to facilitate offering non-OTT content or other content and/or services as an alternative to the OTT content is contemplated. The OTT content may be inspected at an access point configured to provide a broadband or other connection between a device consuming the OTT content and a device sourcing the content. Data packets or other signaling may be added to the OTT content at the access point in order to announce the offer.
US09251532B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for extracting the content of a video, image, and/or audio file or podcast, analyzing the content, and then providing a targeted advertisement, search capability and/or other functionality based on the content of the file or podcast.
US09251528B1
A computer converts a first quantity of loyalty program points of a loyalty program possessed by a member held in a first account to a second quantity of different loyalty program points possessed by the member held in a second account in accordance with a fixed ratio. The loyalty program points and the different loyalty program points are non-fungible, non-negotiable units of exchange. A mutual agreement exists between program operators to permit the conversion. Responsive to the converting: the first quantity of loyalty program points is subtracted from the first account; the second quantity of different loyalty program points is added to the second account; and the entity compensates the commerce partner in accordance with mutual agreement.
US09251526B2
A server apparatus according to the invention obtains, from a terminal apparatus, scroll operation information conducted on a display area of the terminal apparatus, and obtains content identification information for identifying the content displayed at the display area, and calculates the user's degree of interest in the content identified by the obtained content identification information.
US09251515B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for preventing and detecting fraud in the secondary gift card market are disclosed herein. An example system can identify an event associated with a prepaid gift account associated with a secondary market for reselling prepaid gift accounts, the prepaid gift account having a verified initial balance established prior to the event. Based on the event, the system can perform a reverification of the verified initial balance of the prepaid gift account to yield an updated balance. If the verification indicates that the updated balance is different from the verified initial balance, the system can perform a corrective action. The event can be receiving the prepaid gift account, listing the prepaid gift account for sale, transferring the prepaid gift account between parties, converting the prepaid gift account to a different form, an elevated fraud risk, a user request, a regular balance checking interval, or random selection.
US09251514B2
Systems and methods of identifying biometric information as trusted and authenticating persons using trusted biometric information are provided. Biometric information can be identified as trusted by comparing it to other biometric information and/or based on the age of the biometric information and/or receiving correct answers to questions based on personal information. Once biometric information has been identified as trusted it can be used as part of an authentication process by receiving biometric information from a person to be authenticated and comparing the received biometric information with the trusted biometric information.
US09251508B2
Systems, methods, and devices for intelligent message processing are presented. With regard to a message, an intelligent message processor component (IMPC) can intelligently identify a desired file folder and archive the message in the folder in response to as little as one user interface (UI) control manipulation (e.g., click), when the intelligent message processor UI (IMPUI) is activated. When the IMPUI is activated, the IMPC automatically parses the message and identifies, or allows the user to identify, a keyword/phrase in the message. The IMPC automatically identifies the desired folder based on the identified keyword/phrase, and the user can click on the identified keyword/phrase to store the message in the identified file folder. The IMPUI also can comprise other UI controls that can, e.g., forward a message to another user, archive the message or related attachment in a remote storage destination, perform a customized message process, etc.
US09251507B2
A method, system and computer program product for supporting email message size reduction. Example operations may include identifying a first email recipient that is to receive a full version of an email message (full email message), identifying a second email recipient representing a new class of email recipient that is to receive a summary version of the email message (summary email message), and performing an action to facilitate the full email message being sent to the first email recipient and the summary email message being automatically generated from the full email message and sent to the second email recipient. The foregoing operations may be performed in one way by an email client and in another way by an email server. The email client and the email server may share responsibility for reducing email message size. Alternatively, the email client (or another implementing entity) may act alone.
US09251506B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide a scenario desktop for recording a current event scenario and a content desktop for presenting information about a previously recorded event scenario. When a first event scenario is detected on the mobile device, the scenario desktop is presented on the mobile device. The scenario desktop exists in parallel with a default primary desktop of the mobile device. An information bundle is created for the first event scenario, including one or more documents accessed through the scenario desktop during the first event scenario. Access to the one or more documents is automatically provided on the mobile device during a second event scenario related to the first event scenario. The access is provided through the content desktop existing in parallel with the primary desktop and the scenario desktop.
US09251494B2
A system and method for a warehouse management system for tracking devices with customer private information. The system includes one or more testing devices for testing devices to determine whether the customer personal information is present. The system further includes a receiving system operable to receive devices for entry as inventory. The shipping system prevents the devices from being entered as inventory in response to the testing device determine CPI is present on one or more of the devices. The system further includes a shipping system operable to prevent the one or more devices from being shipped to a recipient in response to determining the CPI is present on the one or more devices.
US09251484B2
A task effort estimator may determine a probability distribution of an estimated effort needed to complete unfinished tasks in a project based on one or more of a set of completed tasks belonging to a project and attributes associated with the completed tasks belonging to the project, a set of completed tasks not belonging to the project and attributes associated with the completed tasks not belonging to the project, or the combination of both. A project completion predictor may determine a probability distribution of completion time for the project based on the probability distribution of an estimated effort needed to complete the unfinished tasks in the project, and one or more resource and scheduling constraints associated with the project.
US09251483B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for optimizing applications, such as applications included in a business process. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving information representative of one or more interfaces and aspects of each of the interfaces. The interfaces may be adjustable by a business process supervisor. The business process supervisor may adjust one or more aspects of the one or more interfaces. The results of the adjustment may be received and used to determine optimum settings to the one or more interfaces. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US09251479B2
A method is provided that enables dispatchers in power grid control centers to manage changes by applying multi-interval dispatch. A multi-stage resource scheduling engine and a comprehensive operating plan are used. Multiple system parameter scenarios are coordinated.
US09251477B2
A system and method for providing reservation capabilities to a reservation or property management system via a plurality of Internet web sites. Each booking party is directed to a web site containing common content and content specific to the type of booking party, such as a travel agent, wholesaler, or traveler. The system ensures the complete and accurate collection of data regarding a customer and the customer's reservation request through the use of distributed software components and association with customer profiles. Each booking party may create or modify customer profile information to be associated with reservations. The product or service provider may establish and maintain its own set of commission rates, fee amounts and discount values for each type of booking party, thereby allowing the provider to control accuracy and completeness of reservations, as well as revenue flow to the booking parties.
US09251472B1
A computerized method and system for monitoring a building, including: accepting data regarding building operation data, generating a statistical model based on the data, comparing current building performance to the statistical model, determining whether the current building performance is normal or abnormal, and displaying information indicating abnormal and/or normal operating conditions.
US09251463B2
Activity templates are generated from one or more existing smart environments (e.g., source spaces) based on sensor data from the one or more existing smart environments that corresponds to known activities. A target activity template is then generated for a new smart environment, e.g., the target space. The source space activity templates are then mapped to the target activity templates to enable recognition of activities based on sensor data received from the target space.
US09251462B2
An emotion script generating apparatus, comprising means to receive emotion data, in which the emotion data is obtained according to measurable physiological parameters reflective of a user's emotions; and means to generate emotion script using the emotion data based on a predefined template. An emotion script experiencing apparatus, comprising means to receive emotion script, wherein the emotion script is generated using emotion data and is based on a predefined template, the emotion data capable of being obtained according to measurable physiological parameters reflective of a user's emotions; and means to affect a user by using emotion data extracted from the emotion script, so as to cause the user to experience the emotion script.
US09251450B2
An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether a print job received from outside is a normal print job or an authentication print job, and a control unit. When the determination unit determines that the received print job is the authentication print job, the control unit executes authentication print processing based on the received authentication print job. When the determination unit determines that the received print job is the normal print job, the control unit executes authentication print processing based on the received normal print job instead of executing normal print processing.
US09251440B2
Disclosed is a hardware NFA cell array used to find matches to regular expressions or other rules in an input symbol stream. The cell array scans multiple symbols per clock cycle by comparing multiple symbol classes against multiple input symbols per cycle in parallel, signaling bundles of multiple transitions from parent cells to child cells and updating NFA state status by multiple steps. To retain high frequency operation, the cell array will not resolve transition chains from a first cell to a second cell to a third cell in a single cycle. When a chain is required, the cell array takes fewer steps in one cycle to break the chain into separate cycles. To detect multi-transition chains, each cell compares symbol classes to future symbols in advance and back-communicates future match positions to parent cells in the array as launch hazards.
US09251437B2
A system and method for generating training images. An existing training image is associated with a classification. The system includes an image processing module that performs color-space deformation on each pixel of the existing training image and then associates the classification to the color-space deformed training image. The technique may be applied to increase the size of a training set for training a neural network.
US09251420B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for mapping of plants. Homogenous and heterogeneous flora areas called clusters are identified in remote sensing images and routes to the plant clusters are generated. The plants are classified using morphological data from foliar images of plants present in the clusters.
US09251418B2
A camera (10) produces a sequence of images (12) processed by a point of interest search algorithm (14) that is parameterizable with a detection threshold (τ) such that the number (N) of points of interest detected in the image varies as a function of the threshold level. The characteristic giving the number (N) of detected points of interest as a function of the threshold (τ) is modelled by a square root decreasing exponential function, which is dynamically parameterizable with values linked to the image to be analyzed. The method comprises the steps of: a) determining (18) values of parameterization of the decreasing exponential function for the current image; b) predicting (18), for this current image, an optimum value of the threshold by using the modelled characteristic, parameterized with the values determined at step a); and c) applying (14), for at least one later image, the point of interest search algorithm with the optimum threshold value (τ) computed at step b).
US09251414B2
This disclosure describes techniques for creating and manipulating software notes representative of physical notes. For example, techniques are described for recognizing physical notes present within a physical environment, capturing information therefrom and creating corresponding digital representations of the physical notes, referred to herein as digital notes or software-based notes. At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature system and methods for note recognition using color classification. The system receives a visual representation of a scene having one or more notes, where each note has a color. The system generates indicators indicative of color classes of pixels in the visual representation. The system further determines a general boundary of one of the notes based on the indicators.
US09251408B2
A gesture recognition module for recognizing a gesture of a user, includes a detecting unit, including at least one image capture device, for capturing at least one image of a hand of the user, to obtain a first position and a second position of the hand sequentially; a computing unit, electrically coupled to the detecting unit, for determining a first angle between a first virtual straight line connected between a fixed reference point and the first position and a reference plane passing through the fixed reference point, and determining a second angle between a second virtual straight line connected between the fixed reference point and the second position and the reference plane; and a determining unit, electrically coupled to the computing unit, for determining a relation between the first angle and the second angle, to decide whether a gesture of the hand is a back-and-forth gesture.
US09251405B2
A system for enhancing a facial expression includes a processing circuit is configured to receive video of a user, generate facial data corresponding to a face of the user, analyze the facial data to identify a facial expression, enhance the facial data based on the facial expression, and output modified video including the enhanced facial data.
US09251402B2
Some implementations provide techniques and arrangements to address intrapersonal variations encountered during facial recognition. For example, some implementations employ an identity data set having a plurality of images representing different intrapersonal settings. A predictive model may associate one or more input images with one or more images in the identity data set. Some implementations may use an appearance-prediction approach to compare two images by predicting an appearance of at least one of the images under an intrapersonal setting of the other image. Further, some implementations may utilize a likelihood-prediction approach for comparing images that generates a classifier for an input image based on an association of an input image with the identity data set.
US09251400B2
A learning apparatus comprises a plurality of detection units configured to detect a part or whole of a target object in an image and output a plurality of detection results; an estimation unit configured to estimate a state of the target object based on at least one of the plurality of detection results; a classification unit configured to classify the image into a plurality of groups based on the state of the target object; and a weight calculation unit configured to calculate weight information on each of the plurality of detection units for each of the groups based on the detection results.
US09251393B2
Tube holders for use in a lab environment include an optical device to allow the observation of barcode information on a sample tube. The optical device can include a lens or camera. Tube holders can also include reflective surfaces or mechanical mechanisms to allow the tube to be rotated such that reading a barcode does not require a strict initial orientation of the tube when placed in the tube holder. Arrays of tubes can include optical guides to allow barcodes to be read by an external imaging device.
US09251390B2
An item identification device antenna which provides better field coverage for reading item identification tags. The item identification device antenna includes a first portion coupled to a tag reader for reading a tag on an item, wherein the first portion is for radiating an electromagnetic field at a predetermined frequency, and a second portion in the electromagnetic field for resonating at the predetermined frequency to radiate another electromagnetic field for reading the tag. The tags may include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
US09251389B2
A communication terminal includes a first communication unit which has a power supply function by electromagnetic induction and writes or reads information in an active or passive mode, and a second communication unit having a communication capability higher than that of the first communication unit. A mode in which the first communication unit is functioning, the active mode or the passive mode, is determined. Communication via the second communication unit is controlled based on the determination result.
US09251381B1
A solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory card or drive, includes a main memory area that is accessible via standard memory access commands (such as ATA commands), and a restricted memory area that is accessible only via one or more non-standard commands. The restricted memory area stores information used to control access to, and/or use of, information stored in the main memory area. As one example, the restricted area may store one or more identifiers, such as a unique subsystem identifier, needed to decrypt an executable or data file stored in the main memory area. A host software component is configured to retrieve the information from the subsystem's restricted memory area, and to use the information to control access to and/or use of the information in the main memory area.
US09251372B1
Methods and systems for receiving sensitive information include receiving a request for entering sensitive information, the request received from a user interface rendered on a client device. The methods and systems rely upon nested iframes, each of which is hosted by a different server. An inner iframe is hosted by a server within a secure zone, such as a digital vault. A middle iframe is hosted within the secure zone and is invoked by an intermediate server. An outer iframe is hosted by a server that provides the user interface. The server that provides the user interface may be hosted by a cloud service provider, for example. Using the nested iframes and the network topology described in the present disclosure, users are able to exchange sensitive information with a server within the secure zone through a user interface provided outside the secure zone.
US09251366B2
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for decrypting a document are disclosed. For example, the method captures a tag on an encrypted document, transmits the tag to an application server of a communication network to request a per-document decryption key, receives the per-document decryption key if the tag is authenticated, and decrypts a portion of the encrypted document using a temporary decryption key contained in the tag, the tag decrypted with the per-document decryption key.
US09251364B2
A flexible and extensible architecture allows for secure searching across an enterprise. Such an architecture can provide a simple Internet-like search experience to users searching secure content inside (and outside) the enterprise. The architecture allows for the crawling and searching of a variety of sources across an enterprise, regardless of whether any of these sources conform to a conventional user role model. The architecture further allows for security attributes to be submitted at query time, for example, in order to provide real-time secure access to enterprise resources. The user query also can be transformed to provide for dynamic querying that provides for a more current result list than can be obtained for static queries.
US09251355B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, system, and computer program product for implementing user specific encryption in a database system. A computer receives a query statement including a user specific key and data, the data including data needing encryption and non-encrypted data. The computer encrypts the data needing encryption using the user specific key. The computer inserts both the encrypted data and the non-encrypted data into a table row in a database. The computer creates a hash of the user specific key, and stores the hash of the user specific key in the table row with the data.
US09251339B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to core dump generation during application fault handling and provide a method, system and computer program product for privacy preservation of core dump data during application fault handling. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for privacy preservation of core dump data during application fault handling can be provided. The method can include receiving a crash signal for an application and generating a core dump with object data for the application. The method further can include obfuscating the object data in the core dump and writing the core dump with obfuscated object data to a file. In this way, the privacy of the object data in the core dump can be preserved.
US09251336B1
To provide a secure installation and execution software environment, locked version numbers are maintained. A locked version number associated with a software program may be stored. When a request is received to update the software program with an update package, a package number of the update package may be compared to the locked version number. The software program may be updated with the update package if the package number is at least as recent as the locked version number, and the updating of the software program with the update package may be restricted if the package number is earlier than the locked version number.
US09251331B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided. Some embodiments include receiving, at a computing device, a security token identifier and a request to access one or more resources of the computing device. The computing device obtains information that identifies one or more domains each having a trust relationship with the domain associated with the computing device. The computing device determines that an entry in a first data store associated with a first domain of the one or more domains matches the security token identifier. In response to the determining that an entry in the first data store matches the security token identifier, the computing device updates a local data store such that, in the local data store, the security token identifier is associated with first domain information that identifies the first domain. The computing device grants the requested access to one or more resources of the computing device.
US09251330B2
A smart card comprises: a processing circuit; a memory that contains a protected object; an activity detector that receives a signal that describes a planned activity of a person who is in physical possession of the smart card; and an activity analyzer that evaluates features of the planned activity. In response to the activity analyzer determining that a predefined risk associated with the planned activity exceeds a predetermined value, the activity analyzer: issues an instruction to the person who is in physical possession of the smart card to provide a biomarker to a biosensor that is physically contained within the smart card; and receives, from the biosensor, real-time biometric data for the person who is in physical possession of the smart card.
US09251327B2
An approach for authenticating parties engaged in a web-based transaction without compromising the integrity or anonymity of the parties is described. An authentication platform receives, from a first application associated with a first party, an authentication request that has been redirected in response to a transaction initiated with a second application associated with a second party. The authentication platform forwards knowledge based assessment information to the first application that is based on determined behavioral information for authenticating the second party to the first party. A valid response to the knowledge based assessment information by the first application provides authentication of the first party to the second party.
US09251326B2
A system and method provide efficient, secure, and highly reliable authentication for transaction processing and/or access control applications. A personal digital key (PDK) is programmed using a trusted programming device to initialize and/or register the PDK for use. In one embodiment, the initialization and registration processes are administered by a specialized trusted Notary to ensure the processes follow defined security procedures. In a biometric initialization, the programming device acquires a biometric input from a user and writes the biometric data to a tamperproof memory in the PDK. In registration, the Programmer communicates to one or more remote registries to create or update entries associated with the user PDK. Once initialized and registered, the PDK can be used for various levels of secure authentication processes.
US09251320B2
A system may be configured to receive an upload, from a first user device, of a basis content item that includes first content; determine whether a first user of the first user device has a right to restrict a use of the first content in an in-use content item uploaded by a second user device when the in-use content includes the first content; in response to determining that the first user has the right, store the basis content in the system; in response to determining that the first user does not have the right, discard the basis content; receive an upload, from a second user device, of a first in-use content item; and determine whether the first in-use content item matches the basis content item.
US09251319B2
A method and apparatus for using a non-volatile storage device includes reading device identification information from the non-volatile storage device, application identification information corresponding to a content application related to a type of content to be protected or utilized among a plurality of content applications is acquired, usage identification information is generated using the device identification information and the application identification information, and protecting or utilizing content using the usage identification information.
US09251316B2
When a user who shares content is selected in a first information communication apparatus used by one of the users who share content, sharing space securement information for the selected user is generated and transmitted to the server. When sharing space connection information for accessing a sharing space, which is generated by the server based on the sharing space securement information, is received by the first information communication apparatus, the sharing space connection information transmitted to the second information communication apparatus used by the user who share the content.
US09251308B2
System and method for achieving reproducibility of a simulation operation while reasonably keeping an operation speed. A peripheral scheduler clears completion flags of all the peripheral emulators to thereby start parallel operations thereof. Then, based on processing break timing set for the individual peripheral emulators, the peripheral scheduler finds one of the peripheral emulators which is scheduled to reach a processing break at the earliest. The found peripheral emulator is referred to as a peripheral P. In a case where a time of the processing break of the peripheral P is T, the peripheral scheduler continues execution of processor emulators and plant simulators up until a time point of the time T. The peripheral scheduler waits for setting of a completion flag of the peripheral P. In response to the setting, the peripheral scheduler performs data synchronization among the peripheral P, the processor emulators, and the plant simulators.
US09251288B2
A thumbnail distribution system includes a client device and a server communicatable with each other by using a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP). A client device includes a request generating unit, a request transmitting unit, a response receiving unit, and a data processing unit. The request generating unit generates an HTTP request having a request line storing a file name of a file store in a storing unit. The request transmitting unit transmits the HTTP request. The response receiving unit receives an HTTP response having a response body storing a thumbnail corresponding to the file having the file name stored in the request line. The data processing unit performs a data processing based on the thumbnail stored in the response body. The request receiving unit receives the HTTP request transmitted from the request transmitting unit. The response generating unit generates the HTTP response based on the HTTP request. The response transmitting unit transmits the HTTP response to the response receiving unit.
US09251269B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for authorship accountability in a blog search engine. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for authorship accountability in a blog search engine is provided. The method includes receiving a search engine query specifying both query terms to query blog content and also authorship criteria for authors of blog content in respective entries of a results set returned by the search engine query. The method additionally includes evaluating the authorship criteria for each author of corresponding blog content returned by the search engine query and computing a relevance for each entry in the results set based upon the evaluated authorship criteria. Finally, the method includes presenting in order of relevance a listing of blog content corresponding to the results set.
US09251262B1
A computer device obtains a search query; obtains product search results based on the search query and a products search index that includes information regarding documents associated with products; determines a category associated with a set of result of the product search results; identifies candidate queries for the search query; determines whether the category matches one of the candidate queries; identifies that the search query is associated with a type of media identified by the category when the category matches one of the candidate queries; and provides, in response to identifying that the search query is associated with the type of media, a result document based on the type of media.
US09251261B2
Techniques are disclosed for evaluating the effectiveness of a malware signature. A query tool translates a markup language malware signature definition into a database query. The query is then executed against a database of application features to identify software packages that the signature would identify as malware. The results of the query are compared with threat information stored in the database and classified as being true/false positives and true/false negatives.
US09251257B2
A digital file may be stored on a storage device and deleted upon reading of the file. In one example, at least a portion of the stored file may be read, such as by a processor. In response to the reading of the stored file, at least part of the at least a portion of the stored file that has been read may be deleted. In further examples, the at least part of the at least a portion of the stored file may be deleted progressively while the stored file is being read, after a triggering event, or after a delay in time. According to another example, a user may provide an indication representative of the at least part of the at least a portion of the stored file that is to be deleted after the at least a portion of the stored file is read.
US09251254B2
This disclosure is directed to techniques for controlling the execution speed of a processor that executes audio processing algorithms. In some examples, the execution speed of the processor may be controlled based on one or more delay parameters that are obtained from querying one or more tasks that execute the audio processing algorithms. The delay parameters that are returned by the tasks in response to the queries may, in some examples, be dependent upon one or more algorithm-specific parameters that are used to configure the audio processing algorithms. The techniques of this disclosure may be used to reduce the amount of power consumed by a processor that is configured to execute one or more audio processing algorithms in an audio communication device, which may be particularly useful in audio communication devices where power resources are limited, such as, e.g., a mobile phone.
US09251253B2
Methods and systems for indexing patent related prior art citations are disclosed. Electronic documents can be obtained from one or more patent information systems. An OCR process can be performed on some of the electronic documents. Citations within the documents can be identified and compared to a trusted records list. The citations can be associated with one or more predetermined categories. For example, citations can be categorized into groups such as when a reference is cited (e.g., with original filing, pre and post allowance), who provided the reference (e.g., cited by the applicant, or the examiner), and how the reference is characterized (e.g., statutory basis, combination of references). The citations and corresponding categories can be output to a user or made available for subsequent processing.
US09251252B2
A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided for associating information (including information and services) based upon context. In one example, an apparatus includes interface logic for receiving, during a session (e.g., during a media object capture, upload session, data transfer session, or the like), context information from a user device, and user-generated information associated with the context information. The context information may relate to time, date, location, ambient conditions, biometric (e.g., relating to the user of the device), device/user identification, or combinations thereof. The apparatus further including association logic for associating service information, different from the context information, with the user-generated information based on the context information. The associated service information may include empirical information such as a map of a particular location, the map including points of interest.
US09251251B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for speech recognition. One of the methods includes receiving a base language model for speech recognition including a first word sequence having a base probability value; receiving a voice search query associated with a query context; determining that a customized language model is to be used when the query context satisfies one or more criteria associated with the customized language model; obtaining the customized language model, the customized language model including the first word sequence having an adjusted probability value being the base probability value adjusted according to the query context; and converting the voice search query to a text search query based on one or more probabilities, each of the probabilities corresponding to a word sequence in a group of one or more word sequences, the group including the first word sequence having the adjusted probability value.
US09251250B2
Text is processed to construct a model of the text. The text has a shared vocabulary. The text is partitioned into sets and subsets of texts. The usage of the shared vocabulary in two or more sets is different, and the topics of two or more subsets are different. A probabilistic model is defined for the text. The probabilistic model considers each word in the text to be a token having a position and a word value, and the usage of the shared vocabulary, topics, subtopics, and word values for each token in the text are represented using distributions of random variables in the probabilistic model, wherein the random variables are discrete. Parameters are estimated for the model corresponding to the vocabulary usages, the word values, the topics, and the subtopics associated with the words.
US09251248B2
Described is using context information obtained from entity mentions in likely relevant documents to extract entity mentions from documents that are ambiguous with respect to their relevance to a domain. A list of entities is input into an entity extraction mechanism, which processes a large collection of documents to determine data (counts) corresponding to frequency of entity mentions. Infrequently mentioned entities are specific entities, while frequently mentioned entities are non-specific (generic or ambiguous) entities. The context surrounding mentions of the specific entities is processed to obtain interesting context terms (words, phrases or both) for the domain. The interesting context terms are then compared against the contexts of non-specific entity mentions to determine whether each non-specific entity mention is relevant to the domain. A result set containing only relevant documents or relevant mentions collection is output.
US09251247B2
A reporting system is described herein that allows a report author to declare data reporting structures that specify to a reporting application how to dynamically categorize data with changing or potentially unknown characteristics. The reporting system may extend RDL and the data grouping provided by Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services by adding new elements to the XML-based RDL schema. The reporting system allows the report author to specify for the system to fill gaps in the data, so that the report has a similar layout even as data changes from period to period. The reporting system also allows the report author to specify whether data that does not fit any predefined group bucket is displayed in a report. Thus, the reporting system allows unsophisticated database users to define reports that group data consistently regardless of missing values or other changes in the underlying data.
US09251245B2
A method, a system and a computer program product create mappings between taxonomies in which documents are classified from a category of a taxonomy to one or more categories within a master taxonomy based on a statistical model and classification score values. The document classifications are analyzed to determine a mapping between the taxonomy category and a corresponding category of the master taxonomy, where the category is mapped to the corresponding category in the master taxonomy in response to sufficient classification score values for the documents.
US09251244B1
The system receives a query and then identifies classifications of the data that may satisfy the received query. The system then displays the identified classifications. In response to selection of a displayed classification, the system displays sub-classifications when the selected classification has sub-classifications and displays the data within the classification when the selected classification has no sub-classifications. In another aspect, the system generates search results for items that are hierarchically classified. For classifications within the hierarchy of classifications, the system generates a search entry containing terms describing the items within that classification. The system then receives a search criteria. The system selects as initial search results those search entries whose terms most closely match the received search criteria. The system can then adjust the initial search results based on the hierarchy of classifications.
US09251242B2
Provided are a data relatedness assessment device, a data relatedness assessment method, and a recording medium that stores a program, which calculates relatedness between two or more pieces of data relevant to a task of a worker. A display area acquirer (13) acquires display area information that denotes respective display areas of two or more pieces of data displayed on the screen of a display (3). A line of sight information acquirer (11) acquires a line of sight position that is the position of the line of sight of a worker on the screen of the display (3). A gazing data generator (14) generates gazing data information that denotes data that the worker is gazing at based on the line of sight position and the display area information. An operation information acquirer (16) acquires operation information that denotes a content of an operation that the worker has executed on the displayed data. A data relatedness calculator (18) calculates mutual relatedness between the two or more pieces of data in the task of the worker according to a predetermined rule based on the gazing data information and the operation information.
US09251241B2
Provided are techniques for self-provisioning a teamspace instance. A teamspace template including one or more teamspace characteristics and one or more user roles is generated. A teamspace instance is provisioned from a snapshot of the generated teamspace template using the one or more teamspace characteristics and the one or more user roles.
US09251240B2
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for portal user data access in a multi-tenant on-demand database system. These mechanisms and methods for portal user data access in a multi-tenant on-demand database system can enable embodiments to provide portal-specific user accounts to the multi-tenant on-demand database system which have reduced configuration requirements than users directly accessing the multi-tenant on-demand database system. The ability of embodiments to provide portal-specific user accounts can reduce processing requirements of the database system.
US09251239B1
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for applying a public tag to information. These mechanisms and methods for applying a public tag to information may enable embodiments to allow a user to apply a public tag to the information once. Further, applying a public tag to information may enable users with access to the information an ability to view the public tag applied to the information by the user.
US09251236B2
A method for synchronizing a database with displayed data, includes providing a data feed to receive data from the database to provide displayed document data, detecting a database change to the data within the database by a database synchronizer to provide a change event, polling the database synchronizer using an HTTP message to detect the change event, and pushing the database change to the displayed document data to update the displayed document data in accordance with the database change and the polling. The polling includes long polling and short polling. A polling servlet within the database synchronizer performs the polling by the database synchronizer. The database synchronizer updates the displayed document data by way of a data structure. The data structure is a queue.
US09251219B2
Embodiments include methods, systems and computer program products for performing a composite sort on a tunable hardware sort engine includes determining desired sort performance parameters, configuring a composite sort engine based on the desired sort performance parameters, and receiving a plurality of keys having a payload associated with each of the plurality of keys. The method also includes reserving DRAM storage for each of the payloads, generating a tag for each of the plurality of keys, the tag identifying the DRAM storage reserved for each of the payloads, and storing the payloads in the portions of the DRAM storage. The method further includes generating a composite key for each of the plurality of keys, sorting the composite keys by the composite sort engine, and retrieving the payloads associated with the sorted composite keys from the DRAM storage. The method also includes outputting the payloads associated the sorted composite keys.
US09251217B2
Systems and methods for searching for information within social networks are described. In some examples embodiments, a search assist system receives a query, such as a partial query, identifies two or more categories of data that include information satisfying the query, ranks the identified categories of data based on various selection criteria, and presents suggested search terms based on the rankings.
US09251213B2
Techniques are disclosed to determine error propagation for a query optimizer component of a database management system for a database. A database query is received that specifies one or more query conditions. Measures of actual and estimated selectivity of the one or more query conditions are determined. A measure of estimated deviation between the measures of actual and estimated selectivity is determined. A query execution plan is generated or selected based on the measure of estimated deviation.
US09251207B2
A query that identifies an input data source is rewritten to contain data parallel operations that include partitioning and merging. The input data source is partitioned into a plurality of initial partitions. A parallel repartitioning operation is performed on the initial partitions to generate a plurality of secondary partitions. A parallel execution of the query is performed using the secondary partitions to generate a plurality of output sets. The plurality of output sets are merged into a merged output set.
US09251204B2
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for tuning queries for a multi-tenant database system is provided. A processor retrieves actual statistics associated with data stored on one or more servers in the multi-tenant database system. The data may be associated with one or more tenants of the multi-tenant database system. A subset of the actual statistics is selected, wherein the subset of the actual statistics is related to tenants having a data trait targeted for optimization. The processor determines synthetic statistics based on the subset of the actual statistics. An original query is received at the multi-tenant database system, wherein the original query operates upon data associated with a tenant that has the data trait targeted for optimization. The processor determines an optimal query plan based on the original query and synthetic statistics. Finally, the processor executes the original query based on the optimal query plan.
US09251200B2
A method and a system execute database insert calls in a MES system. The data to be stored into the database are represented in XML tree formats according to the S95 hierarchy model. The method includes: a) receiving as input a given XML tree corresponding to a given S95 hierarchy data to stored into the database; b) processing the given XML tree in order to generate a corresponding parallel structure; c) getting a given S95 entity type and its given set of node references from the given parallel structure; d) if the given set of node references is not empty, composing a database insert call passing the information of the given set of node references; e) if the given set of node references is not empty, executing the composed database insert call; and executing items c) to e) for all the S95 entity types of the given parallel structure.
US09251198B2
Systems and methods are provided for an asynchronous data replication system in which the remote replication reduces bandwidth requirements by copying deduplicated differences in business data from a local storage site to a remote, backup storage site, the system comprising: a local performance storage pool for storing data; a local deduplicating storage pool for storing deduplicated data, said local deduplicating storage pool further storing metadata about data objects in the system and which has metadata analysis logic for identifying and specifying differences in a data object over time; a remote performance storage pool for storing a copy of said data, available for immediate use as a backup copy of said data to provide business continuity to said data; a remote deduplicating storage pool for storing deduplicated data; and a controller for synchronizing the remote performance storage pool to have the second version of the data object using deduplicated data.
US09251191B2
Embodiments of a system and method for indexing of geospatial data using three-dimensional Cartesian space are generally described herein. In an aspect, such example methods may include calculating endpoints of a segment, wherein the endpoints are specified in Cartesian coordinates and are located on a substantially spherical surface, defining a boundary of a polygon according to the segment, computing one or more normals corresponding to one or more planes, wherein each of the one or more planes contain a test point and a boundary point associated with the boundary, obtaining a boundary sine value of an angle defined by an arc subtended by the endpoints, summing each of a group of angle values derived from the boundary sine value to obtain an angle sum, wherein the group contains the boundary sine value, and determining whether the test point is inside the polygon based on the angle sum.
US09251189B2
Example embodiments provide various techniques for updating an old data structure configured to store metadata associated with database systems. In this method, a temporary data structure is created. Additionally, a new data structure representing an update of the old data structure is created. The metadata from the old data structure are copied to the temporary data structure, and the temporary data structure is transformed to match the new data structure. The metadata from the transformed temporary data structure are copied to the new data structure. The transformation of the temporary data structure instead of the old data structure may enable an application that is not being updated to be operational and to access the old data structure during the update. After the metadata is copied to the new data structure, a new version of the application is then able to access the new data structure.
US09251186B2
A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a client-side signature repository that includes information representative of a set of data blocks stored in primary storage. During copy or backup operations, the system can use the client-side signature repository to identify data blocks located in primary storage that are new or that have changed. The system can also use the client-side signature repository to identify multiple locations within primary storage where different instances of the data blocks are located.
US09251184B2
Database schema changes are managed in a database management system by identifying and marking one or more database objects for a database schema change, identifying and processing accesses to identified database objects and storing information pertaining to the identified accesses, where the identified accesses are processed with respect to the database schema without the change, evaluating the stored information to determine a frequency with which identified objects are referenced by the identified accesses over a select time period, and implementing the database schema change in response to an indication that the frequency is below a threshold value.
US09251181B2
A method, system and computer program product for dynamic map template discovery and map creation may include determining a frequency of use of a data object in a database and discovering a dynamic map template corresponding to the data object based on the frequency of use of the data object. The method may also include creating a dynamic map from the dynamic map template in response to discovering the dynamic map template.
US09251179B2
In managing a relational database, a relational manager sets a foreign key lookup value to an unavailable state in a source table row containing each of a foreign key value and the foreign key lookup value in a source table in a relational database, wherein the foreign key value references a primary key value in a referenced row in a separate destination table in the relational database. The relational manager, responsive to looking up, for the foreign key value, in a data structure separate from the source table, a location of the referenced row in the relational database, when the foreign key lookup value is set to the unavailable state, updating the foreign key lookup value with the location, wherein the foreign key lookup value in the source table is looked up for identifying the location of the referenced row for subsequent retrievals of the referenced row for the foreign key value.
US09251177B2
Technologies are generally described for systems, methods and devices effective to remove information from a network such as the Internet. In some examples, a device may include a memory including instructions and a processor configured in communication with the memory. The processor may be configured effective to receive user information relating to a user and search the network using the user information. In response to the search, the processor may find additional information relating to the user stored in the network. The processor may receive a first request to remove particular information from the network. The particular information may be part of the additional information and the particular information may be removable by a second user. The processor may send a second request to remove the particular information from the network.
US09251173B2
Systems and methods for image organization are provided. An image organization method in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure includes, at a user computing device, receiving an image set comprising a plurality of images, and comparing a portion of each image in the image set with a verified cue library including a plurality of visual cues that correspond to different geographic place tags. The method may further include displaying a recommendation panel including a recommended place tag corresponding to a visual cue that matches the portion.
US09251171B2
Methods, systems and apparatus for identifying modified images based on seed images that are known to be modified images. In an aspect, a method includes accessing data identifying a set of first seed images; for each first seed image, determining a respective first set of similar images from images in an image corpus, each similar image having a visual similarity score that is a measure of visual similarity of the similar image to the first seed image based on the image content of the similar image and the first seed image that satisfies a first seed image similarity threshold; and for each similar image in each respective first set of similar images, attributing to the similar image signal data of each first seed image for which the similar image has a respective visual similarity score satisfying the first seed image similarity threshold.
US09251164B2
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database. These mechanisms and methods for using a database to access content stored outside of the database can enable embodiments to provide a database system which can be used to access content when the content is incapable of being stored in the database system, or is otherwise not stored in the database system. The ability of embodiments to provide access to such data via the database system can improve the usability of the database system.
US09251163B2
In a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first slave server includes copy management information associating a master file system identifier with an identifier of a slave server including a copy of the master file system identified by the master file system identifier. The first slave server acquires a copy of a part of a master file system. The copy includes a stub-state object (file or directory). The first slave server searches the copy management information for a slave server to be queried regarding information for materializing the stub-state object. If the slave server to be queried includes the information for materialization, the first slave server materializes the stub-state object using the information for materialization acquired from the queried slave server.
US09251162B2
The present invention provides a storage management system and method for managing access between a plurality of processes and a common store. According to the invention, each individual process comprises data processing means, a cache for the temporary storage of data generated by the data processing means, and a control unit for managing the transferral of data between the cache and a common store. The control unit comprises a manager for monitoring the availability of storage locations in the store to receive and store data and for allocating data to available storage locations, an interface for transferring the allocated data to the available storage locations, and a locking arrangement for locking the store during data transfer in order to ensure exclusive access and thereby preserve data integrity.
US09251160B1
Various systems and methods for migrating data between deduplication systems. For example, one method involves receiving a fingerprint, where the fingerprint is received from a source computing device at a destination computing device, and the fingerprint is associated with a data segment stored at the source computing device. The method also involves identifying a fingerprint type associated with the fingerprint. The method also involves performing a migration operation from the source computing device to the destination computing device. The migration operation involves determining whether the fingerprint is stored in a fingerprint sub-index. The migration operation also involves determining whether a second fingerprint that corresponds to the data segment is stored in a second sub-index, where the second fingerprint is of a second fingerprint type.
US09251155B1
A database system maintains table data in sorted order. The table data becomes unsorted over time due to add, delete, and update operations. These operations are performed such that the table comprises an initial sorted region followed by an unsorted region. The database system performs an incremental operation to rewrite the table in sorted order. The database system partitions the unsorted region into a plurality of partitions comprising sorted rows within each partition. The database system iteratively merges rows from the partitions to the sorted region of the table. The database system selects a set of lowest tanked rows from the partitions. The database system merges these lowest ranked rows with the sorted region while maintaining the sort order of the sorted region. The database system repeats these steps until all the partitions are processed. The database may store data in columnar fashion.
US09251154B2
A method and system for determining priority is provided. The method includes generating a list defining specified data objects stored within a back-up/archived data storage system and applying importance levels to the specified data objects. Reliability urgency levels for the storage devices are determined and in response groups of data objects of the specified data objects are generated. Required reliability levels for each group of data objects are determined and associated erasure encoding rates are calculated. Fragment sets for the groups of data objects are generated and numbers of parity objects required for the fragment sets are determined. An erasure code algorithm is executed with respect to the groups of data objects and in response parity objects are computed on demand.
US09251153B1
A computer-implemented method for populating and maintaining a local cache with archived data items is described. A request to organize archived data items into one or more bundles is sent. The one or more bundles of archived data items are downloaded to the local cache. Each of the archived data items are organized in the one or more bundles according to a time period associated with each archived data item. An index file is extracted from each of the one or more bundles. The extracted index file is inserted into a master index file.
US09251149B2
Specified data sets may be tracked from creation to end-of-life (e.g., deletion). Between creation and end-of-life, data set storage changes may be recorded (i.e., when additional storage is allocated or when some storage is released). During a subsequent allocation cycle, this information may be used in conjunction with user-specified allocation rules to manage or control the data set's initial allocation.
US09251129B2
A system and method may be disclosed for facilitating the creation or modification of a document by providing a mechanism for locating relevant data from external sources and organizing and incorporating some or all of said data into the document. In the method for reusing data, there may be a set of documents that may be queried, where each document may be divided into a plurality of sections. A plurality of section text groups may be formed based on the set of documents, where each section text group may be associated with a respective section from the plurality of sections and each section group includes a plurality of items. Each item may be associated with a respective section from each document of the set of documents. A selected item within a selected section text group may be focused. The selected item may be extracted to a current document. The current document may be exported to a host application.
US09251128B2
A method, system and computer program product for providing scoping editing operations in a document using a document editing computer application. The method, program system, and computer product may include tagging each incidence of editing with the identity of the author responsible for the applicable incidence, the date, the date and time, document phase, author role, or any combination thereof. The method, program system, and computer product may further include presenting a mechanism for designating a scope of tagged content by author, date, date and time of day, document phase, author role, or a combination thereof, and locating a selection of at least some of the tagged content according to the designated scope of the tagged content.
US09251116B2
A circuit arrangement, method, and program product for compressing and decompressing data in a node of a system including a plurality of nodes interconnected via an on-chip network. Compressed data may be received and stored at an input buffer of a node, and in parallel with moving the compressed data to an execution register of the node, decompression logic of the node may decompress the data to generate uncompressed data, such that uncompressed data is stored in the execution register for utilization by an execution unit of the node. Uncompressed data may be output by the execution unit into the execution register, and in parallel with moving the uncompressed data to an output buffer of the node connected to the on-chip network, compression logic may compress the uncompressed data to generate compressed data, such that compressed data is stored at the output buffer.
US09251110B2
Techniques for reducing the spectral content of a data bus are described herein. An example of a device in accordance with the present techniques includes logic to obtain a present bit of data to be transmitted over a data bus and estimate a spectral energy contribution of the present bit at a frequency of interest. The device also includes logic to determine what effect inverting the present bit will have on a net spectral energy of the data bus at the frequency of interest when the present bit is transmitted over the data bus. The device also includes logic to invert the present bit to generate an inverted bit and transmit the inverted bit over the data bus if inverting the present bit reduces the net spectral energy of the data bus at the frequency of interest.
US09251102B2
A computing system includes a guest domain access control register (DACR), and guest first and second level page tables, the page tables containing domain identifiers used to obtain domain access information and access permission information, and the domain access information and the access permission information providing an effective guest access permission. The computing system provides a shadow page table, in which domain identifiers are used to identify domain access information in a processor DACR that are mapped from domain access information in the guest DACR, and in which access permissions are mapped from effective access permission information in the guest page tables and guest DACR. A memory management unit in the processor traverses the shadow page table, accesses the processor DACR, and combines the mapped domain access information in the processor with the mapped access permission in the shadow page table to reflect the guest intended effective access permissions.
US09251094B2
A processor including logic to execute an instruction to synchronize a mapping from a physical address of a guest of a virtualization based system (guest physical address) to a physical address of the host of the virtualization based system (host physical address), and stored in a translation lookaside buffer (TLB), with a corresponding mapping stored in an extended paging table (EPT) of the virtualization based system.
US09251093B2
A mechanism is provided for managing the translation look-aside buffer (TLB) of an emulated computer, in which an extension to the TLB is provided so as to improve virtual address translation capacity for the emulated central processing unit (CPU).
US09251090B1
Remote computing resource service providers allow customers to execute one or more applications in a virtual environment on computer systems provided by the computing resource service provider. The virtual machines may be managed by a hypervisor executing on computer systems operated by the service provider. The virtual machines' memory may be protected by a memory obfuscation service and the hypervisor. The memory obfuscation service may enable the virtual machines to maintain at least a portion of sensitive information in an obfuscated format. The virtual machines may request access to the virtual machines' memory, the memory obfuscation service may obtain the requested memory in an obfuscated format and un-obfuscate the memory such that it may be used by the virtual machines.
US09251086B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing a cache. A cache interface module provides access to a plurality of virtual storage units of a solid-state storage device over a cache interface. At least one of the virtual storage units comprises a cache unit. A cache command module exchanges cache management information for the at least one cache unit with one or more cache clients over the cache interface. A cache management module manages the at least one cache unit based on the cache management information exchanged with the one or more cache clients.
US09251085B2
Optimizations are provided for frame management operations, including a clear operation and/or a set storage key operation, requested by pageable guests. The operations are performed, absent host intervention, on frames not resident in host memory. The operations may be specified in an instruction issued by the pageable guests.
US09251083B2
A microprocessor includes a first and second hardware data prefetchers configured to prefetch data into the microprocessor according to first and second respective algorithms, which are different. The second prefetcher is configured to detect a memory access pattern within a memory region and responsively prefetch data from the memory region according the second algorithm. The second prefetcher is further configured to provide to the first prefetcher a descriptor of the memory region. The first prefetcher is configured to stop prefetching data from the memory region in response to receiving the descriptor of the memory region from the second prefetcher. The second prefetcher also provides to the first prefetcher a communication to resume prefetching data from the memory region, such as when the second prefetcher subsequently detects that a predetermined number of memory accesses to the memory region are not in the memory access pattern.
US09251079B2
A cache memory device includes a plurality of cache areas, each the cache area comprising a plurality of entries. The cache memory device is configured to maintain a separate lock attribute for each the cache area and temporarily assign possession of a lock attribute for a particular the cache area to a processor thread attempting to update the particular the cache area, the processor thread being unable to update the particular the cache area without possession of the lock attribute for the particular the cache area.
US09251078B2
Methods, parallel computers, and computer program products for acquiring remote shared variable directory (SVD) information in a parallel computer are provided. Embodiments include a runtime optimizer determining that a first thread of a first task requires shared resource data stored in a memory partition corresponding to a second thread of a second task. Embodiments also include the runtime optimizer requesting from the second thread, in response to determining that the first thread of the first task requires the shared resource data, SVD information associated with the shared resource data. Embodiments also include the runtime optimizer receiving from the second thread, the SVD information associated with the shared resource data.
US09251068B2
Systems, devices, memory controllers, and methods for initializing memory are described. Initializing memory can include configuring memory devices in parallel. The memory devices can receive a shared enable signal. A unique volume address can be assigned to each of the memory devices.
US09251062B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for implementing conditional storage operations. Storage clients access and allocate portions of an address space of a non-volatile storage device. A conditional storage request is provided, which causes data to be stored to the non-volatile storage device on the condition that the address space of the device can satisfy the entire request. If only a portion of the request can be satisfied, the conditional storage request may be deferred or fail. An atomic storage request is provided, which may comprise one or more storage operations. The atomic storage request succeeds if all of the one or more storage operations are complete successfully. If one or more of the storage operations fails, the atomic storage request is invalidated, which may comprise deallocating logical identifiers of the request and/or invalidating data on the non-volatile storage device pertaining to the request.
US09251057B2
Disclosed is a nonvolatile cache memory including a nonvolatile memory part and a cache controller. The nonvolatile memory part is configured to store cache data. The cache controller is configured to control reading and writing of the cache data with respect to the nonvolatile memory part. Further, the cache controller is configured to perform, as a preparation for an interruption of power supply, standby preparation processing to generate standby state data and store the generated standby state data in the nonvolatile memory part. Further, the cache controller is configured to perform, at resumption of the power supply, restoration processing of the cache data stored in the nonvolatile memory part using the standby state data.
US09251054B2
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing enhanced reliability of memory subsystems utilizing a dual port Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) configuration. The DRAM configuration includes a first buffer and a second buffer, each buffer including a validity counter. The validity counter for a receiving buffer is incremented as each respective data row from a transferring buffer is validated through Error Correction Code (ECC), Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) logic and transferred to the receiving buffer, while the validity counter for the transferring buffer is decremented. Data are read from or written to either the first buffer or the second buffer based upon a respective count value of the validity counters.
US09251053B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing configuration parameters of a non-volatile storage device. The method includes storing a first set of configuration parameters for a non-volatile recording device. The first set of configuration parameters are configured for a storage operation on a storage element of the non-volatile recording device. The method also includes storing a second set of configuration parameters for the non-volatile recording device during execution of the storage operation on the storage element. The second set of configuration parameters are configured for a second storage operation on the storage element of the non-volatile recording device.
US09251052B2
A cache module leverages a logical address space and storage metadata of a storage module (e.g., virtual storage module) to cache data of a backing store. The cache module maintains access metadata to track access characteristics of logical identifiers in the logical address space, including accesses pertaining to data that is not currently in the cache. The access metadata may be separate from the storage metadata maintained by the storage module. The cache module may calculate a performance metric of the cache based on profiling metadata, which may include portions of the access metadata. The cache module may determine predictive performance metrics of different cache configurations. An optimal cache configuration may be identified based on the predictive performance metrics.
US09251051B2
A system for capacity forecasting for backup storage comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to determine a selected statistical analysis from the set of statistical analysis for subsets of a set of capacities at points in time; forecast a full capacity time based at least in part on the selected statistical analysis; and determine that the full capacity time is qualified. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.
US09251042B2
A method, apparatus, and/or computer program product protects a managed runtime from stack corruption due to native code condition handling. A native condition handler, which is associated with a managed runtime, percolates a condition. A condition handler of the managed runtime receives notification of the condition in a native code portion, and the condition handler of the managed runtime marks a thread associated with the condition. Responsive to a determination by the native code handler to resume execution of the marked thread by either call back into or a return to the managed runtime, the managed runtime determines whether a request is associated with the marked thread. Responsive to a determination that the request is associated with the marked thread, the managed runtime performs diagnostics and the managed runtime is terminated.
US09251036B2
Disclosed herein is a system for monitoring high speed interchip (HSIC) universal serial bus (USB) signals in a device comprising a USB controller configured to output first USB transceiver macro-cell (UTMI+) signals, an HSIC PHY transceiver configured to receive first UTMI+ signals from the USB controller and to convert and transmit received first UTMI+ signals as first HSIC signals, and to receive second HSIC signals and transmit them as second UTMI+ signals to the USB controller, a UTMI+ conversion block configured to receive first and second UTMI+ signals and to transform the received first and second UTMI+ signals to corresponding first and second ULPI signals, and transmit first and second ULPI signals, the first and second ULPI signals being equivalent to the first and second HSIC signals, and a ULPI PHY transceiver configured to receive the first and second ULPI signals and transmit corresponding first and second USB signals.
US09251030B2
Implementations for downloadable cartridges for a multi-tenant Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) system are disclosed. A method of the disclosure includes receiving, by a processing device of a multi-tenant Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) system, a location of a cartridge manifest corresponding to a cartridge that is maintained outside of the multi-tenant PaaS system, downloading the cartridge manifest from the received location, parsing the downloaded cartridge manifest to determine a source location of files of the cartridge, the source location separate from the multi-tenant PaaS system, and causing the files of the cartridge to be obtained from the determined source location for use by at least one node of the multi-tenant PaaS system that is hosting an application requesting the cartridge.
US09251028B2
A method, system, and/or computer program product manages code instrumentation in a production computer program. Performance data from instrumentation code associated with a portion of code of a production computer program is received. One or more processors compare the performance data to a predetermined performance threshold. In response to the performance data meeting the predetermined performance threshold, one or more processors remove the instrumentation code for the portion of code.
US09251016B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a storage system for storing data from a host device, comprising: a plurality of storage units for storing data, in a manner to enable recovery of data stored in one of said storage units by the use of data stored in the rest of storage units; an extra storage unit; and a controller for controlling said storage units and said extra storage unit according to a process comprising: receiving information indicative of fault prediction in one of storage units, recovering data stored in said one of said storage units by the use of data storage in the rest of said storage units, and writing the recovered data into said extra storage unit.
US09251015B2
Provided is a memory system and wear-leveling method. A memory system includes a flash memory device and a memory controller. The flash memory device includes a plurality of memory blocks, each including a plurality of memory cells. The memory controller is configured to control the flash memory device based on erase event information and error checking and correction (ECC) event information of each of the memory blocks such that use of the memory blocks is distributed more uniformly.
US09251013B1
A system, method, and apparatus of social log file collaboration and annotation is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method identifies a log file of importance, centralizes storage of the log file of importance and generates a social profile of the log file of importance. The method sets an access privilege associated with a user accessing the social profile of the log file of importance and permits the access the social profile of the log file of importance. The method processes a comment and/or an annotation in the social profile of the log file of importance of the user accessing the social profile of the log file of importance using a processor and a memory.
US09251009B2
A data center for data backup and replication, including a pool of multiple storage units for storing a journal of I/O write commands issued at respective times, wherein the journal spans a history window of a pre-specified time length, and a journal manager for dynamically allocating more storage units for storing the journal as the journal size increases, and for dynamically releasing storage units as the journal size decreases.
US09251004B1
A system, method, computer program, and/or computer readable medium for providing application isolation and live migration to one or more applications and their associated resources. The computer readable medium includes computer-executable instructions for execution by a processing system. The computer-executable instructions may be for creating a new isolated environment, for creating a copy of an isolated environment, live migrating applications within and between isolated environments, and for deploying an isolated environment Further, the instructions may be for launching one or more applications within one or more isolated environment, for terminating one or more applications within one or more isolated environments, for configuring resource mappings, exceptions and policies, for triggering a live migrate, and for delivery of one or more applications within isolated environments over the network.
US09251003B1
A database system may implement database cache survivability across database failures. In various embodiments, a database cache may be maintained independent of a failure of a database. A database cache may be maintained in a non-volatile memory device or maintained in a shared memory segment of system memory. Upon recovery from a database failure, a recovery point may be determined that indicates a consistent state of the database. Cache entries of the database cache inconsistent with the consistent state of the database may be invalidated, and the database cache may be made available for access requests directed toward the database. Valid cache entries from before the database failure may be made available without accessing a back-end data store for the database.
US09250994B1
Data storage systems may include a solid-state memory array configured to store encoded data units and a controller configured to decode the encoded data units. Decoding the encoded data units may include updating a check node of a plurality of check nodes associated with a parity check matrix by identifying first and second sets of variable nodes in a plurality of variable nodes associated in the parity check matrix with the check node and constructing a trellis based on the second set of variable nodes. The trellis may be used to determine a message and, based at least in part on the message, a first set of messages to be sent from the check node to the first set of variable nodes may be determined. A second set of messages to be sent from the check node to each variable node in the second set of variable nodes also may be determined.
US09250992B1
In some implementations, a built-in self-test (BIST) circuitry of a memory device is configured to perform an execution of a test sequence to test the memory device, wherein performing the execution comprises generating addresses of the memory device in accordance with the test sequence and advancing a value of a modulo counter as each of the addresses is generated, enable error logging when a generated address and a value of the modulo counter corresponding to the generated address match an address and a value of the modulo counter stored for a previously detected error, detect an error in data read from the memory device after enabling error logging, and store information associated with the detected error.
US09250987B2
Administering incomplete data communications messages in a parallel computer that includes a plurality of compute nodes, with each compute node including a processor and a messaging accelerator, includes: transmitting, by a source messaging accelerator to a destination messaging accelerator, a message, including processing a messaging descriptor describing the message and setting, in the message descriptor, a flag indicating the message has been sent; transmitting, by the source messaging accelerator to a destination messaging accelerator responsive to processing an acknowledgement request descriptor corresponding to the message, a request for acknowledgment of receipt of the message; receiving, by the source messaging accelerator from the destination messaging accelerator, a negative acknowledgment (NACK) indicating that the message was not received at the destination messaging accelerator; and clearing, by the source messaging accelerator in the message descriptor, the flag indicating that message has been sent.
US09250976B2
In an embodiment, a lock command is received from a thread that specifies a resource. If tier status in a nodal lock indicates the nodal lock is currently owned, an identifier of the thread is added to a nodal waiters list, and if the thread's lock wait indicator indicates that the thread owns the nodal lock, then a successful completion status is returned for the lock command to the thread after waiting until a next tier wait indicator in the nodal lock indicates that any thread owns a global lock on the resource. If the tier status indicates no thread holds the nodal lock, the tier status is changed to indicate the nodal lock is owned, and if a global waiters and holder list is empty, an identifier of a node at which the thread executes is added to the global waiters and holder list.
US09250973B2
An apparatus and associated method of generating a multi-core communication topology. The topology corresponding to a predetermined number of cores of a multi-core computer, is generated with an application programming device. A number of nodes are described for mapping to the predetermined number of available cores of the multi-core communication topology. Properties of each of the number of nodes are specified. Communication between each of the nodes of the multi-core communication topology is specified using a dedicated multi-core communication library of an electronic memory of the application programming device. A validated output file is generated for the multi-core topology at the application programming device. The output file to is processed to generate a multi-core communication capable executable application program interface (API) for the multi-core computer.
US09250953B2
A method for scheduling tasks from a program executed by a multi-processor core system is disclosed. The method includes a scheduler that groups a plurality of tasks, each having an assigned priority, by priority in a task group. The task group is assembled with other task groups having identical priorities in a task group queue. A hierarchy of task group queues is established based on priority levels of the assigned tasks. Task groups are assigned to one of a plurality of worker threads based on the hierarchy of task group queues. Each of the worker threads is associated with a processor in the multi-processor system. The tasks of the task groups are executed via the worker threads according to the order in the hierarchy.
US09250950B2
Methods, parallel computers, and computer program products for conditionally updating shared variable directory (SVD) information in a parallel computer are provided. Embodiments include a runtime optimizer receiving a broadcast reduction operation header. The broadcast reduction operation header includes an SVD key and a first SVD address. The first SVD address is associated with the SVD key in a first SVD associated with a first task. Embodiments also include the runtime optimizer retrieving from a remote address cache associated with the second task, a second SVD address indicating a location within a memory partition associated with the first SVD, in response to receiving the broadcast reduction operation header. Embodiments also include the runtime optimizer determining that the first SVD address does not match the second SVD address and updating the remote address cache with the first SVD address.
US09250944B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a set of algorithmic methods that can be used to select which partially and/or pre-provisioned virtual machines (VMs) should be used as a base platform to satisfy a new workload (e.g., provisioning) request received in a networked computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment). Specifically, when a workload request is received, a set (e.g., at last one) of software programs needed to process the workload request is identified. Then, a set of VMs is selected from a pool of pre-provisioned VMs having the set of software programs. In general, multiple methods and/or factors can be followed to select the set of VMs. Examples include a length of time to install the set of VMs, a probability of the set of VMs being in demand, and/or or a quantity of the set of VMs having the set of software programs. Once the set of VMs has been selected, the set of VMs may be installed, and the workload request can be processed using the set of software programs.
US09250937B1
A system-wide service can simultaneously harden multiple running JITs, for example by hooking into the memory protections of a target operating system and randomizing newly generated code on the fly when marked as executable. Some embodiments preserve the contents of the calling stack, presenting each JIT with the illusion that it is executing its own generated code.
US09250935B2
System and methods are provided for loop process suspension. One or more loop instructions associated with a loop process are loaded in a code cache. One or more branch instructions associated with a branch of the loop process in the code cache are determined. A suspension event is detected. The branch instructions are replaced with one or more jump instructions in the code cache upon the detection of the suspension event. If the jump instructions are executed in the code cache, the branch instructions in the code cache are restored, and the loop process is suspended. One or more suspension instructions associated with the suspension event are executed in an interpreter.
US09250933B2
An information processor has an older version program and a latest version program of the same application software installed thereon. The information processor includes: an older version detection unit that detects the older version program installed on the information processor; a path name modification unit that modifies a first path name of a file storing the older version program to a second path name if the older version detection unit detects the older version program; and a start program file generation unit that generates a start program file storing a start program. The start program file generation unit generates the start program file as a file having the first path name, after the path name modification unit executes the path name modification.
US09250930B2
A method implemented by an electronic entity including a nonvolatile rewritable memory and a read-only memory, the method comprising: reception of at least one write command for writing to the nonvolatile memory, and en response to the command, writing configuration data to the nonvolatile memory, wherein the configuration data are obtained based on so-called prerecorded data read in the read-only memory.
US09250929B2
A method and apparatus are provided for determining the layout of a form automatically to accommodate text in the form. Under the method and apparatus, a set of parameters define the sizing and alignment of elements of the form. Sizing and positioning instructions that are separate from the sizing and alignment parameters set the sizing and positioning of elements of the form based on the sizing and alignment parameters. The instructions determine the minimum size for the form, based in part on text in the form. The difference between the minimum size for the form and a desired size for the form is then distributed across the form to size and position the elements in the form.
US09250918B2
A request handler may receive an image capture request for an operating system (OS) executing on a server. A pre-boot image handler may generate a pre-boot image, based on the image capture request and on the executing operating system. An image handler may capture an image of the operating system, based on the pre-boot image.
US09250916B2
Embodiments include a method for chaining data in an exposed-pipeline processing element. The method includes separating a multiple instruction word into a first sub-instruction and a second sub-instruction, receiving the first sub-instruction and the second sub-instruction in the exposed-pipeline processing element. The method also includes issuing the first sub-instruction at a first time, issuing the second sub-instruction at a second time different than the first time, the second time being offset to account for a dependency of the second sub-instruction on a first result from the first sub-instruction, the first pipeline performing the first sub-instruction at a first clock cycle and communicating the first result from performing the first sub-instruction to a chaining bus coupled to the first pipeline and a second pipeline, the communicating at a second clock cycle subsequent to the first clock cycle that corresponds to a total number of latch pipeline stages in the first pipeline.
US09250908B2
A multi-processor cache and bus interconnection system. A multi-processor is provided a segmented cache and an interconnection system for connecting the processors to the cache segments. An interface unit communicates to external devices using module IDs and timestamps. A buffer protocol includes a retransmission buffer and method.
US09250906B2
Methods, apparatus and systems for virtualization of a native instruction set are disclosed. Embodiments include a processor core executing the native instructions and a second core, or alternatively only the second processor core consuming less power while executing a second instruction set that excludes portions of the native instruction set. The second core's decoder detects invalid opcodes of the second instruction set. A microcode layer disassembler determines if opcodes should be translated. A translation runtime environment identifies an executable region containing an invalid opcode, other invalid opcodes and interjacent valid opcodes of the second instruction set. An analysis unit determines an initial machine state prior to execution of the invalid opcode. A partial translation of the executable region that includes encapsulations of the translations of invalid opcodes and state recoveries of the machine states is generated and saved to a translation cache memory.
US09250902B2
The invention relates to determining the status of run-time-instrumentation controls. The status is determined by executing a test run-time-instrumentation controls (TRIC) instruction. The TRIC instruction executed in either a supervisor state or a lesser-privileged state. The TRIC instruction determines whether the run-time-instrumentation controls have changed. The run-time-instrumentation controls are set to an initial value using a privileged load run-time-instrumentation controls (LRIC) instruction. The TRIC instruction is fetched and executed. If the TRIC instruction is enabled, then it is determined if the initial value set by the run-time-instrumentation controls has been changed. If the initial value set by the run-time-instrumentation controls has been changed, then a condition code is set to a first value.
US09250893B2
A software automation build system including a one or more source code repositories, the one or more source code repositories including source code of a software product and a source code for a build system. The source code for the build system stores a configuration specifying a build and test environment as a configuration file that can be accessed remotely by users to replicate a consistent virtual build and test environment for developing and testing code of the software product at different locations, using virtual machines. The system may include one or more instances of the build system based on the configuration. The system may save versions of the configuration so that multiple versions of the build system can be accessed and built virtually.
US09250878B1
A method includes receiving, by a processing device executing a compiler, source code of a function associated with a compiler prompt, in which the function includes at least one variable to be allocated in a memory space on a stack, determining that the compiler prompt indicates to retain at least a portion of the allocated memory space on the stack after execution of the function, and compiling, in view of the compiler prompt, the source code to generate a prologue function and an epilogue function associated with execution of the function, in which the prologue function is to allocate the memory space for the function, and at least one of the prologue function or the epilogue function is to cause to retain the at least a portion of the allocated memory space on the stack after the execution of the function.
US09250872B2
In one set of embodiments, methods, systems, and apparatus are provided that include presenting, by a computer system, a task flow in a popup component of an application user interface executing in a user interface layer, where the task flow executes in an application layer of the computer system, and also include communicating, by the computer system, a first notification from the application layer to the user interface layer in response to normal completion of the task flow, and updating, e.g., closing, the component in the application user interface based upon the first notification. A second notification may be communicated from the user interface layer to the application layer in response to a user interface event that is associated with the popup component and causes an abnormal termination of the task flow. Presenting may include displaying the task flow in a region component in the popup component.
US09250871B2
A method and apparatus for processing a rich media user interface composed of a plurality of component objects that is capable of transferring information from a group of component objects having a specific function but not supporting the export of information to a group of component objects importing information only through predetermined paths through unpredictable path are provided. The method for processing content composed of user interface component objects includes receiving content including a plurality of user interface component objects, extracting exportable information which is defined to be exportable outside the content, and transferring the extracted exportable information to a target object.
US09250870B2
A computing device determines a first set of functions in a first file having a first bit length. The computing device performs a first test, which includes executing a first test program capable of testing each function in the first set of functions. The computing device determines whether the first test was successful, and based on determining that the first test was successful, creates a shim program based on the first set of functions. The computing device creates a second file based on the first set of functions, the second file having a second bit length. The computing device performs a second test, which includes executing a second test program capable of testing each function in the second file. The computing device determines whether the second test was successful, and based on determining that the second test was successful, publishes one or more of the shim program and second file.
US09250862B2
Embodiments of an improved Galois multiplication route are described. In some embodiments, the Galois multiplication routine looks up and retrieves a first value corresponding to an address in the Galois table, exclusive ORs the retrieved value with a data value from a data set to generate an intermediate address for the Galois table, wherein the data value is at a location associated with an index, and looks up and retrieves a second value in the Galois table by the intermediate address.
US09250859B2
One embodiment relates to a method for determining a latency of a FIFO buffer. A highest-order bit is provided from FIFO write and read counters to input-comparison logic that distinguishes between the highest-order write and read bits having a same logic level and the highest-order write and read bits having different logic levels. The occupancy level, and hence the latency, of the FIFO buffer is determined based on the output of the input-comparison logic. Another embodiment relates to a FIFO buffer having write and read counters that each have a length in bits that is one bit longer than is needed to address the FIFO buffer. Another embodiment relates to a method of tuning a latency of a FIFO buffer. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
US09250857B2
Managing buffers in a hybrid system, in one aspect, may comprise selecting a first buffer management method from a plurality of buffer management methods; capturing statistics associated with access to the buffer in the hybrid system running under the initial buffer management method; analyzing the captured statistics; identifying a second buffer management method based on the analyzed captured statistics; determining whether the second buffer management method is more optimal than the first buffer management method; in response to determining that the second buffer management method is more optimal than the first buffer management method, invoking the second buffer management method; and repeating the capturing, the analyzing, the identifying and the determining.
US09250853B2
An adhesive display system includes at least one adhesive display panel including a flexible display unit and an adhesive layer, at least one connector connected to the at least one adhesive display panel to apply a data driving signal thereto, and an external device configured to apply data to the at least one connector. The at least one adhesive display panel is connected to each other using the at least one connector.
US09250849B2
A printing system includes an identification part configured to identify a printing protocol to be used with respect to an image processor in creating a print queue for displaying a status of the image processor and a reflection part configured to reflect, in the print queue, a definition of a communication setting used for bidirectional communications between an information processor and the image processor, the definition corresponding to the identified printing protocol.
US09250847B2
An image forming apparatus having at least one of print, scan, copy, fax, and web browsing functions, the image forming apparatus including a near field communication (NFC) module to detect a mobile terminal through NFC, a touch panel to display an interactive screen on which at least one object appears and to receive an input of a gesture with respect to the object from a user, and a control unit to interpret a gesture from the user based on a relative position relationship between the NFC module and the touch panel and to transmit the object to the mobile terminal according to a result of the interpretation of the gesture.
US09250846B2
The invention is directed to a print service providing apparatus which is disposed on a network and connected to at least one printer through a communication line so as to provide print service, the apparatus including: a storage unit that stores, in advance, conversion data which have been converted into a bitmap format; and a supply unit that acquires, in accordance with a print instruction, the conversion data stored in the storage unit and supplies the conversion data to the printer connected through the communication line.
US09250845B2
The present invention is directed to, even when dividing an image arranged between a plurality of pages constituting facing pages before bookbinding printing, preventing different results of correction processing of images on the facing pages after bookbinding printing. An editing system lays out images on facing pages, divides an image laid out on facing pages to generate division images for respective single-side pages, and inserts the division images into the respective single-side pages to generate respective document data. Then, a printing control system extracts division images from the document data, combines the division images, performs correction processing on the combined image, divides the corrected combined image, inserts the division images into the respective document data to update it, and performs print processing based on the updated document data.
US09250844B2
In a system in which communication between an information processing apparatus and a printing apparatus is possible, the information processing apparatus detects that communication with the printing apparatus has become possible and, in response to detection that such communication has become possible, generates print data based upon data that the information processing apparatus is displaying on a display unit connected to or built in the information processing apparatus, and transfers the generated print data to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus prints the data received from the information processing apparatus.
US09250842B2
An image forming apparatus includes a data storage unit, a plurality of data processing units, and an assignment unit. The data storage unit is configured to store data of pages onto a plurality of storage devices. The plurality of data processing units are configured to perform parallel processing on the data of the pages, wherein the data for each of the pages is assigned to one of the plurality of data processing units. The assignment unit is configured to assign the data of each of the pages to be processed by one of the plurality of data processing units, wherein the assignment of the data of each of the pages to one of the plurality of data processing units is determined by a transfer rate of each of the storage devices for the data of the pages stored on the plurality of storage devices.
US09250841B2
When a print server according to the present invention receives a printing cancellation request from a load balancer, the print server acquires information of a print job as a target of the printing cancellation request and information of a printing device. Then, the print server determines whether a status of the acquired print job is a first status where printing cancellation processing is to be executed by a print server in charge of the printing device, a second status where the printing cancellation processing is to be executed by the printing device, or a third status where the printing cancellation request is to be handled as an error. Thereafter, the print server executes the printing cancellation processing according to the determination result.
US09250840B2
Provided is an image forming apparatus that allows information to be shared between applications, while lowering the security risk. With this image forming apparatus, a service acquisition portion references the class information of applications at the time of installation of them to acquire services from a server, or the like. A service registration unit associates the services acquired by the service acquisition portion with the respective applications to store them in a service registry. Upon one of the application being executed, an information sharing control portion uses the shared data to cause the information to be shared with the other services on the basis of the management information of the services associated with the applications by the service registration portion.
US09250839B1
Example systems and related methods may relate to handling a plurality of data transmissions from printing devices. Namely, a system may include a primary server and a secondary server. The primary server may include a primary processor and a primary storage device. The secondary server may include a secondary processor and a secondary storage device. The primary processor may be configured to receive and store a plurality of data transmissions from a corresponding plurality of printing devices. The data transmissions may be stored in an active database associated with the primary storage device. Metadata corresponding to the data transmissions may be generated. Some or all of the data transmissions may be archived as secondary data at a secondary server. The secondary data may be pre-processed to form a normalized database. In some embodiments, the metadata and/or the normalized data may be subject to search queries or statistical analysis.
US09250837B2
An image forming system according to an embodiment comprises a data creation section configured to create document data, and a print instruction section configured to send instructions to print the document data. The image forming section further comprises a printing mode determination section configured to determine a printing mode of the document data based on property information of the document data, and a selection section configured to select for printing the document data with one of a non-erasable image forming section and an erasable image forming section based on the determined printing mode.
US09250829B2
A processor of a distribution device included in a storage system is configured to manage an initial write position and a current write position for each of a plurality of storage apparatuses. The initial write position varies for the storage apparatuses. The processor is configured to receive a write request and give an instruction for writing data to each of the storage apparatuses in accordance with the current write position by distributing the write request to each of the storage apparatuses. The processor is configured to manage offset information indicating a write position relative to a top of a storage device corresponding to the current write position for each of the storage apparatuses. The processor is configured to receive a read request and select, based on the offset information, one of the storage apparatuses so as to send the read request to the selected storage apparatus.
US09250828B2
A memory system including parent data and clone data is disclosed, where the clone data represents a clone of the parent data. The system determines whether clone data to be accessed is different from corresponding data in the parent. The system also determines a physical location of the data to be accessed based on whether the data to be accessed is different from the corresponding parent data. The system also accesses the data based on the physical location.
US09250815B2
A method for selection of a DRAM refresh timing in a DRAM memory system is disclosed. The method may include running a workload for a first number of refresh intervals using a first DRAM refresh timing and making a first workload throughput measurement for the first number of refresh intervals. The method may also include running the workload for a second number of refresh intervals using a second DRAM refresh timing and making a second workload throughput measurement for the second number of refresh intervals. The method may further include deciding if the first throughput measurement is greater than the second throughput measurement, and then selecting the first DRAM refresh timing as a selected DRAM refresh timing, or deciding if the second throughput measurement is greater than the first throughput measurement, then selecting the second DRAM refresh timing as the selected DRAM refresh timing.
US09250812B2
Dynamic allocation of memory in a hybrid system is provided. In particularly, a method and system is provided to leverage a hybrid infrastructure for dynamic memory allocation and persistent file storage. The method includes a method comprises dynamically allocating a file or its part or to cache a file or its part between different storage technologies and respective memory technologies in a hybrid infrastructure.
US09250807B1
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for multi-dimensional disk arrays and methods for managing same and can be used in video surveillance systems for the management of real-time video data, image data, or combinations thereof.
US09250806B2
An information processing device causes a computer to count the number of data having a predetermined relation on data included in a first data group. Further, when the counted number is N (N is a natural number) or more, the information processing device outputs a plurality of data having a predetermined relation to an output destination. Further, the information processing device counts the number of data having a predetermined relation on data included in the first data group and a second data group different from the first data group. Further, when the number of data having a predetermined relation which is counted on the data included in the first data group and the second data group is N or more, the information processing device output the data included in the second data group among a plurality of data having a predetermined relation to the output destination.
US09250798B2
An electronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more processors, and memory detects a first portion of a gesture, and determines that the first portion has a first gesture characteristic. The device selects a dynamic disambiguation threshold in accordance with the first gesture characteristic. The dynamic disambiguation threshold is used to determine whether to perform a first type of operation or a second type of operation when a first kind of gesture is detected. The device determines that the gesture is of the first kind of gesture. After selecting the dynamic disambiguation threshold, the device determines whether the gesture meets the dynamic disambiguation threshold. When the gesture meets the dynamic disambiguation threshold, the device performs the first type of operation, and when the gesture does not meet the dynamic disambiguation threshold, the device performs the second type of operation.
US09250794B2
An interactive touchscreen system comprising a conductive panel having a surface portion adapted to receive touch interactions, the conductive panel operatively coupled to a tomograph configured for determining conductivity of the conductive panel and further adapted for incrementally improving a reconstructed tomogram estimation by integrating the output of a tomographic reconstruction algorithm having as input a unreconstructed tomogram delta, the reconstructed tomogram estimation being representative of the panel conductivity properties at locations spatially correlated to a plurality of regions notionally defined over the surface portion and therefrom indicative of the touch interactions, the tomograph further processing and outputting said reconstructed tomogram estimation and an indication thereof.
US09250791B2
A display control device according to the present invention includes a detection unit for detecting contact of an operating object on a display surface of a display unit, a position calculation unit for calculating a contact position, on the display surface, of the operating object whose contact has been detected by the detection unit, an operation process determination unit for determining, from a plurality of operation processes associated with a motion of the operating object, one operation process to be performed, according to a length of a contact time of continuously contacting the display surface within a first area including a reference contact position which is a contact position of the operating object at a time of the operating object being made to contact the display surface after a state of separation from the display surface, and an operation processing unit for changing display of the display unit by the operation process that is performed, based on a motion of the operating object that is further continuously in contact with the display surface.
US09250788B2
Techniques for manipulating graphic objects in response to gestures provided with a user interface device are disclosed. The technique includes indicating when a gesture associated with the graphics objects is to use a determined action. Others gestures are locked out from using the determined action with other graphic objects. Graphic objects are manipulated on the display based on the indication that the gesture associated with one of the graphics objects is to use the determined action.
US09250787B2
A playback control method of a multimedia device is provided for setting playback position and repetitive playback section of a multimedia file playing on the multimedia device intuitively with multi-touch behaviors on a touchscreen. The method includes sensing a multi-touch event on the touchscreen, extracting two contact points of the multi-touch event, determining coordinates of the contact points, calculating a distance between the coordinates, monitoring a variation of the distance, moving a playback position of a current playing multimedia file according to the variation of the distance, and restarting playback of the current playing multimedia file from the playback position when the contact points are released from the touchscreen.
US09250786B2
Example systems and methods of performing a snapping operation in a graphical user interface are presented. In one example, a first user input indicating an initiation of a dragging operation in the graphical user interface is received, wherein the first user input indicates a first location. A source feature corresponding to a source object is determined based on the first location. Also received is a second user input during the dragging operation in the graphical user interface, in which the second user input indicates a current location. A current target feature corresponding to a current target object is determined based on the current location. The source feature corresponding to the source object is snapped to the current target feature corresponding to the current target object.
US09250780B2
An information processing method and an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a triggering instruction for starting a first application program of the M application programs; executing the triggering instruction, and obtaining a first parameter; generating a first window interface of the first application program based on the first parameter; and displaying the first window interface, where a display area of the first window interface is less than a full-screen display area of the first application program on the display region.
US09250777B2
Aspects of the present invention may be found in a system and method to effectively schedule and configure video and audio conferences. In one embodiment, the system comprises a server and one or more audio/video conferencing devices interconnected through a public or private data network. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) provides for an intuitive means to graphically view and configure one or more conferences, participants, and conference call configuration settings.
US09250776B2
Maximizing information consumption in embedded experience apps/pop-ups and newsfeed/activity streams
A system, method and computer program product for controlling information to be displayed on a display device may be provided. The system may display on a first display view, electronic data which includes interactable data. The system may detect that the interactable data is selected by a user. The system may identify redundant data between the electronic data and content to be rendered responsive to selecting the interactable data. The system may hide the identified redundant data from the content to be rendered or the original content of the electronic data. The system may display, on a second display view, the content without the identified redundant data.
US09250772B2
A method for monitoring an industrial process with a graphical user interface of an operator panel. The graphical user interface is adapted to change between a default mode in which it presents a plurality of objects related to the industrial process, and a user-adapted mode in which a subset of the plurality of objects is presented. The subset of objects is selected based on a parameter value which is associated with each object of the plurality of objects. The graphical user interface enters the user-adapted mode by the method determining whether a time of inactivity of the operator panel exceeds a threshold value, and, provided that the threshold value has been exceeded, removing those objects of the plurality of objects on the graphical user interface which are not included in the subset of objects.
US09250771B1
A computer network for asynchronously ingesting media content into a content management system (CMS) is disclosed. The network includes a client computer located in a first geographical location, a server computer located in a second geographical location and a liaison computer located in a third geographical location. The client computer communicates with the server computer by way of a substandard network connection that is subject to frequent interruptions and/or low bandwidth. The liaison computer communicates with the server computer by way of a reliable network. The client computer includes a user interface wizard component that edits and bundles media content and prompts a user to select between uploading content to the server computer by way of the substandard network (e.g. piecemeal between interruptions) or storing the content in a local mobile storage device for uploading from the liaison computer.
US09250770B2
A portable terminal having display buttons for displaying images corresponding to specific functions through keys pressed by a user, and a method of inputting functions of the portable terminal using the display buttons. The portable terminal includes: a controller which receives signals corresponding to a user key pressed from the plurality of input buttons and outputs image data to be displayed on each of the plurality of input buttons using the received signals; and a plurality of buttons for inputting a key from a user and outputting a signal corresponding to the key pressed, and for receiving the image data from the controller and displaying the received image data. Accordingly, by using the display buttons for displaying variable images corresponding to specific functions as well as an essential function of inputting keys from a user when a specific function is input in the portable terminal such as a cell phone, a plurality of functions can be input with only a limited number of buttons, providing speed and convenience to the user for function input.
US09250768B2
A tablet may include a display to display information and to receive information, and a controller to control the display to display a user interface on the left of a display area of the display in a right-hand user mode in which the information is input using a right hand and to control the display to display the user interface on the right of the display area in a left-hand user mode in which the information is input using a left hand.
US09250763B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide an intuitive method for the specification of a design as follows. A widget is added to the design at the direction of a user. The widget has an event and an event handler. A second widget is added to the design. The design is exported from a design program and an instantiation of the design is created that is capable of being rendered by an external player. Executing the event handler adds a second event handler to a second widget in the instantiation of the design.
US09250762B2
An apparatus includes a computerized appliance having a processor, persistent storage storing one or more executable programs, and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) accessible by the processor, and caching software (SW) executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium, the SW providing a process: storing Logical Block Address (LBA) tables associated with individual ones of existing programs executable on the processor, tracking program launch and close, managing caching of data for any program launched according to the associated LBA, tracking data usage during execution of any program launched, on closing a program, removing any unused LBAs from the associated LBA table, adding any LBAs accessed not on the table; and saving the resulting LBA table for the program closed.
US09250757B2
The present invention relates to a capacitive-measurement device for touch-sensitive and/or contactless interfaces, including at least one capacitive-measurement electrode and electrode-switching unit capable of electrically connecting the at least one electrode, either to a capacitive-measurement unit or to a guard potential, the at least one capacitive-measurement electrode and the electrode-switching unit being provided on a single detection surface according to a technique for manufacturing planar electronic components. The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the device.
US09250746B2
According to various embodiments, a position capture input system uses a camera to capture an image of a displayed graphical user interface that may be partially obstructed by an object, such as a user's hand or other body part. The position capture input system also includes a software component that causes a computing device to compare the captured image with a displayed image to determine which portion, if any, of the graphical user interface is obstructed. The computing device can then identify any user interface elements with which the user is attempting to interact. The position capture input system may also include an accelerometer or accelerometers for detecting gestures performed by the user to, for example, select or otherwise interact with a user interface element. The position capture input system may also include a haptic feedback module to provide confirmation, for example, that a user interface element has been selected.
US09250729B2
A method for manipulating graphical user interface elements includes displaying a plurality of elements on a touch screen of an electronic device. Based on a first touch screen contact detected on a first side of the electronic device and a slide contact detected on a second side of the electronic device, a first touch screen element is selected and the non-selected touch screen element(s) are manipulated relative to the first element. The slide contact can be interpreted by the electronic device as a drag, push, or rotate relative to the first element. Various features of the slide movement, such as the speed, the length, the pressure, the direction, and/or the pattern may affect the manipulation of the non-selected elements.
US09250724B2
Provided is an information management system, esigned not to sense a hand holding a writing tool at the time of writing on a sheet. The information management system is provided with a personal computer which has a display, and an electronic underlay which is laid under a sheet to perform writing. The electronic underlay is provided with: a sheet-like optical waveguide formed by sandwiching lattice-like cores between a sheet-like under cladding layer and a sheet-like over cladding layer; a light emitting element connected to one end surface of the cores; and a light receiving element connected to another end surface of the core. An elasticity modulus of the core is larger than an elasticity modulus of the under cladding layer and of the over cladding layer.
US09250718B2
A “self-addressing” writing surface, such as paper, includes an encoded identifier that is uniquely associated with the recipient or a group of recipients. A pen-based computing system is used to capture writing made on the writing surface. The captured writing and the recipient identifier are sent electronically to a routing system, which identifies the recipient to which the content is to be routed based on the recipient identifier. The routing system forwards the message to the identified recipient, thereby enabling communication from the writer to the recipient associated with the writing surface.
US09250717B2
A computer input device (e.g. a mouse) with a finger-triggered sensor is described. The sensor generates input signals in addition to the conventional mouse signals generated by click buttons, tracking device and scrolling wheel. The sensor may be an optical sensor, a touch-sensitive sensor or other types of sensors. The signals generated by the sensor, either alone or in combination with other signals generated by the buttons, tracking device or scrolling wheel, may be interpreted to generate various messages for the operating system and/or application programs. The interpretation may be performed by a circuit on the input device, by a driver program on the host computer, or both. The sensor may be provided on a mouse, a laptop keyboard that has a pointing device, an external keyboard equipped with a pointing device, or on a stand-alone device that can be electrically connected to a computer through its available ports.
US09250712B1
A barcode scanning application is provided for a smartphone. The barcode scanning application includes a custom software input panel, which includes a barcode scanning key and a keyboard wedge capable of translating barcode data into keyboard strokes. The barcode scanning application, once initialized, is configured to cause the custom software input panel to be removed from the first portion of the visual display and to open a barcode viewfinder on the portion of the visual display previously occupied by the custom software input panel. The barcode scanning application is configured to scan a barcode in the viewfinder, close the viewfinder, decode the scanned barcode, and send the barcode information to the keyboard wedge. The keyboard wedge is configured to translate the decoded barcode information into keyboard strokes and send the keyboard strokes for displayed within a different application running and displayed continuously on the second portion of the visual display.
US09250698B2
An image processing apparatus includes a usage state determination portion determining a usage state of a camera portion; and an object detection portion detecting an object from an image captured by the camera portion using a plurality of methods, in which the object detection portion detects the object from the captured image by prioritizing the plurality of methods based on the usage state.
US09250697B2
A method and an apparatus for a parallel computing program calling APIs (application programming interfaces) in a host processor to perform a data processing task in parallel among compute units are described. The compute units are coupled to the host processor including central processing units (CPUs) and graphic processing units (GPUs). A program object corresponding to a source code for the data processing task is generated in a memory coupled to the host processor according to the API calls. Executable codes for the compute units are generated from the program object according to the API calls to be loaded for concurrent execution among the compute units to perform the data processing task.
US09250678B2
An information processing apparatus includes a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, and a process control section. A startup program to be required when starting up the information processing apparatus has previously been stored in the nonvolatile memory. When a command to start up the apparatus is received, it is determined whether or not the startup program is present in the volatile memory. When the startup program is absent, the startup program is loaded from the nonvolatile memory into the volatile memory. Thereafter, when a command to turn off the power of the information processing apparatus is received, supply of power to other components of the information processing apparatus than the volatile memory is stopped while maintaining supply of power to the volatile memory, thereby to shutdown the power of the information processing apparatus.
US09250673B2
Presented herein are techniques for storing parameter values determined by a power sourcing equipment (PSE) device during a Power over Ethernet (PoE) detection process. More specifically, in one example, a voltage is applied to an end device connected, via an Ethernet cable, to a port of the PSE device. The PSE device measures the current drawn by the end device and calculates, based on the measured current, a resistance and/or a capacitance value for the end device. The resistance and/or capacitance values are then stored in a memory of the PSE device.
US09250667B2
A method is provided that monitors the odor within the physical enclosure of a computing device that includes one or more components. The method includes determining whether the odor within the physical enclosure is indicative of an overheating component that is overheating within the physical enclosure of the computing device. Determining whether the odor within the physical enclosure may include an artificial neural network (“ANN”) to determine whether the odor is indicative of an overheating component. The method includes initiating an overheating protocol in response to determining that the odor within the physical enclosure is indicative of an overheating component. The method may, for example, alert the user and/or applications that a component is overheating.
US09250666B2
A system with scalable data collection for system management comprises a plurality of local data collectors and a system collector. Each of the local data collectors is coupled with a corresponding subsystem of the system. Each of the local data collectors is configured to periodically collect power management related data from the corresponding subsystem, and to format the collected power management related data for conveyance along any one of a plurality of channels between the local data collector and the system collector. The system collector is coupled with the plurality of local data collectors via the plurality of channels. The system collector selects from the channels between the system collector and each of the local data collectors based, at least in part, on channel states, and retrieves the power management related data collected by each of the local data collectors along a selected channel for the local data collector.
US09250664B2
An IHS includes an IHS chassis. A processor is located in the IHS chassis. At least one fan is located in the IHS chassis and in fluid communication with the processor. A temperature sensor is located in the IHS chassis. A fan controller is coupled to the processor, the at least one fan, the temperature sensor, and a storage device that includes a plurality of processor target temperatures that are each associated with a different ambient temperature. The fan controller is operable to receive a first ambient temperature from the temperature sensor, determine a first processor target temperature that is associated with the first ambient temperature, receive a temperature of the processor, and operate the at least one fan in order to reduce the temperature of the processor to the first processor target temperature.
US09250653B2
Techniques for presenting content provided by a mobile device on a second communication device are presented. A content enhancer component (CEC) connects via a wired or wireless communication connection to the second communication device to communicate content to the second communication device, which has a larger display than or superior audio to the mobile device. The CEC captures content and interaction between the user and mobile device in a capture region of the CEC. The CEC reconstructs the content and the user-related interaction for presentation on the second communication device. The second communication device can have a 2-D or 3-D display. If a 3-D display, the CEC can convert captured video content into a 3-D format to provide 3-D perception when content is displayed on the second communication device. The captured audio signal can be processed to provide an enhanced stereo or 3-D sound effect.
US09250650B2
A computer *display is pivotally connected to at least one *display arm, which in turn is pivotally connected to a base. When the *display arm(s) points upward from the base, the *display may hang in a vertical position. When the *display arm is lowered a torque is exerted on the *display to tilt the *display away from the base. When the *display reaches a *horizontal position an open space will exist under the *display that can be used to place items such as a mouse, keyboard, notepad, pens or other low profile devices. One or more feet are attached to the *display such that that when the *display is in the horizontal position the foot or feet contact a stable surface such as a desk, table or other suitably stable object, and further provides for such open space.
US09250646B2
Methods and systems may provide for a sink module that receives packets from a source module, wherein each of the packets has a source timestamp corresponding to a source module packet arrival time. A reference timestamp may be associated with the source timestamp of the most recent packet having a program clock reference. A sink counter may be synchronized to a broadcaster transmit counter based on a current source timestamp and the reference timestamp. The sink counter and the source counter may be driven by asynchronous clocks, wherein the current source timestamp may be inferred based on a current value of the source counter. The packets may include video data and/or audio data. The sink counter may be synchronized by adjusting the frequency of a source clock and/or adjusting the sink counter.
US09250644B2
A power conversion system in an electronic device is utilized for converting an input voltage of a power source terminal to a required voltage of a load circuit to provide power to the load circuit. The power conversion system includes a first voltage conversion circuit for converting the input voltage to the required voltage of the load circuit according to a first control signal; and a power control module for generating the first control signal according to a starting signal or a load voltage of the load circuit; wherein the load circuit receives the voltage outputted from the first voltage conversion circuit to perform operations.
US09250643B2
Embodiments of circuitry, which includes power supply switching circuitry, a first inductive element, and a second inductive element, are disclosed. The power supply switching circuitry provides a first switching output signal to the first inductive element and a second switching output signal to the second inductive element. The first inductive element has a first inductor current and the second inductive element has a second inductor current. The second switching output signal is delayed from the first switching output signal by a switching signal delay. The first inductor current and the second inductor current combine to provide a combined inductor current, which has a frequency response with a group of notches, such that frequency locations of the group of notches are based on the switching signal delay.
US09250642B2
A constant current generating circuit and constant current generating method applied to a chip are provided, where the chip includes a first current generating circuit and a second current generating circuit, the second current generating circuit includes a transistor and an adjustable resistor. The constant current generating method includes: connecting an external resistor to the first current generating circuit to make the first current generating circuit use the external resistor to generate a first current; utilizing the second current generating circuit to generate a second current; adjusting the adjustable resistor in accordance with the first current and the second current to make the second current substantially equal to the first current, where the second current serves as a constant current of the chip.
US09250640B1
A controller for a DC-to-DC converter includes a control signal generator and an oscillation prevention subsystem. The control signal generator is adapted to control one or more switching circuits of the DC-to-DC converter such that the DC-to-DC converter transfers power from an input power source to a load. The oscillation prevention subsystem is adapted to shift a switching frequency of the DC-to-DC converter away from a frequency of an alternating current component of a load current flowing between the DC-to-DC converter and the load.
US09250638B1
A control circuit for controlling a switching regulator that converts an input voltage to a regulated output voltage. The control circuit has an input-output comparator configured for comparing a difference between the input voltage and the output voltage, and producing a first sleep signal for placing the regulator into a sleep mode, when the regulator operates in a dropout mode, and the difference between the input voltage and the output voltage becomes less than a first predetermined value.
US09250636B2
Cooling control methods include measuring a temperature of air provided to a plurality of nodes by an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, measuring a temperature of at least one component of the plurality of nodes and finding a maximum component temperature across all such nodes, comparing the maximum component temperature to a first and second component threshold and comparing the air temperature to a first and second air threshold, and controlling a proportion of coolant flow and a coolant flow rate to the air-to-liquid heat exchanger and the plurality of nodes based on the comparisons.
US09250633B2
An air conditioning control device and a method thereof are provided, and the air conditioning control method includes the following steps. A plurality of predetermined state information and a current state information are generated according to environment states of a physical space, and a target state information is selected form the plurality of predetermined state information according to a minimum energy consumption. Moreover, the current state information and the target state information are utilized to generate a current effective temperature value and a target effective temperature value, and a set temperature value and a return-air temperature value are extracted from an air conditioning controller. The current effective temperature value, the target effective temperature value, the set temperature value and the return-air temperature value are utilized to execute fuzzy inference to generate a temperature fine-tuning value. The temperature fine-tuning value is utilized to adjust the set temperature value.
US09250630B2
A modular vehicle management system is described, comprising a controller module configured to control different types of carrier modules. The controller module includes a computer system and optionally one or more sensors. The computer system is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether a carrier module is connected to the controller module. If the carrier module is connected to the controller module, the carrier module is authenticated. If the authentication fails, operation of the vehicle is inhibited. The control module is configured to determine carrier module capabilities including information regarding a navigation processing device, and/or a radio modem. The controller adapts to the capabilities of the controller module. Using information from the sensors and the navigation processing device, the vehicle management system navigates the vehicle.
US09250623B2
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a method of semiconductor fabrication includes performing a process on substrates with an equipment unit to form processed substrates, communicating processing data from the equipment unit to a local scheduler and a universal scheduler, determining a priority of the processed substrates, and scheduling removal of processed substrates from the equipment unit and delivery of unprocessed substrates to the equipment unit by the local scheduler based on the processing data and the priority of the processed substrates.
US09250615B2
A method for parametering a field device of process automation technology, wherein the field device has a certain number of device parameters, and wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of parametering modules, wherein at least one of the parametering modules specifies values for parameters of a first portion of the device parameters for parametering the field device; registering with an auxiliary module data, which relate to the application, in which the field device is to be applied; and selecting by means of the auxiliary module one of the parametering modules for parametering of the field device.
US09250612B2
An embodiment is a device including a control circuit, a time-to-digital converter circuit coupled having a first output coupled to a first input of the control circuit, and a gating circuit having a first input coupled to a first signal, a second input coupled to a second signal, and an output coupled to a first input of the time-to-digital converter circuit, an output of the control circuit coupled to a second input of the time-to-digital converter circuit and to a third input of the gating circuit.
US09250604B2
An image forming apparatus (1) includes, as working sections, a paper output tray (16), a paper feeding cassette (13), and attachment sections to which toner cartridges (71) through (74), a waste toner container (69), and a unit assembly (11) are attached. Out of the working sections, a high-frequency working section with a high working frequency is provided on a front surface of the image forming apparatus, and a low-frequency working section with a low working frequency is provided on a side surface of the image forming apparatus.
US09250597B2
A foreign matter removing apparatus includes: a removing plate disposed above a recording medium carriage path, a first sensor and a second sensor which interpose the removing plate therebetween at equal distances in a carriage direction of the recording medium and are disposed on both sides of the recording medium carriage direction, a first plate and a second plate which come in contact with each other at a position below the removing plate, and are disposed at positions opposed to the first sensor and the second sensor while interposing the recording medium carriage path therebetween so as to be opened and closed in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium carriage direction, a first driving roller disposed between the first sensor and the removing plate, and a second driving roller disposed between the second sensor and the removing plate.
US09250596B2
An image forming apparatus includes a vibration adjustment unit which adjusts a natural frequency of an optical system, a measuring unit which measures vibrational information indicating change in vibration, and a controller which individually drives each unit. The measuring unit measures the vibrational information after the natural frequency is adjusted to a drive frequency of each unit at an initial state. The controller stores this vibrational information as initial vibrational information. The measuring unit measures the vibrational information after the natural frequency is adjusted to a drive frequency of a unit to be checked. The controller compares this vibrational information with the initial vibrational information measured after adjustment of the natural frequency to the drive frequency of the unit to be checked. The controller determines abnormality in the unit to be checked according to the comparison.
US09250594B2
A system and method are provided for implementing an asynchronous buffering module and/or scheme employing an integrated registration function, particularly for in-line printing in an image forming system. Multiple simplex marking engines are arranged in series and provided with a mechanism that includes an asynchronous buffering module with the capacity to modify the timing of individual sheets of image receiving media passing between the in-line marking engines. The buffering module is augmented with an integrated registration function for the in-line duplex printing. The combined mechanism provides a capacity between the multiple marking engines to effect timing synchronization and re-registration for the sheets exiting the first serial marking engine allowing them to be properly timed and registered for feeding to the second serial marking engine. An asynchronous nature of the combination of media marking engines is synchronized in the feed of the sheets between the media marking engines.
US09250582B2
A fixing apparatus configured to heat a recording material having a toner image formed thereon and fix the toner image fixing on the recording material comprising: a film; a heater configured to contact the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generation resistor formed on the substrate; a thermal conduction member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the thermal conduction member having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the substrate; and a pressurizing roller configured to form a pressing portion with the heater via the film, wherein the thermal conduction member contacts the heater so as not to overlap with an end region of the heat generation resistor in a longitudinal direction of the heat generation member.
US09250573B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a developer carrying member (sleeve) including a magnet and grooves; and an image bearing member (drum). The electrostatic image on the drum is developed with a developer. When a linear speed of the sleeve is Vs, a linear speed of the drum is Vd, a peripheral speed ratio of the sleeve to the drum is α=Vs/Vd, a radius of the sleeve is Rs, a radius of the drum is Rd, a distance of a rectilinear line connecting a most upstream point and a most downstream point in the developing region with respect to the circumferential direction is Lnip, a pitch of the grooves of the sleeve is p, and an arbitrary natural number is n, the following relationship is satisfied: (1−0.05)×np≦2[α×Rd×arcsin(Lnip/2Rd)−Rs×arcsin(Lnip/2Rs)]≦(1+0.05)×np.
US09250572B2
A sealing device includes a base member configured to attach to an ink developer unit, a sealing member having a sealing surface configured to at least one of limit an unwanted flow of ink outside of the ink developer unit and conform to an outer surface of a respective roller, and a compliant member disposed between the base member and the sealing member such that the compliant member is configured to vary a sealing force along the sealing surface of the sealing member.
US09250570B2
A developing device includes: a developer carrying member; first and second feeding paths; a first screw member; a second screw member; and a discharge portion. When a ratio of a developer feeding speed in a first region to a developer feeding speed in the second region is α, a screw blade pitch of the first screw member in the second region is p1, a screw blade pitch of the first screw member in the third region is p1′, a rotational speed of the first screw member is ω1, a maximum of a cross-sectional area of a flow path lower than a lower end of the discharge opening in an axially vertical cross section including the discharge opening of the first feeding path is R″, and an opening area of an opening is S′, the following relationship is satisfied: R″αp1/p1′≦S′≦R″p1/p1′.
US09250559B2
Provided is a printing apparatus including: a photosensitive drum; a substrate including multiple formable regions in each of which corresponding one of multiple light emitting elements is formable; and a lens array, in which the substrate is arranged in a manner that a longitudinal direction of the substrate is parallel to a rotary shaft of the photosensitive drum, in which the substrate includes m formable region rows, where m is an integer number equal to or greater than 2, each of the m formable region rows including n formable regions, where n is an integer number equal to or greater than 1, arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, and in which one of the multiple light emitting elements formed in any one of m formable regions that are located in a predetermined column of the m formable region rows is turned on.
US09250555B1
Provided is a charging roll, including a core body, and an elastic layer that is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the core body, wherein, with respect to an approximation curve that extends an outer curve of the axial direction of the core body of an outer circumferential surface in a region other than both end portions of the outermost layer up to both end portions of the outermost layer, a maximum increase amount of the outer curve in both end portions of the outermost layer is equal to or less than 60 μm, and wherein a coefficient of friction of the outer circumferential surface at a position showing the maximum increase amount of the outer curve in both end portions of the outermost layer is equal to or less than 0.3, and a variation amount of the coefficient of friction is equal to or less than 30%.
US09250538B2
A method and apparatus for an efficient optical proximity correction (OPC) repair flow is disclosed. Embodiments may include receiving an input data stream of an integrated circuit (IC) design layout, performing one or more iterations of an OPC step and a layout polishing step on the input data stream, and performing a smart enhancement step if an output of a last iteration of the OPC step fails to satisfy one or more layout criteria and if a number of the one or more iterations satisfies a threshold value. Additional embodiments may include performing a pattern insertion process cross-linked with the OPC step, the pattern insertion process being a base optical rule check (ORC) process.
US09250537B2
An exposure apparatus which prevents the damage due to the liquid having flowed out from spreading and enables satisfactory performances of the exposure processes and the measurement processes is provided. An exposure apparatus (EX) includes a movable table (PT), a base member (41) having an upper surface (41A) that guides the movement of the table (PT), and a detecting device (60) that detects whether there is a liquid on the upper surface (41A) of the base member (41).
US09250532B2
There is provided a pattern forming method comprising: (i) a step of forming a first film on a substrate by using a first resin composition (I), (ii) a step of forming a second film on the first film by using a second resin composition (II) different from the resin composition (I), (iii) a step of exposing a multi-layered film having the first film and the second film, and (iv) a step of developing the first film and the second film in the exposed multi-layered film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern.
US09250531B2
A method of forming a resist pattern including: forming a resist film on a substrate using a resist composition containing a base component (A) which exhibits decreased solubility in an organic solvent by action of an acid; exposing the resist film; and patterning by a negative-tone development using a developing solution containing the organic solvent, wherein the base component (A) contains a resin component (A1) having a structural unit (a0) which generates acid upon exposure and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester which may have the hydrogen atom bonded to the carbon atom on the α-position substituted with a substituent and contains an acid decomposable group which exhibits increased polarity by the action of acid, and the developing solution contains a nitrile solvent.
US09250526B2
A composition for forming a resist underlayer film includes a polysiloxane, and an organic solvent composition. The organic solvent composition includes an alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether acetate having a standard boiling point of less than 150.0° C., and an organic solvent having a standard boiling point of no less than 150.0° C. In the organic solvent composition, a content of the alkylene glycol monoalkyl ether acetate is no less than 50% by mass and no greater than 99% by mass, and a content of the organic solvent is no less than 1% by mass and no greater than 50% by mass.
US09250523B2
A polymer capable of increasing alkali solubility under the action of acid, as a base resin is blended with a copolymer comprising recurring units derived from acenaphthylene, indene, benzofuran or benzothiophene and fluorine-containing recurring units, as a polymeric additive to formulate a resist composition. The photoresist film formed using the resist composition is effective for minimizing outgassing therefrom during the EUV lithography. The resist film has a hydrophilic surface and is effective for suppressing formation of blob defects after development.
US09250498B2
An apparatus and a method for performing an Auto Focus (AF) function in an electronic device which does not perform the AF function while performing a camcorder function are provided. The apparatus includes a camera for receiving a photographing data, a camera processing unit for performing any one of a still picture acquisition function and an AF function, a recording processing unit for performing a function for recording the photographing data, a camera driver for operating the camera under control of the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit, and a processor for controlling the camera processing unit and the recording processing unit when detecting an AF request while photographing a moving picture to focus on the photographing data automatically and to record the focused photographing data.
US09250493B2
An electronic device includes a camera module and a shielding assembly. The shielding assembly includes at least one window glass and a smart film mounted to the window glass. The shielding assembly covers the camera module by turning opaque. If the camera module is in use, the shielding assembly is provided with electricity, and changes transparent. If the shielding assembly is not being provided with electricity, the shielding module becomes opaque to blind the camera module. A shielding assembly is also provided.
US09250491B2
In a liquid crystal display device, a common electrode is formed on an organic passivation film, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the common electrode, a pixel electrode with a slit is formed on the interlayer insulating film, and a through hole is formed in the organic passivation film and the interlayer insulating film, so that the pixel electrode is connected to a source electrode of a TFT through the through hole. Further, the taper angle around the upper base of the through hole is smaller than the taper angle around the lower base. Thus, the alignment film material can easily flow into the through hole when the diameter of the through hole is reduced to connect the pixel and source electrodes, preventing display defects such as uneven brightness due to the absence of the alignment film or due to the alignment film irregularity around the through hole.
US09250482B2
A liquid crystal display device, includes a first substrate including a first insulating substrate, a first thin film positioned on the first insulating substrate, and a first alignment layer positioned on the first thin film and including a first exposing area that exposes the first thin film, a second substrate facing the first substrate and including a second insulating substrate, a spacer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and including at least a part that corresponds to the first exposing area, and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US09250479B2
A liquid crystal display device includes: a TFT substrate having gate lines and data lines arranged thereon, the gate lines extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction, the data lines extending in the second direction and arranged in the first direction; a counter substrate having a black matrix and a color filter; and liquid crystals put between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate. Columnar spacers are formed on the counter substrate. Pedestals are formed on portions of the TFT substrate, the portions corresponding to the columnar spacers. A convex portion and a concave portion are present at the top end of the columnar spacer. The pedestal is formed corresponding to the concave portion. The concave portion is opened at the ends thereof and connected to the lateral side of the columnar spacer.
US09250476B2
Provided are a liquid crystal display device that suppresses occurrence of drop marks during production without degrading various properties, such as dielectric anisotropy, viscosity, nematic phase upper limit temperature, rotational viscosity (γ1), and ghosting property, and a method for producing the liquid crystal display device.A liquid crystal display device 10 of the present invention includes a liquid crystal composition layer 13 sandwiched between a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12 and vertical alignment films 16 and 17 formed of a cured product of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal composition constituting the liquid crystal composition layer 13 contains compounds represented by general formulae (I) and (II).
US09250464B2
A touch panel utilizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) includes a base a first CNT film, a second CNT film, and a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The base defines a first touch sensing region, a second touch sensing region, and a gap region. The first CNT film and the second CNT film are respectively positioned on the first touch sensing region and the second touch sensing unit. The FPC is mounted on the base. A plurality of first connection wires are formed on the base, and each first connection wire includes a first electrode, a first wire body and a second electrode. The first electrode is located at the gap region and is connected to both the first CNT film and the second CNT film. The second electrode is attached to the FPC, and the first wire body is connected between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09250462B2
An image display device comprising an image display panel, a frame system including a framework operatively engaging the image display panel and a plurality of electronic components operatively engaging the framework, heat dispersion material operatively engaging the framework and in operative thermal contact with the electronic components, where the frame system exhibits a support factor of less than about 150 mm-W/m° K.
US09250455B2
The optical modulator includes optical modulation units. The plurality of optical modulation units is disposed in parallel on the same substrate. One input waveguide branches off to be connected to the Mach-Zehnder type optical waveguide of each optical modulation unit, and an entire optical waveguide is formed such that outputs from the Mach-Zehnder type optical waveguides are combined and output through one output waveguide. A modulation signal with the same intensity is applied to a modulation electrode of each optical modulation unit. In at least some of the optical modulation units, mechanical structures including the modulation electrodes of the optical modulation units are configured such that an amplitude value of an optical output modulated by the modulation signal of the optical modulation unit is ½n (n is a natural number) of a maximum amplitude value in other optical modulation units.
US09250453B2
An integrated optical linewidth reduction system includes a phase modulator adapted to modulate the phase of an incoming optical signal in response to a feedback control signal defined by a first electrical signal. The phase modulator is further adapted to generate a first optical signal travelling through a first optical path. The first electrical signal is representative of a phase noise of the first optical signal. An optical linewidth of the first optical signal is less than an optical linewidth of the incoming optical signal.
US09250449B2
A three-dimensional stereo display, and a system and method are provided for controlling the three-dimensional stereo display. The three-dimensional stereo display includes backlight, a first polarizer, a first liquid crystal panel, a second polarizer and a second liquid crystal panel which are sequentially arranged on the backlight source. The second liquid crystal panel switches the polarizing angle of the light travelling through and exiting from said second liquid crystal panel between a horizontal and vertical polarization. Due to the polarization direction of light could be changed by the liquid crystal panel, and makes the light for the left-eye image and the right-eye image are mutual perpendicular. The polarization direction of the light for the left-eye image is the same as that of the left lens, and the polarization direction of the light for the right-eye image is the same as that of the right lens. So the light belongs to the left-eye image or the right-eye image can pass through the left lens or the right lens respectively, then a stereo image will emerge in people's brain due to the effect of “fusion activity”. Further, there is no need to close the polarized spectacles, the displaying efficiency is improved compared with the “Active Stereo”.
US09250442B2
A method of controlling a head mounted display (HMD) device according to one embodiment of the present specification includes the steps of detecting whether the head mounted display device is in a wearing mode or a non-wearing mode, if the head mounted display device is in the wearing mode, displaying the digital information with a first user interface format, and if the head mounted display device is in the non-wearing mode, displaying the digital information with a second user interface format, wherein the digital information displayed with the second user interface format corresponds to the digital information displayed in a manner of expanding the digital information displayed with the first user interface format.
US09250440B2
An optical scanning device includes a plurality of light sources configured to emit a plurality of light beams, respectively; an optical deflector having a deflection-reflection surface that deflects and reflects the light beams, each of the light beams being incident on the deflection-reflection surface at an oblique incident angle, the oblique incident angles of the light beams being different from one another; and a flat glass arranged to be tilted at a tilt angle with respect to the deflection-reflection surface in a sub-scanning direction, the light beams being incident on the deflection-reflection surface via the flat glass, the tilt angle being smaller than a largest one of the oblique incident angles of the light beams. The light beams deflected and reflected by the deflection-reflection surface are incident on a plurality of scanned surfaces via the flat glass, respectively.
US09250429B2
An optical device includes: a focusing optic that focuses a light beam in a focal plane; at least two phase filters for selectively focusing the light beam and effecting a phase shift of the light beam; and a filter wheel supporting the at least two phase filters which are individually introducible along an optical axis of the light beam, where the filter wheel is rotationally adjusted in relation to the optical axis by a stepper motor and linearly adjusted in an r-direction along a plane of the filter wheel by a linear adjustment mechanism.
US09250421B2
A zoom lens includes, sequentially from an object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a positive rear lens group. During zooming from a wide angle position to a telephoto position, an interval between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, and an interval between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases. The rear lens group includes a positive first sub-group, a negative second sub-group, and a positive third sub-group, and focusing is performed by moving the second sub-group toward an image surface side. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: 0.2
US09250419B2
An imaging lens includes: a movable lens group with total positive refractive power, including first and second sub lens groups; and an ever-fixed lens group that is ever-fixed. The imaging lens has first and second focusing modes for focusing operation in first and second focus ranges, respectively. The first focus range covers from an object at an infinite distance to an object at a first finite distance, and the second focus range covers from an object at a second finite distance shorter than the infinite distance to an object at a third finite distance shorter than the first finite distance. The first sub lens group is configured to be fixed and the second sub lens group is configured to travel, during each of the first and second focusing modes. Traveling of the movable lens group toward object plane allows switching from the first to second focusing modes.
US09250417B2
The disclosure relates to optical arrangements in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an optical arrangement has at least one mirror segment arrangement including a plurality of separate mirror segments. The mirror segments are connected to a carrying structure of the projection exposure apparatus via mounting elements. At least one of the mounting elements, which is assigned to a first one of the mirror segments, extends, on the opposite side to the optically active surface of the mirror segment arrangement, at least partly into the region of a second mirror segment of the mirror segment arrangement. The second mirror segment is adjacent to the first mirror segment.
US09250413B2
A voice coil motor (VCM) includes a fixing portion, a moving portion, a magnet assembly, a coil, and an elastic sheet. The fixing portion includes an upper plate and a sidewall extending from edges of the upper plate. The moving portion is received in the fixing portion, and includes a top surface and an outer surface connected to the top surface. The moving portion defines a plurality of glue receiving recesses in the top surface and a plurality of second connecting portions each extending from a bottom surface of each glue receiving recess. The magnet assembly is fixed on the inner surface. The coil is circled around the outer surface of the moving portion, and is opposite to the magnet assembly. The elastic sheet is connected between the first connecting portions and the second connecting portions.
US09250408B2
A telecommunications cabinet includes a cabinet housing; a fiber optic splitter; a plurality of spools disposed on a cable management surface; a panel oriented at a fixed angle relative to the access opening so that the panel extends laterally and rearwardly between the access opening and the cable management surface; and a plurality of adapters disposed on the panel.
US09250398B2
An optical fiber connector includes a ferrule, a fastening tube, and a cover plate. The ferrule includes a through hole and a breach. Front and rear parts of the through hole respectively include a pre-embedded optical fiber and a field optical fiber. A joint of the two optical fibers is located at the breach. A part of the through hole is exposed in the breach. The fastening tube includes a ferrule accommodating portion accommodating a part of the ferrule on which the breach is disposed, and an opening disposed thereon. The opening connects the ferrule accommodating portion, and is positionally corresponding to the breach. The cover plate passes through the opening, is disposed in the breach, and presses the joint. The ferrule is easily machined and can adopt a material hardly influenced by environment temperature. The joint is fixed, and an amount of joint loss is stable.
US09250395B2
A fiber optic plug, suitable for multi-core fiber (MCF), is structured to hold satellite cores of the MCF in a precise angular positions so as to attain suitable alignment with satellite cores of a mating connector. The plug includes features to permit a ferrule holding the MCF to move longitudinally relative to the connector's housing, so that a spring may control a mating force to an abutting ferrule of a mating connector. The ferrule may be held by ferrule barrel having splines projecting away from an outer peripheral surface. The splines may slide longitudinally within notches of the connector housing or a strength member attached to the connector housing. The notches and splines have a tight tolerance, so that the satellite cores remain in a desired, set angular position.
US09250392B2
An inlet guide for facilitating distribution of optical fibers into at least one duct is provided. The inlet guide includes a first portion, a second portion, a first end, a second end, a head, and a main body. The first portion includes a first opposing surface. The second portion includes a second opposing surface and is separable from the first portion. The head is disposed at the first end and comprises an outlet port. The main body is disposed at the second end. The first portion and the second portion cooperate to define a plurality of passageways for the optical fibers. The plurality of passageways extends between the first end and the second end.
US09250386B2
Disclosed is an optical fiber having a core with an alkali metal oxide dopant in an peak amount greater than about 0.002 wt. % and less than about 0.1 wt. %. The alkali metal oxide concentration varies with a radius of the optical fiber. By appropriately selecting the concentration of alkali metal oxide dopant in the core and the cladding, a low loss optical fiber may be obtained. Also disclosed are several methods of making the optical fiber including the steps of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped rod, and adding additional glass to form a draw perform. Preferably, the draw preform has a final outer dimension (d2), wherein an outer dimension (d1) of the rod is less than or equal to 0.06 times the final outer dimension (d2). In a preferred embodiment, the alkali metal oxide-doped rod is inserted into the centerline hole of a preform to form an assembly.
US09250384B2
A multicore fiber includes a first multicore fiber member and a second multicore fiber member, one end face of the first multicore fiber member being spliced to one end face of the second multicore fiber member, wherein at least two core end faces of multiple cores in the first multicore fiber member are spliced one-to-one to core end faces of multiple cores in the second multicore fiber member, and, among the cores in the first multicore fiber member and the cores in the second multicore fiber member spliced one-to-one at the core end faces, at least one core in the first multicore fiber member and one core in the second multicore fiber member spliced thereto have different effective core areas, and an open end face of the core having the larger effective core area is a face which light enters.
US09250369B2
A method for making a hollow-structure metal grating is provided. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a patterned mask layer on a surface of the substrate, applying a metal layer with a thickness greater than 10 nanometers on the patterned mask layer, and removing the patterned mask layer by a washing method using organic solvent. The patterned mask layer includes a plurality of first protruding structures and a plurality of first cavities arranged in intervals.
US09250368B2
Dual-sided daylight redirecting films include an optical substrate with two solar light redirecting layers disposed on the major surfaces of the optical substrate. The light redirecting layers are microstructured surfaces forming a plurality of prism structures. At least one of the microstructured surfaces is an ordered arrangement of a plurality of asymmetric refractive prisms, and the two solar light redirecting layers are not identical or mirror images. Articles may be prepared that include the dual-sided daylight redirecting film and one or more glazing substrates.
US09250357B2
The present invention relates to a method of reducing the amount of silicon on a surface of a contact lens, wherein the method includes reacting the surface of a contact lens containing at least one silicone component with a fluoride reagent.
US09250351B2
Born Scattering Inversion (BSI) systems and methods are disclosed. A BSI system may be incorporated in a well system for accessing natural gas, oil and geothermal reserves in a geologic formation beneath the surface of the Earth. The BSI system may be used to generate a three-dimensional image of a proppant-filled hydraulically-induced fracture in the geologic formation. The BSI system may include computing equipment and sensors for measuring electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of the fracture before and after the fracture is generated, adjusting the parameters of a first Born approximation model of a scattered component of the surface electromagnetic fields using the measured electromagnetic fields, and generating the image of the proppant-filled fracture using the adjusted parameters.
US09250349B2
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of operation with respect to well logging. Apparatus and methods include a tool having an arrangement of transmitters and receivers to capture a signal from a first region relative to the tool such that signal contributions from a second region relative to the tool are cancelable, based on placement of the transmitters and receivers with respect to each other. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09250347B2
The present disclosure is direct to method of performing measurements while drilling in an earth formation. The method may include estimating a location of a seismic reflector using signals from one or more of seismic sensors located at a plurality of locations in a borehole and the drilling depth of the one or more seismic sensors in a borehole. The signals may include information about times when the seismic sensors detect a direct wave and a reflected wave. The method may include storing the information in a memory using a processor.
US09250340B2
Methods and apparatus for noise removal from seismic data. In one embodiment, a seismic data set comprising a plurality of traces is received, and noise metrics for the seismic data set are computed using a set of time and depth windows. The seismic data set is scanned to determine a first set of groups. Each group in the first set comprises at least a first minimum number of neighboring traces for which at least one of the noise metrics is outside a predefined specification. Noise attenuation is applied to the traces in the first set of groups. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.
US09250338B2
In various embodiments, a multilayer jacket for a seismic streamer is disclosed. The multilayer jacket comprises an outer layer comprising a water-resistant and wear-resistant material. The multilayer jacket further comprises an inner layer comprising a hydrocarbon impermeable material.
US09250326B2
A sensor for monitoring a monitored area, having a transmitting unit which emits radiation, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting objects in the monitored area. According to the invention, the sensor comprises means, using which the instantaneous and/or average power per unit area applied to a detected object of energy incident on the object, such as electromagnetic radiation of the transmitting unit, can be determined. In addition, adaptation means are provided in order to not let the instantaneous and/or average power per unit area of energy incident on the object, such as electromagnetic radiation of the transmitting unit, exceed a predetermined value during the detection of an object in the monitored area, the sensor being configured to first measure whether objects are located in a predetermined proximal area to the transmitter unit using a comparatively low power which can create no or no noticeable hazard potential for people.
US09250324B2
A system and method for providing target selection and threat assessment for vehicle collision avoidance purposes that employ probability analysis of radar scan returns. The system determines a travel path of a host vehicle and provides a radar signal transmitted from a sensor on the host vehicle. The system receives multiple scan return points from detected objects, processes the scan return points to generate a distribution signal defining a contour of each detected object, and processes the scan return points to provide a position, a translation velocity and an angular velocity of each detected object. The system selects the objects that may enter the travel path of the host vehicle, and makes a threat assessment of those objects by comparing a number of scan return points that indicate that the object may enter the travel path to the number of the scan points that are received for that object.
US09250319B2
A floodlight radar system includes a transmitter arranged to generate output waveforms at first and second centre frequencies, and at least one transmit antenna configured to illuminate a search volume constantly at the first and second centre frequencies. A sparse array of receive antennas is arranged in a common plane and configured to monitor the search volume constantly. The system includes a receive circuit arranged to extract target position information from return signals received by each antenna, and a signal processor circuit which is arranged to resolve ambiguity in the position information using a known relationship between calculated Doppler spectra, wavelengths and phase differences at the first and second frequencies, to calculate azimuth, elevation, range and velocity of a target identified in the search volume. The system is able to rapidly detect and locate multiple fast moving targets in three dimensions.
US09250317B1
Methods and apparatus for 3D radar data from 2D primary surveillance radar and passive adjunct radar
Methods and apparatus for combining radar signals of a two-dimensional primary radar covering a surveillance area and a passive adjunct radar to provide three-dimensional data for targets and weather. In exemplary embodiments, high beam and low beam data from the primary radar and elevation data from the adjunct radar can be used to mitigate interference from clutter, such as wind farms.
US09250312B1
A method and system for determining the geolocation of a vehicle in the absence of a GPS signal includes determining the geodetic position of each of a plurality of airborne objects based on the relative position of at least one star and at least one satellite. The determined geodetic positions of each of the airborne objects is transmitted to the vehicle. A distance from the vehicle to each airborne vehicle is calculated. Based on the geodetic position determined for each airborne object and the distance from the vehicle to each of the airborne objects, the geodetic position of the vehicle is determined. A receiver receives the geodetic position of each airborne object, calculates a distance to each airborne object, and determines a current geodetic position based on the received geodetic positions of the airborne objects and the distance from the vehicle to each airborne object.
US09250311B2
The invention relates to an asynchronous wireless communication system, such as a UMTS system. The various base stations of an asynchronous wireless communication system do not typically have known timing offsets Tb(i), and these timing offsets vary with time. The invention allows the calculation of the difference dTb(i,j) between timing offsets Tb(i), Tb(j) for pairs of base stations B(i), B(j), using the timing of signals received by one or more wireless communication units. Having eliminated the timing offsets between the base stations as a variable, geo-location techniques from synchronous networks may then be used to locate wireless communication units in the asynchronous wireless communication system.
US09250307B2
In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and system for the generation of diffusion information, diffusion-weighted MR images of an examination subject are generated, each image being generated using an individual diffusion gradient. The diffusion gradients, and therefore the MR images, are sorted such that, after the sorting, a predefined number of diffusion gradients respectively forms a group. Each diffusion gradient belongs to at least one of these groups, and the diffusion gradients of the respective same group are all as linearly independent of one another as possible. The MR images whose diffusion gradients form a group are assembled into an MR result image. Spatial transformations between the MR result images are determined, and the MR images are modified using these spatial transformations. The diffusion information is formed with the aid of the modified MR images.
US09250302B2
An adapter for a local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device is provided. The adapter is placeable on a patient support for the magnetic resonance tomography device. The adapter includes an adapter upper part that is removably connectable to the local coil. The adapter also includes an adapter lower part that is removably connectable to the patient support. The adapter also includes a tilt device, by which the adapter upper part is movable relative to the adapter lower part.
US09250296B2
A transmission line substrate includes at least an insulating layer of a predetermined thickness, a pair of conductor layers arranged in a state of being opposed to each other such that the insulating layer is interposed between the conductor layers, the pair of conductor layers functioning as a high-frequency transmission line, and a fault part formed so as to make the conductor layer on one side disconnected, into which a sample to be measured can be introduced.
US09250294B2
A switch is formed by a branch including a measurement resistance and a selectable one of switching resistances having different nominal values such that a switch position depends on which switching resistance is selected. The measurement resistance is connected through the selected switching resistance to a supply voltage whereby a voltage drop dependent on the switch position is across the measurement resistance. A controller identifies the switch position by comparison of a measured value (UM1) of the voltage drop with target voltage drops corresponding to switch positions, calculates a voltage drop (Uges) across the branch based on nominal values of the measurement and selected switching resistances and the supply voltage, forms a difference value (UDiff) between a measured value (UVcc) of the supply voltage and the branch voltage drop (Uges), and qualifies the identified switch position as faulty when the difference value (UDiff) exceeds a difference threshold value (UDiff-S).
US09250292B2
A testing system for testing semiconductor package stacking chips is disclosed. The system includes a testing socket, a testing arm, and a testing mechanism. The testing mechanism includes a probe testing device. The probe testing device has a testing chip inside and a plurality of testing probes electrically connected to the testing chip. The plurality of testing probes extends toward the testing socket for contacting a chip-under-test loaded on the testing socket. When the testing mechanism moves to an upper position between the testing socket and the testing arm, the testing arm moves downward in the vertical direction and presses down the testing mechanism thereby coercing the plurality of testing probes in the testing mechanism to closely abut against the chip-under-test, so that the testing chip inside the testing mechanism can electrically connect to the chip-under-test for forming a test loop.
US09250288B2
Disclosed is a wafer level testing method for testing a plurality of singulated 3D-stacked chip cubes by utilizing adjustable wafer maps to adjust the pick-and-place positions of the cubes on a carrier wafer. The wafer maps have a plurality of probe-card activated regions each including a plurality of component-attaching regions. Two wafer-level testing steps are performed on the cubes disposed on the carrier wafer according to the wafer maps. By analyzing the electrical testing results of the trial-run wafer-level testing step from the original wafer map, some prone-to-overkill component-attaching regions are confirmed and to create a corrected wafer map which the prone-to-overkill component-attaching regions are excluded from probe-card activated regions. Then, according to the corrected wafer map, cubes are disposed on the carrier wafer without disposing in the prone-to-overkill component-attaching regions. Accordingly, the real-production wafer-level testing step can be run smoothly without unnecessary shut down of adjustment or repair leading to the maximum productivity without overkill issues.
US09250284B1
A level shift circuit includes a level shift module and a voltage comparing module. The level shift module includes a plurality of stages of level shift units, each including a front-end circuit and an inverter circuit. The inverter circuit is electrically coupled to the front-end circuit and receives and inverts an output signal of the front-end circuit. The front-end circuit receives a clock signal, converts high/low voltage level of the clock signal into first/second voltage level, respectively, and outputs a respective signal with the first/second voltage level. The voltage comparing module is coupled to the level shift module and receives output signals of the inverter circuit of the first level shift unit and of the front-end circuit in the second level shift unit and compares the two output signals. The voltage comparing module outputs a short-circuit protection trigger signal when the two output signals have different voltages.
US09250272B2
A current measurement connector may include a first part and a second part. Each part may include a mount and a joint. The first and second part may be joined via the respective joints through a current transformer interposed between the first and second parts. The respective mounts may be configured to receive a current from a current source and pass the received current through the current transformer via the first and second parts inducing a current in the current transformer. The induced current may be useable to measure the current from the current source. Methods for fabricating the current measurement connector may include die casting the first and second parts and press fitting the first and second parts at the respective joints through the current transformer. Methods for use may include withstanding a fault current pulse and dissipating heat associated with the pulse via the first and second parts.
US09250264B2
Disclosed is a coaxial probe comprising, an internal conductor comprising an upper contact configured to contact a semiconductor device; a lower contact configured to contact a tester for testing the semiconductor device; and an internal elastic member configured to elastically bias at least one of the upper and lower contacts to make the upper and lower contacts distant from each other; an external conductor configured to surround the internal conductor; a plurality of gap members which is respectively inserted into opposite ends between the internal conductor and the external conductor to create a predetermined air gap between the internal conductor and the external conductor; and at least one external elastic member that is inserted into an external circumferential surface of the external conductor to elastically bias at least one of the semiconductor device and the tester to a direction that makes either the semiconductor device or the test distant from the external conductor.
US09250261B2
Techniques and mechanisms to provide for metering acceleration. In an embodiment, a microelectromechanical accelerometer includes a magnet, a mass, and a first support beam portion and second support beam portion for suspension of the mass. Resonance frequency characteristics of the first support beam portion and second support beam portion, based on the magnet and a current conducted by the first support beam portion and second support beam portion, are indicative of acceleration of the mass. In another embodiment, the accelerometer further includes a first wire portion and a second wire portion which are each coupled to the mass and further coupled to a respective anchor for exchanging a signal with the first wire portion and the second wire portion. The first wire portion and the second wire portion provide for biasing of the mass.
US09250254B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample cartridge that includes radial slots for storing biosample carriers. The biosample cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges used in automated tape libraries to allow the biosample cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle the data tape cartridges. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a biosample cartridge that includes a rotatable biosample carrier holder. The biosample carrier holder includes radial slots for receiving biosample carriers which contain biosamples scanned and analyzed by automated tape libraries.
US09250253B2
A carrier strip having a plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens may have a backing, a cover coupled to the backing along side regions located along opposite longitudinal edges of the carrier strip and along lateral intermediate regions positioned between each of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens. The carrier strip may be configured to individually retain each of the anatomical pathology specimens in one of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens between the backing and the cover. Diagnostic studies of anatomical pathology specimens may be facilitated by distributing a digital copy of an image of the specimen may be to a pathologist. A diagnosis may be received from the pathologist based on the digital image of the specimen.
US09250239B2
Provided herein are vaccine compositions for control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and Chagas disease. The compositions comprise plasmids encoding o GPI-anchored genes ASP-2, TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 from Trypanosoma cruzi; plasmids encoding cytokines IL12 and GM-CSF; and plasmids encoding a gene expression system. Certain vaccine compositions comprise recombinant proteins, selected from TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 from Trypanosoma cruzi. In another vaccination strategy, the recombinant proteins are replaced by lysates comprising Trypanosoma rangeli cells. Further provided herein are diagnosis compositions comprising 1) recombinant proteins, selected from TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 from Trypanosoma cruzi; 2) antibodies that specifically binds the TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 proteins; 3) sense and antisense polynucleotide sequences that encode the TcG-1, TcG2 and TcG4 proteins. Said compositions can be used in diagnosing and/or evaluating efficacy of treatments against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. A diagnosis kit, and methods of diagnosing and/or treating Trypanosoma cruzi infection are also provided.
US09250234B2
Described are methods for detecting a target analyte in a test sample by providing a solid support comprising an electrode comprising: (i) a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), (ii) a covalently attached electroactive active moiety (EAM) comprising a transition metal complex comprising a self-immolative moiety and a peroxide sensitive moiety (PSM), wherein said EAM has a first E0; then contacting the target analyte and said solid support under conditions wherein said target analyte reacts with a peroxide generating enzyme to generate peroxide and said self-immolative moiety is removed such that said EAM has a second E0 test sample; and then detecting said second E0 as an indication of the presence of said target analyte. Also provided are compositions for use in the preceding methods.
US09250229B2
Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.
US09250225B2
Biomarkers relating to insulin resistance are provided, as well as methods for using the same as biomarkers for insulin resistance. Also provided are suites of small molecule entities as biomarkers for insulin resistance.
US09250222B2
A method of calibrating a biological detector can include training a biological detector to detect a calibration compound, wherein the calibration compound has an odor that is detectable by the biological detector and is not used in an environment for which the biological detector is trained to detect odors, presenting the biological detector with a device comprising the calibration compound, and determining whether the biological detector will alert to the calibration compound.
US09250216B2
This disclosure relates to detecting fluid in medical tubing. In certain aspects, a method is performed by a data processing apparatus. The method includes controlling repetitive activation of the ultrasonic transmitter. The method also includes receiving a signal from the ultrasonic receiver during an activation of the ultrasonic transmitter. The method also includes determining that fluid is absent or present in a portion of the medical fluid tube based on a comparison between the signal and a threshold value.
US09250215B2
An ultrasonic wave detection apparatus includes a transmission unit which transmits ultrasonic waves at a first frequency and a second frequency, a reception unit which receives ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transmission unit, and a control unit which causes the transmission unit to transmit ultrasonic waves at the first frequency and causes the reception unit to receive the first frequency ultrasonic waves to obtain a detection timing of a peak value of a n-th wave of the received first frequency ultrasonic waves, causes the transmission unit to transmit ultrasonic waves at the second frequency and causes the reception unit to receive the second frequency ultrasonic waves to obtain a detection timing of a peak value of a n-th wave of the received second frequency ultrasonic waves, and specifies “n” of the n-th wave from which the peak value is detected based on a difference in the detection timings.
US09250207B2
A system of controlled translocation of macromolecules by gel electrophesis employs a funnel nanopore structure. A graphene portion is attached to a porous material layer including funnel-shaped pores such that the graphene portion blocks the side of the porous material layer having openings for smaller pores. A pair of electrical contacts is formed on the graphene portion. A dielectric material layer may be deposited to hold the graphene portion in place. A nanoscale hole is formed through the dielectric material layer and the graphene portion to provide a smallest opening in a funnel nanopore structure. The funnel nanopore structure is placed within a capsule configured for gel electrophoresis. A linear chain of molecules can pass through a funnel-shaped pore and the nanoscale hole during the gel electrophoresis. A graphene nanopore detector allows measurement of blockage current for sufficient resolution of base pairs in DNA's.
US09250202B2
A particle detector includes: a conductive nanolayer; insulating nanolayers attached to both sides of the conductive nanolayer; a nanopore formed to penetrate the conductive nanolayer and the insulating nanolayers so as to provide a migration path for a sample particle; a power supply unit configured to apply an electric field between both ends of the nanopore so as to apply a potential to the conductive nanolayer; and an electric signal measuring unit electrically connected to the conductive nanolayer and configured to measure the potential change in the conductive nanolayer induced by the sample particle as the sample particle migrates through the nanopore. The particle detector is capable of detecting a particle with high signal-to-noise ratio and resolution, scanning a sample without mechanical motion of the conductive nanolayer and analyzing DNA base sequences.
US09250198B2
A board inspection apparatus includes an irradiation unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. The image processing unit includes a three-dimensional measurement unit configured to perform three-dimensional measurement of the surfaces of the solder and the resist film by a certain three-dimensional measurement method based on the image data, a virtual standard surface setting unit configured to set a virtual standard surface corresponding to a contacting surface of a certain component mounted in a certain area of the printed board, a protrusion amount calculation unit configured to calculate a protrusion amount from the virtual standard surface for each solder printed and formed in the certain area, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the printed state of the solder passes or fails based on each of the protrusion amounts of the solder.
US09250196B2
There are provided a susceptor having a recessed wafer mounting section, in which a semiconductor wafer is mounted and which is configured to include a circular bottom portion and a side wall portion, on an upper surface, a reaction chamber in which the susceptor is provided, an imaging unit that is provided above the reaction chamber and images the semiconductor wafer and the wafer mounting section, and an image analysis unit that analyzes the deviation of the semiconductor wafer from the wafer mounting section on the basis of an image captured by the imaging unit.
US09250195B2
An invention for making productive uses of normally undesirable whiskers is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a variety of apparatuses and methods associated with forming and using whiskers as well as forming whisker compounds is disclosed. For example, whisker detection modules can be created which provide a whisker surveillance capability. The whisker detection modules can further be coupled with a whisker response system such as an alarm or insulating material dispersing system. Another aspect of the invention is providing a variety of environments or microenvironments with regard to a whisker forming structure to affect whisker creation such as maximizing whisker formation. Another example includes provision of a variety of embodiments for manufacturing compounds of whiskers of various metal and metal alloys, including structures and methods is provided. Whisker compounds produced using various embodiments of the invention can be used for various applications.
US09250193B2
A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation. An image processor is provided for identifying sparkle regions in the images corresponding to reflections from individual light sources by individual facets and providing a quantitative measure of the gemstone on the basis of porperties of the sparkle regions.
US09250191B2
A method for analyzing one or more nitrogen-containing compounds, in which the one or more nitrogen-containing compounds are contacted with hydrindantin at an elevated temperature in a contact zone is provided. In the method ninhydrin is contacted with one or more reducing agents in a heating zone at a first elevated temperature to produce a hydrindantin-containing mixture. The hydrindantin-containing mixture is introduced into the contact zone and contacted with the nitrogen-containing compounds at a second elevated temperature. The method is particularly suitable for the analysis by visualization of amino acids.
US09250190B2
A ninhydrin reagent for use in a method for analyzing nitrogen-containing compounds, in particular visualizing nitrogen-containing compounds by a color forming reaction, is provided. The ninhydrin reagent contains ninhydrin; an aqueous buffer; and a temperature-dependent reducing agent, which agent is inactive in the reduction of ninhydrin at a first temperature and active in reducing ninhydrin to hydrindantin at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The reagent is particularly useful in the analysis of amino acids.
US09250177B2
A urine analysis device includes a light emitting part, a light receiving part and a control part. The light emitting part includes a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes provide a light to an inspected object. The inspected object has a plurality of inspected areas. The light receiving part receives the light reflected by the inspected object. The control part drives the light emitting part and receives an electric signal from the light receiving part.
US09250175B1
In one embodiment, an improved multi-pass cell for a long path-length spectrometer is designed to include a perturbing mirror that causes a base pattern of reflections to be repeated multiple times, where each subsequent base pattern of reflections is rotated about the axis at an angle from a prior base pattern, to circulate the base patters about the cell. The base pattern may be a Herriott cell pattern. The improved multi-pass cell may be constructed with a concave front mirror centered along an axis of the cell, and a concave back mirror centered along the axis and facing the front mirror. The perturbing mirror may be centered along the axis, facing the front mirror and located at a perturbing mirror spacing in front of the back mirror or behind the back mirror, depending on the implementation.
US09250171B2
This invention is directed to a kit for performing adhesive audits and a method of doing the same. The kit and method can be used to improve the speed and ease with which adhesive audits are performed.
US09250162B2
The present disclosure provides apparatuses for collecting aerosol samples by ionizing an air sample at different degrees. An air flow is generated through a cavity in which at least one corona wire is disposed and electrically charged to form a corona therearound. At least one grounded sample collection plate is provided downstream of the at least one corona wire so that aerosol ions generated within the corona are deposited on the at least one grounded sample collection plate. A plurality of aerosol samples ionized to different degrees can be generated. The at least one corona wire may be perpendicular to the direction of the flow, or may be parallel to the direction of the flow. The apparatus can include a serial connection of a plurality of stages such that each stage is capable of generating at least one aerosol sample, and the air flow passes through the plurality of stages serially.
US09250156B2
One embodiment is a unique strategy for evaluating performance of a component of an internal combustion engine. More particularly, in one non-limiting form a method includes operating a component, such as a heating component, and measuring a first characteristic related to its operation. The method also includes operating an engine accessory and measuring a second characteristic related to its operation, and determining performance of the component by relating the first and second characteristics to one another. In one aspect, relating the first and second characteristics to one another provides a first value which is compared to a predetermined value, and performance of the component is determined from this comparison. Other embodiments include unique methods, systems, and apparatus for evaluating or monitoring the performance of a component of an internal combustion engine, and/or for performing a procedure for starting the internal combustion engine.
US09250155B2
An engine testing device for dynamic pressure loss and valve seal-tightness testing of a running four-stroke engine includes: a first pressure gauge detecting a pressure value in an air intake line to a cylinder of the engine and outputting a first output signal indicative of the pressure value detected; a second pressure gauge detecting a pressure value in an exhaust line of the engine and outputting a second output signal indicative of the pressure value detected; a trigger device detecting an electrical signal indicative of when a selected cylinder of the engine is the particular active cylinder; and a measured value detection device detecting the output signals of the first and second pressure gauges and an output signal of the trigger device, such that an association between points in time of the pressure measurements and the particular active cylinder is enabled.
US09250149B2
Retrievable sensor devices and methods are provided that can be easily installed and removed from a sub-sea system without the need to stop the flow of working/process fluid. In particular, a retrievable sensor is provided that can be configured to be located remote from the process fluid to allow for easy access. In other embodiments, an actuator is provided that allows for pressure adjustments to be made during installation and/or removal of the sensor so as to avoid damage to the sensor and/or other system components and to avoid any process fluid/material leakage. Methods are also provided for installing/removing a retrievable sensor, as well as for adjusting a pressure of a retrievable sensor.
US09250146B2
A strain sensor is provided having an annular collar. At least one sensor is movably coupled to the collar, the at least one sensor having a body with a plurality of silicon strain gages coupled thereto. A first soldering connector is coupled to the collar, the first soldering connector configured to provide an excitation voltage. A plurality of second soldering connectors are coupled to the collar. A plurality of first conductors electrically are coupled to the first soldering connector on one end, and one of the plurality of silicon strain gages on a second end. A plurality of second conductors electrically are coupled between one of the plurality of second soldering connectors and one of the plurality of silicon strain gages.
US09250138B2
A temperature detecting device for a power conversion device is provided in which the number of components can be reduced. An exemplary embodiment of the temperature detecting device includes: a plurality of temperature detecting elements that are provided in correspondence with a plurality of temperature detection objects, each temperature detecting element outputting a signal having a correlation with the temperature of the temperature detection object by being supplied power by a common power source; and a temperature detector that detects the temperatures of the temperature detection objects based on the signals having correlation with the temperatures of the temperature detection objects outputted from the temperature detecting elements. The temperature detector detects an average temperature of at least two temperature detection objects among the plurality of temperature detection objects or respective temperatures of the plurality of temperature detection objects based on the output signals.
US09250137B2
A method includes alternately coupling a selected one of a plurality of current sources and two or more of the plurality of current sources to a first terminal of a bipolar device during first and second phases of a modulator cycle of a plurality of modulator cycles. The method further includes providing sampled voltages from the first terminal of the bipolar device to a modulator to produce a modulator output signal, filtering the modulator output signal to produce a filtered output signal using a back-end filter having an impulse response, and determining a temperature in response to the filtered output signal.
US09250113B2
Provided herein are sensors and methods for determining properties of single cells, such as cell mass. Sensors disclosed herein include resonant sensors having a suspended platform designed to exhibit a uniform vibration amplitude. Methods are also disclosed for measuring changes in cell mass, changes in cell number, changes in cell viscosity and changes in cell elasticity.
US09250099B2
The present invention provides a computer-implemented method of producing a description of aircraft intent expressed using a formal language. The description may be used to predict aircraft trajectory, for example by air traffic management. Rules are used in association with information provided to generate a set of instructions describing both the aerodynamic configuration of the aircraft and the motion of the aircraft. These instructions are checked to ensure that they describe unambiguously the aircraft's trajectory. The instructions are then expressed using a formal language.
US09250096B2
A method and apparatus for browsing a map displayed on a device including a touch screen display. The method includes displaying the map on a full screen of the touch screen display; receiving a user input for setting a variation axis on the map; setting the variation axis according to the user input; dividing the full screen into a first area and a second area, using the variation axis as a boundary; receiving a first map shift command in the first area; and shifting a displayed portion of the map in the first area and maintaining a displayed portion of the map in the second area, in response to the first map shift command in the first area.
US09250095B2
An onboard display device includes multiple screen data that define plural types of screen designs including a character string display frame with equal size; plural types of font data; and multiple character string tables which record character strings to be displayed on a screen with one of the screen designs defined by the plural types of screen data, are each provided for one of the plural types of font data, and include character strings whose written forms are altered according to character size defined by the font data so that the character strings can be contained in the display frame, wherein the decision unit 12 decides a display type to be used for screen display on a display unit, and the display unit 6 displays the screen using the screen data, font data and character string corresponding to the display type decided by the decision unit 12.
US09250085B2
A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring, via a sensor, a location of a service provider in relation to a predetermined location and receiving a request for a current status of the service provider. The current status includes a current location of the service provider and a current job-related status of the service provider. Upon determining the current status of the service provider, a notification including the current status of the service provider is generated.
US09250077B2
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for producing a representation of a ground-transportation network from timetable information of transportation services. By means of a computer, routing locations are determined from the timetable information. The routing locations include end points of the transportation services. Tuples of directly-connected routing locations are formed. Network paths are generated by linking the directly-connected routing locations. The entirety of these paths forming the representation of the ground-transportation network.
US09250068B2
A rotation angle detecting device includes a resolver that outputs three-phase signals based on a rotation angle of a rotary shaft, and an R/D converter that acquires the three-phase output signals via signal lines corresponding to the respective phases. The R/D converter determines the rotation angle of the rotary shaft on the basis of the three-phase output signals. The R/D converter includes switching elements that change the potential of the first-phase signal line and the potential of the second-phase signal line, respectively.
US09250064B2
Improved methods and systems for inspection imaging for holographic or interferometric semiconductor test and evaluation through all phases of device development and manufacture. Specifically, systems and methods are disclosed for extending the range of optical holographic interferometric inspection for testing and evaluating microelectronic devices and determining the interplay of electromagnetic signals and dynamic stresses to the semiconductor material are provided in which an enhanced imaging method provides continuous and varying the magnification of the optical holographic interferometric images over a plurality of interleaved optical pathways and imaging devices. Analysis of one or more holographic interference patterns displays internal and external stresses and the various effects of such stresses upon the operating characteristics of features within the features, interior structures or within the internal surfaces of the semiconductor device at any stage of development or manufacture.
US09250063B2
A method for ascertaining a position of an object in surroundings of a vehicle. The method includes a step of input of a light signal from an optical sensor, the light signal representing a brightness, a degree of reflection of light emitted by a headlight of the vehicle from an object, and/or a sharpness of a boundary line of the object illuminated by light from a headlight. Furthermore, the method includes determining a distance of the object from the vehicle by using the light signal to determine the position of the object in the surroundings of the vehicle.
US09250062B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for determining a layer thickness on a tape moved along a feed direction, comprising: a movement unit for moving the tape along the feed direction, a light generating unit for generating illumination radiation, a beam shaping unit disposed downstream of the light generating unit for shaping at least one strip-shaped illumination beam for linear illumination of the tape transversely with respect to the feed direction, a detector unit for detecting illumination radiation reflected and/or transmitted at the tape, and an evaluation device for determining the layer thickness on the basis of the detected illumination radiation. The apparatus can also be used for determining a degree of contamination of a surface of the tape, the surface being contaminated by particles, by detecting illumination radiation scattered at the tape.
US09250052B2
A comprehensive welding gauge two or more of: a ruler, a weld height gauge, a protractor gauge, a Hi-Lo gauge, and a fillet height gauge, wherein each measurement device overlays a measurement scale on a main gauge plate and is riveted to the main gauge plate such that the measurement device may be extended beyond and retracted within the main gauge plate borders, either by sliding or rotating. The comprehensive gauge may thus be easily stored in and retrieved from a pocket by the user.
US09250048B2
An improved shotshell of the type having a hull, a head at the proximal end, propellant disposed in the hull, a wad disposed in the hull distal to the propellant, and a load disposed in the hull in distal to the wad. The improvement comprises the load including a plurality of individual shot, at least a portion of which are at least partially surrounded by a friable material that breaks up upon the firing of the shell to release to the shot and results in a reduced rate of dispersion of the plurality of individual shot compared to cartridges without the friable material.
US09250046B2
A detonator which includes a tubular body within which is located a detonator assembly which comprise a container (20) which houses a set explosive composition element in which is embedded part of a PCB (72, 76) which carries an ignition element (66).
US09250040B1
The invention relates to remotely controlling a number of devices on an instrument mounted on a rotating assembly without physical contact to the assembly. A series of infrared light-emitting diodes mounted in a stationary ring configuration are placed around (but not directly touching) the rotating assembly to send control signals to infrared receiver devices located on the assembly. The rotating assembly might be the turret of a conventional Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS), the invention to replace convention internal slip-ring providing power and control to a gun on the CROWS. The infrared data links of this invention do not inhibit the movement of the rotating assembly, and further are not susceptible to radio-jamming by electronic warfare countermeasures. Additionally, the invention includes a mount that allows auxiliary devices with Picatinny Rails™ to also be attached to such a CROWS turret.
US09250039B2
A live-fire simulation system uses a position sensitive detector (PSD) in a weapon-mounted sensor to intercept emitted light from target emitters spatially distributed about a target. Each target emitter is modulated with a unique frequency. The system can thus not only determine the points of interception on the PSD but also determine which emitter caused which interception by using a frequency analysis.
US09250036B2
A method of sighting a target includes receiving an initial condition of an optical device. The initial condition includes a size of a ranging element and a range associated with the size of the ranging element. The method further includes receiving a ballistic information and receiving an image from an imaging sensor. At least a portion of the image is displayed on a display. The ranging element is overlaid on the displayed portion of the image. A first zoom input is received to set a first zoom value that corresponds to a first distance from the optical device. The method also includes determining a first projectile position based on the first distance and the ballistic information.
US09250035B2
A system for precision aiming of a weapon that has a rail, aligned with a centerline of its barrel, with a bus for supplying power to, and providing communication between, a plurality of modular system components that are mounted and precisely aligned in an array on the rail. A core component receives data from the sensor components via the rail and produces an output for display of aiming data which allows an operator to precisely aim the weapon at a selected target.
US09250030B2
A firearm safety system as well as a method associated with the firearm safety system capable of preventing a firearm from firing is described. By incorporating a control module into firearms, the presence by the firearm may be detected by a detecting device receiving signals sent by the control module. The detecting device may in turn transmit signals to an established signaling network, such as a mobile telephone network, which may then telecommunicate with the control module to disable the firearm and prevent it from being fired. Such a system and method may be most effective in gun-free zones, especially places such as schools and courthouses. Thus, both the system and the method may be used to reduce firearm violence.
US09250027B2
An example embodiment includes a thermal management system for an active cable connector. The system includes a shell and a back plate. The shell defines a cavity and includes multiple heat-transfer areas on an internal shell surface. A first heat-transfer area is positioned with respect to a first heat-generating component to absorb a first portion of thermal energy generated by the first heat-generating component. The back plate is positioned with respect to the first heat-generating component to absorb a second portion of the thermal energy generated by the first heat-generating component. The back plate is further positioned proximate to a second heat-transfer area to transfer the second portion of the thermal energy to the shell.
US09250024B2
A method of fabricating a cooling apparatus is provided to facilitate two-phase, immersion-cooling of one or more electronic components. The cooling apparatus includes a housing having a compartment within which dielectric fluid is disposed which facilitates immersion-cooling of the electronic component(s). A liquid-cooled heat sink is associated with the housing and cools a cooling surface exposed within the compartment. One or more pumps are disposed within the compartment and configured to pump dielectric fluid liquid within the compartment towards the cooling surface to facilitate cooling the liquid within the compartment below a saturation temperature of the dielectric fluid. The heat sink includes or is coupled to condensing and sub-cooling regions exposed within the compartment.
US09250009B2
With a domestic appliance comprising a carcass (1), a door (2) hinged to the carcass (1) and a frame (8, 9, 10) fastened to the carcass (1) and surrounding the edges of the door (2), a foliate anti-trap element (17) extends from the door (2) through a recess (12) of the frame (8, 9, 10) to a hinge-side side wall (11) of the carcass (1).
US09250005B2
An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle switchable between a heat pump cycle and a cooler cycle, a heat core configured to heat air to be blown into a vehicle compartment by using coolant of an engine of the vehicle as a heat source, and a controller configured to control operation of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The controller controls the vapor compression refrigeration cycle to be operated as the cooler cycle so as to perform a defrosting control of the outdoor heat exchanger, and outputs an operation request signal to the engine, when the controller determines that the outdoor heat exchanger is frosted.
US09250002B2
A system for controlling an absorption chiller includes feedback control loops determining adjustments to system cooling and heating capacities and a controller for simultaneously adjusting positions of an energy input valve, a hot water valve, and a chilled water valve. The controller adjusts valves based on desired adjustments to system cooling and heating capacities and performance maps characterizing relationships between cooling capacity and heating capacities and valve positions. A method for controlling an absorption chiller includes the step of obtaining a performance map characterizing heat energy input to cooling and heating loops as functions of valve positions. To obtain the map, the hot water valve is held in a substantially constant position while the chilled water valve is modulated. Similarly, the hot water valve is modulated while the chilled water valve is held in a substantially constant position.
US09250000B2
During off-peak operation of a power plant operating on a thermodynamic cycle wherein heat is rejected to an ambient fluid, heat is removed from a cold temperature storage medium. The cold temperature storage medium is stored until the power plant is experiencing a peak period. During the peak period, the stored cold temperature storage medium is used to absorb heat from the ambient fluid prior to heat rejection from the thermodynamic cycle to the ambient fluid, to improve performance of the thermodynamic cycle. In another aspect, the stored cold temperature storage medium is mixed with the ambient fluid prior to heat rejection from the thermodynamic cycle to the ambient fluid. Corresponding systems, apparatuses, retrofit methods, design and control techniques are also disclosed.
US09249999B2
A magnetocaloric heat generator (10) comprising at least one magnetocaloric element (2) with a first and second ends (3, 4), a magnetic arrangement for subjecting the magnetocaloric element (2) to a variable magnetic field, alternately creating heating and cooling cycles in the magnetocaloric element (2), a mechanism for circulating a heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element (2) alternately towards the first and second ends (3, 4) and vice versa in synchronisation with the variation of the magnetic field, and at least one energy exchange mechanism (15). This heat generator (10) is crossed in one direction by the heat transfer fluid entering the magnetocaloric element (2) through one of the ends (3, 4) during a heating or cooling cycle and to be crossed in the opposite direction by the heat transfer fluid exiting the magnetocaloric element (2) through the same end (3, 4) during the other cooling or heating cycle.
US09249993B2
A support system for a trough-shaped solar collector assembly includes a support arm comprising first and second curved rails and an interconnecting web structure. The web structure is secured along first and second opposite edges thereof to first and second web engaging structures, which are provided along facing surfaces of the first and second rails, respectively. Prior to fixedly securing the web structure to the web engaging structure of the first and second curved rails, the location and/or the orientation of the web structure are adjustable for supporting interconnection of the first and second curved rails with different rates of convergence between the first and second curved rails. The support arm further includes a plurality of mirror-attachment brackets coupled to the first rail for attaching the trough-shaped solar collector assembly to the support arm and structure attachment brackets for mounting the support arm to a structure.
US09249991B2
Insulating element for expansion compensation device and method for manufacture thereof, of the type used in solar energy collector absorber tubes, being formed by a single piece in the form of a ring and with a bellows-like end portion, which is filled with rock wool or other equivalent insulating material, so as to create a hot air chamber which minimizes heat losses.
US09249984B2
An air conditioning unit is provided including a base pan having at least one hole surrounded by a first embossment including a first inclined sidewall and a first top wall. A mounting plate is positioned adjacent a portion of the base pan. The mounting plate has at least one opening surrounded by a second embossment including a second inclined sidewall and a second top wall. The at least one opening is generally aligned with the at least one hole. The second embossment overlays the first embossment such that a gap exists between the second inclined sidewall and the first inclined sidewall.
US09249983B2
An air supply shutter for ventilating closed buildings includes a marginal frame with interconnected upper, lower and lateral frame members to define a centrally disposed air vent opening having inlet and outlet sides. A shutter flap is pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation about a generally horizontal axis between closed and open positions. A coupler is connected with the shutter flap and configured for engagement with an activator for shifting the shutter flap between the closed and open positions. The upper frame member includes an air guiding wall which is disposed on the outlet side of the air vent opening, faces the air vent opening, and extends upwardly at a predetermined angle to deflect the air flowing through the air vent opening.
US09249982B2
A device for altering the airflow pattern from a ceiling vent diffuser by obstructing openings in a region of the diffuser. The device comprises a flexible member that is secured to a diffuser vane by a hook member and two tabs. The hook member has two or more engagement regions which enable it to engage vanes on different manufacturer's diffusers. The first end of the hook member is either pivotally secured to the flexible member or is engaged in an adjustment mechanism thereon. The adjustment mechanism allows the second end of the hook to be situated in different positions relative to an interior edge of the flexible member so as to accommodate different diffusers. An extension detachably engages the flexible member to increase the size thereof to accommodate larger diffusers.
US09249981B2
A condensate overflow detection device includes a frame, a housing, an affixing device, a surface placement mechanism, a float and an actuator. The housing has a bottom and a plurality of pan engagement side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom, each of which is disposed at a different angle relative to the bottom surface. The housing defines a vent structure passing therethrough that allows water to pass into the housing. The affixing device clamps a pan engagement side surface to a sidewall of a secondary condensate pan. The surface placement mechanism places one of the pan engagement side surfaces opposite from the affixing device. The float, disposed within the housing, has a first position when no water has entered the housing and a second position when a predetermined level of water has entered the housing. The actuator causes an event when the float is in the second position.
US09249972B2
A method for producing steam includes combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate heat in a combustion stream, and injecting impure water into the combustion stream such that the heat produces a steam stream including particulate matter precipitated from the impure water. A steam generator includes a combustion chamber that has an initial section including an oxidant feed that is substantially free of nitrogen and a fuel feed, and downstream from the initial section at least one liquid water feed.
US09249962B2
A device (230, 1330, 1430) includes: a first electrode (232); an electro-statically movable second electrode (234, 1734, 1834); and an electrically insulating layer (233) disposed between the first and second electrodes. The electro-statically movable second electrode is configured to have a first geometric configuration in response to a first electrical potential between the first and second electrodes, and is further configured to have a second geometric configuration in response to a second electrical potential between the first and second electrodes. The device is configured to receive a time-varying voltage and in response thereto the electrostatically movable second electrode is configured to repeatedly transition between the first geometric configuration and the second geometric configuration to influence a flow of a fluid (235) for cooling at least one heat-generating element (310).
US09249961B2
A light-emitting device includes a substrate having a metal film on a first surface, a light-emitting element mounted on the first surface of the substrate and connected to the metal film, a heat sensitive circuit breaker mounted on the first surface of the substrate and connected to the metal film, a light-proof cover that covers the heat sensitive circuit breaker to block light emitted from the light-emitting element and travelling toward the heat sensitive circuit breaker, and a heat dissipating member formed on a second surface of the substrate to dissipate heat of the substrate, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.
US09249952B2
Multi-configurable, high luminous output light fixture systems, devices, and methods are disclosed. Light fixtures can be configured to produce variable light emission outputs and patterns and can include LED packages wherein at least one can be movable with respect to another of the LED packages. In addition, a power supply can selectively dim or turn off at least one of the LED packages. The light fixtures disclosed herein can be used in both high bay and low bay light fixtures.
US09249947B2
Disclosed is an LED-based luminaire (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710) including an optic surrounding a plurality of LEDs (140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640a/b, 740). The optic may include a plurality of interior reflective surfaces for mixing light output of the LEDs and also include a transmissive diffuser (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630a/b, 730a/b) through which interiorly reflected light output of the LEDs exits the LED-based luminaire.
US09249944B2
It is provided a vehicle rear lamp structure that can effectively utilize light that is illuminated from a light source. A door side lamp portion of a rear combination lamp has a housing that supports an incandescent bulb for a back lamp, and a lens that covers the incandescent bulb for the back lamp by being fixed to the housing, and transmits light illuminated from the incandescent bulb for the back lamp. Further, a garnish is mounted to the door side lamp portion. A surface at the lens side of the garnish reflects light, that is illuminated from the incandescent bulb for the back lamp, toward a vehicle rear side. Due thereto, light illuminated from the incandescent bulb for the back lamp can be utilized effectively.
US09249938B2
An LED (light emitting diode) light source module includes a first optical lens, an LED light source received in a groove of the first optical lens and a second optical lens located at a light path of the LED light source and above the first optical lens. The first optical lens includes a first reflecting surface around the groove and a second reflecting surface. The second optical lens includes a reflecting surface facing the LED light source, and light which is incident to the reflecting surface of the second optical lens is reflected thereby to the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface of the first optical lens. A light diffusion plate is attached to the second optical lens at a position away from the reflecting surface of the second optical lens.
US09249936B2
A modular element for distributing pressurized gas comprising a housing containing at least one tank of pressurized gas, the at least one tank having an outlet orifice coupled, via a pressure reducing valve, to a gas distribution circuit, characterized in that the modular element includes a cover for the housing, the cover selectively closing an open face of the housing and forming a support for a first gas duct and a second gas duct forming at least part of the gas distribution circuit, the first gas duct having a first free extremity and a second free extremity each fitted with a fluid coupling member, the second gas duct having a first free extremity fitted with a fluid coupling member coupled in a selectively removable manner to an inlet receiving expanded gas from the reducing valve of the at least one tank and a second extremity coupled to the first duct, between the two extremities of said first duct.
US09249935B2
A fuel supply system includes a fuel gas tank; a temperature detecting portion; a fuel gas discharge flow path; a main stop valve that is provided in the fuel gas discharge flow path; and a control portion. The main stop valve includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a main valve that is arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion and that opens and closes the fuel gas discharge flow path, a pilot flow path that is provided so as to communicate the inlet portion with the outlet portion, a pilot valve that opens and closes the pilot flow path, and an actuator capable of opening and closing the main valve and the pilot valve at different timings. The control portion opens the pilot valve and closes the main valve when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a first reference temperature.
US09249932B2
A gas collection receptacle includes a segmented top portion and one or more side portions creating a volume for collecting gases. The gas collection receptacle, configured to float on a pond, lagoon, or other area, also includes interlocking side and end portions enabling multiple receptacles to connect, thus forming a substantially continuous covering.
US09249926B1
A tensioning arrangement uses a tendon to pull together (pre-stress) a hollow steel arm and a bracket in a localized area around the joint between the arm and the bracket in order to induce localized compressive stresses that will reduce the wind-induced, intermittent tensile stresses and hence minimize fatigue at the joint between the arm and the bracket.
US09249913B2
This invention relates to a hydraulic system comprising a hydraulic cross connection (90), housed in a housing case (99) to be mounted on a rear planar support (98), comprising inlet and outlet ducts (70, 71), at least one tubular element (105, 106) insertable in each one of said ducts (70, 71), and at least one quick coupling removable hook (91; 991), configured to be inserted in a seat (100) obtained on an outer wall of each one of said ducts (70, 71), the hydraulic system being characterized in that said at least one quick coupling removable hook (91; 991) is configured to be posteriorly inserted in the seat (100) and it comprises at least one rear arm (95; 995), and in that the housing case (99) is shaped so that a distance separating the seat (100) of each one of said ducts (70, 71) from the rear planar support (98) is such that said at least one removable hook (91; 991) is removable from the seat (100) and said at least one tubular element (105, 106) is extractable from the inlet or outlet duct (70, 71) to which the seat (100) belongs only when the housing case (99) is not mounted on the rear planar support (98). This invention further relates to the related kit of hydraulic accessories and to the related hydraulic system, as well as to a mixing apparatus comprising such hydraulic system.
US09249912B2
A hose coupling comprising a main body having a hose nipple section with at least one barb formed thereon, and a retention spring extending from a collar formed on the main body, the retention spring overlying a portion of the hose nipple section where the retention spring applies a clamping force on a hose that is trapped and held in position between the retention spring and the hose nipple section by the barb(s).
US09249904B2
Energy dissipative tubes are provided, along with methods of fabricating and installing the energy dissipating tubes. An energy dissipative tube can include a length of tubing, a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing, an expanded metal foil adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer, and a second resin layer surrounding the expanded metal foil and the first resin layer. Another energy dissipative tube can include a length of tubing, a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing, and an insulative layer adjacent to the conductive layer. A further energy dissipative tube can include a length of tubing, a metal layer adjacent to the outside of the tubing, and a resin layer adjacent to the metal layer.
US09249901B2
A fuel pipe which is inexpensive and is excellent in salt spray corrosion resistance, characterized by being comprised of a steel pipe member having as a material a ferritic stainless steel which contains, by mass %, C: 0.015% or less, Si: 0.01 to 0.50%, Mn: 0.01 to 0.50%, P: 0.050% or less, S: 0.010% or less, N: 0.015% or less, Al: 0.010 to 0.100%, and Cr: 13.0 to 18.0% and further, one or both of Ti: 0.03 to 0.30% and Nb: 0.03 to 0.30% and a metal fitting part, the metal fitting part and the steel pipe member having between them a crevice structure at the surface which the structure is exposed to a salt spray environment, an opening amount at a crevice part of the crevice structure being 0.2 mm or more, and an inside of the crevice part being coated by electrodeposition.
US09249899B2
A cable pull-in system and method for offshore structures (1) of the type having a hollow interior extending from the sea bed to above the surface of the water and an entry hole (2) in the external wall of the structure. The system includes an elongated outer conduit assembly (7) within the interior of which is arranged an elongated cable member (10), the elongated outer conduit assembly being equipped with an inflatable sealing section (4) adapted for engaging the interior of entry hole (2) to seal and affix the outer conduit assembly. The elongated outer conduit assembly is pulled through the entry hole and up to a hangoff point above the water surface such that the inflatable sealing section (4) engages entry hole (2).
US09249895B2
A double valve has two coils which can be piloted separately from each other and which each have a core. The coils are arranged in a common valve housing, and a flange housing is mounted to the valve housing. Two valve seats are arranged in the flange housing, and a diaphragm is associated with the two valve seats, with each coil being associated with one valve seat.
US09249887B2
A seal assembly for use in a turbomachine is provided. The seal assembly has an annular division wall with outside and inside surfaces, a carrier ring disposed adjacent the inside surface of the annular division wall, and a sealing substrate metallurgically-bonded to an inner-most surface of the carrier ring. The sealing substrate is machined to form a seal surface that can be disposed proximate a rotor and maintained substantially parallel thereto during operation of the turbomachine.
US09249885B2
Mechanical seals, seal assemblies and pumps are disclosed. A mechanical seal includes a sealing member and a mount that forms part of a mounting assembly to mount the sealing member to a support structure of the seal. In an embodiment, the mount forms part of a seal assembly and is an elastomeric ring bonded to the sealing member.
US09249884B2
A shaft sealing assembly for static and dynamic sealing includes a stator member attached to a housing and a rotor member attached to a shaft rotatable about an axis. The rotor member includes first and second pocket sections extending from upper and lower radial flanges extending in a cantilevered fashion from a tubular member. At least one static sealing member is attached to and encapsulates each pocket section. Each static sealing member presents a core portion and a pair of radial lips extending from the core portion. The stator member presents an annular wall extending to inner walls inclined conically to a central radial rim or flange separating two pocket portions and the static sealing members presenting a contact and frictionally engaging with the central radial rim as the rotor member is at a stand-still or static position.
US09249880B2
Systems and methods for controlling transmissions and associated vehicles, machines, equipment, etc., are disclosed. In one case, a transmission control system includes a control unit configured to use a sensed vehicle speed and a commanded, target constant input speed to maintain an input speed substantially constant. The system includes one or more maps that associate a speed ratio of a transmission with a vehicle speed. In one embodiment, one such map associates an encoder position with a vehicle speed. Regarding a specific application, an automatic bicycle transmission shifting system is contemplated. An exemplary automatic bicycle includes a control unit, a shift actuator, various sensors, and a user interface. The control unit is configured to cooperate with a logic module and an actuator controller to control the cadence of a rider. In one embodiment, a memory of, or in communication with, the control unit includes one or more constant cadence maps that associate transmission speed ratios with bicycle speeds.
US09249875B1
An apparatus and method of providing a continuous flow of discharge transmission fluid from a torque converter to a cooler of a vehicle transmission such that oil flow to the cooler begins at engine start up and wherein the apparatus includes a safety bypass valve that directs discharge from the torque converter directly to a lube circuit other, than the cooler circuit, in the event pressure within the cooler circuit rises above a predetermine pressure due to a gelling of lubricant oil or other clogging of the cooler circuit.
US09249873B2
The present teachings provide for a power transmitting component including a housing, a clutch, a vent, and a dam. The vent can fluidly couple a first and second cavity. The dam can include a door member. Rotation of the outer carrier through a fluid in the second cavity can sling a portion of the fluid toward the vent to cause the portion of the fluid to be transferred from the second cavity, through the vent, and to the first cavity. When the piston is in a first position, the door member can be in a closed position to limit fluid flow from the first cavity to the second cavity. When the piston is in a second position, the door member can be in an open position to allow fluid to flow from the first cavity to the second cavity.
US09249868B2
A contact and separating device includes a roller member disposed to be capable of being contacted to an abutted member, a bearing member supporting the roller member and configured to be movable together with the roller member in a contact and separation direction with respect to the abutted member, and a biasing member biasing the roller member toward the abutted member through the bearing member. The contact and separating device further includes a separation member holding the roller member and the abutted member in a separation state where the roller member is separated from the abutted member against a biasing force of the biasing member by engaging with the bearing member in the separation state, and a release member releasing engagement between the bearing member and the separation member by moving the separation member.
US09249865B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
US09249864B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US09249859B1
Tool chatter during a pipe threading operation is reduced by positioning a pipe end to be threaded alongside a threading tool, positioning a radially expandable mandrel inside of the pipe end, securing the mandrel by expansion, threading the pipe end with the threading tool, and removing the mandrel. A preferred mandrel comprises a housing, an elastomeric sleeve, a piston, and a cylinder head. The elastomeric sleeve covers the outside cylindrical surface of the housing. The device is filled with hydraulic fluid and the piston is actuated to expand the sleeve against the inside of the pipe. Vibrations from the cutting operation are absorbed by the hydraulic fluid after being transmitted into it via the elastomeric sleeve.
US09249857B2
A liquid (L) sealed in a first mounting member (11) of an anti-vibration apparatus (10) contains a first liquid and a second liquid that are mutually insoluble, the second liquid having a higher vapor pressure and a lower weight percentage (weight %) included in the liquid than those of the first liquid. In the anti-vibration apparatus, the size of a generated abnormal noise can be reduced without complicating the structure and deteriorating a damping performance.
US09249852B2
An apparatus and method for damping vibrations within a physical object that is subject to vibration. In one version, a highly flexible enclosure includes at least one interior cavity that is substantially filled with a damping material in which the flexible enclosure is wrapped and secured about the exterior of the physical object.
US09249850B2
Provided is a machine tool which is equipped with a floating mechanism, and the whole of which can be miniaturized and lightened, the floating mechanism being equipped with carriers of loads generated in both radial and thrust directions, resulting in deformation of the floating mechanism being reduced. The floating section (4) of the machine tool is provided with a hollow circular-plate-shaped inner ring (9) comprising an outer peripheral surface section (9a), an upper surface section (9b), and a bottom surface section (9c); and an outer ring (8) comprising an inner peripheral section (8a) and an inner ring receiving section (8b). The outer ring (8) is fixed to a robot arm. The inner ring (9) is fixed to a tool driving section. The outer peripheral surface of the inner ring (9) is formed by a spherical surface which is equidistant from the center point (14) of a hollow circular plate.
US09249847B2
The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.
