US09311485B2

A device reputation server recognizes malicious devices used in prior attacks and prevents further attacks by the malicious devices. Server computers require a digital fingerprint of any client devices prior to providing any service to such client devices. Logging of network activity include the digital fingerprint of the device perpetrating the attack. When an attack is detected or discovered, the attacked server reports the attack and the digital fingerprint of the perpetrating device to a device reputation server. The device reputation server uses the report to improve future assessments of the reputation of the device associated with the reported digital fingerprint.
US09311483B2

Systems and methods provide multiple partitions hosted on an isolation technology such as a hypervisor where at least one of the partitions, a local secure service partition (LSSP), provides security services to other partitions. The service partitions (LSSPs) host those high assurance services that require strict security isolation, where the service can be shared across partitions and accessed even when the user is not connected to a network. The LSSP also can certify the results of any computation using a key signed by a TPM attestation identity key (AIK), or other key held securely by the hypervisor or a service partition. The LSSPs may be configured to provide trusted audit logs, trusted security scans, trusted cryptographic services, trusted compilation and testing, trusted logon services, and the like.
US09311482B2

In an embodiment of the invention, a method includes: determining, in a computer, an area where an undesired computer program will reside; and providing a data object in the area, so that the data object is an antibody that provides security to the computer and immunity against the undesired program. Another embodiment of the invention also provides an apparatus (or system) that can be configured to perform at least some of the above functionalities.
US09311479B1

According to one embodiment, a method for correlating and consolidating analytic data to provide a holistic view of a malware attack. The method comprises receiving analytic data from a plurality of electronic devices. The analytic data from each electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices comprises input attributes and analysis attributes. Thereafter, the analytic data is correlated by determining whether a first analysis attribute provided by a first electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices matches a second analysis attribute provided by a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices. In response determining that the first analysis attribute provided by the first electronic device matches the second analysis attribute provided by the second electronic device, the input attributes associated with the first analysis attribute and the second analysis attribute are consolidated for subsequent display.
US09311477B2

The disclosure concerns a method implemented by a processing device. The method includes performing a first execution by the processing device of a computing function based on one or more initial parameters stored in a first memory device. The execution of the computing function generates one or more modified values of at least one of the initial parameters, wherein during the first execution the one or more initial parameters are read from the first memory device and the one or more modified values are stored in a second memory device. The method also includes performing a second execution by the processing device of the computing function based on the one or more initial parameters stored in the first memory device.
US09311475B2

A computer system mechanism is provided that restricts execution of binaries, such as applications, kernel modules, shared libraries, on the computing system to only those that have been installed by an approved mechanism. The approved mechanism acts as a single entry point on the computing for installing new binaries. Any change in file content or metadata taints an executable file and prevents execution by the kernel. Files copied over and not installed via, the approved mechanism will not be executed.
US09311470B2

The invention relates to a system and a method for authenticating a user. A removable storage medium (12) has at least one storage area in which identification data for identifying the removable storage medium (12) are stored, in this storage area or in a further storage area of the removable storage medium (12) data of a digital certificate (14) being stored. Further, a data processing system (18) is provided to which the removable storage medium (12) is connected via a data transfer connection. The identification data and the data of the digital certificate (14) are transferred from the removable storage medium to the data processing system (18). The data processing system (18) processes the identification data and the data of the digital certificate (14) and authenticates the user.
US09311466B2

Systems and methods are provided for social networks that can verify that enrolled users are not misrepresenting facts about themselves such as age and gender. Verification can be performed, for example, by reference to biometric templates stored during the user enrollment process. The biometric templates can also be used to authenticate users logging into the social network to prevent user impersonation. The ability of some users to communicate to other users of the social network can be limited to only certified users, and even to those certified users that match a criterion, such as gender or age.
US09311456B2

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, secure content objects are transcoded from an input format to an output format based upon identified capabilities of a receiving device. In one embodiment, a plurality of trusted processing components are identified to collectively transcode the secure content object from the identified input format to the determined output format. In one embodiment, each of the trusted processing components are authenticated prior to operating on the secure content object.
US09311452B2

A medication reminder and compliance system including a pill box, a pill box and electronic device; or a pill box, electronic device and remote server. The pill box includes several detachable dosettes, each divided into several chambers having a door. A two-color LED is disposed beneath each chamber and is activated when a specific reminder time is reached. The LED initially illuminates the associated chamber with a green light but changes to a flashing red light if the door is not opened within a preset time. A switch engaged with the door deactivates the LED when the door is opened. The electronic device communicates with the pill box and alerts the patient when it is time to take medication. A remote server which communicates with both the pill box and electronic device can be programmed to control the reminder schedule and monitor the patient's compliance with a prescribed medication regimen.
US09311448B2

The present invention relates to a method of adapting of a second threshold window of at least a second measured variable depending on the change of a first threshold window of a first measured variable, wherein the adaptation is performed by the use of a control unit having been provided and/or configured therefor. The present invention further relates to a control device, a medical treatment apparatus, a medical monitoring apparatus, a digital storage means, a computer program product and a computer program.
US09311447B2

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for identifying a nucleotide sequence necessary for expressing affinity for a target substance with respect to a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid molecule such as an aptamer having such affinity for the target substance, based on similarity between nucleotide sequences and an evaluated value of the affinity of the nucleotide sequence, and a method for predicting a secondary structure of the nucleic acid molecule including the identified nucleotide sequence. The method of present invention includes the steps of extracting a single-stranded region by excluding based capable of forming a stem structure from the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid molecule; and searching a motif sequence from the single-stranded region, based on an evaluated value of the affinity.
US09311446B1

In an ad-hoc wireless network, a single multicast message can be used to announce availability of queued data to one or more WLAN devices in the ad-hoc network. A wireless network device in the ad-hoc network can determine network identifiers associated with the other wireless network devices in the ad-hoc network for which the queued data is available. The wireless network device transmits the multicast message, which identifies the wireless network devices for which queued data is available, to indicate the wireless network devices that should remain in an active power state. On receiving the multicast message, a receiving WLAN device can read a network identifier bit associated with the receiving WLAN device to determine whether or not the receiving WLAN device should remain in the active power state. This can reduce transmission overhead and improve power savings, efficiency, and data reliability.
US09311444B1

A method and apparatus are provided for generating RTL code for a test-port interface of an integrated circuit. In an embodiment, a test-port table is provided as input data. A computer automatically parses the test-port table into data structures and analyzes it to determine input, output, local, and output-enable port names. The computer generates address-detect and test-enable logic constructed from combinational functions. The computer generates one-hot multiplexer logic for at least some of the output ports. The one-hot multiplexer logic for each port is generated so as to enable the port to toggle between data signals and test signals. The computer then completes the generation of the RTL code.
US09311439B2

Provided are methods of forming patterns of wafers using self-aligned double patterning processes. The methods include preparing an initial layout having a first design pattern, a second design pattern, and a third design pattern disposed between the first design pattern and the second design pattern, extracting a first sub-layout including the first design pattern and a second sub-layout including the second design pattern from the initial layout using a computer, forming a first modified sub-layout including a first modified design pattern obtained by modifying the first design pattern of the first sub-layout using the computer, generating a modified layout including the first modified sub-layout and the second sub-layout using the computer, and performing a double patterning process using the modified layout.
US09311438B1

A signal delay cell for use in resolving hold time violations in an IC has a first multiplexer having a first functional data input node and a scan data input node TI and a second multiplexer having a second functional data input node, a second input node connected to the output of the first multiplexer and a flip-flop module. The propagation of a data input signal applied to the first multiplexer is delayed, and the hold margin of the flip-flop module is increased by transit through the first multiplexer. The signal delay cell is available to replace a flip-flop having a scan data hold problem, and also for use in solving a functional data violation in the same or another cell.
US09311437B2

Systems and methods for modeling a bus for a system design are provided. In an embodiment, the method operates by accepting a virtual bus model, wherein the model simulates behavior for a bus master and slave device, such that the model accurately simulates the timing and behavior of the transfer of data from master to slave, and, from slave to master devices. The method routes a transaction issued by the master device to the slave device. The transaction has storage for transaction data, or a pointer to transaction data, to be transferred through the transaction. The transaction data is transferred in one or more data payloads and the sender of data sets the length of data payloads to be returned. The data payloads are sent from the sender of data to the receiver of data and may contain one or more bus data beats. This method accurately models the bus timing and behavior of the delivery of one or more data beats as one data payload.
US09311429B2

The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and computer program products for providing and maintaining an evolving canonical data model (CDM) which consolidates current knowledge of the correspondences of existing schemas. One computer-implemented method includes receiving the plurality of source hierarchical schemas, each source hierarchical schema being stored as a computer-readable document in computer-readable memory, processing, using a computer, the source hierarchical schemas to generate a merged graph, the merged graph comprising a plurality of merged nodes, each merged node being provided based on one or more nodes from at least two of the source hierarchical schemas, and determining, using the computer, that the merged graph includes one or more conflicts and, in response, resolving each conflict of the one or more conflicts to generate a computed-transitive-edge-free, conflict-free merged graph as a unified data model (UDM), wherein resolving comprises splitting one or more merged nodes into respective sub-sets of merged nodes.
US09311426B2

An electronic device may have a display screen usable in at least two orientations, such as landscape orientation and portrait orientation. Provided in this disclosure is selective rendering of a structured document according to the orientation of the display screen. A structured document such as as webpage is rendered (as a first rendered document) for display according to the document object model structure and optionally styles provided with the webpage. The same webpage is rendered (as a second rendered document) by removing or replacing selected objets in the document object model structure, or by applying different style directives than included in the originally received webpage. When the display screen is in a first orientation, the first rendered document is displayed. When a change in orientation of the display screen to the second orientation is detected, the second rendered document is displayed.
US09311425B2

Aspects relate to apparatus and methods for rendering a page on a computing device, such as a web page. The apparatus and methods include receiving a request for a requested instance of a page and determining if the requested instance of the page corresponds to a document object model (DOM) for the page stored in a memory. Further, the apparatus and methods include retrieving a dynamic portion of the DOM corresponding to the requested instance if the requested instance of the page corresponds to the DOM stored in the memory. The dynamic portion may be unique to the requested instance of the page. Moreover, the apparatus and methods include storing the dynamic portion of the DOM corresponding to the requested instance of the page in a relationship with the static portion of the DOM.
US09311421B2

A system for moving search results visibly comprises an interface, a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to a) determine an ordering of one or more results in a subsequent set of search results as merged into a displayed set of search results; b) determine one or more interleaving positions for the subsequent set of search results in the displayed set of search results; c) cause the creation of one or more blank spaces in the one or more interleaving positions; and d) cause a display of one or more results in the subsequent set of search results in the one or more blank spaces. The memory causes a display of one or more results in the subsequent set of search results in the one or more blank spaces.
US09311409B2

A method can include receiving a search request from a user interface (UI), selecting one or more repositories in response to the search request, and displaying, on a display device, search results corresponding to the selected repositories. The selected repositories are a subset of a plurality of available repositories, as specified by an administrator. By selecting or de-selecting the available repositories, a user can define or refine a search of the available repositories. In various implementations, the method includes interface elements that assist a user in previewing revised search results based on revised selections of repositories, and/or selections of subcategories of information available in one or more of the repositories.
US09311406B2

Systems and methods for identifying trending content on one or more domains is presented. In response to receiving a request for trending content on each domain of a set of domain, network activity data corresponding to network activity of a recent period of time is obtained. According to various embodiments, the network activity data corresponds to activity in the immediately previous time period and includes any of query logs from one or more search engines, social data from one or more social network sites, and browsing data corresponding to the browsing history of a plurality of computer users. Trending content from the network activity data for each domain of the set of domains is identified and the identified content is returned in response to the received request.
US09311402B2

A method for obtaining contextually related instances. The method comprises providing a map of a plurality of contextual relations between a plurality of instance types and a plurality of functionalities. Each one of the functionalities is associated with one of the mapped contextual relations and configured for providing one or more instances of a respective type. The method further comprises receiving a contextual linkage between a known instance and a requested instance, identifying a match between the contextual linkage and a segment of the map, and obtaining the requested instance by using the known instance along with a group of which is selected from the functionalities; each member of the group is associated with a contextual relation in the segment.
US09311391B2

A method of content recommendation, includes: generating a first digital mathematical representation of contents to associate the contents with a first plurality of words describing the contents; generating a second digital mathematical representation of text documents different from the contents to associate the documents with a second plurality of words; processing the first and second pluralities of words to determine a common plurality of words; processing the first and second digital mathematical representations to generate a common digital mathematical representation of the contents and the text documents based on the common plurality of words; and providing content recommendation by processing the common digital mathematical representation.
US09311389B2

Finding indexed documents is described herein, including: extracting a character string from the search query and segmenting the character string into a plurality of search terms, wherein each search term comprises one or more search words; retrieving indexed document sets corresponding to search words included in the plurality of search terms; processing the retrieved indexed document sets associated with a first search term of the plurality of search terms based at least in part on a selection operation, wherein processing results of the retrieved indexed document sets associated with the first search term comprise search results for the first search term; performing set intersection operations on search results corresponding to the plurality of search terms to generate a results document set; and determining and returning a first subset of indexed documents of the results document set that each includes each of the plurality of search terms.
US09311384B1

A server system, which manages distribution or download of content, may obtain data relating to interactions between a user and one or more other server systems providing services that are different from services provided by the server system. The server system may then analyze the obtained interactions related data, with the analysis comprising identifying content accessed, obtained, or used by the user during the interactions between the user and the one or more other server systems. The server system may then map that content to one or more other contents available in the server system, and may generate, based on that mapping, recommendation information personalized for the user.
US09311376B2

Various technologies described herein pertain to evaluating service provider compliance with terms of a performance service level agreement (SLA) for a tenant in a multi-tenant database system. The terms of the performance SLA can set a performance criterion as though a level of a resource of hardware of the multi-tenant database system is dedicated to the tenant. An actual performance metric of the resource can be tracked for a workload of the tenant. Further, a baseline performance metric of the resource can be determined for the workload of the tenant. The baseline performance metric can be based on a simulation as though the level of the resource as set in the performance SLA is dedicated to the workload of the tenant. Moreover, the actual performance metric can be compared with the baseline performance metric to evaluate compliance with the performance SLA.
US09311372B2

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for generating a normalized record from an import record, the normalized record having attribute-value pairs corresponding to a native schema. In import records, a plurality of attribute-value are identified each having an attribute label not found in a native schema. One or more attribute labels in the native schema having as possible values one or more values corresponding to the values of the plurality of attribute-value pairs are also identified. The computer system generates one or more normalization rules relating one or more attribute labels of the plurality of attribute-value pairs to at least a portion of the one or more attribute labels in the native schema. Normalization rules may be validated by crowdsourcing. Normalization rules may be applied by identifying implicated rules by classifying the import record and identifying rules applicable to the classification.
US09311369B2

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with virtual masked databases are described. One example system includes a masking logic to mask an unmasked column of a database table to produce a masked column. The masked column is then added to the database creating a bi-masked database. A portion of the bi-masked database is then selected by a view logic and provided to a user. The view provided to the user may allow fast, conflict free queries and updates to the database. By providing the user either masked or unmasked data based on information associated with the user, an added layer of data security may be achieved.
US09311364B2

A system and method for allowing a user to more effectively generate focused content results, including audio and/or video content is described. Content is dynamically filtered to generate content results in response to initial filtering settings or characteristics. The content results are provided to a user. Once the user finds and selects a content result of interest, additional filtering characteristics associated with the selected result are provided to the user as a suggestion for additional filtering. In this manner, the user is made aware of additional filtering settings or characteristics that can be used to focus the search results. Subsequent filter settings and filtering operations can be based on characteristics of previous relevant results in an iterative and dynamic manner. Focused results are more likely produced, because additional filtering settings are provided and adjusted according to characteristics of results deemed relevant by the user.
US09311358B2

Demand Chain Management (DCM) refers to a suite of analytical applications for retail business, that provides retailers with the tools they need for product demand forecasting, planning and replenishment. The reliable development and user-friendly interface of DCM applications ensures improved customer satisfaction, increased sales, improved inventory turns and significant return on investment. The present subject matter provides a self-contained reusable smart cache component for DCM development and interface. The smart cache component gives a DCM developer the ability to automatically have a configurable amount of information temporarily stored in readily available memory on an application server. The information can be retrieved in a high speed fashion without the need for additional calls to the original location of the information.
US09311349B2

A database management system stores data form a plurality of logical tables as independent copies in different format. In one specific example the system organizes tables into table groups and de-normalizes the table in each table group. It also organizes data in a second format including vertical column containers that store all the data for one attribute, there being one column container for each table and each attribute within that table. The receipt of a query causes the system to develop a query plan that can interact with either or both of the container sets.
US09311348B2

Disclosed are a method and system for implementing an array data type of a programming language using various data structures. The disclosed method includes a plurality of implementations in which the array data type may be implemented. The implementations provide an efficient way to retrieve elements from the array, especially in the order they are inserted into the array. The data structures also minimize the computing resources required to manage and access the array. The disclosed technique also selects one of the many implementations based on criteria such as access pattern or size of the array.
US09311342B1

The present disclosure generally relates to methods and computer program products for storing images in a computer memory, and in particular to a method and computer program product for storing a plurality of JPEG encoded images in a tree data structure, wherein common parts of images in upper tree nodes are utilized for compressing images in lower parts of the tree.
US09311339B2

A terminal apparatus includes a first execution unit. The first execution unit includes an acquisition unit that acquires a captured image captured by an image capturing unit, a transmitting unit that transmits the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit to an image search system including a storage unit, in which objects and associated information associated with each other are stored, and an image search server that retrieves associated information associated with an object contained in the transmitted captured image and transmit the retrieved associated information to a transmission source of the captured image, a receiving unit that receives the associated information transmitted from the image search system based on the captured image transmitted from the transmitting unit, and a presenting unit that presents associated information corresponding to an externally-fed parameter, among the associated information received by the receiving unit.
US09311337B2

Aspects of a device, system, and method for subset determination and processing are described. In certain aspects, a process for subset determination includes determining a reference for correlation with at least one image and identifying a set of images for comparison with the reference. The reference for correlation may be specified by a user based on a desire to determine a subset of certain images from a larger group. The process further includes determining a subset of the set of images based on a correlation between the reference and the set of images. According to various features, a subset of images that not only includes certain images but also excludes certain images may be determined quickly.
US09311336B2

An MMR system for publishing comprises a plurality of mobile devices, an MMR gateway, an MMR matching unit, and an MMR publisher. A computer includes a document authoring application, plug-in, and printer driver. The MMR matching unit receives an image query from the MMR gateway and sends it to one or more of the recognition units to identify a result including a document, the page and the location on the page. The list of results and links are sent back to the MMR gateway for presentation on the mobile device. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for capturing symbolic information from documents and for capturing printer dll functions.
US09311328B2

A method for using a reference volume for initial synchronization of a replicated volume group. The method includes initiating a replication and synchronization operation between a parent virtual machine and a child virtual machine, and specifying a parent virtual machine to be used for replication and a subsequent synchronization. The method further includes accessing a point in time snapshot of the parent virtual machine, coordinating with a secondary site to obtain an image of the parent reference volume at said point in time, and copying the common regions from a parent reference volume to a new volume. The differences between the parent reference volume and the new volume are transmitted and are applied to the new volume to synchronize the child virtual machine on the secondary site to the child virtual machine on the primary site, wherein the child and the parent may be in different virtual machine groups.
US09311325B2

Exemplary method, system, and computer program product embodiments for protecting data segments by a processor device in a computing environment, are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a history table is configured to accompany data segments for consultation during a replication operation. If the history table indicates an ownership conflict, the replication operation is inhibited.
US09311315B2

The present invention concerns one of the plurality of first storage apparatuses, prior to a file migration to the second storage apparatus, notifies to the second storage apparatus of file migration information being information relating to the file migration, the second storage apparatus calculates an increment of a load on the second storage apparatus that is generated by the file migration based on information written in the file migration information, the second storage apparatus determines whether the file migration is allowable based on a current load on the second storage apparatus itself and the increment, the second storage apparatus notifies the determination result to the one of the plurality of first storage apparatuses that has notified the file migration information, and the one of the plurality of first storage apparatuses determines whether to migrate the file to the second storage apparatus based on the determination result.
US09311307B2

Various methods for opening an online media store are disclosed. In one aspect, a media player can determine contextual data (e.g., category information, performer information, genre associated with the media, etc.) associated with the media selected or displayed by a user of the media player. The media player can provide the contextual data to an online media store. The online media store can be opened to a context sensitive entry point based on the contextual data. In some implementations, the context sensitive entry point can display content associated with the category of the media previously displayed by the media player.
US09311304B2

A type of a storage subsystem that has been connected to a computing device is detected as one of a number of types including a first type and a second type (602). The first type of storage subsystem has a number of storage devices in which data to be stored on the storage subsystem is duplicated within the storage subsystem itself. The second type of storage subsystem has a number of storage devices in which the data to be stored on the storage subsystem is not duplicated within the storage subsystem itself. A data duplication policy for the storage subsystem is set in accordance with the type that has been determined (608).
US09311303B2

A computer-implemented method of processing an interpreted language element for execution on a mobile communication device including receiving at a server system a request from a remote device for a first electronic document that includes an interpreted language element, executing the interpreted language element using an interpreter, creating a context for the interpreted language element, generating a second electronic document based on a result of the execution, and transmitting the second electronic document to the remote device for display. In one implementation, executing the interpreted language element may include performing an action specified by the interpreted language element. In another implementation, the executing may include embedding the interpreted language element in a markup link that contains an address corresponding to the server system.
US09311299B1

A method and system are provided for a part-of-speech tagger that may be particularly useful for resource-poor languages. Use of manually constructed tag dictionaries from dictionaries via bitext can be used as type constraints to overcome the scarcity of annotated data in some instances. Additional token constraints can be projected from a resource-rich source language via word-aligned bitext. Several example models are provided to demonstrate this such as a partially observed conditional random field model, where coupled token and type constraints may provide a partial signal for training. The disclosed method achieves a significant relative error reduction over the prior state of the art.
US09311284B2

A method includes executing, by a mobile computing device, a mobile application received from a provisioning source including at least programming code and at least one structured document that together describe at least a portion of functionality provided by the mobile application. An abstraction layer executing on the mobile computing device populates a Document Object Model (“DOM”) structure that at least in part represents the miming state of the application. The abstraction layer presents a device-independent application user interface responsive to the DOM structure. The application receives a user input from within the rendered application user interface. The programming code receives, from the abstraction layer, the input event. The programming code referenced by the DOM structure reconfigures the DOM structure to update the running state of the application. The abstraction layer updates, the device-independent application user interface, responsive to the reconfiguring of the DOM structure.
US09311275B2

Discrete cosine transform/inverse discrete cosine transform method and device are provided. The discrete cosine transform/inverse discrete cosine transform method includes: generating a table index for only an input value other than 0 (zero) out of input values of coordinates in an input block; reading one or more partial values corresponding to the table index out of a plurality of table information pieces which are generated and stored in advance so as to include partial values corresponding to a multiplication of a weight value and an index; and adding the read partial value and calculating the resultant value of each coordinate in an output block. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a fast DCT/IDCT operation and to reduce the energy consumption for the transform.
US09311273B2

A segment including a set of blocks necessary to calculate blocks having internal states and blocks having no outputs is extracted by tracing from blocks for use in calculating inputs into the blocks having internal states and from the blocks having no outputs in the reverse direction of dependence. To newly extract segments in which blocks contained in the extracted segments are removed, a set of nodes to be temporarily removed is determined on the basis of parallelism. Segments executable independently of other segments are extracted by tracing from nodes whose child nodes are lost by removal of the nodes in the upstream direction. Segments are divided into upstream segments representing the newly extracted segments and downstream segments representing nodes temporarily removed. Upstream and downstream segments are merged so as to reduce overlapping blocks between segments such that the number of segments is reduced to the number of parallel executions.
US09311269B2

A system and method are provided for network proxying. The network proxying may occur in a node of a fabric or across nodes in the fabric. In the network proxying, the node has a processor with a low power mode and the system remaps, by a management processor of the node, a port identifier for a processor that is in a low power mode to the management processor. The management processor then processes a plurality of packets that contain the port identifier for the processor that is in the low power mode to maintain a network presence of the node.
US09311268B1

Methods and systems for ignoring protocol defined framing errors at a peripheral device coupled to a processor via an interconnect system are provided. When a framing error violation does not affect data transfer to the peripheral device or from the peripheral device, the protocol defined link training sequence is disabled to ignore the framing error and the peripheral device continues to process data regardless of the framing error.
US09311260B2

A microarchitecture can be configured to allow a thread's speculative state to be stored when the thread is preempted. The stored speculative state can then be loaded back into the microarchitecture when the thread is resumed to thereby enable the thread to resume execution at the speculative state that existed when the thread was preempted. By maintaining the speculative state of threads, a greater amount of parallel processing is achieved.
US09311252B2

Logically arranged hierarchy or tiered storage may comprise a layer of storage being a faster access storage (e.g. solid state drive (SSD)) and another (e.g., next) layer being a traditional disk (e.g. HDD). In one embodiment, compaction occurs within the higher layer, e.g., until there is no more room and then during the compaction sequence the data may be moved down to the lower layer. In another embodiment, compaction and migration to a lower layer may occur within the higher layer, e.g., based on one or more policies, even if the higher layer is not full. In one embodiment, the data between layers are maintained as disjoint. In one embodiment, the more recent versions are always in the higher layer and the older versions are always in the lower layer.
US09311246B2

Systems and methods are disclosed that comprise a cache memory for storing a copy of a portion of data stored in a system memory and a cache load circuit capable of retrieving the portion of data from the system memory. The systems and methods further comprise a status memory for identifying whether or not a region of the cache memory contains data that has been accessed from the cache memory by an external device.
US09311238B2

A computer system microprocessor core having a cache subsystem executes a demote instruction to cause an exclusively owned demote instruction specified cache line owned by the same microprocessor core to be shared or read-only.
US09311230B2

A queued, byte addressed system and method for accessing flash memory and other non-volatile storage class memory, and potentially other types of non-volatile memory (NVM) storage systems. In a host device, e.g., a standalone or networked computer, having attached NVM device storage integrated into a switching fabric wherein the NVM device appears as an industry standard OFED™ RDMA verbs provider. The verbs provider enables communicating with a ‘local storage peer’ using the existing OpenFabrics RDMA host functionality. User applications issue RDMA Read/Write directives to the ‘local peer (seen as a persistent storage) in NVM enabling NVM memory access at byte granularity. The queued, byte addressed system and method provides for Zero copy NVM access. The methods enables operations that establish application private Queue Pairs to provide asynchronous NVM memory access operations at byte level granularity.
US09311227B2

Methods and devices are provided for memory management. One embodiment includes creating a memory control block including a number of sub-blocks, where the number of sub-blocks are capable of storing at least one data structure in a memory device. The method also includes scanning the control block for a free-able data structure having a defined data structure property, marking the free-able data structure as free-able in a bit map, and de-allocating the free-able data structure.
US09311222B1

Interactions with a particular graphical user interface (GUI) of a software system are caused to be recorded and a particular one of the interactions is identified as an interaction with a particular GUI element of the GUI. A particular type of GUI element corresponding to the particular GUI element is determined and at least a portion of an instruction is generated for inclusion in a test of the software system, the instruction referencing the particular GUI element as an instance of the particular type of GUI element.
US09311219B2

A method for performing automatic trace retrieval includes receiving a first and second model for a system or service (S10). The first model includes a first plurality of model artifacts at least partially represented by a first semantic style and the second model includes a second plurality of artifacts at least partially represented by a second semantic style. Training data including one or more correspondences between artifacts of the first plurality of model artifacts and artifacts of the second plurality of artifacts is collected. A semantic transformation table is generated for converting between the first and second semantic styles using the collected training data (S11). The generated semantic transformation table is used in tracing associations between artifacts of the first plurality of artifacts and artifacts of the second plurality of artifacts (S12).
US09311217B2

A method of analyzing a computer program under test (CPUT) using a system comprising a processor and a memory can include performing, by the processor, static analysis upon the CPUT and runtime analysis upon at least a portion of the CPUT. A static analysis result and a runtime analysis result can be stored within the memory. Portions of the CPUT analyzed by static analysis and not by runtime analysis can be determined as candidate portions of the CPUT. The candidate portions of the CPUT can be output.
US09311210B1

In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a data collection module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device, from a processing system, an observation value for a variable. The observation value of the variable is associated with operation of the processing system at a time. The method further includes computing a deviation value of the variable from a baseline value at the time based on the observation value. The method further includes computing a stableness value of the variable at the time based on the baseline value and a variance of the variable during a time period including the time. The method further includes transmitting an indication of the processing system as operating with a fault in response to the deviation value meeting a first criterion and the stableness value meeting a second criterion.
US09311208B2

Technologies are described herein for generating field replaceable unit (FRU) information files in a format that is readable by a management controller in accordance with IPMI such that the FRU and the management controller are interoperable. In particular, a FRU installation station is in operative communication with a general purpose computer comprising a FRU information conversion module. A script utilized by the FRU information conversion module is configured to receive FRU information relating to a specified FRU and convert the information FRU binary files or a FRU image binary. The FRU binary files or FRU image binary are then received by the FRU installation station where they are subsequently transmitted to the inventory device of the specified FRU storage space according to the specified IPMI standard.
US09311207B1

Described are techniques for processing I/O (input/output) operations. A first observed value of a first performance metric denoting any of a current workload or performance for a first physical device is determined. A target time delay for the first physical device is identified based on the first observed value of the first performance metric. The target time delay specifies a minimum time delay between consecutive host I/Os directed to the first physical device. The target time delay is enforced with respect to consecutive host I/Os directed to the first physical device.
US09311202B2

A method of testing a multi-core network processor comprises placing the multi-core network processor in an online environment. A test is performed on a core of the multi-core network processor when the core is idle, and the core is released from the test when it is completed and resumes processing data in the online environment. In another embodiment, a network processor comprises a computer readable instructions module and a processing core. The computer readable instructions module is configured to store test instructions, and the processing core is configured to operate in an online environment and execute the test instructions to test the processing core when the processing core is idle. In yet another embodiment, an apparatus comprises a multi-core network processor that is configured to execute test instructions to perform a test on a core of the multi-core network processor when the core is idle.
US09311196B2

A first cloud computing data center and a second cloud computing data center are connected through a provider backbone bridge network (PBBN), and a plurality of working connection paths and protection connection paths are formed between end points between the first cloud computing data center and the second cloud computing data center and between end points within a cloud computing data center through the PBBN. When a failure occurs in the working connection path, the working connection path is switched to a corresponding protection connection path.
US09311194B1

A method for efficiently using resources (e.g., memory devices) in data centers of a distributed storage system includes identifying high-availability jobs and low-availability jobs that demand usage of resources of the distributed system. The method further includes allocating resource usage to the jobs, determining a first load of the jobs on resources available during a failure event, and determining a second load of the jobs on the resources lost during the failure event. The method includes determining a scaled third load of the jobs on the resources available during the failure event based on the first and second loads and reallocating resource usage assigned to the low-availability jobs to the high-availability jobs during the failure event. The reallocation is associated with the scaled third load of the jobs.
US09311187B2

A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving a request to store data in a dispersed storage network and determining dispersed storage error encoding parameters for encoding the data into sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module determining whether the request includes a desired write reliability indication. When the request includes the desired write reliability indication, the method continues with the DS processing module determining whether storage of the sets of encoded data slices is meeting the desired write reliability indication. When storage of a set of encoded data slices is not meeting the desired write reliability indication, the method continues with the DS processing module determining a storage compliance process for the set of encoded data slices to meet the desired write reliability indication and executing the storage compliance process for the set of encoded data slices.
US09311185B2

A method begins by one or more computing devices obtaining data for storage in a storage as service network environment. The method continues by determining storage preferences regarding the data. The method continues by determining a set of storage units based on the storage preferences and sending a solicitation request to the set of storage units. When at least a minimum number of favorable solicitation responses have been received within a time period, the method continues by determining a dispersed storage error encoding function based on the favorable solicitation responses, the storage preferences, and available encoding schemes. The method continues by encoding the data based on the selected dispersed storage error encoding function to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues by outputting the sets of encoded data slices to at least some of the storage units providing the favorable solicitation responses.
US09311182B2

A memory system and method of operating the same is described, where the memory system is used to store data in a RAIDed manner. The stored data may be retrieved, including the parity data so that the stored data is recovered when the first of either the stored data without the parity data, or the stored data from all but one memory module and the parity data, has been received. The writing of data, for low write data loads, is managed such that only one of the memory modules of a RAID stripe is being written to, or erased, during a time interval.
US09311168B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for obtaining data specifying a plurality of native applications for a particular resource; generating, for each of the native applications, a respective corresponding deeplink for the native application, wherein selection of the respective deeplink causes the native application to display a display environment comprising the particular resource; ranking the respective deeplinks based on a respective rank score for each native application to which the respective deeplink corresponds; and generating metadata that associates the respective deeplinks and their corresponding rankings with the particular resource.
US09311167B2

An Application (APP) operating method, an APP operating device, and an APP output device for supporting the APP operating method are provided. The APP operating method includes connecting an APP operating device and an APP output device, transmitting, by the APP operating device, APP data corresponding to a plurality of APPs being executed in the APP operating device to the APP output device, and outputting, by the APP output device, a plurality of APP areas respectively corresponding to the APP data.
US09311162B2

A cloud management system can maintain a set of “virtual groups,” and assign different “virtual groups” to particular computing resources. The “virtual groups” can be based on the particular usage (type of virtual machine, application of the virtual machine, function of the virtual machine, and the like) of the members in the groups and/or can be based on the specifications of the computing resources (type and amount of computing resources). When instantiating virtual machines in a cloud, the cloud management system can utilize the “virtual groups” to identify and allocate the computing resources.
US09311159B2

Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to provide cloud resource orchestration are disclosed. An example method includes converting, with a processor, a plurality of constraints and a goal for a cloud deployment into a constraint optimization problem, calculating, with the processor, a solution for the constraint optimization problem, and generating instructions to perform cloud resource orchestration for the cloud deployment based on the solution of the constraint optimization problem.
US09311156B2

The workload is heavy in the development of an application program that controls the task distribution in consideration of the variety of the execution environment. In a system where the processing is distributed to SPUs serving as plural processing entities so as to execute the computer program, the data processing is broken into plural units of processing by referring to the script code in which the content of the data processing is written, and the units of processing are assigned to the plural SPUs. Then, the whole computer program is executed when the SPUs execute the assigned process.
US09311153B2

Technologies are generally described for systems, methods, and devices related to core affinity bitmask translation. An example system may include first, second, third and fourth cores, and a dispatcher. The dispatcher may be configured to receive a first request where the first request include a core affinity bitmask and instructions. The core affinity bitmask can identify at least the first core and the second core. The dispatcher may be configured to determine a first affinity between the first core and the second core. The dispatcher may then identify the third core and the fourth core as having similar affinity to achieve a substantially similar performance. The dispatcher may also be configured to generate a second request that includes a translated core affinity bitmask. The translated core affinity bitmask may be effective to identify the third core and the fourth core as appropriate cores to execute the instructions.
US09311145B2

Methods and systems may provide for determining a next active window for a platform and notifying one or more of a plurality of devices of the platform of the next active window being determined. Additionally, one or more of the plurality of devices may be notified of an onset of the next active window. In one example, a pre-warm message is issued to notify one or more of the plurality of devices of the next active window being determined.
US09311141B2

A method for determining the lifespan of an agent utilizing a rule engine and a set of canonical survival rules, in an execution environment comprising collecting a survival rule, asserting a survival data into a working memory and executing the rule engine with the set of survival rules and the working memory.
US09311140B2

The current document discloses methods and systems for extending an internal network within a first cloud-computing facility to a second cloud-computing facility and deploying a virtual machine or virtual application previously running on a first cloud-computing facility within the context of the extended internal network in the second cloud-computing facility. The currently disclosed methods and systems which provide internal-network extension and redeployment of virtual machines and virtual applications, referred to as “stretch deploy,” allow a virtual machine or virtual application formerly executing on a first cloud-computing facility to resume execution on a second cloud-computing facility, using the computational and storage facilities of the second cloud-computing facility but depending on network support from the first cloud-computing facility, without changing IP and local network addresses and the network connectivity, based on those addresses, between the virtual machines and virtual applications and other local and remote computational entities with which the virtual machines and virtual applications communicate.
US09311138B2

Technologies for system management interrupt (“SMI”) handling include a number of processor cores configured to enter a system management mode (“SMM”) in response to detecting an SMI. The first processor core to enter SMM and acquire a master thread lock sets an in-progress flag and executes a master SMI handler without waiting for other processor cores to enter SMM. Other processor cores execute a subordinate SMI handler. The master SMI handler may direct the subordinate SMI handlers to handle core-specific SMIs. The multi-core processor may set an SMI service pending flag in response to detecting the SMI, which is cleared by the processor core that acquires the master thread lock. A processor core entering SMM may immediately resume normal execution upon determining the in-progress flag is not set and the service pending flag is not set, to detect and mitigate spurious SMIs. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09311133B1

An example method for touchless multi-domain VLAN based orchestration in a network environment is provided and includes receiving mobility domain information for a virtual machine associated with a processor executing the method in a network environment, the mobility domain information comprising a mobility domain identifier (ID) indicating a scope within which the virtual machine can be moved between servers, generating a virtual station interface (VSI) discovery protocol (VDP) message in a type-length-value (TLV) format with the mobility domain information, and transmitting the VDP message to a leaf switch directly attached to the server, wherein the leaf switch provisions a port according to the mobility domain information.
US09311132B1

A method, system and computer program product for efficiently utilizing a virtual file system cache across cloud computing nodes. A determination is made as to which hypervisors will be able to share all or a portion of the memory in its cache module (look-aside cache) to become a hypervisor in a “pool of hypervisors” based on the workload of the virtual machines run by the hypervisor. All or a portion of the memory in the cache module in each hypervisor in the pool of hypervisors that is available to be utilized by other virtual machines is allocated to form a “shared cache module” to be utilized by virtual machines run by the pool of hypervisors. In this manner, the look-aside cache available to the hypervisor will be utilized more effectively since any available memory can be utilized by other virtual machines running on different hypervisors on different cloud computing nodes.
US09311131B2

A cloud manager monitors running VM patterns, determines potential VM patterns that have a different configuration than the running VM patterns, and performs estimates of a plurality of metrics for the potential VM patterns. When the estimates for the potential VM patterns exceed the monitored VM patterns currently running by some threshold amount, the potential VM patterns may be automatically deployed to one or more clouds. The result is a cloud-based system that is automatically and dynamically tuned to changing conditions.
US09311116B1

A memory module is operatively coupled to a memory controller of a host computer system and configured to operate in at least two modes including an operational mode in which the memory module performs memory operations in response to memory commands from the memory controller in accordance with an industry standard. The memory module comprises a controller circuit configured to cause the memory module to enter an initialization mode during which the memory module executes at least one initialization sequence, the initialization mode being one of the at least two modes. The memory module further comprises at least one output having a defined function in the operational mode according to the industry standard but is undefined by the industry standard in the initialization mode. During the initialization mode, the memory module is configured to output a notification signal indicating a status of the initialization mode to the memory controller via the at least one output. The memory controller is configured to execute an interrupt routine in response to the notification signal.
US09311113B2

An illustrative embodiment provides a computer-implemented process for navigation through historical stored interactions associated with a multi-user view that receives a previously saved multi-user view, wherein the multi-user view comprises a set of artifact attributes, receives an identified filter from a user, and presents a filtered view to the user. The process further determines whether to amend the filtered view, and responsive to a determination to amend the filtered view, generates an amended view from the filtered view, and responsive to a determination to save the amended view, saves the amended view as one of a new view or an updated view.
US09311111B2

A language processing environment provides facilities for defining and using handle classes. A handle class is a class that always and only exists as a handle to stored data, yet that data is accessed in the same manner as with non-handle classes. The language processing environment provides syntax such that all values in the language are members of some class and all classes are defined using the same syntax. Methods and properties are supported on both handle and non-handle classes.
US09311100B2

A circuit for implementing a branch target buffer. The branch target buffer may include a memory that stores a plurality of entries. Each entry may include a tag value, a target value, and a prediction accuracy value. A received index value corresponding to an indirect branch instruction may be used to select one of entries of the plurality of entries, and a received tag value may then be compared to the tag value of the selected entries in the memory. An entry in the memory may be selected in response to a determination that the received tag does not match the tag value of compared entries. The selected entry may be allocated to the indirect instruction branch dependent upon the prediction accuracy values of the plurality of entries.
US09311099B2

A data processing system includes a processor configured to execute processor instructions and a branch target buffer having a plurality of entries. Each entry is configured to store a branch target address and a lock indicator, wherein the lock indicator indicates whether the entry is a candidate for replacement, and wherein the processor is configured to access the branch target buffer during execution of the processor instructions. The data processing system further includes control circuitry configured to determine a fullness level of the branch target buffer, wherein in response to the fullness level reaching a fullness threshold, the control circuitry is configured to assert the lock indicator of one or more of the plurality of entries to indicate that the one or more of the plurality of entries is not a candidate for replacement.
US09311097B2

A graphics processing system configured to track per-tile event counts in a tile-based architecture. A tiling unit in the graphics processing system is configured to cause a screen-space pipeline to load a count value associated with a first cache tile into a count memory and to cause the screen-space pipeline to process a first set of primitives that intersect the first cache tile. The tiling unit is further configured to cause the screen-space pipeline to store a second count value in a report memory location. The tiling unit is also configured to cause the screen-space pipeline to process a second set of primitives that intersect the first cache tile and to cause the screen-space pipeline to store a third count value in the first accumulating memory. Conditional rendering operations may be performed on a per-cache tile basis, based on the per-tile event count.
US09311093B2

A prefix instruction is executed and passes operands to a next instruction without storing the operands in an architected resource such that the execution of the next instruction uses the operands provided by the prefix instruction to perform an operation, the operands may be prefix instruction immediate field or a target register of the prefix instruction execution.
US09311087B2

A data processing apparatus 2 supports speculative execution and the use of sticky bits. A different version of a sticky bit is associated with each segment of the speculative program flow. The segments of the program flow are separated by speculation nodes corresponding to program instructions which may be followed by a plurality of different alternative program instruction serving as the next program instruction. When a speculation node is resolved, then the segments separated by that speculation node are merged and the sticky bit values for those two segments are merged.
US09311076B2

Techniques for enforcing software reviews are described. For example, a commit request to commit code to a repository is received. In response to receiving the commit request, an ownership file is accessed in the repository based on the commit request. The ownership file includes a directory identifier of a directory of the repository and an identifier of an owner who controls committing of code to the directory. A determination is made, based on the ownership file, that the owner did not provide an indication of approval of the code requested to be committed to the repository. A review of the code is facilitated, based on the determination that the owner did not provide the indication of approval.
US09311073B2

Method, apparatus and computer program product for use in the upgrade of nodes in a group of nodes in a data communications network. One or more nodes in the group to which a given upgrade is yet to be applied are identified. A given node is selected from amongst the identified one or more nodes to which the given upgrade is yet to be applied as the leader node for the group. Data is transmitted indicating the selection of the given node as the leader node. The upgrade proceeds with the given node as the leader node.
US09311062B2

An approach for consolidating and reusing portal information within different web applications. The approach includes a method that includes retrieving, by at least one computing device, code from an application. The method includes deconstructing, by the at least one computing device, the code into code fragments. The method includes validating, by the at least one computing device, each of the code fragments. The method includes matching, by the at least one computing device, each of the code fragments with server-side components. The method includes generating, by the at least one computing device, a portlet based on the matching.
US09311061B2

A method, system and computer program product for designating the order in which a plurality of tasks are to be executed on a computer system. In one embodiment, a plurality of task icons, each of which represents a respective one task, are shown in defined positions in a view on the computer system, and these defined positions of the task icons are used to determine the order in which the tasks are to be executed by the computer system. In an embodiment, the task icons are shown in a grid pattern, having rows and columns. Tasks represented by task icons shown in successive rows of the grid pattern are executed in series, and tasks represented by task icons shown in the same row of the grid pattern are executed in parallel. In an embodiment, at least one of the task icons represents an embedded executable workflow folder.
US09311040B2

Provided is a system that includes an information processing apparatus; and an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit a script for transmitting image data which is generated by rendering content displayed on the browser of the information processing apparatus through execution of the script by the information processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus in response to a request from the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the image data generated through execution of the script by the browser to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus further includes a printing unit configured to perform printing based on the image data.
US09311038B2

Provided is an image forming system operable to provide a cloud printing service, the image forming system comprising: a transmitting device operable to transmit content by designating a target phone number; a cloud printing server operable to receive the target phone number and the content from the transmitting device; a receiving device assigned with the target phone number and operable to receive an upload notification of the content with respect to the target phone number from the cloud printing server; and an image forming device operable to print the content by receiving the content from the cloud printing server, wherein the cloud printing server transmits the content to the image forming device registered in the target phone number when the cloud printing service is requested for the content to the target phone number.
US09311034B2

A document printing system configured to print documents received from a user device. The system comprises a remote server and a first local print server. The remote server is configured to communicate with one or more local print servers located on respective local networks, including the first local print server. The remote server receives print jobs from remote user devices and to maintain a global queue of print jobs. The first local print server is coupled to a first local network and to an input device for receiving user instructions. The first local print server receives print jobs from user devices, maintains a first local queue of print jobs, processes print jobs from the global queue of documents, and instructs a printing device to print a document in accordance with a print job, based upon user instructions received at the input device. The system is configured to determine whether the first local print server is accessible by a user device issuing a print job and, based on the determination, send the print job to the first local queue or to the global queue.
US09311031B2

According to approach for printing policy-enabled electronic documents, when a locked print module determines that an electronic document contained in the PDF print data is a policy-enabled electronic document, the locked print module causes the PDF print data to be stored on the printing device and not immediately processed for printing. A PDF-to-postscript conversion module generates and stores in a common data structure in the shared memory a request for security data for the PDF print data. A policy client module retrieves the request from the common data structure in the shared memory, obtains security data for the PDF print data from a policy server, and stores the security data in the common data structure in the shared memory. The PDF-to-postscript conversion module uses the security data to decrypt the PDF print data and then converts the decrypted PDF print data into postscript data for printing by the printing device.
US09311017B2

The present invention relates to an external device extension method and an external device. The external device is provided with a storage device interface and firmware for implementing operation requests of standard functions of the storage device interface. When the external device is connected to a host, the firmware communicates with the host according to standards of the storage device interface, so that the external device is identified by the host as a standard external storage device, and one or more of operation names, parameter names, data names, and/or device status names supported by the external device are simulated as one or more directories and/or files. Upon receiving a standard directory and/or file read/write request from the host, the external device executes a corresponding external device operation instruction, processes written data, and returns, according to the read request, data formatted according to the request from the host. The use of the external device does not need any driver to be installed, and all functions of the external device can be accessed and used, so as to make it possible that some smart appliances using embedded software can be connected to and use the external devices.
US09311010B2

Intended is improvement in reliability of a disk array unit formed of a plurality of nodes at the time of start-up and stop. The disk array unit formed of a plurality of nodes, which includes a control unit which executes power source control of other node based on power source control information set at one of the nodes by inter-node communication executed through a common signal line which connects each node.
US09310997B2

The disclosure is related to a method, a touch device and a computer program product for converting touch points into characters. In particular, through an input interface, the converting method can be applied to the touch device and the computer program product. The converting method for example includes the following steps of: sensing at least one touch point triggered by a user on the input interface to obtain touch point number information and touch point position information; generating a touch point distribution of the sensed touch point(s) according to the touch point number information and the touch point position information; and determining an input character according to the touch point distribution.
US09310991B2

A method and an apparatus for navigating content larger than a display screen of a terminal using a pointing device are provided. The method includes acquiring, when a pointing position is changed on a screen partially displaying a content that is larger than the screen, a current pointing position by tracking the change of the pointing position, comparing an X axis displacement and a Y axis displacement from an initial pointing position as a starting position to the current pointing position with a predefined X axis threshold value and Y axis threshold value, respectively, determining a movement direction as one of an X axis, a Y axis, and an XY (diagonal) axis directions based on the comparison result, and scrolling the content in the movement direction to display an off-screen part of the content.
US09310989B2

A method for providing a user interface, wherein a real subset of a set having several objects can be displayed by a control device of a display unit, a graphic element is displayed by way of the position of a first graphic sub-element relative to a second graphic sub-element, and the displayed subset is changed by an operating process. Objects are divided into n disjoint subsets, wherein n is a natural number greater than 2 and n positions are defined relative to the second graphic sub-element, and the first graphic sub-element is displayed only for one of these n positions if no operating process for changing the subset is carried out, wherein the positioning of the first graphic sub-element on one of the n positions shows which of the n subsets is currently being displayed.
US09310984B2

A method is provided of controlling a 3D individual object on a map by displaying a 3D map image including a plurality of 3D individual objects on a first display area, selecting at least one 3D individual object, obtaining detailed information of the selected 3D individual object from a memory and displaying the detailed information.
US09310975B2

Configuring wires/icons in a diagram. The diagram may be an executable diagram such as a graphical program or a system diagram. The diagram may include a plurality of icons that are connected by wires, and the icons may visually represent functionality of the diagram. The diagram may be executable to perform the functionality. Displaying the diagram may include displaying a first wire in the diagram, where the first wire connects a first icon and a second icon. Data transfer functionality may be specified for the first wire and/or the first or second icon in the diagram. The data transfer functionality may be visually indicated in the diagram, e.g., by appearances of the first icon, the second icon, the first wire, and/or icons displayed proximate to these components of the diagram.
US09310972B2

A method and apparatus for changing a page when an e-book terminal is inclined is provided. The method includes sensing that the e-book terminal is inclined to a left or right side, then changing a current page to a next page when the e-book terminal is inclined to the left side or changing the current page to a previous page when the e-book terminal is inclined to the right side.
US09310965B2

An information processing apparatus includes: a display control section for displaying a window showing a first icon and a second icon of a predetermined display size on a display screen. The display control section reduces the display size of at least either the first icon or the second icon so as not to overlap with each other if it determines that the icons overlap with each other when it alters a display area of the window being displayed on the display screen.
US09310964B2

Disclosed is an icon generation method, comprising: adjusting an original icon to a preset size for a certain resolution environment; determining statistics for the color values of all pixels of the original icon and calculating a dominant hue of the original icon; generating a background color based on a hue angle of the dominant hue and preset values of color saturation and brightness; applying the background color to a preset color gradient template to generate an icon background; cutting the adjusted icon by using a preset icon edge cutting template; and combining the icon background, the cut icon, and a preset icon foreground template to generate a final icon. Through the disclosed solution, new icons complying with a unified system style can be generated, and content consistency of the new icons can be best ensured.
US09310963B2

A method for unlocking a touch screen device includes providing a touch screen device in an idle mode. An area or region displayed on a screen of the device in the idle mode is contacted or activated to reveal at least one application icon associated with an active/unlocked state of the device. The region is moved, expanded or dragged to an edge of the device to change a state of the device to an active/unlocked mode and activate the revealed application.
US09310961B2

The present invention is directed to teleporting avatars between disparate virtual worlds. A system is disclosed that includes a facility for creating a persona profile for an avatar in a first virtual world when the avatar wants to be teleported out of the first virtual world; a facility for transferring persona profiles to and from a disparate virtual world; and a facility for instantiating an inbound avatar based on a received persona profile. Persona profiles may include, e.g., rendering information, trait information, and inventory information.
US09310960B2

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a housing, a touch-enabled pad coupled to the housing, a processor, and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory bears instructions executable by the processor to receive input to the touch-enabled pad and to present an indication of the input on the touch-enabled pad.
US09310953B1

An apparatus and method to measure a self-capacitance of a capacitive sense array is described. The apparatus includes a first integrating capacitor, a first modulator, a second integrating capacitor, and a second modulator. The first modulator is operatively coupled to the first integrating capacitor. The second modulator is operatively coupled to the second integrating capacitor. The first modulator in conjunction with the first integrating capacitor and the second modulator in conjunction with the second integrating capacitor measure a self-capacitance of a capacitive-sense array by performing a full-wave synchronous rectification.
US09310948B2

An array substrate, a touch screen panel and a display device are provided. The array substrate includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of touch sensing units, and each touch sensing unit comprises a touch scanning line, a touch sensing line, a first transistor and a sensing electrode, the touch scanning line is connected with a gate electrode and a drain electrode of the first transistor and the sensing electrode is connected with a source electrode of the first transistor; the touch sensing line and the sensing electrode are provided in different layers, spaced apart by an insulating layer and have an overlapping region. This array substrate decreases areas of non-display regions on the array substrate, increases aperture ratio of the touch screen panel and in turn enhances brightness of the display device.
US09310941B2

In one embodiment, a method includes displaying an input tool comprising a first touch icon and a first input icon. The first touch icon may be visually separated from the first input icon by a predetermined distance. The first input icon may provide a graphical indication of an input associated with the first touch icon. The method may include determining an input based on a touch at or substantially near a location on a touch sensor associated with the first touch icon. The method may also include effecting the input as determined.
US09310939B2

A touch sensor comprises a substrate capable of propagating acoustic waves. The substrate includes a first surface having a touch sensitive region. A transducer is formed on the substrate. The transducer comprises a piezoelectric element which is thermally cured after being formed on the substrate. The transducer is configured for at least one of generating acoustic waves and detecting acoustic waves. Alternatively, the transducer may include a strip comprising the piezoelectric element.
US09310934B2

The presence of moisture on a touch screen device can mimic a user's touch causing false input detection and recognition. Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting the presence of moisture on a touch screen device.
US09310933B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for determining a touch position from data received from a touch panel. In one implementation, an apparatus for processing a touch input signal includes a processor that may be configured for parallel processing, a touch device, a memory, operably connected to the processor, and configured to store processor instructions. The processor instructions can configure the processor to receive a plurality of data points corresponding to a plurality of touch events on the touch device, determine a center of mass estimate from the plurality of data points, determine a search radius of center of mass estimate, and determine an optimal touch point position based on the center of mass estimate and the search radius using the processor.
US09310929B2

A method, system, and/or computer program product unlocks an electronic device that has a touchscreen. Multiple tactile inputs to a touchscreen on a locked electronic device are detected. A distance between the most distant tactile inputs is detected, and a relative position, as measured from the most distant tactile inputs, of other tactile inputs to the touchscreen is calculated. In response to the relative position of the other detected tactile inputs matching a stored positioning file for touchscreen tactile inputs, the electronic device is unlocked.
US09310920B2

A touch-screen display apparatus, the apparatus may include first and second sheets having opposed major surfaces and a size and shape defined by a periphery. The periphery may be defined by opposed ends and opposed edges. The first and second sheets may each have a conductive pattern including a pair of opposed busbars and a plurality of traces electrically coupled to, and extending between, corresponding pairs of opposed busbars. The transparent force sensing (TFS) sheet may have opposed major surfaces and a variable resistance which is related to a force exerted upon one or more of its major surfaces. The TFS sheet may be situated between the first and second sheets. The apparatus may also include one or more separation portions situated between the TFS sheet and the first or second sheet to bias the TFS sheet apart from the first or second sheet.
US09310906B2

The user is allowed to simulatively experience a tactile sensation that would be felt when actually touching on the object being displayed on a screen. An electronic device 100 includes a display device 160 for displaying displayed information, a touch panel 130 to be touched by the user, a displayed information control section 32 for controlling display of the displayed information, thermoelectric element sections 190 for cooling or heating the touch panel 130, and a temperature control section 195 for controlling the temperature of the touch panel 130 in accordance with the displayed information displayed on the display device 160.
US09310904B2

A toy for providing input to a computing device includes a main body sized and shaped to fit within a grasp of a user of the toy. The toy also includes input switches mounted to the main body. Each of the input switches can switch between a first position and a second position responsive to an action performed on the input switch. The toy also includes a removable outer covering that is configured to substantially encapsulate the main body. A top surface of the covering includes openings sized and shaped to receive a portion of each of the input switches. The toy includes a programmable processing circuit enclosed within the main body. The circuit includes input ports coupled to the input switches. The circuit includes an output port coupled to a communications port to transmit output signals and programmable processing circuitry configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes.
US09310899B2

A stylus and an electronic device are provided, wherein the electronic device includes a body and a stylus. The body has a capacitive touch panel. The stylus includes a handle, a head, an elastic member and an electret. The handle has a main body and a chamber disposed within the main body. The main body has a holding portion and a first end. The holding portion is electrically connected with the first end. The head is assembled to the first end so as to be capable of sliding into the chamber, and the head is a rigid body. The elastic member is disposed in the chamber and located between chamber walls of the chamber and the head. The electret is assembled to the head and located within the chamber.
US09310896B2

An input method and electronic device using a pen input device are provided. In an embodiment, status information of the pen input device is received, and contact information of a contact point between the pen input device and the terminal is generated, based on the received status information. Expressive effects of a pen input, such as line thickness, density and texture, are varied based on the contact information. Such input method and electronic device using the pen input device can simply and conveniently vary expressive effects of a pen-based input. In other embodiments, contact information is determined from actual contact points and expressive effects are varied as a function of the contact information or pen status information derived from the actual contact information.
US09310888B2

A layout transformation system accesses application metadata that defines a plurality of different structures for displaying components of the application, based upon the particular modality of the display device. The layout transformation system then transforms a user interface display based on the application metadata and based upon the particular modality, and provides the user interface display to the display device for rendering and user interaction.
US09310886B2

A method includes observing via a camera of a device and a gaze tracking function that a user is looking at a transient message displayed on a display screen of a device, determining a time to remove the transient message from the display screen as a function of the observing, and removing the transient message as a function of the determined time.
US09310884B2

A head-mountable display system comprises a head mountable display having a frame to be mounted onto an observer's head, the frame defining one or two eye display positions which, in use, are positioned for viewing by the observer. The frame comprises one or more shutters for obscuring the observer's view of the surrounding real environment and a display element mounted with respect to each of the eye display positions. The display element provides a virtual image of a video display of a video signal from a video signal source to the observer. An object detector detects the presence of an object within a detection range of the observer's head. And a controller controls operation of the head mountable display so as to allow the observer to view at least a portion of the surrounding real environment in response to detection of the presence of an object within the detection range.
US09310882B2

A method for interfacing with an interactive program is provided. The method includes: capturing images of first and second pages of a book object, the first and second pages being joined along a fold axis defined along a spine of the book; analyzing the captured images to identify a first tag on the first page and a second tag on the second page; tracking movement of the first and second pages by tracking the first and second tags, respectively; generating augmented images by replacing, in the captured images, the book object with a virtual book, the virtual book having a first virtual page corresponding to the first page of the book object, the virtual book having a second virtual page corresponding to the second page of the book object; rendering first and second scenes on the first and second virtual pages, respectively; and presenting the augmented images on a display.
US09310877B2

An information processing apparatus includes a main storage unit and a primary computing unit. When a power-save mode is set, power supply to the main storage unit is being continued while power supply to the primary computing unit is stopped. The primary computing unit includes an operation status information processing unit to store operation status information of the primary computing unit when shifting to the power-save mode; a storing destination information processing unit to store storing-destination information indicating a storage area of the operation status information; a power-supply stop control unit to stop power supply to the primary computing unit after storing the operation status information and storing-destination information; a return operation identifying unit to confirm return operation identification information and to initialize the primary computing unit after power supply to the primary computing unit is resumed; and an operation status restoring unit to read the operation status information.
US09310874B2

There is disclosed an electronic device comprising a receiver, a display, an application processor and a sensor hub. The receiver is configured to receive notifications from a remote device. The display is configured to provide information including notifications. The application processor and the sensor hub are in communication with the display. The application processor is configured to provide instructions for displaying full screen information at the display during a non-sleep mode of the electronic device. The full screen information includes a first notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the non-sleep mode. The sensor hub is configured to provide instructions for displaying partial screen information at the display during a sleep mode of the electronic device. The partial screen information includes a second notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the sleep mode.
US09310873B2

A video processing device includes a plurality of circuit modules that cooperate to process an input video signal into a processed video signal. A control circuit generates a plurality of adjustment parameters in response to a calibration of the plurality of circuit modules and that includes a register adjustment generator that generates a register file modification based on the plurality of adjustment parameters.
US09310871B2

Methods and apparatus relating to power management of periodic transmissions from networking applications are described. In one embodiment, a periodic transmission manager logic coupled between one or more network applications and one or more network interfaces may control the flow of periodic transmissions from the one or more network applications to the one or more network interfaces. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09310859B2

An apparatus includes a primary cold plate, a secondary cold plate, and spring biased retainers moveably securing the primary cold plate to the secondary cold plate. The secondary cold plate is securable to a circuit board for thermal engagement with heat-generating components on the circuit board. The primary cold plate is aligned for thermal engagement with a processor on the circuit board and includes an internal liquid cooling channel. The apparatus further comprises compressible thermal interface material disposed between the primary cold plate and the secondary cold plate to conduct heat from the secondary cold plate to the primary cold plate and remove the heat in a liquid flowing through the liquid cooling channel. The apparatus provides thermal engagement and cooling of multiple components having different heights.
US09310855B2

Flexible data center systems and methods of deployment are provided. A flexible data center (100, 200) including T rows of server racks (106, 206, 306) can be deployed by constructing a number B of blocks (101, 201). Constructing each block (101, 201) can include constructing from one to a number P of perimeter structures (104, 204, 304) each housing up to a number R of rows of server racks (106, 206, 306). Constructing each block (102, 201) can include constructing a connecting structure (102, 202) connected to the perimeter structures (104, 204, 304), the connecting structure (102, 202) housing operations monitoring equipment (108, 208) for the server racks (106, 206, 306). A total integer number T/R of perimeter structures (104, 204, 304) can be constructed for the flexible data center (100, 200). At most one perimeter structure (10, 204, 304) houses less than R rows of server racks (106, 206, 306). B is equal to an integer number (T/R)/P. At most one block (101, 201) includes less than P perimeter structures (104, 204, 304).
US09310854B2

The present invention relates to a structure of a screw-free adaptation rack, which includes a main casing including a carrying section to define an upper portion of the main casing as a primary accommodation space and a lower portion as a secondary accommodation space. A partition plate is arranged in the primary accommodation space for division into a first receiving space and a second receiving space. A retention mechanism retains at least one 2.5-inch hard drive in the primary accommodation space. The secondary accommodation space has two sidewalls with a pair of bumps and a pair of through apertures formed therein so that with position adjustment of a retained object, the bumps are fit into and thus retain the retained object, allowing the present invention to readily receive and retain a hard drive and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive in a screw-free manner for extensive applications to various specifications.
US09310849B2

A dual-shaft synchronous transmission device is applied to an electronic apparatus. The distance between the two shafts of the dual-shaft synchronous transmission device is shortened so that the electronic device can be thinned and lightweight. The dual-shaft synchronous transmission device includes a driver and a reactor respectively disposed on a first shaft and a second shaft and a link unit. Spur gear structures or crown gear structures are respectively disposed on the driver and the reactor. Crown gear structures or spur gear structures are respectively disposed at two ends of the link unit correspondingly engaged with the spur gear structures or crown gear structures of the driver and the reactor. When the first shaft and the driver are rotated, the driver rotates the link unit to drive the reactor and the second shaft to synchronously rotate in a direction reverse to the rotational direction of the driver.
US09310838B2

A power management method is disclosed. The power management method comprises the step of a computer system checking existence of a manufacturing identifier (ID) of a human interface device (HID) when the computer system is operated in a first mode; the computer system continuously detecting whether the HID exist when the manufacturing ID exists; the computer system starting a timer when the computer system detects that the HID does not exist; the computer system entering a second mode when the timer expires; the HID determining whether the computer system is operated in the second mode, when plugged into the computer system; the HID performing state transition on the computer system when determining that the computer system is in the second mode; and the computer system entering the first mode when detecting the state transition.
US09310833B2

A display device may be mounted at a predetermined angle via a free-standing display housing. In one example, the display device bracket may include at least two spring loaded tabs and a display monitor affixed to the display device bracket. A base mount may be on a resting surface with at least one side that is configured to make contact with the display device. A rear housing cover may also be included with at least two receiving tabs form-fitted to receive the spring loaded tabs and provide a secure spring-loaded locking position that maintains the display device bracket in a locked position and in an upright predefined angled viewing position.
US09310823B2

A voltage reference circuit includes a bipolar transistor and a circuit configured to measure the ratio of emitter current to base current of the bipolar transistor. The output voltage of the voltage reference circuit is compensated as a function of the measured ratio.
US09310820B2

The invention relates to a system for the electronic management of a photovoltaic generator, said system comprising a plurality of n static converters (11, 12, 13) connected in parallel, each converter (11, 12, 13) being electrically connected to at least one photovoltaic cell (10) of the generator. The number of converters connected is varied by varying the photovoltaic power, by comparing the generated power to thresholds P1, P2, . . . , Pn−1 after a time delay t. The invention also relates to a generator comprising said system and to the associated control method.
US09310811B2

A regulator comprises a regulator valve and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to the regulator valve and comprises a control element for controlling the flow of fluid through the regulator valve. The regulator valve is equipped with a self-aligning valve port that includes a retaining portion, a biased portion disposed within the retaining portion, and a biasing member disposed between the retaining portion and the biased portion. The self-aligning valve port advantageously automatically adjusts to achieve sealed engagement with the control element of the actuator, thereby improving regulator performance.
US09310808B2

An autonomous vehicle control system for use on a vehicle, such as a motorcycle or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to autonomously control the vehicle without a driver during vehicle testing is provided. The vehicle control system comprises a moment generator coupleable to the vehicle and configured to selectively generate a moment in either of first and second directions. The vehicle control system also includes a control system operably coupled to the moment generator and configured to control the moment generator to selectively impart moments on the vehicle to stabilize the vehicle or to introduce disturbances on the vehicle.
US09310806B2

A localization and obstacle detection system includes a first signal projector configured to project a first signal into an environment and a robot configured to move in the environment. The robot includes a second signal projector configured to project a second signal into the environment; a signal receiver configured to receive the first signal and the second signal; a localizer configured to determine a location of the robot in the environment based at least in part on the received first signal; and a detector configured to determine the presence of an obstacle in the environment based at least in part on the intensity and bearing of the received second signal and without touching the obstacle; wherein the second signal is distinct from the first signal in at least one characteristic.
US09310798B2

A motor drive device in embodiments includes: a motor drive unit that generates a current for driving a motor on a basis of a position command and a position detection value of the motor; a motor-coil ambient-temperature estimation unit that calculates a motor-coil ambient-temperature estimation value by correcting an output value of a temperature sensor provided in a peripheral portion of a motor coil of the motor by using a filter including both a phase-lead characteristic and a low-pass characteristic; a motor-coil increased-temperature estimation unit that calculates a motor-coil increased-temperature estimation value on a basis of the current; and a motor-coil protection unit that limits the current on a basis of the motor-coil ambient-temperature estimation value and the motor-coil increased-temperature estimation value.
US09310786B2

A system and method for reducing an electrical load in a facility with a building automation system, includes first receiving information for a demand response event from an automated demand response server at an automated demand response client. After receipt of a new demand response event, the system determines a plurality of devices of the building automation system to be controlled during the demand response event. Next, the system prepares a schedule of control actions for the plurality of devices during the demand response event. The system then sends control messages to the building automation system to execute the control actions for the plurality of devices according to the schedule of control actions for the demand response event.
US09310785B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus sends a request to adjust a power consumption to a plurality of request targets, based on power supply and demand. A minimum adjustment time of each request target is stored. The minimum adjustment time is an interval between a time when a request target receives the request and a time when the request target starts to adjust the power consumption. If an estimation value of the power supply is different from an estimation value of the power demand at a first time to start to adjust, at least one request target is selected from the request targets by using the minimum adjustment time. The at least one request target is acceptable for the request at a second time as a predetermined time prior to the first time. A first adjustment amount to the at least one request target is calculated until the second time.
US09310779B2

A terminal and a method of controlling the same are disclosed, by which a snooze function for an alarm can be activated depending on whether a user sleeps after outputting the alarm. The terminal may include a measuring unit configured to measure a bio-information of a user, a memory having an alarm set therein, an alarm unit configured to output the alarm, and a controller configured to measure the bio-information of the user through the measuring unit after the outputted alarm. The controller, when determining that the user is currently asleep based on the measured bio-information, may control a snooze function for the alarm to be automatically activated.
US09310772B2

A metal structure includes, by mass %, Fe: 10% to 30%; S: 0.005% to 0.2%; and the balance consisting of Ni and unavoidable impurities, in which a maximum grain size of the metal structure is 500 nm or less. The metal structure preferably has one or more of a stress relaxation rate of 10% or less, a lattice constant of 3.535 Å to 3.56 Å, a yield stress of 1500 MPa or more, a Young's modulus of 150 GPa or more and a Vickers hardness of Hv 580 or more.
US09310771B2

A pallet lever mechanism for an escapement mechanism including a structure carrying a balance and an escape wheel, the pallet lever including pallet stones cooperating with the escape wheel, and a flexible, multistable element, and the pallet lever cooperates with the balance with horns of a first portion of the pallet lever connected by one such flexible element to the structure or to a second portion of the pallet lever carrying the pallet stones connected by one such flexible element to the fixed structure or to the first portion. One flexible element includes a prestressed beam buckled in an S or Z shape, the pallet lever mechanism including a pivot forcing the beam to have a node at the middle thereof.
US09310770B2

The invention relates to a system including a pinion (5) and a toothed wheel (7) coaxially mounted relative to a pivoting arbor (3). According to the invention, the gear system (1) includes a securing device (21) between the pinion and the wheel so as to prevent any relative movement of one with respect to the other. The invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the toothed wheel (7) and the final assembly of the gear system (1). The invention concerns the field of timepieces.
US09310765B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device to form a toner image on a sheet; a fixing device to fix the toner image on the sheet; a toner container to house the toner to be supplied to the image forming device, the toner container arranged above the fixing device; a cooling fan; a guide to guide an airflow coming from the cooling fan to an outer circumferential surface of the toner container; an outer-circumferential flow path to serve as an airflow path between the outer circumferential surface of the toner container and a wall facing the outer circumferential surface, the outer-circumferential flow path guiding the airflow coming from the guide along the outer circumferential surface; a suction fan to suck the airflow having passed through the outer-circumferential flow path; and an exhaust guide to discharge the sucked airflow.
US09310760B2

An image forming apparatus which forms an image with an image forming section includes: a casing in which the image forming section is arranged; a cover which is displaceably attached to the casing; a first elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which is provided on one of the casing and the cover, the first elastic portion having an engage-objective portion which is engageable with an engaging portion provided on the other of the casing and the cover; and a second elastic portion which is elastically deformable, and which applies, to the first elastic portion, a force in a direction returning the first elastic portion to an original state when the first elastic portion is deformed.
US09310754B2

A retractor that is applicable to an image forming apparatus includes a moving unit to move a latent image forming device between an image forming position and a retracted position, a first guide into which a first projection of the latent image forming device is fitted in different ranges and changing an attitude of the one end side of the latent image forming device, and a second guide into which a second projection of the latent image forming device is fitted in different ranges and changing the attitude of the opposed end side of the latent image forming device. The different ranges include a first range and a second range. An amount of play in at least a part of the first range with respect to the corresponding projection is greater than an amount of play in the second range.
US09310750B2

An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearer, a charging member to contact a surface of the image bearer and charge the image bearer, an exposure device to expose the image bearer and form a latent image, a developing device to develop the latent image on the image bearer into a toner image, a transfer device to transfer the toner image from the image bearer onto a transfer medium, and a cleaning blade to contact the surface of the image bearer and remove toner from the image bearer after image transfer. The charging member has surface unevenness created by projections and recesses extending in a direction of rotation of the image bearer. The cleaning blade is configured to abrade projections formed on the surface of the image bearer.
US09310745B2

An image forming apparatus includes a rotating fixing unit, a switching unit, and a control unit. The rotating fixing unit has a surface, the surface fixing a toner image on a recording medium by contacting the recording medium. The switching unit switches between transportation directions in which the recording sheet is transported such that an orientation of a predetermined side of the recording medium with respect to the fixing unit matches either an orientation corresponding to a first direction in which the central axis of the fixing unit extends or an orientation corresponding to a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The control unit controls the switching unit such that the recording medium is transported in a direction corresponding to a smaller one of integration values obtained along the first direction and the second direction.
US09310734B2

A fixing roller that may include: a rotary shaft; an elastic layer that is provided at the circumference of the rotary shaft, and a surface layer that covers the circumference of the elastic layer and includes creases, wherein the creases are provided at both axial end portions of the surface layer, and a portion of the surface layer between the axial end portions thereof is smoother than the axial end portions.
US09310729B2

A fixing device includes a heating element extending in a first direction and configured to generate heat, a nip member extending along the heating element in the first direction and configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element, an endless belt extending along the heating element in the first direction, a backup member extending along the heating element in the first direction, and an adhesive. The endless belt is configured to rotate. The endless belt surrounds the heating element and the nip member. The backup member nips the endless belt in cooperation with the nip member. The adhesive is disposed between the heating element and the nip member and fixes the heating element and the nip member relative to each other.
US09310728B2

A fuser assembly for an electrophotographic imaging device which transfers heat from overheated portions of the fuser assembly to portions having lesser temperatures. The fuser assembly includes a heating member; a backup roll disposed proximate to the heating member so as to form a fuser nip therewith; a heat transfer device in contact with backup roll; a positioning mechanism coupled to the heat transfer device for positioning the heat transfer device in a first position in which the heat transfer device contacts the backup roll, and a second position in which the heat transfer device is spaced apart from the backup roll; and a latch mechanism for latching the heat transfer device in the second position.
US09310727B2

An image forming apparatus forming toner images sequentially on recording sheets transported at intervals, and thermally fixing the toner images by passing the recording sheets through a fixing position on a heating roller. The target fixing temperature is determined according to information of an image on each page. When a first fixing temperature for a given page is higher than a second fixing temperature for the succeeding page and the difference therebetween is greater than a predefined value, part or all of a first period, during which the thermal fixing operation for the given page is performed, and a second period, which corresponds to an interval between the two pages, are reserved for raising the surface temperature by the difference, and temperature control is performed during the reserved periods such that the surface temperature reaches the second temperature before the thermal fixing operation for the succeeding page starts.
US09310726B2

An image forming apparatus includes a fixing part, a first conveying part, a second conveying part, a biasing member and a separation supporting mechanism. The first conveying part following the fixing part includes rollers to convey a sheet at second linear velocity faster than first linear velocity of the fixing part. The second conveying part following the first conveying part conveys the sheet at third linear velocity faster than the first linear velocity near a heating rotation body of the fixing part from a first reference line passing through nip parts of the fixing part and first conveying part. The separation supporting mechanism supports one roller in a direction separating from another roller and receives force from the sheet in the separating direction to the one roller when the second conveying part conveys the sheet to withdraw the one roller in the separating direction from the first reference line.
US09310720B2

An image forming apparatus, includes a developing device developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member. The developing device includes a developer bearing member having a developing sleeve and a magnet, with the developing sleeve being rotatable in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the image bearing member, the magnet being fixed in the developing sleeve, and grooves extending in the axial direction being provided on a surface of the developing sleeve. An angle α between a wall surface of the grooves at an upstream side in the rotational direction of the developing sleeve and the direction perpendicular to the surface of the developing sleeve is greater than an angle γ of a magnetic brush of the developer formed at a closest portion between the image bearing member and the developer bearing member on an outermost surface of the developing sleeve.
US09310700B2

In an embodiment, a lithography method is disclosed that includes providing a providing a first heat load to a first area of an object, and providing a second heat load to a second area of the object, wherein the second heat load is configured to ensure a deformation of the first area of the object caused by providing both the first heat load and the second heat load is smaller than a deformation of the first area of the object caused by providing only the first heat load.
US09310694B2

An illumination system of a micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus is provided, which is configured to illuminate a mask positioned in a mask plane. The system includes a pupil shaping optical subsystem and illuminator optics that illuminate a beam deflecting component. For determining a property of the beam deflecting component, an intensity distribution in a system pupil surface of the illumination system is determined. Then the property of the beam deflecting component is determined such that the intensity distribution produced by the pupil shaping subsystem in the system pupil surface approximates the intensity distribution determined before. At least one of the following aberrations are taken into account in this determination: (i) an aberration produced by the illuminator optics; (ii) an aberration produced by the pupil shaping optical subsystem; (iii) an aberration produced by an optical element arranged between the system pupil surface and the mask plane.
US09310686B2

A target supply method uses a target supply device that includes a target generation unit having a nozzle, a pressure control unit having a pressure sensor and an actuator, an electrode, a potential application unit, and a timer; further, the method include raising the pressure inside the target generation unit to a setting pressure by the actuator, applying different potentials to the electrode and a target material from each other by the potential application unit in the case where it is detected that the pressure inside the target generation unit is halfway raised to the setting pressure, and applying a constant first potential to the target material and a first pulse voltage to the electrode by the potential application unit to extract the target material with electrostatic force in the case where it is detected that the pressure inside the target generation unit has been raised to the setting pressure.
US09310681B2

A negative resist composition containing as base resin a novolak resin having repeating unit “a”, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, or any of a linear, a branched, or a cyclic alkyl group, alkoxy group, acyl group, acyloxy group, and alkoxy carbonyl group, these groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, any of a linear, a branched, or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, which may contain a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an ether group, a thioether group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxy carbonyl group, and an acyloxy group. “A” is within the range of 0
US09310679B2

A thermally-sensitive, positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor can be used to prepare lithographic printing plates using high pH, silicate-free processing solutions. The precursor has a grained an anodized aluminum-containing substrate including a poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) interlayer. A first ink receptive layer, and optionally a second ink receptive layer, is disposed directly on the poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) interlayer. This first ink receptive layer comprises an aromatic acid dye that comprises at least two aromatic groups in an amount of least 0.5 weight %. In addition, the precursor comprises an infrared radiation absorber in one of the layers.
US09310674B2

A method includes selecting a mask blank for lithographically forming a desired pattern of main features to be printed onto a wafer by projection lithography. First locations are identified in the desired pattern, the first locations being those which would produce on the wafer images impacted by phase distortions of actinic light through openings in the desired pattern. Second locations in the desired pattern are identified for the insertion of orthoedges. The orthoedges are provided to contribute an additional amplitude of actinic light to the images impacted by phase distortions when the actinic light is projected onto the wafer. The orthoedges are then inserted into the desired pattern at the second locations at orientations such that the orthoedges provide a quadrature component to the additional amplitude of actinic light having an opposite sign to the quadrature component of the actinic light producing the phase distortions. Finally, the mask blank is formed lithographically with the desired pattern modified through the insertion of the orthoedges.
US09310669B2

A camera body includes a plurality of body-side bayonet lugs which are provided on the peripheral edge of an opening; and a protrusion which is positioned in a circular-arc opening formed between adjacent body-side bayonet lugs of the body-side bayonet lugs, the distance between the protrusion and either of adjacent two body-side bayonet lugs of the body-side bayonet lugs being shorter than each of the lens-side bayonet lugs; and a body-side mount surface with which the lens-side bayonet surface comes into contact from the front side when the lens-side bayonet lugs are positioned immediately behind the body-side bayonet lugs.
US09310668B2

Techniques and structures to facilitate efficient replacement of windows/domes of optical systems, such as turreted pointer/tracker systems and seekers and other such gimbal-based or fixed targeting systems. The techniques can be implemented, for example, in a mounting ring or bezel, wherein the dome/window center of curvature is actively aligned during assembly to a reference feature on a mounting bezel during the dome-to-bezel alignment. This reference feature then mechanically registers the dome-bezel assembly to a given chassis. In some embodiments, the techniques allow for positioning of a replacement window/dome on an optical lens system, such that co-boresight of multiple beam paths is automatically maintained.
US09310664B2

A nonlinear frequency conversion (NLFC) component is incorporated into a light source. The light source includes a light emitting element that emits a non-diffraction limited input light beam, and the NLFC component that exhibits walkoff and performs an NLFC process, such as second harmonic generation. An optical component is configured to converge the non-diffraction limited input beam into the NLFC component with a determined convergence half-angle. The convergence half-angle in air in a non-walkoff plane of the NLFC component is larger than a convergence half-angle angle for diffraction-limited light. Said convergence half-angle may be a multiple, ε×M, multiplied by the convergence half-angle value for diffraction-limited light, wherein ε has a value between a lower value equal to the larger of 0.4 and 1 M and an upper value of 5.0, where M is the square root of the beam quality factor for the non-diffraction limited light.
US09310662B2

An electrophoretic display apparatus has an electrophoretic layer interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode each provided on the inner surface side of each of a pair of substrates and a boundary layer interposed between the first electrode and the electrophoretic layer. When the boundary layer has a thickness of T1 and a volume resistivity of ρ1 and the electrophoretic layer has a thickness of T0 and a volume resistivity of ρ0, the thickness and the volume resistivity of the boundary layer satisfy the formula (ρ1/T1)≧1×1013Ω, and the thickness and the volume resistivity of the boundary layer and the electrophoretic layer satisfy the formula (ρ1·T1)/(ρ0·T0)≦1/9.
US09310658B2

The present disclosure relates to an ultra high-resolution liquid crystal display having a compensating thin film transistor at each pixel. The present disclosure suggests a thin film transistor substrate comprising: gate lines running in horizontal direction and data lines running in vertical direction which define a plurality of pixel area on a substrate; a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode formed by dividing any one gate line disposed at any one of an upper side and a lower side; a first thin film transistor connected to the first gate electrode; and a second thin film transistor connected to the first thin film transistor and the second gate electrode. The flat panel display according to the present disclosure has an ultra high-density resolution over 300 PPI with the high aperture ratio.
US09310653B2

A display panel includes a first substrate, plural pixel structures on the first substrate, a second substrate and a display medium between the two substrates. Each of the pixel structures includes a scan line, a data line, an active device, a pixel electrode, a common electrode, an insulating layer and a counter electrode. The active device is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the active device. The common electrode is electrically insulated from the pixel electrode. The insulating layer is between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. The counter electrode is electrically insulated from the pixel electrode and the common electrode, wherein the counter electrode is disposed symmetrically around the pixel electrode, and the voltage absolute value of the counter electrode is greater than the voltage absolute value of the pixel electrode.
US09310647B2

A liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel which is configured to display an image; a backlight which is configured to supply light for displaying the image on the liquid crystal panel; a top chassis and bottom chassis which package the liquid crystal panel and backlight unit in one module; and a strength reinforcing member which is mounted to an internal surface of the bottom chassis to reinforce a strength of the bottom chassis.
US09310634B2

A display apparatus includes a display layer for generating images to be viewable from a viewing region and an aesthetic layer disposed over the display layer. Activation circuitry is coupled to activate the aesthetic layer in response to an input. When the aesthetic layer is activated, it emits or reflects aesthetic light.
US09310633B2

Disclosed is a display device. The display device comprises a receptacle comprising a sidewall section, and a support section extending from an inner side of the sidewall section and a liquid crystal panel and a backlight assembly, at least one of which is received in the receptacle.
US09310622B2

A light source apparatus includes a light source unit, a light diffusion element that is provided so as to be rotated about a predetermined rotation shaft and includes a plurality of diffusion regions which are consecutively formed around the rotation shaft, and a motor that rotates the light diffusion element so that a region on which light from the light source unit is incident in the light diffusion element is moved between the plurality of diffusion regions. The plurality of diffusion regions include a first diffusion region, and a second diffusion region which has diffusion characteristics different from diffusion characteristics of the first diffusion region and is provided so as to be adjacent to the first diffusion region.
US09310621B2

A projection device includes an optical element including a hologram recording medium where information is multiplexedly recorded in each position so as to allow a coherent light beam to be diffused to a plurality of regions, an irradiation device configured to irradiate the optical element with the coherent light beam so as to allow the coherent light beam to scan the hologram recording medium, spatial light modulators configured to be illuminated with the coherent light beam which is incident from the irradiation device to the hologram recording medium to be diffused to the plurality of regions, and projection optical systems, each projection optical system projecting modulation image obtained on each spatial light modulator on corresponding screen. The coherent light beam, which is incident to each position of the hologram recording medium to be diffused, is illuminated on a plurality of the spatial light modulators.
US09310616B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a 3D display device and a manufacturing method thereof, which can reduce production costs. The display device comprises a grating layer and an array substrate; the array substrate comprises a plurality of pixel-units, each pixel-unit comprising a pixel-electrode and a control-circuit; the pixel-electrode of each pixel-unit comprises mutually-spaced at least two left-viewing-field pixel-electrodes and at least two right-viewing-field pixel-electrodes; the control-circuit of each pixel-unit comprises a first sub-control-circuit connected with the left-viewing-field pixel-electrodes and a second sub-control-circuit connected with the right-viewing-field pixel-electrodes.
US09310609B2

A flexible scan element for a laser scanner is disclosed. The flexible can element may be made from a non-linear elastomeric material that twists sufficiently for scan operation but resists unwanted motion from shock/vibration through the use of a rigid motion-limiting member encapsulated, at least partially, within the body of the flexible scan element. In this way, no external components are required for limiting excess motion.
US09310607B2

An actuator includes a light reflection part having light reflectivity, a movable part having the light reflection part and being rotatable around a rotation center axis, a pair of connection parts connected to the movable part, and a support part that supports the pair of connection parts, and each of the connection parts includes a pair of beam members, a distance between the pair of beam members gradually increases from a first surface side toward a second surface side of the movable part when seen from a direction in parallel to the rotation center axis of the movable part, and given that a distance between ends at the first surface side of the pair of beam members is W1 and a thickness of the pair of beam members in a thickness direction of the movable part is t, the following expression (1) is satisfied. w 1 < t tan ⁢ ⁢ 54.73 ⁢ ° ( 1 )
US09310606B2

A controller for actuating a micromechanical actuator, including a first signal input which is designed to receive a reference signal, a second signal input which is designed to receive a measuring signal which denotes a recorded response by the micromechanical actuator to a control signal, a first controller element which is designed to filter and/or to attenuate predefined frequency modes and/or predefined frequency components in the received reference signal and to output a filtered and/or attenuated reference signal, a second controller element which is designed to modify the received measuring signal in order to minimize the quality of the first mode of the received measuring signal and to output a modified measuring signal, a third controller element which is designed to minimize the deviation between the filtered and/or attenuated reference signal and the received measuring signal and to output a minimized reference signal, a fourth controller element which is designed to modify the bandwidth of the received measuring signal and to subtract it from the minimized reference signal, which makes up the control signal. Furthermore, a corresponding actuating system, a corresponding micro-mirror system and a corresponding method are described.
US09310600B2

An imaging assembly for the viewing, imaging, and analysis of biological, chemical, and/or biochemical samples in gels or other substrates, in which an adjustable camera and lens module, a reflex mirror, and a focal plane mirror, are configured to bend or fold an optical path in order to image a target region, and where the optical path can be reflected along non-orthogonal angles. The imaging assembly is configured to reduce the overall size of the imaging apparatus due to the angles at which the mirrors and camera and lens assembly are positioned relative to each other, which allows for the imaging of relatively larger samples in the target region.
US09310599B2

An X-Y stage for microscopes including a base stage element, an intermediate stage element, and an upper stage element. The upper stage element is mounted to the intermediate stage element and is displaceable along a first axis. The intermediate stage element is mounted to the base stage plate and is displaceable along a second axis. A mechanical stage drive includes an upper stage element drive with an output link coupled to the upper stage element and providing a first drive direction. An intermediate stage drive with an output link is coupled to the intermediate stage and provides a second drive direction. The X-Y stage further includes at least one of a first mechanical switch for reversing the first displacement direction and a mechanical second mechanical switch for reversing the second displacement direction.
US09310589B2

Provided is an image pickup apparatus including, in order from an object side: a first lens unit; a stop; a second lens unit having a positive refractive power; and an image pickup element. The second lens unit includes a second lens sub-unit including only at least one positive lens. A refractive index (N2a) at a d-line of every lens included in the second lens sub-unit, an Abbe constant (ν2a) and a partial dispersion ratio (θ2a) of the every lens, a temperature-related relative refractive index change (dn2a/dTrelative) at the d-line, a focal length (f) of the overall system, a focal length (f2a) of the second lens sub-unit, an overall length (TD) of an image pickup lens, and a distance (BF) from an image-side surface of a lens arranged closest to an image side in the image pickup lens to an image plane of the image pickup element satisfy predetermined relationships.
US09310581B2

An inspection port, and a housing with an inspection port, for use in inspecting an interior volume are provided. The inspection port has a viewing assembly for rotatable securement about an axis of rotation at an inspection opening of a panel defining a side of an interior volume. The viewing assembly has an inspection enclosure for extending into the interior volume. The inspection enclosure has a region with a window opening having a window axis angled relative to the axis of rotation. The housing has an inspection opening at or over which the inspection port is mounted.
US09310567B2

An optical connector includes a first engaging member holding at least one first optical fiber to guide light from a light source, a second engaging member holding a second optical fiber to be optically connected to the first optical fiber, and configured to be engaged with the first engaging member, and a light shield member provided near an emission end of the first optical fiber, at such a position as to shield light from the first optical fiber at disengagement of the engaging members. The light shield member is pushed by the second engaging member at engagement of the engaging members, so as to be folded and evacuated in a gap. The light shield member includes a light absorption member to absorb light and to generate heat, a thermal diffusion member to diffuse and radiate the heat, and a base supporting the light absorption member and thermal diffusion member.
US09310546B2

A backlight unit includes a light source which generates light, a light guide plate which guides the light substantially in an upward direction, a first frame member which holds the light source and diffuses the light traveling substantially in the upward direction between the light source and the light guide plate, a second frame member which holds the light guide plate, a third frame member which holds the light guide plate, a reflective plate disposed under the light guide plate and which reflect the light leaked downwardly from the light guide plate substantially to the upward direction, and an optical sheet disposed on the light guide plate and the first to third frame members and which diffuses the light provided from the first frame member and the light guide plate and condenses the light substantially in the upward direction.
US09310533B2

Various configurations of solar collectors are defined. Some solar collectors are formed from flat glass mirrors. Some solar collectors are formed by bending a sheet along a curve.
US09310532B2

Disclosed is a variable Fresnel lens, including: an electric active polymer layer of which a form is deformed by an electric field; and a Fresnel lens coupled to an upper portion of the electric active polymer layer, and configured to change a position of a focus according to deformation of the form of the electric active polymer layer.
US09310524B2

A film formation device (10) that increases the mechanical resistance of the liquid repellent film formed on the oxide film. The film formation device (10) includes an oxide film formation unit (14, 15, 16), which forms an oxidized film on a substrate by releasing grains towards the substrate that is rotated in a vacuum chamber (11), and forms an oxide film on the substrate by emitting oxygen plasma towards the oxidized film. A vapor deposition unit (17) vapor-deposits a silane coupling agent, which contains a hydrolytic polycondensation group and a liquid repellent group, on the oxide film. A polycondensation unit (20) polycondenses the silane coupling agent by supplying water towards the oxide film on the rotated substrate. The polycondensation unit supplies water to the oxide film before the vapor deposition unit vapor deposits the silane coupling agent on the oxide film.
US09310518B2

An approach for forecasting local weather patterns. The approach includes a method that includes receiving, by at least one computing device, images that include weather related information. The method includes analyzing, by the at least one computing device, the images to determine particular types of weather phenomena. The method includes analyzing, by the at least one computing device, the images to determine a motion of the particular types of weather phenomena. The method includes determining, by the at least one computing device, a weather forecast based on the analyzed images and the motion of the particular types of weather phenomena.
US09310516B2

An identification system includes a quantum dot form factor disposed on an article, and quantum dots disposed on the quantum dot form factor, the quantum dots emitting a predetermined emission. A marking system includes a secondary reservoir including a plurality of quantum dots configured to be expelled from the reservoir and a means for dispersing the quantum dots from the secondary reservoir to engage the area to be marked. A location system includes a main reservoir having a plurality of quantum dots disposed within the main reservoir, wherein the main reservoir is a water dissolvable material that dissolves over a predetermined period while exposed to water. An identification system includes a sensor for detecting a light wave query, a strobe for flashing, and a filter that includes quantum dots that the light from the strobe energizes to emit light at a predetermined frequency.
US09310512B1

Methods and systems for efficiently and accurately detecting and identifying concealed materials. The system includes an analysis subsystem configured to process one or more detection outputs, the detection outputs obtained by illuminating regions with a electromagnetic radiation source from the number of electromagnetic radiation sources, each electromagnetic radiation source emitting at a different wavelength, the one or more detection outputs, after processing, constituting a vector of processed data, and the analysis subsystem being also configured to compare the vector of processed data to a predetermined vector corresponding to a predetermined material, presence of the predetermined material being determined by the comparison.
US09310508B2

Various logging-while-drilling (LWD) systems and methods provide resistivity logging coupled with deep detection of elongated anomalies at acute angles, enabling effective geosteering without disrupting drilling operations and without requiring intervention in the operations of the existing well. One LWD system embodiment employs a tool having tilted antennas as the transmitter and the receiver, where at least one of the antennas is placed in the vicinity of the bit, making it possible to detect existing wells at distances of 50-100 feet. In some cases, the detection distance is increased by enhancing the visibility of the existing well using a contrast fluid treatment on target well, either to fill the bore or to surround the well with treated cement or fluids that invade the formation. At least one inversion method separates the inversion of formation parameters from the inversion of parameters specifying distance, direction, and orientation of the existing well.
US09310506B2

A method and system includes determining a subsurface fluid seismic attribute comprising recording a signal at a wellhead related to pumping fracture stimulation fluid to obtain a pressure pulse pump signal. A deconvolution operator is determined from the obtained pressure pulse pump signal. Seismic data are acquired from a plurality of sensors. Travel time differences are computed for the seismic data between the plurality of sensor locations and the subsurface position. Seismic data are deconvolved with the deconvolution operator to obtain a plurality of deconvolution coefficients associated with the subsurface position. The computed travel time differences are used to sum the plurality of deconvolution coefficients associated with the subsurface position to obtain a subsurface fluid seismic attribute at the subsurface position.
US09310493B2

A novel method of making a crystal block array (configured for coupling with photodetectors as part of an integrated detector module useful in advanced PET scanner systems) is disclosed herein. The novel method comprises a series of cutting, polishing, and assembling steps that utilize a curable bonding agent, removable wire spacers, and a series removable protective glass end plates. The crystal block arrays disclosed herein may be of various dimensions and geometries and are amenable to mass production.
US09310471B2

A chip-scale scanning lidar includes a two dimensional (2D) scanning micromirror for a transmit beam and a 2D scanning micromirror for a receive beam, a laser diode and a photodetector, a first waveguide and first grating outcoupler coupled to a front facet of the laser diode, a second waveguide and a second grating outcoupler coupled to a rear facet of the laser diode on a substrate. A first fixed micromirror, a second micromirror, a third micromirror, and a focusing component are in a dielectric layer bonded to the substrate over the laser diode and photodetector. The photodetector is optically coupled to the second fixed micromirror and the third fixed micromirror for coherent detection.
US09310461B2

In an example embodiment, the orientation of a wireless device, such as an access point (AP) can be determined based on the location of neighboring wireless devices and the observed angle of arrival of signals from the wireless device at the neighboring wireless devices. For example, the angle of orientation can be determined by comparing an observed angle of arrival with the known actual angle between wireless devices. If a plurality of wireless devices measure the signal, the mean or median of the difference between observed angle of arrival of a signal from the wireless device with the actual angle for the plurality of wireless devices may be employed to determine the angular orientation.
US09310457B2

A processing system for baseline management includes a sensor module comprising sensor circuitry coupled to sensor electrodes, where the sensor module is configured to receive resulting signals with at least a portion of the sensor electrodes. The processing system further includes a determination module operatively connected to the sensor electrodes. The determination module is configured to obtain a first profile from the resulting signals, calculate, using the first profile, a first statistic and a second statistic for the first profile, and select, according to a first range of the first statistic and a second range of the second statistic, a baseline relaxation technique from a plurality of baseline relaxation techniques to obtain a selected baseline relaxation technique. The determination module is further configured to adjust a baseline for the capacitance sensing input device according to the selected baseline relaxation technique.
US09310451B2

A method and system for determination of oxygen saturation in blood flowing in a vessel using magnetic resonance (MR). An MR image sequence is acquired with different echo time (TE) encoding, and different Fourier velocity encoding (FVE). A Fourier transformation is applied along the velocity dimension to determine a velocity distribution of tissue signals in each voxel of the image sequence. Tissue signals indicative of moving tissues are separated from tissue signals indicative of static tissue, based on the velocity distribution. Oxygen saturation in blood may then be determined using only the tissue signals indicative of flowing blood.
US09310450B2

A system (10) for margin assessment of an ex-vivo tissue (18), including an imaging scanner (12) controlled by an imaging control unit (14), and an ex-vivo sample holder (16) for holding a sample of an excised tissue (18), the sample holder (16) being sized such that excised lump edges (24) of the excised tissue (18) are forced against a surface of the sample holder (16) such that the edges (24) change shape to have a predetermined geometry, and wherein the imaging scanner (12) is positioned relative to the sample holder (16) such that the imaging scanner (12) acquires images not of all the tissue (18) but rather of the edges (24) that have the predetermined geometry and which are in a sensitive region (40) extending into a peripheral margin of the tissue (18).
US09310447B2

In order to provide a magnetic field measuring apparatus facilitating the pressure control in a gas cell, or capable of inspecting the internal pressure of the gas cell without using any special process, the magnetic field measuring apparatus is configured such that a process layer of the magnetic field measuring apparatus has such a structure that includes a first hollow portion and a second hollow portion provided opposed to first hollow portion with a first isolation wall interposed therebetween. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing the magnetic field measuring apparatus includes breaking the first isolation wall after generating alkali metal (FIG. 17 and FIG. 20).
US09310440B2

A disconnection detecting device that can be applied to a control system of a motor-generator is provided. A disconnection detecting section judges whether logical conjunction (i.e. AND operation) of a condition that both current sensors are operating normally and a condition that the designated torque is equal to or more than a specified torque is true or not. In the event that the disconnection detecting section has determined YES, the disconnection detecting section judges whether the logical conjunction of a condition that the absolute value of the phase current is equal to or less than a specified current (>0) and a condition that the absolute value of the current change rate is equal to or less than a specified value (>0) is true or not. In the event that the disconnection detecting section has determined YES, the disconnection detecting section has determines that the disconnection has occurred.
US09310439B2

An apparatus includes a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a controller. The voltage sensor measures voltage values of alternating current power supplied to a capacitor. The capacitor is electrically coupled to a compressor. The current sensor measures current values of the alternating current power. The controller is configured to receive the voltage values and the current values. The controller is configured to determine a first power factor value based on at least one of the voltage values and at least one of the current values. The controller is configured to selectively detect a first capacitor fault in response to concurrent determination that (i) the first power factor value is less than a first power factor threshold and (ii) a first current value of the current values is greater than a first current threshold. The first capacitor fault indicates that a capacitance of the capacitor has degraded.
US09310437B2

A method includes testing a first device and a second device identical to each other and comprising integrated circuits. The testing of the first device is performed according to a first test sequence of the first device, wherein the first test sequence includes a plurality of ordered test items, and wherein the first test sequence includes a test item. A test priority of the test item is calculated based on a frequency of fails of the test item in the testing of a plurality of devices having an identical structure as the first device. The first test sequence is then adjusted to generate a second test sequence in response to the test priority of the test item, wherein the second test sequence is different from the first test sequence. The second device is tested according to the second test sequence.
US09310433B2

A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output.
US09310427B2

A tester system is disclosed. The tester system comprises a tester module operable to generate test signals for testing a plurality of DUTs. It also comprises a plurality of cables operable to communicatively couple the tester module with a tray comprising the plurality of DUTs through a thermal chamber wall interface. Further, it comprises a plurality of connectors in contact with the tray, wherein the plurality of connectors is operable to provide an interface between the plurality of cables and conductive traces on the tray, and further wherein each of the plurality of connectors is operable to pass a respective subset of the test signals to each DUT on the tray via the conductive traces.
US09310426B2

Disclosed is an integrated circuit (IC) chip with a built-in self-test (BIST) architecture that allows for in the field accelerated stress testing. The IC chip can comprise an embedded processor, which selectively alternates operation of an on-chip test block between a stress mode and a test mode whenever the IC chip is powered-on such that, during the stress mode, the test block operates at a higher voltage level than an on-chip functional block and such that, during the test mode, the test block operates at a same voltage level as the functional block and is subjected to testing. Also disclosed are a system, method and computer program product which access the results of such testing from IC chips in a variety of different types of products in order model IC chip performance degradation and to generate IC chip end of life predictions specific to the different types of products.
US09310419B2

The method for detecting defective electrodes in an electrode matrix comprises measurement of an electrochemical impedance spectrum for each of the electrodes. Modeling of the spectrum impedance relative to each electrode by means of an implicit non-integral frequency model is performed in the form of a parameter matrix. Principal components analysis of the matrix is performed to transform said parameter matrix into a final matrix containing decorrelated variables representing the parameter matrix in a new space. The distance between each electrode and a reference point is calculated. These calculated distances are compared with a preset threshold distance and the electrodes having a distance greater than the threshold distance are classified as being defective.
US09310418B2

Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for evaluating current transients measured during an electrical stress evaluation of a dielectric layer in a semiconductor device. Measured current transients are fit to an equation representing a time dependence for stress induced leakage currents. The measured current transients are corrected based upon stress currents computed from the equation to define corrected current transients.
US09310412B2

An industrial process field device having a piezoelectric transducer performs self-testing of the condition of the piezoelectric transducer during a self-test mode. A charging current is supplied to the piezoelectric transducer, and voltage on the piezoelectric transducer as a result of the charging current is monitored. A diagnostic test result indicating condition of the piezoelectric transducer is produced based on the magnitude of the voltage.
US09310408B2

A device analyzer for analyzing power devices. An example device analyzer comprises a collector supply to generate supply signal pulses with selected voltage or current levels and a supply signal pulse width at a high current. The supply signal pulses are applied at a collector supply source terminal when DUT is connected to conduct current between the collector supply source terminal and a collector supply common terminal. A supply switch closes or opens the DUT current path in narrow pulses having a narrow pulse width narrower than the supply signal pulses to conduct the supply signal pulses as narrowed sweep signal pulses having the high current capacity of the collector supply current. The supply switch alternatively regulates the current in the current path at constant current levels. Other modules capable of high power test capabilities may also be added.
US09310404B2

A power measurement system includes: a power temperature converter attached to a power supply line of an electric instrument and having a temperature changed corresponding to a current flowing through the power supply line; a temperature measurement apparatus configured to measure the temperature of the power temperature converter; and an analyzer configured to analyze power consumed by the electric instrument by using a measurement result of the temperature of the power temperature converter obtained by the temperature measurement apparatus.
US09310403B2

A building energy analysis system includes a building component library configured to store a plurality of building components, a modeling tool configured to access the building component library and create a building model of a building under analysis using building spatial data and using selected building components of the plurality of building components stored in the building component library, a building analysis engine configured to operate the building model and generate a baseline energy model of the building under analysis and further configured to apply one or more energy conservation measures to the baseline energy model in order to generate one or more corresponding optimized energy models, and a recommendation tool configured to assess the one or more optimized energy models against the baseline energy model and generate recommendations for substitute building components or modifications.
US09310400B2

A current sensor includes a core including groove portions and a separation wall portion, a housing covering the core and including recessed grooves formed along the groove portions, respectively, conductors positioned in the groove portions, respectively, a circuit board fixed to the housing and including a through hole and a land, the through hole penetrating in a direction corresponding to an inserting direction of the conductor, a detection element detecting a magnitude of a magnetic field and positioned in each of recessed grooves to be closer to an opening end of the groove portion relative to the conductor, the detection element being arranged so that a detecting direction of the detection element is directed along a distance direction of the groove portions, the detection element including a connection terminal positioned in the through hole, the connection terminal electrically connected to the land, and a guide portion provided at the housing.
US09310399B2

A fiber-optic current sensor includes a measuring unit having a light source and a light detector, and a sensing head having a sensing fiber wound around a conductor and a retarder connected to the sensing fiber. The scale factor as a function of current of the fiber-optic current sensor is described by the product of two scaling functions fe′ and fs′ for the measuring unit and the sensing head, respectively. The data describing the scaling functions fe′, fs′ is stored in a memory of the measuring unit, while the data describing the scaling function fs′ is also stored in a memory of the sensing head. Providing two such memory devices allows to store the scaling functions fe′ and fs′ separately, thereby turning the control unit as well as the sensor head into easily replaceable modules.
US09310394B2

A current sensor includes: a housing that holds a busbar to which a current is applied and a core arranged around the busbar; a circuit board fixed to the housing in the state of being arranged to face the housing; and a detection element for detecting the current; wherein the detection element has an element main body held in the housing and plural connection terminals fixed in through-holes in the circuit board, and a plate-like member provided with guide holes in which the connection terminals are inserted and which have a diameter reduced from the side of the housing toward the side of the circuit board is provided on a surface facing the housing, of two surfaces of the circuit board.
US09310389B2

A sample processing apparatus including: a preprocessing unit for performing predetermined preprocessing on a sample container; a transporting unit for transporting the sample container on which the preprocessing unit has performed the predetermined preprocessing; a sample processing unit for processing a sample contained in the sample container transported by the transporting unit; a plurality of container collection units for collecting respective sample containers transported by the transporting unit; and a collection controller for controlling, according to a result of the predetermined preprocessing by the preprocessing unit, at least one of the transporting unit and the plurality of container collection units such that the sample container transported by the transporting unit is collected in one of the plurality of container collection units.
US09310369B2

Disclosed is a cell wall C-polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus pneumoniae which contains not more than 10% by weight of protein, and preferably less which has been purified with 0.1N Na OH prior to deproteinizing. Also disclosed are polyvalent antibodies raised against Streptococcus pneumoniae which have been affinity purified by passing them over a chromatographic affinity matrix to which is coupled the purified and at least partially deproteinized antigen to render them antigen-specific.
US09310362B2

A microwell array chip made of silicon and having multiple microwells where each microwell is used to store a single specimen organic cell. The microwell of the array chip is of a size and shape to hold just one organic cell and the interior surface of the microwells are coated with a fluorocarbon film.
US09310356B2

A biomedical testing sheet comprises: a substrate with calligraphy paper material, wherein the substrate comprises a wax pattern layer, which is a part of a surface of the substrate coated by a waxy material, and penetrated and diffused by the waxy material, and the wax pattern layer comprises one or more carrying units for carrying one or more droplets of liquids to be measured. The lotus effect substantially prevents diffusion of the liquids and reagents on the carrying units, and reduces the required amount of liquids to be measured and the amount of agent.
US09310351B2

Embodiments of a method for demonstrating type and/or source of hair damage comprises extracting protein fragments from a hair sample with an aqueous solution, testing the resulting protein fragments with the MALDI-MS test, and then either comparing the results between a damaged sample and an undamaged sample or comparing the results between a damaged sample and a list of known marker protein fragments to identify the type and/or source of the damage.
US09310344B2

The present invention provides an agglomerated multimodal chromatographic medium. the medium of the invention includes groups active in anion exchange, cation exchange and hydrophilic interaction chromatographic modalities. The invention provides methods of making these media and using them in separations of analytes. Also provided are separations devices incorporating the medium and systems incorporating these separations devices.
US09310343B2

A column oven that may enable a heat block to provide the best temperature distribution, and increase temperature evenness of a column is provided. In a column oven 400 that heats or cools a heat block 10 contacting a column 40 and adjusts temperature of the column 40 through heat transmission from the heat block 10, a plurality of temperature adjustment bodies 21 and 22 is separately disposed along the longitudinal direction of the heat block 10, and heats or cools the heat block 10, a plurality of temperature sensors 31 and 32 measuring the temperatures of the heat block 10 adjacent to the temperature adjustment bodies 21 and 22 is also disposed, and the corresponding temperature adjustment bodies 21 and 22 are controlled independently according to the temperatures measured by the temperature sensors 31 and 32.
US09310338B2

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a method of inspecting a well tubular is disclosed. The method utilizes a probe with a transmitter and detectors spaced from the transmitter by at least twice the diameter of the pipe to be tested. In some cases where multi-tubular structures are tested, the probe can include further detectors spaced from the transmitter by at least twice the diameter of the outer pipes as well. The phase of signals detected by the detectors relative to the transmitter are utilized to detect faults in the pipes.
US09310334B2

Methods and apparatus are described for the processing (for example washing, incubation, etc.) of particles in which the particles suspended in a first fluid are introduced under laminar flow conditions into at least one first microchamber or first region of the same, in which a second fluid is introduced under laminar flow conditions into at least one second region of the microchamber or of a second microchamber, in such a way as not to mix with the first fluid, and in which at least one field of force (F) acting on the particles is activated in the microchamber(s), to provoke a shift of the particles alone in a predetermined direction and to transfer the same in suspension into the second fluid; an apparatus is preferably used including at least three microchambers n microchambers arranged in sequence with each other in one direction and each connected with the microchamber immediately before it and after it with two orifices offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sequence of the microchambers.
US09310327B2

An apparatus and process for making noncontact measurements of liquid conductivity are disclosed. This apparatus forms a conductivity cell and uses two toroids, one to generate a magnetic field and another to sense the magnetic field, placed in an enclosure which allows liquid to pass through it for measurement. Ground planes constructed preferably of printed circuit boards with conductive layers are used to reduce capacitive coupling between the toroids and provide better shielding. Circuitry on or near these circuit boards are used to convert local, low level signals from a sensing toroid to signals which can be more readily passed to and from a recording system or operator without degradation. Sensors on or near these circuit boards can be used to sense environmental conditions in order to improve operation and stability of the conductivity cell. Methods and apparatus for increasing circuit sensitivity and calibrating the sensor are also disclosed.
US09310325B2

A focused ion beam apparatus includes an image generation unit that generates a sample image including location detection marks formed on a sample based on secondary charged particles generated from the sample by emission of a focused ion beam to the sample, and a display that which displays a sample image. A control unit which, in a case of performing working by emitting the focused ion beam to a working region of the sample that is beyond a display range, moves a sample stage, detects locations of the location detection marks included in the sample image after the movement of the sample stage as reference marks from the location detection marks included in the sample image before moving the sample stage, and controls an emission location of the focused ion beam based on the reference marks detected in the sample image after movement of the sample stage to correct a working location shift due to movement of the sample stage.
US09310319B2

A substrate inspection apparatus for inspecting a substrate having an irregular concave-convex surface for scattering lights, comprises a first irradiation system which irradiates the substrate with a first detection light; a first detection system which detects any luminance unevenness from the entire concave-convex surface of the substrate irradiated with the first detection light; a second irradiation system which irradiates the substrate with a second detection light having a wavelength different from that of the first detection light; and a second detection system which detects any defect of the concave-convex surface of the substrate irradiated with the second detection light. The luminance unevenness and a pattern defect of the substrate having the irregular concave-convex surface can be inspected effectively at low cost.
US09310315B2

Lipophilic fluorescent substances can be used to detect surface defects in materials having hydrophilic (e.g., inorganic) coatings. Use of the described methods makes surface defects appear fluorescent, while the remaining surfaces are not labeled. The disclosed methods are inexpensive, rapid, and easy alternatives to existing approaches.
US09310314B2

Methods and apparatus for concentration determination using polarized light. The apparatus includes a first polarized light source having a first light source polarization axis and a second polarized light source having a second light source polarization axis generally perpendicular to the first light source polarization axis. Also, a first polarized light receiver having a first polarized light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the first light receiver polarizer and a second polarized light receiver having a second polarized light receiver polarization axis substantially perpendicular to the first light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the second light receiver polarizer, wherein the first and second light receiver polarization axes are generally +/−45 degrees relative to the first and second light source polarization axes.
US09310308B2

The micro-plasma emission detector unit is for use with a gas chromatograph. It includes an airtight housing having an internal ionization chamber and a makeup gas inlet chamber, a pair of spaced-apart ionization electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the ionization chamber, and a permeation device having a semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane is at least partially and removably insertable through the makeup gas inlet chamber.
US09310305B2

The present invention relates to an encoded microcarrier comprising a readable code attached to it for identification, said encoded microcarrier comprising a body having at least a detection surface to detect a chemical and/or biological reaction, the microcarrier further comprising at least a spacing element projecting from the body and shaped to ensure that, when the encoded microcarrier is laid on a flat plane with the detection surface facing said flat plane, a gap exists between said flat plane and the detection surface. The invention also relates to an assay device designed to use a plurality of said encoded microcarriers to perform assays. The invention relates finally to a method for monitoring a chemical or biological reaction.
US09310299B2

A biochip detecting device for detecting a biochip is provided. The biochip receives an incident light to produce an excitation light. Both the incident light and the excitation light include a specific wavelength. The biochip detecting device includes a light source producing the incident light, an optical attenuator, a filter, a sensor, and a control module electrically connected to the light source and the sensor. Light with the specific wavelength passes through the filter. The optical attenuator disposed between the light source and the filter attenuates an intensity of the incident light, and replaces the biochip. The sensor detects an intensity of the light with the specific wavelength attenuated by the optical attenuator, and generates an intensity signal. The control module adjusts the intensity of the incident light according to whether the intensity signal is complied with a predetermined requirement. A detection method for the light source is provided.
US09310296B2

Optimization of optical parametric models for structural analysis using optical critical dimension metrology is described. A method includes determining a first optical model fit for a parameter of a structure. The first optical model fit is based on a domain of quantities for a first model of the structure. A first near optical field response is determined for a first quantity of the domain of quantities and a second near optical field response is determined for a second, different quantity of the domain of quantities. The first and second near optical field responses are compared to locate a common region of high optical field intensity for the parameter of the structure. The first model of the structure is modified to provide a second, different model of the structure. A second, different optical model fit is determined for the parameter of the structure based on the second model of the structure.
US09310293B2

An evaluation method for evaluating an ultraviolet radiation protection effect in a measurement sample applied on an application member includes the first step of switching to a first filter for measuring a spectral transmittance before photodeterioration by emission of light from a light source, and measuring the spectral transmittance, the second step of switching to a second filter for ultraviolet irradiation and causing the photodeterioration by the emission of the light after the measurement by the first step, and thereafter, switching to the first filter and measuring the spectral transmittance, and the third step of evaluating the ultraviolet radiation protection effect based on a change over time in the spectral transmittance obtained by the second step. Each of the first and second filters includes multiple light source filters. The first filter includes ND filters switchable in accordance with the light amount of the light source in the light source filters.
US09310287B2

Disclosed herein are methods and equipment for the optimized selection and isolation, within a respective population, of elements of interest and/or utility for a series of subsequent operations, which can include the phases of: a) identifying, for each particle, at least one of a plurality of characteristic parameters; b) selecting the particles of interest, comparing for each of these the at least one parameter with a respective reference parameter; c) storing, for each of the particles, the at least one parameter identified; d) processing the value of a function of the stored parameter, associating the function with a criterion for selection of the particles of interest chosen from a group of possible selection criteria; e) establishing for each particle a threshold criterion to be used as reference parameter, on a time by time basis according to the result of the processing.
US09310285B1

An Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with a lab-on-a-chip, a method of manufacturing the lab-on-a-chip and a method of using the lab-on-a-chip for fluid flow analysis in physical systems through combination with computer modeling. The lab-on-a-chip includes cavities in a channel layer and a capping layer, preferably transparent, covering the cavities. Gates control two dimensional (2D) lattice structures acting as heaters, light sources and/or sensors in the cavities, or fluid channels. The gates and two dimensional (2D) lattice structures may be at the cavity bottoms or on the capping layer. Wiring connects the gates and the 2D lattice structures externally.
US09310284B2

A muzzle exit tester system comprises a barrel having an input end and an exit end, a shock plunger freely movable within the barrel, and a shock plate having a first side that faces the exit end of the barrel. A support isolation structure resiliently supports the shock plate, and receives a portion of the barrel that includes the exit end of the barrel. A pneumatic shock apparatus is operatively coupled to the input end of the barrel. The pneumatic shock apparatus is configured to retract the plunger in the barrel via a vacuum while producing a gas pressure charge, and subsequently release the gas pressure charge, such that the plunger accelerates to the exit end of the barrel and impacts the shock plate. The shock plate is configured to resonate at frequencies and amplitudes corresponding to a shock condition of a gun muzzle exit when impacted by the plunger.
US09310282B2

An impacting testing device is provided. The impacting testing device comprises a first platform, a second platform, a plurality of first suspension devices, at least one impact assembly and a plurality of second suspension devices. The at least one impact assembly is disposed on the second platform and faces the first platform for providing at least one impact force to the first platform, and thus, the impact testing is executed on an object disposed on the first platform.
US09310277B2

A tire temperature and tire pressure wireless sensing device is provided, which includes a housing, a valve body, a power supply module, a circuit board and a transmission antenna. The power supply module is disposed on the fixed seat of the housing, and the circuit board includes a wireless transmission module and a sensing module thereon. The sensing module is disposed corresponding to an air-intake through hole of the bottom seat of the housing. The valve body is engaged with the air-intake through hole and one end of the transmission antenna is disposed in an antenna slot.
US09310275B1

A launch cable assembly for use with an MPO switch and OTDR to test a multi-fiber cable, which includes a mandrel around which is wrapped between twenty-five and two hundred feet of multiple fiber optic strands, where the mandrel and fiber optic strands are housed within a housing, the fiber optic strands are in optical communication with a port in the housing, the fiber optic strands exit the housing from a fiber exit in the housing, and the fiber optic strands terminate in an assembly connector, which is preferably a standard MPO connector.
US09310265B2

A tactile sensor and a multi-axial tactile sensor are provided, each of which is thin and can measure shearing force. A multi-axial tactile sensor 1 includes a sensor element 2 provided in a plane substantially at the same level as the surface of a substrate 6, and an outer package member 42 covering around the sensor element 2 and transmitting external force to the sensor element 2. The sensor element 2 includes a flexible beam 7 (8) having at least one end supported by the substrate 6. The sensor element 2 detects deformation of the beam 7 (8), the deformation being caused in the direction in parallel with the surface of the substrate 6.
US09310264B2

A device, method, and system that allows the easy add on attachment of an applied-power sensor, assuring precise measurements over time, even in vibrating environments such as exercise environments. The device possesses structural qualities such that tightening the wrapping latch around a measured object/part presses a loaded spring between the object/part and the sensor, achieving and maintaining sufficient and constant contact, thus allowing continuously precise measuring. The device also includes a transmitter to transmit the measured data to an external data processing device and may include a processor to process the data before transmitting.
US09310260B2

According to one embodiment, a temperature estimation circuit includes a first oscillator, a second oscillator, an enable period setting unit, a first counter, a first memory, a second memory, and an operation unit. The operation unit executes a computation to calculate an operation temperature based on an operation-time count value that is outputted from the first counter during a normal operation, the first count value, and the second count value.
US09310259B2

A method for conducting a differential thermal analysis, in which a sample disposed in a temperable sample space is tempered according to an essentially linear temperature program extending from a start temperature to an end temperature, such that, from the result of a measurement of the sample temperature conducted during tempering at a number of measurement time points, a DTA signal is calculated as the difference between a measured sample temperature and a reference temperature calculated according to a temperature curve model. According to the invention, for every measurement time point, the relevant reference temperature is calculated by the following steps: (a) establish a time interval containing the relevant measurement time point; (b) calculate a non-linear adjustment function for the measured sample temperature curve in the time interval; and (c) calculate the reference temperature as a value of the adjustment function for the measurement time point.
US09310256B2

A convective heat transfer increaser feature for a process sensor. The feature may include at least annular fins, helical fins, knurling or other features which increase surface area. The features also increase turbulence which increases adherence of the turbulent flow to the process sensor.
US09310250B1

A flashlamp control system is provided with a capacitor that is statically electrically connected to the high voltage power supply, and a current sensing component is then electrically connected to the static capacitor and digital control electronics to monitor the charge current and/or the discharge current to static capacitor. A dynamically switchable capacitor electrically may also be connected to the high voltage power supply and digital control electronics for isolating the dynamically switchable capacitor from the high voltage power supply based on the monitored charge current and/or discharge current. One or more homogenizing element, comprise of an air gap, diffusing homogenizing element, imaging element, non-imaging element or light pipe homogenizing element, may be disposed in the light path proximate to the flashlamp, such as a multichannel distributor if present, to decrease the coefficient of variation of the optical signal, either temporally and spectrally, or both.
US09310246B2

Provided are methods, circuits and apparatuses for detecting pressure variations. The circuit can comprise at least two pressure sensors electrically coupled in parallel. At least one pressure sensor can have a differential input and a differential output. The circuit can also comprise a first switching mechanism electrically coupled to the differential input of the at least one pressure sensor. The first switching mechanism can be configured to electrically couple a first current source to the at least one pressure sensor according to a first reference signal. The circuit can also comprise a second switching mechanism electrically coupled to the differential output of the at least one pressure sensor. The second switching mechanism can be configured to electrically couple a second current source to the at least one pressure sensor according to a second reference signal.
US09310243B2

A monitoring system functions both as a device for lifting the object and as a weighing system for monitoring or measuring the weight of an object, such as a feed bin. Various embodiments having a suspended load cell and methods of retrofitting the monitoring system to existing object are provided. Further, the accuracy provided by various embodiments enables one to accurately predict when the feed bin will be empty. Thus, the feed mill can be aware of anticipated needs days in advance, allowing the feed mill to better optimize its scheduling and deliveries.
US09310242B2

A method for determining the load of a motor vehicle includes the following steps: detecting at least one physical measured variable that depends on the load and generating a measured value that represents the detected measured variable; evaluating the generated measured values in order to determine the load by correlating the generated measured values or the load values determined therefrom with each other in order to produce a correction value from the correlation, with the aid of which an actual load value is determined for the load of the motor vehicle. There is also provided a system for detecting the load of a motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle.
US09310240B2

A circuit device includes an amplifier circuit to which a signal from a sensor is input and a control circuit which controls the sensor and the amplifier circuit. An intermittent operation of the sensor and an intermittent operation of the amplifier circuit are controlled by an intermittent operation control signal output from the control circuit.
US09310238B2

The present technology allows for substances contained within containers to be transferred to a measuring cup so as to allow for a clean, efficient, and accurate transfer of a substance from a container in to a measuring cup. The measuring cup can be reversibly attached to the lid such that when the container is inverted, the measuring cup can fill with the substance.
US09310234B2

A hydraulic power unit, a flow meter, and a pressure gauge couple to a first end of a tube under testing. The hydraulic power unit provides an inlet pressure to move a testing fluid through the tube. The flow meter measures a flow rate of the testing fluid and the pressure gauge measures the inlet pressure. An accelerometer measures sound and vibration of the tube. A reservoir couple to an outlet of the tub and an inlet of the hydraulic power unit. The reservoir supplies the testing fluid to the hydraulic power unit and collects the testing fluid from the tube. Hoses interconnect the components in a closed loop that reuses the testing fluid. By analyzing the flow rate, it is determined if an obstruction exist in the tube. By analyzing the inlet pressure and the sound and vibration of the tube, a location of the obstruction is determined.
US09310231B2

The invention relates to a checking unit for checking a material web and to a calibrating method for the checking unit. The checking unit is equipped with drive means for transporting the calibration medium past the checking unit in order to detect a multiplicity of measurement values of the calibration medium. The drive means are arranged in the housing of the checking unit in order for the drive means to be protected from moisture or contaminants from the environment. To obtain a transporting of the calibration medium past the checking unit in spite of the arrangement of the drive means in the housing, drive means are employed that are configured for a contactless interaction with the calibration medium and can transport the calibration medium past the checking unit contactlessly. For this purpose there is preferably used a magnetic interaction between the drive means and the calibration medium.
US09310230B2

Provided are methods and apparatus for receiving sensor data from an analyte sensor of a sensor monitoring system, processing the received sensor data with time corresponding calibration data, outputting the processed sensor data, detecting one or more adverse conditions associated with the sensor monitoring system, disabling the output of the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, determining that the one or more detected adverse conditions is no longer present in the sensor monitoring system, retrieving the sensor data during the adverse condition time period, processing the retrieved sensor data during the adverse condition time period, and outputting the processed retrieved sensor data.
US09310228B1

A compressed air indicator includes a housing having a pair of fittings and at least one (1) external pressure status window. The housing allows an “in-line” connection to an air line allowing compressed air to pass through. Once connected, movable indicator sleeves within the housing are visible through any window. The indicator sleeves are acted upon and correspondingly positioned relative to each window based upon “pressure” or “no-pressure” conditions within the air line and the housing.
US09310225B2

A scale for a photoelectric encoder includes a scale substrate and a reflection film formed at a predetermined pitch on the scale substrate. A surface of the reflection film forms a reflection surface. A low-reflection surface is formed by etching the scale substrate between reflection films. Accordingly, a scale can be provided which is lower in cost and has favorable yield rates.
US09310215B2

Traffic notification systems include a location determination system that can determine a geographic location of a subscriber, and an automated traffic notification system that can automatically transmit a traffic notification message that is based on the geographic location of the subscriber to a wireless terminal associated with the subscriber.
US09310211B1

Embodiments relate to determining commute routes and clustering commute routes from a user's location history. Points in the user's location history may be clustered to find the user's home and work locations. Additionally, points along the user's commute may be identified to determine the user's typical commute. Similar commutes can be clustered together, and used to suggest various services to the user.
US09310207B2

A position determination system is provided comprising one or more fixed base units and one or more mobile units, wherein the system is arranged to determine the horizontal position of a mobile unit based on the proximity of said mobile unit to at least one base unit and wherein the system is arranged to determine the height of said mobile unit based on the air pressure sensed at the mobile unit and the air pressure sensed at one or more of the base units. The use of pressure sensors to determine height reduces the complexity of the infrastructure required for 3D positioning. The invention finds particular benefit in patient care and monitoring environments and in object tracking and inventory systems. The invention also extends to mobile units for use in the system, intelligent buildings fitted with the system and to methods of determining the position of mobile units.
US09310196B2

A displacement detection device is for detecting a change amount of relative positions of two parts as an angle displacement amount. The displacement detection device includes a link mechanism configured to connect the two parts, the link mechanism including at least one joint part; and a rotation angle detector connected to one end of the link mechanism. A spring is used as the at least one joint part of the link mechanism.
US09310188B2

A method for verifying a deflection speed of an energy beam spot, the method comprising the steps of: providing a predetermined pattern on a work table with the energy beam spot while deflecting the energy beam spot with a first deflection speed, detecting first positions of the energy beam spot on the work table created with the first deflection speed, providing the predetermined pattern on a work table with the energy beam spot while deflecting the energy beam spot with a second deflection speed, detecting second positions of the energy beam spot on the work table created with the second deflection speed, comparing the first and second positions, wherein the deflection speed is verified if each one of the first positions are deviating less than a predetermined distance from corresponding second positions.
US09310181B2

A rocking sensor device includes a primary bracket (1), a rotating shaft (2), rollers (3), magnets (4) and a magnetic induction sensor (5). The primary bracket (1) is rockably connected to the rotating shaft (2). The rollers (3) and the magnets (4) are mounted on both ends of the primary bracket (1) and their positions are symmetrical about the rotating shaft (2). The magnetic induction sensor (5) is mounted on the perimeter of the primary bracket (1) at a position such that it can sense rocking of the magnet (4) on any end with the primary bracket (1). The rocking sensor device is wear and corrosion resistant, and can be self-cleaning.
US09310178B2

Method and systems for determining a change of distance to an object by interferometry with emitting measurement laser light from a laser diode are disclosed. The method may include receiving at least a part of the measurement laser light, superimposing the reflected measurement laser light with a reference laser light and thereby providing at an interferometric phase and determining the change of distance to the object depending on the superimposition. In some embodiments, the measurement laser light may be emitted with low coherence and broad spectral bandwidth. An emitting wavelength of the measurement laser light may be fluctuating hop-freely within the spectral bandwidth causing interferometric phase fluctuations.
US09310176B2

A method of measuring a flatness of a chamfering table includes the steps of positioning a substrate on the chamfering table, chamfering an edge of the substrate a plurality of times with a chamfering wheel while varying a relative height of the chamfering wheel with respect to a height of the substrate, locating symmetric chamfered points where the chamfered edge is top-bottom symmetric, matching values of the relative height of the chamfering wheel to the found symmetric chamfered points, and obtaining the flatness of the chamfering table from the values of the relative height of the chamfering wheel that are matched to the symmetric chamfered points.
US09310174B2

A non-electric detonator connected to similar detonators with capsule 2 with having charge 8 and delay train 9. A tube 3 for transmitting a shock wave having an internal surface with a predetermined amount of a propagating explosive has one end mounted within capsule 2 adjacent to delay train 9. A seal 12 formed by collapsing a portion of tube 3 at a distance from its end prevents a shock wave accidentally created at capsule 2 from propagating to the rest of tube 3. Yet, the propagation of the wave is not prevented when it comes from the other end of tube 3. The distance from end 13a where seal 12 is formed needs to be selected for a predetermined explosive amount not sufficient to propagate the wave from capsule 2 but enough to propagate it when the wave comes from the other end.
US09310171B2

A toy projectile that has a shaft with a head end and a tail end is described herein. A head is associated with the head end of the shaft. Fins are associated with the tail end of the shaft. Extending hooks extend outward from the sides of the head.
US09310164B2

An apparatus includes a first end and a second end opposed to the first end. A body connects the first end to the second end. The second end includes a mark in a center of the second end, a first plurality of marks positioned on a first axis, a second plurality of marks positioned on the first axis on an opposite side of the center mark as the first plurality of marks, a third plurality of marks positioned on a second axis, a fourth plurality of marks positioned on the second axis on an opposite side of the center mark as the third plurality of marks, a fifth plurality of marks positioned on a third axis, and a sixth plurality of marks positioned on the third axis on an opposite side of the center mark as the fifth plurality of marks.
US09310160B1

A combination metal/polymer frame is used with a pistol where the frame comprises a polymeric frame housing defining a barrel receiving portion and a stock portion. A metal stock insert is secured within the polymeric frame housing and is configured to mount a pistol fire control group on the frame. Additionally or alternatively, a metal frame insert is configured to removably reside within the polymeric frame housing. The metal frame insert defines an opening through which a round is communicated from a pistol magazine to a pistol chamber.
US09310153B2

A crossbow kickstand accessory which may be affixed beneath a crossbow stock. The kickstand has three positions: (1) a stored position; (2) a kickstand position; and (3) a bipod position. The kickstand position is at approximately a 40 degree angle, and the bipod position is at approximately a 90 degree angle away from the stock of the crossbow. The kickstand position allows the user to set the crossbow down while the stock is in the air making it simple to set down or pick up with only one hand. While the kickstand is open in the kickstand position, it prevents any twisting or rotation of the stand or the crossbow, which will prevent the crossbow from falling over. An alternative embodiment design would move the stand forward along the stock into the stock handle position.
US09310150B1

A trigger mechanism is provided with selectable pull characteristics. The trigger mechanism can include a mode selector element configured to select one of a plurality of disconnector elements designed to provide different pull characteristics. The trigger mechanism can include a trigger element including a trigger sear, a plurality of disconnector elements, a hammer element, and a mode selector. Each disconnector element can provide different pull characteristics. The hammer element is operable between a cocked position and a released position and includes a hammer sear configured to engage the trigger sear when the hammer element is in the cocked position. The mode selector element is adjustable between a plurality of positions to select between the different pull characteristics.
US09310149B2

This invention is directed to a firearm safety device that has a chamber block for being received in a chamber of a firearm. An internal area is defined in the chamber block and can receive a bullet so that the bullet biases the outer walls outward. A visual indicator is attached to a distal end of the chamber block and is received in the bore of the barrel and extending outward past the muzzle providing a visual indication that the firearm is in a safe condition. In one embodiment, the chamber block can be inserted into the muzzle and the visual indicator extends through the barrel and chamber and out of the ejection port of magazine well. The visual indicator can be modifiable in length to accommodate various lengths of barrels and can be flexible.
US09310148B2

A magazine locking assembly is provided for preventing removal of a magazine from a firearm having a receiver, a magazine, and a bolt carrier assembly a without disassembly of the firearm. The locking assembly includes a magazine block assembly secured adjacent the magazine well of the firearm, a magazine safety pin for securing the magazine block assembly adjacent the magazine well of the firearm, a safety pin cover movably attached to the firearm adjacent the bolt carrier assembly for concealing the safety pin head of the magazine safety pin, and a cover detent pin configured to engage the safety pin cover passageway to prevent the safety pin cover from moving. When the magazine locking assembly and firearm are in an assembled configuration the safety pin cover conceals the safety pin head of the magazine safety pin and the bolt carrier assembly conceals the cover detent pin.
US09310144B2

A cost-effective cooling tower splash fill bar support assembly that includes a plurality of perforated substantially planar components supporting a plurality of splash fill bars extending therethrough in a manner that distributes stress over a relatively large area, typically by using a splash fill bar support. Also, a method of forming a cooling tower splash fill bar support assembly including a splash fill bar support assembly having substantially planar components and splash fill bar supports.
US09310142B2

A radiator tank for a radiator. The radiator tank includes a plurality of first reinforcement members spaced apart along a first sidewall. A plurality of second reinforcement members are spaced apart along a second sidewall. A plurality of third reinforcement members are spaced apart along an upper portion that extends from the first sidewall to the second sidewall. Both the first and the second reinforcement members are on one of an outer surface or an inner surface of the radiator tank. The third reinforcement members are on the other one of the outer surface or the inner surface. The first and the second reinforcement members terminate prior to reaching the upper portion, and the third reinforcement members terminate prior to reaching both the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
US09310140B2

Methods, systems, and devices are provided for thermal enhancement. Thermal enhancement may include absorbing heat from one or more devices. In some cases, this may improve the efficiency of the one or more devices. In general, a phase transition may be induced in a storage material. The storage material may be combined with a freeze point suppressant in order to reduce its melt point. The mixture may be used to boost the performance of device, such as an electrical generator, a heat engine, a refrigerator, and/or a freezer. The freeze point suppressant and storage material may be separated. By delaying the periods between each stage by prescribed amounts, the methods, systems, and devices may be able to shift the availability of electricity to the user and/or otherwise boost a device at different times in some cases.
US09310136B2

A brazed heat exchanger (100,200) for exchanging heat between fluids comprises a number of heat exchanging plates (110,210) provided with a pressed pattern of ridges (120,220) and grooves (130,230). The heat exchanger plates (110,210) are stacked onto one another such that flow channels (211,212) are formed between said plates (110,210), and the flow channels (211,212) are in selective communication with port openings (140,240). Port skirts (170,250,260) are arranged on the heat exchanging plates (110,210), said port skirts (170, 250, 260) at least partly surrounding the port openings (140,240), extending in a generally perpendicular direction as compared to a plane of the heat exchanger plates (110,210) and being arranged to overlap one another to form a pipe like configuration or a part thereof.
US09310134B2

A method of controlling the operation of an evaporative air cooler where the pads (2) of the cooler are intermittently wetted with an amount of water (14) in excess of the capacity of the pads (2) to absorb and retain during each wetting operation of the pad. The airflow (20) through the pads during intermittent wetting being limited to a velocity so as to not entrain water in the airflow during the wetting operation and the velocity of the airflow through the pads is increased after each intermittent wetting so as to raise the level of cooling output (22) of the cooler between each intermittent wetting operation.
US09310130B2

An electrode material drying method and apparatus for drying electrode material are provided for achieving quality improvement of batteries. Electrode material portions containing a solvent are spaced apart from each other on the metal foil. An inductive coil that inductively heats the metal foil faces the metal foil. An amount of heat applied to an uncoated portion of the metal foil between the electrode material portions is reduced below that of a coated portion of the metal foil on which the electrode material portions are arranged. The heat evaporates the solvent in the electrode material portions by causing the metal foil to generate heat with inductive heating while moving the metal foil and the inductive coil relative to each other in an arrangement direction, that is, a direction in which the electrode material portions are arranged.
US09310127B2

Method and apparatus for liquefying a hydrocarbon stream. A liquefaction system comprises at least an NGL recovery system 12, a main refrigerant circuit 42 and a first refrigerant circuit 100, a pressure reduction device 52 followed by an end gas/liquid separator 62. The main refrigerant circuit 42 comprises at least one or more main refrigerant compressors 45, 45a, 45b, and the first refrigerant circuit comprises one or more first refrigerant compressors 101. A hydrocarbon feed stream 10 is passed through the NGL recovery system 12 to produce a methane-enriched overhead stream 20, which is subsequently cooled and liquefied by the first and second refrigerant circuits. The pressure of the liquefied stream is reduced and the resulting mixed-phase stream 60 is passed through the end gas/liquid separator 62 to provide an end gaseous stream 70 and a liquefied hydrocarbon product stream 80. The loading power of the one or more main refrigerant compressors and the one or more first refrigerant compressors is maximized to their maximum load by adjusting temperature of the liquefied stream to change the amount of end gaseous stream and by controlling an amount of the end gaseous stream being fed into the methane-enriched overhead stream 20 in a recycle stream 90b.
US09310126B2

A refrigerator includes a cabinet with a storage chamber, and a shelf assembly. The shelf assembly includes guide members respectively mounted to opposite side walls of the storage chamber, a shelf vertically movable while being guided by the guide members, side walls extending downwards from opposite lateral ends of the shelf and vertically movable while being guided by the guide members, guide slots formed through the guide members while extending in forward and rearward directions, a pair of cam members pivotably mounted to an outer surface of each guide member, first and second links connected between the cam members, to simultaneously pivot the cam members, a handle link connected, at one end thereof, to the second link, and a handle member coupled to the other end of the handle link while extending through the corresponding guide slot, to protrude inside the guide member.
US09310124B2

An appliance including a module-receiving cavity disposed in the appliance. Also included is a removable module disposed in the module-receiving cavity, and at least one ice modification member disposed inside the removable module. A motor is operably connected with the removable module and includes an output shaft that extends into the removable module. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the at least one ice modification member, the impeller being operable between a first ice manipulating condition defined by a first directional rotation of the impeller, and a second ice manipulating condition defined by a second directional rotation of the impeller. An ice chute is located proximate the ice modification member for dispensing ice.
US09310114B2

An electronic expansion valve is provided that allows an air conditioner to control air conditioning in accordance with a valve opening point of the electronic expansion valve. Also, an air conditioner is provided that is capable of controlling air conditioning on the basis of the valve opening point of the electronic expansion valve. The electronic expansion valve is provided with a barcode corresponding to property data of the electronic expansion valve. The property data include a pulse number corresponding to a valve opening point that was measured in the process of manufacturing the electronic expansion valve. The valve opening point is set on the basis of the pulse number of a stepper motor when the flow rate of a gas flowing through a valve hole of the electronic expansion valve is equal to a set value.
US09310109B2

Technologies are generally described herein for electrocaloric effect heat transfer devices and methods effective to facilitate thermal energy transfer while mitigating mechanical stresses caused by expansion or contraction of electrocaloric effect material layers during thermal energy transfer operations. Some example heat transfer devices may include heat transfer stacks with at least two electrocaloric effect materials. Expanding electrocaloric effect material and contracting electrocaloric effect material are utilized to cancel the aggregate longitudinal dimensional change during application of an electric field. Some example heat transfer devices may utilize segmented electrocaloric effect material layers with stress relief gaps separating segments to mitigate delamination stress caused by lateral expansion or contraction of the electrocaloric effect material.
US09310107B2

An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit having a plurality of expansion devices that controls a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing in each of a plurality of heat exchangers related to heat medium; a heat medium circuit having the heat exchangers related to heat medium and a use side heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the heat medium and air; heat medium flow switching devices disposed on an inflow side and an outflow side of the use side heat exchanger to mix or diverge the heat medium pertaining to the heat exchangers related to heat medium; and a controller that controls at least the heat medium flow switching device on the inflow side or the outflow side that controls the amount of heat exchange in each of the heat exchangers related to heat medium during cooling only operation mode or heating only operation mode.
US09310100B2

An apparatus for amplifying the solar energy by recycling the greenhouse gas has developed to heat up the gas passing through the sealed container. The apparatus of amplifying the solar energy is comprising: a body made of metal with opened top forming a container; the upper and lower metal meshes disposed in the container with a vertical distance from the bottom for forming a space; a metal pipe formed a coiled shape to dispose between upper and lower metal meshes to contact with the upper and lower metal meshes and having one inlet and the other outlet for passing through the side wall of the container; and two transparent panels for transmitting the sun beams, which are disposed over the upper metal mesh to seal the container space inside of the body. Further, the body has a gas-charging valve disposed on a side wall to charge the sulfur hexafluoride SF6 to the sealed space.
US09310097B2

An electric heating system is provided with a heater mountable and removable in a cabinet by a user using a mounting system. The mounting system may include at least an installation member, installation receiver, and bracket. The installation member may interface with a surface or interior shelf of the cabinet. The bracket is includable between the surface or interior shelf of the cabinet and the surface of the heater. The installation member may be receivable by the bracket. The bracket may be received by the installation receiver or an additional bracket. The electrical cable may pass through a portal locatable on the cabinet. The heater may be an infrared heater with a fan. A wired or wireless remote with an optional display may control operation of the heater. A method is provided to manipulate the electric heating system.
US09310096B2

An overhead support system is configured to be positioned within a room. The system may include a main housing that includes at least a portion of an air-delivery sub-system, a plurality of lighting elements secured to the main housing, a light control unit in communication with each of the plurality of lighting elements, and a light operation interface in communication with the light control unit. Each of the plurality of lighting elements is configured to move relative to the main housing. The light control unit controls operation of each of the plurality of lighting elements. The light operation interface is configured to be used to move the plurality of lighting elements relative to the main housing to focus emitted light on a target location within the room.
US09310090B2

A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a system controller having a location determination module configured to cause determination and/or reporting of the location of the HVAC system in response to a first run and/or initialization of the HVAC system. The location determination module may determine and/or report location information via global positioning system (GPS) capability, a service provider (SP), customized data provider (CDP), Internet sites, LAN, WAN, 3G, 4G, and/or any other type of network infrastructure to effect reporting of the location of the HVAC system.
US09310089B2

An HVAC unit includes an HVAC motor and a system controller. The HVAC motor is coupled to a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to receive a command signal bearing a digitally encoded operating level of the HVAC motor. The system controller is coupled to the motor controller, and is configured to transmit the command signal to the motor controller. The system controller modulates the command signal with the digitally encoded operating level in response to a service demand.
US09310084B2

A timer assembly includes a knob operationally coupled to a stove. A shaft is operationally coupled to the knob. The shaft selectively engages a valve on the stove. The knob is retained on the stove. The shaft opens the valve when the knob is rotated to an on position. The shaft closes the valve when the knob is rotated to an off position. A timer is operationally coupled to the shaft. The timer urges the knob to the on position for a selected duration of time. A spring biasing member is operationally coupled to the housing. A strip is coupled between the shaft and the spring biasing member. The spring biasing member urges the knob to the off position. The spring biasing member moves the knob to the off position after the timer ceases urging the knob to the on position.
US09310070B2

The current disclosure relates to steam generation and supply apparati and associated control systems. Particularly, the current disclosure relates to such steam generation supply apparati and associated control systems that are used for enhanced oil recovery. Certain embodiments are provided including methods and associated control systems related to the startup as well as main steam pressure header control or maintenance of a desired steam quality for such steam generation systems during normal operation.
US09310069B2

A very high efficiency steam producing heater and boiler is disclosed wherein an outer vault encases an inner casing with a small exhaust passage there between. The walls of the casing contain a series of capillary tubes through which water flows. A combustion chamber in the lower portion of the casing provides a source of heat for the water which flows from the casing into a series of water drums located near the combustion chamber. From the water tubes, the heated water then passes through a serpentine series of steam tubes and then upward into one or more steam drums. Steam passes through the steam drums out of the casing and vault for commercial or residential usage.
US09310053B2

A light mixing element in a shape of a prism, and a cylinder of the prism of the light mixing element includes a first light-emitting inclined surface, a second light-emitting inclined surface, a bottom surface, a incident surface and a reflecting inclined surface; one side of the second light-emitting inclined surface is connected with one side of the first light-emitting inclined surface to form a top angle; the bottom surface is arranged opposite to the top angle; the incident surface is connected between one side of the bottom surface and the other side of the first light-emitting inclined surface; and the reflecting inclined surface is connected between the other side of the bottom surface and the other side of the second light-emitting inclined surface and arranged opposite to the incident surface and the first light-emitting inclined surface.
US09310052B1

The present invention relates to a compact optic lens for a high intensity light source having improved output beam characteristics. The compact optic lens provides increased light output without increasing device cost or device size to enable coverage of many beam angles.
US09310051B2

A single pixel monochromatic display and signal-receivable module, and a device containing the module; the module is mainly a combination of a set of lenses and a color mixing screen; light beams projected from color light sources are converged through a light convergent plate, and then refracted through the light refractive color convergent plate which has refraction curved surfaces to same locations on a color mixing screen on which a single color is formed and a single pixel is thereby constituted; even subject to enlargement, there are no more tri-colors in a single pixel but only one single color in a single pixel; the module can also be used to emit or receive invisible electromagnetic waves, or can receive electromagnetic wave signals of another wave length during display.
US09310047B2

A display apparatus includes a curved display panel having a first curvature; and a plurality of light source units arranged along the first curvature the display panel. Each light source unit includes a reflective part including a reflective upper surface which has a second curvature different from the first curvature of the display panel; and a light source part which is at a first side of the reflective part, and includes a light source which generates and provides a light to the reflective surface.
US09310039B2

The subject invention pertains to traffic signal disconnect housings having curvatural, arcuate-shaped surfaces that better bear and distribute gravitational and wind induced loading throughout the disconnect housing. In addition, structural reinforcements are provided, as well as support components such as removable, elongated hubs; removable doors; and hook-type hinges.
US09310031B2

A LED bulb includes a circuit board, a lighting module, a conductive connector, and a lamp shade. The circuit board includes a slot. The lighting module is arranged on the circuit board and includes a transmissive substrate. The lighting module includes a circuit layer attached to the transmissive substrate, an electrode component arranged on one end of the transmissive substrate and inserted into the slot and electrically connected to the circuit layer, and a plurality of LED dies placed on the transmissive substrate and electrically connected to the circuit layer. The conductive connector is arranged on the other side of the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit. The lamp shade is assembled with the conductive connector such that the circuit board and the lighting module are arranged between the conductive connector and the lamp shade.
US09310026B2

There is provided a lighting assembly comprising a plurality of lighting devices, each of which comprises a patterned diffuser having optical features. Each of the lighting devices is positioned such that if they are illuminated, at least 50, and in some cases 75 or more, percent of light emitted from each of the lighting devices will contact an illumination surface within an area of a defined shape (e.g., square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.), the respective shapes each sharing at least one boundary with another shape. Also, methods of lighting comprising illuminating lighting devices positioned in such a way.
US09310017B2

A control handle for mounting on a forward end of a tail section of a crane having a crane pivot axis includes a normally-engaged brake mechanism thereon for maintaining the control handle in a fixed position until disengaged by an operator, the control handle when disengaged being rotatable about a pivot axis parallel to the crane pivot axis. A crane assembly incorporating the control handle includes a wheeled dolly, a telescopic crane pivotably mounted on the wheeled dolly about a crane pivot axis, the telescopic crane having a forward end, and a rearward end opposite the forward end, a telescopic boom at the forward end, and a tail section at the rearward end. The control handle is mounted on the forward end of the tail section.
US09310009B2

A grease and lubricating oil line coupler includes a nozzle and a receiver which can be intercoupled for grease or lubricating oil delivery. Each component has a normally closed, easily-cleanable, flush-faced mating surface, which prevents the entrance of contaminants into the free ends thereof when decoupled. The nozzle has a handle-operated internal valve with an interlock that is controlled by a quick disconnect slidable collar, which prevents the release of lubricants from the nozzle unless it is coupled to the receiver. Only when the nozzle and receiver are interconnected can the valve be opened; only when the valve is closed can the nozzle be decoupled from the receiver. A high-pressure bleed-off feature returns high-pressure excess lubricant within the coupler to the lubricant storage tank when the handle of the nozzle is returned to its OFF position prior to decoupling it from the receiver.
US09310008B2

A torque limited fitting is provided having a head and a body, which in certain embodiments may be assembled by an operator. The body of the torque limited fitting has a passageway therethrough for receiving and removably holding tubing. The torque limited fitting may be adapted for use with a flat bottom port, such as in an analytical instrument, like liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, or in in vitro diagnostic systems.
US09309997B2

The present invention relates to a pipe made of synthetic resin having a plurality of internal tubes, wherein silicone coating layers are formed on the respective inner circumferential surfaces of the plurality of internal tubes which are accommodated in an external tube, such that long optical fibers or electrical wires or the like inserted in the same can be readily and easily accommodated while water repellency is maintained, and failure to fuse or deformation of any of the side surfaces of the internal tubes, which are fused to the inner circumferential surface of the external tube, can be prevented when the internal tubes are formed integrally on the external tube, and the plurality of internal tubes can be stably inserted into and joined by fusing onto the inner circumferential surface of the external tube, and deformation due to temperature differences between the external tube and the internal tubes during cooling can be prevented while the internal tubes are inserted into and joined by fusing onto the inner circumferential surface of the external tube in a hermetic state.
US09309990B2

Disclosed is a pressure gauge device featuring setting for automatic supply and termination of pressure, which includes a pressure gauge, a rotary knob, a rotary knob conductive piece, a rotary knob indicator, and a control device. The pressure gauge includes a hand sweep zone and an electrically conductive indication hand is arranged in the hand sweep zone. The pressure gauge includes a resetting conductive piece. The rotary knob is coupled to the rotary knob conductive piece and the rotary knob indicator and is set outside an outer circumference of the hand sweep zone of the pressure gauge. The resetting conductive piece and the rotary knob indicator are each set in the hand sweep zone and located on a rotation path of the indication hand. The resetting conductive piece and the rotary knob indicator are each in electrical connection with the control device.
US09309988B2

A valve handle that operates a valve, and includes permanent, integral labeling. The labeling includes installer information about the installer of the valve handle, including the installer's name and contact information; and the function of the valve operated by said valve handle.
US09309979B2

A self piloted check valve which utilizes closure of a piloting flapper valve to permit development of closure forces for a ball valve. The normally open ball valve has a central flow passage and simultaneously rotates and translates as it traverses between its fully open and fully closed positions. An opening bias system utilizes a combination of a first less stiff spring and a second stiffer spring. Reversible decoupling means disconnects and reconnects the second spring at a short travel distance from the normally open position of the ball, while the first spring always provides opening bias forces to the ball. The pressure induced force required to fully close the ball valve following decoupling of the second spring is more than the force required to overcome the combination of the first and second springs. Additionally, while the secondary spring is engaged, hydrodynamic damping of the ball opening movement is provided.
US09309977B2

A manifold of a valve conducting gas or liquid has a passage with an inlet and at least one outlet. The passage changes direction from the manifold inlet to the manifold outlet over a length of the passage. The cross-section of the manifold in the region where the passage changes direction, merges in a plurality of sequential sectors from an almost round or oval cross-section over a plurality of cross-sections that are flattened on the inner manifold side again into an almost round or oval cross-section. In the region of the flattened cross-section of the passage, the cross-sectional contour has a plurality of arcuate sections that are continuous with one another.
US09309971B2

A powershift transmission with a dual-clutch main transmission and a downstream planetary gearset. The main transmission includes two partial transmissions and corresponding input shafts and clutches and a common output shaft. The downstream transmission has an input shaft which couples, via a third shifting element, the common output shaft and is fixed to a first planetary gearset element. The downstream transmission has an output shaft that is fixed to a second planetary gearset element. A third planetary gearset element couples a housing by way of a fourth shifting element, to obtain a low driving range of the downstream transmission, or, the downstream transmission output shaft by way of a fifth shifting element to obtain a high driving range of the downstream transmission. The common output shaft can couple, via a sixth shifting element, the third planetary gearset element, which can couple, via the fourth shifting element, the transmission housing.
US09309962B2

A shifting device of manual transmission apparatus for automobile is provided, shifting device which reduces fluctuations in operational loads at the time of selecting operations. A shifting device 11 of manual transmission apparatus for automobile according to the present invention is characterized in that it is a shifting device 11 of manual transmission apparatus for automobile, the shifting device 11 comprising: a casing; a shift lever 2 being retained rotatably with respect to the casing; a retaining member 3 interlocking with the shift lever 2 to swing; a locking ball pin 4 comprising a rotatable roller 41, a locking-ball-pin body 43 unit retaining the roller 43 rotatably, and an expandable and contractible spring 42 being fixed with respect to the retaining member 3 at one of the opposite ends and with respect to the locking-ball-pin body unit 43 at the other one of the opposite ends; and a cam member 5 comprising a cam face 51 with which the roller 41 comes into contact rotatably, and being fixed so as to be swingable in relative to the locking ball pin 4; and it further comprises a damper inhibiting said spring from expanding and contracting.
US09309956B2

A torque converter includes an impeller shell and a backing plate defining at least a portion of a first hydraulic chamber, a cover and a piston plate defining at least a portion of a second hydraulic chamber, and a third hydraulic chamber. The third chamber is sealed from the first and second hydraulic chambers such that a hydraulic flow between the third chamber and the other chambers is at least restricted. In an example embodiment, the first chamber is for being pressurized to prevent cavitation in the turbine, stator, or impeller, the second or third chamber is for being pressurized to engage the lockup clutch, and the other of the second or third chamber is for being de-pressurized to reduce a back pressure on the lockup clutch piston plate.
US09309951B1

A planetary gear train of an auto transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft, four planetary gear sets, eight rotational shafts and six friction elements. The rotational shafts connect rotation elements of corresponding first, second, third, and/or fourth planetary gear sets, and one or more rotational shafts are directly or selectively connected to an output shaft or a transmission housing. The six friction elements selectively connect the rotational shafts and selectively connect one or more rotational shafts with the transmission housing.
US09309948B2

A shock absorber including a damping force generation mechanism (30a) includes a spring member (106a) having radially extending spring portions (117) having high spring constants and circumferentially extending spring portions (118) having low spring constants. The radially extending spring portions and the circumferentially extending spring portions are integrally configured so that biasing forces thereof act dynamically linearly. An annular stepped portion limits strokes of the circumferentially extending spring portions and is provided on a cylindrical wall portion of a pilot body. As a result, within a range of damping force control, only the radially extending spring portions of the spring member are elastically deformed, whereby the durability of the spring member is enhanced, and only biasing forces of the radially extending spring portions of the spring member act on a pilot valve member, and thereby variation in a damping force is reduced so that the performance is improved.
US09309946B1

A cylinder with a shock absorbing function which can detect a position of a piston rod reciprocating in a cylinder tube and has a function of absorbing shock produced by the piston rod at its stroke end includes: a pair of piston valve sheets provided in a piston unit; a piston valve configured to reciprocate within a range between the piston valve sheets; a slider made of a nonmagnetic material slidably fitted onto the piston rod; a valve piston provided in the piston unit; a magnet holder ring attached to the piston rod so as to be positioned between the piston unit and the slider; and a magnetism detector provided on an outer periphery of the cylinder tube and configured to detect a position of the piston rod by detecting magnetism generated by the magnet.
US09309944B2

An air spring includes an upper surface plate, a lower surface plate, and a diaphragm connecting the upper surface plate and the lower surface plate. The diaphragm has an annular shape having an opening on an inner circumferential side. In the diaphragm, an upper surface plate contact portion, which is a region defining the opening and being in contact with the upper surface plate, includes a deformed portion elastically deformed to protrude toward the lower surface plate side by contact with a support plate. The deformed portion is in contact with a sliding member located on the lower surface plate side when viewed from the deformed portion.
US09309941B2

A liquid cooled brake is provided having an improved housing that provides strong yet lightweight structural support. The brake includes end plates disposed about a driven shaft and axially spaced from one another. A plurality of axially extending pins connect the end plates. A friction plate is coupled to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and is axially movable relative to the driven shaft. Another friction plate defines a fluid jacket and is coupled to the pins. The friction plate is fixed against rotation, but axially movable, relative to the pins. A pressure plate is configured for selective movement towards the friction plates. Support columns are disposed radially outwardly of each pin and fixed to the end plates The support columns prevent undue strain on the pins. Ventilated guards may also be located between each pair of columns to limit access to internal working components of the brake.
US09309935B2

A spring type one-way clutch includes an outer ring rotatable about a rotary shaft and having an inner tubular portion, and a clutch spring mounted in the outer ring. The clutch spring includes a large-diameter coil spring portion, a transition portion connected to the winding end of the large-diameter coil spring portion, and a small-diameter coil spring portion connected to the radially inner end of the transition portion and wound in the opposite direction from the large-diameter coil spring portion. When the outer ring is rotated in the direction opposite the winding direction of the large-diameter coil spring portion, the large- and small-diameter coil spring portions are radially compressed and pressed against the inner tubular portion and the rotary shaft, allowing the rotary shaft to rotate together with the outer ring. The transition portion spirals radially inwardly in the winding direction of the large-diameter coil spring portion.
US09309925B2

A micro-machine powered by an electric motor and/or a gas turbine drive and capable of rotation speeds to 1,500,000 rpm is disclosed. The micro-machine may include a rotating spindle which is constructed, balanced and arranged to provide a tool holder function and may incorporate a portion of the drive system. The other portion of the drive system is incorporated in a machine housing. The housing locates and supports at least one foil thrust bearing and at least one foil journal bearing to support the spindle. The housing and the bearings may be split into at least two parts and reassembled and the housing incorporates a gas reservoir and gas distribution channels for forced gas cooling of the bearings. In one embodiment of a foil journal bearing, a plurality of overlapping top foil segments supported by individual bump foil segments consisting of generally uniformly-spaced ridges and flats are secured within a housing. The bearing may be split and the bump foil stiffness may be adjusted by modifying the geometry, number and/or arrangement of the bump foils. In one embodiment of a foil thrust bearing a plurality of top foil segments are supported by coextensive individual bump foil segments including ridges and flats and secured on a thrust plate. The bearing may be split. The bump foil may be divided into a series of tabs separated by slits, each of the tabs having a number of ridges separated by flats. The ridges and flats on adjacent tabs may be arranged to reduce bearing heating. Provision may be made for cooling of the bearing by forced radial gas inflow.
US09309924B2

A bearing assembly and wind generator. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearing segments defining a sliding member and a bearing body, with the sliding member and bearing body being joined together, and the plurality of bearing segments being coupled together to define an annular bearing structure. Also, a wind generator includes a wind rotor supported upon a tower, a hydraulic pump coupled to the wind rotor, and with rotation of the hydraulic pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic motor in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, and an electrical generator driven by the hydraulic motor to produce electrical energy.
US09309922B2

This set of roller bearings, which is a grounding bearing for a rotary machine, comprises a first-angular contact rolling bearing having a first outer race, a first inner race and first rolling elements, a second angular-contact rolling bearing having a second outer race, a second inner race and second rolling elements, a mount in which the first angular-contact rolling bearing and the second angular-contact rolling bearing are mounted. The first outer race and the second outer race are arranged in the mount either directly one beside the other or via the interposition of an intermediate member, the axial stiffness of which is greater than that of the mount and than those of the first and second outer races. Application for example to asynchronous motors.
US09309920B2

A ball joint orientation device applicable to a unipod includes a ball joint and stop members, in which one end of the ball joint is formed as a rotating part and is arranged in a ball joint seat in a universal swaying manner, and the other end extends to form a connecting part and is fixedly connected with a main rod; the stop members are arranged in the ball joint seat, and include a locking stop member located at the upper side of the rotating part; an orientation knob is sleeved on the connecting part and/or the main rod; when screwed toward the direction close to the ball joint seat, the ball joint is subjected to orienting locking and no longer rotates; and when screwed toward the direction away from the ball joint seat, and the orienting locking is released, so the ball joint is rotatable freely.
US09309913B2

A fastening arrangement for fastening a component, in particular a cabin component, to a structural component of an aircraft or spacecraft, including a structural component which has a connection surface; a fastening fitting which has a geometry matched to the geometrical shape of the structural component, has a connection portion associated with the connection surface of the structural component and is produced from a thermoplastic injection-moulding material; and an elastomeric adhesive joint for stable fastening of the connection portion of the fastening fitting to the associated connection surface of the structural component. A corresponding fastening fitting and an aircraft or spacecraft comprising a fastening arrangement of this type and/or a fastening fitting of this type are also described.
US09309903B2

Vortex generators are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a housing including a surface. The example apparatus also includes a bimorph actuator disposed in the housing. The bimorph actuator includes a first bimorph beam having a first portion fixed relative to the surface. A blade is rotatably coupled to the bimorph actuator, and the bimorph actuator is to rotate the blade to extend a portion of the blade through the surface to generate a vortex in a fluid flowing past the surface.
US09309900B2

A valve (210) comprising a motor (221) having an output shaft (231) orientated about a motor axis (230), a hydraulic valve having a drive spool (224) configured to move from a first position to a second position, a mechanical linkage (222) between the output shaft (231) and the drive spool (224) having a sleeve (232) mechanically coupled to the output shaft (231), a pole shaft (233) configured for sliding engagement in a direction generally perpendicular to the motor axis, a link (235) connected to the pole shaft (233) by a pivot joint (234), a drive shaft (252) coupled to the link (235) and rotatable about a drive axis, the drive shaft (252) having an end portion to engage and apply a force to the spool (224), and a spring (223) to provide a bias between the pole shaft (233) and the sleeve (232), such that a distance between the motor axis and the pivot joint multiplied by a distance between the drive axis and the applied force is less than a distance between the drive axis and the pivot joint.
US09309897B2

A variable vane drive device includes a movable ring disposed at an outer circumferential side of a casing of an axial-flow compressor and having an annular shape, four ring support mechanisms disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction of the movable ring and rotatably supporting the movable ring around a rotor, and a link mechanism for connecting the movable ring to a variable vane such that a direction of the variable vane is varied by rotation of the movable ring. The ring support mechanisms have inner rollers, outer rollers, and roller support bases for rotatably supporting the inner rollers and the outer rollers in a state in which the movable ring is sandwiched between the inner roller and the outer rollers.
US09309896B2

A compressor unit for processing a working fluid comprising a compressor inside a housing to compress the working fluid wherein a collection chamber is fluidly coupled with a working fluid inlet of said housing.
US09309894B2

A household fan for providing the feel of a natural breeze includes a motorized impeller for providing airflow, a controller, an interface, and a breeze setting. The controller is coupled to the motorized impeller for changing one or more characteristics of the airflow. The interface is in communication with the controller for receiving human instructions for the controller. The breeze setting may be selected by way of the interface and implemented via the controller to operate the motorized impeller. The breeze setting varies at least one of the characteristics of the airflow, where one of the characteristics varied via the breeze setting is intensity of the airflow that is output by the motorized impeller.
US09309887B2

System and method of remotely connecting and disconnecting an auxiliary power supply of the frequency inverter for variable capacity compressors employed in cooling systems. The inverter includes a circuit breaker that when it receives an external signal to activate the auxiliary power supply indicating that the auxiliary supply should be connected, the circuit breaker enables the auxiliary power supply, which activates the inverter. The inverter begins sending, continually, the internal maintenance signal to activate the auxiliary supply to the circuit breaker indicating that the auxiliary supply should be kept running, making the circuit breaker maintain the auxiliary power supply enabled. When the circuit breaker receives an external deactivation signal from the auxiliary supply indicating that the auxiliary supply should be disconnected, the inverter stops sending the signal to maintain the auxiliary supply activated to the circuit breaker, and the circuit breaker disables the auxiliary power supply, deactivating the inverter.
US09309886B2

An inverter-integrated electric compressor comprising a compressing mechanism portion which sucks, compresses and discharges fluid, a motor which drives the compressing mechanism portion, a body casing in which the motor is incorporated, the body casing being hermetically closed, a suction passage formed in one of ends of the body casing, and an inverter case in which an inverter for driving the motor is incorporated. At least a portion of the inverter case is closely brought into contact with and fixed to, in its axial direction, the body casing in which the suction passage is formed.
US09309882B2

A method tracking positive displacement efficiency of a high pressure positive displacement pump in a hydraulic regulator system of a turbomachine delivering a flow rate based on an engine speed of the turbomachine, the flow rate delivered to an actuator actuating variable geometry vanes of the turbomachine and to a bypass valve feeding engines of the turbomachine, the method including: starting engines of the turbomachine at a low engine speed, the valve being closed; using a computer to order a movement of the actuator; progressively increasing the engine speed until the flow rate reaches a predetermined value sufficient for opening the valve; storing in the computer a position of the actuator and the engine speed corresponding to opening of the valve; repeating the preceding operations at successive instants during a lifetime of the engines; and replacing the high pressure positive displacement pump when the engine speed exceeds a predetermined value.
US09309880B2

A fluid transporting device includes an elastic tube, a tube frame that holds the elastic tube in an arc, a rotary push plate arranged in the arc for facilitating fluid flow inside the elastic tube, and a plurality of push pins disposed between the elastic tube and the center of the arc. Each push pin includes a semispherical end portion that contacts the rotary push plate, a pushing end portion that places a bias on the elastic tube, and adjacent end portions of at least two push pins close the elastic tube when the semispherical end portions are pushed by an outer circumference arc of the rotary push plate.
US09309879B2

A microsystem for fluidic applications includes a substrate with a reservoir, a first microchannel, connected to the reservoir, and a second microchannel, separated from the first microchannel by a fixed member. The microsystem furthermore has an elastic film on the substrate, which film has a joint to the substrate around the reservoir and seals the reservoir. Here, the joint has a permanent joining area and, on the fixed member, a fixed member joining area that can be broken open and adjoins the permanent joining area at both ends of the fixed member. Such a microsystem forms a processing chip with reagent receptacle.
US09309872B2

Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) to drive a single-stage or a multi-stage pump in a pumping system for real time, smooth motion, and extremely precise and repeatable position control over fluid movements and dispense amounts, useful in semiconductor manufacturing. The BLDCM may employ a position sensor for real time position feedback to a processor executing a custom field-oriented control scheme. Embodiments of the invention can reduce heat generation without undesirably compromising the precise position control of the dispense pump by increasing and decreasing, via a custom control scheme, the operating frequency of the BLDCM according to the criticality of the underlying function(s). The control scheme can run the BLDCM at very low speeds while maintaining a constant velocity, which enables the pumping system to operate in a wide range of speeds with minimal variation, substantially increasing dispense performance and operation capabilities.
US09309871B2

A Hall effect thruster including: a discharge channel with an open downstream end; a cathode situated outside the discharge channel; an injector system configured to inject atoms of gas into the discharge channel, the injector system situated at an upstream end of the discharge channel and also forming a cathode; a heater device configured to heat the cathode; a measurement mechanism measuring temperature of the heater device, and a regulator circuit regulating the temperature such that the heater device heats so long as its temperature is less than a threshold temperature from which the thruster is capable of starting, and ceases to heat shortly after the threshold temperature has been reached.
US09309868B2

A power transmission system for a wind turbine comprises a gearbox and generator. The gearbox includes a gear-box housing and gearbox output member. The generator includes: a generator housing having a drive-end side and non-drive-end side, the drive-end side being coupled to the gearbox housing; a stator supported by the generator housing; a rotor coupled to the gearbox output member so as to be driven thereby; a non-drive-end shield coupled to the non-drive-end side of the generator housing; and at least one auxiliary drive mounted to the non-drive-end shield. The at least one auxiliary drive is configured to rotate the turning gear. A corresponding method of installing a wind farm including such a power transmission system is also provided.
US09309862B2

One example of a nutating fluid-mechanical energy converter includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes an outer cylinder having a longitudinal passage 101 and an inner guide cylinder disposed longitudinally within the outer cylinder. The inner guide cylinder and outer cylinder are concentric and define an annulus for fluid flow. A longitudinal guide is attached to an outer surface of the inner guide cylinder and extending outwardly toward an inner surface of the outer cylinder. The rotor is positioned in the annulus to be eccentric relative to the outer cylinder. The rotor has a sidewall with a guide opening to receive the longitudinal guide. Fluid flowing through the annulus imparts a torque on the rotor causing the rotor to nutate within the annulus. The nutational motion of the rotor can be converted into a rotational motion using a suitable rotary output device.
US09309860B2

Several embodiments of a device for economically harvesting wave energy are disclosed. A sealed vessel for air storage, the spar buoy, is mostly submerged under water is also used as an inertial body that surface floats move relative to. The spar buoy may take many geometrical forms, but all have a stem that is above the water surface. Piston pumps are placed at the top of the stem. The pump has a gearing reduction to optimize the rotational motion of the pump drive shaft. Small angular motion at the drive shaft results in multiple cycles of linear reciprocal motion of the piston. Various mechanisms could convert the relative motion between the floats and the spar buoy to a rotational motion of the shaft. The compressed air generated by the pump is stored in the spar buoy and regenerated as electrical energy by expanding the compressed air in a turbine.
US09309859B2

A method for controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine, with which a device for the detection of misfires is provided, comprises operation of the internal combustion engine in a calibration mode, wherein the calibration mode includes stepwise reduction of the ignition energy by changing the ignition parameter starting from an initial value, detecting the reaching of a combustion failure limit based on the signal of the detection device and again reducing the ignition energy if the combustion failure limit has not yet been reached, and storing the ignition parameter at the point in time of reaching the combustion failure limit. When not in the calibration mode, operation of the ignition system takes place according to the stored ignition parameter. With such feedback control, electrode burn of the spark plugs is reduced, leading to an extension of the service life of the spark plugs.
US09309857B2

Embodiments of ignition systems, apparatus, and/or methods can provide exemplary voltage control or regulation for a voltage used for flame detection as well as for spark generation. In one embodiment, flame sensitivity and spark energy can have an increased resistance to component, temperature, and/or power supply variations.
US09309856B2

Assembly (57) for a speed reducer of a rotary electric machine, comprising: a ring gear (46) secured to a transverse wall (58); a base plate (60) to be securely and rotatably mounted relative to a mounting (16) of the machine; an axially acting resilient means, such as an axially acting resilient disc (64); and an added hub (68) on which the transverse wall (58) of the ring gear (46), the base plate (60), and the resilient means (64) are mounted. The hub (68) has at least one first shoulder (71) for supporting the axially acting resilient means (64), and at least one second shoulder (72) for supporting the transverse wall (58) of the ring gear (46). The assembly also relates to a starter, particularly for a motor vehicle.
US09309855B2

A method for monitoring a meshing process of a meshing pinion of a starter motor for a vehicle drive, in which an armature of the starter motor is moved by a magnet, has the following steps: detecting a solenoid signal when a solenoid of the magnet is energized in order to obtain a signal profile, in particular a current profile; generating a differential profile by differentiating the signal profile; determining zero crossings in the differential profile; and monitoring the meshing process on the basis of the determined zero crossings.
US09309851B2

A fuel injection valve for injecting fuel radially includes a valve housing and a valve member. The housing includes fuel nozzle holes arranged in a circumferential direction with a common pitch on a common imaginary circle. Each nozzle hole is inclined toward an outer peripheral side from a fuel inlet to outlet. The nozzle holes have a common shape around their hole axes. The nozzle holes are classified into any of nozzle hole groups. Each group includes at least two of the nozzle holes, which are arranged in a predetermined order with different inclination angles of their hole axes relative to the central axis of the housing. The order of the arrangement of the at least two of the nozzle holes is set at a common order toward one side in the circumferential direction, among the groups.
US09309837B2

Methods and systems are provided for using compressor recirculation flow via a venturi to enhance low pressure EGR flow. The opening of a compressor recirculation valve can be adjusted based on EGR flow demand to recirculate cooled compressed air through a venturi while generating vacuum for drawing EGR. The approach allows for concurrent EGR control and surge control.
US09309836B2

Methods and systems are provided for varying a proportion of compressed air recirculated to a compressor inlet from a location downstream of the compressor and upstream of a charge air cooler and a location downstream of the charge air cooler. A temperature-controlled compressor recirculation flow is used to reduce condensation from EGR being ingested into the compressor. The temperature-controlled compressor recirculation flow is also used to address compressor surge.
US09309822B2

A method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one venting duct running from a crank chamber of a crankcase to an intake manifold, includes the steps of measuring a fresh air mass flow supplied to the internal combustion engine with an air mass sensor, determining a cylinder charge of at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine depending on the measured fresh air mass flow, determining during operation a pressure of the crank chamber, and correcting the determined cylinder charge depending on a measured change of the pressure in the crank chamber. A control element for a controller of an internal combustion engine, in particular an automobile, carrying out the method, and an internal combustion engine, in particular in an automobile, with such control element are also described.
US09309761B2

A downhole communication system for an extended reach borehole, including an operator unit operatively arranged to enable at least one of remote monitoring or control of at least one device disposed in the extended reach borehole. A first communicator is disposed in a highly deviated extension of the borehole and configured to receive or transmit a signal at least one of from or to the at least one device. A second communicator is included spatially remote from the borehole. The first communicator and the second communicator are located substantially in a vertically extending plane defined along a length of the highly deviated extension. The second communicator is operatively in signal communication with both the first communicator and the operator unit for enabling signal communication between the first communicator and the operator unit via the second communicator. Methods of communicating downhole and completing an extended reach borehole are also included.
US09309752B2

A buoyancy fluid is sealed in an interior central bore of a completion liner with a plug assembly in the interior central bore. The buoyancy fluid has a lower density than the fluid contained in the wellbore. The buoyancy fluid reduces the force, and thus friction, at the interface between the liner and the bottom of the wellbore while the completion liner is being run to final depth. When the buoyancy fluid is no longer needed, the plug assembly can be withdrawn uphole from the completion liner and to the surface.
US09309750B2

A system includes a subsea on-site chemical injection management system configured to inject a chemical mixture into a well, wherein the subsea on-site chemical injection management system includes a subsea on-site head tank configured to store a plurality of discrete chemicals, a subsea on-site mixing unit configured to mix one or more of the plurality of discrete chemicals to create one or more chemical mixtures, and a subsea on-site distribution unit configured to distribute the one or more chemical mixtures to the well.
US09309749B2

Exemplary embodiments of the present technology provide systems and methods for producing power from coalbed methane (CBM) with decreased CO2 emissions. For example, a method of producing power according to an exemplary embodiment includes converting a feedstock from a hydrocarbon source into a gas mixture comprising CO2 and H2. The gas mixture is injected into a coalbed to cause CBM to desorb from the coal and CO2 to adsorb onto the coal. The hydrocarbon source is separate from the coalbed, i.e., does not exchange hydrocarbons with the hydrocarbon source. A gas mixture is produced from the coalbed, wherein the produced gas mixture includes H2 and CH4. The gas mixture may be combusted to generate power, while releasing lower amounts of CO2 than would be released from the combustion of pure CH4.
US09309742B2

A technique facilitates use of frangible components. The frangible components may comprise components of a gripping tool, e.g. anchor, used in a variety of applications, including well related applications. The tool is provided with a plurality of gripping members which each comprise a frangible structure. The gripping members may be selectively deployed to provide the desired gripping within a tubular structure, e.g. an open wellbore or well casing. The frangible structure in each gripping member is designed to break down into smaller portions after being exposed to a predetermined input, thus facilitating removal of the tool from the tubular structure.
US09309735B2

Methods and systems for facilitating actuation of downhole components by filtering actuation fluid and by preventing inoperability due to plugging. A well component is deployed downhole into a wellbore and operated via an actuator moved by a flow of fluid. A filter system is mounted in the flow of fluid to remove debris before the flow of fluid reaches the actuator. The filter system further comprises a pressure release member that opens when sufficient pressure builds up due to plugging of the filter system.
US09309733B2

A tool setting arrangement includes a mandrel, and a tool positionable at the mandrel. The tool includes, a cone, and at least one slip in operable communication with the cone configured to radially expand to set the tool when the slip is moved relative to the cone with at least a setting load. The at least one slip has a portion configured to engage with a feature of the mandrel such that movement of the mandrel relative to the cone causes the at least one slip to move relative to the cone, at least one of the portion and the feature is configured to release at a release load to disengage the mandrel from the tool. The release load is selected to be greater than the setting load.
US09309730B2

An apparatus including a coiled tubing unit coupled to a drilling rig, and an enclosure surrounding the coiled tubing unit. The coiled tubing unit may include a coiled tubing reel and a coiled tubing injector, wherein the injector may move relative to the coiled tubing reel. The coiled tubing unit is configured to move relative to the drilling rig in both longitudinal and lateral directions.
US09309726B2

An apparatus and method for remotely adjusting the hydraulic horse power per square inch (HSI) of a drill bit. The apparatus and method may allow the nozzle geometry to be varied remotely without the need to pull the drill string outside the hole. This nozzle may include a body configured to be secured within the rotary drill bit, and a fluid passage within that body that leads to an orifice. The geometry of the fluid passage may be variable, and varying it may result in a change in the nozzle HSI; this may allow drilling different rock formations to be optimized in different drilling environments. Different placements of the nozzle, such as within the inner flow passage or between the inner flow passage and annular flow passage for controlling flow profile within a wellbore, a tubular string or a flow conduit, may be envisioned.
US09309723B2

A drill bit may include a bit body including at least one blade extending at least partially over a cone region of the bit body. Additionally, the drill bit may include a plurality of cutting structures mounted to the at least one blade and a rubbing zone within the cone region of the at least one blade, wherein cutting structures within the rubbing zone have a reduced average exposure. Additionally, a method of directional drilling may include positioning a depth-of-cut controlling feature of a drill bit away from a formation to prevent substantial contact between the depth-of-cut controlling feature and rotating the drill bit off-center to form a substantially straight borehole segment. The method may also include positioning the depth-of-cut controlling feature of the drill bit into contact with the formation to control the depth-of-cut and rotating the drill bit on-center to form a substantially nonlinear borehole segment.
US09309719B2

A bracket assembly is disclosed to secure a cable bundle to a ladder rung. The bracket assembly includes a metal bracket and protective grommets. The metal bracket has a first member, side walls and second members. The first member of the metal bracket is parallel to the second members of the metal bracket. The protective grommets are secured to the metal bracket. The protective grommets have a base member, sleeves extending from the base member, a side member and a bottom member. The assembled metal bracket and protective grommets receive the ladder rung and the sleeves of the protective grommets wrap around the cable bundle positioned on the ladder rung to secure the cable bundle.
US09309718B1

The present invention is used on stepladders that are structured to provide improved lateral stability, step support and equipment/supplies support for stepladder users. The stepladder may have a step element and a support element rotatably attached at a top platform or a first step element rotatably attached to a second step element adjacent a top step. A hinged strut may be attached at opposed ends between the opposed elements intermediate the ladder top and the ladder base. A plurality of steps may be spaced apart and attached between step rails of step elements. A lateral support leg may be rotatably attached at a top end to each of the step rails intermediate a second step and a third step from the ladder top and a hinged leg strut may be attached at opposed ends between each of the support rails and lateral support legs.
US09309716B2

A transmission mechanism of a window covering includes a first lifting cord set, a second lifting cord set, and a driving cord set. The driving cord set has a cone reel and a control cord, wherein the cone reel has a gradually decreasing dimension, and the control cord winds around the cone reel and has a section left out of the headrail. The first and the second lifting cord sets each has a reel and a lifting cord, wherein the reel is driven by the cone reel, and the lifting cord has opposite ends fastened to the reel and the bottom rail respectively. The cone reel changes a speed and torque of the power transferred to the bottom rail while the user pulls the control cord to lift the bottom cord and the slats of the window covering in an efficient way.
US09309712B2

A drive apparatus for a rotor of a revolving door, wherein the drive apparatus includes a drive device, which is motion-coupled to the rotor via a drive belt. The drive apparatus further includes a tensioning device for tensioning and deflecting the drive belt, wherein the drive belt connects the drive device, the tensioning device and the rotor. The tensioning device and/or the drive device are mounted with a variable distance between one another, so that an extension of the drive belt caused by acceleration or deceleration of the rotor is compensated by varying the distance between the tensioning device and the drive device.
US09309710B2

Automatic drive systems for movable partitions may comprise a floating jamb configured to attach to panels of a movable partition and glide within a pocket. A motor may be configured to extend the movable partition. The motor may be configured for mounting in the pocket on a back side of the floating jamb opposing a front side of the floating jamb to which the panels of the movable partition are configured to attach. An electronics enclosure may be sized and configured to contain electronics to connect to the motor. The electronics enclosure may be configured for positioning in the pocket on the backside in a location offset from a location where the motor is configured to be positioned. A depth of the electronics enclosure, as measured in a direction in which the floating jamb is mounted to glide, may be less than or equal to a depth of the motor.
US09309707B2

In one embodiment a hinge assembly comprises a first hinge pin rotatable about a first axis, a first gear coupled to the first hinge pin and rotatable about the first axis, a second hinge pin rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, a second gear coupled to the second hinge pin and rotatable about the second axis, at least one connecting member to be coupled to the first hinge pin and the second hinge pin to hold the first hinge pin at a fixed distance from the second hinge pin such that the first gear is engaged with the second gear. At least one of the first gear or the second gear comprises a variable radius. Other embodiments may be described.
US09309704B2

A hinge kit can be provided. The hinge kit can comprise a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge can include a first plate having a first knuckle coupled to the first plate and a second knuckle spaced apart from the first plate. The first hinge can further include a second plate having a first knuckle and a second knuckle coupled to the second plate and a third knuckle spaced apart from the second plate. A first pin can be fixedly coupled to the first hinge. The second hinge can include a first plate having a first knuckle and a second knuckle coupled to the first plate and a second plate having a first knuckle and a second knuckle coupled to the second plate. The second hinge can further include a second pin removably coupled to the second hinge.
US09309703B2

Apparatuses and methods for securing a door. The apparatuses include a door clamp having a stop, a base attached to the stop, a jamb bracket attached to the base, and a fastener coupled to the jamb bracket. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes first and second jamb brackets attached at a hinge, a handle attached coaxially with the hinge, first and second bases extending from the jamb brackets, and first and second stops attached to the bases.
US09309702B2

A latch structure which includes a fixing mount having a side fixed to a wall and the other side with two protruding pieces that are spaced with a first spacing; a base having a side fixed to a door panel that is pivotally embedded in the wall and able to be opened or closed, and the other side with an extending bent portion; a movable body in a U-shape hinged to each of the protruding pieces, respectively, and having a gap formed therein and a second spacing between two ends thereof; and a pivoting locking portion pivotally mounted to the end of the bent portion away from the base, having a configuration and size smaller than the first and second spacings but greater than a width of the gap, and combined with a protruding lever in a length greater than the smaller of the spacings.
US09309693B2

Striker cover for use with a vehicle closure. The striker cover having two cover pieces with coaxial pivot edges, that when contacted by a latch, pivot into a cam and separate to provide access of the latch to the striker. When the vehicle closure is open, springs bias the cover pieces toward each other and into the cam, rotating the cover pieces back into a first position. In the first position the cover pieces cover the striker and obstruct the striker from view.
US09309687B2

A support apparatus includes a permanently bendable support rod having one of a pair of anchors secured to each end, and a pair of fasteners that cooperate with the anchors for connecting the support rod between an external structure, such as but not limited to a free standing pole or post, and an adjacent fixed structure such as a floor or wall. Each anchor is formed of a substantially rigid foot having inner and outer arced surfaces, an aperture formed through the foot, and a rod connector structured for securing the anchor to one end of the support rod. The pair of fasteners are each operable through the aperture of the foot of one of the anchors.
US09309679B2

Floor panels are provided with a mechanical locking system including tongue and grooves provided with protrusions and cavities which are displaceable in relation to each other.
US09309664B2

Some embodiments of masonry blocks can be used to form a wall system that provides an improved resistance to moisture penetration that might otherwise advance to an interior surface of the wall. In particular embodiments, some or all of the masonry blocks in the wall system may be equipped with one or more moisture drainage elements formed in a surface of the respective masonry block.
US09309663B2

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for insulating a component of a home or building. An insulated component may include a generally planar surface and a frame positioned atop one side of the generally planar surface. The frame may include a plurality of outer studs coupled together to form an outer periphery and inner studs that divide the frame into one or more sections. One or more of the sections may include a cavity or hollow space. The insulated component may also include a first layer of insulation within one or more of the cavities. The first layer of insulation may include a pour insulation material that transitions from a liquid state or phase to a solid state or phase.
US09309661B2

An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.
US09309660B2

An assembly comprises a first connector attached to a first hollow metal log of a building superstructure; a latch; and a second connector attached to a second hollow metal log of the superstructure. The first connector comprises a slot for receiving a projecting flange of the latch, and the second connector comprises an opening adapted to receive a cam portion of the latch. The projecting flange can be pre-engaged with the slot to form a preassembly. The engagement of the cam with the opening formed in the second connector then forms a final assembly wherein the first connector, the latch, and the second connector are latched together so that the first and second logs are interconnected and made resistant to wind uplift.
US09309656B2

A backflow resistant stop valve for an aircraft galley plumbing system comprises a valve body defining an inlet, and inlet chamber, a transfer chamber, an outlet chamber, and an exit. The valve incorporates an anti-backflow device at the exit to prevent backflow, and flow through the body is controlled by a pivoting paddle disposed within the valve body having an upper flap, a spindle, and a lower flap, where the upper flap seals against the inlet chamber and the lower flap seals against the outlet chamber when the paddle is rotated to a first position. The valve utilizes a negative pressure at the outlet chamber that biases the valve closed until a sufficient column of water overcomes the bias.
US09309646B2

A steering device for a wheel loader includes a handle for steering, a lever for steering, a steering cylinder, a steering valve that controls a direction of operating fluid to the steering cylinder, and a pump that supplies operating fluid to the steering cylinder via the steering valve. The steering device further includes a handle control valve that controls the supply direction of the operating fluid according the handle, a lever electromagnetic control valve that controls the supply direction of operating fluid according to the lever, and a handle prioritization valve that shuts off a pilot hydraulic pressure supplied from the lever electromagnetic control valve to the steering valve according to a pressure produced by operating fluid flowing through the handle control valve when the handle is operated. The handle prioritization valve includes a switching valve and a priority control valve switchable between a handle stage and a lever stage.
US09309645B2

In drive control of an operating machine configured to drive a structure by a hydraulic motor configured to be driven by operating oil supplied from a hydraulic pump an electric motor configured to cooperate with the hydraulic motor, a speed command generated based on a manipulation amount of a remote control valve configured to determine an operation amount of the structure is subjected to speed feedback control performed based on the actual rotation speed of the hydraulic motor and pressure difference feedback control performed based on an operating oil pressure difference between a suction port and discharge port of the hydraulic motor. With this, a tilting angle command is generated such that the operating oil, the amount of which is necessary at the actual rotation speed of the hydraulic motor, is ejected, and the tilting angle of the hydraulic pump is controlled.
US09309640B2

The invention is a rapid deployment oil recovery apparatus (1) comprising a number of interconnected oil recovery sections, denoted as 1−n interconnected oil recovery sections (100) comprised of a fabric or flexible material. An oil accumulator (200) is distal from the breach and an oil interceptor (300) is secured at the breach. Compression tubes (500) at the outer circumference of an oil recovery section (100) seal a leak in the oil recovery section (100) and provide lift to the oil recovery section (100). The 1−n compression tubes (500) and the compression tube sections (550) are positioned by compression tube control lines (555). An air manifold frame (150) is within the oil interceptor (300) and is comprised of air manifold frame first section (153) and 1−n air manifold frame sections (155) comprising an air manifold (160) having an air manifold fluid supply (163). Buoys (700) retain the position of the rapid deployment oil recovery apparatus (1) by interconnection of a position retaining line (710) from the buoy (700). A fluid transmission tube (910) connects with a container vessel (900).
US09309637B2

A method for applying a fast curing epoxy traffic marking composition is provided in which curing agents are coated on a carrier such as glass beads or porous silica. These carriers are dropped onto the epoxy coating and promote rapid curing of the top layer of the epoxy coating while the bottom layer is given additional time to adhere to the roadway surface. This enables the application contractor to open a marked roadway in a quicker manner with less motorist disruption.
US09309634B2

A pre-stressed concrete bridge using longitudinal load members of a single continuous beam including at least two types of concrete, one of which is ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) mix with a compressive strength exceeding 137.9 Mpa (20 ksi) and tensile strength exceeding 10.34 Mpa (1.5 ksi) in a region proximate to the support structure.
US09309631B2

Novel tools and techniques for controlling road-forming machines, such as paving machines, graders, and the like. Some techniques allow a control system of a road-forming machine to transition from receiving position data from one positioning device to receiving data from another without ceasing operation and/or while limiting any resulting discontinuity in the formed road surface to within acceptable tolerances.
US09309619B2

Material treatment is effected in a treatment region by at least two energy sources, such as (i) an atmospheric pressure plasma and (ii) an ultraviolet laser directed into the plasma and optionally onto the material being treated. Precursor materials may be dispensed before, and finishing material may be dispensed after treatment. Electrodes for generating the plasma may comprise two spaced-apart rollers. Nip rollers adjacent the electrode rollers define a semi-airtight cavity, and may have a metallic outer layer.
US09309617B2

The invention relates to a home appliance, in particular washing and/or drying machine (1), comprising a detergent feeding device (2) having at least one detergent storing compartment (4) for storing a detergent, the at least one detergent compartment (4) comprising: an outlet (12) for a detergent and water mixture, and a pivoted partition element (14) arranged in the detergent compartment (4), wherein in a first position the partition element (14) separates a partial compartment (34) in the detergent compartment (4) from the outlet (12) for storing an amount of liquid detergent in the partial compartment, and wherein in a second position the partition element (14) provides passage from the partial compartment to the outlet (12). According to the invention in the first position the partition element (14) is inclined with respect to the bottom (6) of the detergent compartment (4), such that from the first position the partition element can be pivoted to the second position only in one pivoting direction and wherein the pivoting path of the partition portion (16) of the partition element (14) from the first to the second position is partially situated in the partial compartment (34). According to another embodiment of the invention the pivoted partition element (60) has a single pivot rest (62, 64) arranged at the bottom (58) of the detergent compartment (56).
US09309602B2

The present invention relates to a method for the metallizing pretreatment of galvanized and/or alloy-galvanized steel surfaces or joined metallic components having at least some zinc surfaces, wherein a thin surface layer of iron is deposited on the zinc surfaces from an aqueous electrolyte containing water-soluble compounds that are a source of iron cations. The method is performed at least partially or continuously under application of an electrolytic voltage, the galvanized and/or alloy-galvanized steel surfaces being connected as cathode. The aqueous electrolyte additionally contains an accelerator selected from oxo acids of the elements phosphorus, nitrogen and/or sulfur, the elements phosphorus, nitrogen and/or sulfur being present in moderate oxidation states.
US09309597B2

A turbine component is provided, on which a protective layer is arranged, for example to avoid droplet impact erosion, wherein, in a first method step, a nanofilm is applied and a brazing metal is applied to the nanofilm, and the nanofilm chosen is one which, after initial ignition, leads to an exothermic reaction, whereby fusion of the brazing metal with the base material takes place to form a protective layer.
US09309595B2

The invention relates to a liquid-phase method for producing metal oxide-containing layers from nonaqueous solution. In said method, an anhydrous composition containing i) at least one metal oxo-alkoxide of generic formula MxOy(OR)z[O(R′O)cH]aXb[R″OH]d, where M=In, Ga, Sn, and/or Zn, x=3-25, y=1-10, z=3-50, a=0-25, b=0-20, c=0-1, d=0-25, R, R′, R″=organic group, X═F, Cl, Br, I, and ii) at least one solvent is applied to a substrate, is optionally dried, and is converted into a metal oxide-containing layer. The invention also relates to the layers that can be produced using the method of the invention and to the use thereof.
US09309591B2

In various embodiments, tubular sputtering targets comprising molybdenum are provided and sputtered to produce thin films comprising molybdenum. The sputtering targets may be formed by forming a tubular billet having an inner diameter IDI and an outer diameter ODI, the formation comprising pressing molybdenum powder in a mold and sintering the pressed molybdenum powder, working the tubular billet to form a worked billet having an outer diameter ODf smaller than ODI, and heat treating the worked billet. The sputtering targets may have a substantially uniform texture of (a) a 110 orientation parallel to a longitudinal direction and (b) a 111 orientation parallel to a radial direction.
US09309589B2

A coated transparency including an electrically conductive multilayer stack is disclosed. The electrically conductive multilayer stack includes a first metal oxide layer including aluminum doped zinc (AZO), a metal layer including gold, and a second metal oxide layer including AZO. The electrically conductive multilayer stack has a low sheet resistance to provide radar attenuation and anti-static or static-dissipative properties, and has greater flexibility and resistance to corrosion than conventional multilayer stacks used to coat aircraft canopies and other substrates.
US09309584B2

The present invention relates to a base material for high temperature alloy and a process for manufacturing the same. The base material includes following components (by weight): 10-45% Cr, 0.5-12% Nb, 0.7-2.5% Ti, ≦9.0% Mo, ≦8.0% W, ≦2% Mn, ≦1.0% Si, ≦2.0% Al, ≦0.5% C, ≦0.032% O, ≦0.032% N,≦0.01% S, ≦0.02% P, and balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The process for manufacturing the base material for high temperature alloy includes following steps: providing raw materials according to the target composition; charging the raw materials in a crucible uniformly layer and layer according to a certain sequence, smelting in vacuum condition; after the materials being melted completely, holding the melt at a temperature; and casting ingot, and cooling to obtain a base material for high temperature alloy.
US09309583B2

A hard composite composition comprises a binder; and a polymodal blend of matrix powder. In an embodiment, the polymodal blend of matrix powder has at least one local maxima at a particle size of 30 μm or less, at least one local maxima at a particle size of 200 μm or more, and at least one local minima between a particle size of about 30 μm to about 200 μm that has a value that is less than the local maxima at a particle size of 30 μm or less.
US09309578B2

A blast furnace operating method by blowing at least a solid reducing material into an inside of the furnace from a tuyere thereof with a lance, wherein a tube bundle-type lance formed by bundling a plurality of blowing tubes side-by-side and housing them in a main tube of the lance is used when only a solid reducing material or two kinds of a solid reducing material and a combustible gas or three kinds of a solid reducing material, a combustible gas and a gaseous reducing material are blown in the inside of the blast furnace, whereby the solid reducing material, combustible gas and gaseous reducing material are blown through the respective blowing tubes, and a tube bundle-type lance.
US09309574B1

Disclosed is the molecular cloning of HTLV-III, the adult leukemia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus. Clone BH10 contains a 9.0 Kb viral insert constituting the entire HTLV-III genome. Clones BH8 and BH5 contain viral inserts of 5.5 Kb and 3.5 Kb, respectively. These clones are suitable for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic measures for AIDS, as well as use as probes for the detection of AIDS. By scientific convention, HTLV-III, referred to herein also as HIV, has been renamed as HIV-1.
US09309573B2

The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides. The present invention further relates to the uses of these nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. For example, the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides could be used in making enzymes or used to make plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having such modulated growth or phenotype characteristics that are altered with respect to wild type plants grown under similar conditions.
US09309561B2

Extended rhodamine compounds exhibiting favorable fluorescence characteristics having the structure are disclosed. In addition, novel intermediates for synthesis of these dyes are disclosed, such intermediates having the structure In addition, methods of making and using the dyes as fluorescent labels are disclosed.
US09309555B2

A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, a fire retardant, and an encapsulant. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags containing a fire- or heat-protective element are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using sequence analysis techniques, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the seeded nucleic acids. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin.
US09309548B2

A method of producing hydrolysate from cellulosic material by adding hydrothermally treated stillage or a fraction thereof to cellulosic material, treating the mixture of hydrothermally treated stillage and cellulosic material with at least one hydrolyzing enzyme, and hydrolyzing and converting complex carbohydrates in the cellulosic material. The hydrolysate produced by the method. Ethanol, organic acids, and organism metabolites produced by the method. Biomass produced by the method. A method of increasing sugar production rate and yield of sugars from cellulosic material by adding hydrothermally treated stillage or a fraction thereof to cellulosic material, treating the mixture of hydrothermally treated stillage and cellulosic material with at least one hydrolyzing enzyme, and hydrolyzing complex carbohydrates in the cellulosic material and forming sugars.
US09309546B2

The present invention relates to the field of biotransformation of furanic compounds. More particular the present invention relates to novel genetically modified cells with improved characteristics for biocatalytic transformation of furanic compounds and a vector suitable for the genetic modification of a host cell. Further aspects of the invention are aimed at processes for biotransformation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (HMF-acid) and its precursors with the use of the cell according to the invention.
US09309542B2

This disclosure describes recombinant Caldicellulosiruptor bescii microbes designed to produce greater amounts of acetate, H2, and/or ethanol than a comparable wild type control. this disclosure also describes methods that generally include growing such recombinant microbes under conditions effective for the recombinant microbes to produce acetate, H2, and/or ethanol.
US09309541B2

Strains of cyanobacteria that produce high levels of alpha ketoglutarate (AKG) and pyruvate are disclosed herein. Methods of culturing these cyanobacteria to produce AKG or pyruvate and recover AKG or pyruvate from the culture are also described herein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides that function as ethylene-forming enzymes and their use in the production of ethylene are further disclosed herein. These nucleic acids may be expressed in hosts such as cyanobacteria, which in turn may be cultured to produce ethylene.
US09309539B2

A system for the production of ethanol is disclosed. The system comprises a system for recycling water in an ethanol production process. The system may comprise: a water supply that supplies water to the ethanol production process, a cooling tower system that supplies water to the ethanol production process, and a treatment system that supplies water to the ethanol production process. The treatment system may be a reverse osmosis system that supplies a retentate stream to the ethanol production process.
US09309534B2

New gene therapy constructions and compositions are the subject of present invention. The gene therapy compositions consist in adeno-associated vectors which jointly express insulin (Ins) and glucokinase (Gck) genes. The new gene therapy constructions are useful for treatment of diabetes either in dogs or human beings.
US09309533B2

The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid DRD 8579 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid DRD 8579 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US09309514B2

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Gpr17 expressed in hypothalamic Agouti-related peptide-expressing (AgRP) neurons increases appetite and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. By contrast, increasing Gpr17 reduced glucose tolerance and increased appetite. Gpr17-agonists had no effect on FoxO1-deficient mice, indicating, together with other data, that Gpr17 is a FoxO1 target. Certain embodiments are directed to methods for reducing appetite, increasing glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and treating diabetes by administering Gpr17 antagonists or inhibitory oligonucleotides. Appetite can be increased by administering Gpr17 agonists.
US09309512B2

This invention discloses recombinant DNA constructs encoding phased small RNAs useful in regulating expression of one or more genes of interest. Also disclosed by this invention are transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing a recombinant DNA construct of this invention.
US09309508B2

A boronic or borinic acid compound is used to inhibit the activity of a sulfenic acid-containing protein. Thus, a biologically-active sulfenic acid-containing protein is contacted with an activity-inhibiting effective amount of a boronic or borinic acid compound of Formula I or a salt, hydrate or solvate thereof, whose components are disclosed within, and that contact is maintained for a time sufficient to inhibit the biological activity of the protein.
US09309499B2

The present invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using a fusion protein comprising a superoxide dismutase and a transit peptide. The present invention also discloses pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using the fusion protein in combination with other antiretroviral agents for treating patients with AIDS or HTV infection.
US09309493B2

The present invention relates to Salmonella enterica comprising at least one pgl operon of Campylobacter jejuni or a functional derivative thereof and presenting at least one N-glycan of Campylobacter jejuni or N-glycan derivative thereof on its cell surface. In addition, it is directed to medical uses and pharmaceutical compositions thereof as well as methods for treating and/or preventing Campylobacter and optionally Salmonella infections and methods for producing these Salmonella strains.
US09309491B2

A multilayered cell culture apparatus for the co-culturing of at least two cell types is disclosed. The cell co-culture apparatus is defined as an integral structure having a plurality of cell culture chambers in combination with tracheal space(s). The body of the apparatus has imparted therein gas permeable membranes in combination with tracheal spaces that will allow the free flow of gases between some cell culture chambers and the external environment. In addition, some cell culture chambers may have limited access to air creating relatively lower oxygen content cell culture chambers. The size of the apparatus, and location of an optional neck section, allows for its manipulation by standard automated assay equipment, further making the apparatus amenable to high throughput applications.
US09309488B2

Cured or uncured silicones are effectively removed from substrates with minimized substrate corrosion by the use of a silicone dissolver containing a tetralkylammonium fluoride and an inorganic base, dissolved in a solvent.
US09309486B2

The problem of the present invention is provision of a cleansing composition providing good amount and good quality of lather. Using a particular alkenoic acid or a salt thereof, the above-mentioned problem can be solved. In addition, the cleansing composition provided by the present invention is stable in various formulations and also useful for rough skin and damaged hair.
US09309469B2

Material delivery systems and methods are disclosed. Material delivery system includes delivery vessel, metering device, dispense mechanism, and mixer. The delivery vessel is configured to dispense material to a unit and metering device provides a metric indicative of the dispensed material to the unit. The dispense mechanism is configured to couple the delivery vessel to the unit. The mixer is coupled to the delivery vessel and configured to sufficiently mix the material with an activating agent. The method includes dispensing metered material from a dispense mechanism of a delivery vessel coupled to a mixer, wherein a metric is indicative of the dispensed material to the unit; sufficiently mixing the metered material with an activating agent in the mixer to activate the material, the mixer coupled to the unit; and delivering the activated material to the unit via the mixer. Systems and method also include providing material to plurality of units.
US09309446B2

The present invention relates to a photosensitive adhesive composition that has thermal press bondability to an adherent after being patterned by exposure and development and enables alkali development, wherein a storage elastic modulus at 110° C. after exposure and further heat curing is not less than 10 MPa.
US09309433B2

The disclosure relates to a coating composition comprising a component A comprising one or more acrylic polymers having one or more chemically crosslinkable functional groups X selected from hydroxyl, thiol, isocyanate, epoxy, acid, thioisocyanate, acetoacetoxy, carboxyl, amine, anhydride, ketimine, aldimine, or urethane group; and a component B comprising one or more monomers or oligomers having one or more functional groups Y that react with the functional groups X to form a crosslink and one or more radiation crosslinkable functional groups D which are radiation crosslinkable ethylenically unsaturated double bonds; wherein said functional groups X and Y are pair-wise selected from hydroxyl and isocyanate groups, thiol and isocyanate groups, epoxy and acid groups, epoxy and isocyanate groups, isocyanate and amine groups, or isocyanate and urethane groups. This disclosure is also directed to a method of using said coating composition to coat a substrate including a vehicle, a vehicle body or parts thereof.
US09309425B2

An ink comprising an encapsulated particulate solid and a liquid vehicle wherein: I) the encapsulated particulate solid comprises a particulate solid encapsulated with a cross-linked dispersant shell; and II) the ink comprises the components: a. from 0.1 to 20 parts of the encapsulated particulate solid; b. from 20 to 40 parts of glycerol; c. from 1 to 30 parts of ethylene glycol; d. from 0 to 20 parts of 2-pyrrolidone; e. from 0.01 to 3 parts of surfactant; f. from 0 to 10 parts of water-soluble polymer; g. from 0 to 20 parts of polymer particles; h. from 0 to 2 parts of biocide; i. from 20 to 75 parts of water; wherein all the parts are by weight and the sum of the components a. to i. is 100 parts.
US09309423B2

A ink composition for ink jet recording in which a non-absorbent or low absorbent recording medium is used includes water; a color material; a surfactant; a compound I represented by general formula (I) below; and does not substantially include alkyl polyols with a standard boiling point of 280° C. or higher; in which the surfactant is at least one type selected from a group consisting of a fluorine-based surfactant and a siloxane-based surfactant with 5 or more siloxane units [In general formula (I), n represents an integer of 45 or higher to 230 or lower, each R1 independently represents an unmodified, an ether-modified, a polyester-modified, an epoxy-modified, an amine-modified, a carboxyl-modified, a fluorine-modified, an alkyloxy-modified, a mercapto-modified, a (meth)acryl-modified, a phenol-modified, a phenyl-modified, a carbinol-modified or an aralkyl-modified hydrocarbon group.].
US09309416B2

A solid material or an oily material for forming an organic thin film is produced by hydrolyzing and condensing at least one kind of organic metal compound expressed by Formula (1) in a lower alcohol-based solvent in the presence of water and an acid with a concentration of 0.5% to 5% by mass, or in a solvent that contains at least an aliphatic ether based or aliphatic ketone based solvent and an acid content of 0.1 to 20 moles acid per mole of the organic metal compound, in the resultant reaction solution. The solid material or oily material that is obtained is dissolved in an organic solvent, and a substrate is brought into contact with a solution that is obtained to form a highly functional organic thin film on the substrate.[Chemical Formula 1] R1nMXm−n  (I)
US09309413B2

Disclosed are a thermal spray coating material which greatly improves corrosion resistance, as compared to conventional Al2O3 and Y2O3 crystalline coatings and Al—Y—O and Al—Zr—O amorphous thermal spray coatings, a production method of the coating material, and a coating method using the same. The thermal spray coating material has a chemical formula of Y2xZr1−xOx+2, where x ranges from 0.19 to 0.83, preferably from 0.35 to 0.69. Accordingly, it is possible to produce a coating material for use in a chamber of vacuum plasmas equipment or internal parts of the chamber can be produced, which improves the corrosion resistance of a protective coating film upon ceramic thermal spray coating and lengthens the lifespan of parts.
US09309410B2

Disclosed is a compound of the formula wherein Ra and Rb each, independently of the other, are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is other than hydrogen, and R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 each, independently of the others, are alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, or a substituent other than hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, wherein in each case alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl may or may not be substituted and may or may not have hetero atoms therein, and wherein two or more of R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 can be joined together to form a ring.
US09309392B2

The reinforced polymer composites from recycled plastic are polymer blends made from recycled polymers that are reinforced with glass fibers and mica. In particular, the reinforced polymer composites are blends of recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) with a mica filler that are reinforced with glass fibers, where the low-density polyethylene forms between 30 wt % and 35 wt % of the composite, the high-density polyethylene forms between 15 wt % and 17.5 wt % of the composite, the polypropylene forms between 15 wt % and 17.5 wt % of the composite, the glass fibers form between 15 wt % and 40 wt % of the composite, and the mica forms up to 15 wt % of the structural element. The resultant reinforced polymer composite has a relatively high heat deflection temperature, good mechanical properties (such as increased stiffness and strength), improved thermal stability, and is cost effective to manufacture.
US09309382B2

Disclosed is a graphene polymer composite material, including a matrix resin, a filler and a plurality of nano-scaled graphene sheets. Each nano-scaled graphene sheet has a surface-modified layer formed of a surface modifying agent, which provides hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups used to form chemical bonds with the matrix resin and the filler, thereby greatly improving strength of junction cohesion. The filler helps the graphene sheets to contact each other so as so to increase overall electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. Since the graphene sheets are uniformly dispersed in the matrix resin, the composite material of the present invention possesses excellent mechanical property, anti-oxidation, acid-base resistance, high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. Therefore, the composite material is suitable for the industries in need of high performance material.
US09309367B2

Disclosed is a porous membrane comprising a cellulosic material and a copolymer of the formula: A-B-A (I) or A-B (II), wherein block A, for example, polyglycerol, a polymer of allyl glycidyl ether, or a copolymer of glycidol and allyl glycidyl ether, or a polymer of allyl glycidyl ether or a copolymer of glycidol and allyl glycidyl ether wherein one or more allyl groups having been replaced by hydrophilic groups. Also disclosed is a method for preparing such a membrane.
US09309364B2

A method for preparing a conjugated microporous polymer comprises the coupling of an alkynyl aryl monomer having a plurality of terminal alkyne groups with an iodo- or bromo-aryl monomer having a plurality of halogen atoms in the presence of a palladium (0) catalyst. The conjugated microporous polymer comprises nodes comprising at least one aryl unit and struts comprising at least one alkyne unit and at least one aryl unit, wherein a node is bonded from its aryl unit or units to at least two struts via alkyne units. Such polymers are useful in numerous areas such as separations, controlled release, gas storage and supports for catalysts.
US09309361B2

The present invention provides an automobile interior sheet using a bioresin that includes: 5 to 100 parts by weight of a bioresin prepared from a starch extracted from at least one natural plant selected from the group consisting of corn, potato, sweet potato, sugar cane, bamboo, or similarities thereof; 30 to 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) resin or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resin; 5 to 40 parts by weight of a compatibilizer; 0.1 to 1.5 part by weight of a lubricant; and 0.5 to 5 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent.
US09309360B2

The present invention pertains to an optical film for use as a quarter wave plate (QWP) having a normal wavelength dispersion curve. More specifically, this invention relates to a quarter wave plate based on cellulose ester polymer and fused ring additives.
US09309357B2

A new synthetic method of forming free radical polymerizable end terminal functionalized poloxamers and poloxamines in commercial scale batches which uses a binary system of inhibitors to eliminate the formation of high molecular weight impurities. It has also been surprisingly discovered that the inorganic impurities formed during the commercial scale synthetic process are removed by the use of resin materials.
US09309348B2

Provided is an adhesive composition for use in an optical film, which is used for adhering an optical film, shows excellent durability even in a high temperature and high humidity environment, and prevents the occurrence of white spots, and also provided is an optical film with an adhesive. The adhesive composition contains (A) an acrylic copolymer containing a reactive functional group, (B) an isocyanate compound, and (C) a compound having a hydroxy group and a rosin skeleton.
US09309342B2

An anionic polyelectrolyte resulting from the polymerization, for 100% by mass of: a) a mass ratio ≧70% and ≦98.5% of monomeric units from a monomer with a strong acid function; b) a mass ratio ≧0.5% and ≦10%, —either of a monomer of formula (1a) : R—(CH2)3-Si(CH2)2-[0-Si(CH3)2-]nO—Si(CH3)2—(CH2)3—R (1a), wherein R represents the monovalent radical: -(0-CH2-CH2-)x[0-CH2—CH(CH3)-]yO—C(═0)-CH═CH2;—or (Ib): Si(CH3)3-[0-Si(CH3)2-]m[0-Si(CH3)[(CH2)3—R]—]pO—Si(CH2)3 (Ib), c) a mass ratio ≧1% and ≦20% of a monomer of formula (II) : CH2═CH(R1)-C(═0)-0-(CH2)n-CF3 (II), formula (I) wherein radical Ri represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical, and n is equal to 1, 2 or 3; d) optionally a mass ratio >0% and ≦5% of monomeric units from a monomer of formula (III): R2—C(═0)-0-[(CH2—CH(R4)-0]m-R3 (III), e) optionally a mass ratio >0% and ≦5% of a cross-linking monomer, method for its preparation and use as a thickener in topical compositions.
US09309341B2

The present invention relates to a curable jettable fluid for making a flexographic printing master characterized in that the jettable fluid has a viscosity measured at jetting temperature of less than 15 mPa·s and comprises at least 50 wt. % of a mixture of a cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer, a monofunctional urethane acrylate oligomer and a difunctional (meth)acrylate monomer.
US09309334B2

A propylene-based impact copolymer (ICP) and composition including the ICP, the ICP comprising a polypropylene homopolymer and within the range of from 10 wt % to 45 wt % of propylene copolymer based on the weight of the ICP, wherein the copolymer comprises from 20 wt % to 44 wt % ethylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene and/or 1-octene derived units and from 80 to 56 wt % propylene-derived units based on the weight of the propylene copolymer, the propylene-based impact copolymer having a Melt Flow Rate (230° C./2.16 kg) within the range of from 10 g/10 min to 50 g/10 min and an Elongation at Break of greater than 70%.
US09309332B2

The invention provides novel polymer compositions and methods for preparing such compositions. The invention also provides methods for polymerizing various unsaturated monomers, including naturally occurring or plant biomass-derived renewable acrylic monomers. The monomers can be rapidly polymerized using various organic catalysts or organometallic catalysts, as described herein. In one embodiment, nearly perfectly isotactic polymers (mmmm>99%) can be prepared using a C2-symmetric zirconocenium catalyst.
US09309330B2

An oxolanyl compound-containing composition comprising specified amounts of the meso-isomer of one or more of the oxolanyl compounds of specified structure is provided. Also provided are methods for the use of such compositions as vinyl content modifiers in polymerization processes.
US09309322B2

The present invention is directed to particular antibodies and fragments thereof that find use in the detection, prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with abnormal angiogenesis. In particular, these antibodies detect tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) in its native and cell-surface expressed form. Also disclosed are improved methods for producing monoclonal antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits.
US09309317B2

The present invention relates to antigen binding molecules (ABMs). In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, primatized or humanized antibodies specific for human EGFR. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such ABMs, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the ABMs of the invention, and to methods of using these ABMs in treatment of disease. In addition, the present invention relates to ABMs with modified glycosylation having improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased Fc receptor binding and increased effector function.
US09309303B2

The present disclosure relates generally to novel methods and compositions for using engineered reprogramming factor(s) for the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) through a kinetically controlled process. Specifically, this disclosure relates to establishing combinations of reprogramming factors, including fusions between conventional reprogramming factors with transactivation domains, optimized for reprogramming various types of cells. More specifically, the exemplary methods disclosed herein can be used for creating induced pluripotent stem cells from various mammalian cell types, including human fibroblasts. Exemplary methods of feeder-free derivation of human induced pluripotent stem cells using synthetic messenger RNA are also disclosed.
US09309296B2

Stimulation of target cells using light, e.g., in vivo or in vitro, is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. One example involves a vector for delivering a light-activated molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence that codes for light-activated molecule. The light-activated molecule includes a modification to a location near the all-trans retinal Schiff base, e.g., to extends the duration time of the open state. Other aspects and embodiments are directed to systems, methods, kits, compositions of matter and molecules for ion channels or pumps or for controlling currents in a cell (e.g., in vivo or in vitro environments).
US09309292B2

The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a brain cancer cell and/or across the blood-brain barrier. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transport peptides derived from Neisseria outer membrane proteins, such as Laz. The invention also provides synthetic transit peptides comprised of the pentapeptide AAEAP. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer, and specifically brain cancer, as well as other brain-related conditions. Further, the invention provides methods of imaging and diagnosing cancer, particular brain cancer.
US09309282B2

Proteins are purified by a mixed-mode chromatography system formed by attaching a ligand with cation exchange and hydrophobic functionalities to a large-pore support matrix, the only linkage between the ligand and the support matrix being a chain having a backbone of no more than three atoms between the hydrophobic group and the support matrix.
US09309281B2

In one aspect, methods relate to the field of recombinant DNA therapeutics. Methods may involve bio-informatics design, synthesis of artificial genes for a human insulin precursor having a leader peptide coding sequence, cloning artificial genes into an expression vector, and expression in an organism such as one selected from the genus Pichia. In another aspect, methods may include downstream processing for obtaining protein precursor molecules and subsequent conversion of protein precursor molecules to functional proteins.
US09309280B2

The present invention relates to a process for the purification of an antibody fragment from a periplasmic cell extract comprising a first cation exchange chromatography step and a second anion exchange chromatography step.
US09309279B2

The present invention relates to novel macrocyclic compounds and methods of treating a hepatitis C infection in a subject in need of such therapy with said macrocyclic compounds. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
US09309275B2

Provided herein are compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of Flaviviridae infections, including HCV infections. In certain embodiments, compounds and compositions of nucleoside derivatives are disclosed, which can be administered either alone or in combination with other anti-viral agents. In certain embodiments, the compounds are 3′-deoxy nucleoside compounds according to Formula 3001a or 3001b: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomeric forms, tautomeric forms, or polymorphic forms thereof, wherein PD, Base1 and Base2 are as provided herein.
US09309261B2

Disclosed is a compound of formula I: wherein R1?, R2?, R3?, R4?, R5?, n and m are defined herein. The compound of formula I is prepared by a concise, catalytic enantioselective formal hetero-Diels-Alder (hDA) reactions of enones with isatins and is useful for making pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of proliferative diseases.
US09309253B2

The present invention relates to tricyclic pyrrolo derivatives which modulate the activity of protein kinases and are therefore useful in treating diseases caused by dysregulated protein kinase activity. The present invention also provides methods for preparing these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of treating diseases utilizing such these compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US09309250B2

The present invention relates to pyrrolopyrazines compounds useful as inhibitors of ATR protein kinase. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of this invention; methods of treating of various diseases, disorders, and conditions using the compounds of this invention; processes for preparing the compounds of this invention; intermediates for the preparation of the compounds of this invention; and methods of using the compounds in in vitro applications, such as the study of kinases in biological and pathological phenomena; the study of intracellular signal transduction pathways mediated by such kinases; and the comparative evaluation of new kinase inhibitors.The compounds of this invention have formula I: wherein the variables are as defined herein.
US09309248B2

Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein W, Y, Z, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described in this application, and methods of using the compounds in the treatment of cancer.
US09309247B2

The present invention provides 2-substituted imidazo[4,5-d]phenanthroline compounds, which are capable of inhibiting proliferation of one or more renal cancer cells, pancreatic cancer cells, prostate cancer cells, colon cancer cells, leukemia cells, brain cancer/tumor cells or non-small cell lung cancer cells.
US09309240B2

The invention provides compounds of Formula I, stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein A, X, R1, R2, R4 and R5 are defined herein, a pharmaceutical composition that includes a compound of Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle, and methods of using the compound or composition in therapy.
US09309239B2

The present application relates to novel substituted 6-fluoro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridines, to processes for preparation thereof, to the use thereof, alone or in combinations, for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to the use thereof for preparing Medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially for treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders.
US09309238B2

Embodiments relate to the field of chemistry and biochemistry, and, more specifically, to imidazopyridine compounds, synthesis thereof, and methods of using same. Disclosed herein are various imidazo[1,2-a]pyhdine compounds and methods of using the novel compounds to treat or prevent tuberculosis in a subject or to inhibit fungal growth on plant species. Other embodiments include methods of synthesizing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine compounds, such as the disclosed imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine compounds.
US09309234B2

This application describes compounds that can act as opioid receptor ligands, which compounds can be used in the treatment of, for example, pain and pain related disorders.
US09309232B2

Antibacterial IspF inhibitor compounds and compositions are described. Methods include administering described compounds and compositions to treat bacterial or parasitic infections and to inhibit or parasite or bacterial growth.
US09309231B2

Provided herein is a compound having Formula (I), or a stereoisomer, a geometric isomer, a tautomer, an N-oxide, a hydrate, a solvate, a metabolite, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, which can be used for treating HCV infection or a HCV disorder. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds disclosed herein, which can be used for treating HCV infection or a HCV disorder.
US09309230B2

The present invention relates to oligooxopiperazines and their use. Methods for preparing oligooxopiperazines are also disclosed.
US09309228B2

The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), which has valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibiting effect on signal transduction mediated by tyrosine kinases, processes for stereoselectively preparing these compounds, particularly pharmaceutical formulations suitable for inhalation and their use for the treatment of diseases, particularly tumoral diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia and diseases of the lungs and airways.
US09309224B2

Described are compounds of Formula 1 which find utility in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and metabolic bone disorders through inhibition of c-FMS (CSF-1R), c-KIT, and/or PDGFR kinases. These compounds also find utility in the treatment of other mammalian diseases mediated by c-FMS, c-KIT, or PDGFR kinases.
US09309217B2

Methods to access 2-aryl chromene compounds via an asymmetric catalytic process.
US09309185B2

A process has been developed for preparing 2-methoxymethyl-1,4-benzenediamine (IV-a), other compounds of formula (IV), and the salts thereof, all of which may be used as primary intermediates in compositions for dyeing keratin fibers.
US09309178B2

The present invention is concerned with a process for preparing acetals and ketals which comprises (i) reacting an aldehyde or ketone with an alcohol in the presence of a solid acid at a temperature of below −40° C., and (ii) removing water and lower aliphatic alcohol and/or sugar alcohol from the reaction product by pervaporation.
US09309177B2

The process of the present invention comprises reacting an aldehyde or ketone with an alcohol in the presence of a solid acid, and removing water and methanol from the reaction product by pervaporation, characterized in that a membrane having a flux density for water of 0.04 to 2.8 kg/(hm2) is used to remove the water and another membrane having a flux density for methanol of 2.0 to 100 kg/(hm2) is used to remove the methanol.
US09309167B2

The invention describes a process for oligomerization of olefins into compounds or into a mixture of compounds of general formula CpH2p with 4≦p≦80 that employs a catalytic composition that comprises at least one organometallic complex of an element of group IV that is selected from titanium, zirconium, and hafnium, wherein the organometallic complex contains at least one alkoxy-type ligand that is functionalized by a heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur, or by an aromatic group.
US09309164B2

The present invention provides a method for purifying organic chemical-containing contaminated substances by which various organic chemicals (contaminants) can be readily and sufficiently decomposed in a short time, the method comprising the steps of adding a metal salt and a transition metal ionic compound to water or soil that contains organic chemicals, decomposing the organic chemicals by irradiating with light, and separating/collecting the detoxified organic chemicals.
US09309163B1

The present invention provides a method to increase phosphorus uptake in plants. This can be accomplished by mining phosphorus both in the free and bound state from the soil solution surrounding the roots of a plant. The process of mining involves the release of phosphorus from the bound state and the solubilization of unbound phosphorus to facilitate uptake by the roots of a plant. The mining of phosphorus can be accomplished by providing a phosphorus solubilizing compound having: i) at least one natural root acid; ii) at least one vitamin and iii) at least one crystalline carbohydrate, to a portion of a plant. The phosphorus solubilizing compound can be applied to plants to extract available phosphorus from the soil. This product can be either a soluble liquid or a solid.
US09309160B2

A manufacturing method for ceramic tile products comprises the steps of providing a green body and sintering the green body. The green body has a composition comprising gypsum ranging from 15 to 35% weight of the green body and a subsidiary material ranging from 65 to 85% weight of the green body.
US09309159B2

A thermostructural composite material part including carbon or ceramic fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix having at least one thin portion in which: the thickness of the part is less than 2 mm, or indeed less than 1 mm; the fiber reinforcement is made as a single thickness of multilayer fabric made of spread yarns having a weight of not less than 200 tex; the fiber volume ratio lies in the range 25% to 45%; and the ratio between the number of layers of the multilayer fabric and the thickness in millimeters of the part is not less than four.
US09309156B2

Transparent spinel ceramics, as they can be used, for example, as protective ceramics, and to a method for the production thereof.Transparent spinel ceramics which preferably contain no visible defects and which have an in-line transmission of more than 82% in wavelength ranges of infrared light, measured between 1000 nm and 2500 nm, at sample thicknesses≧3 mm.Spinel ceramics transparent in wavelength ranges of infrared light which are composed of sintered magnesium aluminum spinel having an average structural grain size of ≦10 μm and having maximally 0.5 mass % overall of homogeneously distributed additives of calcium and/or strontium and/or barium which are present in a concentration, expressed respectively as an oxide, of 0.005 to <0.2 mass % CaO and/or 0.005 to <0.5 mass % SrO and/or 0.005 to <0.5 mass % BaO.
US09309148B2

An area S (m2) of a facing surface of each of injectors which faces a glass ribbon is set so as to satisfy: S≦(0.0116×P×Cg×T)/{ε×F×σ(Tgla4−Tinj4)}, wherein P is an output (ton/day) of the glass ribbon; Cg is a specific heat (J/(kg·° C.)) of the glass; T is an acceptable temperature drop (° C.); ε is radiation factor; F is a surface-to-surface view factor; σ is Boltzmann's constant; Tgla is a temperature (K) of the glass ribbon represented by K=(Tin+Tout)/2 where Tin and Tout are measured values of the glass ribbon at the inlet and outlet of the injector, respectively; and Tinj is a temperature (K) of the facing surface of the injector.
US09309147B2

The invention relates to a coating of glass with thermochromic vanadium dioxide. The coloration of the vanadium dioxide is shifted from bronze to neutral (colorless) by a doping with alkaline earth metals, for example Ca, Sr and Br. The thermochromic effect is maintained at the same time.
US09309142B2

A mold-supporting system for a machine for forming hollow glassware, includes a supporting structure, a first carriage and a second carriage, which are slidably mounted respectively on a first bar and a second bar of the supporting structure, and carry, respectively, a first mold-carrier arm and a second mold-carrier arm. A mutual displacement of the first and second carriages between a position where they are set close to one another and a corresponding position where they are set apart is controlled. On one between the first and second carriages, means are provided for guiding the other between the first and second carriages during their mutual displacement.
US09309137B2

Scale inhibitor compositions and methods of inhibiting scale formation generally include a tagged scale inhibiting (co)polymer including at least one scale inhibiting moiety and an imidazole moiety. The imidazole moiety fluoresces at a wavelength of about 424 nm and can be used to detect the amount of scale inhibitor present.
US09309135B2

A delivery system for water enhancements according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to provide a controlled amount of a water enhancement to a water supply. In one embodiment, the delivery system comprises an enhancing device that operates under pressure to provide a controlled rate of diffusion of an enhancing element into the water supply to form an enhanced water supply for use or consumption. The delivery system may also be configured to buffer the enhanced water supply prior to use or consumption.
US09309133B2

A device and process are disclosed for the separate removal of oppositely charged ions from electrolyte solutions and recombining them to form new chemical compositions. The invention provides the ability to create multiple ion flow channels and then form new chemical compositions therefrom. The process is accomplished by selectively combining oppositely charged ions of choice from different electrolyte solutions via the capacitive behavior of high electrical capacitance electrodes confined in insulated containers.
US09309127B2

A reagent is provided for removing mercury (Hg). The reagent contains metal carbonates compound with layers structure. The contents of metals of reagent can be adjusted using this method. The reagent can be manufactured with kilogram grade per batch. The common ions, like Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, etc., can be contained in the reagent. The manufacture method provides a low-cost way for the Hg sorbent and the content ratio of metal oxides can be higher than 50 wt %. The manufacture is operated at a temperature more than 200° C. and can be integrated with existing technology such as denitration catalysts in industry for removing Hg. In another word, the present invention fabricates a mercury-removing reagent of metal-M/aluminum carbonates (M-Al—CO3), which can be potentially combined with commercially selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts for developing medium-high-temperature mercury-removing reagent with mercury-removing efficiency further enhanced.
US09309121B2

The preset invention is a hierarchically-structured carbon microbead and method for forming the microbead utilizing hydrothermal carbonization of a biomass/catalyst mixture to produce partially carbonized amorphous microspheres, wherein the biomass is an inexpensive material containing a high oxygen content component (e.g., sugar, starch, alcohol), and the catalyst is a metal or metal-containing compound, preferably a transition metal compound, and more specifically a transition metal selected from Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt. Subsequently, a heat treatment is performed where the amorphous microspheres are heated to a temperature that is sufficiently high so as to result in carbonization, graphitization, and production of a carbonaceous coating or shell on the core of the microbead.
US09309115B2

A method for purifying biomass syngas under a positive pressure. The method includes: 1) aerating a pyrolysis gasifier by using an oxidation fan; 2) introducing syngas produced in the pyrolysis gasifier through a water-cooling flue to a water-cooling quench tower; 3) introducing the syngas from the water-cooling quench tower to a waste heat boiler of a water-tube type and a waste heat boiler of a heat-tube type; 4) introducing the syngas from the waste heat boiler of the heat-tube type to a Venturi scrubber in the absence of a filler to wash the syngas and remove dust; 5) introducing the syngas from the Venturi scrubber to a wet electrical dust precipitator for further removing the dust; and 6) transporting qualified syngas to a wet gas tank for storage or to a downstream process for use.
US09309113B2

A rhenium (Re) nanostructure is described. The rhenium nanostructure is an elongated nanostructure, such as, nanowire, nanorod, nanotube, branched nanostructure, and hollow nanostructure. The Re nanostructure may be a binary Re-metal nanotube, a binary Re-metal nanowire, and a binary Re-metal nanorod. The binary Re-metal nanostructure is a nanostructure composed of Re and at least one metal or non-metal. The metal may be In, Sn, Sb, Pb, and/or Bi. The nanostructure is in powder or in liquid form.
US09309100B2

Disclosed are various embodiments of an apparatus in the form of a cartridge opener for bottles and methods of using the same. Preferable embodiments of the apparatus are in the form of rifle cartridges. Further disclosed is a cartridge bottle opener featuring a unique opener with a tooth that is properly sized, weighted and cut in dimensions that are best suited for rapid entry of a beverage and removal of a bottle cap.
US09309084B2

An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a main body including a first discharge tray configured to receive a sheet conveyed out from the image forming unit, and a resin frame, the main body being configured to support a sheet discharge unit attached thereto, the sheet discharge unit including a second discharge tray configured to receive a sheet conveyed out of the main body through the image forming unit, and an insertion member, a metal bracket attached to the frame, the bracket having an opening into which the insertion member of the sheet discharge unit is inserted when the sheet discharge unit is attached to the main body.
US09309081B2

A device for controlling web tension is disclosed. The device includes a carriage in which a first guide roller is spaced from a second guide roller by a frame. The carriage or frame pivots about a pivot location. A moving web is threaded through the carriage in a serpentine path. Rotation of the carriage or frame causes web displacement. When tension disturbances occur in the moving web, the device rotates for accumulating or releasing the web material and thereby dampening tension variations downstream. The pivot dancer device can be placed in a communication with a controller for open loop control or closed loop feedback control.
US09309058B2

A routing module capable of conveying incoming articles from a plurality of infeed conveyor zones to a plurality of discharge conveyors is controlled efficiently to avoid gridlock. The control logic may consider upstream fullness and downstream fullness conditions. Articles may be conveyed to alternative destinations to avoid upstream articles from being delayed due to the lack of availability of the desired destination path for an article.
US09309051B2

An order-picking installation, a method for order picking and an order-picking system for the purpose of fully automated repacking of stock-keeping units from an inbound unit having a plurality of identical stock-keeping units into an outbound unit having a plurality of different stock-keeping units. The installation, method and system includes a separating station for separating the stock-keeping units, which are delivered in an inbound unit composed of a plurality of identical items, into stock-keeping units and/or sub-units of several stock-keeping units, a small-parts store including a storage location for each type of stock-keeping unit, with an item-storing position and an item-retrieval position, and a stacking and/or packaging station for assembling different stock-keeping units and/or sub-units in an outbound unit.
US09309042B2

A liquid dispensing syringe and method for reducing piston bounce includes a barrel and a piston. The barrel defines an interior reservoir having an inner surface. The piston is disposed within the interior reservoir and has a proximal end and an elastic portion configured to expand under the influence of a pressurized gas. A first circumferentially extending wiper seal is positioned on the piston. The first wiper seal liquidly seals against the inner surface. A second circumferentially extending wiper seal is positioned on the piston proximally from the first wiper seal on the elastic portion. As such, the expanding elastic portion forces the second wiper seal to fluidly sealing against the inner surface for inhibiting the pressurized gas from flowing distally beyond the second wiper seal in order to reduce piston bounce.
US09309035B2

A self-standing liquid package bag provided with flat film valve is provided at a single use form by self-standing a liquid package bag with a film valve having a one-way function without being required to house and fix in another outer package vessel and obstructing the one-way function of the film valve. The self-standing liquid package bag of the invention is formed by protrudingly disposing a flat film valve having a one-way function, which is subjected to a wetting treatment at full inner faces in a pouring path and a portion adjacent to a fused part near to the pouring path, on an upper part or top part of at least one side edge of a bag body portion and disposing a self-standable bottom portion at bottom thereof.
US09309034B2

A carton for multiple containers having a height HC in which the carton has a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, and first and second opposed end panels that form a closed carton. The carton has a transport orientation with the carton resting on the bottom panel such that containers are supportable on their ends in an upright position. The carton has a first dispensing configuration in which the carton is restable on one of the front and back panels and the containers are restable on their sides. A hinge on the bottom panel divides the bottom panel into two bottom panel portions. With the carton in the first dispensing configuration, the two bottom panel portions are in a common plane and the hinge is oriented in the vertical direction.
US09309031B2

An injection molded polymeric household bottle cap made of a polypropylene composition comprising: particulate CaCO3; additive; and polypropylene; wherein the polypropylene composition in its solid form and with average wall thickness T has a flexural modulus, measured according to ASTM D790-07, being at least 95% of the flexural modulus measured on a reference polypropylene composition being substantially free of CaCO3 and having average wall thickness of at least T+10%.
US09309027B2

A peelable sealing structure includes a sealing layer and one or more optional additional layers. The peelable sealing structure includes a sealing surface that is formable into a peelable seal upon contact with a sealing substrate at all temperatures in a peelable seal temperature range. Moreover, the peelable sealing structure comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an additive dispersed within at least a portion of the thermoplastic polymer with the peelable sealing structure defining the sealing surface.
US09309019B2

Disclosed is a method for sterilizing adhesive 1.1-disubstituted alkylene monomer compositions, including alpha-cyanoacrylates, using low dose gamma irradiation.
US09309016B2

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of automatic container orientation systems. Also disclosed are methods for automatically orienting containers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for automatically orienting containers generally includes one or more cameras, a controller, and an orientation unit. The one or more cameras are configured to obtain data relating to an orientation of at least one container to be included in a package. The controller is in communication with the one or more cameras for receiving the data and is configured to use the data to determine an amount of rotation needed for the at least one container to orient the at least one container in a desired final orientation. The orientation unit is configured to rotate the at least one container by the determined amount of rotation to thereby orient the at least one container in the desired final orientation.
US09309006B2

In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.
US09309005B2

A fastener assembly for attaching a component or bracket to the inner surface of the skin of an aircraft wing is disclosed. The fastener assembly comprises a bolt having a shaft and a bolt retaining member that threadingly cooperates with the shaft to retain the bolt in a position in which it extends through a hole in the skin. The fastener also includes a component or bracket retaining member that also threadingly cooperates with a portion of the shaft protruding through said bolt retaining member to attach a component or bracket to said inner surface.
US09308992B2

A rotary wing aircraft yoke is provided including an arcuate medial portion. A pair of arms extends from the medial portion and each terminates in a distal end. The yoke is made from multiple plies of glass and graphite fibers of varying orientations. The number of graphite plies increases along each arm from adjacent the medial portion to the distal end.
US09308982B2

The present invention relates to a joint between a laminar composite cover (12) and a second cover (15) (which may or may not be also formed from a composite material). The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a joint and a method of manufacturing a composite cover suitable for use in such a joint. The laminar composite cover (12) comprises a stack of layers, substantially all of the layers being shaped to form a joggle, each joggle comprising a first portion, a second portion where the layer extends substantially parallel with the first portion, and a ramp (33) between the first and second portions where the layer extends at an angle to the first and second portions, the number of layers being substantially the same on both sides of the ramp. The second cover (15) partially overlaps with the composite cover, and a clamp or fastener (31) holds the covers together where they overlap. The covers have external sides which are substantially aligned with each other so as to form a smooth aerodynamic surface.
US09308975B2

An offshore airborne wind turbine system including an aerial vehicle, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial vehicle and a second end secured to a platform, a rotatable drum positioned on the platform, an aerial vehicle perch extending from the platform, wherein the platform is positioned on a top of a spar buoy.
US09308973B2

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for capturing a target object from a body of water. A first rail is proximate to a second rail. A first gap portion is formed between at least a portion of the first and second rail. The first gap portion is configured to align and receive at least a portion of the target object as a distance between the first gap portion and at least the portion of the target object decreases. A second gap portion is formed between at least the portion of the first and second rail. The first and second rail are further configured to align and receive at least the portion of the target object with the second gap portion as a distance between the second gap portion and at least the portion of the target object decreases.
US09308970B1

A momentum altering system comprises a transportation device configured to transport the momentum altering system towards an object moving through water. An engagement device is configured to attach to the object when the momentum altering system is transported sufficiently near the object. At least one decelerating device is connected to the engagement device. At least one decelerating device is deployed by the engagement device after the engagement device attached to the object. At least one decelerating device includes a plurality of parachute sea anchors that produce drag when pulled though water thereby altering momentum of the object.
US09308956B2

Provided is a seat for a two-wheeled vehicle provided with a lumbar support portion which can be constructed to not deform rearward without a support element such as a plate and a bottom panel, can produce a sufficient sense of fit adapted to a physique, is lightweight, and is simple in configuration. The seat for a two-wheeled vehicle is provided with the lumbar support portion. The lumbar support portion is formed into an arc shape having both sides protruding forward. The lumbar support portion includes an internal padding material formed continuously, and bulging portions having surface sides of both side regions including both sides of the lumbar support portion bulging forward of the vehicle are formed on both side regions.
US09308952B2

A track formed of a molded rubber base sandwiching a cord layer and a single layer of ply fabric extending longitudinally of the track.
US09308943B2

Supporting members are provided between an instrument panel reinforcement and a display, and the supporting members and a duct are set so as to overlap as seen in side view. Further, at the duct, a through-hole through which the supporting member passes is formed in a duct portion, and a through-hole through which the supporting member passes is formed in a duct portion. Therefore, due to the supporting members, that support the display, being passed-through the duct portion, the supporting members are provided so as to overlap the duct as seen in plan view.
US09308942B2

A cowl cover includes a cover body covering a cowl part between a windshield and a vehicle body member, a locking claw protruding from a back face side of the cover body and having a claw on a first side surface of the locking claw, and an insertion portion provided along the locking claw on a second surface of the locking claw opposite from the first side surface. An engagement member is attached to an edge of the windshield and has an engagement receiver for the locking claw and a part of the insertion portion to be inserted. The engagement receiver includes a first edge to be engaged with the claw of the locking claw inserted into the engagement receiver, and a second edge facing the first edge and to be in contact with the part of the insertion portion inserted into the engagement receiver.
US09308938B2

There is provided a vehicle power steering control apparatus. A steering control unit sets a base assist torque Tb based upon a vehicle speed and a steering torque. When an obstacle ahead is detected by an image recognition device, the steering control unit calculates an overlapping ratio between the obstacle and the vehicle in the widthwise direction. When an absolute value of the overlapping ratio is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the steering control unit increases the base assist torque for correction, and when the absolute value is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value, it decreases the base assist torque for correction. The steering control unit outputs the calculated value to a motor drive unit as a control quantity (assist torque).
US09308937B2

A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system includes at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument and a steering interface. The steering interface may include at least one sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted by a user to move the cart. The steering interface may further include a coupling mechanism to removably couple the steering interface with the patient side cart. The at least one sensor may be placed in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart when the steering interface is in a coupled state with the patient side cart.
US09308936B2

A method is provided for controlling a working machine that includes a front section having a frame and a pair of wheels arranged on a geometrical front wheel axis, and a rear section having a frame and a pair of wheels arranged on a first geometrical rear wheel axis and a pair of wheels arranged on a second geometrical rear wheel axis arranged behind the first rear wheel axis. The front section and the rear section are pivotally connected to each other for pivoting about a substantially vertical pivot axis. In a first control mode the wheels of the second geometrical rear wheel axis are steered to substantially follow the same tracks as the wheels of the geometrical front wheel axis when driving the working machine during cornering, and in a second control mode steering the wheels of the second geometrical rear wheel axis follow tracks which are different from the tracks of the wheels of the geometrical front wheel axis.
US09308932B2

A steering system providing an assist torque to a handwheel is provided, and includes a proportional gain module and a torque command module. The proportional gain module determines a proportional gain value. The proportional gain value is scheduled as a function of a lateral position error and at least one of the following: a near field heading angle, a far field heading angle, a curvature of the lane, and a lateral position of the vehicle. The torque command module determines the torque assist based on the proportional gain value.
US09308926B2

A method for determining slippage of at least one wheel of at least one vehicle having a motor and a processor that communicates velocity commands to the motor for varying a velocity of the vehicle is presented. The method includes determining an actual velocity of the vehicle over regular intervals; comparing, over regular intervals, the actual velocity of the vehicle to the expected velocity from the magnitude of the velocity commands to determine whether there is slip of the wheel of the vehicle; and reducing the magnitude of the velocity commands to equal approximately the actual velocity of the vehicle where there is slip of the wheel. A system and circuit carrying out the method are also presented.
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