US09576813B2
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. In the method, a double patterning technology is used to form various patterns with different widths.
US09576812B2
Provided is a method of creating structure profiles on a substrate using faceting and passivation layers. A first plasma etch process performed generating a faceted sidewall and a desired inflection point; a second plasma etch process is performed using an oxygen, nitrogen, or combined oxygen and nitrogen plasma, generating a passivation layer; and a third plasma etch process using operating variables of an etch chemistry on the faceted sidewall and the passivation layer to induce differential etch rates to achieve a breakthrough on near-horizontal surfaces of the structure, wherein the third plasma etch used is configured to produce a target sidewall profile on the substrate down to the underlying stop layer. Selected two or more plasma etch variables are controlled in the performance of the first plasma etch process, the second plasma etch process, and/or the third plasma etch process in order to achieve target sidewall profile objectives.
US09576803B2
The present invention provides a method for metal gate work function tuning before contact formation in a fin-shaped field effect transistor (FinFET), where in the method comprises the following steps. (S1) providing a substrate having a metal gate structure on a side of the substrate, (S2) forming a titanium nitride (TiN) layer on the side of the substrate, and (S3) performing a gate annealing to tune work function of the metal gate structure.
US09576798B2
Methods of fabricating a semiconductor structure include providing a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate including a base substrate, a strained stressor layer above the base substrate, a surface semiconductor layer, and a dielectric layer between the stressor layer and the surface semiconductor layer. Ions are implanted into or through a first region of the stressor layer, and additional semiconductor material is formed on the surface semiconductor layer above the first region of the stressor layer. The strain state in the first region of the surface semiconductor layer above the first region of the stressor layer is altered, and a trench structure is formed at least partially into the base substrate. The strain state is altered in a second region of the surface semiconductor layer above the second region of the stressor layer. Semiconductor structures are fabricated using such methods.
US09576797B2
A method of fabricating a polysilicon layer includes forming a buffer layer on a substrate, forming a metal catalyst layer on the buffer layer, diffusing a metal catalyst into the metal catalyst layer to the buffer layer, removing the metal catalyst layer, forming an amorphous silicon layer on the buffer layer, and annealing the substrate to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer into a polysilicon layer. The thin film transistor includes a substrate, a buffer layer disposed on the substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the buffer layer, a gate insulating layer disposed above the substrate and on the semiconductor layer, a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode both electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and a metal silicide disposed between the buffer layer and the semiconductor layer.
US09576793B2
An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer includes providing a monocrystalline silicon wafer, epitaxially growing a first layer of a first material on the silicon wafer, and epitaxially growing a second layer of a second material on the first layer. For example, said first material may be monocrystalline silicon carbide, and said second material may be monocrystalline silicon.
US09576788B2
A method of removing an amorphous silicon/silicon oxide film stack from vias is described. The method may involve a remote plasma comprising fluorine and a local plasma comprising fluorine and a nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing precursor unexcited in the remote plasma to remove the silicon oxide. The method may then involve a local plasma of inert species to potentially remove any thin carbon layer (leftover from the photoresist) and to treat the amorphous silicon layer in preparation for removal. The method may then involve removal of the treated amorphous silicon layer with several options possibly within the same substrate processing region. The bottom of the vias may then possess exposed single crystal silicon which is conducive to epitaxial single crystal silicon film growth. The methods presented herein may be particularly well suited for 3d NAND (e.g. VNAND) device formation.
US09576780B2
A mass spectrometer including chromatogram creation means for creating a chromatogram showing changes over time in an ion intensity within a predetermined mass range based on the MS analysis results, and timing determination means for determining a timing to perform MS/MS analysis based on the chromatogram. The timing determination means determines, as a timing to perform MS/MS analysis, a point in time at which a signal intensity in the chromatogram reaches a predetermined upper limit after exceeding a predetermined lower limit or a point in time at which a signal intensity in the chromatogram reaches a top of a peak without reaching the upper limit after exceeding the lower limit. It is thus possible to collect precursor ions at a timing at which the signal intensity of a peak originating from sample components is highest between the upper limit and lower limit, thereby obtaining a high quality MS/MS spectrum.
US09576778B2
Multiplexed spectrometry, such as multiplexed ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS), or hybrid IM-TOFMS, is carried out on a sample, and the resulting measurement data are deconvoluted. Noise may be removed from the measurement data prior to deconvolution. Alternatively or additionally, noise may be removed from the deconvoluted data.
US09576771B2
A beam current adjuster for an ion implanter includes a variable aperture device which is disposed at an ion beam focus point or a vicinity thereof. The variable aperture device is configured to adjust an ion beam width in a direction perpendicular to an ion beam focusing direction at the focus point in order to control an implanting beam current. The variable aperture device may be disposed immediately downstream of a mass analysis slit. The beam current adjuster may be provided with a high energy ion implanter including a high energy multistage linear acceleration unit.
US09576769B2
This weak signal detection system has: a statistical data acquisition unit which measures the average value or distribution of an input signal in which is noise superimposed on a desired signal, calculates parameters such as the amplitude or noise dispersion of the desired signal, and outputs the calculated data obtained thereby; a nonlinear characteristic unit which outputs a signal having a nonlinear response with respect to the magnitude of the voltage or the current of the input signal; a signal detection ratio evaluation unit which determines whether the output signal from the nonlinear characteristic unit is the desired signal, calculates the detection ratio in the event that the signal is the desired signal, and outputs detection ratio data; a parameter adjustment unit which, on the basis of detection ratio data obtained by the signal detection ratio evaluation unit and calculated data obtained by the statistical data acquisition unit, adjusts a control parameter pertaining to the responsiveness of the nonlinear characteristic unit; and a signal processing unit which performs signal processing of the output signal of the nonlinear characteristic unit, and conversion to digital data or image data. In so doing, it is possible to provide a weak signal detection system having improved signal detection accuracy, and an electron microscope equipped with the system.
US09576768B2
A multipole lens is provided which is for use in electron microscopy and which is simple in structure but capable of producing X- and Y-components of a quadrupole field and X- and Y-components of an octopole field. The multipole lens (100) comprises: first through twelfth polar elements (10-1 to 10-12); first through sixteenth coils (20-1 to 20-16); a first power supply (30-1) for supplying currents to the coils (20-1, 20-4, 20-9, 20-12); a second power supply (30-2) for supplying currents to the coils (20-3, 20-5, 20-11, 20-13); a third power supply (30-3) for supplying excitation currents to the coils (20-6, 20-8, 20-14, 20-16); and a fourth power supply (30-4) for supplying excitation currents to the coils (20-2, 20-7, 20-10, 20-15). The coils (20-1, 20-3, 20-6, 20-7, 20-9, 20-11, 20-14, 20-15) produce magnetic fields in a first direction. The coils (20-2, 20-4, 20-5, 20-8, 20-10, 20-12, 20-13, 20-16) produce magnetic fields in a direction opposite to the first direction.
US09576766B2
The present invention is a shielded anode having an anode with a surface facing an electron beam and a shield configured to encompass the anode surface. The shield has at least one aperture and an internal surface facing the anode surface. The shield internal surface and anode surface are separated by a gap in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm. The shield of the present invention is fabricated from a material, such as graphite, that is substantially transmissive to X-ray photons.
US09576756B2
A switch control apparatus for electric plants includes a box-like body which is adapted to be anchored to a fixed o movable part of an electric plant and has a closing panel with at least one passage therethrough, at least one contact unit which is accommodated in the box-like body at the passage and is adapted to be electrically connected to at least one respective electric circuit of the plant for selective open/close control thereof, at least one actuator which is adapted to interact with the contact unit for the latter to ensure selective opening/closing of the respective circuits, an anchor system for anchoring the contact unit to the actuator. The anchor system includes a container member which is adapted to enclose and contain the contact unit and to be anchored to the closing panel in the box-like body for stably securing the contact unit on the actuator.
US09576754B2
Electrical switch lockout devices for selectively maintaining a position of an electrical switch on an electrical switch base are described. The electrical switch lockout devices include a base adapter configured to be fitted around the electrical switch base, a housing that is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a locking mechanism. The housing includes walls, an opening on one side of the housing, a first lateral lip disposed on a first edge of the opening, and a second lateral lip disposed a second edge of the opening. The first lateral lip and the second lateral lip are configured to engage and disengage with the base adapter in the engaged and disengaged positions, respectively.
US09576752B2
The present application relates to a clutch mechanism for an energy storage device including a load gear, a drive gear, a one-way bearing, a bushing, and a gear shaft including a gear portion and a clutch portion. The gear shaft includes multiple cylinders, and a push rod, a rotary sleeve and an elastic element located in a cavity of the gear shaft. The push rod includes a push rod slide hole and a push rod connecting hole, for connecting to the gear shaft and the rotary sleeve, respectively. A press block is fixed to the drive gear, the press block being capable of pushing the push rod to slide axially, so as to unlock or lock the bushing and the gear shaft. A gas insulated circuit breaker using such a clutch mechanism is also disclosed.
US09576750B2
A conductor guide member for a circuit breaker terminal assembly includes a body having at least one conductor guide surface configured and disposed to facilitate alignment between at least one terminal connection member of the terminal assembly and at least one conductor. The at least one conductor guide surface gradually slopes from a first end to a second end. The second end defines a recess.
US09576744B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor comprising a capacitor element including a positive electrode which contains tantalum as a principal component and is composed of a porous sintered body, a positive electrode lead which contains niobium as a principal component and has a first end part embedded in the positive electrode and a second end part extending from the positive electrode, a dielectric layer which is disposed on a surface of the positive electrode and a part of a surface of the positive electrode lead, and a negative electrode layer disposed on the dielectric layer; an positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the second end part of the positive electrode lead; a negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode layer; and a resin outer body covering the surfaces of the capacitor element, a part of the positive electrode terminal and a part of the negative electrode terminal, wherein a linear expansion coefficient of the resin outer body is larger than all of linear expansion coefficients of the positive electrode, the positive electrode lead, the positive electrode terminal, and the negative electrode terminal.
US09576743B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor with an integrated fuse assembly is provided. The fuse can be secured in a recess formed in a face of the porous anode body of the capacitor. When the fuse is secured in the recess, the fuse can be substantially flush with the face of the porous anode body in which the recess is formed. Further, the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the fuse is reduced because the length of the connection between the fuse and the porous anode body is reduced. Further, because the fuse is integrated into the porous anode body, the capacitor can be assembled onto a circuit board via standard pick and place equipment.
US09576736B2
A method of manufacturing an electronic component includes the steps of: preparing a first block formed by stacking a plurality of green sheets serving as an element body; cutting the first block in a first direction into a plurality of second blocks such that a portion of an internal conductor connected to an external electrode is exposed at a cut surface; and cutting each of the plurality of second blocks in a second direction crossing the first direction such that the internal conductor exposed at each of both cut surfaces is located in the center of a portion serving as each element body in the first direction in each of the plurality of second blocks.
US09576729B2
There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component including: a ceramic body in which internal electrodes and dielectric layers containing a barium titanate-based compound containing calcium (Ca) are alternately stacked; and external electrodes disposed on outer surfaces of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes. The dielectric layer includes interfacial portions adjacent to the internal electrodes and a central portion disposed between the interfacial portions, the interfacial portion having a calcium (Ca) concentration higher than that of the central portion.
US09576726B2
An electronic equipment is provided with an antenna including a coil, a load, a power feeding unit for feeding power received by the antenna to the load, a communication unit for communicating with the outside world via the antenna, a switching circuit installed between the antenna and the communication unit, and a switching control unit for controlling ON/OFF of the switching circuit according to power to be received by the antenna.
US09576724B2
An air core power reactor (10) having a noise mitigating sound shield (40). In one embodiment the sound shield includes a plurality of sound absorbing panels (42p) configured for positioning about an outermost reactor layer (12′) so that the panels reduce radiation of acoustic energy when the reactor coil layers carry current. One or more flexible members (48) are attached along the first side of each sound absorbing panel for contact with the outermost reactor layer. Sound barrier material (44) is positioned along the second side of each panel. When the flexible members are attached to a panel and the panel is installed about the outermost first layer of the reactor, the flexible members are positioned against the outermost first layer and the flexible members provide a gap between the first side of the panel and the outermost first layer of the reactor.
US09576722B2
A coil component 1 includes a thin-film coil layer including spiral conductors and bump electrodes 12a to 12d formed on a surface of the thin-film coil layer. The thin-film coil layer includes internal terminal electrodes 24a to 24d connected respectively to corresponding one ends of the spiral conductors, and a fourth insulating layer 15d covering the internal terminal electrode 24a to 24d and having openings ha to hd. Both a top surface TS and a side surface SS of each of the internal terminal electrodes 24a to 24d are exposed through the corresponding opening. The bump electrodes 12a to 12d are each brought into contact with both the top surface TS and side surface SS of each of the internal terminal electrodes 24a to 24d in the corresponding opening.
US09576721B2
An electronic component includes a magnetic core member, a winding and a magnetic exterior body. The magnetic core member has a flat base and a core. The flat base has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. The core is located on the top surface of the flat base. A winding has an edgewise coil and two non-wound flat wires that extend from the edgewise coil. A magnetic exterior body covers at least the core and the edgewise coil. The two non-wound flat wires continuously extend along the top surface, the first side surface, the bottom surface and the second side surface of the flat base in this order. The two non-wound flat wires located on the bottom surface work as electrodes.
US09576720B2
A transformer (900) comprising a primary-side auxiliary winding (976, wherein in use the primary-side auxiliary winding (976) is configured such that a first electric potential distribution is induced in the primary-side auxiliary winding (976); and a secondary-side auxiliary winding (982) configured such that a second electric potential distribution is induced in the secondary-side auxiliary winding (982). The primary-side auxiliary winding (976) is physically located between (a) a main pair of windings; and (b) the second-side auxiliary winding (982). A first portion of the secondary-side auxiliary winding (982) is positioned adjacent to a shield-portion of the primary-side auxiliary winding (976) such that the first electric potential distribution matches the second electric potential distribution: (1) along the respective lengths of the first portion of the secondary-side auxiliary winding (982) and the shield-portion of the primary-side auxiliary winding (975); and (2) over a frequency range that is greater than a particular threshold frequency.
US09576717B2
A multi-layered printed circuit board, PCB, includes first windings for a first side of a planar magnetic transformer and second windings for a second side of the planar magnetic transformer. The PCB further includes conductive layers configured as the first windings, conductive layers configured as the second windings, and layers of an isolation material. Each layer of the isolation material is arranged between two conductive layers to provide electrical isolation between the two conductive layers. A group of two or more adjacent conductive layers are all conductive layers of the first windings and are all arranged between two conductive layers of the second windings. The thickness of the isolation material between the group of adjacent conductive layers of the first windings is less than the thickness of the isolation material between a conductive layer of the second windings and a conductive layer of the first windings.
US09576713B2
An example variable reluctance device includes a load structure connected to an armature through a connecting arm. The armature is positioned between two oppositely oriented core structures. A structural frame secures the core structures in a fixed position, forming gap regions between the core structures and the armature, forming a magnetic circuit. The armature is resiliently centered between the core structures by a spring, such that the gaps and are approximately equal in width when the armature is at rest. The device further includes a magnetic substance within the gaps that is compressed or stretched to allow movement of the armature.
US09576708B2
Apparatus for replacing a suspension insulator on a tower having a davit arm supporting an attached insulator and a conductor shoe attaching an energized conductor to the insulator lower end including a non-conductive board longer than and mounted to the tower below the davit arm, struts extending between the board and the tower, and a movable slider mounted on the board, the slider supporting a jack and a conductor lifting bar attached to the jack. Without contacting any energized components, a lineman moves the slider and operates the jack to lift and support the energized components, detaches the shoe from the insulator, moves the energized components to a remote position on the board, detaches and replaces the insulator while it is supported by a helicopter, moves the slider and operates the jack to lift the shoe into alignment with the insulator and attaches the shoe to the insulator.
US09576699B2
There is provided a wiring member including: a wiring substrate including wirings including a ground line, and a first insulating layer that covers the wirings and has an opening portion exposing at least a portion of the ground line; a conductive sheet sandwiched between a second insulating layer and a conductive bonding layer and disposed on the first insulating layer in a state where the conductive sheet is folded so that the second insulating layers faces to each other, and in which the conductive bonding layer in a portion which is not folded is electrically connected to the ground line through the opening portion; and a shielding member disposed on the wiring substrate and the conductive sheet to be bonded to the conductive bonding layer in a portion of the conductive sheet which is folded, and is electrically connected to the ground line through the folded portion.
US09576689B2
A critical heat flux prediction device, a critical heat flux prediction method, a safety evaluation system, and a core monitoring system using the safety evaluation system can predict critical heat flux in a core of a reactor with a high degree of accuracy by obtaining a correlation plot distribution representing a relation of critical heat flux on a thermal equilibrium quality based on experimental data, approximating a correlation plot distribution through a logistic function that is a model function in which critical heat flux is expressed by a function of a thermal equilibrium quality, and obtaining a critical heat flux correlation of critical heat flux and a thermal equilibrium quality.
US09576688B2
Illustrative embodiments provide for the operation and simulation of the operation of fission reactors, including the movement of materials within reactors. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, including modular nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and reactor modules, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and modules, methods of operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, methods of simulating operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, and the like.
US09576686B2
A nuclear reactor includes a nuclear core comprising a fissile material, and a pressure vessel containing the nuclear core immersed in primary coolant water. Turbo pumps disposed in the pressure vessel provide active circulation of primary coolant water in the pressure vessel. Each turbo pump includes a turbine driving an impeller. A manifold plenum chamber is disposed in the pressure vessel, and is in fluid communication with inlets of the turbines of the turbo pumps. An electrically driven pump operatively connected with the manifold plenum chamber to pressurize the manifold plenum chamber with primary coolant water. The turbo pumps may be disposed in openings passing through the manifold plenum chamber. The pressure vessel may be vertically oriented and cylindrical, with a cylindrical riser oriented coaxially inside, and the manifold plenum chamber may be annular and disposed in a downcomer annulus defined between the cylindrical riser and the cylindrical pressure vessel.
US09576683B2
Systems and method relating generally to solid state memory, and more particularly to systems and methods for reducing errors in a solid state memory.
US09576676B2
A semiconductor device includes: an electric fuse circuit including first electric fuses used as data bits and second electric fuses used as polarity bits; and a write circuit configured to selectively pass a current through the first electric fuses and the second electric fuses and thereby write data in the electric fuse circuit. The write circuit is configured to perform a first process when number of write bits included in write data is larger than a value obtained by dividing total number of bits in the write data by 2. The first process includes writing of inverted write data in a plurality of first electric fuses, and including writing of inversion data in one of the second electric fuses. The plurality of first electric fuses are part of the first electric fuses. The inverted write data is inverted data of the write data. The inversion data represents inversion.
US09576666B2
An operating method of a non-volatile memory device having a string including a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of auxiliary cells, the plurality of memory cells and the plurality of auxiliary cells being connected in series, includes detecting a threshold voltage of at least one of the plurality of auxiliary cells and generating an output signal corresponding to a deterioration level of the plurality of memory cells, based on the threshold voltage.
US09576659B2
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US09576658B2
Embodiments disclosed herein may relate to programming a memory cell with a programming pulse that comprises a quenching period having different portions. The memory cell may have more than two possible programmed states, where each programmed state of the memory cell includes a different fraction of amorphous material. A memory element may be melted and then quenched. The fraction of amorphous material, and thus the programmed state, may be controlled by selecting one of multiple quenching periods for the programming pulse.
US09576647B2
Adaptive write operations for non-volatile memories select programming parameters according to monitored programming performance of individual memory cells. In one embodiment of the invention, programming voltage for a memory cell increases by an amount that depends on the time required to reach a predetermined voltage and then a jump in the programming voltage is added to the programming voltage required to reach the next predetermined voltage. The adaptive programming method is applied to the gate voltage of memory cells; alternatively, it can be applied to the drain voltage of memory cells along a common word line. A circuit combines the function of a program switch and drain voltage regulator, allowing independent control of drain voltage of selected memory cells for parallel and adaptive programming. Verify and adaptive read operations use variable word line voltages to provide optimal biasing of memory and reference cells during sensing.
US09576643B2
A method of screening complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor CMOS integrated circuits, such as integrated circuits including CMOS static random access memory (SRAM) cells, for transistors susceptible to transistor characteristic shifts over operating time. For the example of SRAM cells formed of cross-coupled CMOS inverters, separate ground voltage levels can be applied to the source nodes of the driver transistors, or separate power supply voltage levels can be applied to the source nodes of the load transistors (or both). Asymmetric bias voltages applied to the transistors in this manner will reduce the transistor drive current, and can thus mimic the effects of bias temperature instability (BTI). Cells that are vulnerable to threshold voltage shift over time can thus be identified.
US09576640B2
A system, includes a controller comprising a plurality of first external terminals configured to supply a command and an address, and communicate a data, and communicate a strobe signal related to the data; and a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of second external terminals corresponding to the plurality of first external terminals, at least one of the plurality of first external terminals and at least one of the plurality of second external terminals each being capable of supplying an information specifying a length of a preamble of the strobe signal before the semiconductor memory device communicates the data between the controller and the semiconductor memory device, the semiconductor memory device further including a preamble register configured to be capable of storing the information.
US09576635B2
A thermally-assisted magnetic writing device includes at least one magnetic element including: a reference layer having a stable vortex magnetization configuration; a device to create a magnetic field to reversibly move the vortex core in the plane of the reference layer; a storage layer having a variable magnetization configuration; a non-magnetic spacer that separates and magnetically decouples the reference layer and the storage layer; an antiferromagnetic pinning layer in contact with the storage layer, the antiferromagnetic layer being capable of pinning the magnetization configuration of the storage layer, the storage layer having at least two storage levels corresponding to two pinned magnetization configurations; a device to heat the antiferromagnetic pinning layer such that when heated, the temperature of the antiferromagnetic pinning layer exceeds its blocking temperature such that the magnetization configuration of the storage layer is no longer pinned when warm.
US09576630B2
A memory device can include a plurality of banks, each bank including memory locations accessible by different access circuits; at least a first address port configured to receive addresses on falling and rising edges of a timing clock, each address corresponding to locations in different banks; and at least two read/write data ports configured to receive write data for storage in one of the banks, and output read data from one of the banks.
US09576629B2
A memory device includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells, a storage unit suitable for storing a fail address corresponding to a fail memory cell in the memory cell array, an available storage capacity determination unit suitable for generating available capacity information indicating an available storage capacity in the storage unit, and an output circuit suitable for outputting the available capacity information.
US09576626B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a data path; and a FIFO memory including a plurality of registers connected to the data path. The plurality of registers sequentially receive data from the data path in response to data path input clocks and sequentially output the received data to an input/output pad in response to data path output clocks. The data path output clocks are clocks that are generated by delaying the data path input clocks as long as a delay time.
US09576624B2
The disclosed technology provides for multi-dimensional data randomization in a memory cell array using circular shifts of an initial scrambling sequence. Data addressed to a first row of a data array is randomized using the initial scrambling sequence and data addressed to each row of the memory cell array is randomized using a scrambling sequence that is equal to a circular shift of the initial sequence.
US09576623B2
The present disclosure herein relates to a sense amplifier and a semiconductor memory device employing the same. The sense amplifier includes an inverter including a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor, and a switching unit configured to change a connection relationship between the pull-up transistor and the pull-down transistor according to whether an input terminal of the inverter is precharged or a signal applied to the input terminal is sensed.
US09576620B2
A semiconductor apparatus including a register input selection block configured to serially receive input data and output the input data in parallel as first and second data sets, or receive register selection output signals and output the register selection output signals as the first and second data sets, in response to a shift control signal and a capture control signal; a first data register configured to receive and store the first data set and output stored data as first register output signals; a second data register configured to receive and store the first and second data sets and output stored data as second register output signals; a register output selection block configured to output ones of the first and second register output signals as the register selection output signals; and a data output selection block configured to serially output one of the first and second data sets as output data.
US09576611B2
According to various embodiments, a content marking command is received from a mobile device at a particular time. For example, a user selection of the content marking command may be received via a user interface displayed on the mobile device. The content marking command may indicate a user interest in a particular moment of an event viewed by the user. Moreover, the event viewed by the user and video content data corresponding to the event may be identified. Further, content marking data may be generated, whether content marking data indicates a particular portion of the identified video content data corresponding to the particular moment of the event.
US09576606B1
A storage controller interface includes, on a disk controller side of the storage controller interface, a first transceiver circuit configured to transfer a first block of user data to a read channel during a write operation, and a gate transmit circuit configured to, subsequent to the first block of user data being transferred, assert a gate signal to flush the first block of user data from the read channel. The storage controller interface further includes, on a read channel side of the storage controller interface, a second transceiver circuit configured to receive the first block of user data, a gate receive circuit configured to receive the gate signal, and a write fault transceiver circuit configured to selectively assert a write fault signal if the gate transmit circuit does not assert the gate signal subsequent to the first block of user data being transferred to the read channel.
US09576603B2
A suspension board with circuit includes a first layer having electrically conductive properties, a second layer having insulation properties and formed at one side in a thickness direction of the first layer, a third layer having electrically conductive properties and formed at one side in the thickness direction of the second layer, and a fourth layer having insulation properties and formed at one side in the thickness direction of the third layer. The first layer includes an electronic component connecting terminal for being electrically connected to an electronic component. The second layer includes a first opening portion passing through in the thickness direction. The third layer includes a first conductive circuit having a magnetic head, and a second conductive circuit. The fourth layer and the second layer are formed with a second opening portion.
US09576599B1
A method, executed by a computer, for monitoring head wear includes reading from a cartridge a high frequency pattern and a low frequency pattern, determining a first read amplitude corresponding to the high frequency pattern and a second read amplitude corresponding to the low frequency pattern, and determining a head wear metric according to the first read amplitude and the second read amplitude. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the above method are also disclosed herein.
US09576589B2
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for reducing noise in input data by performing a hysteresis operation followed by a lateral excitation smoothing operation. For example, an audio signal may be represented as a sequence of feature vectors. A row of the sequence of feature vectors may, for example, be associated with the same harmonic of the audio signal at different points in time. To determine portions of the row that correspond to the harmonic being present, the system may compare an amplitude to a low threshold and a high threshold and select a series of data points that are above the low threshold and include at least one data point above the high threshold. The system may iteratively perform a spreading technique, spreading a center value of a center data point in a kernel to neighboring data points in the kernel, to further reduce noise.
US09576585B2
A decoder device for decoding a bitstream so as to produce therefrom an audio output signal, the bitstream having audio data and optionally loudness metadata containing a reference loudness value, wherein a gain control device has a reference loudness decoder configured to create a loudness value, wherein the loudness value is the reference loudness value in case that the reference loudness value is present in the bitstream; wherein the gain control device has a gain calculator configured to calculate a gain value based on the loudness value and based on a volume control value, which is provided by an external user interface allowing a user to control the volume control value, and a loudness processor configured to control the loudness of the audio output signal based on the gain value.
US09576579B1
Example embodiments of the present invention may include a method that provides transcribing spoken utterances occurring during a call and assigning each of the spoken utterances with a corresponding set of first classifications. The method may also include determining a confidence rating associated with each of the spoken utterances and the assigned set of first classifications, and performing at least one of reclassifying the spoken utterances with new classifications based on at least one additional classification operation, and adding the assigned first classifications and the corresponding plurality of spoken utterances to a training data set.
US09576574B2
Methods and systems related to intelligent interruption handling by digital assistants are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first information provision process is initiated in response to a first speech input. The first information provision process comprises preparing a first response and a second response to the first speech input. After or concurrent with the provision of the first response to the user, but before provision of the second response to the user, an event operable to initiate a second information provision process is detected. The second information provision process is initiated in response to detecting the event. The second information provision process comprises preparing a third response to the event. A relative urgency between the second response and the third response is determined. One of the second response and the third response is provided to the user in an order based on the determined relative urgency.
US09576572B2
Methods and nodes for enabling and producing input generated by speech of a user, to an application. When the application has been activated (2:1), an application node (200) detects (2:2) a current context of the user and selects (2:3), from a set of predefined contexts (204a), a predefined context that matches the detected current context. The application node (200) then provides (2:4) keywords associated with the selected predefined context to a speech recognition node (202). When receiving (2:5) speech from the user, the speech recognition node (202) is able to recognize (2:6) any of the keyword in the speech. The recognized keyword is then used (2:7) as input to the application.
US09576568B2
A polymer interlayer having improved sound insulation is disclosed. The polymer interlayer comprises at least one soft layer wherein the soft layer comprises a blend of a first poly(vinyl butyral) resin, a second poly(vinyl butyral) resin and a plasticizer; at least one stiffer layer comprising a third poly(vinyl butyral resin) and a plasticizer, wherein the polymer interlayer has a damping loss factor (η) (as measured by Mechanical Impedance Measurement according to ISO 16940) of at least about 0.16 measured at two or more different temperatures selected from 10° C., 20° C. and 30° C.
US09576566B2
An electronic bass musical instrument that has the appearance, character and ambiance of a traditional washtub bass where the sounds of the bass are produced electronically by manually pressing an electrically conductive string extending along a neck of the bass against selected electrically conductive contacts arranged at spaced positions along the neck thus sending signals to an electronic control circuit of the instrument, whereby the sounds of the bass are produced electronically, providing vastly improved tonal quality and pitch accuracy to the sounds produced.
US09576563B2
A percussion instrument, specifically a tank drum having tongues that form playing parts and including a ground clearance in its body, and a tuning structure which by changing the center of gravity of the tank drum, enables its tuning. A magnet is placed under the tongues. A channel is provided on the tongues enabling the magnet to be moved back and forth with the help of a key.
US09576555B2
Displays, display components, image and video processing apparatus and related methods are described. A method for driving local-dimming displays comprises generating control values for driving pixels of a spatial light modulator from one image data component and generating control values for driving backlight elements from a second image data component. The first and second image data components may respectively comprise a tone map and a ratio image. Control values for the spatial light modulator and/or backlight may be obtained using cost effective hardware.
US09576552B2
A dark portion in an image seen by a viewer is expressed more precisely, whereby the image given a greater sense of depth is displayed. A display device in which pixels each include a light-emitting module capable of emitting light having a spectral line half-width of less than or equal to 60 nm in a response time of less than or equal to 100 μs and are provided at a resolution of higher than or equal to 80 ppi; the NTSC ratio is higher than or equal to 80%; and the contrast ratio is higher than or equal to 500, is provided with a circuit converting an image signal having a given grayscale into an image signal capable of representing an image on the low luminance side by high-level grayscale.
US09576551B2
A method and apparatus for gesture interaction with an image displayed on a painted wall is described. The method may include capturing image data of the image displayed on the painted wall and a user motion performed relative to the image. The method may also include analyzing the captured image data to determine a sequence of one or more physical movements of the user relative to the image displayed on the painted wall. The method may also include determining, based on the analysis, that the user motion is indicative of a gesture associated with the image displayed on the painted wall, and controlling a connected system in response to the gesture.
US09576539B2
A light source apparatus includes a light source, a detection unit configured to detect light emitted by the light source, a determination unit configured to determine a target brightness, and a control unit configured to periodically perform control of light emission from the light source, wherein the control unit divides one period of the control into a first period during which the light source is caused to emit light that is to be detected by the detection unit and a second period during which the light source is caused to emit light at the target brightness, and during the first period, drives the light source using a driving signal with a value smaller than a value during the second period, and the detection unit detects light emitted by the light source during the first period.
US09576537B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels, and a backlight unit disposed at a rear surface of the display panel and supplying a light to the display panel, where the backlight unit includes a first light source which provides a first color light to the display panel, a second light source which provides a second color light to the display panel, and a third light sources which provides a third color light to the display panel, spectral bands of the first, second and third color light are different from each other, and the first color light and the second color light have substantially the same color as each other.
US09576527B2
An organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels configured to store a first data signal received through a corresponding data line during a scan period and to emit light according to a second data signal during a light emitting period of a frame, wherein the first data signal corresponds to the frame and the second data signal corresponds to a previous frame, and the scan period overlaps the light emitting period.
US09576521B2
Provided are a drive device and drive method for a vacuum fluorescent display that can suppress brightness variations in display images and improve display quality. A drive device for a vacuum fluorescent display is provided with a positive electrode unit in which a plurality of positive electrodes to which a phosphor is applied are disposed in a matrix shape and a negative electrode filament that discharges electrons toward the positive electrode unit. The device is provided with: a first magnetic field generating means that generates a first magnetic field perpendicular to the direction in which the positive electrode unit and the negative electrode filament face each other and that can periodically switch polarity; and a second magnetic field generating means that generates a second magnetic field that is perpendicular to the direction in which the positive electrode unit and the negative electrode filament face each other and crosses the first magnetic field and that can periodically switch polarity.
US09576517B2
A shift register includes a plurality of shift register circuits. Each of the shift register circuits includes a first switch, an input circuit, a pull-down circuit and a ripple reduction circuit. The first switch is used to output a scanning signal of the shift register circuit according to voltage levels of a node and a clock signal. The input circuit is used to pull up the voltage level of the node according to a scanning signal of a previous shift register circuit. The pull-down circuit is used to pull down the voltage levels of the node and the scanning signal of the shift register circuit according to a scanning signal of a following shift register circuit. The ripple reduction circuit is used to suppress ripples on the voltage levels of the node and the scanning signal caused by the coupling effect of the clock signal.
US09576513B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an EL display apparatus including a light-emitting portion in which a light emitting layer is disposed between a pair of electrodes, a thin film transistor array device for controlling light emission of the light-emitting portion, and an EL display panel in which a plurality of pixels of colors of R, G, and B are disposed. After production of the EL display panel, an inspection step is performed to apply, to each of the pixels, a voltage which is preset for each of the colors of R, G, and B of the pixels, the voltage applied in the inspection step is a potential difference that is a reverse bias voltage opposite to an anode voltage and a cathode voltage during lighting, and the potential difference allows a faulty pixel to turn to a dead dot.
US09576510B2
The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and particularly relates to a bendable flexible display device. The display device comprises a display screen, a back plate arranged on the back of the display screen, and a support, the back plate being arranged on the support, wherein the back plate is a spliced back plate, and the display screen is a flexible display screen; and the back plate allows the display screen to be converted between a curved display state and a flat display state. The display device can be converted between a curved display state and a flat display state, to implement various viewing modes and meet different demands of all kinds of people.
US09576504B2
A hydraulic model of the cardiovascular system for illustrating a plurality of physiological concepts and relationships including arterial compliance, venous compliance, and peripheral resistance, said model comprising: a.) a cardiac subsystem for moving a fluid in a singular direction in a closed hydraulic system; b.) an arterial subsystem for modeling arterial compliance, the arterial subsystem fluidically coupled with the cardiac subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the cardiac subsystem; c.) a peripheral resistance subsystem for modeling peripheral resistance, the peripheral resistance subsystem fluidically coupled with the arterial subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from arterial subsystem; d.) a peripheral venous (PV) subsystem for modeling peripheral venous compliance and for modeling a peripheral venous pump (PVP), the peripheral venous subsystem fluidically coupled with the peripheral resistance subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the at least one downstream conduit; and e.) a central venous (CV) subsystem for modeling central venous compliance and for modeling a thoracic pump (TP), the CV subsystem fluidically coupled with the PV subsystem to receive the fluid discharged from the PV subsystem and to pass the fluid to the cardiac subsystem to complete the cardiovascular cycle.
US09576502B2
A training adapter (28) for an automated external defibrillator (AED) (10) which provides for safe training use of any AED. The training adapter includes a circuit which ensures that any defibrillation voltage/current is shunted away from the trainee, training electrodes (26), and patient simulation equipment. The training adapter simultaneously provides to the AED a simulated patient ECG signal which causes the AED to operate as if an actual cardiac rescue were occurring, thus heightening the realism of the training experience.
US09576497B2
A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.
US09576489B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for providing safe driving information. The method includes building a database including group information obtained by grouping driving environment information and driving situation information according to attributes of the driving environment information and the driving situation information, and provision forms and provision timings of safe driving information determined according to conditions in groups; collecting driving environment information, driving situation information, obstacle information, and information on a driver's line of sight in real time; determining a provision form and a provision timing of safe driving information based on the collected information and the database; and providing the safe driving information according to the determined provision form and timing.
US09576487B2
A global positioning system including a processor configured to determine a route of travel based upon satellite data that identify a current location of the global positioning system and traffic data obtained from a traffic flow control system, and a display configured to display the current position and a determined route of travel.
US09576478B2
An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: based on received traveller data, the traveller data representing polled traveller usage of a particular traffic lane, designating the particular traffic lane as a restricted-use lane, the designation for use in subsequent navigation guidance.
US09576473B2
A method, apparatus and system annotation of meta-data through a capture infrastructure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a client device includes applying an automatic content recognition algorithm to determine a content identifier of an audio-visual data. The client device then associates the content identifier with an advertisement data based on a semantic correlation between a meta-data of the advertisement provided by a content provider and/or the content identifier. A capture infrastructure annotates the audio-visual data with a brand name and/or a product name by comparing entries in the master database with a closed captioning data of the audio-visual data and/or through an application of an optical character recognition algorithm in the audio-visual data. The content identifier may involve a music identification, an object identification, a facial identification, and/or a voice identification. A minimal functionality including accessing a tuner and/or a stream decoder that identifies a channel and/or a content may be found in the networked media device. The networked media device may produce an audio fingerprint and/or a video fingerprint that is communicated with the capture infrastructure.
US09576469B2
Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide systems and methods of adaptively adjusting sensitivity of a sensor of a security system that provide a first sensor to detect a motion event of a door or window of a building, and a controller communicatively coupled to the first sensor, to determine whether the detected motion event is a human-caused motion event or a periodic motion event by a comparison between data of the detected motion event and stored motion data, and to generate a security exception when the detected motion event is determined to be a periodic motion event, where the controller adaptively adjusts a sensitivity of the first sensor to detect the motion event according to data aggregated by the first sensor over a predetermined period of time.
US09576466B2
A method includes receiving an indication that an event has occurred in a physical space being monitored by a monitoring device that includes a plurality of sensors. In response to the indication, the method includes sending one or more primary notifications of the event over a computer-based network to each of one or more persons primarily associated with the physical space being monitored. If, after a designated amount of time, none of the primary notifications have been viewed by any of the persons primarily associated with the physical space being monitored, the method includes sending a backup notification of the event over the computer-based network to one or more persons designated as backup contacts. The backup notification is logically associated with information that the one or more backup contacts can access about the event. The logical association can be embodied by a link (e.g., a hyperlink) in the backup notification.
US09576465B1
A first antenna configured to receive a signal from each of a plurality of devices. A library contains at least one unique identifier for at least one target device. A second antenna is used to geolocate the target device once the first antenna locates it in the vicinity of the system. A processor is coupled to the first antenna to receive the signal from the plurality of devices and extract the unique identifier from the signal. The processor compares the unique identifier from the signal to the unique identifiers in the library. Upon a match, the second antenna is used to locate the target device.
US09576460B2
A wearable smart device for providing hazard warning information to a user. The wearable smart device includes a microphone configured to detect audio data associated with a potential hazard. The wearable smart device also includes a camera configured to detect image data associated with the potential hazard. The wearable smart device also includes a processor coupled to the microphone and the camera and configured to determine whether the potential hazard presents a real hazard based on the detected audio data and the detected image data.
US09576459B2
The present invention relates to an evacuation guidance notification system that can detect a fire, can provide notification, can provide guidance on an evacuation route, and can re-ensure a field of vision. The evacuation guidance notification system includes an evacuation guidance notification device installed on a banister post at an edge of a staircase, and the evacuation guidance notification device includes a device housing including a display window, a speaker, a beam output unit, an LED unit, a sensor unit, a control unit, a power unit, a communication unit, and an evacuation direction guidance unit. Furthermore, the device housing constituting part of the evacuation guidance notification device may further include a communication unit configured to communicate with the outside and a control room composed of a computer for controlling the evacuation guidance notification device, and the control room may remotely control the evacuation guidance notification device via the communication unit.
US09576458B2
Improvements in and Relating to Aspirating Smoke Detectors Disclosed is an aspirating smoke detection system comprising: at least two different types of detector; and a processor operable to receive signals from the at least two different types of detector, and to determine an alarm status, wherein the alarm status is one of: an all clear status; a critical status; and a status intermediate between the all clear status and the critical status.
US09576452B2
A programmable security system and method for protecting an item of merchandise includes a programming station, a programmable key and a security system. The programming station generates a security code and communicates the security code to a memory of the programmable key. The programmable key initially communicates the security code to a memory of the security device and subsequently operates the security device upon a matching of the security code in the memory of the security device with the security code in the memory of the programmable key. The programmable key may also transfer power via electrical contacts or inductive transfer from an internal battery to the security device to operate a lock mechanism. The security code may be communicated by wireless infrared (IR) systems, electrical contacts or inductive transfer. A timer inactivates the programmable key and/or the security device after a predetermine period of time. A counter inactivates the programmable key after a predetermined maximum number of activations.
US09576451B2
A tampering resistant device has housing, a circuit board fitted with electronic components, and a key pad for command input. A security wrap is disposed between the circuit board and the key pad. The security wrap has a substrate and a security screen formed thereon and connected to a first alarm. The security screen has a conductive trace extending over the substrate between a pair of screen terminals that are electrically connected to respective alarm terminals. An alarm switch is located between the substrate and the circuit board and connected to a second alarm. The alarm switch is held closed by a spigot pressing on the alarm switch through the substrate. The spigot extends from the housing and releases the alarm switch when the housing is opened.
US09576450B2
A security wrap (20) for protecting an electronic component includes a substrate (22) having a first side and a second side opposite to each other. A security screen (26) is disposed over the first side of the substrate (22) and includes a pair of screen terminals (48) and a frangible and electrically conductive path (46) between the pair of screen terminals (48). A layer of adhesive (30) is over the first side of the substrate (22) and bonds the first side of the substrate (22) to the electronic component with the security screen (26) sandwiched there between.
US09576442B1
In further development of U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,540 B1, an audible signal device comprising of a microprocessor or microcontroller and a sounder element, or a microprocessor or microcontroller in conjunction with electronic circuitry such as discrete components, inductors, or IC's with a sounder element where the resulting sound pressure level is controlled by changing the drive signal's frequency, size, shape, and/or duty cycle.
US09576427B2
A skill-based bonusing interleaved wagering system is disclosed, including an interactive controller configured to: communicate application telemetry; receive a wager outcome; receive an application resource; initiate a portion of the interactive controller that provides the bonus goal; communicate additional application telemetry; receive and display bonus wager outcome; a wager controller constructed to: receive the wager request; determine a wager outcome; communicate the wager outcome; receive bonus wager request; determine a bonus wager outcome; and communicate bonus wager outcome; and the application controller operatively connecting the interactive controller and the wager controller, the application controller constructed to: receive application telemetry; determine whether to trigger a wager; communicating wager request; receive and communicate the wager outcome; determine and communicate the application resource; communicate a bonus goal offer; receive additional application telemetry; determine whether the bonus goal is achieved; generate and communicate bonus wager request; communicate the bonus wager outcome.
US09576419B2
The present application and the resultant patent provide a merchandiser. The merchandiser may include an ambient compartment with at least one ambient product therein, a temperature controlled compartment with at least one temperature controlled product therein, and a rotary internal transport system within the temperature controlled compartment so as to dispense a temperature controlled product in response to an ambient product being placed therein.
US09576408B2
A remote garage door opener module for after-market assembly into a vehicle for transmitting signals to a garage door opener includes a bezel positionable against a headliner of the vehicle along an interior surface thereof in a position over a hole in the headliner. The module further includes a housing enclosing a power source and electronic circuitry for transmitting the signals. The housing extends away from a first side of the bezel and is positionable at least partially through the hole in the headliner. The module further includes a button exposed at a second side of the bezel and coupled to the electronic circuitry and a mounting element selectively engageable with the headliner adjacent the hole and coupled with one of the housing or the bezel for coupling the module with the headliner.
US09576406B2
An apparatus that includes a vibration sensor and a circuit. The vibration sensor provides an indication of vibration sensed in a motorized vehicle. The circuit determines a remedial action to be taken for the motorized vehicle based at least in part on the sensed vibration.
US09576402B2
An image processing device which compensates for a stereoscopic effect of a stereoscopic image, the image processing device including: an obtaining unit which obtains a left-eye image and a right-eye image which are included in the stereoscopic image; a recognition image generating unit which generates a recognition image corresponding to the stereoscopic image by applying a pattern to a virtual stereoscopic structure generated based on a depth represented in the stereoscopic image; a right/left recognition image generating unit which generates, from the recognition image, a right-eye recognition image and a left-eye recognition image according to a disparity of the stereoscopic image for stereoscopically viewing the recognition image; and an image combining unit which combines the right-eye recognition image with the right-eye image obtained by the obtaining unit and combines the left-eye recognition image with the left-eye image obtained by the obtaining unit.
US09576400B2
An avatar editing environment is disclosed that allows users to create custom avatars for use in online games and other applications. Starting with a blank face the user can add, rescale and position different elements (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) on the blank face. The user can also change the shape of the avatar's face, the avatar's skin color and the color of all the elements. In some implementations, touch input and gestures can be used to manually edit the avatar. Various controls can be used to create the avatar, such as controls for resizing, rotating, positioning, etc. The user can choose between manual and automatic avatar creation. The avatar editing environment can be part of a framework that is available to applications. One or more elements of the avatar can be animated.
US09576398B1
Augmented reality systems and associated methods, computer-readable media, techniques, and methodologies for improving contrast between projected or emitted computer-generated images and ambient light of a visible real-world environment are disclosed. Devices that incorporate such augmented reality systems are also disclosed.
US09576395B2
Described is a virtual environment built by drawing stacks of three-dimensional objects (e.g., discrete blocks) as manipulated by a user. A user manipulates one or more objects, resulting in stack heights being changed, e.g., by adding, removing or moving objects to/from stacks. The stack heights are maintained as sample points, e.g., each point indexed by its associated horizontal location. A graphics processor expands height-related information into visible objects or stacks of objects by computing the vertices for each stack to draw that stack's top surface, front surface and/or side surface based upon the height-related information for that stack. Height information for neighboring stacks may be associated with the sample point, whereby a stack is only drawn to where it is occluded by a neighboring stack, that is, by computing the lower vertices for a surface according to the height of a neighboring stack where appropriate.
US09576393B1
Soft shadows can be rendered using a relatively expensive blur process by leveraging the structure provided for various user interfaces. The elements of a user interface may be arranged according to a hierarchical tree or scene graph. Certain related elements may be grouped into a shadow group that can cast and/or receive a shadow. When the root of the shadow group is designated, the other child elements of the group can be added automatically, up to the boundary of another shadow group. A single texture for a shadow group can be determined, blurred, and projected onto a corresponding receiving group. If the shadow needs to be regenerated due to motion, for example, only a single texture needs to be regenerated for the group instead of a shadow for each element. A throttling value may be set to further limit the number of shadows that can be regenerated per frame.
US09576391B2
A tomography apparatus includes a data acquirer which acquires a first image which corresponds to a first time point and a second image which corresponds to a second time point by performing a tomography scan on an object; an image reconstructor which acquires first information which relates to a relationship between a motion amount of the object and the time based on a motion amount between the first image and the second image, predicts a third image which corresponds to a third time point between the first and second time points based on the first information, corrects the first information by using the predicted third image and measured data which corresponds to the third time point, and reconstructs the third image by using the corrected first information; and a display which displays the reconstructed third image.
US09576382B2
Profile data collected through sampling is transformed and visually and interactively manipulated and displayed. In one scenario, the profile data is collected through statistical profiling of a program for a video game. The game program profile data is visually and interactively manipulated and displayed to visually present a dynamic behavior of the video game that shows correlation of impacts that the functions of the program have on the video game's performance. This allows the developer to identify inefficient sections of the program for optimization.
US09576379B2
Provided is a PRCA-based method for dynamically reestablishing a PET image. The method comprises: (1) performing collection and correction to obtain a coincidence counting matrix; (2) performing correction restriction on a PET measurement equation; (3) performing iterative estimation on PET dynamic concentration data; and (4) reestablishing each frame of PET image. In the present invention, different frames of collected data are regarded as a whole for reestablishment, and the relevancy of the PET data in time is fully used, so that the obtained result can embody the characteristic that the dynamic PET can show the time change of a target region; and secondly, in the present invention, a background and target region method is used, the interference to the target region caused by the background is reduced, in addition, the time and space correction are added in the reestablishment, the accuracy of the reestablishment result is higher, and the contrast between the target region and the background is improved. So that the reestablishment effect is more excellent than that of the traditional FBP and ML-EM algorithm, thereby providing higher medical value.
US09576376B2
A method and apparatus are provided for locating a mirror line for conducting a mirror analysis of an image by reflecting extracted image content from a portion of the image on one side of the mirror line and overlaying this reflected image content onto the corresponding portion of the image on the opposing side of the mirror line. The extracted image content that is reflected onto the corresponding portion of the image on the opposite side of the mirror line is continuously updated in real-time as the user manipulates the location or orientation of the mirror line.
US09576371B2
This disclosure provides a video-based method and system for busyness detection and notification. Specifically, according to an exemplary embodiment, multiple overhead image capturing devices are used to acquire video including multiple non-overlapping ROIs (regions of interest) and the video is processed to count the number of people included within the ROIs. A busyness metric is calculated based on the number of people counted and notification of the busyness metric or changes in the busyness metric is communicated to appropriate personnel, e.g., a manager of a retail store.
US09576356B2
Systems and methods for training a region clustering forest include receiving a set of medical training images for a population of patients. A set of image patches is extracted from each image in the set of medical training images. A plurality of region clustering trees are generated each minimizing a loss function based on respective randomly selected subsets of the set of image patches to train the region clustering forest. Each of the plurality of region clustering trees cluster image patches at a plurality of leaf nodes and the loss function measures a compactness of the cluster of image patches at each leaf node in each of the plurality of region clustering trees.
US09576350B2
According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes a subtraction image acquisition part, a threshold processing part, an image processing part and an image operation part. The subtraction image acquisition part is configured to acquire subtraction image data between X-ray contrast image data and X-ray non-contrast image data of an object. The threshold processing part is configured to perform threshold processing of the subtraction image data or image data generated based on the subtraction image data. The image processing part is configured to perform image processing of image data after the threshold processing. The image operation part is configured to generate image data for a display by an image operation between the subtraction image data and image data after the image processing.
US09576341B2
An image-processing system including an image processor and a correction processor is provided. The imaging processor obtains a captured image. The correction processor produces a corrected image by correcting an aberration that emerges in the captured image. The correction processor produces: at least one or more processed images obtained by applying different processes to the captured image; a masking image by applying a predetermined process to one of the captured images or the at least one or more processed images; a composite image by synthesizing the masking image and either of the captured image or the at least one or more processed images, which are not used when producing the masking image; and the corrected image by synthesizing the composite image and the captured image.
US09576340B2
A technique for efficiently compressing rendered three-dimensional images in a remote rendering system adds a novel render-assisted prediction function to an existing video compression framework, such as the standard H.264/5 framework. Auxiliary rendering information is separated from rendering information used to describe a reference image by a server system. A client system may alter the auxiliary data and generate a new image based on the reference image and rendered scene information from the auxiliary data without creating additional network bandwidth or server workload.
US09576333B2
Several systems and methods for data processing are disclosed. In an embodiment, a data processing system includes a host processor, a plurality of slave processors and a plurality of frame buffers. Each slave processor is associated with at least one data co-processor configured to process data sub-frames based on one processing stage. For a first data sub-frame, a first messaging call is provisioned to the host processor by each slave processor subsequent to execution of a processing stage by an associated data co-processor. The host processor is configured to provision a second messaging call to a next slave processor upon receiving the first messaging call. Further, for each subsequent data sub-frame, a third messaging call is provisioned by each slave processor to a next slave processor subsequent to execution of the corresponding processing stage by the associated data co-processor for facilitating execution of the next processing stage.
US09576315B2
A host Web page includes an evolving interactive dialog box wherein an Internet user may enter user data to be processed. When the user completes entering user data in a first revolution of the interactive dialog box, the first revolution is replaced with a second revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box without disturbing or affecting any other part of the host Web page being displayed. Beneficially, the first and second revolutions may be communicated to a user computer together with and at a same time as the host Web page. Also, the second revolution may include a variety of data which is selected or customized to match the user data submitted in the first revolution. Each revolution of the evolving interactive dialog box may be comprised of any combination of general textual data entry fields, category (pull-down) menus, contact information data entry fields, and opt-in/opt-out buttons.
US09576309B2
A method comprising receiving, on a server, from a computing device of a user, a request to receive a battery charge on a battery-powered device of the user, the request including one or more criteria; identifying, by the server, one or more potential charge donors as target charge donors by comparing the criteria of the request with donor preferences previously provided by potential charge donors; and sending, from the server, information related to a target charge donor to the computing device of the user.
US09576301B1
Methods and systems for framing detection are disclosed. A web page comprising a child frame is generated. The child frame comprises an instruction to load a component from a merchant. The child frame comprises a header option restricting a loading of the component from within a parent frame associated with a domain external to the merchant. The web page is sent from the merchant to a client browser. It is determined that the web page is loaded within the parent frame in the client browser if a request for the component is not received by the merchant. It is determined that the web page is not loaded within the parent frame in the client browser if a request for the component is received by the merchant.
US09576293B2
A system and method for permitting an entity to more effectively make use of targeted benefits from a plurality of benefit providers; wherein the benefits are offered specifically to those entities qualified and eligible to receive said benefits. Various methods and systems for matching entities with benefits are also disclosed. An exemplary embodiment includes: (1) making available a plurality of benefits; (2) examining this plurality of benefits to determine which benefits entity is or may be qualified and eligible to receive; and (3) providing notification of said “entity-is-qualified-for” benefits. Entity information is compared to benefit information to determine those benefits, if any, to which the entity is or appears to be qualified to receive.
US09576290B2
A method of operating a computer system is disclosed. An eCommerce authentication request is received from a merchant node. The eCommerce authentication request has content including cardholder information. A risk score for the eCommerce authentication request is generated based on comparison of the cardholder information of the eCommerce authentication request to cardholder information of eCommerce authentication requests of a plurality of merchant nodes. The eCommerce authentication request is selectively provided to an authentication node based on the risk score.
US09576289B2
A method of processing a transaction between a customer and a merchant includes receiving from a mobile device of the customer or from another device of the customer an indication of consent to perform a cardless payment transaction with the merchant, receiving from the mobile device an indication that the customer is within a predetermined distance of the merchant, after receiving both the indication of consent and the indication that the customer is within the predetermined distance, sending to a computer system of the merchant an indication of the presence of the customer and personal identifying information for the customer, receiving data indicating a transaction between the customer and the merchant, and submitting the transaction to a financial service for authorization.
US09576285B2
Methods and systems for messaging, calling, and one blink, one-touch, and one gesture payments and buying via mobile and wearable devices are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises a database in communication with a processor, the processor configured to provide a haptic control associated with the system. The haptic control is shown on a display of a mobile and wearable device overlapping other visual elements. The haptic control provides mode selection elements associated with a payment, messaging, and calling modes. The processor receives a selection of the payment mode via the mode selection elements from a user. Upon the selection, context is extracted from the display. Based on the context, a payment transaction type which the user intends to perform is determined. The payment transaction type includes a payment receiving transaction and a payment sending transaction. Based on the determining, a transaction request is sent to a financial institution using the extraction.
US09576276B2
A method and computer program product for context-informed summarization is described. A method may comprise determining, via a computing device, a context of a communication. The method may further comprise determining, via the computing device, a summarization attribute for the communication based upon, at least in part, the context of the communication. The method may also comprise creating a summary of the communication based upon, at least in part, the summarization attribute.
US09576272B2
In one approach, a method includes: capturing an image of a document using a camera of a mobile device; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image of the document; extracting data of interest from the image based at least in part on the OCR; and validating the extracted data of interest against reference information stored on the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method includes: capturing an image of a document using a camera of a mobile device; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image of the document; extracting data of interest from the image based at least in part on the OCR; and validating authenticity of the document based on comparing some or all of the extracted data of interest to reference information stored on the mobile device.
US09576262B2
Self-learning and adaptive modeling is employed with respect to predictive analytics. A hierarchical model structure can be employed comprising a set of predictive models automatically built from accumulated data and distributed across multiple levels. For a given input type, a set of candidate models can be identified across varying levels of granularity, and a best model selected based on a comparison of performance metrics of the models. The best model can then be activated for use in making predictions. Of course, the best model can change based on most recent training performance results, since as more data becomes available more specific models can be developed.
US09576253B2
A network device, system, and method are directed towards detecting trusted reporters and/or abusive users in an online community using reputation event inputs, such as abuse reports. When an abuse report is received for a content item, the combined trust (reputation) of previous reporters on the reported content item and the trust (reputation) of the content author are compared to determine whether to trust the content item. If the content item is un-trusted, the content item may be hidden from public view. In one embodiment, the content item might still be visible to the content author, and/or members in the author's contact list, or the like, while being hidden from another user in the community. In one embodiment, the author may appeal the determined trust, and results of the appeal may be used to modify a trust of at least one reporter.
US09576248B2
Herein disclosed is a system and method for record linkage that uses machine learning to link records, so that many users can contribute their training data to a shared repository and employ the accumulated training data without any user having to share their actual data. The system includes a record linkage server, which further includes a record linkage repository, a domain classifier, and a domain classification trainer. The record linkage server is connected with a record linkage client, which includes a field comparator and a manual label prompter. Further disclosed is a method for record linkage, describing how two structured data sets can be matched, including searching domains, loading data sets, loading domain, matching fields, iterating record linking for all record pairs, including: selecting record pair, calculating comparison vector, calculating label probabilities, determining label, optionally setting label manually, updating prior probabilities, optionally confirming selected label, and updating training data.
US09576230B2
A manufacture for encoding information from which a position of an optical pen tip can be derived, said manufacture includes a display medium having a supporting base and upon which is encoded a two dimensional code pattern that is continuously arranged on an entire surface of the supporting base; wherein the pattern is formed by a sequence of narrow parallel bands, including at least two parallel lines, of which one line is a base line the remaining lines are secondary lines; wherein each narrow parallel band includes a sequence of dots, the dots being arranged in a pre-determined position in order to represent a number at a selected number base.
US09576229B2
An image forming apparatus includes a detector for detecting one of position and density information of a detection image based on a signal corresponding to a difference between a value of a detection signal corresponding to a first position of one of the detection image on an image carrier and a surface of the image carrier and an average value of a value of the detection signal corresponding to a second position on a downstream side with respect to the first position in a moving direction of the detection image and a value of the detection signal corresponding to a third position on an upstream side with respect to the first position in the moving direction during a time when the detection image formed on the image carrier passes through an irradiation region of an irradiation device.
US09576223B2
A method and a system for evaluating the class of a test datum in a data space of dimension D where D≧3, each datum belonging to at least one class grouping together several data, comprising: projecting a suite of reference data of the data space into a space of dimension Q where Q
US09576220B2
A computer-implemented method and apparatus are described for deblurring an image. The method may include accessing the image that has at least one blurred region and, automatically, without user input, determining a first value for a first size for a blur kernel for the at least one blurred region. Thereafter, automatically, without user input, a second value for a second size for the blur kernel is determined for the at least one blurred region. A suggested size for the blur kernel is then determined based on the first value and the second value.
US09576215B2
System and techniques for an image filter based on row identification are described herein. A crop row center represented in an image of a crop row can be calculated. A filter corresponding to a set of expected crop characteristics of the crop row can be obtained. Elements in the image can then be categorized based on applying the filter to the image when the filter anchored on the crop row.
US09576213B2
The invention provides a method for instantly recognizing and positioning an object, comprising steps of: a) wirelessly searching a wireless identification of the object; b) capturing a plurality of images of the object for each image capture; c) determining a 2D center coordinate (x, y) of the object based on a center coordinate (xw, yw) of the wireless identification of the object; d) transforming the captured images of the object to acquire a 3D pattern of the object, and comparing the 3D pattern of the object with 3D patterns pre-stored; and e) if the 3D pattern of the object matches with a pre-stored 3D pattern, calculating and obtaining a 3D center coordinate (x, y, z) of the object to recognize and position the object. The invention also provides a system and a processor enabling the method, and use of the system.
US09576212B2
A method, system, and machine-readable medium for classifying an image element as one of a plurality of categories, including assigning the image element based on a ratio between an unoccluded perimeter of the image element and an occluded perimeter of the image element and coding the image element according to a coding scheme associated with the category to which the image element is classified. Exemplary applications include image compression, where categories include image foreground and background layers.
US09576204B2
A system or method for automatic calculation of scene geometry may include receiving, by a processor, a video stream including a plurality of video frames. A video frame may be divided into blocks, and a vertical vanishing point of the video stream may be determined based on a dominant orientation of detected edges in the blocks. A horizon and scale of the video stream may be estimated based on optical flow of pixels between two consecutive video frames. A set of human heads may be detected in a video frame of the video stream based on the estimated horizon and scale of the video stream.
US09576203B2
Systems, devices, and methods for material recognition extract one or more features from a patch in an image of a scene; generate an initial prediction of a material category of the patch from candidate material categories based on the one or more features; identify a scene in the image; identify one or more objects in the image; obtain a first relationship model of two or more of the one or more features, the candidate material categories, the one or more objects, and the scene; and make a refined prediction of the material category of the patch based on the initial prediction of the material category and on the first relationship model.
US09576198B2
In one aspect, a method and apparatus for detecting subject matter of interest in view data obtained by scanning an object including generating a filter adapted to respond to the subject matter of interest, splatting the filter onto a portion of the view data to provide a filter splat, and performing at least one operation on the portion of the view data using the filter splat to facilitate determining whether the subject matter of interest is present in the portion of the view data.
US09576196B1
A system to recognize text or symbols contained in a captured image using machine learning models leverages context information about the image to improve accuracy. Contextual information is determined for the entire image, or spatial regions of the images, and is provided to a machine learning model when a determination is made as to whether a region does or does not contain text or symbols. Associating features related to the larger context with features extracted from regions potentially containing text or symbolic content provides an incremental improvement of results obtained using machine learning techniques.
US09576193B2
A gesture recognition method and an gesture recognition apparatus using the same method are proposed. The method includes the following steps: transmitting an infrared signal, and detecting whether an object appears in a predetermined range based on a first infrared signal retrieved from the infrared signal being reflected; when the object appears in the predetermined range, capturing a plurality of images including the object and a plurality of second infrared signals retrieved from the infrared signal being reflected; and recognizing the images to retrieve a horizontal movement direction of a gesture of the object within the predetermined range, and recognizing the second infrared signals to retrieve a depth movement direction of the gesture within the predetermined range.
US09576192B2
A method for notifying a motion includes decoding watermark information superimposed on sound or video, outputting timing information obtained as a decoding result, analyzing a motion of a user with reference to a table, determining whether or not a predetermined timing comes based on the timing information, performing determination regarding the motion of the user based on an analysis result if it is determined that the predetermined timing comes, and performing notification based on a result of the determination.
US09576188B2
Comprehensive 2D learning images are collected for learning subjects. Standardized 2D gallery images of many gallery subjects are collected, one per gallery subject. A 2D query image of a query subject is collected, of arbitrary viewing aspect, illumination, etc. 3D learning models, 3D gallery models, and a 3D query model are determined from the learning, gallery, and query images. A transform is determined for the selected learning model and each gallery model that yields or approximates the query image. The transform is at least partly 3D, such as 3D illumination transfer or 3D orientation alignment. The transform is applied to each gallery model so that the transformed gallery models more closely resemble the query model. 2D transformed gallery images are produced from the transformed gallery models, and are compared against the 2D query image to identify whether the query subject is also any of the gallery subjects.
US09576183B2
Apparatuses and methods for fast visual simultaneous localization and mapping are described. In one embodiment, a three-dimensional (3D) target is initialized immediately from a first reference image and prior to processing a subsequent image. In one embodiment, one or more subsequent reference images are processed, and the 3D target is tracked in six degrees of freedom. In one embodiment, the 3D target is refined based on the processed the one or more subsequent images.
US09576182B2
A method is provided for recording a user's handwritten signature through a device including a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes a phase of obtaining a handwritten signature, which includes at least one step of acquiring the handwritten signature on the touch-sensitive surface of the device, delivering an acquired signature and at least one step of recording the acquired signature within a signature-recording space. During the phase of obtaining the handwritten signature, the method includes at least one step of measuring at least one piece of complementary data through the device and at least one step of recording the at least one piece of complementary data.
US09576160B2
A card reader may include a card insertion part which is formed with an insertion port into which the card is inserted; and a magnetic sensor which is provided in the card insertion part and is structured to detect whether magnetic data are recorded on the card or not. The magnetic sensor may be disposed so as to secure a space between the card inserted into the insertion port and the magnetic sensor. The magnetic data may be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the card. When viewed in a thickness direction of the card which is inserted into the insertion port, a magnetism detection direction of the magnetic sensor may be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
US09576159B1
Approaches provide for a mobile point-of-sale system configured to facilitate the transfer of funds between entities (e.g., customers and merchants). A card reader can include two different types of slots configured for conducting a financial transaction between entities. A first slot can allow for a magnetic stripe element of a card to be swiped. A second slot can include contact elements which allow the card to be “dipped in”. In this way, the device can receive a swipe and/or a “dipping” of a card into a respective slot for conducting a financial transaction.
US09576152B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for protecting data determines a desired duplication rate based on a level of desired anonymity for the data and generates a threshold for data records within the data based on the desired duplication rate. The system produces a data record score for each data record based on comparisons of attributes for that data record, compares the data record scores to the threshold, and controls access to the data records based on the comparison. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for protecting data in substantially the same manners described above.
US09576147B1
Techniques are described for applying data usage policies through data tagging. A metadata tag may be applied to data to indicate a type of the data. In some cases, the tag may be applied to the data when the data is decrypted, and the tag may propagate with the data as the data is passed between processes. A software module may include control logic that is configured to apply data usage policies based on the type tag of data. When the software module attempts an action on the data, such as storing or communicating the data, the control logic may access policy information. Based on the policy information, the control logic may allow the action, prevent the action, or allow the action to proceed on a modified version of the data.
US09576146B2
A system receives a request to store a document in a database, receives a user security token, analyzes the document to determine an adjudicated security level for the document, compares the user security token to the adjudicated security level, stores the document when the user security token is equal to the adjudicated security level, when the user security token is not equal to the adjudicated security level, queries the user as to whether the document should be stored with the adjudicated security level, receives a response to the query from the user, stores the document when the user agrees to store the document with the adjudicated security level, and when the user does not agree to store the document with the adjudicated security level, transmits a message to a security officer and quarantine the document.
US09576127B2
Methods, media, and systems for detecting attack are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: comparing at least part of a document to a static detection model; determining whether attacking code is included in the document based on the comparison of the document to the static detection model; executing at least part of the document; determining whether attacking code is included in the document based on the execution of the at least part of the document; and if attacking code is determined to be included in the document based on at least one of the comparison of the document to the static detection model and the execution of the at least part of the document, reporting the presence of an attack. In some embodiments, the methods include: selecting a data segment in at least one portion of an electronic document; determining whether the arbitrarily selected data segment can be altered without causing the electronic document to result in an error when processed by a corresponding program; in response to determining that the arbitrarily selected data segment can be altered, arbitrarily altering the data segment in the at least one portion of the electronic document to produce an altered electronic document; and determining whether the corresponding program produces an error state when the altered electronic document is processed by the corresponding program.
US09576124B2
A method and system for using multi-level passwords is provided. The method includes receiving a request for access to a first level of access associated with secure components associated with a device of a user. In response, a portion of a passcode is received. The portion of the passcode does not include an entire portion. The portion of the passcode is compared to security group policy it is determined that the portion of the passcode meets requirements the security group policy. Access is enabled to a group of components of secure components based on the security requirements. The group of components is associated with the first level of security access.
US09576119B2
User sessions are authenticated based on locations associated with a user account used for sending a request for creating a session. Examples of locations of a source of a request include a geographical location, a network address, or a machine cookie associated with a device sending the request. Locations of the request are compared with stored safe locations associated with the user account and a suspiciousness index is determined for the session. The level of authentication required for the session is determined based on the suspiciousness index. Locations are associated with a reputation based on past history of sessions originating from the locations. A location associated with a history of creating suspicious session is considered an unsafe location. Reputation of the location originating the session is used to determine the level of authentication required for the session.
US09576111B2
A security framework for a host computer system which allows a host to control access to a compliant security token by ensuring enforcement of established security policies administered by a middleware application. Processing between the host computer system and the security token is performed using one or more modular security application agents. The modular security application agents are counterpart applications to security applications installed in the security token and may be retrieved and installed upon to ensure compatibility between counterpart token and host security applications. The security policies are a composite of host security policies and token security policies which are logically combined by the middleware application at the beginning of a session.
US09576100B2
According to an embodiment, a pattern data generation method is provided. In the pattern data generation method, when a resist on a substrate is exposed using a mask, an optical image at a designated resist film thickness position is calculated using a mask pattern. Feature quantity related to a shape of a resist pattern at the resist film thickness position is extracted, based on the optical image. Also, whether the resist pattern is failed is determined, based on the feature quantity, and pattern data of a mask pattern determined as failed is corrected.
US09576098B2
A method for performing leakage analysis includes receiving information specifying an integrated circuit. A neighborhood of shapes associated with the integrated circuit is then determined. Leakage information associated with the integrated circuit is generated based on the neighborhood of shapes. The neighborhood of shapes may be determined by determining a first set of spacings to a boundary of a first cell from an internal shape. A second set of spacings may be determined from the boundary of the first cell to a shape of a second cell. A lithography process may be characterized using the first and second set of spacings.
US09576095B1
Methods for partial reconfiguration compatibility detection in an integrated circuit device are disclosed. A disclosed method includes storing a unique identifier that identifies a partial reconfiguration region of the integrated circuit device in a storage circuit. A control circuit may receive an input partial reconfiguration data that activates the operations of the partial reconfiguration region. The method further includes comparing the input partial reconfiguration data to the stored unique identifier prior to activating the operations of the partial reconfiguration region of the integrated circuit device. The input partial reconfiguration data may contain an associated identifier that is derived from the unique identifier during a design compilation operation of the integrated circuit device.
US09576092B2
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for performing synthesis. For example, in one exemplary method disclosed herein, a high-level description of a complete circuit design is partitioned into a plurality of sections. Two or more synthesis engine configurations are selected for a respective one of the sections. The respective one of the sections is synthesized using the two or more selected synthesis engine configurations, thereby generating two or more gate-level descriptions. A gate-level description of the complete circuit design is generated that includes at least a portion of one of the gate-level descriptions. Computer-readable media storing instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods are also disclosed herein.
US09576090B2
This disclosure concerns the co-design of a testbench (100) and driver (102) of a device. It is an advantage in at least some embodiments that it improves driver reliability and reduces development cost. It does this by re-using the device functional layer (70) that is dependent on the device class but independent of the specific device and specific operating system (OS) of the driver. The device functional layer (70) is re-used as it is implemented in the device's testbench (100) and also as the core part of the device (driver (102). A scenario layer (68) is also used that is able to test the generic device interface (72) and device functional layer (70) in the testbench (100) environment, and the testing includes testing for responses to OS requests. This helps provide more exhaustive testing.
US09576087B2
A method comprising: simulating, in a lattice velocity set, movement of particles in a volume of fluid, with the movement causing collision among the particles; based on the simulated movement, determining relative particle velocity of a particle at a particular location within the volume, with the relative particle velocity being a difference between (i) an absolute velocity of the particle at the particular location within the volume and measured under zero flow of the volume, and (ii) a mean velocity of one or more of the particles at the particular location within the volume; and determining, based on the relative particle velocity, a non-equilibrium post-collide distribution function of a specified order that is representative of the collision.
US09576083B2
Automatic driver modeling is used to integrate human-controlled vehicles into an autonomous vehicle network. A driver of a human-controlled vehicle is identified based on behavior patterns of the driver measured by one or more sensors of an autonomous vehicle. A model of the driver is generated based on the behavior patterns of the driver measured by the one or more sensors of the autonomous vehicle. Previously stored behavior patterns of the driver are then retrieved from a database to augment the model of the driver. The model of the driver is then transmitted from the autonomous vehicle to nearby vehicles with autonomous interfaces.
US09576077B2
Technologies for generating and displaying media search results on a computing device include determining search criteria based on media stored and/or accessed on the computing device. One or more search queries are generated based on the search criteria and submitted to one or more search engines. Any search results are analyzed for relevancy to the media and/or user, and relevant search results are displayed on a display of the computing device. The user may select one or more of the displayed search results to access additional information, websites, and/or perform other functions related to the displayed search result.
US09576075B2
Context data is determined for a web page. The context data includes textual data that describes subject matter displayed on the web page. A client query is retrieved from a client-retrieved instance of the web page. An identifier associated with the web page capable of distinguishing the web page from other web pages is determined. In response to receiving the client query, a plurality of queries are retrieved from a database. Whether one or more of the retrieved queries correlate the determined web page context and the received client query is determined. A set of one or more queries from the plurality of queries is selected based on the selected set of queries each having been determined to correlate the web page context data and the client query. The selected set of the plurality of the queries is sent to the client-retrieved instance of the web page.
US09576072B2
Disclosed herein are technologies related to database calculation that utilizes parallel-computation of tasks in a directed acyclic graph. In accordance with one aspect, dependency of tasks is converted into a directed acyclic graph that topologically orders the tasks into layers of tasks. A database calculation may be performed, wherein the database calculation computes in parallel the tasks in each layer of the layers of tasks.
US09576058B2
Determining accuracies with which types of user identifying information identify online system users
An online system matches a user with a user of a third party system by comparing user identifying information maintained by the online system with user identifying information maintained by the third party system. To determine how accurately different types of user identifying information identify an online system user, types of user identifying information maintained by the online system are compared to types of user identifying information maintained by the third party system. A score is associated with various online system users based on the number of types of user identifying information associated with the user by the online system matching types of user identifying information associated with a third party system user. Based on the scores associated with different users, a measure of accuracy in identifying an online system user is determined for each type of user identifying information.
US09576057B2
The present invention relates to systems, methods, and user interfaces for browsing a collection of content items saved by a user or by one or more buddies associated with a given user. The method of the present invention comprises saving one or more content items and one or more associated keywords as specified by a user. An interface is generated that displays the one or more saved content items and the one or more associated keywords, as well as the one or more buddies associated with a given user. A user indication of the selection of a given keyword or the selection of a given buddy by the user is received. The one or more displayed content items are filtered according to the selected keyword, buddy, or combination of selected keyword and buddy.
US09576052B2
Methods and systems for dynamically training a web crawler. The web crawler maintains one or more categories each comprising a set of words. The method includes selecting at least one hyperlink in response to a query received from a user. The method further includes determining a hyperlink score for the at least one hyperlink based on a category score associated with each of one or more categories. The category score associated with each of the one or more categories is updated based at least in part on the hyperlink score. The updated category score is compared with the hyperlink score to select a category from the one or more categories. The set of words associated with the category is updated based on content of a web page pointed by the at least one hyperlink.
US09576050B1
Techniques for generating a playlist include: receiving acoustic information, obtaining seed information based on the acoustic information, identifying audio tracks in an audio library based on the seed information, and generating the playlist using at least some of the identified audio tracks.
US09576049B2
Computer storage media, computerized methods, and systems for semantically navigating between content using zoom operations, as well as other user-initiated operations, are provided. The zoom operations include an open-pinch gesture (zoom in) and a closed-pinch gesture (zoom out) physically applied to a touch-screen display of a client device, where the touch-screen display presents a document with original content. When one or more of the zoom operations have been detected as being performed upon a targeted portion of the original content, new content that is relevant to the targeted content is retrieved, as opposed to simply expanding or contracting the original content within a display area of the touch-screen display. The document is transitioned to a view with representations of the new content organized according to a format, where the format is dictated by a type of the one or more zoom operations being performed.
US09576043B2
A computer program product for managing and rendering one or more information nodes relative to a current focus. The computer program product receives one or more principal topics from an analysis of the information nodes. The computer program product determines a topic vector from a similarity of a first information node to each of the principal topics and a map from the topic vector to a storage location of the first information node. The computer program product determines one or more current topics from a second information node that has been recently accessed by a user and a current focus vector from a similarity of the one or more current topics to the one or more principal topics. The computer program product renders the current focus vector and the first information node according to a rendering algorithm that is applied to the current focus vector and the first information node.
US09576039B2
Example resource provisioning systems and methods are described. In one implementation, an execution platform accesses multiple remote storage devices. The execution platform includes multiple virtual warehouses, each of which includes a cache to store data retrieved from the remote storage devices and a processor that is independent of the remote storage devices. A resource manager is coupled to the execution platform and monitors received data processing requests and resource utilization. The resource manager also determines whether additional virtual warehouses are needed based on the data processing requests and the resource utilization. If additional virtual warehouses are needed, the resource manager provisions a new virtual warehouse.
US09576036B2
Techniques are disclosed to determine data quality issues in data processing jobs. The data processing job is received, the data processing job specifying one or more processing steps designed based on one or more data schemas and further specifies one or more desired quality metrics to measure at the one or more processing steps. One or more state machines are provided, that are generated based on the quality metrics and on the data schemas. Input data to the data process job are processed using the one or more state machines, in order to generate output data and a set of data quality records characterizing a set of data quality issues identified during the execution of the data processing job.
US09576031B1
An automated outlier detection system implements an unsupervised set of processes to determine feature subspaces from a dataset; determine candidate exploratory actions, where each candidate exploratory action is a specific combination of a feature subspace and a parameterized instance of an outlier detection algorithm; and identify a set of optimal exploratory actions to recommend for execution on the dataset from among the candidate exploratory actions. Outlier scores obtained as a result of execution of the set of optimal exploratory actions are processed to obtain one or more outlier views such that each outlier view represents a consistent characterization of outliers by each optimal exploratory action corresponding to that outlier view.
US09576030B1
Consumers often desire to compare themselves to other individuals. Disclosed herein are systems and methods of generating and displaying comparison information to users so that they can determine if they are “keeping up with the Joneses.”
US09576027B2
In a method for generating a query plan for estimating a number of unique entry counts of an attribute in a database, a sample of entries in the database is identified, at least one of a sampling percent and a coefficient of variance of the entries in the sample is identified, and a skewness of the entries in the sample is calculated. In addition, at least one of a plurality of estimators is selected based upon the skewness of the entries and at least one of the sampling percent and the coefficient of variance of the entries in the sample. Moreover, a query plan is generated from the selected at least one of the plurality of estimators. A query optimizer for performing the method is provided.
US09576022B2
An approach for identifying missing content is provided. An approach includes: receiving a search string; determining a skill rating associated with a searcher that generated the search string; and searching a database using the search string. The approach also includes: updating at least one of a first score associated with the search string and a second score associated with the database based on the skill rating; and generating an alert based on one of the first score exceeding a first threshold and the second score exceeding a second threshold.
US09576017B2
In certain example embodiments, a system is configured to check consistency between a first computer-represented graphical model and a second computer-represented graphical model. The system includes a data storage device and at least one processor that is incorporated into or accessible to a server. The data storage device includes or stores model correlation information, e.g., in a mapping table form. The model correlation information is configured to define at least one relationship type between the first model and the second model. The model correlation information includes a mapping of objects of the first model to objects of the second model at creation time of the model correlation information. The processor is configured to perform a model consistency check procedure that uses the model correlation information including the relationship type to ascertain an inconsistency between extant versions of the first model and the second model.
US09576010B2
In various embodiments, a system and related method for organizing transactional data from an application environment is disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a file system and one or more daemon indexers in electrical communication with the file system. The file system is arranged as a non-relational and serverless file system to allow for cost-effectiveness with ready scalability. The file system is to receive, in substantially real-time, unsorted transactional data from a publishing module. The one or more daemon indexers are arranged to receive the unsorted transactional data from the file system, organize the unsorted transactional data by operational characteristics, and store the organized transactional data on the file system. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
US09575999B2
A system is disclosed for managing address reflectors. In one example, the system discloses a reflector storage 108, 116, 124, 608, with a set of reflector members 304 associated with a set of reflector names 306. The system also includes a computer 100, 604 programmed with executable instructions 500, 610 which operate a set of modules. The modules includes reflector management module 106, 114, 122 which, receives a character-string from user input 104, 120, and identifies the reflector names 306 whose reflector members 304 are partially defined by the character-string.
US09575989B2
A method for file handling in a hierarchical storage environment includes receiving a new document for storage, and triggering and/or initiating a new document notification process upon receipt of the new document. The new document notification process includes scanning the new document for a set of keywords and/or references; creating enhanced metadata for the new document, wherein the enhanced metadata includes the set of keywords and/or references from said scanning; storing the enhanced metadata in a file system; and evaluating the enhanced metadata via a relationship analyzing process to produce a priority list defining a likelihood of possible access. The method also includes storing the new document in a storage tier of a hierarchical storage environment according to the priority list.
US09575983B2
Input backup data is deduplicated with data of a synthetic backup previously constructed by a deduplication storage. A synthetic backup is constructed by processing metadata instructions provided by a backup application. Deduplication digests are calculated based on the data of the synthetic backup and the deduplication digests are stored in a digests index. When new backup data is processed, deduplication digests of the new data are calculated and searched in the digests index. A data segment of the synthetic backup is partitioned into fixed sized sub-segments. The calculated digests of sub-segment are aggregated to produce the deduplication digest, and the deduplication digest is formed for the synthetic backup.
US09575978B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for restoring objects in a client-server environment. An entry is added to an index for each chunk identifier. Each index entry includes one of the chunk identifiers and a reference to the chunk of data in the target storage from which the chunk identifier was calculated. A request is transmitted to a server recovery agent to recover an object from the storage server. Chunk identifiers of chunks of data in the requested object to recover are received from the server recovery agent. A determination is made from the index of whether the received chunk identifiers for the requested object matches the chunk identifiers indicated in the index. A request is made of the chunks from the server recovery agent for the received chunk identifiers not matching chunk identifiers in the index entries.
US09575972B2
Disclosed is a method for creating and reading a contiguous file in an extensible file system. During the creation of a file on the storage media, the file system format check the bitmap to determine if there are areas of free space on the media that would permit the storage of the file in a contiguous manner. By storing the file in a contiguous manner the file may later be read without resorting to the file allocation table, because the file itself would not be fragmented on the storage media. Once an area of free space has been identified, the file is written to the media in a contiguous manner. Further, an associated entry for the file in the directory entry is updated or created to indicate that the file is a contiguous file and also provides basic parameters necessary to read the file without resorting to accessing the file allocation table.
US09575971B2
Various embodiments relate to intelligently generating a playlist and determining attributes of a media player for output when content of the playlist is played. The playlist may be generated dynamically from content from multiple media sources and sensor information from one or more sensors communicating with the media player. The one or more attributes may also be determined from the sensors. The playlist and the attributes may change as the information from the sensors change.
US09575967B2
Methods and systems for improving a music experience are described. Multiple users can provide their musical preferences (e.g., favorite artist, group, genre, era, etc.). When the users come within the vicinity of a jukebox, the users' musical preferences are retrieved or determined. Using the combined or shared preferences of the users in the vicinity of the jukebox, the system is able to create or adjust the current playlist of songs, tailoring the music played based on the users listening nearby.
US09575964B2
A method for assisting a user with one or more desired tasks is disclosed. For example, an executable, generic language understanding module and an executable, generic task reasoning module are provided for execution in the computer processing system. A set of run-time specifications is provided to the generic language understanding module and the generic task reasoning module, comprising one or more models specific to a domain. A language input is then received from a user, an intention of the user is determined with respect to one or more desired tasks, and the user is assisted with the one or more desired tasks, in accordance with the intention of the user.
US09575960B1
One or more words at a specified location in an electronic document can be identified. The identified one or more words can be analyzed to determine one or more semantic meanings associated with the words. An audio clip (i.e., audio file, audio element) associated with or corresponding to (the semantic meaning(s) of) the one or more words can be searched for in an audio database. The search for the audio clip associated with the one or more words can utilize an index that specifies the associations between words and audio clips. In some embodiments, the audio clip can be played when an estimated location of where the user is reading is at or near the specified location of the one or more words. In some embodiments, the audio clip can be played when it is calculated that the user is reading the one or more words at the specified location.
US09575957B2
A method and system for recognizing chemical names in a Chinese document. The method includes: receiving a Chinese document including chemical names; recognizing chemical name segments in the document; recognizing non-chemical name segments in the document; and combining the chemical name segments to get chemical names based on the recognized chemical name segments and non-chemical name segments. Specific embodiments of the present invention can effectively recognize chemical names from a chemical document.
US09575953B2
A natural-language processing system includes a registration-candidate storage section that stores therein registration-candidate dictionary data, a judgment means that compares input data against the registration-candidate dictionary data to thereby judge whether or not the input data includes a word corresponding to the registration-candidate dictionary data, an inquiry means that inquires to a user whether or not corresponding dictionary data is to be registered in a dictionary storage section to accept a user's instruction if it is judged that a corresponding word exists, a dictionary registration means that registers the corresponding dictionary data in the dictionary storage section based on the input instruction, and a natural-language processing means that executes a natural-language processing onto the input data by using the dictionary data registered in the dictionary storage section.
US09575951B2
A system for the dynamic encoding in a semantic network of both syntactic and semantic information into a common four valued logical notation. The encoding of new information being benign to prior syntactic constructions, tests for N conditionals in time O(C) and allows for the proper quantification of variables at each recursive step. The query/inference engine constructed from such an implementation is able to optimize short term memory for maximizing long term storage in the automaton. In a parallel context this can be viewed as optimizing communication and memory allocation between processes. The self-referencing system is capable of analogically extending knowledge from one knowledge source to another linearly. Disclosed embodiments include machine translation, text summarization, natural language speech recognition natural language.
US09575950B2
A method and computing device for managing models. The method and computing device receive a spreadsheet model, receive template management instructions on how to manage evaluations, create, from the spreadsheet model and the template management instructions, a model template, and deploy, in response to user action, an instance of the model template into a model relationship structure relating one or more spreadsheet model instances.
US09575946B2
An automotive text display arrangement is described which includes a driver text display positioned directly in front of an automobile driver and displaying a limited amount of text to the driver without impairing forward visual attention of the driver. The arrangement may include a boundary insertion mode wherein when the active text position is an active text boundary, new text is inserted between the text items separated by the active text boundary, and when the active text position is an active text item, new text replaces the active text item. In addition or alternatively, there may be a multifunctional text control knob offering multiple different user movements, each performing an associated text processing function.
US09575941B1
A computing device is described that identifies an element that specifies content in accordance with a markup language, where an attribute of the element defines a size of at least a portion of the content specified by the element. Prior to rendering the content specified by the element for display at a display device, the computing device modifies, based at least in part on a screen size of the display device, the attribute of the element to adjust the size of the portion of the content specified by the element based on the screen size of the display device. The computing device renders, for display, the content in accordance with the element and the modified attribute.
US09575929B2
The present invention classifies all critical paths into two basic types: a series critical path and a feedback critical path, and divides each of wave-pipelined circuits into two components: a static logic part, called critical path component (CPC), and a dynamic logic part, formalized into four wave-pipelining components (WPC) shared by all wave-pipelined circuits. Each wave-pipelining ready code in HDL comprises two components: a WPC instantiation and a CPC instantiation wire-connected and linked by a new link statement. Each WPC has new wave constants which play the same role as generic constants do, but whose initial values are determined and assigned by a synthesizer after code analysis, so designers can use after-synthesization information in their code before synthesization for wave-pipelining technology. The responsibility of analyzing and manipulating wave-pipelining ready code, generating and implementing wave-pipelined circuits on a design-wide or chip-wide scale in HDL is shifted from designers to synthesizers.
US09575927B2
A server and/or a client stores a metadata hash map that includes one or more entries associated with keys for data records stored in a cache on a server. Each of the entries stores metadata for a corresponding data record, wherein the metadata comprises a server-side remote pointer that references the corresponding data record stored in the cache, as well as a version identifier for the key. A selected data record is accessed using a provided key by: (1) identifying potentially matching entries in the metadata hash map using the provided key; (2) accessing data records stored in the cache using the server-side remote pointers from the potentially matching entries; and (3) determining whether the accessed data records match the selected data record using the provided key and the version identifiers from the potentially matching entries.
US09575924B2
Provided is a terminal for controlling an external device, not equipped with its own memory or controller, connected to the terminal. The portable terminal, when being connected to at least one external device, changes its setting with an extracted setting data matching the connected external device. Accordingly, the connected external device in a connection state to the portable terminal performs corresponding operations under control of the portable terminal.
US09575923B2
A method of operating an input/output interface includes selecting one of a plurality of output driver circuits according to a mode selection signal, and outputting a data signal using the selected one of the plurality of output driver circuits. Another method of operating an includes generating a mode selection signal based on a received command signal, and controlling an on-die termination (ODT) circuit included in the input/output interface according to the mode selection signal. Another method of operating an includes generating a mode selection signal based on a received command signal, and controlling an ODT circuit included in the input/output interface according to the mode selection signal.
US09575920B2
Exemplary methods and systems are directed to transmitting a process map of a control or automation system via a gateway device. The gateway device includes at least one first functional unit connected to a higher-ranking control unit via a first communications link based on a primary field bus protocol, and at least one second functional unit connected to at least one field device via a second communications link based on a secondary field bus protocol. Binary signals are stored in corresponding registers and analog signals, which are in an integer format, are transmitted to the first functional unit such that the number of binary signals is reduced by packing the binary signals into data bytes. The data bytes are translated into corresponding telegrams that can be processed by the primary field bus protocol and with the analog signals are transmitted to the higher-ranking control unit.
US09575919B2
In a storage device applying PCIe to a back-end network connection, in order to be capable of allocating bus numbers and making a PCIe switch expanded afterwards usable, it is necessary to once reset all PCIe switches. To dissolve this necessity, PCIe switches of the back-end network of the storage device are connected in series, a range of continuous bus numbers that are managed and stored in bus number management table is allocated for the back-end network connection, and when expanding the PCIe switch, the bus numbers are allocated in ascending order from a minimum value of the allocatable bus numbers to each of a link between the PCIe switches and to a virtual PCI bus within the PCIe switch, and the bus numbers are allocated in descending order from a maximum value of the allocatable bus numbers to the link between the PCIe switch and a drive.
US09575916B2
A system identifies a performance bottleneck status in a parallel data processing environment by examining data flow associated with the parallel data processing environment to identify at least one operator, where an operator type is associated with at least one operator, at least one buffer, and a relationship that the buffer has with the operator, where the relationship is associated with the operator type. The system monitors the buffer to determine a buffer status associated with the buffer. The system applies a set of rules to identify an operator bottleneck status associated with the operator. The set of rules is applied to the operator, based on the operator type, the buffer status, and relationship that the buffer has with the operator. The system then determines a performance bottleneck status associated with the parallel data processing environment, based on the operator bottleneck status.
US09575909B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit, a waveguide forming unit, a communication unit, and a memory controller. The recording unit is configured to record and hold data. The waveguide forming unit is configured to function as a transmission path that transmits the data. The communication unit is configured to communicate with the waveguide forming unit. The memory controller is configured to control input and output of the data to and from the recording unit.
US09575893B2
A snoop filter for a multi-processor system has a storage device and a control circuit. The control circuit manages at least a first-type entry and at least a second-type entry stored in the storage device. The first-type entry is configured to record information indicative of a first cache of the multi-processor system and first requested memory addresses that are associated with multiple first cache lines each being only available in the first cache. The second-type entry is configured to record information indicative of multiple second caches of the multi-processor system and at least a second requested memory address that is associated with a second cache line being available in each of the multiple second caches.
US09575889B2
A memory server providing remote memory for servers independent from the memory server. The memory server includes memory modules and a page table. A memory controller for the memory server allocates memory in the memory modules for each of the servers and manages remote memory accesses for the servers. The page table includes entries identifying the memory module and locations in the memory module storing data for the servers.
US09575888B2
A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor memory device suitable for storing data, and a host suitable for controlling the semiconductor memory device in response to an external command signal, in which the semiconductor memory device includes a buffer block suitable for storing first data programmed under control of the host, and a main block suitable for storing the second data programmed under control of the host or a copy of the first data stored in the buffer block at a sudden power fail.
US09575882B2
Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for a memory controller. An apparatus includes a volatile memory medium located on a memory module. An apparatus includes a non-volatile memory medium located on a memory module. A memory controller is located on a memory module. A memory controller may be configured to provide access to at least a non-volatile memory medium over a direct wire interface with a processor.
US09575879B2
Methods, computer program products, and systems for managing memory in a computer system in which memory locations in use at any given time are represented as a set of memory objects in a first object graph. The first object graph includes a system root object associated by references to each of the memory objects. A method includes creating a second root object for the memory so as to form a second object graph for the memory. The method also includes, in response to the dereferencing of a first object from the first object graph, associating the dereferenced first object with the second object graph so that the second object graph includes at least one dereferenced object.
US09575869B2
A meta-debugger receives a first debugging command from a debugger client to set a breakpoint in a first service in a first language and sets the breakpoint in a first native debugger. After receiving a service message invoking the first service, the breakpoint is triggered and the meta-debugger provides to the debugger client a first graphical representation of the first native debugger. The meta-debugger receives a second debugging command from the debugger client, converts the second debugging command into a third debugging command to provide to the first native debugger. After invoking a second service in a second language, the meta-debugger provides to the debugger client a second graphical representation of the second native debugger. The meta-debugger receives a fourth debugging command from the debugger client, converts the fourth debugging command into a fifth debugging command to provide to the second native debugger.
US09575865B2
An abnormal state of an allocated task in a processing node is detected correctly without using any resource of the processing node. A power usage statistics storing unit 240 stores a statistical value representing a power usage of the processing node in a state of executing the task. A power usage comparing unit 250 compares a newly collected power usage of the processing node in a state of executing the task with the statistical value representing a power usage of the processing node, which is stored in the power usage statistics storing unit 250, to detect an abnormal state of the task in the processing node.
US09575861B2
A system on chip is provided which performs a built-in self-test operation using an error access pattern. The system on chip includes a master device and a slave device. A bus is configured to transfer an instruction from the master device to the slave device. A built-in instruction capture circuit is configured to receive and store the instruction. The built-in instruction capture circuit stores the instruction as the error access pattern when an error occurs in the slave device due to the instruction.
US09575860B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus. In the method, a programmable random access memory testing circuit detects a signal to initiate testing of at least one random access memory circuit, the testing circuit being connected to a bus to which a processor and the at least one memory circuit is connected, the at least one memory circuit comprising at least a first memory block. The testing circuit determines that the bus is not reserved and reserves the bus. The testing circuit reads application data in a first memory block to a temporary memory of the testing circuit. The testing circuit executes marching test for the first memory block in a memory circuit. The testing circuit returns the application data back to the first memory block in the memory circuit. The testing circuit releases the bus.
US09575855B2
A storage apparatus has a redundant configuration equipped with a plurality of components and includes a first controller and second controller, wherein the first controller is provided with a first processor and a third processor for monitoring the first controller; wherein the second controller is provided with a second processor and a fourth processor for monitoring the second controller; wherein the first processor and the second processor are connected via a first path and the third processor and the fourth processor are connected via a second path; and wherein if a failure occurs at the first controller, the second processor blocks the first path, acquires failure information including a failure location of the first controller via the third processor, the fourth processor, and the second path, executes first failure location identifying processing, and notifies a management terminal of the failure location.
US09575853B2
One embodiment provides a storage system. The storage system includes storage system control logic to identify at least one target storage device in response to detection of a failed storage device, request a state of a target device logical block address (LBA) from each of the at least one target storage device, and read data associated with a mapped device LBA from each target storage device and write the data to at least one replacement storage device. Another embodiment provides a storage device. The storage device includes device control logic to determine a state of a target device logical block address (LBA) in response to a request; a host interface to provide a reply to the request, the reply including a state indicator related to the state of the target device LBA; a map table including a plurality of device LBAs and respective state indicators; and non-volatile memory (NVM) including data related to at least one mapped LBA.
US09575851B1
A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for non-disruptively moving a replicated volume from a first storage medium to a second storage medium, the method comprising notifying a first data protection appliance that the replicated volume is moving from a first storage medium to a second storage medium; setting a replication connection between second volume and target of the first volume while maintaining replication connection from first volume to target of the first volume.
US09575837B2
A computing device operates an application to receive and implement new functionality from a network service. If the new functionality causes the application to fail, the application can automatically discard or ignore the new functionality when the application is re-launched.
US09575836B2
Embodiments include a computer system for temporary pipeline marking for processor error workarounds, the computer system having a processor configured to perform a method. The method includes monitoring a pipeline of the processor for an event that is predetermined to place the processor in a stuck state that results in an errant instruction execution result due to the stuck state or repeated resource contention causing performance degradation. The pipeline is marked for a workaround action based on detecting the event. A clearing action is triggered based on the marking of the pipeline. The marking of the pipeline is cleared based on the triggering of the clearing action.
US09575832B2
Systems and methods relating generally to solid state memory, and more particularly to systems and methods for recovering data from a solid state memory. An example data processing system includes a first circuit operable to yield a modified soft data set from a data set accessed from a solid state memory device, and a second circuit operable to apply a data decoding algorithm to the modified soft data to yield a decoded output.
US09575828B2
A method for assisting evaluation of anomalies in a distributed storage system is disclosed. The method includes a step of monitoring at least one system metric of the distributed storage system. The method further includes steps of maintaining a listing of patterns of the monitored system metric comprising patterns which previously did not result in a failure within one or more nodes of the distributed storage system, and, based on the monitoring, identifying a pattern (i.e., a time series motif) of the monitored system metric as a potential anomaly in the distributed storage system. The method also includes steps of automatically (i.e. without user input) performing a similarity search to determine whether the identified pattern satisfies one or more predefined similarity criteria with at least one pattern of the listing, and, upon positive determination, excepting the identified pattern from being identified as the potential anomaly.
US09575822B2
An order controller stores each received event in a separate entry in one of at least two queues with a separate counter value set from an arrival order counter at the time of storage, wherein the arrival order counter is incremented after storage of each of the received events and on overflow the arrival order counter wraps back to zero. The order controller calculates an exclusive OR value of a first top bit of a first counter for a first queue from among the at least two queues and a second top bit of a second counter for a second queue from among the at least two queues. The order controller compares the exclusive OR value with a comparator bit to determine whether a first counter value in the first counter was stored before a second counter value in the second counter.
US09575821B2
The present application provides a method and a device for preventing window's lagging, and relates to the field of computer technology. The method comprises: when a child window is created by a thread, a middle window being firstly created in a thread different from the thread in which each child window of a window system is positioned, wherein the middle window is the parent window of the child window currently created, the parent window of the middle window is a frame parent window, and the thread in which the child window currently created is positioned differs from the thread in which the frame parent window is positioned; if window's lagging of a child window occurs, a window's lagging message of the child window in which window's lagging occurs being sent to the thread in which the corresponding middle window is positioned; and the middle window and the child window in which window's lagging occurs are separated from a window frame by the thread in which the middle window is positioned. By the present application, the middle window corresponding to the child window in which window's lagging occurs can be separated from the window system; the window's lagging state of the integral window system caused by the window's lagging of the child window is avoided; and the window's lagging problem of the integral window system caused by the window's lagging of the child window in the windows system of the Windows is solved.
US09575817B2
A system, method and computer program product are provided for sharing information in a distributed system. After information is received, it is stored on a bulletin board. In use, the information is shared, in real-time, among a plurality of heterogeneous processes.
US09575814B2
In a method for processing work items that have not been completed by a first escalation, a computer determines that the first escalation failed to complete execution, processed fewer work items than the first escalation is configured to process, or completed execution beyond an allotted processing time. The computer duplicates the first escalation to form a second escalation. In addition, the computer configures the second escalation to process the work items that have not been completed by the first escalation. Furthermore, the computer disables the first escalation and activates the second escalation to process the work items that have not been completed by the first escalation.
US09575807B2
Techniques related to a processing accelerator with queue threads are described herein.
US09575803B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining an ordering to use to open and close programs that call other programs. A dependency file indicates for each calling program at least one called program called by the calling program, wherein a called program that calls another program also comprises a calling program. The dependency file is processed to determine an order in which the called programs are called by the calling programs. A determination is made from the order the called programs called by an invoked calling program. The determined called programs are invoked according to the order. The calling program is invoked in response to invoking the determined called programs. The order indicates the order in which the calling programs and the called programs are invoked so the called programs are invoked before invoking the calling programs that invoke the called programs.
US09575801B2
The disclosure is related to systems and methods of using a data storage device's processing power to perform mathematical operations on data within a data storage device. The mathematical operation may be done independently of a host system and the data storage device may provide a calculated result to the host system instead of providing stored data. In a particular embodiment, the data storage device may perform a convolution operation on data received from a host, compare the result of the convolution operation to data comprising a set of potential matches previously stored on the data storage device, and select at least one of the set of potential matches to provide as a result to the host.
US09575789B1
A computer-implemented method for enabling migratory virtual machines to expedite access to resources may include (1) detecting a migration of a virtual machine from a physical computing system to a different physical computing system, (2) locating resource information within the virtual machine that identifies an access path to a resource of the physical computing system despite the migration of the virtual machine, (3) identifying a different access path to a corresponding resource of the different physical computing system, and then (4) modifying the resource information within the virtual machine to identify the different access path to the corresponding resource in order to expedite resource access by enabling the virtual machine to access the corresponding resource via the different access path instead of accessing the resource via the access path. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09575785B2
A cluster system and a method for providing service availability. The cluster system includes a first physical server having registered therein an active virtual machine; and a plurality of physical servers, wherein the plurality of physical servers comprises a second physical server having registered therein a standby virtual machine corresponding to the active virtual machine, the active virtual machine failing over to the standby virtual machine when a failure occurs in the first physical server, wherein each of the plurality of physical servers stores post-failure registration information when the failure occurs, wherein the post-failure registration information associates the active virtual machine with a physical server among the plurality of physical servers, and wherein the physical server is different from the second physical server.
US09575780B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for generating an executable file of a multi-instance service. The method includes: performing compilation for a source file corresponding to a multi-instance service, to obtain a first-class object file, where the multi-instance service includes N instances, and N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2; performing an object copy of the first-class object file N−1 times, to obtain N−1 new first-class object files; and performing linking to the first-class object file and the N−1 new first-class object files, to generate an executable file. In the present invention, an executable file is generated by performing mirroring and linking processing for an object file obtained by compilation, thereby reducing a development cost and a maintenance cost of software source code.
US09575777B2
There is provided an information processing device including a selection unit configured to, on the basis of first identification information included in a processing instruction and corresponding to a service, and first association information in which the first identification information is associated with second identification information for identifying an application, select an application to perform the service corresponding to the processing instruction, and an execution unit configured to cause the selected application to perform a process in accordance with the processing instruction.
US09575775B2
A method for automatic execution of at least one program associated with a mounted medium, wherein the mounted medium is ejected from a device is provided. The method may include determining if an automatic program initiation on eject is required, wherein the determining is based on a detection of the mounted medium being mounted in the device. The method may also include registering the required automatic program initiation on eject, wherein the registering is based on the determination of the automatic program initiation on eject being required. The method may include storing an executable program content associated with the registered automatic program initiation on eject. Additionally, the method may include executing the stored executable program content, wherein the execution is based on a detection of the mounted medium being ejected from the device. The method may include deregistering the required automatic program initiation on eject.
US09575773B2
Methods and systems configured to facilitate monitoring of multiple remote desktops in a user interface of a wireless device are provided. One example method includes maintaining image data representing a prior state of graphical displays of a plurality of graphical user interfaces associated with the remote desktops, in response to receiving a first request specifying first display information from the wireless device, preparing first update information for a first scaled image corresponding to content of a first graphical display, wherein the first scaled image contains image data defining a lower resolution version of a current state of a first graphical display out of the graphical displays, the scaled version is being sized according to the first display information received from the wireless device, and transmitting the prepared first update information to the wireless device to be displayed in the user interface.
US09575768B1
The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for loading boot code from multiple memories. In some aspects a transfer operation transferring a portion of boot code from a memory of a first type is initiated prior to completion of another transfer operation transferring another portion of the boot code from another memory of the first type. This can be effective to enable concurrent transfers of boot code from multiple memories of the first type into a memory of a second type for execution. By so doing, a speed at which boot code is transferred into the memory of the second type is increased, which may result in decreased device boot times.
US09575767B2
An electronic system includes a central processing unit (CPU) expansion apparatus and a portable electronic apparatus. The CPU expansion apparatus has a first CPU connector and a first CPU. The portable electronic apparatus has a second CPU connector and a second CPU. When the first CPU connector is connected to the second CPU connector, a data transmission is implemented between the first CPU and the second CPU. A CPU expansion apparatus, portable electronic apparatus and processing method are also disclosed. With the electronic system, CPU expansion apparatus, portable electronic apparatus and processing method according to the invention, the portable electronic apparatus can be connected to an additional CPU externally and is thereby improved in efficiency of processing and computing.
US09575758B2
A method for setting one or more breakpoints within executable program code of an embedded device is described. The method comprises copying at least one area of non-volatile memory (NVM) of the embedded device, comprising at least one instruction at which a breakpoint is to be set, into at least one area of overlay memory replacing within the overlay memory the at least one instruction at which a breakpoint is to be set with a breakpoint operation code, and enabling a mapping of the at least one area of NVM, comprising the at least one instruction at which a breakpoint is to be set, to the at least one area of overlay memory during execution of the program code within the embedded device.
US09575749B1
The system provides a method and apparatus for the dynamic distribution, deployment, and configuration of optimizable code modules for use with software workflows running on a single compute device or across a network connected grid of compute devices. The system comprises one or more collections of software and data modules stored in a content catalog, conforming to a defined interface, and having metadata conforming to a schema that enables the modules to be statically or dynamically optimized by the controlling workflow and a workflow manager. The system provides a service that enables code modules to be located, deployed, configured, and updated by the controlling workflow, the workflow manager, or a remote manager.
US09575741B2
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for wireless device-to-device software upgrade. In one implementation, a source electronic device receives software version information from a target electronic device. The source electronic device transmits software version information of the source electronic device and software version information of the target electronic device to a server. The source electronic device receives, from the server, a notification that the source electronic device is permitted to upgrade the target electronic device. The source electronic device then establishes a wireless connection with the target electronic device. Next, the source electronic device receives, from the target electronic device, information regarding a software upgrade that is needed by the target electronic device. The source electronic device then wirelessly transmits the software upgrade to the target electronic device.
US09575740B2
An apparatus and method for isolating at least one of a plurality of applications included in an electronic device are provided. The method includes selecting at least one of the plurality of applications included in the electronic device, preprocessing the at least one selected application so as to be at least one modified application included in a sandbox isolating the at least one selected applications from others of the plurality of applications, and installing the at least one modified application on the electronic device so as to be executed only according to the sandbox.
US09575738B1
Disclosed are systems and methods relating to the deployment of an application. A plurality of nodes in one or more clusters of nodes may be identified. Inventory information for each of the plurality of nodes may be retrieved. The inventory information may provide configuration and state information associated with each node. For example, the inventory information retrieved from the plurality of nodes may include an internet protocol address or a hostname associated with each the plurality of nodes, and a version of software installed on each of the plurality of nodes. An order for deploying the software application may be determined based on the retrieved inventory information. The order may identify a sequence in which the software application is deployed to at least one of the plurality of nodes. The software application may be deployed to at least one of the plurality of nodes based on the determined order.
US09575735B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to templated application deployment and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for the uniform specification of the creation and management of an application template. In one embodiment, a method for creating and managing application templates utilizing assets can be provided. The method can include grouping templated application components as assets described by a profile, building a manifest for the grouped assets, and packaging the grouped assets and the manifest in an archive. In this regard, grouping templated application components as assets described by a profile, can include grouping templated application components as Reusable Asset Specification (RAS) assets described by an RAS profile.
US09575732B2
Embodiments are directed to presenting multiple projections of a declarative program and to presenting partial projections of a declarative program. In one scenario, a computer system establishes a declarative program that includes various artifacts. The computer system displays a first projection of the declarative program, which includes one or more elements of a workflow. The computer system then determines that an additional projection is to be displayed in addition to the first projection, and presents a second projection based on the artifacts of the declarative program. The second projection illustrates the artifacts in a form different than that shown in the first projection, and is presented in addition to the first projection. In some cases, the computer system further receives an input and edits the declarative program according to the received input. The edits to the declarative program are substantially lossless, and can be performed using partial or full projections.
US09575730B2
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores a template generating program for causing a computer to execute a process. The process includes specifying common script portions and non-common script portions from a plurality of templates for each of a plurality of categories, each of the plurality of templates include scripts related to components constituting a system, the plurality of categories being grouped by similarity of kind of the components; generating a plurality of versatile scripts for the plurality of categories, respectively, each of the plurality of versatile scripts including the specified common portions and defining the non-common portions as items indicating description variants; and generating a template for a new system combining, for a component identical to a component in the existing system, the script for the identical component in the existing system and, for a new component, the versatile script of a similar category.
US09575723B2
Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, systems and computer program products for performing a data manipulation function. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a request from an application to perform the data manipulation function and based on determining that a specialized hardware device configured to perform the data manipulation function is available, the method includes determining if executing the request on the specialized hardware device is viable. Based on determining that the request is viable to execute on the specialized hardware device, the method includes executing the request on the specialized hardware device.
US09575721B2
A method of controlling a head mounted display (HMD) according to one embodiment of the present specification includes performing a first operation, receiving a first voice input through an audio input unit, processing the first voice input with respect to the first operation while a first contact is detected through a first sensor positioned at a nose pad of the HMD, detecting the first contact being released through the first sensor positioned at a nose pad of the HMD, receiving a second voice input through the audio input unit while the first contact is released, and performing a second operation according to the received second voice input.
US09575720B2
Techniques described herein provide a computing device configured to provide an indication that the computing device has recognized a voice-initiated action. In one example, a method is provided for outputting, by a computing device and for display, a speech recognition graphical user interface (GUI) having at least one element in a first visual format. The method further includes receiving, by the computing device, audio data and determining, by the computing device, a voice-initiated action based on the audio data. The method also includes outputting, while receiving additional audio data and prior to executing a voice-initiated action based on the audio data, and for display, an updated speech recognition GUI in which the at least one element is displayed in a second visual format, different from the first visual format, to indicate that the voice-initiated action has been identified.
US09575711B2
Each of liquid crystal display apparatuses (10), forming a multi-image display system, includes an image signal processing part (2) which determines a write speed of an image signal based on the number of liquid crystal display apparatuses (10) being aligned in a vertical direction with respect to the lines of an image display device (3) in the multi-image display system. Additionally, the image signal processing part (2) shifts write start timing of the image signal display device (3) based on the location of the corresponding apparatus within the liquid crystal display apparatuses (10) being aligned in the vertical direction with respect to the lines, thus displaying a display image of the corresponding apparatus in the image display device (3) at the determined write speed.
US09575705B2
Systems and methods relating to preparing data for use in a printing operation are provided. One method includes receiving selected records from a first data source. The selected records have been subjected to a first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials. The method further includes updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step. A time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for the printed materials. The method further includes creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation. The printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.
US09575704B2
A non-transitory computer readable information recording medium stores a program therein. The program when executed by one or more processors causes an operation terminal to perform determining, based on information that the operation terminal obtains from the outside in response to an operation performed on the operation terminal, an electronic apparatus from among a plurality of electronic apparatuses connected to the operation terminal, the electronic apparatus being one which is to output electronic data stored in an information storage apparatus connected to the operation terminal; obtaining, from the information storage apparatus, electronic data from among a plurality of sets of electronic data stored in the information storage apparatus in a format that the determined electronic apparatus is capable of outputting; and transmitting the obtained electronic data to the determined electronic apparatus.
US09575703B2
The invention is related to a portable electronic printing device equipped with a microprocessor, comprising a data processing module and a touch display designed for the user to communicate with the device and a printer module electronically connected and integrated in a single housing with the touch display equipped with a paper tray and an opening for paper output from the printer, characterised in that the opening designed for paper output from the printer (5) extends in parallel to the edge of the touch display (3) and is a located at a distance of not more than 80 mm from this edge, more preferably not more than 5 mm from this edge, and most preferably it is adjacent to this edge, wherein the housing of the said device has a back plane located opposite the touch display (3), the said plane being parallel to the surface of the touch display (3) at least in the part comprising the housing of the data processing module (2). The invention also relates to a use of the portable electronic printing device as part of the sales system.
US09575694B1
The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for managing the execution of print jobs. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a print job associated with a set of print job parameters. The print job is sent from a computing device associated with a user. The method includes accessing a set of user parameters associated with the user, and determining a print job priority for the print job using the set of print job parameters and the set of user parameters. The method includes identifying a destination printer capable of executing the print job using the set of print job parameters. The method also includes initiating execution of the print job at the destination printer in response to determining to execute the print job based on the print job priority.
US09575688B2
A method of enabling “fast” suspend and “rapid” resume of virtual machines (VMs) employs a cache that is able to perform input/output operations at a faster rate than a storage device provisioned for the VMs. The cache may be local to a computer system that is hosting the VMs or may be shared cache commonly accessible to VMs hosted by different computer systems. The method includes the steps of saving the state of the VM to a checkpoint file stored in the cache and locking the checkpoint file so that data blocks of the checkpoint file are maintained in the cache and are not evicted, and resuming execution of the VM by reading into memory the data blocks of the checkpoint file stored in the cache.
US09575677B2
The various embodiments described herein include methods and/or systems for throttling power in a storage device. In one aspect, a method of operation in a storage system includes obtaining a power metric corresponding to a count of active memory commands in the storage system, where active memory commands are commands being executed by the storage system. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the power metric satisfies one or more power thresholds, deferring execution of one or more pending memory commands.
US09575675B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program products for a distributed system include dividing logical volume data into data subsets, and defining at least one distributedly storage configuration for the logical volume. Metadata for the logical volume is written to a first set of first metadata tables, and the first set of first metadata tables is divided into metadata subsets having a one-to-one correspondence with the data subsets. The metadata subsets are distributed among the multiple digital information devices, and the metadata is copied from the first set of first metadata tables to a second set of corresponding second metadata tables in a one-to-one correspondence with the first metadata tables.
US09575673B2
An illustrative pseudo-file-system driver uses deduplication functionality and resources in a storage management system to provide an application and/or a virtual machine with access to a locally-stored file system. From the perspective of the application/virtual machine, the file system appears to be of virtually unlimited capacity. The pseudo-file-system driver instantiates the file system in primary storage, e.g., configured on a local disk. The application/virtual machine requires no configured settings or limits for the file system's storage capacity, and may thus treat the file system as “infinite.” The pseudo-file-system driver intercepts write requests and may use the deduplication infrastructure in the storage management system to offload excess data from local primary storage to deduplicated secondary storage, based on a deduplication database. The pseudo-file-system driver also intercepts read requests and in response may restore data from deduplicated secondary storage to primary storage, also based on the deduplication database.
US09575668B1
Processing I/O operations is described. A write operation writes first data to a first location on a logical device having a logical address space partitioned into extents. The first location is included in a first subrange of the logical address space. Each extent includes logical address subranges of the logical address space. The first subrange is one of the logical address subranges of a first extent of the logical device. Physical storage is allocated from a first physical device of a first write endurance classification of flash memory-based storage devices. The first write endurance classification is selected in accordance with a ranking of multiple write endurance classifications. The physical storage is mapped to the first subrange. The first data is stored on the allocated physical storage. First workload information for the first write endurance classification for the first extent is updated to reflect the first write operation.
US09575667B2
A method for managing input/output (I/O) traffic in an information handling system. The method may include receiving electronic I/O requests from a network-attached server, determining a queue depth limit, monitoring latency of processed electronic I/O requests, and processing received electronic I/O requests. The number of electronic I/O requests permitted to be processed over a period of time may be based on a mathematical combination of the queue depth limit and a latency of processed electronic I/O requests. The determined queue depth limit may be a fractional value.
US09575664B2
A workload-aware I/O scheduler in a Software-Defined Hybrid Storage (SDHS) system is disclosed. The scheduler includes a queue managing module, a workload property database, a traffic monitoring module, and a traffic modeling module. The queue managing module further has a request receiving sub-module, a request controlling sub-module, and a request dispatching sub-module. With the operations of the queue managing module, requests for accesses of HDDs and SSDs can be separately queued. Thus, performance of the SDHS can be improved. Meanwhile, the scheduler can be used for requests from a number of workloads at the same time while meet performance requirement of each workload.
US09575655B2
An apparatus comprising a processor and a display connected to the processor, the display being configured to present a first and second application on the display so that the second application is transparently presented over the first application wherein the first and second applications are active applications.
US09575653B2
A method, system and electronic device are provided for processing touch inputs on a touchscreen display. A starting touch input is detected on a document displayed at an initial scale on the touchscreen. If the starting touch input is within a disambiguation region for a number of interactive elements in the document, while contact is maintained on the display a further view of the document at an enlarged scale is displayed showing the area of the touch input. When an ending touch input is detected, one interactive element may be selected according to the location of the ending touch input, and an interaction function, such as requesting a resource hyperlinked by the selected interactive element, is automatically initiated.
US09575652B2
Instantiable gesture object techniques are described in which native gesture functionality is abstracted to applications using a script-based recognition interface. Gesture objects may be instantiated for different interaction contexts at the direction of applications programmed using dynamic scripting languages. Gesture objects can be configured to designate particular touch contacts and/or other inputs to consider for gesture recognition and a target element of content to which corresponding recognized gestures are applicable. After creation, gesture objects manage gesture processing operations on behalf of the applications including creating recognizers with the native gesture system, feeding input data for processing, and transforming raw gesture data into formats appropriate for the application and/or a target element. Accordingly, script-based applications may use the gesture objects to offload processing tasks associated with gesture recognition and take advantage of native gesture functionality.
US09575643B2
Described herein are techniques for automatically forming groups of application windows. The techniques may be performed with a computing device executing a windowing system, the windowing system having a user interface element that can be interacted with by a user to manage applications executing on the computing device. Each application may correspond to a separate process and application window. It may be determined that an operation has occurred that will evict the application windows of target applications from the display, and in response an application group may be automatically formed. The application group may have indicia of the evicted target applications. The application group may be provided to the user interface element, and when the user interface element is interacted with by the user the user interface element displays user-selectable graphic application indicators for both the application group and applications other than the target applications.
US09575633B2
Providing a user interface utility across service providers includes determining an active service associated with a particular service provider from a plurality of predetermined related services associated with respective service providers stored in a memory. A utility corresponding to the plurality of predetermined related services is formatted for display on a display device, and a function selected in the utility for the active service associated with the particular service provider is executed. The function is common to each of the plurality of predetermined related services. The same utility is displayed for each of the plurality of predetermined related services associated with respective service providers, which are different from each other.
US09575628B2
At least one example embodiment discloses a method for generating a touch screen display. The method includes establishing a run screen on the touch screen display, the run screen associated with a function of a work vehicle, configuring the run screen with a retractable toolbar, the retractable toolbar responsive to an action of a user of the touch screen display and deployable over a first portion of the run screen upon the action of the user and otherwise hiding to display a second portion of the run screen, the second portion of the run screen being at least a majority portion of the run screen and defining one or more transient user-definable buttons on the retractable toolbar associated with at least one of the function and the run screen.
US09575625B2
Apparatus transmits an identifier for association with a virtual area by an administering network service, generates output data from human perceptible stimulus in a physical space, transmits the output data in connection with the virtual area, receives input data associated with the virtual area, and generates human perceptible stimulus in the physical space from the input data. A persistent association is created between the apparatus and a virtual area. A respective presence is established in the virtual area for a communicant operating a client network node connected to the virtual area. A respective connection between each active pair of complementary sources and sinks of the client network node and the apparatus are administered in association with the virtual area. A client network node displays a graphical user interface, establishes the administered connections, and presents interaction controls associated with the object for interacting with communicants in the physical space.
US09575617B1
Described are techniques for event processing. Notification may be received at a navigation service of a first event regarding an interaction with a user interface element of a user interface of an application. The notification may include a set of one or more source parameters describing context information about the notification and information identifying a navigation point in the application. Responsive to receiving the notification, the navigation service may perform first processing that includes identifying first target code of the application to be invoked to update the user interface to include a content view associated with the navigation point, mapping the set of one or more source parameters to a set of one or more target parameters in accordance with first metadata, and transferring control to the first target code. The set of one or more target parameters may be provided as input parameters to the first target code.
US09575614B1
The invention comprises a web-based digital menu board content creation and management system that permits rapid and simple production of customized electronic digital displays from a plurality of configurable, dynamic templates. Playback of the content is readily facilitated through a content player that enables dynamic content updating and tracking of content display periods for purposes of advertising data collection.
US09575610B2
Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.
US09575606B1
An apparatus and method of measuring a collective capacitance on a group of capacitive sense elements from at least one of rows or columns of a capacitance sense array when in a first mode, and individually measuring capacitances on each of the rows and columns when in a second mode.
US09575602B1
A capacitance sensing method may include performing a first scan of a plurality of sensor elements of a touch-sensing surface to detect a plurality of capacitance values indicating a presence of multiple contacts at the touch sensing surface. Based on the plurality of capacitance values, a plurality of coordinates may be calculated that indicate a plurality of possible contact locations for the multiple contacts. In response to detecting that the plurality of coordinates indicates the presence of the multiple contacts, a resolve scan of at least a first intersection of sensor elements may be performed, where the first intersection corresponds to at least one of the possible contact locations. Based on the resolve scan, at least one of the possible contact locations may be identified as an actual contact location of one of the multiple contacts.
US09575595B2
A mutual capacitance touch panel includes a substrate (4), a plurality of lower electrodes (10) provided in a form of wide bands formed of transparent conductive material and arranged parallel with each other and with narrow spacing therebetween along a first direction on a first face of the substrate (4), a plurality of upper electrodes (20) provided in a form of narrow bands formed of transparent conductive material and arranged parallel with each other and with wide spacing therebetween along a second direction intersecting the first direction on the first face of the substrate (4) and on the lower electrodes, and an insulating film (3) formed of photosensitive resin having adhesiveness and arranged between the upper electrodes (20) and the lower electrodes (10) to support the upper electrodes (20). The insulating film (3) includes a sloped side face (3b) sharing a long side with a support face (3a) which supports the upper electrode (20).
US09575592B1
Disclosed is a display device including: a display panel including data lines and gate lines; a touch screen including a plurality of touch screens; a data driving circuit for supplying a data voltage to the data lines; a gate driving circuit for supplying a gate voltage to the gate lines; a touch sensing circuit for applying a driving signal to the touch sensors to sense a change in a voltage or a capacitance value of the touch sensors; and a timing controller for time-dividing a first frame period into a first driving period for sensing the touch sensors and a second driving period for performing display on the display panel, wherein the timing controller performs a control to supply a data voltage to a first area of the first driving period adjacent to a boundary surface between the first driving period and the second driving period.
US09575582B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for processing a touch input in the mobile terminal. The method includes transmitting information displayed in the mobile terminal to an external display device when connected to the external display device through a wired or wireless interface, receiving a first input, identifying a holding time of the first input when receiving a second input following the first input, and processing the second input according to the holding time of the identified first input. Accordingly, the touch input is analyzed and a subsequent drag input is performed as a pointer movement or a scroll operation in accordance with a holding time of the touch input, so that a user can conveniently select a desired item.
US09575580B2
An apparatus comprising: a sensor network comprising: a first plurality of rows, a second plurality of columns and a third plurality of sensor elements wherein each sensor element is associated with a unique combination of a row and a column but not every unique combination of row and column is associated with a sensor; selection circuitry configured to concurrently select a group of the first plurality of rows; reading circuitry configured to concurrently read columns during a concurrent selection; and control circuitry configured to determine the group of the first plurality of rows that are concurrently selected.
US09575579B2
In some examples, a stylus holder comprises a connector to attach to a port of a computing device and create an electrical connection to the computing device port, and a fastener to attach a stylus to the holder and provide at least one of a data and power connection to the stylus. The fastener includes a first inductive element formed in an internal cavity area of the fastener, the first inductive element to inductive couple to a second inductive element of the stylus, the second inductive element longer than the first inductive element.
US09575571B2
The present invention relates to a contact type finger mouse and an operating method thereof. The contact type finger mouse according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a pressure sensor unit for sensing pressure generated between a finger and a fixed surface through a plurality of pressure sensors fixed at a lower part of the finger; a signal processing unit for determining a movement direction and a movement speed value of a mouse pointer on the basis of pressure values acquired through the sensing; and a signal transmission unit for generating control data comprising information on the determined movement direction and the determined movement speed value of the mouse pointer, and transmitting the generated control data to an interworking device.
US09575568B2
Methods and devices are disclosed for providing additional functionality using multi-function keys. The device includes key assemblies for receiving a contact input or a press input. A processing system is coupled to the key assemblies and configured to determine a number of objects contacting a key assembly. The processing system provides a first response when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and provides a second response when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects. The method includes determining a number of objects contacting a key assembly and whether the key assembly has received a contact input or a press input. A first response is provided when the key assembly has received the press input from a first number of objects and a second function is provided when key assembly has received the press input from a second number of objects.
US09575552B2
Translation circuitry for facilitating communication between a protocol stack for a PCIe™ communication protocol and a PHY layer for a low power communication standard. In an embodiment, the translation circuitry includes logic is to variously convert signaling between two or more PHY interface standards. The one or more a PHY interface standards may include a PHY Interface for PCI Express (PIPE) specification and a standard for a comparatively low power communication protocol. In another embodiment, the low power communication standard is a Reference M-PHY Module Interface (RMMI) specification.
US09575551B2
In one embodiment an controller comprises logic, at least partially including hardware logic, configured to logic, at least partially including hardware logic, configured to receive location data from a location measurement apparatus, buffer the location data in a local memory, and release the location data from the local memory to a remote processor in response to one or more trigger conditions. Other embodiments may be described.
US09575549B2
The disclosure provides a motherboard including a north bridge chipset, a basic input output system (BIOS), a first video graphics array (VGA) connector, and a controlling module. The north bridge chipset outputs a sleep signal to the controlling module, the controlling module obtains a switch signal from the first VGA connector, the controlling module outputs a first mode signal to the north bridge chipset according to the sleep signal and the switch signal, the north bridge chipset controls the computer host to be asleep according to the sleep mode. The disclosure also provides a computer control system including the motherboard. The motherboard and the computer control system control the computer to be asleep via a display.
US09575548B2
An apparatus obtains response information including a result of processing executed by a virtual machine operates on the first device, calculates the first value that is used to evaluate a response time from transmission of the request information to reception of the response information, calculates a ratio of processing capability of the first device to processing capability of the second device, calculates, based on the first value and the ratio, a second value that is used to evaluate a processing time until a response for a request is received when the virtual machine operates on the second device, determines the second device to be a migration destination candidate of the virtual machine when the second value is smaller than a threshold value, migrates the virtual machine that operates on the first device to the migration destination candidate to turn off the power of the first device.
US09575537B2
In an embodiment, a processor comprises: a plurality of cores each to execute instructions; a plurality of thermal sensors, at least one of which is associated with each of the cores; and a power control unit (PCU) coupled to the cores. The PCU includes a thermal control logic to preemptively throttle a first core by a first throttle amount when a temperature of a second core exceeds at least one thermal threshold. Note that this first core may be preemptively throttled independently of a throttling of the second core and may have a temperature of the first core does not exceed any thermal threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09575535B2
An integrated circuit and an operation method thereof are provided. The integrated circuit includes a voltage detecting unit, a central processing unit, a memory unit and a control unit. The voltage detecting unit detects a system voltage and correspondingly outputs a voltage state signal. The central processing unit has at least one register. When the system voltage is downed to a voltage level lower than or equal to a brown-out voltage and greater than a reset low voltage, the control unit stores values of the registers into the memory unit.
US09575532B2
An electronic device is connected to a server device. The electronic device includes: a detection unit that detects a state of the electronic device; a generation unit that generates third information in which first information that is information indicating the state of the electronic device and second information that is information indicating time of detection by the detection unit are associated with each other; a registration unit that registers the third information in a memory unit in order of generation; and a control unit that performs, when power supply to the electronic device is started, control to transmit latest third information among one or more pieces of the third information stored in the memory unit, to the server device, as stop information related to time at which the electronic device was stopped.
US09575529B2
A processor is provided having a common supply rail, and one or more processor cores, where the one or more processor cores share the common supply rail. Each processor core(s) includes a core dIPC value output and a core throttling signal input, and a chip power management logic, which has at least one input for inputting the core dIPC value, a threshold register for a dIPC threshold value, a chip dIPC register for a current global dIPC value, at least one chip dIPC history register for a historic global dIPC value, a subtractor providing an absolute difference of an average historic global dIPC derived from the historic global dIPC value and the current global dIPC value, a magnitude comparator providing a throttling signal when the absolute difference is above the dIPC threshold value, and at least one output for outputting a core throttling signal to the processor core(s).
US09575508B2
A docking station configured to mate to an electronic device enables methods of interacting with the electronic device by impacting (e.g., knocking) on a table on which the device and/or the docking station are disposed and by means of contactless gestures. The electronic device may remain in a powered off state while the docking station continuously monitors for user input. The docking station may have a processor that is capable of detecting a user's impact and contactless gesture inputs.
US09575500B2
A voltage regulator is described. It includes an amplification stage to control a voltage level of a first gain node and of a second gain node in response to an input voltage, to activate a first and a second output stage, respectively. It further includes the first output stage to source a current at an output node of the voltage regulator from a first potential. The voltage regulator includes the second output stage to sink a current at the output node to a second potential. The voltage regulator includes a first operating point control circuit to set the voltage level of the first gain node such that a first maintenance current is sourced by the first output stage; and/or a second operating point control circuit to set the voltage level of the second gain node such that a second maintenance current is sunk by the second output stage.
US09575499B2
The invention is directed to a low-dropout voltage regulator (LDO), including a power transistor, a driving stage circuit, a feedback circuit, a bias power source and an auxiliary reference current generation circuit. The power transistor is controlled by a driving signal to convert an input voltage into an output voltage. The feedback circuit generates a feedback voltage according to the output voltage. The driving stage circuit generates the driving signal according to the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. The bias power source provides a bias current. The auxiliary reference current generation circuit is configured to sample an output current, adjust the sampled output current to generate an adjustment current by means of mapping and superpose the adjustment current onto the bias current to generate a reference current to control drive capability of the driving stage circuit.
US09575496B2
Arrangements for configuring a thermostat for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are presented. A thermostat may receive information indicative of the HVAC system comprising an air conditioner and information indicative of the HVAC system comprising a multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may modify configuration information of the thermostat based on the information indicative of the air conditioner and the information indicative of the multi-stage heat pump. The thermostat may then control the HVAC system in accordance with the modified configuration information.
US09575485B2
A method of machining a workpiece may include continuously rotating the workpiece, continuously rotating a tool having at least one cutting surface, and positioning the tool relative to the workpiece so that the at least one cutting surface engages the workpiece at a first discrete location at a periphery of the workpiece. The method may further include continuing to rotate the workpiece and the tool so that the at least one cutting surface engages a second discrete location at the periphery of the workpiece, and controlling a tool surface velocity VT relative to the workpiece surface velocity VW so that the first and second discrete locations are discontinuous. The tool may make multiple iterative passes over the workpiece to engage subsequent discrete locations, wherein the first discrete location, second discrete location, and multiple subsequent discrete locations may form a machined surface that extends continuously around the workpiece.
US09575481B2
A fascia panel assembly includes an electrically non-conductive fascia panel, an electrically non-conductive isolator, and a capacitance sensor. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the sensor while the sensor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The isolator is sandwiched between the fascia panel and the isolator.
US09575478B2
Systems, methods and apparatuses for configuring a set of devices of a structure are disclosed. One method includes loading a structure plan to a mobile computing device, wherein the structure plan is associated with the structure, communicating, by the mobile computing device, with one or more of the set of devices, communicating, by each of the one or more of the set of devices, a device identifier and proximity dependent information of the device back to the mobile computing device, wherein the proximity dependent information allows the mobile computing device to estimate a proximate location of the device, and placing, by the mobile computing device, each of the one or more of the set of devices on the structure floor plan based at least in part on the proximity dependent information.
US09575472B1
Automation devices, systems, architectures, and methods for energy management and other applications
An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device, wherein the automation controller includes a compiler configured to take high level rules and information about the peripheral devices and produce at least one program that will respond to data from the peripheral devices and to timer, calendar, clock, and preprogrammed events and a server component that provides the data as input to the at least one program and takes actions based on the output of the program.
US09575471B2
A field device for process instrumentation comprises a measuring and comparison device and a readable storage element. The measuring and comparison device is configured for monitoring an operating characteristic variable for compliance with a predefined range. The readable storage element maintains a state. The storage element state is permanently changed if a value held by the operating characteristic variable goes out of said predefined range. The predefined range is determined in such a manner that, as a result of a changed state of the storage element, a loss of suitability of the field device for special operation with an operating characteristic variable with restricted specifications, but not a loss of suitability for normal operation with an operating characteristic variable with less restricted specifications, is indicated.
US09575469B2
A wearable wireless electronic device includes a watch dial and a hand module. The hand module includes a first hand and a second hand that are rotatably coupled to the watch dial. The first and second hands are configured to indicate current time and send/receive wireless signals. When the first and second hands rotate relative to the watch dial, the first and second hands are configured to display current time. When the first hand is positioned at a predetermined position substantially perpendicular to the second hand, the first and second hands are configured to send/receive wireless signals.
US09575465B2
Pallet lever (2) for the escapement mechanism of a watch movement including a fork portion (4), a pallet-stone holder portion (7), pallet-stones (6) mounted on the pallet-stone holder portion, and a lever (8) interconnecting the pallet-stone holder portion to the fork portion. The fork portion includes a fork (12), guard pin (14) and a stud (16), the lever and the pallet-stone holder portion are integral and form a one-piece main body (3) of the pallet lever, and the fork is an added part secured to the main body by means of the stud driven into a securing hole (18) in the main body and a securing hole (20) in the fork. The stud is manufactured from a hard material, particularly a sapphire.
US09575450B2
A sheet type detection device includes an image reading circuit, a surface property determination circuit, a thickness determination circuit, and a sheet type identifying circuit. The image reading circuit reads a document image to generate image data. The surface property determination circuit determines a sheet surface condition of a sheet type detection target based on the image data generated by the image reading circuit. The thickness determination circuit determines a sheet thickness of the sheet based on the image data generated by the image reading circuit. The sheet type identifying circuit identifies a sheet type based on the determination result of the surface property determination circuit and the determination result of the thickness determination circuit.
US09575449B2
The present invention relates to a fixing member having high abrasion resistance and being excellent in toner releasability, and a method of manufacturing the fixing member. The fixing member according to the present invention includes: a base member; an elastic layer formed on a surface of the base member; and a surface layer, in which the surface layer contains a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer having a specific partial structure and has a surface that forms a contact angle of 65° or more with respect to a wetting tension test mixture having a wetting tension of 31.0 mN/m.
US09575440B2
A transfer device includes a conveyance belt, a transfer roller, and a stretch roller. The conveyance belt is in contact with an image carrier that carries a toner image, and conveys a sheet via a contact position with the image carrier. A voltage having a polarity opposite to a charging polarity of toner that forms the toner image is applied to the transfer roller, and the transfer roller transfers the toner image carried by the image carrier onto the sheet at the contact position. The stretch roller stretches the conveyance belt at a separation position in which the sheet is separated from the conveyance belt and which is downstream of the contact position in a conveyance direction in which the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance belt, and the voltage having the polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the stretch roller.
US09575436B2
A digital printing system includes a development member in rotational contact with a further member for imagewise transferring liquid toner from the development member optionally via the further member to a substrate. The system is such that toner residue remains on the development member after the transfer. A treatment device is present for patternwise treatment of the toner residue on the development member, especially by addition of a dispersing agent to facilitate removal of the toner residue. A controller is present for controlling the patternwise treatment. A system is used for robust and continuous printing and is suitable for recycling of the toner residue into liquid toner.
US09575430B2
The optical scanning apparatus correctly measures a gap between the laser beams of a plurality of the laser beams even when the scanning speed is changed and when the variation is caused, rightly corrects the variation. Thus, the optical scanning apparatus inputs detection signal BD_IN to the edge detecting unit at timing at which the laser beam is detected. During the enable gating, the count value representing the distance between the head laser beam and the end laser beam is counted in the counting unit. A plurality of speed ratio parameters according to the degree of changes in the scanning speed is input in the selector. The selector selects any one of the speed ratio parameters and multiplies by the count value by the multiplier, it is controlled to obtain the same multiplication result whichever scanning speed may be selected.
US09575429B2
An apparatus forms a patch for gray with toners of CMY for each density region of an image for image formation, acquires a chromaticity value of the patch for gray, determines whether a chroma value obtained from the chromaticity value of the patch for gray for each density region is equal to or greater than a threshold value, generates, for a first density region corresponding to a patch with respect to which a chroma value determined to be neither equal to nor greater than the threshold value is obtained, using the obtained chroma value, a correction value for decreasing the chroma value, and generates, for a second density region corresponding to a patch with respect to which a chroma value determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value is obtained, a correction value by performing interpolation calculation using the correction value generated for the first density region.
US09575424B2
A toner particle production method has an annealing step that is performed after the preparation of a resin solution by the dissolution or dispersion, in an organic solvent, of a binder resin having a polyester resin as its major component and a block polymer having a polyester segment and a vinyl polymer segment, and the preparation of a resin particle dispersion in which resin particles are dispersed by a dissolution suspension method, wherein, in this annealing step, the temperature of the obtained resin particle dispersion is held for at least 60 minutes in the temperature range from TgA-15 (° C.) to TmA (° C.), and under the conditions of a temperature variation range of not more than 20° C. and a temperature variation rate of not more than 0.35° C./minute.
US09575414B2
Illumination systems for microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, as well as related systems, components and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an illumination system includes one or more scattering structures and an optical integrator that produces a plurality of secondary light sources.
US09575408B2
A photoresist composition comprisinga resin having an acid-labile group;a salt represented by the formula (I); anda salt represented by the formula (B1).
US09575406B2
An extraction system, including a pump to pump gas along a conduit to a check valve configured to open at an upstream pressure over a certain magnitude, a pressure sensor to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of gas between the pump and the check valve, and a controller configured to generate a stop signal if a signal from the pressure sensor indicates that the pressure of gas between the pump and the check valve is below a certain magnitude.
US09575405B2
A photo mask includes a transparent substrate and a mask pattern. The mask pattern is disposed on the transparent substrate. The mask pattern includes a blocking portion for blocking light and a transmitting portion for transmitting the light. The transmitting portion is adjacent to the blocking portion. The blocking portion includes a first blocking layer, a photo guide layer and a second blocking layer. The first blocking layer is disposed on the transparent substrate. The first blocking layer transmits a portion of the light. The first blocking layer includes a plurality of blocking patterns including a first blocking material. The photo guide layer is disposed on the first blocking layer. The photoguide layer guides the transmitted portion of the light to a side surface of the photoguide layer. The second blocking layer reflects the transmitted portion of the light.
US09575404B2
A virtual reality theater structure, including a reflection screen which has a view angle of up down 40-360° and left right 120-360°, an effective range for virtual reality, and has a reflection rate of 1.1 gain or more; a projection system for projecting the 2D or 3D image for left eye and the 2D or 3D image for right eye on the reflection screen; and a chair structure that is rotatable up and downward 40-120° and left and rightward 120-360° where each chair is rotated with area of independent range that is separated individually.
US09575400B2
An image display apparatus projects a first image by using a light source constituted by a plurality of point light sources, performs lighting in a unit of lighting formed from at least one point light source of the plurality of point light sources, and controls, in the unit of lighting, lighting in an overlapped area between the first image and a second image projected from another image display apparatus so as to equalize luminances in the overlapped area and a non-overlapped area when the second image is a solid black frame.
US09575384B2
According to an aspect, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first electrode includes an electrode base portion extending in a first direction, and a plurality of comb tooth portions extending in a second direction different from the first direction and protruding from the electrode base portion with a certain distance interposed therebetween. At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes a light-blocking part that reduces intensity of light passing therethrough at a position overlapping with at least one of the center of the comb tooth portion and the center between the adjacent comb tooth portions in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate.
US09575383B2
A first semiconductor layer is formed in the shape of an island in an active area displaying images on an array substrate. A second semiconductor layer is formed in the shape of an island outside the active area. A first insulating film covers the first and second semiconductor layers. A gate line is formed on the first insulating film and extends in a first direction. The gate line includes a gate electrode crossing the first semiconductor layer and a crossing portion crossing the second semiconductor layer. A second insulating film covers the gate line. A source line is formed on the second insulating film and extends in a second direction. The source line includes a source electrode contacting with the first semiconductor layer. A drain electrode is formed on the second insulating film apart from the source line and contacting with the first semiconductor layer.
US09575377B2
A curved liquid crystal display including a first substrate having a curved shape; a plurality of gate lines and data lines on the first substrate; a plurality of thin film transistors connected to the gate lines and data lines; a plurality of color filters on the thin film transistors; a plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes on the plurality of color filters, the plurality of pixel electrodes and common electrodes overlapping with each other with a first insulating layer therebetween; a second substrate having a curved shape, the second substrate facing the first substrate; vertical alignment layers on inner sides of the first substrate and the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the vertical alignment layers, wherein liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned to be vertical to surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate when an electric field is not formed.
US09575374B2
A liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device are provided. The liquid crystal display device includes: a thin film transistor substrate, a color filter substrate on the thin film transistor substrate, a transparent conductive plate on the color filter substrate, a pad portion on the thin film transistor substrate, a static-electricity transmission electrode on a region of the pad portion adjacent to the color filter substrate, a conductive member configured to electrically connect the transparent conductive plate and the static-electricity transmission electrode to each other, and a plurality of lattice patterns on the static-electricity transmission electrode.
US09575372B2
A display device may include a first subpixel electrode; a first roof layer; a first liquid crystal layer disposed between the first subpixel electrode and the first roof layer; and a first support member overlapping a first end portion of the first roof layer in a first direction. The display device may further include a second subpixel electrode immediately neighboring the first subpixel electrode; a second roof layer; a second liquid crystal layer disposed between the second subpixel electrode and the second roof layer; and a second support member overlapping a first end portion of the second roof layer in the first direction. The first end portion of the first roof layer and the first end portion of the second roof layer may be disposed between a second end portion of the first roof layer and a second end portion of the second roof layer.
US09575366B2
A liquid crystal cell structure is provided. The liquid crystal cell structure includes: two polarizers; and a liquid crystal diffractive light modulating cell placed between the two polarizers. The cell includes: two transparent substrates treated by photoalignment; and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the two transparent substrates with current conducting layers, the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer comprising ferroelectric liquid crystals. The two transparent substrates treated by photoalignment are configured to provide multiple alignment domains in the ferroelectric liquid crystals with a planar surface orientation. Adjacent domains of the multiple alignment domains are oriented at an angle with respect to each other.
US09575356B2
A display panel includes a light blocking pattern and a polarizer. The light blocking pattern is disposed on a base substrate. A plurality of opening areas is defined based on the light blocking pattern. The polarizer includes a plurality of linear patterns spaced apart from each other. The plurality of opening areas includes a color area transmitting color light and a white area transmitting white light. The polarizer overlaps the color area and the white area.
US09575344B2
A display module includes a panel frame, a display panel, a system frame, and a printed circuit board. The panel frame includes a baseplate having at least one edge, at least one sidewall located on the edge, at least one top wall adjacent to the sidewall, and a support element. An accommodating space is formed by the sidewall and the baseplate. The support element includes a first support portion and a second support portion connected to the first support portion. The support element extends from the edge of the baseplate toward the outside of the accommodating space. The display panel is disposed on the panel frame. The first support portion is disposed on the system frame. The printed circuit board is disposed on the second support portion.
US09575342B2
A liquid crystal display device is disclosed, which has improved transmittance, and which meanwhile can obtain a higher contrast and maintain a lower cost. The device comprises a color filter substrate, an array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the color filter substrate and the array substrate. The array substrate comprises a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode being arranged at an interval, and applied with AC voltages of equal frequency but opposite phase, respectively. Also, a method for driving the liquid crystal display device is disclosed.
US09575334B2
Certain embodiments are directed to lenses, devices and/or methods. For example, a lens for an eye having an optical axis and an aberration profile along its optical axis, the aberration profile having a focal distance and including higher order aberrations having at least one of a primary spherical aberration component C(4,0) and a secondary spherical aberration component C(6,0). The aberration profile may provide, for a model eye with no aberrations and an on-axis length equal to the focal distance: (i) a peak, first retinal image quality (RIQ) within a through focus range that remains at or above a second RIQ over the through focus range that includes said focal distance, where the first RIQ is at least 0.35, the second RIQ is at least 0.1 and the through focus range is at least 1.8 Diopters; (ii) a RIQ of 0.3 with a through focus slope that improves in a direction of eye growth; and (iii) a RIQ of 0.3 with a through focus slope that degrades in a direction of eye growth. The RIQ may be Visual Strehl Ratio or similar measured along the optical axis for at least one pupil diameter in the range 3 mm to 6 mm, over a spatial frequency range of 0 to 30 cycles/degree inclusive and at a wavelength selected from within the range 540 nm to 590 nm inclusive.
US09575321B2
A method includes receiving a personally selected geo-spatial location from a sender of digital content for the presentation of the digital content in a recipient's head-worn see-through display, and presenting, based on data indicative that the user is near the geospatial location, the digital content in the head-worn see-through display such that the digital content is perceived by the recipient to be associated with a physical attribute proximate the geo-spatial location.
US09575300B2
The present invention relates to a confocal laser scanning microscope (100) having an illumination device (1) that comprises a laser light source (41) that is configured to illuminate a sample (25), and a control application circuit (40) for the laser light source (1) which is configured to output a pulsed control application signal (48) in order to supply the laser light source (41), the control application circuit (40) being configured so that it determines both a pulse amplitude (A) and a pulse width (W) of at least one pulse of the pulsed control application signal (48) as a function of at least one input variable (S).
US09575299B2
A vapor-condensation-assisted optical microscopy system comprises a vapor-condensation-assisted device and an optical microscope. The vapor-condensation-assisted device comprises air blowing device, a vapor producing device and a guide pipe. The vapor producing device connects the air blowing device with the guide pipe. The optical microscope comprises an observing device, an image processing device, a support frame and a stage. The stage, the guide pipe of the vapor-condensation-assisted device, the observing device, and the image processing device are fixed on the support frame. The vapor-condensation-assisted device is configured to provide a vapor to sample on the stage in application.
US09575292B2
A camera lens includes, lined up from the object side to the image side: a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third lens with positive or negative refractive power, a fourth lens with positive refractive power, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power. The camera lens satisfies specific conditions.
US09575291B2
An imaging lens is constituted essentially by six lenses, including, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens having a positive refractive power and a convex surface toward the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power and is of a biconvex shape; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power; a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and a concave surface toward the object side; and a sixth lens having a negative refractive power, of which the surface toward the image side is of an aspherical shape which is concave in the vicinity of the optical axis and convex at the peripheral portion thereof. Predetermined conditional formulae are satisfied.
US09575290B2
An imaging lens is constituted of five lenses, including, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens having a positive refractive power, which is of a meniscus shape having a convex surface toward the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power and a concave surface toward the image side; a third lens having a positive refractive power, which is of a meniscus shape having a convex surface toward the object side; a fourth lens having a negative refractive power; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power and at least one inflection point on the surface thereof toward the image side. Predetermined conditional formulae are satisfied.
US09575287B2
A camera lens includes, lined up from the object side to the image side, a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third lens with positive refractive power, and a fourth lens with negative refractive power. The camera lens satisfies specific conditions.
US09575284B2
A driving member, a linear driving device using the driving member, a camera device and an electronic device are provided. The driving member (10) includes a deformable thin plate (16) having a flexible thin plate (12) capable of expanding and contracting itself under the applied voltage and an elastic thin plate (14) having at least one side thereof rigidly fixed to the flexible thin plate (12) and a driving shaft (30) having its one axial end rigidly fixed to the deformable thin plate (16) and being capable of undergoing displacements that are operatively associated with the deformation of the deformable thin plate (16), wherein the driving shaft (30) has the lateral side portion (32) of the one axial end thereof rigidly fixed to the corresponding inner side portion of a through hole formed on the deformable thin plate (16).
US09575274B2
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a fiber management structure including a splice tray. The splice tray includes a front side and a back side. The fiber management structure includes a first attachment module that mounts by a location-selectable connection to the splice tray at a selected mounting location. The selected mounting location being one of a plurality of different mounting locations at which the first attachment module can be mounted to the splice tray. The first attachment module includes a fiber containment wall that projects upwardly from the front side of the splice tray when the first attachment module is mounted to the splice tray.
US09575273B2
A splitter module holding system and fiber distribution hub cabinet and related method are provided. The splitter module holding system is configured to add additional splitter modules to a fiber distribution hub cabinet that includes preinstalled optical fiber splitter modules. The splitter module holding system is configured to receive at least four splitter modules and to support the at least four splitter modules from a surface within a fiber distribution hub cabinet that is distinct and separate from the position and location of the preinstalled optical fiber splitter modules.
US09575267B1
Embodiments herein include an optical system that passively aligns an optical component (e.g., a fiber array connector, lens array, lens body, etc.) with a semiconductor substrate using trenches that mate with optical fiber stubs. In one embodiment, the trenches are etched into the semiconductor substrate which provides support to optical devices (e.g., lasers, lens arrays, photodetectors, etc.) that transmit optical signals to, or receive optical signals from, the optical component. An underside of the optical component is etched to include at least two grooves (e.g., V-grooves) for receiving optical fiber stubs. In one embodiment, the optical fiber stubs are a portion of optical fiber that includes the core and cladding but not the insulative jacket. Once the fiber stubs are attached to the grooves, the fiber stubs are disposed into the trenches in the semiconductor substrate thereby passively aligning the optical component to the optical device on the substrate.
US09575255B2
In an example embodiment, a WDM array includes an optical filter, N common ports, N reflection ports, and N pass ports. The N common ports may be positioned to a first side of the optical filter. N may be greater than or equal to two. The N reflection ports may be positioned to the first side of the optical filter. The N pass ports may be positioned to a second side of the optical filter opposite the first side.
US09575241B2
A tiled display is disclosed herein. The tiled display includes: a plurality of unit display units, wherein each of the unit display units includes: a panel assembly including a curved surface part of which both ends are curved surfaces; a light transmitting member disposed in a transparent plate shape and covering the curved surface part of the panel assembly; and a light guide member including a recess part recessed at one side thereof where the light guide member is combined with the light transmitting member, positioned adjacent to the curved surface part of the panel assembly, and positioned toward a direction in which an image is displayed from the panel assembly.
US09575232B2
Provided is a method capable of producing an optically anisotropic laminated body in which defects are hardly generated so that light leakage is scarcely caused. This method is a method for producing an optically anisotropic laminated body including a substrate, an oriented film, and an optically anisotropic film, and has steps of: applying, to a surface of the substrate, an oriented-film-forming composition including an oriented-film-forming material and a solvent and having a viscosity of 4 mPa·s or less at 25° C., and drying the resultant to form the oriented film; and then applying, onto the resultant oriented film, an optically-anisotropic-layer-forming composition including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and drying the resultant to orient the polymerizable liquid crystal compound vertically to the surface of the substrate to form the optically anisotropic film.
US09575229B2
An article has optical structures disposed on a base material element. The optical structures include lenticular lens structures and discrete coloring elements having distinct color regions. The lenticular lens structure has several lens layers. The lenticular lens structure may have any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes. The article has a different appearance when an observer views the article at various angles. The appearance may differ in terms of coloring scheme.
US09575221B2
Systems and methods reduce temperature induced drift effects on a liquid lens used in a vision system. A feedback loop receives a temperature value from a temperature sensor, and based on the received temperature value, controls a power to the heating element based on a difference between the measured temperature of the liquid lens and a predetermined control temperature to maintain the temperature value within a predetermined control temperature range to reduce the effects of drift. A processor can also control a bias signal applied to the lens or a lens actuator to control temperature variations and the associated induced drift effects. An image sharpness can also be determined over a series of images, alone or in combination with controlling the temperature of the liquid lens, to adjust a focal distance of the lens.
US09575217B2
Optical films, and organic light-emitting display devices employing the same, include a high refractive index pattern layer including a lens pattern region and a non-pattern region alternately formed, wherein the lens pattern region includes a plurality of grooves each having a depth larger than a width thereof, and the non-pattern region has no pattern; and a low refractive index pattern layer formed of a material having a refractive index smaller than a refractive index of the high refractive index pattern layer, wherein the low refractive index pattern includes a plurality of filling portions filling the plurality of grooves.
US09575214B2
A method for producing a polarizer comprises the steps of: (A) stretching a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer to obtain a stretched layer; (B) immersing the stretched layer in a dyeing liquid containing iodine to obtain a dyed layer in which absorbance thereof determined from a tristimulus value Y is from 0.4 to 1.0 (transmittance T=40% to 10%); and (C) removing a part of iodine adsorbed in the dyed layer so that the absorbance of the dyed layer decreases by 0.03 to 0.7, provided that the absorbance of the dyed layer is controlled so that it does not become less than 0.3.
US09575211B2
There is provided a fixed snow measuring plate, the snow measuring plate that is fixed to the ground and is provided on the land to be disposed in a lower part of one end of an instrument tower in which a sensor for observing drifted snow is installed, wherein the snow measuring plate is installed such that a position thereof is fixed to the ground.
US09575204B2
Various disclosed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging systems and methods employ a plurality of NMR sensors, including atomic magnetometers, mounted on pads. Certain method embodiments include: utilizing the Earth magnetic field to pre-polarize the protons in a formation; utilizing a plurality of atomic magnetometers to obtain NMR measurements; and determining at least one characteristic relaxation time of the formation. The NMR sensor may optionally include a permanent magnet assembly.
US09575198B2
The present disclosure generally relates to the use of a self-propelled underwater vehicle for seismic data acquisition. The self-propelled underwater vehicle is adapted to gather seismic data from the seafloor and transmit such data to a control vessel. The self-propelled underwater vehicle may be redeployed to several seafloor locations during a seismic survey. Methods for real-time modeling of a target zone and redeployment of the self-propelled underwater vehicle based on the modeling are also described.
US09575193B2
Methods and systems are disclosed to enhance surveying techniques. In one embodiment, a virtual response is estimated that corresponds to energy propagated within a subsurface region between a virtual source and a virtual source estimation receiver, wherein the subsurface region corresponds to a survey zone including: a plurality of receivers deployed within the survey zone, a first subzone having at least one actual source, a second subzone within the first subzone; the virtual source is a first receiver disposed in the second subzone; and the virtual source estimation receiver is a second receiver.
US09575187B2
The present invention provides a radiation image detecting device which suppresses occurrence of image irregularities and reduction of sharpness by joining a planar light-receiving device and a scintillator panel so that the distance between the planar light-receiving device and the scintillator panel via an adhesive layer is uniform in plane. The present invention also provides a process for producing the radiation image detecting device. The radiation image detecting device includes, in order, a scintillator panel including a support and a scintillator layer on the support, the scintillator layer having a film-thickness distribution; an adhesive layer; and a planar light-receiving device. In the radiation image detecting device, at least one of the support and the planar light-receiving device bends, so that the scintillator panel and the planar light-receiving device are arranged in plane via the adhesive layer at uniform distance.
US09575185B2
Example implementations may relate to an obstacle detection system. In particular, an example device may include a light emitter, a line-image sensor, and a controller that are mounted on a rotatable component. In an example embodiment, the line-image sensor may receive light signals emitted from the light emitter. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the light emitter and line-image sensor and configured to determine a multipath signal based on the time of flight of the light signal and the position along the line-image sensor at which the line-image sensor received the given reflected light signal.
US09575184B2
A multi-ladar sensor system is proposed for operating in dense environments where many ladar sensors are transmitting and receiving burst mode light in the same space, as may be typical of an automotive application. The system makes use of several techniques to reduce mutual interference between independently operating ladar sensors. In one embodiment, the individual ladar sensors are each assigned a wavelength of operation, and an optical receive filter for blocking the light transmitted at other wavelengths, an example of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Each ladar sensor, or platform, may also be assigned a pulse width selected from a list, and may use a pulse width discriminator circuit to separate pulses of interest from the clutter of other transmitters. Higher level coding, involving pulse sequences and code sequence correlation, may be implemented in a system of code division multiplexing, CDM. A digital processor optimized to execute mathematical operations is described which has a hardware implemented floating point divider, allowing for real time processing of received ladar pulses, and sequences of pulses.
US09575179B2
An object detection apparatus is installed in a movable body and detects an object. The apparatus includes a first detection section which transmits search waves in a moving direction of the moving object, and receives reflected waves as detection information to detect the object, a second detection section which transmits search waves in the moving direction, and receives reflected waves as detection information, an obstacle determination section which determines that an obstacle is present in the moving direction, based on detection results of the first and second detection sections, and a crossing determination section which determines that the obstacle has crossed, in a state where the obstacle determination section determines that the obstacle is present, if the determination that the obstacle is present is made by continuous detection, and if a state where the object is continuously detected changes to a state where the object is not detected.
US09575168B2
A radar apparatus is disclosed which includes: a distance detecting part configured to detect, among plural bins, an existence distance bin in which the target object exists, a direction detecting process executing part configured to execute a process of detecting a direction in which the target object exists, with respect to a distance bin other than the existence distance bin detected by the distance detecting part, among plural bins from which relative distances to the target object can be calculated, if a predetermined criterion is met; an existence area detecting part configured to detect, based on an execution result of the direction detecting process executing part, an area in which the target object exists.
US09575167B2
There is provided a radar apparatus capable of emitting a transmission wave relating to a transmitting signal which is frequency-modulated, and receiving a reflection wave coming from a target at which the transmission wave is reflected as a receiving signal, to derive at least position information of the target based on the receiving signal. A deriving unit derives a fluctuation value of a signal level relating to the receiving signal for a stationary target among the targets. A calculating unit calculates a fluctuation integrated value integrated by the fluctuation value. A judging unit judges the stationary target as a target other than a control subject if the fluctuation integrated value is below a predetermined threshold.
US09575161B1
The invention relates to a method and system for testing and evaluating a response of an automotive radar system for a specific automotive safety scenario, wherein the method and system generates a simulated reflected radar signature corresponding to at least one virtual target in a specific virtual scenario. The simulated radar signature is generated from one or more of: a pre-recorded real reflected radar signature from at least one real target in a specific real scenario, an analytical representation of a radar target signature from at least one virtual target in a specific virtual scenario.
US09575160B1
A radar sensing system for a vehicle includes transmit and receive pipelines. The transmit pipeline includes transmitters able to transmit radio signals. The receive pipeline includes receivers able to receive signals. The received signals are transmitted signals that are reflected from an object. The transmit pipeline phase modulates the signals before transmission, as defined by a first binary sequence. The receive pipeline comprises an analog to digital converter (ADC) for sampling the received signals. The transmit pipeline includes a pseudorandom binary sequence (PRBS) generator for outputting a second binary sequence of bits with an equal probability of 1 and 0. The first binary sequence is defined by least significant bit (LSB) outputs from the ADC and the second binary sequence of bits. The first binary sequence comprises a truly random unbiased sequence of bits with an equal probability of 1 and 0.
US09575156B2
A system to determine the placement of multiple RFID tags uses multiple antennae. The RF communication (or NFC) includes read and/or read/write communication with the RFID tags.
US09575154B2
At least a portion of a body (10) of a patient is positioned in an examination volume of a MR device (1). The portion of the body (10) is subject to a calibration sequence including RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients controlled in such a manner that a calibration signal data set is acquired by a multi-point Dixon technique at a first image resolution. Calibration parameters are derived from the calibration signal data set. The portion of the body (10) is subject to an imaging sequence including RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients controlled in such a manner that a diagnostic signal data set is acquired at a second image resolution which is higher than the first image resolution A diagnostic MR image is reconstructed from the diagnostic signal data set. The MR device (1) is operated according to the derived calibration parameters with fat saturation during acquisition of the diagnostic signal data set and/or during reconstruction of the diagnostic MR image.
US09575152B1
An MRI apparatus employs a magnet for establishing a B0 field, one or more imaging radiofrequency coils for creating a B1 field, and one or more nulling radiofrequency coils. The RF energy emitted by the nulling radiofrequency coils may be configured such that it disrupts the nuclear magnetic resonance signals emitted by nuclei excited by the B1 field. In addition, the nulling radiofrequency coils may be calibrated to be 180° out of phase such that the RF energy emitted by a pair of nulling radiofrequency coils is cancelled at a location between them.
US09575150B2
A magnetic resonance magnet assembly 20 has a coil form 70 shaped as a hollow cylinder. At least two thermally conductive sheets 60 are disposed circumferentially around the coil form 70, separated by a non-electrically conductive region 90. Thermally conductive tubing 50 affixed to each thermally conductive sheeting section 60 runs circumferentially around the coil form 70. At least one layer of thermally conductive electrically insulating material 110 such as fiber glass is bonded with a thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant to the thermally conductive sheets 60. A winding of superconductive wire 80 is bond together and to the electrically insulating material 110 with the thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant.
US09575145B2
An MR coil former apparatus includes a body, a coil array, and a coil cover. The body defines a patient-facing positive surface opposite a non-patient-facing negative surface. The positive surface of the body includes an anatomic contour, and the coil array is disposed adjacent and conformed to the anatomic contour. The coil cover is disposed overlying the coil array and conformed to the anatomic contour.
US09575140B2
A system and method for tracking an object through a three dimensional space is provided that uses the generation and detection of various magnetic fields to provide three-dimensional location data. The integrity of the generated magnetic fields are monitored against a baseline in order to detect compromise by the unintentional introduction of a foreign metallic or magnetic object in the procedural space.
US09575139B1
A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system by injecting a current of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side, while simultaneously perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the simultaneous perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing Generalized Nyquist Criterion or unit circle criterion.
US09575132B2
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for accurately calculating battery consumption in a wireless field device. The total current consumed by a radio board associated with a wireless field device can be determined based on the sum of the current consumed as a result of particular events occurring at the radio board. The current consumed by a sensor board of the wireless field device can then be averated with respect to particular type of sensor. The current consumed by the radio board and the current consumed by the sensor board in the wireless field device can be combined to calculate a predictive value indicative of a remaining life of a battery associated with the wireless field device.
US09575129B2
A battery monitoring system includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series and including a first battery cell at a highest potential; a discharge circuit connected to a high potential side of the first battery cell through a first line; a circuit connected to the high potential side of the first battery cell through a second line; and a plurality of electro-static protection circuits each including one end portion connected to at least one of a high potential side and a low potential side of each of the battery cells, and another end portion connected to the first line.
US09575125B1
In some examples, a memory device generates and exposes parity/difference information to a test system to reduce overall test time. The parity/difference information may be generated based on parity bits read from the memory device and parity bits produced from data bits stored in the memory device. In some cases, the parity/difference information may be compared to an expected parity/difference to determine a number of correctable errors which occurred during testing, while the data bits may be compared to expected data to determine a number of uncorrectable errors which occurred during testing.
US09575124B2
A system for communicating high voltages for a semiconductor device is provided. One system includes a controller having an input pad and an output pad, each of the input pad and the output pad being coupled to a respective high voltage switch of the controller. The system also includes a plurality of semiconductor chips, where each of the plurality of semiconductor chips has at least one input pad coupled to a high voltage switch of a respective semiconductor chip. A high voltage that is higher than normal operation voltages of the semiconductor device is coupled from the input pad of the controller to the output pad of the controller via the coupled high voltage switches of the controller. The high voltage is further coupled from the output pad of the controller to the at least one input pad of the respective semiconductor chip via the high voltage switch coupled to the at least one input pad of the respective semiconductor chip. Methods for operating and providing high voltage inputs to one or more semiconductor devices are also provided.
US09575121B2
An IC includes an IEEE 1149.1 standard test access port (TAP) interface and an additional Off-Chip TAP interface. The Off-Chip TAP interface connects to the TAP of another IC. The Off Chip TAP interface can be selected by a TAP Linking Module on the IC.
US09575118B2
A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of output pads bondable to an output pin, a plurality of reference pads bondable to a reference pin, and output driver circuitry with a control terminal for receiving a control signal and arranged to drive the plurality of output pads relative to the plurality of reference pads in dependence on the control signal. The output driver circuitry includes driver sections and selection circuitry. Each driver section is arranged to drive an output pad relative to the single reference pad in dependence on a respective section control signal. The reference pads are connected in a one-to-one relationship to the driver sections. The output pads are connected in a one-to-one relationship to the driver sections. The selection circuitry provides the respective section control signals to the driver sections in dependence on at least one selection signal and the control signal.
US09575117B2
Testing stacked devices. In accordance with a first method embodiment, a primary circuit assembly is accessed from a first circuit assembly carrier. The primary circuit assembly is placed into a test fixture. A secondary circuit assembly is accessed from a second circuit assembly carrier. The secondary circuit assembly is placed into the test fixture on top of the primary circuit assembly. The primary circuit assembly is tested in conjunction with said secondary circuit assembly while coupled together.
US09575103B2
An integrated circuit includes an output circuit having a first terminal adapted to couple to an external power supply, a second terminal adapted to couple to a reference potential, and a third, control terminal. The first and second terminals of the output circuit provide output terminals of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit further includes an impedance measurement circuit responsive to the external power supply to generate a control signal for coupling to the control terminal of the output circuit. The control signal controls a current level associated with the output circuit. A corresponding method is also described.
US09575093B2
A system for testing MEMS-structures includes a microforce sensor, two or more multi-axis micropositioning units, at least one electrical probe and a sample holder on which a MEMS-structure is mounted. At least one of the multi-axis micropositioning units is motorized and at least one additional micropositioning unit is equipped with at least one electrical probe to apply electrical signals or to measure electrical signals at one or multiple locations on the MEMS structure. The system with the aforementioned components allows a combined electrical and probe-based mechanical testing of MEMS-structures.
US09575092B2
An embodiment of a device for positioning a miniaturized piece, including: a positioning structure, which forms a first cavity, designed to receive with play the miniaturized piece, and a second cavity communicating with the first cavity; at least one electrical-contact terminal, facing the second cavity and electrically coupleable to an electronic testing device, designed to carry out an electrical test on the miniaturized piece; and an actuator device, which causes a vibration of the positioning structure, the vibration being such that the miniaturized piece translates, in use, towards the second cavity, until it penetrates at least in part into the second cavity.
US09575085B2
In an automatic analysis device, when an external force acts on a probe guard 26 in a horizontal direction, the probe guard 26 moves in a direction escaping from the external force around a center portion 47 of a test body container installing mechanism 1, and the probe guard 26 is separated from a fixed position. An outer circumferential wall 29 of the probe guard 26 invades a test body sampling mechanism track 28, and thus a risk that a sampling nozzle 23 of a test body sampling mechanism 5 invades the test body container installing mechanism 1 is avoided by the outer circumferential wall 29. When the probe guard 26 is separated from the fixed position, this is detected, and thus the operation of the test body sampling mechanism 5 and the test body container installing mechanism 1 is stopped.
US09575081B2
The invention provides a device for detecting drugs of abuse or other compounds in saliva. The invention thus provides a device for detecting the presence of one or more analytes in a saliva sample, comprising: (a) One or more pre-treatment regions for specifically or non-specifically removing at least a part of the fraction of the saliva sample interfering with detection of the one or more analytes; and (b) A detection region comprising a biosensor surface, the surface comprising: molecules capable of specifically binding the one or more analytes; or the one or more analytes and/or analyte analogues.
US09575076B2
The invention relates to low wash Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) immunoassays using an ELISA sandwich assay having limited or no wash step between the antigen capture, detection antibody addition and substrate introduction steps. This invention exhibits low cross reactivity with biologically similar interfering cross reacting species, such as Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Chorionic Gonadotropin (CG).
US09575074B2
The present invention provides a method and a means for evaluating atherosclerotic lesions by identifying a protein (marker protein) group, the expression level of which varies according to the progression of the atherosclerotic lesion, and using the proteins. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for evaluating atherosclerotic lesions, comprising the steps of detecting a marker protein exhibiting an expression pattern (expression variation) characteristic at a specific disease stage of atherosclerotic lesions in a subject, and evaluating the atherosclerotic lesions in the subject based on the detection result.
US09575061B2
The present invention provides simple and inexpensive assays for the detection of virtually any analyte in any sample that is in liquid form or that can be solubilized. The assays utilize the fluid dynamics of drop evaporation whereby soluble materials, including analytes and particles binding thereto, are drawn to the edge of the drop and ultimately form a concentrated residual ring. The presence or absence of certain reagents can then be detected through a number of different approaches.
US09575060B2
Provided is a method for detecting a target particle that is a method for detecting a non-luminescent target particle dispersed and randomly moving in a sample solution using an optical system of a confocal microscope or multi-photon microscope, having: (a) preparing a sample solution containing target particles, and labeling particles of which the average outer diameter is less than 15% of the diameter of a photodetection region of the optical system, binding two or more molecules of the labeling particles per molecule of the target particles in the sample solution, and forming a non-luminescent complex of which the outer diameter is 15% or more of the diameter of the photodetection region; and, (b) calculating the number of molecules of the complex in the sample solution prepared in the (a) using an inverse scanning molecule counting method.
US09575056B2
The present invention relates to a strip for an improved lateral flow assay of a biological sample on a single plane and a lateral flow chromatography assay using a test device containing the same. The strip of the present invention consists of a single-pad, which can improve lateral flow assay by providing an easy and simple procedure and clear visual reading. The strip of the present invention is consisted of sample application (sample) zone and reactant-resultant zone where the reaction mixture is deposited (reactant) are all on a same plane. In addition, the present invention provides a chromatographic method wherein hemoglobin is separated from analyte by a differential chromatography on the solid phase. Any interference of detection of the result by hemoglobin is removed by the present invention. The present invention provides advantages including an easy and simple procedure with a quick and clear response.
US09575054B2
Provided herein are methods of evaluating potential antitumor compounds, and thereby identifying antitumor compounds, using placenta or a portion thereof and tumor cells, and compositions for accomplishing the same. In one embodiment, provided herein is a method of determining whether a potential antitumor compound is effective against a plurality of tumor cells, comprising introducing a plurality of tumor cells to, e.g., into or onto, a mammalian placenta or portion thereof; contacting said plurality of tumor cells for a period of time with said antitumor compound; and determining whether said antitumor compound is effective against said tumor cells, wherein said antitumor compound is effective against said tumor cells if said antitumor compound over said period of time reduces the number of said tumor cells or reduces the growth rate of said tumor cells.
US09575053B2
A novel method that enables prostate cancer testing that is noninvasive and more accurate than conventional methods is disclosed. The present inventors intensively analyzed urine samples from prostate cancer patients, and non-cancer subjects, who are free of prostate cancer, and, as a result, newly discovered urinary peptides that can be used as indicators in prostate cancer testing. Use of these urinary peptides as indicators enables various prostate cancer-related tests including detection of prostate cancer, discrimination between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia, monitoring of a therapeutic effect of prostate cancer therapy and monitoring of postoperative recurrence.
US09575051B2
A test strip port connector of a test meter receives an analytical test strip comprising a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample. The fluid sample is prevented from contaminating an interior region of the test strip port connector by a sealing mechanism having a seal configured to be moved into a sealing position across the test strip.
US09575049B2
A method for accurately testing yarn hairiness through stretching one-directionally, belonging to a technical field of textile testing, is provided. A suction pipe is provided on an external side of a laser and connected with an exhausting fan through a sleeve connector and a hose. An air inlet of the suction pipe generates a negative pressure under an effect of the exhausting fan to laterally suck the yarn running at a tension state among the laser, a projection receiver and the suction pipe. The hairiness on a yarn surface stretches straight one-directionally towards an airflow direction at a height of a center of the air inlet of the suction pipe. The one-directional straight stretched hairiness on the yarn surface is accurately projected to the projection receiver of a testing head at an equal length for accurately testing a hair amount and a hair length.
US09575048B2
A method is provided for monitoring at least one yarn quality parameter and/or a parameter of a sensor by an electronic cleaner of yarn by means of an optical detector comprising a sensor with one or two rows of individual optical elements. The individual optical elements provide at their outputs an analog signal proportional to the intensity of its irradiation, the value of which is monitored during each measurement cycle. In the first and/or the second row of optical elements of the sensor, for each monitored parameter, individual optical elements of the sensor, are selected constituting an active zone for monitoring a particular parameter. The number of the optical elements in one active zone in one row is lower than the overall number of the optical elements in the corresponding row, and the output analog signal of the individual optical elements of the corresponding active zone is included in the evaluation of the particular parameter.
US09575039B2
A curved gaseous particle detector includes a stack of two layers that are curved and maintained together by a frame formed of two spars defining a plane. The two spars are connected together by at least two curved bars outside of the plane and the frame being placed between the two layers of the stack.
US09575033B1
A method and apparatus for evaluating an object having a wrinkle. Energy is sent into the object at a plurality of locations using an array of transmitting elements. Reflected energy is received at an array of receiving elements in response to a portion of the energy being reflected off a plurality of layers in the object. A three-dimensional model of the wrinkle in the object is created based on the reflected energy received at the array of receiving elements.
US09575026B2
Methods for distinguishing between an aqueous non-blood sample (e.g., a control solution) and a blood sample are provided herein. In one aspect, the method includes using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or an aqueous non-blood sample based on characteristics of the sample (e.g., amount of interferent present, reaction kinetics, and/or capacitance). The method can also include calculating a discrimination criteria based upon these characteristics. Various aspects of a system for distinguishing between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample are also provided herein.
US09575025B2
There is provided an electrolyte solution including a solvent formed from a sulfone, and a magnesium salt dissolved in the solvent.
US09575023B2
Measuring apparatus and measuring method for detecting ferromagnetic particles which are movably arranged in a liquid volume, characterized by a magnetic means for generating a magnetic field in the liquid volume, a measuring means for the total electrical resistance of the liquid volume with the ferromagnetic particles therein and a means for checking the function of the measuring apparatus with at least one low-value resistor of between 50 and 500Ω for carrying out a resistance measurement. The invention also describes a magnetic means with an electromagnet which, when in need of cleaning, can be demagnetized by means of correct energization (measured using the normal resistance measurement) and can be magnetized again when started up again.
US09575016B2
A projection method of three-dimensional imaging includes the steps of respectively projecting a radiation field emitted from a radiation source with respect to one specific detector of a plurality of detectors and a three-dimensional sub-voxel onto two two-dimensional planes; rotating the specific detector to one specific axis of the two dimensional plane; performing a calculation for obtaining a sub-geometric factor corresponding to each specific detector and each voxel; and, finally, forming a geometric factor by combining each sub-geometric factor defined by each detector and each voxel.
US09574999B2
Provided are an outdoor unit of an air conditioner that detects snow that piles up on the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and a method of controlling the same. When a detection device is installed in the outdoor unit and snow piles up in a snow cover detection area included in the detection device, it is detected using an optical sensor whether snow cover occurs. A value detected by the optical sensor is transmitted to a controller, and the controller compares the value with a default value, and when the controller receives a value different from the default value, the controller controls a fan driving unit to drive a fan. Wind generated by driving the fan removes snow that piles up in the snow cover detection area, a fan guard and a discharge port to prevent the fan from malfunctioning due to accumulated snow.
US09574995B2
Device for measuring the concentration of a predetermined gas, in particular CO2, comprising a cavity, a light source emitting light rays within a basic spectral range including visible and infrared, a detector configured to receive a portion of the light rays within a first predefined spectral range corresponding to high absorption of the predetermined gas, a photodiode configured to receive a portion of the light rays within a second predefined spectral range corresponding to low absorption of the predetermined gas, a control unit configured to calculate the concentration of the predetermined gas by comparing the radiant power received by the detector to the radiant power received by the photodiode.
US09574994B2
A detector receives optical radiation interacted with the measured sheet and is responsive to a predetermined optical absorption band of lignin, a predetermined optical absorption band of dry matter and two or more separate optical bands. The measuring unit measures a lignin dependent value on the basis of attenuation in the absorption band of lignin, and a dry matter dependent value on the basis of attenuation in the absorption band of the dry matter, and determines a general dependence of attenuation with respect to wavelength by measuring attenuations in the separate optical bands. The measuring unit forms a value representing a dry matter content on the basis of the lignin dependent value, the dry matter dependent value and the general dependence of attenuation.
US09574987B2
A sample of porous material is placed in a calorimeter cell and a pressure in the cell is increased starting from a pressure value of a first step by filling the cell with a wetting fluid. Measurements are taken of a heat flow to the cell and a fluid volume at each step. Then, the pressure in the cell is decreased to the pressure value of a first step with continued measurements of the heat flow to the cell. Increase and following decrease of the fluid pressure in the cell are repeated at least once. Then a temperature in the cell is decreased below a wetting fluid crystallization point. Once the fluid has been fully crystallized in sample pores, the temperature in the cell is increased above a wetting fluid melting point. Wetting limiting angle of the pores filled with fluid, and pore sizes are determined based on the results of heat flow measurements with due consideration of heat effect of fluid compression.
US09574985B2
A method for determining a condition in a blood sample includes: providing a sample of blood; providing a metering probe having a pump for aspirating and dispensing; inserting the metering probe a selected distance into the blood sample; measuring the pressure between the sample and pump during sample aspiration or sample dispense; comparing the measured pressure with a reference value; and signaling the presence or absence of the condition. A method for confirming or detecting the presence of a selected layer of blood component in a centrifuged blood sample includes: measuring a pressure of a suspected selected layer in a metering probe during aspiration or dispense; comparing the measured pressure with a reference value, wherein if the measured pressure and the reference value are substantially identical then the selected layer of the blood component is confirmed. In a preferred embodiment the reference value is a pre-selected pressure range.
US09574981B2
Methods of assessing asphaltene inhibitor/dispersant efficiency are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of assessing solvent/dispersant/cleaner efficacy for remediating asphaltene deposition. The methods are useful in facilitating the production, transportation, storage, and separation of crude oil and natural gas, and more particularly, for preventing the undesired deposition of asphaltene from crude oil.
US09574980B2
A device for fixing a rock sample, the device including: a lower clamp and an upper clamp. The lower clamp includes: a lower connector connected to a bottom loading base, a lower end cap for fixing samples, a lower chain connecting the lower connector and the lower end cap, a first spiral spring, a first central position-limit mechanism, and a second central position-limit mechanism. The lower end cap includes: a first sample fixing groove and a first connecting segment. The upper clamp includes: an upper connector connected to a top loading base, an upper end cap for fixing the samples, an upper chain connecting with the upper connector and the upper end cap, a second spiral spring, a third central position-limit mechanism, and a fourth central position-limit mechanism. The upper end cap includes a second sample fixing groove and a second connecting segment.
US09574978B2
Disclosed therein is a sampler. The sampler includes: a chamber accommodating a fluid or solid reagent therein and being sealed at both ends with penetrable films; a tube joined with the chamber at one side, the tube having a hollow portion therein; and a movable bar having a tip which is formed at one end and has a specimen extracting portion, the tip being guided and moved through a hollow portion, the tip being adapted for mixing the specimen extracted by the specimen extracting portion with the reagent so as to form a diluted solution while penetrating through one end of the chamber and adapted for quantitatively discharging out the diluted solution while penetrating through the other end of the chamber.
US09574968B2
The methods, systems, and devices may include performing one or more quality tests to determine and/or certify the quality of slides used in infrared imaging. The methods, systems, and devices may certify a quality of a slide when the average quality assessment of the slide is within the established quality value range.
US09574956B2
The present invention relates to an all-optical sensor utilizing effective index modulation of a waveguide and detection of a wavelength shift of reflected light and a force sensing system accommodating said optical sensor. One embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor system comprising at least one multimode light source, one or more optical sensors comprising a multimode sensor optical waveguide accommodating a distributed Bragg reflector, at least one transmitting optical waveguide for guiding light from said at least one light source to said one or more multimode sensor optical waveguides, a detector for measuring light reflected from said Bragg reflector in said one or more multimode sensor optical waveguides, and a data processor adapted for analyzing variations in the Bragg wavelength of at least one higher order mode of the reflected light.
US09574953B2
The present invention provides a magnetic force sensor that can precisely detect and correct variations in a magnetic field generated by a magnetic flux generating source. Therefore, a displacement magneto-electric transducer, which detects a change in the magnetic field caused by an external force, and a fixed magneto-electric transducer, where the change in the magnetic field caused by the external force does not occur, are provided to face end sides of magnetic poles of the magnetic flux generating source. The fixed magneto-electric transducer detects a variation of the magnetic field caused by, for example, changes with time and environmental variations such as a temperature rise in the interior of the sensor. On the basis of a detection amount thereof, an operational section performs a correction operation, so that a sensitivity coefficient or an offset of the displacement magneto-electric transducer is corrected.
US09574949B2
Automated systems and methods for testing the efficacy and reliability of distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system. The DTS system has a fiber optic sensing cable laid out on a structure to be monitored, and a DTS unit for sensing temperature along a sensing line at locations thereof. The DTS unit is optically coupled to the sensing cable. The sensing cable is optically coupled to a test cable to form the sensing line. Also provided, is a cooling device for cooling the test cable. A controller periodically actuates the cooling device to thereby test the efficacy and reliability of the DTS system. A relay configured for communication with the DTS unit and the controller is operable to trigger an alarm condition in response to a signal received from the DTS unit indicative that a temperature drop in the sensing line at a location thereof has been detected.
US09574948B2
Provided is a temperature sensing circuit and a temperature sensing method including a delay unit delaying an input clock signal to generate a feedback clock signal, and including logic gates of which delay times are variable according to temperature, a delay control unit comparing the feedback clock signal with a reference clock signal and controlling each of the logic gates of the delay unit according to the comparison result, and an input signal control unit selecting, as the input clock signal, any one of the feedback clock signal and the reference clock signal to input the input clock signal to the delay unit.
US09574945B2
A detector of terahertz (THz) energy includes a MOSFET having an extended source region, and a channel region depleted of free carriers, which MOSFET operates in a sub-threshold voltage state and has an output that is an exponential function of THz energy supplied to the gate.
US09574941B2
A spectrometer is provided, the spectrometer having an interferometer generating an interferogram by splitting an interferometer input signal between a reference arm and a variable delay arm, and introducing a delay between the split interferometer input signals prior to interfering the split interferometer input signals. The spectrometer additionally has a controllable delay element operable to adjust the delay introduced by the interferometer and a dispersive element outputting a plurality of narrowband outputs representative of a received broadband input signal. The interferometer and dispersive element are optically connected to output a plurality of narrowband interferograms representative of a spectra of a spectrometer input signal received by the spectrometer, and the plurality of narrowband interferograms are received by a detector array for analysis.
US09574934B2
An apparatus comprises a first light sensor configured with a first field of view; and a second light sensor configured with a second, narrower field of view contained within the first field of view. The first and second light sensors may be arranged to detect light reflected from an illuminated surface, wherein the first and second field of view encompass light from an electric lighting device reflected from said surface and additional light reflected from said surface, e.g. natural light; but the second light sensor is concentrated on a region on said surface so as to exclude glare from objects outside said region, whereas the first field of view extends beyond said region. An illumination level of the environment in which the apparatus is installed may be adjusted to compensate for a change in the additional light based on information distinguishing between the two sensors.
US09574919B2
A detection system includes a first sensor coupled to a pipe associated with a pump and generates temperature data associated with a temperature of the pipe. The system includes a second sensor positioned within an acoustic sensing distance from the pump and that generates sound data associated with a sound of the pump. The system includes a processing device configured to execute data instructions to store a baseline temperature signature and a baseline acoustic signature, and receive the temperature data from the first sensor and the sound data from the second sensor. The processing device is configured to, based on (1) a determination that flow through the pipe is reduced by comparing temperature data to the baseline temperature signature, and (2) a determination that the pump remains operational based on comparing the acoustic data to the baseline acoustic signature, generate an indication that the pipe is blocked.
US09574918B2
Heat trace system for heating vessels of a piping system comprises a main control system, a plurality of heat trace elements, and a plurality of wireless modules. Each heat trace element is adjacent to one of the vessels of the piping system and connected to an electrical power source of the main control system 16. Each of the wireless modules: (a) is connected to and powered by an associated heat trace element; (b) comprises an energy storage device connected to the associated heat trace element for storing energy from the associated heat trace element to power the wireless module; and (c) comprises an RF module for communicating wirelessly with the main control system via a wireless communication network. The stored energy in the energy storage device can be used to power components of the wireless module, even when no current is flowing in the heat trace element to which the wireless module is connected.
US09574912B2
A sensor element may include a measuring element and a functional housing at least partially surrounding the measuring element including a plastic molded housing. The measuring element may include a hot plate mounted on a carrier substrate by means of narrow arms in a broadly thermally decoupled manner. The carrier substrate may be provided with contacts leading to the measuring element and terminating in contact/bonding points on the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate together with the contact/bonding points may be at least partially integrated into the plastic molded housing, leaving the hot plate exposed. The housing may include connection wiring for the contact/bonding points.
US09574910B2
Provided is a position detecting apparatus, including: a scale including pattern arrays formed in different cycles in a movement direction; an obtaining unit configured to obtain signals in accordance with a the plurality of pattern arrays; a phase calculator configured to calculate a phase of signals; a synchronism calculator configured to calculate a relative positional relationship between the obtaining unit and the scale by performing synchronism calculation of the phases calculated by the phase calculator; a synchronization error calculator configured to calculate a synchronization error in the synchronism calculation; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the synchronism calculation is normal by comparing the synchronization error and a predetermined threshold value with each other.
US09574906B2
The present disclosure provides a magnetic medium, a magnetic encoder, and a method for manufacturing a magnetic medium with high reliability that can obtain the sufficient signal output, while reducing the hysteresis error. The magnetic medium is relatively movable with respect to a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic field in a magnetosensitive face.
US09574901B2
A device for displaying flight characteristics of an aircraft is provided. The device includes a display for the selective display of flight characteristics of an aircraft, as a function of a state of credibility assigned to measurements from static pressure, total pressure and angle-of-attack sensors, configured for selectively displaying a primary set of flight characteristics comprising at least one flight characteristic coming from a measurement from one of said sensors, when the measurements from said sensors are deemed reliable, and a secondary set of flight characteristics, distinct from said primary set, comprising at least one secondary flight characteristic designed to replace a counterpart flight characteristic from the primary set, when the measurements from at least one sensor are deemed unreliable, said secondary flight characteristic being independent of any measurement by the or each sensor deemed unreliable done when the measurements from that sensor are deemed unreliable.
US09574888B1
Generating routes based on contextual risk includes receiving a destination and generating candidate routes to the destination from a designated location based on roadways available for routes and one or more fixed criteria. A contextual risk associated with each of the candidate routes is determined based on at least dynamic environmental attributes. The candidate routes are displayed on a map together with a representation of the determined contextual risk.
US09574884B1
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided to determine a route through a predefined space. A first path from a source location to a common path within the space is determined, as well as a second path from a destination location a common path. If a shared path, which is the part of the first path which overlaps a portion of the second path, exists, it is excluded. If any portion of the common path separates the first and second path, it is included. A route is returned which is the combination of the remaining path segments.
US09574883B2
Systems and methods are provided for generating maps with semantic labels. A computing device can determine a first map that includes features located at first positions and semantic labels located at semantic positions, and determine a second map that includes at least some of the features located at second positions. The computing device can identify a first region with fixed features located at first positions and corresponding equivalent second positions. The computing device can identify a second region with moved features located at first positions and corresponding non-equivalent second positions. The computing device can determine one or more transformations between first positions and second positions. The computing device can assign the semantic labels to the second map at second semantic positions, where the second semantic positions are the same in the first region, and where the second semantic positions in the second region are based on the transformation(s).
US09574879B2
A vibrating inertial sensor is provided, micro machined in a plane thin wafer, allowing the measurement of an angular position or of an angular speed. The sensor comprises two vibrating masses suspended by springs with identical stiffness in X and Y and coupled together by identical stiffness springs in X and Y, and at least excitation transducers and detection transducers disposed on at least one of the masses. The mobile assembly consisting of a vibrating mass and the parts of transducers fastened to this mass has a generally symmetric structure with respect to an axis of symmetry OX and with respect to an axis of symmetry OY.
US09574873B2
A position detection system includes: a contactor including a tracing unit that traces and fits with a recess or a protrusion of an object; a slide member; a sliding unit that causes the slide member to slide in two directions; a moving unit that causes the contactor to move in a direction perpendicular to a plane so as to cause the tracing unit of the contactor to trace and fit with the recess or the protrusion of the object; a contactor detecting unit that detects a position of the contactor in the plane; and an object position detecting unit that detects the position of the object based on movement amount of the contactor before and after the slide member slides on the sliding unit to slide, when the tracing unit traces the recess or the protrusion.
US09574862B2
A multifunctional ergonomic tape measure provides a stopping mechanism within its housing body containing a retractable measuring tape which is engaged by squeezing together the housing body and a hinged arm, thereby clamping the measuring tape firmly between two friction surfaces provided by corresponding friction pads mounted in opposed facing relation on the housing body and the arm. The housing includes a duck-bill extending from the front of the body. The duck-bill has a flat, large surfaced face on the front thereof for reading measurements and for sliding along the edges of building material when making parallel lines. The tape end of the tape provides a thumb hold on its upper portion to aid the user in firmly holding both a pencil or utility knife and the tape end. The tape measure is useful for drawing a radius, to obtain inside measurements, and as a square to mark short length right angle lines.
US09574861B2
Disclosed is tagged ammunition, methods for making it, using it and detecting it to reduce gun violence. When implemented together with a smart phone coupled readers, standalone readers, or at a security center, software is included to allow integration of signals detected by multiple readers in the vicinity to map detectable ammunition detected by readers designed to detect tagged ammunition as a proxy for loaded firearms. This makes possible securing an area of interest, when combined with placing of at least one networkable reader in the vicinity of the area of interest; and connecting the one or more readers to a monitoring center. Such monitoring centers may be associated with schools, shopping malls, streets, public meetings, public events, housing complexes, an area being swept for loaded guns, an area being monitored for gang activity, or even a residence.
US09574856B2
The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator component including an inlet stage formed by a pyrotechnic detonator composition and an intermediate stage disposed between the inlet stage and an outlet stage formed by at least one gas generator composition, said intermediate stage being formed by a compressed black powder layer.
US09574854B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a directed energy device configured to direct energy onto a remote target under control of a controller. The receives a distance measurement to the target using a rangefinder, determines whether the target is within an expected range; and modifies a power output of the directed energy device when the target is not within the expected range.
US09574844B2
The present disclosure discloses a paintball marker capable of interchanging between a bolt action firing valve and a spool action firing valve. The present disclosure further provides a method of interchanging between the bolt action firing valve and the spool firing valve.
US09574839B2
A user friendly bipod is configured to provide support for firearms, cameras, binoculars, or the like. The bipod includes foldable legs that are adjustable in length/height. The bipod also includes at least one magnetic lock for locking or releasing mechanical parts of the bipod.
US09574827B2
The present application provides a microchannel coil manifold system. The microchannel coil manifold system may include a number of assembly inlet manifold sections that terminate in a first stub tube, a number of assembly outlet manifold sections that terminate in a second stub tube, and one or more microchannel coils. Each pair of assembly inlet and outlet manifold sections may be in communication with the one or more microchannel coils.
US09574820B2
A variable shelf apparatus and a refrigerator having the same are provided. The variable shelf apparatus includes: a first shelf part; a second shelf part configured to have the first shelf part slidably coupled therewith; and a support part configured to be installed in a storage room to slidably support the first shelf part and rotatably support the second shelf part, wherein the support part is configured such that a pair of rotating protrusions protruding at both sides of the second shelf part is selectively coupled and separated between an upper surface and a lower surface of the support part.
US09574814B2
A refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments, a plurality of cooling units to cool the plurality of storage compartments, a temperature sensing unit to sense temperatures of the plurality of storage compartments, a drive unit to drive the plurality of cooling units, and a controller to control the drive unit to drive the cooling unit that satisfies a predetermined driving condition. If at least one cooling unit among the plurality of cooling units is being driven, the controller delays driving the other cooling unit even if the other cooling unit satisfies the driving condition. The refrigerator minimizes simultaneous driving a plurality of compressors, which may prevent generation of noise and vibration, as well as excessive power consumption, due to driving the plurality of compressors.
US09574806B2
A heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes, a header collecting tube connected to the flat tubes, and fins joined to the flat tubes. The header collecting tube includes a first partition member partitioning an internal space into upper and lower internal spaces, a second partition member partitioning the upper internal space into first and second spaces, an inflow port formed at a bottom part of the first space, an upper communicating passage, a lower communicating passage. A third partition member partitions the lower internal space into an ascension space and an inflow space. A lower communicating port allows refrigerant to pass from the inflow space to the ascension space. The lower communicating port and the refrigerant passages of the flat tubes that are connected to the lower internal space are arranged so as not to overlap each other as viewed along the longitudinal direction of the flat tubes.
US09574799B2
Extraction units are constructed having at least one extraction chamber containing extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. One or more means for fluid flow can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers and the expansion chamber, where the expansion chamber and a condenser or the output of the means for fluid flow are coupled as a heat exchanger.
US09574790B2
An air duct of this disclosure includes: a tubular duct body formed from a non-air-permeable material; and a tubular opening end member formed from an air-permeable material. The opening end member is integrated with an end portion of the duct body so as to extend a duct wall of the duct body. D representing a diameter of the opening end member and L representing a length thereof satisfy a relationship 0.1D≦L≦1.5D. An air permeability of the air-permeable material is in a range of 0.3 to 100 sec/300 cc.
US09574781B2
An indoor unit and an air conditioner configured so that each outlet and each flap can be easily identified. An indoor unit (1) is provided with outlets (32a-32d) which discharge air-conditioning air toward the interior space, and also with flaps (35a-35d) having substantially the same shape, the flaps (35a-35d) being respectively disposed at the outlets (32a-32d) and capable of individually changing the discharge directions of the air-conditioning air. Sign sections (60a-60d) which are different from each other are formed either in the vicinities, respectively, of the outlets (32a-32d) or on the flaps (35a-35d), respectively.
US09574763B2
Disclosed is a multifunctional home monitoring system combined with a lighting device, which includes a main housing that includes a main control board. The main housing is provided therein with a detection module for detecting the environment, a control module for connection with household electric appliances, a status indicator assembly for reminding purposes, a speaker and microphone for receiving and recognition, and an LED light assembly for illumination purpose, which are electrically connected to the main control board. A lower housing is mounted to a lower side of the main housing. The lower housing includes a secondary illumination light arranged therein and being further provided with an image capture module for image recording. The image capture module is coupled to a body detection module, a biological recognition module, and a motor arranged in the main housing to be driven by the motor.
US09574759B2
A laser illuminator emitting a circular profile of substantially uniform intensity is presented. The laser illuminator may include a heat sink configured to optically couple to a laser light source. The heat sink may include a beam dump cavity configured to absorb light from the laser light source, and a circularizer aperture having a cylindrical, flat-top opening and being configured to shape a portion of laser light emitted from the laser light source to exit the heat sink. The laser illuminator may also include a collimation lens configured to collect the light exited from the heat sink and provide a focused beam of light, and a scatter clean-up aperture optically coupled to the collimation lens. The scatter clean-up aperture may be configured to absorb scatter laser light rays, and provide from the focused beam of light an output beam of light comprising a circular profile of substantially uniform intensity.
US09574757B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL device that includes an electrode having a light-emitting function and a touch sensing function, an organic electroluminescent module that includes a specific controlling circuit and can contribute to reduction in sizes and thickness and simplified production steps of the device, and a smart device and an illumination device each including the organic electroluminescent module. The organic electroluminescent module of the present invention has a touch sensing function and includes a touch sensing circuit unit and a light-emitting device driving circuit unit including a light-emitting device driving circuit section for driving an organic electroluminescent panel. The organic electroluminescent panel includes paired opposite electrodes therein. The paired electrodes are connected to the light-emitting device driving circuit unit, and one of the paired electrodes is a touch sensing electrode that is connected to the touch sensing circuit unit. The touch sensing circuit unit and the light-emitting device driving circuit unit are connected to independent grounds.
US09574756B2
An LED lamp has a substrate on which an LED is mounted, a dome-shaped translucent part covering the LED, a heat-radiating section connected to the substrate, a metal cap section to be connected to a power supply source, and a socket unit for connecting the heat-radiation section and the metal cap section, the socket unit having a socket opening section; the heat-radiating section having a body section connected to the substrate, a plurality of heat-radiating fins connected to the body section, and a cover section connected to the heat-radiating fins, the cover section covering the heat-radiating fins; and an air channel being configured so as to pass through from a gap between the translucent part and the cover section, between the heat-radiating fins, and to the socket opening section.
US09574754B2
A modular illumination lamp comprises a base, wherein the lamp further comprises: a first frame integrally formed with the base; a second frame connected to the first frame or the base; at least one illumination module mounted on the first and second frames. By the specific design of the modular illumination lamp, the amount of the illumination modules can be increased or decreased as desired.
US09574753B2
An illumination device includes a conversion unit that controls an emission direction of light emitted from a light-emitting unit included in the illumination device. The conversion unit includes a ball-shaped main body, and may be formed between an upper body, which includes the light-emitting unit, and a lower body. An assembly unit may be formed in the upper body to couple the conversion unit, and the light emission direction may be appropriately controlled by controlling the shape of the ball-shaped main body.
US09574752B1
A lighting fixture includes a housing and a circuit board having a light emitting diode (LED). The circuit board is attached to a mounting bracket that is positioned inside the housing. The lighting fixture further includes a first reflector insert positioned adjacent to the circuit board on a first side of the circuit board. The first reflector insert is configured to reflect light from the LED. The lighting fixture also includes a second reflector insert positioned adjacent to the circuit board on a second side of the circuit board. The second reflector insert is configured to reflect the light from the LED. The first reflector insert and the second reflector insert are removable from the lighting fixture without removing the circuit board.
US09574743B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide separate optical devices operable to couple to a separate LED, the separate optical device comprising an entrance surface to receive light from a separate LED when the separate optical device is coupled to the separate LED, an exit surface opposite from and a distance from the entrance surface and a set of sidewalls. The exit surface can have at least a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light projected from the separate optical device. Furthermore, each sidewall is positioned and shaped so that rays having a straight transmission path from the entrance surface to that sidewall reflect to the exit surface with an angle of incidence at the exit surface at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit surface.
US09574740B2
Devices (100) comprise light sources (1) for producing light into directional ranges (70) and light blockers (10) for blocking the light in parts (71) of the directional ranges (70). The light blockers (10) have inner sides (11) and outer sides (12), and are made of materials having optical indices. Combinations of shapes of the outer sides (12) and the optical indices will reflect the light in the parts (71) of the directional ranges (70) at the outer sides (12), for example back to the light sources (1). The shapes of the outer sides (12) may be saw tooth shapes, the optical indices may be larger than 1.4, total reflection may take place for the light in the parts (71) of the directional ranges (70) when incoming at angles smaller than 40° with sides (14, 15) of saw teeth (13) of the saw tooth shapes. Shapes of the inner sides (11) may correspond with shapes of light output graphs of the light sources (1) in the parts (71) of the directional ranges (70).
US09574735B2
A luminaire has a light source and a shell integrator. The shell integrator has a transparent dome over the light source, with inner and outer surfaces formed as arrays of lenslets. Each lenslet of the inner surface images the light source onto a respective lenslet of the outer surface, and each lenslet of the outer surface images the respective lenslet of the inner surface as a virtual image onto the light source. The dome may be substantially hemispherical. The light source and the integrator may be at an input of a collimator.
US09574723B2
An LED module, selectively comprising at least zero, one, or a plurality of LEDs from Group B and/or Group G and/or Group R and at least one or more LEDs from Group P. The concentration of phosphors/phosphor mixtures of the LEDs in Group P is selected such that the photometric efficiency (lm/W) thereof is at or near the maximum as a function of the CIE x-coordinates.
US09574711B2
A vapor pressure regulation system includes a vessel including a vessel wall that defines an enclosure, and a temperature adjustment mechanism coupled to the vessel. A heat transfer between the temperature adjustment mechanism and the vessel is adjusted based on at least a vapor pressure within the vessel to facilitate regulating the vapor pressure within the vessel.
US09574708B2
The invention relates to a method for filling a tank with a pressurized fuel gas, the average temperature of the gas in the tank is estimated in real time during the filling. The method includes, before the filling, determining the initial temperature of the gas in the tank, determining the initial pressure of the gas in the tank, determining the initial average temperature of the wall of the tank and determining the initial mass of gas in the tank. According to the method, during the filling, the enthalpy of the gas entering into the tank is determined as a function of time and the mass of gas injected into the tank is determined as a function of time or, respectively, the pressure in the tank is determined as a function of time. The average temperature of the gas at the time in the tank is determined in degrees K.
US09574694B2
An evaporator cuff for use with a pipe freezer apparatus. The evaporator cuff includes a hose connector attached to an evaporator body. The evaporator body has an inner wall configured to engage the outer surface of a pipe, an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall. A chamber is defined between the inner and outer walls, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls. A plurality of baffles are located in the chamber and arranged to define a series of conduits for creating a flow path through the chamber for refrigerant to flow along. The walls are arranged so as to form a serpentine flow path from the evaporator inlet to the evaporator outlet.
US09574689B2
The present device provides a composite rotary union assembly which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art rotary union assemblies. The composite rotary union assembly of the present invention provides for supplying water or gas to a rotatable reel assembly, it also provides metal inserts for high wear areas of the rotary union assembly, including the threads, for longer useful life of the assembly while providing a resin structure for supporting and placing the metal portions.
US09574677B2
A solenoid-powered gate valve that provides a reliable, high quality seal with a reduced operating force requirement. The valve includes a solenoid coil and armature connected to a valve mechanism, with the valve mechanism including a conduit having a connection opening, an oppositely-disposed pocket, and a sprung gate assembly linearly movable between the connection opening and the pocket. The sprung gate assembly includes a first gate member with an opening, a second gate member with an opening, and an endless elastic band retained between the first and second gate members, with the openings and endless elastic band collectively defining a passage through the sprung gate assembly, with the first and second gate members being mechanically coupled to the armature for reciprocating linear movement between the connection opening and the pocket. The endless elastic band allows an interference fit within the pocket with reduced frictional opposition to gate movement.
US09574670B2
The invention relates to an engine control valve including a body defining an inner duct and comprising a flap (10) mounted such that it can pivot by means of a shaft (12), said flap (10) comprising a first portion (11). The flap can pivot between an open position allowing the passage of fluid into the duct and a closed position in which the flap (10) comes into contact with a flat seal (100) of the flap. The outer contour of the seal (100) surrounds the outer contour of the flap (10), said seal (1) comprising an opening (6) and a solid portion (3). The above-mentioned first portion (11) seals the opening (6) in the seal (1) when the flap (10) is in a closed position. The seal (100) includes a reinforcement area (101) in the solid portion (3) thereof, such as to prevent the seal (100) from deforming owing to the high pressure and high temperature of the gases in the valve.
US09574664B2
In a piston-ported engine, a sealing ring may be placed in a groove in the cylinder. As the groove is of greater diameter than the cylinder, the sealing ring overlaps into a helix allowing it to be enter the cylinder. However, such a helix does not fit into a groove without when in the helix. Alternatively, a shorter sealing ring is placed into the groove. However, the gap is too large. According to one embodiment, a groove of double the width of the ring is provided and the helical ring is installed and caused to unwind in the groove so that the ring sits in a plane. A spacer ring is placed in the groove to fill the extra space in the groove. An elastomeric material or a tension spring in an outer groove in the sealing ring can be used to cause the ring to press against the piston.
US09574663B2
A single-piece oil control ring for a piston may include a body having at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion each facing towards a cylinder wall of an internal combustion engine. At least one of the upper portion and the lower portion may respectively define a first surface extending substantially perpendicular to the body and a receding second surface extending from the first surface substantially at an incline. The first surface may protrude towards the cylinder wall in relation to the second surface. The first surface may have a first area of contact with the cylinder wall, and at least 95% of the first area may contact the cylinder wall.
US09574650B2
A compact bevel differential gear mechanism with pinion bevel gears arranged in a tightly packed array is disclosed. The compact bevel differential gear mechanism includes first and second side bevel gears that are co-axially aligned along an axis of rotation. The compact bevel differential gear mechanism also includes an array of pinion bevel gears mounted between the first and second side bevel gears. The pinion bevel gears intermesh with the first and second side bevel gears to form a torque transfer arrangement configured for transferring torque between the pinion bevel gears and the first and second side bevel gears and for allowing the first and second side bevel gears to rotate at different rotational speeds with respect to one another. Each of the pinion bevel gears has an actual gear face angle value that is within +/−10 percent of a target gear face angle value. The target gear face angle value is equal to 360 degrees divided by twice the total number of pinion bevel gears provided in the array of pinion bevel gears.
US09574649B2
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features an impeller, a casing having a first engagement surface, a damper assembly, a turbine-piston including a drive component with a second engagement surface, and a clutch plate having clutch plate engagement surfaces interposed between and axially movable relative to at least one of the first and second clutch plate engagement surfaces. The turbine-piston is axially displaceable relative to the casing to move the second engagement surface axially towards and away from the first engagement surface for positioning the hydrokinetic torque coupling device into and out of a lockup mode in which the first and second engagement surfaces and the clutch plate engagement surfaces frictionally interlock with one another to non-rotatably lock the casing relative to the input part of the damper assembly.
US09574648B2
An electric linear actuator has a cylindrical housing, an electric motor, a speed reduction mechanism, and a ball screw mechanism. The ball screw mechanism has a nut and a screw shaft coaxially integrated with the drive shaft. The housing has receiving bores to receive the screw shaft. A cylindrical sleeve is securely press-fit into the receiving bore of the housing. The sleeve has one pair of axially extending recessed grooves formed on its inner circumference at diametrically opposed positions. A guide pin, mounted on the end of the screw shaft, engages the recessed grooves. An annular groove is formed near an opening of the receiving bore of the housing. The sleeve is held in the receiving bore by a stopper ring snapped into the annular groove.
US09574641B2
A large-torque chain-guide type constant ratio/continuously variable transmission is disclosed. The transmission comprises transmission rollers (A, B), an endless transmission chain or belt (C) and two chain guiders (D, E) respectively arranged beside the two transmission rollers. Each chain guider comprises n groups of grooved-pulleys, and each group comprises m grooved-pulleys. Each grooved-pulley rotates freely around a grooved-pulley axis, and an angle α is formed between the axis of at least one grooved-pulley in each group of grooved-pulleys and a roller axis of the transmission roller matched with the same grooved-pulley. The angle α enables the chain entering the chain guider and the chain leaving the chain guider to move a certain axial distance, i.e. a chain distance, on the transmission rollers, wherein the chain distance is required to be larger than the width of the chain or the belt. The endless transmission chain passes sequentially through the pulley groove of at least one grooved-pulley in one group and the driving roller under the guidance of the chain guider, and is guided to a driven roller after winding n circles around both the chain guider and the driving roller. Whereafter, the transmission chain passes sequentially through the pulley groove of at least one grooved-pulley in one group and the driven roller under the guidance of the chain guider, and returns to the driving roller to be closed after winding n circles around both the chain guider and the driven roller. The transmission has small size and compact structure, and can output a large torque.
US09574626B1
An improved bracket assembly for receiving a brake assembly and a brake actuator is provided. The bracket assembly includes a tube configured to receive a camshaft of the brake assembly. A brake spider mounting flange is disposed proximate a first end of the tube, defines an aperture configured to allow the tube to extend therethrough, and is configured to receive a brake spider of the brake assembly. An actuator mounting arm is disposed proximate a second end of the tube, is configured for coupling to the brake actuator, and has inboard and outboard members. Each of the inboard and outboard members has a body having a first end affixed to the tube and an actuator mounting flange extending from a second end of the body. The actuator mounting flanges define aligned bores configured to receive a fastener extending from the brake actuator.
US09574616B2
A joint device includes a drive rotor fixed to a drive shaft, a driven rotor fixed to a driven shaft, and a ring-shaped buffer located between the drive rotor and the driven rotor. The drive rotor includes a drive engagement portion that projects toward the driven rotor in an axial direction. The driven rotor includes a driven engagement portion that projects toward the drive rotor in the axial direction. The buffer includes an outer surface, which includes a first engagement recess and a second engagement recess that are recessed toward a radially inner side. An outer diameter of a bottom surface of the second engagement recess is smaller than an inner diameter of the driven engagement portion or an outer diameter of a bottom surface of the first engagement recess is smaller than an inner diameter of the drive engagement portion.
US09574615B2
A centrifugal pendulum and a clutch disk with a pendulum flange provided thereon, rotational about an axis of rotation, and several pendulum weights distributed over the circumference and received on the pendulum flange in a pivotal fashion. In order to at least reduce noise development due to mass momentum of inertia acting here caused by the centrifugal pendulum, the pendulum flange is received on a rotational part, rotating on an axis of rotation, and a friction clutch is effectively arranged between the pendulum flange and said part.
US09574611B2
A sensor (20) arranged in a deep groove ball bearing (10) includes an encoder (22) attached at an inner ring (1) to be rotatable integrally with the inner ring (1), and a magnetism detecting element (24) attached at an outer ring (2) via a sensor housing (26) to face the encoder (22) with a sensor gap. Then, the magnetism detecting element (24) is capable of measuring a rotating state of the encoder (22) rotating in the rotating state identical to that of the inner ring (1) in conjunction with a rotation of the inner ring (1). The deep groove ball bearing (10) includes a foreign material entering prevention portion that prevents a foreign material from entering the inside of the bearing from a gap between the inner ring (1) and the sensor housing (26). The size of the gap between the inner ring (1) and the sensor housing (26) is substantially identical to the sensor gap between the magnetism detecting element (24) and the encoder (22), and the gap configures non-contact seal and functions as the foreign material entering prevention portion.
US09574601B2
A bolt for securing timber to any other material, comprises: a bolt head with a series of spiked teeth on its underside; a cylindrical bolt rod extending from the bolt head is threaded and split into two rods at its free end, so as to define a slot therebetween.In use a user drills a hole through pieces of timber to be secured together, and hammers the bolt through the hole. The spiked teeth on the bolt head lock into the timber, securing the bolt at one end. At the free, split end of the bolt rod, a washer and nut are tightened onto the bolt.A cold chisel is hammered into the slot between the split ends of the rod, bending the ends outwards and thus preventing the nut from loosening.
US09574595B2
A blind rivet arrangement (1) is described, comprising multiple rivet bodies (3, 3a, 3b) arranged in succession on a mandrel (2), the mandrel (2) having a mandrel head (8) with an outside diameter which is greater than an inside diameter of the rivet bodies (3, 3a, 3b). The aim is to provide an inexpensive way to produce a blind rivet arrangement that works effectively. To this end the mandrel (2) and the mandrel head (8) are designed as parts that are produced separately and joined together.
US09574594B2
A pin for a blind bolt, the pin having a proximal end, a distal end and a shaft between the proximal and distal ends, extending axially from the distal end an outwardly tapered surface and an inwardly tapered surface, the pin comprising a strike portion at the proximal end, wherein the cross sectional area of the strike portion is greater than the cross sectional area of the shaft.
US09574592B2
A composite sandwich shell edge joint includes an outboard buildup pad, an inboard buildup pad spaced-apart and adjacent to the outboard buildup pad, an outboard face sheet extending from the outboard buildup pad, an inboard face sheet extending from the inboard buildup pad, bridging plies connecting the outboard buildup pad and the inboard buildup pad and at least one barrel nut installed in the buildup pads.
US09574589B2
A trapeze hanger fitting includes a strut connecting portion configured for insertion into an open interior of a strut through an open longitudinal end of the strut to connect the trapeze hanger fitting to the strut. A rod securement portion is connected to the strut connecting portion and configured for securement to a rod to secure the trapeze hanger fitting to the rod. The rod securement portion is configured to be disposed outside the open interior of the strut and longitudinally outward from the open longitudinal end of the strut when the strut connecting portion is inserted into the open interior of the strut.
US09574582B2
A fluid management system includes a hydraulic main pump fluidly connected to a load, an accumulator fluidly connected to the hydraulic main pump, a secondary pump, a fluid preparation system fluidly connected between an outlet of the secondary pump and an inlet of the hydraulic main pump, a reservoir, and a valve system fluidly connecting the reservoir, an outlet of the hydraulic main pump, and the secondary pump inlet. The system is at least operable between a run mode, wherein the secondary pump and accumulator cooperatively maintain the pressure within the hydraulic main pump, and a charging mode, wherein the secondary pump pumps fluid into the accumulator until a threshold volume is reached.
US09574580B2
To provide an oscillating actuator which is capable of easily changing an oscillation start position of a shaft. An oscillating actuator includes an actuator main body 2 having a shaft 4 which is configured to oscillate about an axis L in a predetermined range of angle by means of a compressed air, and a fixing plate 3 for fixing the actuator main body 2 to a load device 30, wherein the actuator main body 2 and the fixing plate 3 are connected together by a connection mechanism 5 so as to be displaceable relative to each other in the rotation direction of the shaft 4 so that an oscillation start position A of the shaft 4 is changed by displacement of the actuator main body 2 and the fixing plate 3 relative to each other.
US09574575B2
A diffuser is disclosed that includes a splitter having a blunt forebody useful in re-starting a boundary layer. The blunt forebody can be used to create a static pressure bow wave and interaction with a passing fluid stream that reduces a thickness of boundary layer formed on an opposing wall. The re-start in boundary layer can be used in a way that allows an upstream portion of the diffuser to be sized approaching a separation limit and a downstream portion of the diffuser to also be sized approaching a separation limit. In some forms the passages split by the blunt forebody can be sized relative to each other to balance flow between the branches.
US09574557B2
The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to fluid pump apparatuses. A fluid pump apparatus may comprise a suction compensator, a housing compensator, and a pump. A suction compensator may comprise an ambient fluid compensator, an ambient fluid bladder, and a spring compensator, wherein the spring compensator comprises a first separator partitioning an internal volume of the spring compensator into a first suction fluid chamber and a compensation fluid chamber. A housing compensator may comprise a second separator partitioning an internal volume of the housing compensator into a second suction fluid chamber and a lubrication fluid chamber. The compensation fluid chamber may be in fluid communication with the suction compensator. The first suction fluid chamber may be in fluid communication with the second suction fluid chamber. A pump may comprise a housing defining a lubrication fluid compartment in fluid communication with the lubrication fluid chamber.
US09574556B1
This invention provides a coil and magnet assembly that is operatively interconnected with an oscillating free piston that moves along an axis. A coil mounting disk is operatively connected to a coil assembly. A magnet assembly is mounted on a magnet base. The magnet assembly is coaxial with respect to the coil assembly. The coil assembly and the magnet assembly are in oscillating motion with respect to each other in conjunction with oscillating motion of the free piston. A spring assembly comprising a plurality springs, symmetrically positioned about the axis, extend between the magnet base and the coil mounting disk, so as to move in conjunction with the oscillating motion along the axis. At least some of the springs are conductive and electrically connect the mounting disk to the magnet base. The piston can reside in a casing that is part of either a two-stroke engine or a fluid pump.
US09574551B2
Apparatus is provided having one or more SWEGS that may be configured to heat air in a draft power tower arrangement. In a closed loop, cold fluid may be pumped into the SWEGS and heated to a temperature in a range of e.g., 100° C.-300° C., and hot fluid pumped out of the SWEGS. This fluid flows through a heating element (e.g., a radiator or specially designed heat exchanger) that heats the air in the draft power tower arrangement.
US09574538B2
An idling stop control system stops an idling of an engine so as to automatically stop the engine in the case where a predetermined condition on automatic stop of the engine is established and releases the automatic stop of the engine so as to restart the engine in the case where a predetermined condition on restart of the engine is established in accordance with a driving condition of the vehicle. The idling stop control system recognizes a type of an object in front of the vehicle and restarts the engine depending on the type of the object in front of the vehicle even if the engine is in the automatic stop and the restart condition of the engine is not established with respect to the driving condition.
US09574537B2
A first fuel rail of an engine connects to first fuel injectors and a second fuel rail connects to second fuel injectors. The first fuel injectors each includes a tip portion projecting through an opening in the cylinder head into the combustion chamber. The second fuel injectors each includes a tip portion projecting through an opening in a bottom portion of an intake port. The first fuel rail includes first mounting brackets each including an aperture, and outwardly projecting mounting bosses, and fixedly attaches to the cylinder head via fasteners that pass through the apertures of the first mounting brackets and attach to the mounting bosses of the cylinder head. The second fuel rail includes second mounting brackets each including an aperture. The second fuel rail fixedly attaches to the first fuel rail via fasteners that attach to the mounting bosses of the first fuel rail.
US09574527B2
A fresh air system component of a fresh air system serving to supply fresh air to an internal combustion engine may include a housing that may have a first shell and a second shell. The housing may delimit at least one fresh air path that may run from at least one fresh air inlet of the housing to at least one fresh air outlet of the housing. The second shell may be secured along a second shell edge to a first shell edge of the first shell. The second shell edge may be more flexible than the first shell. The second shell may have at least one second support element that may be at a distance from the second shell edge. The second support element may interact with a first support element that is complementary thereto in order to transmit at least one of a tensile force and a compressive force.
US09574526B2
When an EGR control valve is fixed and a valve opening degree EGRVO of the EGR control valve is greater than a valve-opening threshold value EGRVOth, a limit value Qlim of the intake air amount is set to a prescribed amount Qlim1. Conversely when the EGR control valve is fixed and the valve opening degree EGRVO of the EGR control valve is less than or equal to the valve-opening threshold value EGRVOth, the limit value Qlim of the intake air amount is set to a prescribed amount Qlim2.
US09574525B2
A purge solenoid valve is opened to introduce an atmospheric pressure into a fuel tank, the purge solenoid valve is closed to operate a negative pressure pump, and set an internal pressure of the tank to a reference pressure Pb. Then, a changeover valve is closed, and the purge solenoid valve is opened to cause a canister to communicate with an intake passage. Further, the changeover valve is opened, and the purge solenoid valve is closed. Then, a first tank internal pressure Po is detected and subtracted from the reference pressure Pb. If a calculated first pressure deviation ΔPo is larger than a first threshold ΔP1, it is determined that there is no open sticking in a sealing valve.
US09574515B2
A method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injection valve for introducing fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, the valve being supplied with a specified current intensity in order to adjust a specified flow cross-section of a fuel fluidic connection in the combustion chamber. The maximum specified current intensity during normal operation is equal to a first current intensity and during a release operation is equal to a second, higher current intensity.
US09574507B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a purging operation of a fuel vapor canister in a boosted engine. One method comprises purging stored fuel vapors from the fuel vapor canister to an inlet of the compressor via an ejector while bypassing a canister purge valve, the ejector being fluidically coupled to the fuel vapor canister by a distinct passage coupled upstream of the canister purge valve, where motive flow through the ejector may be regulated by a shut-off valve. The shut-off valve may be adjusted based on whether or not the engine is boosted.
US09574505B2
A plant control device according to the present invention includes a feedback controller and a reference governor. The feedback controller is configured to determine a control input of a plant by feedback control so as to bring an output value of a control amount of the plant close to a target value. The reference governor is configured to calculate a future predicted value of a specific state quantity of the plant by using a model of a closed loop system including the plant and the feedback controller, and correct the target value that is given to the feedback controller based on the predicted value of the specific state quantity and a constraint that is imposed on the specific state quantity.
US09574504B2
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that generates power for rotating drive wheels, a differential mechanism that is provided between the engine and the drive wheels, and has at least three rotary elements including a first rotary element coupled to the engine, and a second rotary element coupled to the drive wheels, and a controller configured to control the engine. The controller is configured to determine whether to perform correction to increase the power generated by the engine, or perform correction to reduce the power, depending on a rotational speed of the second rotary element, when it changes a rotational speed of the engine.
US09574501B2
A method for grounding an electrical component received in a body (2) capable of being assembled to a cover (3), the cover (3) being in electrical contact with the electrical component when it is assembled on the body, said method involving: positioning the cover (3) relative to the body (2) using a centering piece (8) arranged in the body (2) and in electrical contact with the body (2), and assembling the cover (3) positioned in this way on the body (2) in such a way that the cover (3) is in electrical contact with the centering piece (8) and in electrical contact with the electrical component.
US09574500B2
A direct metering architecture is provided having a metering pump and a servo pump wherein the metering and servo pumps are driven by an engine shaft by way of a gearbox transmission. The system reduces wasted horsepower previously occurring with oversized fixed displacement pumps, reduces instances of engine flameout and reduces the amount of heat added to fuel which ultimately improves engine oil cooling.
US09574483B2
An engine control system includes an injection determination module, a correction factor determination module, and a regeneration control module. The injection determination module determines a desired amount of hydrocarbons (HC) to inject into exhaust gas produced by an engine based a flow rate of the exhaust gas. The correction factor determination module determines a correction factor for the desired amount of HC based on engine speed and engine load. The regeneration control module controls injection of an adjusted amount of HC into the exhaust gas during regeneration of a particulate matter filter, wherein the adjusted amount of HC is based on the desired amount of HC and the correction factor.
US09574475B2
A method of regenerating an oxidation device (3) of an internal combustion engine (1), in particular a stationary internal combustion engine, wherein the oxidation device (3) is connected downstream of the internal combustion engine (1) and wherein a mixture of combustion gas and exhaust gas can be fed to the oxidation device (3) to increase a temperature in the oxidation device (3) and wherein exhaust gas can be passed around the oxidation device (3) by way of a bypass conduit (4), wherein the amount of exhaust gas passed around the oxidation device (3) by way of the bypass conduit (4) is controlled in open-loop or closed-loop control mode in dependence on an ascertained exhaust gas temperature downstream of the oxidation device (3).
US09574474B2
A diesel engine aftertreatment system comprises a diesel engine having an exhaust manifold and a filter substrate in direct connection with the exhaust manifold without any intervening catalyst, wherein the filter substrate comprises on its inlet side an SCR catalyst incorporating a non-coking molecular sieve.
US09574468B2
A control method and apparatus for a variable engine valve operating control mechanisms which move the engine valves to a safe lift/timing position with respect to a piston to minimize the potential for valve to piston contact during valve surge. At least one engine operating conditions is selected and provided with a threshold triggering a control to move the valves to a safe position in a calibrated, predictive manner in advance of any potential valve to piston contact. The control method and apparatus can be integrated into the existing engine control and variable valve operating control mechanism.
US09574460B2
A support arrangement (10) for a transition piece (12) of a gas turbine engine (14). The support arrangement includes a mounting bracket (16) for the transition piece and a pin (18) supporting the mounting bracket in an interior (20) of the gas turbine engine and extending through an opening (22) in a casing (24) to an exterior (26) of the gas turbine engine. The support arrangement further includes a spherical washer (28, 38) positioned between the pin and either the mounting bracket or the casing.
US09574457B2
Method and blade monitoring system for monitoring bending moment of a wind turbine blade. The method comprises obtaining a first sensor set signal indicative of a first bending moment at a first sensor position different from the tip end along the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine blade, and estimating a bending moment at a first estimation position along the longitudinal axis based on the first sensor set signal, wherein the first sensor position is different from the first estimation position along the longitudinal axis. The blade monitoring system comprises a processing unit and an interface connected to the processing unit, the processing unit being configured for performing the method.
US09574456B2
A turbocharger includes an open-and-close mechanism which opens and closes a circulation hole through which an exhaust gas flows into a turbine housing or the exhaust gas flows out of the turbine housing. The open-and-close mechanism includes: a valve; and an attachment plate one end of which is fixed to the valve, and the other end of which is provided with an insertion hole through which a stem turnably supported by the turbine housing is inserted, and an exposure hole which communicates with the insertion hole to expose part of an outer peripheral surface of the stem. The diameter of the insertion hole is gradually smaller in a direction of insertion of the stem. The stem includes a tapered portion whose diameter is gradually smaller toward its tip end in the direction of insertion into the insertion hole.
US09574447B2
A modification process and modified article are disclosed. The modification process includes locating an area in an article, removing the area by machining to form a machined region, inserting a modification material into the machined region, securing the modification material to the article, machining the modification material flush with a geometry of the article, and applying a coating over at least a portion of the article. Another modification process includes locating an area under a suction side leading edge tip shroud fillet of an airfoil, removing the area by machining to form a hole, inserting a modification material having improved material properties as compared to an original base material into the hole, securing the modification material in place, machining the modification material and the airfoil to form a new fillet contour, and applying a coating over at least a portion of the airfoil. Also disclosed is the modified article.
US09574445B2
An apparatus for bi-directionally mining a manganese nodule includes a traveling device to travel in a predetermined traveling direction, collecting devices installed at both ends of the traveling device, respectively, to collect the manganese nodule, and a control device to sense the traveling direction of the traveling device and to drive one of the collecting devices installed at both ends of the traveling device, which is placed in the sensed traveling direction.
US09574441B2
A method for modulating a downhole telemetry signal uses a fluid pressure pulse generator that generates pressure pulses of multiple pulse heights in a drilling fluid. The method comprises: converting measurement data into a bitstream comprising symbols of a selected symbol set; encoding the bitstream into a pressure pulse telemetry signal using a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying, wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique amplitude; and generating pressure pulses in the drilling fluid corresponding to the telemetry signal. Alternatively, the method can comprise a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying and phase shift keying and wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique combination of amplitude and phase.
US09574439B2
Systems and methods for controlling one or more downhole tools. A vibratory signal is produced by interaction between an actuation profile and a contact profile. In response to the vibratory signal, a controller actuates one or more downhole tools.
US09574434B2
A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.
US09574432B2
The invention provides a method of optimizing the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied to bit and/or speed of rotation of bit towards the combination which provides a first greater rate of penetration.
US09574429B2
Air and ammonia gas are introduced into a subterranean formation during the in-situ combustion to increase the mobility of hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation and facilitate recovery of the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. The air supports in-situ combustion of a portion of the hydrocarbon within the subterranean formation to form water and establish a combustion front. The ammonia gas contacts the hydrocarbons ahead of the combustion front and reacts in-situ with naphthenic acid in the hydrocarbon to form a surfactant. The hydrocarbons, water and surfactant then form an oil-in-water emulsion that drains more freely through the formation. A production well, in fluid communication with the hydrocarbons ahead of the combustion front, may be used to remove the oil-in-water emulsion from the subterranean formation.
US09574422B2
A treatment system including a first tubular having at least one port therein. A valve member is disposed with the first tubular and operatively arranged to control fluid flow through the at least one port. A second tubular is disposed radially within the first tubular and terminates at an end opening into an interior passage of the first tubular for enabling a treatment media to be supplied through the second tubular into the first tubular, and through the at least one port when the at least one port is open. A seal assembly is disposed between the first and second tubulars for fluidly sealing an annulus formed between the first and second tubulars from the end of the second tubular. A tool is disposed with the second tubular for controlling operation of the valve member.
US09574419B2
Methods for cementing a subterranean well comprise installing a casing string into a borehole, wherein the casing string comprises a metal having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) lower than about 6×10−6/° C. A cement sheath is then placed between the exterior surface of the casing string and the formation wall. The low-CTE metal may reduce casing shrinkage when the well temperature falls during stimulation treatments, cyclic steam injection or when the well temperature reaches equilibrium at the top of a long casing string.
US09574416B2
Explosive cutter assemblies and methods include a liner having a single unitary body, and an explosive charge disposed within the liner. The explosive charge includes a continuous unitary body of explosive material having a first area disposed in association with an inner surface of the liner and a second area extending from the center of the assembly to the first area. A detonator can be used to ignite the second area of explosive material, causing propagation of a detonation to the first area, which in turn causes deformation of the liner and projection of the liner toward a target to form a cut. An adaptor sub having a detonator within can be inserted into the cutter assembly to secure the assembly together, position the detonator in association with the explosive material, and engage a conduit usable to raise and lower the cutter assembly and transmit a detonation signal.
US09574415B2
A method of treating a formation includes, setting a treating plug within a structure, withdrawing a mandrel from the treating plug after having set the treating plug, maintaining the setting of the treating plug within the structure without a member extending longitudinally through the treating plug, pumping fluid against a plug seated at the treating plug, treating a formation upstream of the treating plug, and disintegrating at least a portion of the treating plug.
US09574408B2
An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus includes a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including at least one packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer. The expansion tool further includes: a release device and a lock device inside a movable housing; wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is moved to an unlock position by application of a first force to the lock device. The release device is movable to a release position by application of a second force after the lock device has been moved to the unlock position. The movable housing is capable of moving over the release device after the release device has been moved to the release position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the expansion tool.
US09574405B2
The invention provides an improved drill bit and a method for designing thereof. The drill bit includes a bit body, a journal depending from the bit body, and a disc rotatably mounted on the journal. The disc of the drill bit has PDC cutting elements disposed on it. Also provided is an improved cutting structure for the discs of the drill bit. The cutting structure includes a portion that is comprised from PDC.
US09574389B2
A line belt driven retrofittable door opener includes a motor, a drive link, an output link, and at least one flexible link. The at least one flexible link includes at least one flexible line link. The drive link is connected to the motor. The output link is connected to the arm of the door. The at least one flexible link interconnects the drive link with the output link. Wherein, the motor is configured for opening the door by rotating the drive link, which in turn rotates the output link via the at least one flexible link, which in turn rotates the arm, thereby opening the door.
US09574382B2
A pull handle (1) for a lock of a vehicle door or lift gate featuring a pull handle housing (1a) having a bearing part (2) and a handle part (3) connected so as to swivel around a swivel axis between non-actuated and actuated positions. An actuation mechanism (4) mounted in the pull handle housing (1a) and can be actuated by the handle part (3). A coupling element (56) mounted in the pull handle housing (1a) couples with external lock elements. A locking mechanism (5) locks and unlocks the actuation mechanism (4). The coupling element is displaceable in the bearing part along an actuation axis (209), perpendicular to the swivel axis, and connected to the handle part (3) for linear movement in the actuation direction (204) parallel to the actuation axis (209).
US09574375B2
An electronic lock includes a lock mechanism, an actuator coupled to the lock mechanism and configured to lock and release the lock mechanism, and an actuator control circuit coupled to the actuator. The electronic lock also includes a battery electrically coupled to the actuator, a super capacitor electrically coupled to the battery, and a processor coupled to the actuator, the battery, and the super capacitor. The processor is configured to selectively receive power from the battery and the super capacitor, wherein the processor receives power from the super capacitor when a state of charge of the battery is below a predetermined voltage threshold, and provide control signals to the actuator control circuit to control operation of the actuator.
US09574367B2
Aspects are directed to a collapsible privacy structure that has a low profile when in an un-deployed state to preserve the sight lines of observers. The collapsible privacy structure may then be deployed causing a canopy structure to extend upwardly forming an internal volume that provides privacy and seclusion to the user of the structure. The internal volume may be used for a bathroom, a shower, a medical evaluation/treatment space, and/or a changing space. Upon the departure of the user from the internal volume, the collapsible privacy structure may return to the low profile nature provided by the undeployed state.
US09574362B2
An inflatable swimming pool includes a floor and a number of walls defining a pool interior configured to receive water. A drawing board is integrally formed or otherwise coupled to the pool and includes a selectively inflatable frame configured to securely hold a drawing surface configured to enable a user of the pool to draw or write on the drawing board while playing in the pool. A drawing utensil may be provided with the drawing board such as a water soluble crayon. A water sprayer assembly may be integrally formed with or coupled to the pool and include a port connectable to a water source and configured to deliver water from the water source to a sprayer element configured to spray water into the pool.
US09574356B2
A vehicle and method for tending to an elevated livestock cage includes a support frame, a base, a drive unit, and an elevated platform. The support frame extends upward from the base, and the drive unit is operatively attached to the base for moving the base along the aisle. The elevated platform is affixed to the support frame and is positioned above the base at a height suitable to facilitate access to the elevated livestock cage. The support frame and the elevated platform are configured to support an operator while moving the operator along an aisle of a confinement facility.
US09574350B2
A sealant composition for roofing shingles that includes a base asphalt, a linear and/or a radial copolymer, oil, and a wax is provided. The linear copolymer has an A-B di-block or an A-B-A tri-block structure. The radial copolymer may have an (A-B)n radial structure, where n is at least 4, or a tri-block (A-B-A) radial structure having from 4 to 8 arms. Blocks A and B may individually represent (1) styrene and butadiene or (2) styrene and isoprene. The oil is a petroleum-based oil that both “softens” the asphalt and reduces the viscosity of the sealant composition. The wax may be a bis-stearamide wax. Additionally, the sealant composition may be reacted with elemental sulfur to crosslink the copolymer blend. The sealant composition seals at temperatures lower than conventional sealants and promotes the easy release of the shingle from a shingle bundle.
US09574349B2
A post-tensioning wrap includes a housing having at least one cavity and at least one tendon bonded to the housing. The wrap can be wrapped around the concrete article to equalize compression. Thereafter, a medium is injected into the cavity causing the housing to swell and compression of the concrete article by the tendon.
US09574341B2
The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a first foam panel having an edge, a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface and a second foam panel having an edge, a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the first and second foam panels are disposed such that their edges are adjacent each other and define a joint therebetween. The product also comprises an elongate metal strip having a body portion and a projection extending outwardly from the body portion, the metal strip being disposed such that at least a portion of the projection is disposed in the joint between the foam panels and at least a portion of the body portion covers a portion of the second primary surface of the first foam panel and a portion of the second primary surface of the second foam panel. A method of making and using the composite panel is also disclosed.
US09574335B2
A drain trap adaptor adapted to allow draining of a drain trap and retrieval of a material. The drain trap includes a first drain pipe having an entry portion and an exit portion, a second drain pipe extending from the exit portion and a bore disposed substantially at the exit portion. The drain trap adaptor includes a ball valve having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the inlet end is adapted to connect to the bore; and a container adapted to connect to the outlet end of the ball valve. The container is configured to receive the drainage trapped in the drain trap and the material at the bore upon opening of the ball valve such that the drain trap can be drained and the material can be retrieved.
US09574311B1
A vibratory pod system for a vibratory compactor includes a central bulkhead defining a first mounting orifice and a plurality of second mounting orifices. The first mounting orifice is defined at a center of the central bulkhead and the second mounting orifices are defined at a location radially outward from the first mounting orifice. The vibratory pod system includes a transfer bearing hub supporting a transfer shaft for transferring rotary motion, and the transfer bearing hub is mounted within the first mounting orifice. The vibratory pod system includes a plurality of vibratory pods, each of the vibratory pods having a pod shell for rotatably supporting an eccentric mass. Each of the vibratory pods is partially inserted through one of the plurality of second mounting orifices and mounted to the central bulkhead.
US09574309B2
A concrete dowel device including a sleeve and plate in which the sleeve includes break-away alignment tabs at the opening of the sleeve to ensure proper alignment of the plate within the sleeve during field installation. The tabs are positioned at the sleeve opening, rather than along the length of the socket, to avoid misalignment of the plate in the sleeve, simplify use and reduce manufacturing costs of the product. The sleeve and plate may include additional alignment surfaces on the plate, at the rear corners, or along the rear side of the plate and sleeve. To facilitate manufacturing, the break-away alignment tabs may be formed as molded components rotated and snapped into position. Alternatively, the break-away alignment tabs may be formed as part of an insert plate manufactured apart from and attached to the flange of the sleeve.
US09574307B2
A process of manual, semi-automatic and fully-automated integration of discrete components into a container that results in fast, reliable, cost-effective, and scalable production of composite containers is disclosed. The process can be embodied in manufacturing equipment that has a series of stations and may be called an assembly device. The equipment can produce containers, tubs, canisters, cartridges, etc. which are easily separated into different bio-degradable or compostable parts. Other container types are possible and are contemplated.
US09574303B2
A method of recovering wood pulping chemicals from black liquor produced in a wood pulping process where the process entails burning the black liquor in a recovery boiler to form ash containing high levels of carbonate as well as sodium, potassium and chloride. The ash is dissolved to form a dissolved ash solution that is directed to a first stage crystallization unit that concentrates the dissolved ash solution and which results in the precipitation of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate. Thereafter the concentrated dissolved ash solution is directed to a second stage crystallization unit which adiabatically cools the concentrated dissolved ash solution to form a glaserite slurry and a purge stream that is rich in chloride. In order to reduce the tendency of sodium carbonate and burkeite to crystallize in the second stage crystallization unit and to encourage pure glaserite to crystalize in the crystallizer, the method entails mixing a sulfate source, such as sodium sulfate or sulfuric acid, to the concentrated dissolved ash solution upstream of the crystallizer.
US09574300B2
A composition includes a carbon nanotube (CNT)-infused carbon fiber material that includes a carbon fiber material of spoolable dimensions and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) infused to the carbon fiber material. The infused CNTs are uniform in length and uniform in distribution. The CNT infused carbon fiber material also includes a barrier coating conformally disposed about the carbon fiber material, while the CNTs are substantially free of the barrier coating. A continuous CNT infusion process includes: (a) functionalizing a carbon fiber material; (b) disposing a barrier coating on the functionalized carbon fiber material (c) disposing a carbon nanotube (CNT)-forming catalyst on the functionalized carbon fiber material; and (d) synthesizing carbon nanotubes, thereby forming a carbon nanotube-infused carbon fiber material.
US09574299B2
The invention relates to a method for the treatment of silicon carbide fibers, comprising a step involving the chemical treatment of fibers with an aqueous acid solution containing hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid but free of acetic acid in order to remove the silica present on the surface of fibers and to form a layer of microporous carbon. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a fibrous preform, comprising the formation of a fibrous structure comprising treated silicon carbon fibers and the use of said preform for the production of a part made from composite material.
US09574298B2
A laundry dryer is provided with an air recirculation channel which recirculates air from an air exhaust channel to an air supply channel. The air recirculation channel comprises a recirculation air filter which removes debris from the recirculated air before it is redirected to the air supply channel. The recirculation air filter is removably accessible behind an access door at a peripheral region of an access passage to the drying chamber such that it may be easily serviced by a user of the laundry dryer. In some embodiments, the air recirculation channel may comprise a nozzle with an outlet which is concentrically arranged at an inlet of the air supply channel. In these embodiments, the nozzle may direct the recirculated air to the air supply channel such that it is enveloped by fresh air entering from within a cabinet of the laundry dryer.
US09574292B2
A method of dynamically changing stitch density of a quilting pattern during sewing is provided. Embodiments of the invention include dynamically changing stitch density along an axis of a sewing pattern based on identifying sewing pattern elements, which may include line segments and arc segments. Each of the line segments and/or arc segments is assigned a dynamically adjusted stitch density based on analysis of each pattern element and/or adjacent element. An adjusted stitch density is assigned to portions of pattern elements that satisfy a threshold measurement for sewing with an adjusted stitch density. In embodiments, a standard stitch density, intermediate stitch density, or an altered stitch density is automatically assigned to each portion of a sewing pattern based on an analysis of threshold length of an element, a threshold angle of a portion of the element with respect to the axis, and/or the stitch density assigned to an adjacent element.
US09574286B2
A gas phase nanowire growth apparatus including a reaction chamber (200), a first input and a second input (202 B, 202 A). The first input is located concentrically within the second input and the first and second input are configured such that a second fluid delivered from the second input provides a sheath between a first fluid delivered from the first input and a wall of the reaction chamber. An aerosol of catalyst particles may be used to grow the nanowires.
US09574284B2
A method of filling a depression of a workpiece is provided. The method includes forming a first thin film made of a semiconductor material substantially not containing an impurity along a wall surface which defines the depression, forming an epitaxial region conforming to crystals of the semiconductor substrate from the semiconductor material of the first thin film moved toward a bottom of the depression by annealing, etching the first thin film remaining on the wall surface, performing gas phase doping upon the epitaxial region, forming a second thin film made of a semiconductor material substantially not containing an impurity along the wall surface, further forming an epitaxial region from the semiconductor material of the second thin film moved toward the bottom of the depression by annealing, and performing gas phase doping upon the second thin film remaining on the wall surface and the epitaxial region.
US09574269B2
A method and apparatus of forming a thin film using an organic metal compound gas and oxidizing agents are disclosed. The method includes performing a first film formation process of forming a thin film on an object to be processed using an organic metal compound gas and a first oxidizing agent; performing an annealing process of supplying a second oxidizing agent having stronger oxidizing power than the first oxidizing agent into the reaction chamber while an interior of the reaction chamber is heated to a predetermined temperature; and performing a second film formation process of forming a thin film on the thin film formed in the first thin film formation process using the organic metal compound gas and the second oxidizing agent.
