US09652881B2

An image processing device includes: a data obtainment unit which obtains an input image captured from a first viewpoint, and depth information indicating a depth of a subject in the input image; a viewpoint transformation unit which generates, using the depth information, a plurality of first transformed images each of which is an image of the input image seen from a corresponding one of second viewpoints different from the first viewpoint; and a blank area analysis unit that analyzes a blank area which is included in each of the first transformed images and includes a pixel which does not have a corresponding pixel in the input image, and generate blank information which indicates, for each of the second viewpoints, a size of the blank area in the first transformed image corresponding to the second viewpoint.
US09652877B2

An electronic device capable of making conversation using push to talk comprises a display module configured to display information, and a display controller configured to control the display module. The display controller makes the display module display a first display screen containing information about conversation using push to talk while the electronic device makes the conversation. When the display controller makes the display module display a display screen different from the first display screen while the electronic device makes the conversation, the display controller incorporates information on the first display screen into a partial region of the different display screen.
US09652876B1

Data are maintained in a distributed computing system that describe a graph. The graph represents relationships among items. The graph has a plurality of vertices that represent the items and a plurality of edges connecting the plurality of vertices. At least one vertex of the plurality of vertices includes a set of label values indicating the at least one vertex's strength of association with a label from a set of labels. The set of labels describe possible characteristics of an item represented by the at least one vertex. At least one edge of the plurality of edges includes a set of label weights for influencing label values that traverse the at least one edge. A label propagation algorithm is executed for a plurality of the vertices in the graph in parallel for a series of synchronized iterations to propagate labels through the graph.
US09652873B2

The invention relates to a method for creating a virtual dental image from a 3D volume (1) comprising volumetric image data. Firstly, a sub-volume (8, 12, 15, 18) of the 3D volume (1) is defined and then a virtual projection image (30, 41) is generated for said sub-volume (8, 12, 15, 18) from a specific X-ray imaging direction (11) by computation of the volumetric image data in said X-ray imaging direction (11).
US09652870B2

In various embodiments, a filtering tone mapper includes a two-dimensional filter. A tone mapper configured to apply tone mapping to a video frame in accordance with a tone mapping function to generate a processed video frame, wherein the tone mapper operates in conjunction with the two-dimensional filter to apply the tone mapping to pixels of the video frame based on a plurality of adjacent pixels of the video frame. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09652864B2

A 3D-object recognition device includes: a matching unit to compare a 3D-object in an image based on the image data with a 3D-shape model corresponding to the 3D-object to associate correlated feature points with each other by pattern matching; a model updating unit to update the 3D-shape model based on the feature points associated by the matching unit; a motion estimation unit to estimate motion of the 3D-object based on a history of the position and attitude of the 3D-shape model updated by the model updating unit to estimate a 3D-shape model at an arbitrary time in the future; and a validity determination unit to compare the feature points associated by the matching unit with the 3D-shape model estimated by the motion estimation unit and cause the model updating unit to update the 3D-shape model based on only the feature points determined to be valid.
US09652860B1

A system for autonomous tracking of aerial targets in real space. The imaging means captures and aligns first and second images. A normalized correlation operation initiates a process for producing a resultant image including blobs corresponding to elements in the real space, despite the presence of a homogenous aerial background. One of the blobs is analyzed, classified, and tracked as a target.
US09652852B2

A method for automatically generating a three-dimensional (3D) video of a scene by measuring and registering 3D coordinates at a first position and a second position of a 3D measuring device, the 3D video generated by combining two-dimensional images extracted at trajectory points along a trajectory path.
US09652846B1

A solution is presented for cardiac CT viewpoint recognition to identify the desired images for a specific view and subsequent processing and anatomy recognition. A new set of features is presented to describe the global binary pattern of cardiac CT images characterized by the highly attenuating components of the anatomy in the image. Five classic image texture and edge feature sets are used to devise a classification approach based on SVM classification, class likelihood estimation, and majority voting, to classify 2D cardiac CT images into one of six viewpoint categories that include axial, sagittal, coronal, two chamber, four chamber, and short axis views. Such an approach results in an accuracy of 99.4% in correct labeling of the viewpoints.
US09652841B2

A control system for a froth flotation system receives inputs from one or more sensors comprising images of a fluid having bubbles and particles therein; some of the bubbles are attached to some of the particles and suspended in the fluid. For at least some of the bubbles with attached particles, it is determined from the inputs at least two contact angles at different locations at which the respective bubble is attached to the particle. These contact angles are used to predict a process improvement by which bubbles would more efficiently float the particles out of the fluid, as compared to that represented by the input images. An output is then provided for driving a graphical display screen, the output comprising at least one of: a) a graphical representation of the determined at least two contact angles; and b) a graphical representation of the predicted process improvement.
US09652830B2

Super-resolution refers to a process of recovering the missing high-frequency details of a given low-resolution image. Known single image SR algorithms are often computationally intractable or unusable for most of the practical applications. The invention relates to a method for performing hierarchical super-resolution based on self content neighboring patches information is based on pyramidal decomposition. The intrinsic geometric property of an input LR patch neighborhood is obtained from the input LR patch and its K nearest neighbors taken from different down-scaled versions of the LR image.
US09652819B2

Provided are an apparatus and a method for generating a multi-viewpoint image. The apparatus includes: a camera photographing a stereo image; an image processing unit detecting features from left and right images of the stereo image; a reference image generating unit generating a reference image for viewpoint n by warping an image which is distant between the left image and the right image at viewpoint n based on an n-th viewpoint among N viewpoints that exist between the left image and the right image; and a warping image generating unit calculating a warping equation for viewpoint n by using the reference image and generating a final warping image for viewpoint n by using the calculated warping equation.
US09652818B2

An embodiment of a consumer electronics product having a thumbnail display feature includes a system for generating and storing thumbnails having a given size from images, such as JPEG images, for which a spatial frequency domain representation is available. The system includes a zooming processor to reduce the size of the images by zooming. The zooming processor is configured to perform both spatial frequency domain zooming to approximate the desired thumbnail size and then image pixel domain zooming to fit the desired thumbnail size. The product includes cache storage configured to store a plurality of thumbnails in a file system as free blocks in the file system, so that file system data structures are left unchanged.
US09652806B2

A system and method for providing commoditized insurance products to at least one consumer is disclosed. The system includes a commoditized insurance product including an activation code and an insurance company that underwrites the commoditized insurance product and provides the commoditized insurance product to a retail outlet. Based on consumer purchase of the commoditized product at the retail outlet and initiation of an activation process, the insurance company receives an activation code associated with the commoditized insurance product and provides verification queries to the consumer, and based on positive responses to the queries activates the policy providing the selected insurance coverage for the consumer.
US09652803B2

Certain embodiments reduce the risks of traditionally programmed algorithms such as syntax errors, unclear logic, and the need for a non-trader programmer to develop the algorithm as specified by a trader by reducing or eliminating the writing of programming code by a user. Certain embodiments provide a design canvas area and blocks for designing an algorithm. Certain embodiments provide for grouping blocks placed in the design canvas area. Certain embodiments provide for virtualized group blocks enabling dynamic instantiation of portions of an algorithm to handle particular discrete events. Certain embodiments provide for operation of some or all portions of an algorithm when a connection between a client device and an algorithm server is broken.
US09652802B1

Methods and systems of monitoring and reporting of changes to a user's credit data are provided. One embodiment includes providing a service, hosted by a data server, that allows the user to access the service via a communication terminal. The service may also request enrollment data, including identity verification data, from the user. Further, the service may periodically access and monitor the user's credit data for a change in the user's credit data via a connection between the data server and a credit bureau even if the data server has not received sufficient identity verification data from the user. Additionally, the service may determine whether a change detected in the user's credit data is a significant event. When an event or a significant event in the user's credit data is detected, the service may alert the user of the fact that an event has occurred even if the data server has not received sufficient identity verification data from the user.
US09652798B2

The disclosed embodiments include, for example, systems and methods for providing recommendations of one or more alternative products to a user based on investment portfolio data. In one aspect, the disclosed embodiments may include a system that is configured to obtain information associated with one or more products of interest to the user. In certain aspects, the obtained information may identify a product previously purchased by the user, one or more products that form a shopping list of the user, and/or a product identified by the user as a potential purchase. The system may be configured to identify one or more alternative products that are similar to the products of interest and that are related to one or more securities associated with an investment portfolio of the user. In one aspect, the system may be configured to generate one or more instructions to transmit information identifying the one or more alternatives product to a device of the user.
US09652790B2

Providing an open data marketplace may include identifying one or more data attributes from a plurality of applications registered with a shared data management system; mapping said one or more data attributes to a data model to create a first set of mapped data; augmenting said first set of mapped data with additional data imported into the shared data management system from other data locations to create an augmented set of mapped data; receiving one or more of second set of mapped data from one or more shared data management system associated respectively with one or more shared data management networks; enabling of composing a data set by combining and cleansing one or more of said first set of mapped data, said second set of mapped data, and said augmented set of mapped data; and offering said composed data set in a digital marketplace with associated pricing characteristics.
US09652779B2

A system and method are described for presenting on-line survey invitations to users over a network. The system enables selectively presenting survey invitations to users in accordance with a survey recruitment definition associated with a tag embedded within an on-line advertisement downloaded and executed on a user computer. If a determination is made by a survey recruitment server that a requestor is to be a potential control (unexposed) survey participant, then instructions are issued to the requesting user computer to obstruct presentation of the on-line advertisement which caused the issuance of the request for a survey invitation from the user computer.
US09652776B2

Visual representations of recurring revenue management system data and predictions are disclosed. A user interface is generated for an electronic display, the user interface including a graphical representation of one or more recurring revenue assets, the graphical representation representing each of the one or more recurring revenue assets according to one or more metrics that define each of the one or more recurring revenue assets. A predicted outcome for at least one of the one or more recurring revenue assets is predicted, the calculating being from a predictive model that is based on aggregate historical information collected from one or more data sources. A graphical representation of the predicted outcome is generated according to one or more parameters related to the one or more metrics, for concurrent display in the user interface with the graphical representation of one or more recurring revenue assets.
US09652768B2

A network interface receives transaction information. A processor determines private information and public information from the received transaction information. The network interface communicates the private information to an obfuscation engine, and receives obfuscated private information. The processor then merges the obfuscated private information with the public information to create a temporary identifier, and then converts the temporary identifier into a transaction identifier. A printer then prints a portion of the public information and the transaction identifier on a transaction receipt.
US09652766B1

Described herein are storage systems, computer readable mediums, and methods for overcoming size limit storage limitations associated with storage systems. Processed transactions may be removed from an object so that input data may be stored at the object. In some implementations, the storage system removes the processed transactions from the object once a section of the object includes a threshold amount of data, and stores the processed transactions at a transaction datastore. Once the processed transactions have been removed from the object, the storage system may store the input data at the object.
US09652762B2

Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and devices for proximity-based transaction device selection. One embodiment in the form of a method performed on a mobile device includes receiving a positioning signal and identifying a terminal associated with the positioning signal. An instruction may then be transmitted to the identified terminal via a wireless data communication device of the mobile device.
US09652759B2

Conducting hands-free transactions comprises a server at a payment processing system, a user computing device, and a merchant computing device. The payment processing system registers a merchant system as a hands-free payment participant and provides a beacon identifier. The payment processing system receives a communication from a hands-free payment application on a user computing device, the communication comprising a transaction token, an identification of a user account, and the beacon identifier received by the user computing device via a wireless communication from a device associated with the merchant system and transmits the transaction token to the merchant system computing device. The payment processing system receives from the merchant system computing device, a transaction request, the transaction request comprising the token and transaction data associated with the transaction request and conducts the transaction between the user account and the merchant system based on the received token and transaction request.
US09652753B2

Automated detection and migration of automated transactions. In one example embodiment, a method may include providing automated transaction migration software running on a first computer of a new account provider to a customer. The software may cause the first computer to search through transactions of an old account of an old account provider on a second computer of the old account provider to automatically detect an automated transaction of the customer, gather transaction data associated with the automated transaction from the second computer, store the transaction data in an identified transaction database of the first computer, and in response to the automatic detection of the automated transaction, proactively display at least a portion of the transaction data to the customer and proactively prompt the customer to authorize migration of the automated transaction from the old account provider to the new account provider.
US09652752B2

Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data structures that track timeout periods with regard to data processing requests, dynamically tune timeout periods within payment transaction processing systems, directly and indirectly decrease unproductive consumption of transaction processing resources, avoid situations giving rise to duplicate payments for a single purchase, and decrease transaction processing timeouts. Some such embodiments include monitoring a timeout period within a payment transaction processing system to stop processing and return a timeout error when a transaction timeout period is about or has expired while also stopping processing of the transaction and rolling back any portions of processing of the payment request that may have already been performed.
US09652749B2

Mobile device for communicating arrival information at a waypoint, communicating that information to a server, receiving a set of tasks (statically assigned or dynamically assigned) for the user (for example, from the server or from another user), displaying the set of tasks to the user, receiving a completion response (successful or unsuccessful) from the user, and proceeding to the next waypoint along a route/trip plan. A coordination server facilitates communication of a list of tasks assigned to a user to be performed at a specified location. The list of tasks is delivered to the user of the first mobile device by the coordination server (if such tasks exist) when the coordination server receives notification from the first mobile device indicating arrival at a specific location.
US09652747B2

An embodiment allows for context based alerts/alarms. For example, an embodiment may automatically determine that a user is in a meeting with another person based on a meeting entry in the user's calendar. In such a situation the embodiment may divert an incoming phone call, which would ordinarily result in a ring tone, to go directly to voice mail based on the calendar entry. In an embodiment the alert may be delayed until the meeting concludes. Unlike conventional systems, various embodiments do not require a user to change notification rules, manually flip a hardware switch, or create a “Do Not Disturb” setting that allows just a single “silent” time during the day. An embodiment allows data in a calendar to automatically drive the behavior of how a notification panel operates. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09652746B2

Systems and methods for delivering an entity report associated with an attendee of a calendared event are disclosed. A method for delivering an entity report associated with an attendee of a calendared event includes determining, by a computer, an entity associated with the attendee of the calendared event. The method further includes retrieving, by the computer, entity data based on the determined entity and generating the entity report. The entity report includes the retrieved entity data. The method further includes delivering the generated report.
US09652734B2

An apparatus may include a motion sensing device, a communication interface; and a processor. The processor may receive a point of origin that corresponds to a spatial position of the apparatus. The processor may determine, responsive to detecting a user interface command and based on a plurality of values received from the motion sensing device, a spatial position of the apparatus relative to the point of origin, and to acquire an image of an object in a field of view of the apparatus. The processor may also determine a scale factor of the image based on at least the spatial position of the apparatus relative to the point of origin.
US09652733B2

Systems and methods are provided for measuring and tracking radio-frequency (RFID) tags. Inlay data, converting data, and tag scan data can be received from entities in the supply chain and stored in a database. The tag scan data, including measurement and performance data, can be stored and used for applications such as determining whether RFID tags are defective. The tag scan data, inlay data, and converting data can be analyzed to produce analytic data for reporting and failure prediction purposes. Inlay-SKU combinations of RFID tags can be validated to ensure that the correct inlays are being utilized for RFID tags intended for particular products. More accurate inventory data may be obtained and costs for re-tagging products that have defective RFID tags may be reduced. Entities in the supply chain can also be assisted to comply with various quality control, licensing, and tracking requirements related to the RFID tags.
US09652730B2

An automated system and method for knowledge transfer, agent support and performance tracking during life cycle of a business process in an outsourcing environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, knowledge information associated with the business process is captured. Further, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are created based on the captured knowledge information. Furthermore, a simulated business process is created based on the captured knowledge information upon reviewing the SOPs. In addition, agents are allowed to use the simulated business process and actual performance of the simulated business process is tracked.
US09652723B2

A computing device predicts a probability of a transformer failure. An analysis type indicator defined by a user is received. A worth value for each of a plurality of variables is computed. Highest worth variables from the plurality of variables are selected based on the computed worth values. A number of variables of the highest worth variables is limited to a predetermined number based on the received analysis type indicator. A first model and a second model are also selected based on the received analysis type indicator. Historical electrical system data is partitioned into a training dataset and a validation dataset that are used to train and validate, respectively, the first model and the second model. A probability of failure model is selected as the first model or the second model based on a comparison between a fit of each model.
US09652722B1

A disclosed method may include iterating a model optimization process, the iterating including one or more iterations. The method may also include updating a classification model based on the iterating, the updating performed using training data. The method may further include generating a final version of the classification model based on a final iteration. The method may also include setting a parameter (q), the parameter corresponding to a total number of observations (Q) that are to be removed from the training data by the final iteration. The method may further include determining one or more corresponding numbers of observations to remove from the training data, where the corresponding number of observations are to be removed at some of select iterations tk, and the corresponding number of observations are to be removed based on the number Q and an estimate of the number of iterations remaining until the final iteration.
US09652717B2

Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving a case, generating a set of candidate answers for the case, excluding a first candidate answer from the set of candidate answers upon determining that a first attribute in the case precludes returning the first candidate answer as a valid response to the case, and processing supporting evidence for the remaining candidate answers in the set of candidate answers.
US09652716B2

A method and system are provided. The method includes extracting shapelets from each of a plurality of time series dimensions of multi-dimensional time series data. The method further includes building a plurality of decision-tree classifiers, one for each time series dimension, responsive to the shapelets extracted therefrom. The method also includes generating a pairwise similarity matrix between respective different ones of the plurality of time series dimensions using the shapelets as intermediaries for determining similarity. The method additionally includes applying a feature selection technique to the matrix to determine respective feature weights for each of shapelet features of the shapelets and respective classifier weights for each of the decision-tree classifiers that uses the shapelet features. The method further includes combining decisions issued from the decision-tree classifiers to generate a final verdict of classification for a time series dimension responsive to the respective feature weights and the respective classifier weights.
US09652704B2

Provided is a content delivery service method using printed matter. The content delivery service method using printed matter may include executing, by a first terminal, a service app and selecting an image, editing content on the selected image in an app screen, sending, by the first terminal, the image and information about the edited content to a server, storing, by the server, the image and the information about the edited content and sending information about the storage to the first terminal, generating, by the first terminal, specific recognition code in which the storage information has been recorded and inserting the specific recognition code into the image, and sending, by the first terminal, the image into which the recognition code has been inserted to a printing device so that the image is printed by the printing device.
US09652703B1

A tamper resistant seal including a population of particles embedded in an adhesive, the population including at least one micromachine artifact of a predetermined physical shape.
US09652699B2

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a setting unit configured to set whether execute gloss processing for reproducing a metallic luster is executed on a partial area of an image expressed by input image data, based on the input image data, and a recording unit configured to record on the partial area a color material corresponding to any of a complementary color of the partial area, black, and gray and to record thereon a color material for reproducing the color of the partial area in a case where a result of the setting unit indicates execution of the gloss processing.
US09652695B2

Systems and techniques for labeling objects within an image. The objects may be labeled by selecting an option from a plurality of options such that each option is a potential label for the object. An option may have an option score associated with. Additionally, a relation score may be calculated for a first option and a second option corresponding to a second object in an image. The relation score may be based on a frequency, probability, or observance corresponding to the co-occurrence of text associated with the first option and the second option in a text corpus such as the World Wide Web. An option may be selected as a label for an object based on a global score calculated based at least on an option score and relation score associated with the option.
US09652694B2

An object detection device comprises a specific object detector configured to detect a specific object in an image, a scene model creation unit configured to create a scene model characterizing a background of the specific object in the image, and a filtering unit configured to filter object detection results of the specific object detector using the scene model to determine the specific object, wherein the scene model creation unit comprises a collection unit configured to collect regions other than the specific object to be detected from the image as samples, a feature extraction unit configured to extract first negative feature vectors from the samples, a clustering unit configured to cluster first negative feature vectors into a plurality of feature groups, and a classifier creation unit configured to create first classifiers each for respective one of the feature groups and to create the scene model by combining the first classifiers.
US09652692B1

A method includes producing two or more measurements by an image sensor having a pixel array, the measurements including information contained in a set of sign-bits, the producing of each measurement including (i) forming an image signal on the pixel array; and (ii) comparing accumulated pixel currents output from pixels of the pixel array in accordance with the image signal and a set of pixel sampling patterns to produce the set of sign-bits of the measurement; buffering at least one of the measurements to form a buffered measurement; comparing information of the buffered measurement to information of the measurements to produce a differential measurement; and combining the differential measurement with information of the set of pixel sampling patterns to produce at least a portion of one or more digital images relating to one or more of the image signals formed on the pixel array.
US09652684B2

The present invention relates to method for processing an image, said image representing a rock sample. The method comprises receiving said image; for each current threshold value in a plurality of threshold values determining a threshold image, the threshold image having pixels associated with a first color value or a second color value, the determination of the threshold image being based on the received image and the current threshold; and for each current connected set of pixels associated with the first color value in the threshold image, determining a connected volume or a connected surface area of said current connected set of pixels. In addition, the method comprises determining numbers of connected sets of pixels associated with the first color value for a plurality of connected volumes or connected surface areas and for a plurality of thresholds.
US09652682B2

A system for detecting and tracking a curvilinear object in a three-dimensional space includes an image acquisition system including a video camera arranged to acquire a video image of the curvilinear object and output a corresponding video signal, the video image comprising a plurality n of image frames each at a respective time ti, where i=1, 2, . . . , n; and a data processing system adapted to communicate with the image acquisition system to receive the video signal. The data processing system is configured to determine a position, orientation and shape of the curvilinear object in the three-dimensional space at each time ti by forming a computational model of the curvilinear object at each time ti such that a projection of the computation model of the curvilinear object at each time ti onto a corresponding frame of the plurality of image frames of the video image matches a curvilinear image in the frame to a predetermined accuracy to thereby detect and track the curvilinear object from time t1 to time tn.
US09652681B1

Using geospatial context information in image processing is disclosed. Contextual information that identifies features in an area of earth is accessed. An image of the area of the earth is accessed. A mask is generated based on the contextual information. The mask spatially corresponds to the image and identifies at least one image portion of interest in the image and at least one image portion of non-interest in the image. The at least one image portion of interest is processed to detect a target depicted in the at least one image portion of interest.
US09652673B2

The present invention relates to a method for identifying calcification portions in a dual energy CT contrast agent enhanced scanning image, the method including: filtering the pixels in the dual energy CT contrast agent enhanced scanning image to acquire pixels to be grouped; grouping the pixels to be grouped in a plurality of pixel groups according to the positions of the pixels to be grouped in the dual energy CT contrast agent enhanced scanning image; material-decomposing the pixels in each pixel group; and determining the pixels corresponding to the calcification portions in the plurality of pixel groups according to the result of the material-decomposing. Therefore, the calcification portions can be identified accurately.
US09652671B2

Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products for lifting metadata from financial documents to allow for automated exception processing. As such, allowing for automated decisions for exception processing to systematically be resolved base on matches between lifted metadata. The exceptions may include one or more irregularities such as bad micro line reads, outdated check stock, or misrepresentative checks that may result in a failure to match the check to an associated account for processing. As such, once an exception is identified during the processing the metadata lifted from the document with the exception may be utilized to search financial records at the financial institution to attempt to identify the correct version of the document. Subsequently, the system may correct the irregularity systematically and automatically.
US09652668B2

Enhanced contrast between an object of interest and background surfaces visible in an image is provided using controlled lighting directed at the object. Exploiting the falloff of light intensity with distance, a light source (or multiple light sources), such as an infrared light source, can be positioned near one or more cameras to shine light onto the object while the camera(s) capture images. The captured images can be analyzed to distinguish object pixels from background pixels.
US09652667B2

A spherical content capture system captures spherical video content. A spherical video sharing platform enables users to share the captured spherical content and enables users to access spherical content shared by other users. In one embodiment, captured metadata or video/audio processing is used to identify content relevant to a particular user based on time and location information. The platform can then generate an output video from one or more shared spherical content files relevant to the user. The output video may include a non-spherical reduced field of view such as those commonly associated with conventional camera systems. Particularly, relevant sub-frames having a reduced field of view may be extracted from each frame of spherical video to generate an output video that tracks a particular individual or object of interest.
US09652664B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for facial recognition using fractal features are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of accessing data encoding a facial image, the facial image including a face. The actions further include generating a hierarchical graphical model of the face in the facial image, the hierarchical graphical model including more than nodes from at least one level, each level approximating the face within a contour. The actions further include applying a bank of filters to the face at a particular node, each filter spanning more than one scale and at least one direction. The actions further include analyzing filter responses from the bank of filters applied at each direction to obtain a similarity measure that consolidates filter responses from filters applied at more than one scale. The actions further include generating a vector representation.
US09652663B2

Exemplary methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for authenticating a user to computing device. In one exemplary embodiment, an indication of a request by a user to unlock a mobile device in a locked state is received. One or more images of the face of the user are captured. Facial components of the user from the one or more captured images are extracted. A determination is made as to whether the user is an authorized user or a non-authorized user based at least in part on a comparison of the facial components of the user extracted from the one or more captured images to facial components of the authorized user from one or more authentication images of the authorized stored on the mobile device. If the user is determined to be the authorized user, the mobile device unlocked; otherwise, the mobile device is maintained in its locked state.
US09652651B2

A system and method for verifying that a document is included in a document management system is disclosed. This system and method includes scanning of a scan track of a document, generating document data dependently upon the scanning, comparing the generated document data to stored document data, the stored document data generated dependently upon a prior scanning of the scan track of the document, and outputting an indication of the document being included in the document management system as determined by the comparing.
US09652628B2

System, methods, and computer program products are provided for interfacing between one of a plurality of service provider (SP) trusted service managers (TSM) and one of a plurality of secure elements (SE). A first request including a mobile subscription identifier (MSI) is received from an SP TSM over a communications network. At least one memory is queried for SE data including an SE identifier corresponding to the MSI. The SE data is transmitted to the SP TSM over the communications network. A second request based on the SE data is received from the SP TSM over the communications network. A third request, based on the second request, is transmitted, over a mobile network, to an SE corresponding to the SE data. The mobile network is selected from multiple mobile networks, and is determined based on the SE data queried from the memory.
US09652621B2

An electronic transmission system and method for converting and transmitting transmissions to provide secure communication between a plurality of users and protect or secure content of each transmission by preventing unauthorized individuals from capturing and viewing or hearing the transmitted content in its entirety. The electronic transmission system breaks a transmission apart into a random plurality of pieces and randomly transmits each piece separately to a plurality of remote servers. If an unauthorized party tries to intercept and access an electronic transmission, they will not be able to capture the entire transmission and will not be able to recompile its actual content, but rather misleading content. A password or other suitable authentication requirement(s) authenticates the intended recipient and allows the original pieces to be retrieved and re-compiled for viewing or hearing.
US09652613B1

An intermediary isolation server receives electronic messages and isolates any viral behavior from harming its intended destination. After the intermediary receives an electronic message, it determines that the electronic message has associated executable code, and then identifies the environment in which the electronic message code would be executed if delivered. The intermediary then executes the code by emulating how it would be executed in its ultimate environment. If a viral-like behavior is detected, appropriate action is taken to prevent the execution of the code at its intended destination. The attachment is executed in a contained environment that allows for the contained environment to be easily restarted in a clean state.
US09652607B2

A method in one example implementation includes intercepting a request associated with an execution of an object (e.g., a kernel module or a binary) in a computer configured to operate in a virtual machine environment. The request is associated with a privileged domain of the computer that operates logically below one or more operating systems. The method also includes verifying an authorization of the object by computing a checksum for the object and comparing the checksum to a plurality of stored checksums in a memory element. The execution of the object is denied if it is not authorized. In other embodiments, the method can include evaluating a plurality of entries within the memory element of the computer, wherein the entries include authorized binaries and kernel modules. In other embodiments, the method can include intercepting an attempt from a remote computer to execute code from a previously authorized binary.
US09652606B2

Methods and systems for periodically generating and managing passwords for one or more websites of users are disclosed. The users are provided with the ability to automatically replace their old passwords with new passwords for their one or more website accounts. The users can set a pre-determined frequency at which their passwords are to be updated and replaced with new passwords. The users can further define additional one or more rules based on which their passwords are updated. The methods and systems are further configured to auto log into user's website accounts with the updated passwords.
US09652601B2

A method for plagiarism detection of multithreaded program based on a thread slice birthmark includes steps of: 1) monitoring target programs during executing, real-time identifying system call, and recording related information comprising thread IDs, system call numbers, and return values; then pre-treating the information for obtaining a valid system call sequence Trace; 2) slicing the valid system call sequence Trace, for generating a series of thread slices Slice identified by the thread IDs; 3) generating dynamic thread slice birthmarks Birth of all the thread slices of two programs; 4) respectively generating corresponding software birthmarks PB1 and PB2 of the P1 and the P2 ; 5) matching based on a max bilateral diagram for calculating a max similarity between the software birthmarks PB1 and PB2; and 6) determines whether the program is plagiarized or not according to an average value of the birthmark similarity and a given threshold ε.
US09652598B2

There is provided an information processing device including a communication unit configured to receive editing information of content data, an accumulation unit configured to accumulate the editing information, and a control unit configured to control whether to return the editing information to an external device in accordance with a right to use content corresponding to a requestor's identification information included in request information for requesting the editing information, the request information being received from the external device via the communication unit.
US09652597B2

A computer-implemented method for detecting information leakage by an organizational insider may include (1) identifying a set of organizational insiders of an organization, (2) identifying a set of public forums used by one or more organizational insiders, (3) identifying a set of messages posted to one or more public forums, (4) creating a message record corresponding to each message, with the record including a message summary, and a set of message metadata fields, (5) consolidating message records with common metadata fields into a message summary record, and (6) identifying, based on the message summary record, an information leakage threat. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09652593B1

A system for providing a device independent communication layer for connecting two remote telemedicine terminal devices at least partly based on searching a terminal state database for device independent, real-time terminal states of remote telemedicine terminal devices, comprising: one or more databases for storing data entries with data indicative of terminal states of a plurality of first remote telemedicine terminal devices; a tracking module configured for detection of real-time terminal states of the plurality of first remote telemedicine terminal devices for communication with the system; a terminal state aggregation module configured to collect real-time indications of terminal states; a search module for searching the data entries and the stored data; a device independent communication layer for coordinating communications between remote telemedicine terminal devices; and a device connection module for establishing connections, over the device independent communication layer, between one remote telemedicine terminal device and another remote telemedicine terminal device.
US09652585B2

A method for determining the presence of a copy number imbalance in genomic DNA of a test sample is provided. The method can separately measure hybridization of a single test sample to a first hybridization array and hybridization of a plurality of reference samples to a plurality of other, respective test arrays. A determination of copy number can be based on the best fit reference array, relative to the test array. The best fit can be determined based on the closest or most similar signal-to-noise ratio of the measured signals.
US09652561B2

According to an illustrative embodiment an information processing system is provided. The system includes a processor for determining one or more candidate tags based on input data, the candidate tags being included within a hierarchical structure; and a display for displaying the candidate tags in a manner indicative of the candidate tags' positions in the hierarchical structure.
US09652560B1

Techniques are disclosed relating to handling page faults created by a processor unit. In some embodiments, such techniques may be used within the context of graphics processor units (GPUs) to reduce the chances that a page fault will result in a GPU-pipeline stall. In one embodiment, a processor includes a graphics processor pipeline and a memory management unit. The graphics processor pipeline includes a plurality of pipeline stages. The memory management unit is configured to determine that a first data request from a first of the plurality of pipeline stages causes a page fault, and to service requests from one or more others of the plurality of pipeline stages while the page fault is being serviced.
US09652554B2

Systems and methods are provided for adding new nodes to a computer networked system. The systems and methods may identify a first set of nodes in a networked computer system. The first set of nodes may be included in a first hash computation that clusters the first set of nodes into communities. An application shard space including a first space and a second space may be generated. The first set of nodes may be mapped to application shards in the first space based on the first hash computation. The application shards in the first space may be assigned to a first set of machines of the networked computer system. The second space may be maintained for mappings of nodes not included in the first hash computation to application shards in the second space.
US09652552B2

In one embodiment, a dialog server comprising: a memory comprising instructions executable by one or more processors; and the one or more processors coupled to the memory and operable to execute the instructions, the one or more processors being operable when executing the instructions to: receive, from a client, a request for a dialog and one or more parameters associated with the request; process the request and the one or more parameters to extract information concerning the dialog; generate, based on the information concerning the dialog, code that implements one or more functionalities supported by the dialog, wherein the code can be processed directly by a web browser executing on the client; and transmit, to the client, the code for execution in the web browser.
US09652549B2

Presenting a marking element in a social networking interaction where the marking element includes a question specifier and an answer specifier, creating a knowledge element in response to a user activating the marking element on the social networking interaction or a portion thereof, and presenting a knowledge element indicator in the social networking interaction.
US09652545B2

A set of user interfaces is provided to an administrator of a website. The user interfaces enable the administrator to configure search functionality of the website to present different types of search results differently. For instance, the administrator can use the user interfaces to configure the search functionality to present different properties for search results belonging to different result types.
US09652542B2

A vendor is authenticated for use of a retailer's data warehouse and limited access rights are assigned to the vendor for access. The vendor accesses a graphical user interface (GUI) to select an available analysis module for execution against the data warehouse. Schemas are presented in the GUI based on the access rights, and specific schema selections are made by the vendor. The analysis module is then configured and executed against the data warehouse and filtered results are presented to the vendor; the results filtered based on the access rights assigned to the vendor.
US09652537B2

Computer-readable media and computerized methods are provided for identifying terms associated with one or more queries, including aspects directed to manipulating a list of terms associated with a query class by extracting terms, identifying equivalences or relevant terms, and condensing or expanding the list of terms. In embodiments, synonymous terms can be identified. An updated list of terms can be written to a storage location in association with a query or query class.
US09652534B1

A video search system provides a user with a list of videos that are similar to a reference video selected by the user. A client device operated by the user may receive the reference video and transmit it to the video search system. The video search system generates a reference textual representation of actions depicted in the reference video based on an analysis of the contents of the reference video. The video search system further compares the reference textual representation with a plurality of textual representations generated based on videos stored in a library of videos. Based at least partly on the comparison, the video search system generates video search results that are provided to the client device. In certain functions, the client device may generate the reference textual representation and transmit the reference textual representation to the video search system for comparison.
US09652524B2

A computer-implemented system and method for creating topic neighborhoods and a visualization for related topic neighborhoods in a networked system are disclosed. The apparatus, in an example embodiment, includes a neighborhood generator configured to receive user input that identifies a topic for association with a neighborhood; create a neighborhood in association with the identified topic; gather neighborhood information using the identified topic as a search term to search from sources including information related to the topic; automatically invite users to join the created neighborhood; and provide access to the neighborhood via a neighborhood visualization on a webpage.
US09652516B1

Report construction techniques are disclosed. A first data set is received. The first data set includes a plurality of tables and a plurality of keys. One or more metric-attribute combinations is identified in the first data set. One or more dashboard reports is generated based on prioritized metric-attribute combinations from the first data set.
US09652514B2

The present invention is related to a method for routing requests among a plurality of database servers. A device intermediary to a client and a plurality of database servers receives a request to access a database provided by the plurality of database servers. The plurality of database servers can include a first database server configured to process write requests and one or more second database servers configured to process read requests. The device determines that the request to access the database is a read request. The device identifies, responsive to determining that the request is a read request, one of the one or more second database servers to send the request instead of the first database server. The device then transmits the request to the identified second database server.
US09652513B2

A data storage system stores at least one dataset including a plurality of records. A data processing system, coupled to the data storage system, processes the plurality of records to produce codes representing data patterns in the records, the processing including: for each of multiple records in the plurality of records, associating with the record a code encoding one or more elements, wherein each element represents a state or property of a corresponding field or combination of fields as one of a set of element values, and, for at least one element of at least a first code, the number of element values in the set is smaller than the total number of data values that occur in the corresponding field or combination of fields over all of the plurality of records in the dataset.
US09652507B2

Providing dynamic, interest-based change notifications includes detecting an event for an artifact managed by a collaborative system, determining a user subscribed to the artifact, and, responsive to the event, calculating a score for the event using a processor. The score is user-specific and indicates a level of interest of the user for the event. The score is compared with a threshold score. A change notification of the event is sent to the user responsive to determining that the score exceeds the threshold score.
US09652488B2

A computer-readable recording medium stores a program that causes a computer to execute a verification support process that includes acquiring a series of data transmitted and received between apparatuses; creating a plurality of data groups by dividing the series of acquired data; detecting among the created data groups, a data group that includes given data acting as an issuance request for identification information of a transmission source; adding the given data to the beginning of subsequent data groups that are among the created data groups and transmitted after the detected data group; and outputting the subsequent data groups to which the given data has been added.
US09652479B2

Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for recovering from a pending uncompleted reorganization of a data set managing data sets in a storage. In response an initiation of an operation to access a data set, an operation is initiated to complete a pending uncompleted reorganization of the data set in response to the data set being in a pending uncompleted reorganization state and no other process currently accessing the data set.
US09652477B2

An object potentially belongs to a number of topics. Each topic is characterized by a probability distribution profile of a number of representative items that belong to the topic. Sample items are selected from the object, less than a total number of items of the object. A probability that the object belongs to each topic is determined using the probability distribution profile characterizing each topic and the sample items selected from the object.
US09652468B2

A method for in-band de-duplication, the method may include receiving by a hardware accelerator, a received packet of a first sequence of packets that conveys a first data chunk; applying a data chunk hash calculation process on the received packet while taking into account a hash calculation result obtained when applying the data chunk hash calculation process on a last packet of the first sequence that preceded the received packet; wherein the calculating of the first data chunk hash value is initiated before a completion of a reception of the entire first data chunk by the hardware accelerator.
US09652467B2

A data structure comprises a clump header table and an inline tree data structure. The inline tree, representing filterable data fields of hierarchically organized data records, comprises an alternating sequence of first-level binary string segments, each followed by one or more corresponding second-level binary string segments. Each clump header record includes an indicator of a location in the inline tree of corresponding binary string segments. A dedicated, specifically adapted conversion program generates the clump header file and the inline tree for storage on any computer-readable medium, and the inline tree can be read entirely into RAM to be searched or filtered. A dedicated, specifically adapted search and filter program is employed to list or enumerate retrieved data records. Run-time computer code generation can reduce time required for searching and filtering. One example includes spatial searching and filtering of data records that include spatial coordinates as data fields.
US09652463B2

A method of generating content defined by a file of a prescribed format. A portion of a first work of content is automatically identified responsive to a user selection thereof. The first work of content may be audio, video, and still images. A reference to the portion of the first work of content is generated responsive to the identifying. Instructions associated with the portion of the first work of content operable for use by a playback device to render the content are generated. The reference and the instructions are incorporated in a digital file of a prescribed format operable for use by the playback device during rendition of the content. The file may be stored in a memory component. The playback device is operable to use the reference to access the portion of the first work of content from a source other than the file during rendition of the file.
US09652462B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for associating still images and videos. One method includes receiving a plurality of images and a plurality of videos and determining whether the images are related to the videos. The determining includes, for an image and a video, extracting features from the image and extracting features frames of the video, and comparing the features to determine whether the image is related to the video. The method further includes maintaining a data store storing data associating each image with each video determined to be related to the image.
US09652451B2

The invention allows end users to obtain immediate, accurate information from structured databases without writing complex database query commands. The invention allows two different, but synchronized, methods of end user information requests: Spoken or typed Natural Language requests, and a Visual Request Specification method. Furthermore, the invention provides a user the means of “teaching the system the correct interpretation” when an information request was misunderstood by the invention's Natural Language Understanding module.
US09652446B2

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented spreadsheet management method is provided that automatically copies formatting and formulas from appropriate peer rows to an updated row. In some embodiments, the method automatically determines which peer rows, if any, should be used as the source of copied formatting and formulas. In some embodiments, the method automatically fixes formulas that are affected by the updated row in order to maintain consistency throughout the spreadsheet.
US09652443B2

Various embodiments provide techniques for time-based viewing of electronic documents. Examples of electronic documents include websites, webpages, text documents, web-based documents, and so on. In at least some embodiments, a time-based viewer is provided that enables a user to select a particular date and/or time for which to view an electronic document. The user can then navigate through the electronic document and view how the document will appear or did appear at the selected date and/or time. In at least some embodiments, a page container is provided that can include definitions for different versions of a page of an electronic document. According to some embodiments, the different versions of the page can correspond to different publication dates for the page. In some implementations, the time-based viewer can access a page container to retrieve a particular version of a page for display.
US09652437B2

A solution method for solving an underdetermined system of linear equations, in which the number of elements of a variable to be determined is N and the number of linear equations is M (where M and N are integers satisfying 1≦M
US09652436B1

Advanced payment applications are provided to improve the functionality of cards and devices. For example, a user interface may be placed on a card (e.g., a physical button) or a telephonic device (e.g., a virtual button on a capacitive touch screen). Manual input provided to this user interface may, for example, cause a purchase to be paid by credit and points may be earned for the purchase. A different manual input may, for example, cause a purchase to be paid by credit and points not be earned for the purchase in exchange for one or more chances to win a prize in a random lottery. An instant winner functionality may be provided on a card. For example, a card may randomly become an instant winner based on, for example, time and/or use.
US09652427B2

A processor module includes at least one storage device, at least one central processing unit (CPU) that uses a preset interface, and a module controller to relay a connection between a common interface bus formed on the based board and an interface used by the CPU.
US09652421B2

A computer system includes a switch having a plurality of ports, a plurality of devices coupled to the plurality of ports, and a management system coupled to at least one of the plurality of devices and the switch. The coupling between the plurality of devices and the switch is a communication interface in which the number of master devices capable of existing in the same space is defined. The management system collects device coupling data of each of the plurality of devices coupled to the switch. Each of the device coupling data includes an ID of a port to which the device is coupled and information representing an attribute indicating whether the device is a master or a slave. The management system determines a coupling configuration on the basis of the plurality of the collected device coupling data and a communication interface protocol and, configures, to the switch, coupling information that is information in accordance with the determined coupling configuration.
US09652414B1

A computing environment, such as an data mirroring or replication storage system, may need to process synchronous I/O requests having different priorities in addition to handling I/O requests on the basis of synchronous or asynchronous groupings. The system described herein provides a data storage system that addresses issues involving efficient balancing of response times for servicing synchronous I/O requests having different priorities. Accordingly, the system described herein provides for maintaining an optimal response time for the host-synchronous I/O requests and the optimal throughput of non-host-synchronous I/O requests using a host-synchronous request time window within which processing of non-host-synchronous I/O requests is throttled. The host-synchronous request time window may be selected to enable the optimal response time for the host-synchronous I/O and also to minimize the impact on the overall throughput of the I/O processor of the storage device.
US09652409B2

A multi-rank memory system in which calibration operations are performed between a memory controller and one rank of memory while data is transferred between the controller and other ranks of memory. A memory controller performs a calibration operation that calibrates parameters pertaining to transmission of data via a first data bus between the memory controller and a memory device in a first rank of memory. While the controller performs the calibration operation, the controller also transfers data with a memory device in a second rank of memory via a second data bus.
US09652399B2

In at least some embodiments, a processor core generates one or more store operations by executing one or more store instructions in an instruction sequence. The one or more store operations are marked as a high priority store operations in response to detecting, in the instruction sequence, a window opening instruction and a window closing instruction bounding the one or more store instructions and are not so marked otherwise. The one or more store operations are buffered in a store queue associated with a cache memory of the processor core. Handling of the one or more store operations in the store queue is expedited in response to the one or more store operations being marked as high priority store operations and not expedited otherwise.
US09652393B1

Provided is a method for managing a shared memory in a database server. The database server includes a shared memory manager which divides a shared memory into a plurality of memory chunks to manage the memory chunks and allocates at least one memory chunk to a cache memory manager based on a request of the cache memory manager; a cache memory manager which requests at least one of the plurality of memory chunks to the shared memory manager, wherein the database server includes a plurality of cache memory managers and the database server uses the memory chunk which is allocated to the cache memory manager as a cache memory having a predetermined purpose, and the predetermined purposes of the plurality of cache memory managers are different from each other; and a main processor which performs a database operation using the cache memory.
US09652389B2

A coordinating node maintains globally consistent logical block address (LBA) metadata for a hierarchy of caches, which may be implemented in local and cloud based storage resources. Associated storage endpoints initially determine a hash associated with each access request, but forward the access request to the coordinating node to determine a unique discriminator for each hash.
US09652378B2

A writing method, a memory controller and a memory storage device are provided. The writing method includes steps of: configuring logical addresses to map to part of physical programming units in a storage area, wherein at least one of the physical programming units stores a valid data; transmitting a first write command for writing data having a first data length to at least one of the physical programming units; receiving a status signal; and selecting a spare physical erasing unit and copying the valid data having a second data length to the spare physical erasing unit, after transmitting the first write command and before receiving the status signal, wherein the first data length is not greater than the second data length. Therefore, it prevents a host system from waiting too long when writing data.
US09652368B2

Arrangements described herein relate to determining a quality of a software package. Via linked data, the software package can be linked to at least one test plan and a requirement collection. The software package can be executed in accordance with the test plan using at least one test case. At least one test result of the execution of the software package can be generated. A score can be assigned to the test result and a score can be assigned to the test based at least on the test result. Based at least the scores on assigned to the test result and the test case, a package quality score can be assigned to the software package.
US09652365B2

A method and system dynamically configures faults during software testing. During runtime of a service platform, a computer system hosting the service platform receives a request from a test program to register a list of controllers. Each of the registered controllers controls the generation of a different fault. The test program triggers the execution of a service to be tested on the service platform. During execution of the service, a predefined condition is encountered. A fault is generated if one of the registered controllers controls the fault generation associated with the predefined condition. Based on the generation of the fault, the behavior of the service can be verified.
US09652364B1

Techniques for providing a cloud mobile device debugging service may be provided. For example, input may be received that is formatted in a particular debugging protocol. The input may be intended for execution on a browser of a mobile device that is remotely hosted with respect to the source of the input. The input may be translated from the particular debugging protocol to a common debugging protocol and provided to the remotely hosted mobile device. A result of executing the translated input with the remotely hosted mobile device may be displayed via a user interface.
US09652353B2

Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with modifying applications and monitoring exceptions are described. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method searches an executable code for code representing a database procedure call within the executable code. At a location in the executable code prior to the database procedure call, exception capturing code is inserted into the executable code that is configured to cause information to be collected about an exception when the exception occurs during execution of the database procedure call. After the database procedure call, termination code is inserted in the executable code, wherein the termination code is configured to terminate the collection of the information caused by the exception capturing code.
US09652350B2

A method for evaluating error recovery effectiveness in a complex Storage Area Network (SAN) by a processor device is provided. At least one baseline performance metric is recorded. A predetermined error is injected into at least one component of the SAN associated with the recorded baseline performance metric. An elapsed time is recorded from the injection of the error to the return to the recorded baseline performance metric.
US09652349B2

Quality of information (QoI) assessment in dynamic sensor networks that includes evaluating, by a computer, a first value reflective of available reports from sensors that are dynamically associated with the computer. A second value reflective of reports expected to have been available for evaluation about the observed phenomena is estimated. A QoI of the available reports is assessed. The assessing is based on the first value reflective of the available reports and the second value reflective of reports expected to have been available for evaluation. A third value, based on the assessing is output.
US09652347B2

A cloud computing platform is disclosed that utilizes a messaging platform configured to receive input message from one or more remote testing devices identifiable via one or more codes and generate a reply message to request test data or information from the one or more remote testing devices. The messaging platform is configured to interface with one or more remote or mobile computing devices to transmit the test data or information for the one or more testing devices to the one or more remote computing devices. The platform also includes a data storage platform configured to receive the test data or information from the one or more testing devices and store the test data or information to one or more data storage devices.
US09652343B2

A RAID (redundant array of independent disks) hot spare (RHS) system and method that permits a daisy-chain of interconnected pass-thru disk drive controllers (PTDDCs) each connected to a SATA local disk drive (LDD) storage element (DSE) to support a hot spare disk (HSD) such that a failing disk drive (FDD) in the RAID array can be immediately replaced by a HSD within the PTDDC daisy-chain without operator intervention is disclosed. The PTDDCs within the daisy-chain are configured in RAID fashion to support mirroring of one or more drives in the PTDDC daisy-chain. The PTDDCs monitor functional status of LDDs attached to each PTDDC. FDD failure triggers activation of a HSD in the PTDDC daisy-chain and automatic mirror copying along the PTDDC daisy-chain of RAID data from a master disk drive (MDD) mirrored to the LDD. FDD-PTDDC and HSD-PTDDC LBA mapping registers are updated after mirror copying completes.
US09652342B2

In this method, a first information processing apparatus in a first system identifies a second system that performs a first processing on behalf of the first system when an abnormality occurs in the first system, and transmits a first request that includes data concerning resources used to perform the first processing to a second information processing apparatus in the second system. Upon detecting an abnormality in the second system, the first information processing apparatus identifies a third system other than the second system, transmits a second request that includes data concerning resources used to perform the first processing to a third information processing apparatus in the third system, and transmits a third request to release resources secured for the first system to the second information processing apparatus in the second system, upon detecting return of the second system.
US09652339B2

A processing device to perform operations comprising receive, from a listener of a second node in a data grid system, a filter defined by search criteria of a search query. The operations can include determine, at the first node, that a third node in the data grid has crashed. The operations can further include iterate over backup data of the third node that is stored at a memory of the first node to determine the backup data that matches the filter. The operations can further include communicate, to the listener, the backup data that matches the filter.
US09652332B2

A storage unit stores information indicating a backup history of data associated with each of a plurality of virtual machines operating on one or more information processing apparatuses. An operation unit determines an order of migrating each of the plurality of virtual machines to one or more other information processing apparatuses, based on the information indicating the backup history. The operation unit controls the information processing apparatus so as to migrate each of the virtual machines in the order.
US09652328B2

An application is identified that was running at a time of a system crash. A system dump file is received that was created responsive to the system crash. A restoration dataset stored in the system dump file is determined. The application is restored based, at least in part, on the restoration dataset.
US09652327B2

Aspects extend to methods, systems, and computer program products for reassigning service functionality between acceleration components. Reassigning service functionality can be used to recover service acceleration for a service. Service acceleration can operate improperly due to performance degradation at an acceleration component. A role at the acceleration component having degraded performance can be assigned to another acceleration component to restore service acceleration for the service.
US09652323B2

A computer memory access method includes: receiving external data with a prefetching length, the external data having an unmasked first data portion and a masked second data portion; writing the unmasked first data portion to a corresponding data storage unit of a computer memory by a writing unit and reading a third data portion corresponding to the masked second data portion from the data storage unit by a reading unit; producing modified external data by merging the unmasked first data portion and the third data portion in place of the masked second data portion; generating parity bits from the modified external data by an error correction code encoding circuit according to a given rule; and then writing the parity bits to a parity bit storage unit of the computer memory by the writing unit, in substitution of previous information in the parity bit storage unit.
US09652322B2

A user station for a bus system is described and a method for transmitting messages between user stations of a bus system. The user station has a CAN-Controller for reading data of a message to be sent directly from a RAM without buffer storage in a buffer store, and a memory access error detection/processing device for detecting a memory access error of the CAN controller and for processing a detected memory access error.
US09652319B2

A method for performing process fault tolerant control of an electronic device, and an associated apparatus and an associated computer program product are provided, where the method includes: using at least one driver in a kernel layer of an operating system (OS) of the electronic device to perform detection to determine whether a specific process running on the electronic device will be influenced by an error of the electronic device; and when it is detected that the specific process running on the electronic device will be influenced by the error of the electronic device, using at least one control signal of the OS to perform process control on the specific process and using a package manager service (PMS) module of the OS to trigger a rescue procedure. For example, the method may further include: when triggering the rescue procedure, preventing immediately triggering termination of the specific process.
US09652313B2

In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes executing, by a device, one or more programs that use asynchronous message passing. The one or more programs comprise instrumentation code that causes message context information to be generated regarding asynchronous messages passed by the one or more programs. The message context information is indicative of one or more points within the one or more programs at which a particular message is sent or received. The method includes maintaining a current message context associated with a particular portion of the one or more programs. The method includes receiving a first asynchronous message that includes message context information for the received message. The method includes updating the current message context to include the message context information received via the first asynchronous message.
US09652311B2

Embodiments of the invention provide for the optimization of utilization of non-volatile memory in message queuing. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for optimizing utilization of non-volatile memory in message queuing includes receiving a new message in a message queueing system implemented in a host computing system. The method also includes storing the new message as a master message in non-volatile memory of the host computing system. The method yet further includes subsequently receiving different messages that each share redundant information with the master message. The method even yet further includes delta encoding each of the different messages and storing the delta encoded different messages in the non-volatile memory. Finally, the method includes deleting the master message from the non-volatile memory only once each of the different messages and the master message have been acknowledged by at least one consumer subscribing to the message queuing system.
US09652310B1

Example embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a system for using consistent-hashing to ensure proper sequencing of message processing in a scale-out environment. The method includes receiving a stream of a plurality of messages and performing a consistent-hash on each message of the plurality of messages. Each message then may be distributed toward a respective downstream worker of a plurality of downstream workers for processing according to results of the hash.
US09652308B2

Provided are techniques for sharing a partitioned data set across parallel applications. Under control of a producing application, a partitioned data set is generated; a descriptor that describes the partitioned data set is generated; and the descriptor is registered in a registry. Under control of a consuming application, the registry is accessed to obtain the descriptor of the partitioned data set; and the descriptor is uses to determine how to process the partitioned data set.
US09652305B2

A processor includes an execution unit to execute instructions and a scheduler unit to store a queue of instructions for execution by the execution unit. The scheduler unit includes a wake array including a plurality of source slots to store source identifiers for sources associated with the instructions, a picker to schedule a particular instruction for execution in the execution unit, broadcast a destination identifier associated with the particular instruction to a first subset of the source slots, and a delay element to receive the destination identifier broadcast by the picker and communicate a delayed version of the destination identifier to a second subset of the source slots different from the first subset.
US09652300B2

Systems and methods for the processing of EU threads (also known as warps) in a thread group. The status of each EU thread in the group may be monitored, to determine if it is executing or if it is halted and waiting at a synchronization barrier. If certain threshold conditions are met, the waiting EU threads may be preempted to allow execution of threads from another thread group. The threshold conditions may include a minimum number of EUs in use, a minimum number of EU threads in the first thread group that are waiting at the synchronization barrier and/or a maximum number of EU threads that are still executing, and a minimum wait time for one or more of the EU threads waiting at the barrier.
US09652299B2

A hardware thread causes a SleepID register of a WAKEUP signal generation unit to store a SleepID that identifies the hardware thread when suspending a process due to waiting for a process by another CPU. The WAKEUP signal generation unit causes the WAKEUP data register of the WAKEUP signal generation unit to store a SleepID notified by a node when a process that the hardware thread waits ends. The WAKEUP signal generation unit outputs a WAKEUP signal that cancels the stop of the hardware thread to the hardware thread when the SleepIDs of the SleepID register and the WAKEUP data register agree with each other.
US09652298B2

Systems and techniques are described for power-aware scheduling. One of the techniques includes monitoring execution of a plurality of groups of software threads executing on a physical machine, wherein the physical machine comprises a physical hardware platform that includes a plurality of processor packages having a plurality of package power states, wherein the plurality of package power states includes an independent package power state; obtaining a respective independent power state measure for each of the processor packages, wherein the independent power state measure provides a measure of a percentage of time the processor package spends in the independent package power state; and adjusting an allocation of the plurality of groups of software threads across the plurality of processor packages based in part on the independent power state measures for the packages.
US09652279B1

A system and method for remotely interacting with a virtualized machine instance (VMI) through a trigger mechanism resident at the VMI. When the VMI receives a request via the trigger mechanism, the VMI responds to the request, such as by obtaining a program and executing the program locally at the VMI.
US09652278B2

Embodiments relate to virtual machine (VM) migration via a mobile device. A method includes requesting, by a mobile device, a source computer to capture a state and memory contents of a VM executing on the source computer. The VM includes the state, the memory contents, and data. The state and memory contents of the VM are stored on the mobile device. Security information about a target computer is determined by the mobile device. A migration of the VM to the target computer is initiated by the mobile device. The initiating includes sending the stored state and memory contents of the VM from the mobile device to the target computer. An activation of the VM on the target computer is initiated and access is provided to at least a subset of the data of the VM. The subset is selected based on the security information.
US09652269B2

In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for supporting REST services natively in a service bus runtime. The service bus runtime can include one or more native REST proxy services, one or more native REST pipelines, and one or more native REST reference services. A native REST proxy service can deliver a message payload of a REST native format into a native REST pipeline, which can process the payload without converting the payload to or from an XML-based Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) format. JavaScript code can be supported in the pipeline to manipulate the message payload. A REST branch node can be used in the service bus runtime to route a message based on an HTTP verb or a relative URL path in a header of the message.
US09652267B2

Managing virtual and real machines through a provisioning system. The provisioning system allows a user to create and manage machines through a “self-service” approach. The provisioning system interacts with one or more agents that manage the lifecycle of a machine. The system may provide templates that enable a user to readily create a virtual machine. The system may also include interfaces for administrators to manage virtual and real machine resources.
US09652263B2

In one approach, one or more computer processors provision an instance in a cloud computing environment, wherein the instance includes one or more local disks. The one or more computer processors boot the instance from a boot image such that an operating system exists in a main memory of the instance. The one or more computer processors copy an image file to the one or more local disks of the instance, where copying the image file overwrites the one or more local disks. The one or more computer processors reboot the instance.
US09652245B2

Branch prediction for indirect jumps, including: receiving, by a branch prediction module, a branch address for each of a plurality of executed branch instructions; receiving, by the branch prediction module, an instruction address of a current branch instruction; creating, by the branch prediction module, an execution path identifier in dependence upon the branch address for each of the plurality of executed branch instructions and the instruction address of the current branch instruction; and searching, by the branch prediction module, a branch prediction table for an entry that matches the execution path identifier.
US09652240B2

Methods and apparatus for predicting the value of a stack pointer which store data when an instruction is seen which grows the stack. The information which is stored includes a size parameter which indicates by how much the stack is grown and one or both of: the register ID currently holding the stack pointer value or the current stack pointer value. When a subsequent instruction shrinking the stack is seen, the stored data is searched for one or more entries which has a corresponding size parameter. If such an entry is identified, the other information stored in that entry is used to predict the value of the stack pointer instead of using the instruction to calculate the new stack pointer value. Where register renaming is used, the information in the entry is used to remap the stack pointer to a different physical register.
US09652218B2

In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes maintaining a feature repository that includes one or more current feature descriptors describing one or more current features currently incorporated into a computer system. A new feature descriptor is read describing a new feature. By a computer processor, the new feature descriptor is evaluated with respect to a computer system. The evaluating includes comparing the new feature descriptor to the one or more current feature descriptors. Exploitation data is generated based on the evaluating, where the exploitation data describes a potential use of the new feature on the computer system. The exploitation data is returned to a user.
US09652214B1

Various embodiments of systems and methods to provide pluggable extensions of software applications are provided herein. In one aspect, plugin application package is received for deployment. The plugin application package includes configuration data to comprising various definitions for the deployment of the plugin application. In another aspect, configuration data of a host software application is updated with at least a part of the configuration data of the plugin application. The host application is reconfigured based on the updated host configuration data to refer to the plugin application. In yet another aspect, one or more plugin services provided by the plugin application are exposed through the reconfigured host application, to handle corresponding user requests.
US09652206B2

A rule engine system works with physical systems monitored by Internet-enabled endpoints on one hand and developer custom applications on the other. Endpoints operate in both the domain specific language of the rule engine, and communicate with participating applications in the native protocols thereof. Whether new or legacy, whether hardware, software, or firmware, whether having much, little, or no digital processing or communication capacity, the participating application may be monitored and controlled by an endpoint that communicates over the Internet with the rule engine. Individual developers prepare rule language files, containing data and instructions for the rule engine to implement through the end point. Any apparatus, whether exclusively mechanical, electrical, electronic, highly sophisticated electronic, or some combination may be monitored and controlled. Any participating application, from a mechanical lawn sprinkler to an Internet commerce server may be implemented thus.
US09652205B2

A method, computer apparatus and computer program product for bytecode weaving is described herein. The method includes determining when a code module such as an OSGi bundle that requires bytecode weaving becomes available for loading into a system. Code associated with the code module is loaded. This code may be part of the module itself or part of a separate entity, such as an OSGI bundle fragment, but does not require weaving. Responsive to loading the code associated with the code module, a reference is received to the entity responsible for loading the code associated with the code module. A code entity (which does require weaving) within the code module is identified and a woven set of bytes are provided to the code loading entity identified via the returned reference. Consequently, the woven set of bytes represents a transformed version of the identified code entity.
US09652202B2

A declarative specification for visualization may be improved. The declarative specification for the visualization may be identified and checked for appropriateness. This appropriateness check can be done by ensuring that the declarative specification meets a number of rules. The rules may be predefined and include rules that define best practices for visualizations. If a portion of the declarative specification violates one of the rules, it can be highlighted. In this way, the user can see how the declarative specification can be improved for visualization.
US09652194B2

In an embodiment, a host computing device includes an internal display and also includes a connector to connect to an external display. A cable is provided to connect to the connector and to connect to the external display. The cable includes video processing capabilities. For example, the cable may include a memory configured to store a frame buffer. The frame buffer may store a frame of video data for further processing by the video processing device in the cable. The video processing device may manipulate the frame in a variety of ways, e.g. scaling, rotating, gamma correction, dither correction, etc.
US09652192B2

A sink device in a Wireless Display (WD) system may establish a user input device control communication channel between a source device and sink device in a WD system to allow the sink device to send device control inputs to the source device. The user input device control communication channel may include a reverse channel architecture referred to as the Wi-Fi User Input Back Channel (UIBC) that has been modified to transport one or more additional input types over UDP. For example, UIBC may be extended to transport voice input and VNC input types.
US09652191B2

An electronic beacon is used in a print system connected to an at least partially wireless network system. The electronic beacon is linkable to the print job via the network system, placeable on top of, attachable to or insertable in a physical intermediate product or a physical end product resulting from the print job. The electronic beacon includes a switch for activating and deactivating the electronic beacon, a memory for storing a link to the print job, and a signaling device for giving an electronic signal when the print job linked to the electronic beacon is selected on a mobile device connected to the network system. Upon detection that a mobile device and an electronic beacon are in each other's proximity, a link of a print job selected on the mobile device is sent via the network system to the memory of the electronic beacon upon activation of the electronic beacon, a link of a print job stored in the memory of the electronic beacon is sent via the network system to the mobile device, and a link of a print job stored on the electronic beacon is deleted from the memory of the electronic beacon upon deactivation of the electronic beacon.
US09652190B2

The present disclosure is directed to a method and user interface for redirecting print jobs. The method involves receiving a notification indicating that execution of a print job at a first printing device failed. The method also involves displaying a network printing device map on a display unit in response to receiving the notification. The network printing device map is a graphical representation of a network topology of a plurality of printing devices within a local network. The method further involves receiving an input gesture indicative of a selection of a second printing device of the plurality of printing devices with which to execute the print job. Additionally, the method involves causing the first printing device to transmit the print job to the second printing device upon receiving the input gesture.
US09652188B2

An image forming apparatus includes a storage unit having a first storage area and a second storage area, and a control unit configured to store externally input print data in the first storage area when the image forming apparatus is operating in a forcible storage mode. The control unit, if a storage instruction is added to the externally input print data, stores the input data in the second storage area, not in the first storage area.
US09652186B2

An apparatus includes a data receiving part that receives output data from an information terminal; a data recording part that records the output data received by the data receiving part in a storage part in association with user information identifying a plurality of users; an information accepting part that accepts user information identifying a user; a first control part that controls output execution of output data included in the recorded output data that is associated with the user information accepted by the information accepting part; and a second control part that implements a control measure after the output data associated with the user information identifying the plurality of users is executed based on user information identifying one user of the plurality of users. The control measure is implemented to prevent output execution of the executed output data.
US09652184B2

Systems and methods are provided for regenerating workflows for print jobs at a print shop in response to changed conditions. The system identifies a first workflow of print shop activities for a print job, and directs resources of the print shop to perform the activities of the first workflow. The system also stores rules that describe activities at the print shop. Further, the system detects a triggering event and halts processing of the first workflow. The system identifies rules defined for the customer, identifies activities available at the print shop, and generates a second workflow for the print job based on the changed condition, the rules defined for the customer, the available activities, and a job ticket of the print job. The system further directs the resources of the print shop to perform the activities of the second workflow.
US09652175B2

A memory controller receives a command to perform a memory operation, the command including a data packet comprising a plurality of data divisions. In response to receiving the command, for each individual memory device, the memory controller assigns to the individual memory device a respective data division, the respective data division including a plurality of data segments, and determines a single relative memory address associated with an address specified by the received command. The memory controller assembles a sub-request comprising a single contiguous instruction portion, which includes the single relative memory address and one or more instructions to perform the memory operation, and the respective data division, the respective data division following the single contiguous instruction portion, and transmits the sub-request to every memory portion of the number of memory portions of the individual memory device.
US09652172B2

A data storage device capable of improving operation performance by optimizing internal operations is disclosed. The operation method of the data storage device includes grouping memory blocks based on the number of valid pages included in each of the memory blocks; and determining whether to perform a merging process on the groups of memory blocks based on a merging determination value.
US09652169B2

A method includes the following steps. Runtime statistics related to data transaction processing in a concurrent system are collected. A given request to access shared data in the concurrent system is receive. Based on the collected runtime statistics, the number of reattempts the given request can make to access the shared data prior to access control being switched from a hardware transactional memory to a locking mechanism is adaptively determined.
US09652161B2

An in-memory data management (IMDM) system is described that includes an IMDM cluster, a load balancer, and a reallocation processor controller. The IMDM cluster includes a plurality of nodes. The controller determines whether there is an actionable load imbalance of existing data elements, stored among the plurality of nodes, based on a predefined criteria or rule. The controller further identifies a source node from which at least one data element is to be deleted and a target node to which the at least one data element that is to be deleted is to be added. The source node and target node contribute to the actionable load imbalance. The controller copies the at least one data element that is to be deleted from the source node into the target node, and deletes the at least one data element that is to be deleted from the source node.
US09652159B2

An example of an information storage system includes physical storage drives for providing real storage areas to a pool which is tiered into tiers different in performance, and a controller. The controller monitors accesses in a first tier in the pool. The controller determines a loaded state of the first tier based on the accesses to the first tier. The controller holds management information relating loads to the first tier to relocation speeds and/or modes of moving data in data relocation between a second tier in the pool and the first tier. The controller determines at least one of a relocation speed and a mode of moving data in data relocation between the second tier and the first tier based on the determined loaded state of the first tier and the management information.
US09652149B2

An input device includes a storage section, a display section, a touch sensor, a control section, and a display switch section. The control section switches the display state of a to-be-deleted symbol string on the display section to any one of a second half hiding state, a first half hiding state, and a full display state every time the display switch section is pressed during touch operation on the display section by a user. The second half hiding state is to hide a second half symbol string, out of the to-be-deleted symbol string, displayed behind a deletion reference position. The first half hiding state is to hide a first half symbol string, out of the to-be-deleted symbol string, displayed before the deletion reference position. The full display state is to display the to-be-deleted symbol string in full.
US09652144B2

A method and apparatus for providing Point Of Interest (POI) information in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes displaying an image mapped with at least one POI on a screen, sensing if the screen is touched in a closed curve shape, and displaying information on the POI mapped to an area within a closed curve of the displayed image.
US09652143B2

An electronic device and method for the same are disclosed, including a touch device for detecting a touch input, a display unit for displaying screen information, a storage unit for storing a predetermined number of individual contacts to the touch device, and a controller. The controller compares a number of individual contacts with the predetermined number of individual contacts in response to detecting a touch input via the touch device, executes a scrolling of the displayed screen information according to a movement of the touch input when the number of individual contacts of the touch input matches the predetermined number, and when the number of individual contacts of the touch input does not match the predetermined number, executes a gesture-based zoom according to a change in area defined by the individual contacts of the touch input.
US09652139B1

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to graphical representation of an output. A server provides for presentation, at a display device, of a first graphical representation of an output for a class. The server receives a selection of a time range for the class. The server determines, based on the output for the class during the selected time range, a baseline output. The server provides for presentation, in response to the selection of the time range, of a second graphical representation of the output, during the time range, for a family from the class, the second graphical representation indicating a difference between the output for the family and an output value for the family predicted based on the baseline output.
US09652138B2

A medical imaging system capable of acquiring medical imaging data of a patient includes a console coupled to the system, the console comprising a computer programmed to enable a first user to perform a first task on the system via the console, and enable a second user to perform a second task simultaneously with the first task via a remote device.
US09652135B2

A mobile device is provided. The mobile device includes a body of a bangle type configured to be worn on a user body, a display mounted in the body, a motion sensor configured to detect a motion, a storage configured to store control information which is differently set according to a motion state, and, when a motion is detected by the motion sensor, a controller configured to change a screen of the display according to control information corresponding to the detected motion. Accordingly, the mobile device is easily carried and used.
US09652131B2

A “safe zone” can be created within which the effect of the actual cursor position is overridden when selecting content. The start position and the end position of the selection can be compared. If the selection is a forward selection but the cursor position has moved upwards, the vertical component of the cursor position is overridden by the vertical position of the cursor at the start of the selection. If the selection is a reverse selection but the cursor position has moved downwards, the vertical component of the cursor position is overridden by the vertical position of the cursor at the start of the selection. The safe zone can have any kind of shape.
US09652128B2

There are provided a method and apparatus for controlling an electronic device. The apparatus for controlling an electronic device includes a marker recognition unit configured to recognize the marker of the electronic device and a control unit configured to perform communication with the electronic device based on the marker and control the electronic device using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) program received from the electronic device.
US09652116B2

A mobile terminal and a method of controlling a mobile terminal may be provided. The mobile terminal may include a display to display one of a plurality of wallpapers including at least one icon; and a controller to display at least two of the plurality of wallpapers and a plurality of preview screens corresponding to the plurality of wallpapers on the display upon reception of an input of moving at least one icon, moving of the at least one icon being displayed on the displayed wallpapers and preview screens. The mobile terminal can display a movement of icon being displayed on the displayed wallpapers and preview screens. Accordingly, a user may intuitively recognize a location of icon and effectively move a location of icon.
US09652115B2

A digital map of a geographic area is displayed via a user interface, and a 3D representation of a multi-story building located in the geographic area is displayed on the digital map. The 3D representation includes multiple stacked floor maps corresponding to the floors of the multi-story building. In response to the detection of a pinch gesture that is applied to the 3D representation, a vertical distance between each floor map is expanded relative to the detected pinch gesture to reveal features of an internal map that corresponds to each floor map.
US09652114B2

Described is a system for facilitating in-person interaction between multi-user virtual environment (“MMVE”) users. The system facilitates in-person interaction between the users if they have interacted virtually in MMVE via their respective avatars.
US09652113B1

Managing multiple overlapped electronic conference meetings is provided. Real time streams of speech data are received from a plurality of overlapping electronic conference meetings a registered user is scheduled to participate in. It is determined that a real time stream of speech data corresponding to an electronic conference meeting includes a trigger. It is determined that the registered user is not currently participating in the electronic conference meeting including the trigger. A notification that includes a selectable control element is sent, via a network, to the registered user regarding the electronic conference meeting along with a transcript of the electronic conference meeting. The registered user is joined to the electronic conference meeting in response to receiving an input selecting the selectable control element.
US09652111B2

A method and a system for quickly arranging multiple windows for a mobile apparatus are provided. The method includes monitoring a window arrangement driving event at an application layer and when the window arrangement driving event is generated, transferring the window arrangement driving event from the application layer to a frameworks layer. The method also includes identifying a current arrangement mode and selecting a new arrangement mode according to the current arrangement mode; obtaining the window objects currently operated on the mobile apparatus; calculating a display position and a display size for each of the obtained window objects according to the new arrangement mode; and displaying the window objects on the touch screen of mobile apparatus according to the calculated display position and display size. Accordingly, the window objects can be quickly arranged by the method to effectively enhance the efficiency of multi-operation on the mobile apparatus.
US09652106B2

A touch-screen interface circuit configured to operate in at least three modes comprises a first resistive x-plate having at least a first x-terminal connected in the first mode to a voltage supply and a second x-terminal connected in first mode to circuit ground; a voltage regulator circuit comprising a floating reference voltage source connected in first mode to the second x-terminal, and to a first input of a touch-screen reference buffer circuit having a second input connected in first mode to the first x-terminal; the voltage regulator circuit arranged to control in first mode a connection between the voltage supply and the first x-terminal; and a second resistive y-plate having at least a first y-terminal and being arranged to apply a wiper contact to the first x-plate, the wiper contact having an x-position, y-position and pressure.
US09652093B2

A touch-sensitive position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged to cross one another in a pattern to define a sensing surface. The sensing surface has a rectangular shape which is formed into a cylinder such that first and second opposing edges of the sensing surface are adjacent one another. A controller is coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to measure changes in an electrical parameter, e.g. capacitance or resistance, associated with the first and second electrodes caused by the presence of the object adjacent the sensing surface. The controller is further operable to determine a reported position for the object from these measurements in a coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. At least some of the electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that object positions along a straight line between the first and second opposing edges on the sensing surface correspond with reported positions along a closed curve in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes. Thus, a continuous movement around a circumference of the cylindrical sensing surface is reported as a continuous movement around a closed path in the coordinate system defined relative to the electrodes.
US09652082B1

Some implementations include electronic devices having space efficient component configurations. In some instances, an electronic device may include an electronic display, a light source, and a lightguide having one or more reflective surfaces. This disclosure describes, in part, configurations of these and other components that create opportunities for efficiently using space associated with the electronic device.
US09652074B2

A composite touchscreen incorporates acoustic pulse recognition sensing and capacitive sensing technology. The hybrid screen incorporates the advantages of each technology while minimizing the drawbacks. When such a screen is incorporated in a gaming device specialized gestures and functions can be implemented that enhance the interface, the range of games, and the gaming experience.
US09652063B2

An input direction determination system includes an input direction determination section that determines the input direction based on a reference point and the indication position, and a reference point change section that determines whether or not to change the reference point based on an angle formed by a first direction that is determined by the reference point and an indication position at a first timing or a timing that precedes the first timing, and a second direction that is determined by the indication position at the first timing and an indication position at a second timing that follows the first timing, or an angle formed by connection lines that connect indication positions at different timings, and changes the reference point.
US09652062B2

A display control device includes: a display; a touch panel being capable of detecting a gesture; a judgment portion that judges whether or not a screen displayed on the display allows users to operate a display data object with a gesture; a memory; an image generator that determines an image size, that generates an image data object identical with the display data object in the determined image size, and that stores the generated image data object on the memory, upon the screen being judged as allowing users to operate the display data object with a gesture; and a display controller that updates the display data object with the image data object generated by the image generator and stored on the memory, in response to a gesture being performed on the screen, the screen being judged as allowing users to operate the display data object with a gesture.
US09652052B2

There is provided an optical mini-mouse including a mouse case and a navigation module. The mouse case includes a valley and a flat region arranged along a length direction and the valley extends along a width direction. When the mouse case is rotated about the valley, the navigation module is configured to detect a rotation.
US09652047B2

Visual gestures in a display device allow a user to select and activate features in a display of the display device. A sensor of the display device tracks an eye gaze of a user directed at a display of the display device. A visual gesture module identifies a predefined trigger zone in the display. A virtual object application displays a virtual object in the display based on the eye gaze of the user and the predefined trigger zone.
US09652041B2

A haptic output device having an actuator and a processor is presented. The actuator is configured to generate a haptic effect. The processor is configured: (i) to communicate a driving signal to the actuator, wherein the driving signal comprises at least one cycle of a periodic signal, and wherein the driving signal has a first frequency that is different than a resonant frequency of the actuator; (ii) to determine, based on the first frequency of the driving signal, a starting time of a braking signal, wherein a frequency of the braking signal is the resonant frequency of the actuator; (iii) to determine, based on the first frequency of the driving signal, an amplitude of the braking signal; and (iv) to communicate the braking signal to the actuator at the determined starting time and at the determined amplitude.
US09652040B2

An electronic device may generate a canceling component that reduces or eliminates the unforced response for a base waveform applied to a component haptic output device of the electronic device. The electronic device may create a sculpted waveform that has no or reduced unforced response and may store the created sculpted waveform. The electronic device may apply the sculpted waveform to the component haptic output device. In one embodiment, a space of at least possible parameters may be defined. Canceling component corresponding to points in the space may be iteratively tested. A heat map may be generated based on the unforced response cancellation or elimination of the canceling components corresponding to the points. Based at least on the heat map, a canceling component may be selected. A sculpted waveform may then be generated by combining the base waveform with the canceling component.
US09652039B2

Management methods and systems for item change are provided. First, a plurality of items are provided. An instruction for performing a change between the items is received. When the change between the items is performed, a notification is generated to inform the performance of the corresponding change.
US09652036B2

A device includes a detection unit that detects states of eyelids of a user, and a control unit that performs operations in response to the states of the eyelids of the user detected by the detection unit.
US09652035B2

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for device interaction via a heads-up display determines an area of sight of a first entity employing a first heads-up display, and establishes interaction between at least one first device and the first heads-up display in response to detecting at least an impact of the determined area of sight on at least one second device. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for interacting with a device via a heads-up display in substantially the same manners described above.
US09652031B1

A device configured with a user interface (UI) that changes based on a position of a user determines the position of the user through multiple data sources including camera based head tracking and output from motion sensors such as a gyroscope. Each data source may output its own estimated head position. The device may apply a reliability weight to the head position determined by each data source. A composite head position is then determined from the weighted position. The composite position is then used to render the UI.
US09652030B2

A touchless human computer interface (HCI) provides a virtual surface in three-dimensional space and a zone of restriction for defining a level of sensitivity to movements in order to cancel noise that may be caused by natural wobble of a human appendage. The touchless HCI may receive input regarding a user movement, process the input to generate clean gesture data and analyze at least one dynamic variable to determine an interpreted action based upon a relationship of the clean gesture data with respect to the virtual surface.
US09652029B2

A visual system includes one or more units, where each unit is a displaying unit or a video camera, or a combination of both, and each unit has a receiver. The unit has a transmitter which starts transmitting infrequent, short repetitive bursts if no bursts are received by the receiver; and otherwise transmits a delayed short burst synchronized to the infrequent, short repetitive bursts by the transmitter, in order to synchronize all units in the visual system to each other, while the infrequent, short repetitive bursts will not interfere nor will be interfered by the general use of remote controllers for other purposes.
US09652019B2

A system and method for efficient management of operating modes within an integrated circuit (IC) for optimal power and performance targets. A semiconductor chip includes processing units each of which operates with respective operating parameters. Temperature sensors are included to measure a temperature of the one or more processing units during operation. A power manager determines a calculated power value independent of thermal conditions and current draw. The power manager reads each of a first thermal design power (TDP) value for the processing units and a second TDP value for a platform housing the semiconductor chip. The power manager determines a ratio of the first TDP value to the second TDP value. Additionally, the power manager determines another ratio of the first TDP value to the calculated power value. Using the measured temperature, the ratios and the calculated power value, the power manager determines a manner to adjust the operating parameters.
US09652018B2

Methods and apparatus relating to multi-level CPU (Central Processing Unit) high current protection are described. In one embodiment, different workloads may be assigned different license types and/or weights based on micro-architectural events (such as uop (micro-operation) types and sizes) and/or data types. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US09652015B2

A capacitance sensing circuit receives an application of a power supply. The capacitance sensing circuit controls a switch circuit to connect the power supply to a processing device responsive to the application of the power supply. The capacitance sensing circuit receives, via a control interface and from the processing device, control information to configure the capacitance sensing circuit. The capacitance sensing circuit disconnects the power supply from the processing device subsequent to receiving the control information.
US09652011B2

Embodiments relate to multi-contact sensor devices and operating methods thereof that can reduce or eliminate offset error. In embodiments, sensor devices can comprise three or more contacts, and multiple such sensor devices can be combined. The sensor devices can comprise Hall sensor devices, such as vertical Hall devices, or other sensor types in embodiments. Operating modes can be implemented for the multi-contact sensor devices which offer significant modifications of and improvements over conventional spinning current principles, including reduced residual offset.
US09652005B2

A heat transfer component of a smart watch captures at least a portion of heat emitted by one or more electronic components located within an enclosure of the smart watch. The heat transfer component transfers at least a portion of the captured heat to a wrist band outside the enclosure of the smart watch. The wrist band allows for dissipation of at least a portion of the transferred heat through at least one surface of the wrist band.
US09652003B2

A heat dissipation assembly includes a main body, a heat conductor element, and a heat dissipation member. The heat conductor element is mounted to the main body and in thermal conductive contact with at least one electronic component. The heat dissipation member is mounted to the main body and is in thermal conductive communication with the heat conductor element. The heat generated by the at least one electronic component is transmitted through the heat conductor element to the heat dissipation member.
US09652002B2

A tablet computer with modular assembly having interchangeable end cap portions, and a method for installing the same. The assembly provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The modular assembly has a tablet carrier encasing a selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing enclosing the tablet carrier. The exterior housing contains at least one battery and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes end cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The end caps can be interchanged. The tablet carrier and/or exterior housing can also include one or more programmable buttons with actuators for electromechanically actuating a button or an application associated with the tablet.
US09651996B2

A flexible substrate, a display device and a method for bonding an electronic device onto a flexible substrate are disclosed. The flexible substrate includes a base substrate, the base substrate includes a bonding portion for bonding an electronic device and an auxiliary bonding portion integrally formed with the bonding portion, the auxiliary bonding portion and the bonding portion are disposed back to back, and the bonding portion completely falls into a region where the auxiliary bonding portion is provided in an orthographic projection direction. With an auxiliary bonding portion being disposed beside the bonding portion for bonding the electronic devices such as ICs and FPCs, when bonding the electronic device onto the bonding portion, the auxiliary bonding portion can enhance the strength of the bonding portion and improve the bonding alignment precision and contact property of the electronic device, which further improves the non-defect ratio of the flexible display device and has a lower cost.
US09651993B2

A docking device used for attaching a portable electronic device thereon including a base, a lever, a button, and a locking member is provided. The lever pivoting in the base has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The button and the locking member are movably disposed in the base respectively such that the button and the locking member are extruded out or hidden in the base respectively, wherein the button is located on a moving path of the first end, and the locking member is located on a moving path of the second end. When the portable electronic device is assembled to the docking device, the portable electronic device presses the button into the base to drive the first end, such that the second end drives the locking member out of the base to lock with the portable electronic device.
US09651990B2

Portable electronic device capable of processing information, said portable electronic device including a body arranged to be capable of being secured to the user, and at least one electronic assembly for processing information, the body of the portable electronic device being formed by a layer of plastic material which gives the portable electronic device a shape and thickness, characterized in that the portable electronic device includes a first impermeable plastic film which serves as a coating for the layer of plastic material, and a second impermeable plastic film secured to the periphery of the first impermeable plastic film, and in that the electronic assembly for processing information is arranged between the first and second impermeable plastic films.The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device.
US09651987B2

A portable display device may include a display unit configured to display an image, the display unit including: a first display portion configured to display an image; a second display portion configured to display an image, the second display portion disposed spaced apart from the first display portion; and a connection portion configured to connect to the first display portion and the second display portion to each other; and an input unit configured to slide into and out from the display unit, wherein one of the first display portion and the second display portion is configured to rotate around the connection portion, and the first display portion and the second display portion configured to form an expanded display portion.
US09651974B2

A system and method for measuring length of an electrical power transmission line, and for estimating the average temperature of the line over the measured length. A signal is applied to the line and reflected from a reflection point to obtain a present measure of the line's length. A modified catenary equation uses the length measurement and other variables to estimate average temperature. This temperature measurement can then be used to determine how much power the line is presently capable of safely carrying.
US09651967B2

Various exemplary embodiments relate a system and method for supplying power. The system may include an input/output port, a regulator, and a clamp. The regulator may supply power to the input/output port in a first mode, sink current from the input/output port in a second mode, and be disabled in a third mode. The clamp may be disabled in the first and second modes, and may limit the voltage at the input/output port below a first value in the third mode.
US09651965B2

A linear regulator circuit includes a power transistor coupled between an input voltage node and an output voltage node. A control circuit of the linear regulator includes a feedback network having an input coupled to the output voltage node and an output configured to generate a feedback voltage. An error amplifier receives a reference voltage and the feedback voltage to generate an error signal. A driver circuit receives the error signal and has an output coupled to drive a control terminal of the power transistor. A first power supply terminal of the driver circuit is coupled to a first power supply node and a second power supply terminal of the driver circuit is coupled to the output voltage node. The bias current for operation of the driver circuit is accordingly directly sourced to the output voltage node to support low quiescent current operation of the regulator circuit.
US09651958B2

An electronic device includes a power supply, a ground, and an intermediate ground having a voltage less than a voltage of the power supply and greater than a voltage of the ground. The electronic device also includes an error amplifier having an input stage coupled between the power supply and the ground, and an output stage coupled between the power supply and the intermediate ground. A ballast transistor is coupled to receive an output from the error amplifier. A feedback circuit is coupled to an output of the ballast transistor to generate feedback signals, and the error amplifier operates in response to the feedback signals.
US09651951B2

A device for opening and closing according to the invention relates to an aircraft door (2) hinged around an axis (6) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis the aircraft comprising a motorized mechanism and a driving system combined with a control device comprising a system for acquisition of the angular position of the door (2) relative to the structure (4) the aircraft, where said angular position acquisition system for the door comprises at least one inclinometer (20) combined with the door (2).
US09651946B1

Particular embodiments also include a optimization and simulation service that can analyze different variables for scheduling the satellites. The optimization and simulation service operates automatically to schedule satellites and ground stations to obtain their highest attainable performance relative to the system operator's goals as well as to respond to various unexpected behavior or events and performance variations, modifying the schedule accordingly. The optimization and simulation service leverages the sparsity of the system in the optimization such that the optimization and simulation service can calculate the change in utility for one satellite without reference to unimpacted satellite schedules. This allows the schedule to be calculated efficiently and provides optimum usage of the satellites.
US09651940B2

A numerical control device for controlling a machine tool while sequentially reading out an NC program from a host computer includes an external program invoking unit configured to invoke an encrypted NC program, a communication setting information storing unit configured to store setting information for communicating with the host computer, an NC program acquisition determining unit, an encrypted NC program acquisition request transmitting unit, an encrypted NC program decrypting unit, and an NC program display prohibiting unit.
US09651931B2

Safety and/or reliability may he improved in industrial control systems by optimally utilizing integrated circuit elements to reduce the amount of components required and to provide cross monitoring. In one aspect, circuitry that is part of an Integrated Circuit (IC) for controlling a first channel may also be used to monitor and provide safe operation for circuitry for controlling a second channel, and the circuitry for controlling the second channel may similarly be used to monitor and provide safe operation for the circuitry controlling the first channel. Circuitry may include a windowed watchdog circuit which may be used to monitor various events of the other circuitry, and safe operation may be provided by removing power from the other circuitry to provide a safe state.
US09651929B2

A thermal behavior model of a building may be constructed based on time series data. Based on the constructed thermal behavior model, forecasted zone temperature and energy usage for a next control time period may be predicted. An objective function may be constructed based on at least a dynamically priced grid energy cost, occupant comfort matrix, and one or more of: energy storage system cost and associated operational cost, and energy generation system cost and associated green house emission cost and associated operational cost. Constraints may be constructed based on at least the forecasted zone temperature values and energy usage values for the next control time period. A control profile of the HVAC system and sourcing decision of energy load of the HVAC system may be determined simultaneously based on the objective function and the plurality of constraints.
US09651925B2

The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network. In an embodiment, the network includes a first zone and a second zone. The first zone has a first demand unit and a first subnet controller configured to control an operation of the first demand unit via a data bus. The second zone has a second demand unit and a second subnet controller configured to control an operation of the second demand unit via the data bus. The second subnet controller is further configured to communicate with the first subnet controller via the data bus.
US09651921B1

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing a metronome embedded in a search results page. One example computer-implemented method includes displaying, by a mobile computing device, a search results webpage that includes a metronome user interface. The method includes receiving, by the mobile computing device, a user input that requests implementation of the metronome at a tempo. In response to receiving the user input, the method includes generating, by the mobile computing device, an audio clip that exhibits the tempo. The method includes using, by the mobile computing device, an audio player application to play the audio clip. The audio player application does not experience interruption or latency when the mobile computing device transitions to a lock screen state during playback of the audio clip.
US09651913B2

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes an apparatus main body, an opening/closing door movably supported by the apparatus main body so as to be capable of opening a conveyance path through which a sheet is conveyed, a sensor lever configured to rotate when pushed by the sheet in the conveyance path, a holder rotatably holding the sensor lever and movably supported by the opening/closing door, a positioning portion provided in the apparatus main body and configured to perform positioning of the holder by coming into contact with the holder, and a sheet detection sensor provided in the apparatus main body and configured to generate a signal corresponding to the position of the sensor lever.
US09651911B2

A print apparatus that binds sheets at corners includes printing images onto the sheets, performing binding processing at specified corners using any of a first binding unit that performs the binding processing by being displaced to a plurality of positions and a second binding unit that performs the binding processing at a fixed single position, reversing the sheets via a conveyance path provided for reversing the sheets, and controlling permitting execution of the binding processing using the first or the second binding unit in a case where the sheets to be used are sheets of a type permitted to be reversed, and permitting execution of the binding processing using the first binding unit while prohibiting execution of the binding processing with use of the second binding unit in a case where the sheets to be used are sheets of a type prohibited from being reversed.
US09651909B2

When it is judged that a predetermined operation for eliminating a cause for stopping a job is being executed, a following job is restricted from being executed prior to a stopped job. A control method for controlling a job processing apparatus for storing received jobs in a storage unit and sequentially executing the stored jobs includes determining, when a cause for stopping the job to be executed is generated, whether a state in which the cause for stopping the job is not eliminated has continued for a predetermined time, executing, when it is determined that the state in which the cause for stopping the job is not eliminated has continued for the predetermined time, a following job that follows the job is executed prior to the job, judging whether a predetermined operation for eliminating the cause for stopping the job is being executed, and restricting, when it is judged that a predetermined operation for eliminating the cause for stopping the job is being executed, the following job is restricted from being executed prior to the job.
US09651907B1

An image forming apparatus includes a density adjusting unit that executes first formation of forming a first color sample in a transfer area on an image carrier, first adjustment of adjusting output characteristics of an image forming unit to reduce a difference between a measured density of the first color sample and a first target density, second formation of forming a second color sample in a non-transfer area on the image carrier, second adjustment of adjusting the output characteristics to reduce a difference between a measured density of the second color sample and a second target density, and third adjustment of adjusting the output characteristics to reduce a difference in output density between the transfer and non-transfer areas, if the difference between the measured density of the second color sample and the second target density exceeds a predetermined extent after repeating the second formation and the second adjustment.
US09651906B2

An image forming apparatus, which is provided with a display device including a plurality of segments, registers a number having digits larger than the digits that can be displayed on the display device as a specific symbol other than numbers from 0 to 9 to be displayed on the display device including the plurality of segments, and controls the display device including the plurality of segments to display the registered arbitrary number when the display device including the plurality of segments is instructed to display the specific symbol.
US09651893B2

An image forming apparatus includes a development device, a toner container which includes data indicating whether the toner container is an installation toner container or a replacement toner container and a memory storing the value of a remaining amount related item, a supply portion, a read/write portion which performs the reading and writing of the memory and a control portion which reduces the present value of the remaining amount related item according to the number of sheets printed. When in a state where installation has already been performed, the installation toner container is attached, the control portion stores, in the memory, a value based on the remaining amount of toner before the installation.
US09651892B2

A supply member of this wet type image forming apparatus has a surface rotating in a direction the same as a surface of a developer carrier at the same peripheral velocity at a portion abutting to the developer carrier. A control unit causes toner particles on the supply member to move to the developer carrier by providing a potential difference between the developer carrier and the supply member and controls an amount of toner particles on a latent image carrier by controlling electric power of a first charging member.
US09651887B2

The problem of the present invention is to be capable of executing color shift correction processing also in consideration of a mechanical inclination component in an image forming device. For solving the problem, the image forming device according to the present invention comprises information processing unit, first measurement requesting unit, holding unit of curve information, notifying unit of curve information, receiving unit of a measurement pattern image, measurement processing unit, determining unit of a result of the measurement processing, and second measurement requesting unit.
US09651885B2

An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes toner particles that each include a toner core and a shell layer disposed over a surface of the toner core. The shell layer contains a hydrophobic thermoplastic resin and a hydrophilic thermosetting resin. The hydrophobic thermoplastic resin is contained in an amount of no less than 0.2% by mass and no greater than 4.7% by mass relative to mass of the toner particles. The hydrophilic thermosetting resin is contained in an amount of no less than 0.01% by mass and no greater than 0.71% by mass relative to mass of the toner particles. The hydrophobic thermoplastic resin is exposed at a surface of each of the toner particles.
US09651875B2

An illumination system is disclosed having a polarization member that includes first and second polarization modifiers movable into at least partial intersection with a radiation beam such that the respective polarization modifier applies a modified polarization to at least part of the beam. The illumination system further includes an array of individually controllable reflective elements positioned to receive the radiation beam after it has passed the polarization member, and a controller configured to control movement of the first and second polarization modifiers such that the first and second polarization modifiers intersect with different portions of the radiation beam.
US09651873B2

A liquid immersion member used in an immersion exposure apparatus, and capable of forming a liquid immersion space on a surface of an object opposite to an emitting surface of an optical member which emits exposure light. The liquid immersion member includes a first member that includes a first part disposed at surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light, and in which a first opening part, through which the exposure light is able to pass, and a first liquid supply part, is disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the first opening part and capable of opposing the surface of the object, are provided at the first part, and a second member includes a first liquid recovery part which can be opposing the surface of the object and is movable with respect to the first member outside the first part with respect to the optical path.
US09651868B2

A substrate processing apparatus includes: a rotary cylindrical member (DR) that includes a cylindrical supporting surface curved with a constant radius from a predetermined center line (AX2) and that feeds a substrate (P) in a length direction of the substrate; a processing mechanism that performs a predetermined process on the substrate at a specific position (PA, EL2) of a part of the substrate; a scale member (SD) that rotates about the center line along with the rotary cylindrical member so as to measure a displacement in a circumferential direction of the supporting surface of the rotary cylindrical member or a displacement in a direction of the center line of the rotary cylindrical member and that includes a scale portion (GP) carved in a ring shape; and a reading mechanism (EN1, EN2) that faces the scale portion, that is disposed in substantially a same direction as the specific position when viewed from the center line, and that reads the scale portion.
US09651867B2

Disclosed are a compound and composition for forming a lower film, which are used in a process for forming a resist pattern by means of the directed self-assembly of a block copolymer (BCP). Also disclosed is a method for forming a lower film using same. The compound for forming a lower film of a resist pattern according to the present invention has the structure of formula 1 of claim 1.
US09651861B2

A directed self-assembling composition for pattern formation includes a block copolymer. The block copolymer includes a polystyrene block having a styrene unit, and a polyalkyl (meth)acrylate block having an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit. The block copolymer has a group that is bound to at least one end of a main chain of the block copolymer and that includes a hetero atom.
US09651856B2

Methods and systems for determining a source shape, a mask shape and a target shape for a lithography process are disclosed. One such method includes receiving source, mask and target constraints and formulating an optimization problem that is based on the source, mask and target constraints and incorporates contour-based assessments for the target shape that are based on physical design quality of a circuit. Further, the optimization problem is solved by integrating over process condition variations to simultaneously determine the source shape, the mask shape and the target shape. In addition, the determined source shape and mask shape are output.
US09651853B2

A light source device includes a phosphor layer having a side surface, a bottom surface, and an upper surface opposed to the bottom surface, a substrate disposed on the bottom surface side of the phosphor layer, and a reflecting member disposed outside the phosphor layer. The phosphor layer generates fluorescence in response to irradiation with excitation light. The fluorescence generated in the phosphor layer is emitted from the upper surface and the side surface. The fluorescence emitted from the side surface enters the reflecting member.
US09651846B2

This invention relates to particles for electrophoretic displays, a process for their preparation, electrophoretic fluids comprising such particles, and electrophoretic display devices comprising such fluids.
US09651844B2

Provided is a reversible electrochemical mirror including a first substrate, a second substrate on the first substrate and spaced apart from the first substrate, a first transparent electrode on the first substrate, a second transparent electrode under the second substrate, a semi-transmissive film between the second substrate and the second transparent electrode, a barrier rib having a chamber between the first and second transparent electrode and an electrolyte solution filled in the chamber.
US09651834B2

A liquid crystal including: a first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode disposed in one pixel area; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, wherein an area of a region occupied by the first subpixel electrode is less than an area of a region occupied by the second subpixel electrode. Each of the first and second subpixels has a cross-shaped stem and minute branches extending from it to improve side visibility quality and gray scale uniformity.
US09651833B2

A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate, the pixel electrode including a cross stem and a plurality of minute branches extending from the cross stem. The cross stem includes a horizontal stem and a vertical stem crossing the horizontal stem. The liquid crystal display device further includes a second substrate facing the first substrate, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the minute branches includes a first side forming an angle of about 45° with the horizontal stem and a second side forming an angle of less than about 45° with the horizontal stem.
US09651815B2

A self-capacitance in-cell touch screen including a glass array substrate, thin film transistors disposed on the substrate, and pixel electrodes electrically connected with the thin film transistors, a planarizing layer between the pixel electrodes and the thin film transistors. The transparent touch control sensing electrode, a first insulation layer, a second insulation layer, and a metal connection line are disposed on the planarizing layer in sequence. The metal connection line is electrically connected to the touch control sensing electrode through via holes. The first insulation layer is between the planarizing layer and the pixel electrode, and the second insulation layer is located on the pixel electrode. The touch control sensing electrodes are common electrodes to transfer a common voltage and a touch scan signal by time-sharing during a period of displaying one frame image. A method of manufacturing self-capacitance in-cell touch screens and a liquid crystal displays is also disclosed.
US09651811B2

A display device includes a substrate, a cover layer, a liquid crystal layer, at least one electrode, and a sealant layer. The cover layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a tunnel-shaped cavity. The liquid crystal layer is disposed in the tunnel-shaped cavity. The at least one electrode is configured to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer. The sealant layer is configured to seal the tunnel-shaped cavity. The liquid crystal layer includes a plurality of domains defined by liquid crystal molecules pre-aligned in different directions.
US09651810B2

A display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate. The first and substrate includes a plurality of pixel areas and a non-pixel area disposed adjacent to the pixel areas. The display panel further includes a plurality of signal lines disposed on the second substrate. The display panel further includes a color filter disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate. The display panel further includes an inorganic layer disposed on the color filter layer, an organic layer disposed on the inorganic layer, and a conductive layer disposed on the organic layer.
US09651806B2

A liquid crystal display panel (1) includes a TFT substrate (10), a CF substrate (20) facing the TFT substrate (10), a frame region around a display region (D), and a sealing material (26) in the frame region. The frame region includes a wide frame region (F1) adjacent to a terminal region (T), and a narrow frame region (F2) having a smaller width than the wide frame region (F1). A dummy structure (2) overlapping the sealing material (26) as viewed from above is in the CF substrate (20) in the wide frame region (F1).
US09651803B2

An integrated optical modulator includes, in part, a pair of waveguides and an inductor. The first waveguide is adapted to receive an incoming optical signal. The second waveguide includes a portion placed in proximity of the first waveguide so as to enable the incoming optical signal travelling in the first waveguide to couple to the second waveguide. The second waveguide comprises a p-n junction. The inductor has a first terminal coupled to the p-n junction and a second terminal coupled to a contact pad. The second waveguide has a circular shape. The inductor optionally has a spiral shape.
US09651798B1

A thermoplastic film that can be applied to various skin-engaging portions (e.g., the nose pads and/or earpieces) of a pair of eyeglasses to prevent slippage of the eyeglasses. The thermoplastic film comprises a composition that reacts to the wearer's body heat to become sticky. The resultant bond with the wearer's skin is sufficiently strong so as to prevent the pair of eyeglasses from slipping due to sudden movement, and is resistant to perspiration, oil or the like.
US09651797B2

A lens drive apparatus that displaces a lens holder in a direction of an optical axis and a direction orthogonal to the optical axis comprises: an assembly that is formed by assembling the lens holder together with a magnet disposed around the lens holder; a housing that has a base and a cover that are configured to house the assembly; a coil that is disposed at a position facing the magnet in the housing and displaces the assembly in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis in collaboration with the magnet; and a Hall device that is provided to the base and detects a position of the magnet in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis.
US09651795B2

An image display device includes: a light source that emits a beam having a spreading angle in a first direction and a spreading angle in a second direction, which is smaller than the spreading angle in the first direction, in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; an afocal optical system member that has a focal point and changes the beam emitted by the light source into a parallel beam; an anisotropic diffusion plate that is arranged at the focal point and that widens at least the spreading angle in the second direction; a vibration unit that vibrates the anisotropic diffusion plate; a fly-eye lens array on which the parallel beam emitted from the afocal optical system member becomes incident; an image display element that modulates the beam that has passed through the fly-eye lens array into image display light.
US09651786B1

Apparatus and method of reducing light leakage from display devices are described. An embodiment of reducing light leakage from display devices includes providing an optical shutter that is configured to block light from a display device from being emitted into the ambient environment when the display device is in a bright state and configured to display visual information to the user. The optical shutter can be configured to transmit light from the ambient environment to the user when the display device is not displaying visual information.
US09651782B2

Provided are a tracking display system, a tracking display program, a tracking display method, a wearable device using these, a tracking display program for the wearable device, and a manipulation method for the wearable device that enhance the manipulability of a program in a stereoscopic space. The tracking display system of the present invention includes: a display unit that displays a view object in a virtual space; a detection unit that detects an image of a target in a real space, the target being for selecting the view object; and a control unit that controls at least a position of the view object. Further, the control unit displays the view object such that the view object tracks a motion of the target, in a case where the control unit determines that the view object and the image of the target overlap with each other in the display unit.
US09651780B2

A vehicular information display device is equipped with a first reflection portion that is formed by a front windshield itself or a combiner that is provided on the front windshield, a second reflection portion that is formed by a second combiner that is provided apart from the front windshield, and a floodlight that projects display light onto the first reflection portion and the second reflection portion. The vehicular information display device is characterized in that the first reflection portion and the second reflection portion generate a three-dimensional indication with a virtual image according to the first reflection portion and a virtual image according to the second reflection portion superimposed on each other, or an integral indication with a virtual image according to the first reflection portion and a virtual image according to the second reflection portion integrated with each other.
US09651777B2

An oscillation device includes an oscillator, an oscillation detection unit that detects oscillation of the oscillator and outputs an oscillation detection signal, and a drive unit that generates a drive signal in keeping with the oscillation detection signal and outputs the drive signal to the oscillator. The drive unit includes a phase shift unit that shifts the phase to provide the drive signal as positive feedback to the oscillator. The phase shift unit includes a disturbance generating unit that outputs the periodic signal, a fluctuation unit that causes the amount of phase shift to fluctuate based on the periodic signal, a drive amplitude detection unit that detects the amplitude of the drive signal and outputs a drive amplitude signal, a product detection unit that outputs a detection signal after performing product detection on the drive amplitude signal based on the periodic signal, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the phase-shift amount based on the detection signal.
US09651776B2

A scanner apparatus includes: a scanner having a mirror that is driven into resonance in a first direction; a scanner holder holding the scanner and rotatable about an axis extending in a direction parallel to the first direction; and a driver that oscillates the scanner holder, and the scanner holder includes: a first holding portion holding the scanner; a second holding portion connected to the first holding portion and holding the driver; a connecting portion connected to the second holding portion; and an elastic portion connected to the connecting portion and having elasticity.
US09651767B2

An image processing apparatus for an endoscope, the image processing apparatus to which, any of a plurality of insertion units respectively having imaging devices with numbers of pixels different from one another being installed therein, is detachably connected and which processes an image signal captured by that imaging device and outputs the processed image signal as image data, the image processing apparatus including: an image signal processing unit that converts a pixel density of the image signal to a high density and generates a standard image signal of a predetermined amount of data.
US09651765B2

A method for separating detection signals in the beam path of an optical device, different signals being formed in a defined temporal sequence, is wherein a suppression or separation of signals is performed on the basis of the temporal sequence which is known or can be determined/established.
US09651763B2

The present invention discloses a co-aperture broadband infrared optical system, belonging to the field of infrared optical system. The system realizes long wave infrared (LWIR) imaging and broadband infrared spectrum measurement, and solves the problems of limited optical path layout, large volume and high cost of an optical system. The present invention includes a Cassegrain lens, a spectroscope, a reflector, several lens groups, an FPA interface and an optical fiber interface. Light (2 μm˜12 μm) is incident to the Cassegrain lens to be focused, then is split by the spectroscope, where 50% of the LWIR light (8 μm˜10 μm) passes through the lens group for aberration correction, and the image plane is focused again at the imaging interface. The other 50% of the LWIR light (8 μm˜10 μm) and the infrared reflected light (2 μm˜8 μm and 10 μm˜12 μm) pass through the lens group, and are reflected by the reflector, then focused at the optical fiber interface. The present invention is compact in overall structure and convenient and flexible to use, has relatively low cost, and can be integrated into an image-spectrum associated detection device to implement automatic detection and tracking, which can be widely used in civil and military fields such as environmental monitoring and infrared guidance.
US09651761B2

A five-group zoom lens including, in order from the object side, positive, negative, negative, positive, and positive groups. The first group includes a negative meniscus lens with the concave surface toward the image side, a positive lens and a positive lens. The second group includes a negative lens with the image-side surface having an absolute value of curvature radius smaller than that of the object side surface, a biconcave lens, and a biconvex lens. The third group includes a negative lens with the object side surface having an absolute value of curvature radius smaller than that of the image-side surface, and is moved during focusing on a closer object. The fifth group includes a positive fifth-A group including a biconvex lens, and a negative fifth-B group including a biconcave lens and a biconvex lens, wherein condition expression (1) is satisfied: −4
US09651760B2

An imaging lens consists essentially of, in order from the object side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a stop, and a positive third lens group. Focusing is effected by moving only the second lens group along the optical axis direction. Each of the first lens group and the third lens group includes at least three positive lenses and at least two negative lenses. The imaging lens satisfies the condition expression (1) below: 0.53<−f2/f<0.9  (1), where f2 is a focal length of the second lens group, and f is a focal length of the entire system when the imaging lens is focused on an object at infinity.
US09651758B2

A five-piece optical lens for capturing image and a five-piece optical module for capturing image, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, include a first lens with refractive power having an object-side surface which can be convex; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; a fourth lens with negative refractive power; and a fifth lens which can have negative refractive power, wherein an image-side surface thereof can be concave, and at least one surface of the fifth lens has an inflection point; both surfaces of each of the five lenses are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras.
US09651755B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of fiber optic connectivity, and more specifically, to systems and methods for connecting fiber optic transceivers. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a system which enables the interconnection of fiber optic transceivers such as, for example, 24-fiber transceivers like the 100GBASE-SR10 transceivers while maintaining appropriate fiber polarity.
US09651746B2

An optoelectronic device and a method for assembling an optoelectronic device are provided which obviate the need for providing additional structural elements only for aligning purposes, thus reducing the costs and effort for manufacturing the optoelectronic device. An optoelectronic substrate is mounted on a mounting surface of a mounting substrate; a coupling region of the optoelectronic device faces a reflection element. A fiber endpiece is arranged at a mounting distance from the mounting surface, the mounting distance being larger than a distance of the coupling region from the mounting surface. The mounting surface is exposed and free of any further substrates, layers or structures for mechanically connecting or contacting the optical fiber. A fiber portion which is arranged at a distance from the fiber endpiece contacts a glue droplet arranged on or above the mounting surface of the mounting substrate.
US09651745B2

An optical connector module includes a substrate including a base disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; an electronic chip disposed on the upper surface of the substrate; an optical component disposed on the base and electrically connected to the electronic chip; a socket fixed on the substrate for coving the optical component, and including at least one guide hole and a light transmitting window; a fixing block including at least one guide pin and at least one opening, wherein the guide pin is inserted into the guide hole to fix the fixing block on the socket and to orient the opening to the optical component via the light transmitting window; and an optical fiber with one end running through the opening of the fixing block to orient the end to the optical component via the light transmitting window.
US09651733B2

A back plate, a method for manufacturing the back plate and a backlight module are provided. The method for manufacturing the back plate includes the following steps. A main body is provided. The main body includes a bottom portion and at least one sidewall connected to the bottom portion. The sidewall has a plurality of grooves, and each of the grooves has a first side surface and a second side surface. A first recess and a second recess corresponding to the first recess are respectively disposed on the first side surface and the second side surface. An external force is applied on the bottom portion to form each of the bottom portion and the sidewalls into arc shape, in which the first side surface contacts the second side surface of each groove, and a hole portion is formed between the first recess and the second recess.
US09651726B2

A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. In the first zone the layers provide a first reflective polarizer characteristic, and in a second zone the layers provide a substantially different reflective polarizer characteristic. The second zone is characterized by at least some of the layers having a reduced birefringence relative to their birefringence in the first zone. In some cases the first reflective polarizer characteristic may have a pass axis that is substantially orthogonal to that of the second reflective polarizer characteristic. The film may have substantially the same thickness in the first and second zones, or a substantially reduced thickness in the second zone relative to the first zone.
US09651721B2

A retroreflective article and method is provided. The retroreflective article includes a first transparent layer having a back surface with retroreflective prisms, and a planar front surface that has an index of refraction n1. A second transparent layer having an index of refraction n2 is less than n1 overlies the back surface of the first layer. The second layer includes an array of uniform nanostructures of transparent material that define pores having a width that is less than one half of the wavelength of visible light. The nanostructures may be an array of parallel, same-sized nanorods that are obliquely oriented with respect to the first transparent layer, or a grid-like or parallel array of tapered nano-ridges of uniform size that define tapered pores or tapered grooves. The second layer preferably has a porosity greater than 60% so that the resulting index of refraction n1 is no larger than about 1.20.
US09651718B2

An optical apparatus including a substrate and a refractive element formed above the substrate. The refractive element including a surface with a predetermined radius of curvature, and a group of periodic structures formed on the surface configured to refract or to filter one or more wavelengths of an incident light.
US09651717B2

An optical lens includes a central optical portion and a mounting portion around the central optical portion. The central optical portion has a bottom and defines a central cavity recessed upwardly from the bottom. The central cavity is provided for receiving a light source therein. The bottom defines at least a frosted portion around the central cavity and at least a microstructure portion around the at least a frosted portion. A roughness of the at least a microstructure portion is larger than a roughness of the at least a frosted portion. The roughness of each of the at least a microstructure and frosted portion is gradually decreased alone a direction toward the central cavity.
US09651709B2

Systems and methods for distributed acoustic sensing based on coherent Rayleigh scattering are disclosed herein. A system comprises a pulse generator, optical fibers coupled to the pulse generator, an interferometer coupled to the optical fibers, a photodetector assembly coupled to the interferometer, and an information handling system configured to detect a difference in backscattered light from the optical fibers. A method comprises sending an optical pulses down optical fibers, receiving backscattered light from the optical pulses, combining the backscattered light from the optical pulses to form an interferometric signal, receiving the interferometric signal at a photodetector assembly, and determining a difference in the interferometric signal at an information handling system.
US09651703B2

Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.
US09651701B2

An arrangement for association with an MRI and detecting presence of ferrous material and discriminating out far field magnetic disturbance. The arrangement includes a detector configured to monitor the magnetic field and includes an array of sensors arranged about the periphery of an opening in a spaced arrangement such that each sensor is associated with a different portion of the opening. Each of the sensors is configured to output a signal having a value indicative of the sensed magnetic field at the associated portion of the opening. The arrangement includes a corrector configured to correct each signal value from the change in response to the far field magnetic disturbance and to provide respective corrected signal values. The arrangement includes a processor configured to use the corrected signal values to determine a ferrous-indicating limit is exceeded and to provide a safety response that addresses the ferrous-indicating limit exceed condition.
US09651700B2

Resistivity in subsurface earth at locations kilometers away from wells in the reservoirs is mapped and monitored. An electromagnetic source with an electrode is deployed a borehole in the reservoir, and a group of sensors at counter electrodes is deployed at a number of other locations radially spaced at some distance from the well. The source transmits a current which flows to the counter electrodes causing an electromagnetic field which is sensed at the sensors. The source is activated at different depths in the well and ratios of the electromagnetic field sensed with the source at different depths used to obtain data to map the resistivity. The sensors are capable of sensing electromagnetic fields along two orthogonal axes, and the measurements at a sensor along these axes used to reduce undesirable effects of noise and other factors on the data measurements.
US09651698B2

The invention discloses a multi-beam bathymetric chart construction method based on submarine digital depth model feature extraction. The method comprises the steps of: constructing a DDM (Digital Depth Model) based on raw multi-beam echo soundings; establishing a slope and second derivative composite model based on the DDM; extracting feature points based on DDM sub-blocks; querying the multi-beam depth based on the feature points; constructing the multi-beam bathymetric chart based on layers.
US09651693B2

Methods and systems for target oriented 4D binning of seismic data are presented. A target depth horizon is selected in the vicinity of where 4D changes are expected. Respectively for each data vintage, relationships between the seismic traces and reflection bins, associated with the depth surface, are established and the seismic traces are divided into common reflection angle subsets. The best matching traces from both vintages are selected for each reflection bin and output for further processing.
US09651690B2

A digital radiographic detector uses predetermined calibration information corresponding to a first operating temperature of the detector. The calibration data is accessible by the detector to compensate a radiographic image captured by the detector at a second operating temperature different than the first operating temperature. The operating temperature of the detector is monitored at approximately the time at which the radiographic image is captured at the second temperature.
US09651689B2

A detector arrangement (10) for the detection of ionizing radiation comprises at least one light sensing device (14) and a multifunctional coating (12) arranged in an interacting relation to said at least one light sensing device (14), whereby said multifunctional coating (12) is configured to perform the functions of reflecting light of a given wavelength; and converting at least part of thermal and/or epi-thermal neutrons entering said multifunctional coating (12) into light (15).
US09651683B2

An image pickup panel (1) includes: photodetection sections (10) each including a photodetector (11-1) and a receiver (11-2) which are integrally molded and having solder bumps (12) formed thereon, the photodetector converting received light into a current signal, the receiver converting the current signal into a voltage signal; and a wiring layer (20) including a wiring pattern installed therein and allowing the photodetection sections to be mounted thereon for respective pixels by the solder bumps, the wiring pattern being connected to the photodetection sections.
US09651680B2

The present invention relates generally to the field of gamma ray spectroscopy monitoring and a system for accomplishing same to monitor one or more aspects of various isotope production processes. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a monitoring system, and method of utilizing same, for monitoring one or more aspects of an isotope production process where the monitoring system comprises: (A) at least one sample cell; (B) at least one measuring port; (C) at least one adjustable collimator device; (D) at least one shutter; and (E) at least one high resolution gamma ray spectrometer.
US09651676B2

Methods, systems, and devices for monitoring a Real Time Clock (RTC) oscillator using Digital Signal Processing (DSP), where a resistance/capacitance (RC) oscillator is configured to output a digital pulse signal and a digital RTC Monitor Integrated Circuit (IC) is configured to monitor the RTC oscillator timing signal using the RC oscillator signal. In one aspect, the RTC Monitor IC includes an RTC input configured to receive the RTC oscillator timing signal; an RC input configured to receive the RC oscillator digital pulse signal; and an RTC reset output configured to output an RTC reset signal when a comparison of the RTC and RC oscillator inputs show the RTC oscillator has missed one or more clock cycles. A single wire input/output for both reset and interrupt signals between circuits is also described.
US09651672B2

A method and system for time synchronization in a mobile device are disclosed. The method includes negotiating a synchronization schedule. The synchronization schedule defines a plurality of synchronization times for receiving synchronization messages. The method further includes transitioning the mobile device from a first state to a second state to receive a synchronization message. The mobile device uses less power in the first state than the second state and the mobile device cannot receive the synchronization message when in the first state. The method further includes synchronizing a clock component in response to receiving the synchronization message.
US09651669B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for identifying an anomalous satellite in a multi-reference station environment.
US09651661B2

A method for processing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The method includes the step of receiving SAR data that has been collected to provide a representation of a target scene, and dividing the data into a plurality of sub-blocks each having a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels having a coordinate and an amplitude. A transformation performed on each of the sub-blocks includes the steps of: (i) computing a mean coordinate; (ii) subtracting the mean coordinate from the pixel's actual coordinate to arrive at a modified coordinate; (iii) multiplying the modified coordinate by the amplitude to arrive at an amplitude-modified coordinate; (iv) creating a covariance matrix using the amplitude-modified coordinates; (v) performing a singular value decomposition on the covariance matrix to arrive at a vector; and (vi) associating an angle with the calculated vector.
US09651659B2

Methods of estimating vehicle location in a roadway using an automatic vehicle identification system are described. The methods involve receiving a set of response signals from a vehicle-mounted transponder at points in time and determining a range rate of the transponder relative to the antenna at each point in time; identifying a minima in the magnitude of the range rate; estimating a first position of the transponder at a first time corresponding to the occurrence of the minima; estimating a velocity of the vehicle based upon one or more of the determined range rates; and estimating a second position of the transponder based upon the first position and the velocity.
US09651646B2

Embodiments of the invention include a test and measurement instrument including a test signal input and a sampler coupled to the test signal input to generate a sampled test signal. The instrument also includes a noise reduction system that includes an additional oscillator coupled to the sampler and structured to generate a sampled oscillating signal, as well as a phase detector coupled to the sampled oscillating signal for measuring noise introduced by the sampler. The noise reduction system further includes a phase corrector coupled to the phase detector for removing the measured amount of noise from the sampled test signal. Methods of noise detection are also described.
US09651641B2

A magnetic resonance (MR) image processing system includes a data collection unit that acquires image data from a target region of an object. A navigator unit acquires a motion signal indicating motion comprising motion of at least a portion of an object. A data processing unit derives k-space data for a k-space data array from the acquired image data, by acquiring k-space data for a first portion of the k-space from the acquired image data in response to the motion signal indicating motion is within a predetermined range and acquiring k-space data for a second portion of the k-space from the acquired image data irrespective of the predetermined range.
US09651637B2

A method related to Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) includes a signal processing step in which MPI time signals are acquired and successive acquisition cycles are completed within one scanning period. From the scanning period, an image acquisition period is selected for which a composite time signal is generated by concatenating measured values acquired in immediate succession. A corrected time signal is determined from the composite time signal by windowing, performing a Fourier transform, and reducing a number of frequency values by eliminating intermediate frequencies of the Fourier transform of the windowed, composite time signal. In a reconstruction step, a spatial assignment and/or distribution of the magnetic particles is computed, and in an outputting step, the results of the reconstruction and/or one or more parameters derived therefrom are stored and/or displayed.
US09651635B2

Embodiments relate to stacks of Hall effect structures, in which the potential at the contacts of each Hall effect structure throughout a stack of Hall effect structures changes monotonically. An output associated with the Hall effect structure in each layer of the stack can be compared against the output of a counterpart Hall effect structure in another stack to ascertain the strength of an incident magnetic field.
US09651634B2

A brake master cylinder includes a BLS module to control the switching on of a brake lamp according to an operation of a piston provided to reciprocate within a cylinder body. The BLS module includes: a magnet fixed to a guide hole formed in the cylinder body in a lengthwise direction of the cylinder body; an actuating member coupled to the piston so as to be moved together with the piston as the piston is moved; a Hall sensor installed in the cylinder body at a location corresponding to the magnet for detect the magnetic flux density of the magnet; and a shielding member slidably provided in the guide hole and moved by the actuating member for shielding the Hall sensor from the magnet.
US09651633B2

A magnetic core flux sensor assembly may include a flux sensor core portion and an elongated opening for receiving a conductor winding through the flux sensor core portion. The flux sensor core portion may include a width from a perimeter edge of the flux sensor core portion to the elongated opening that is constant. An electrical current flowing through the conductor winding generates a magnetic field about the conductor winding and a magnetic flux flow in the flux sensor core portion. One or more sensor holes may be positioned relative to the elongated opening for sensing the magnetic flux flow at different distances from the elongated opening. A sensor conductor winding may extend through each pair of sensor holes. The magnetic flux flow generates an electrical signal in each sensor conductor winding. The electrical signal corresponds to the magnetic flux flow at a location of the particular sensor conductor winding.
US09651622B2

Various aspects of the disclosed technology relate to techniques of creating test templates for test pattern generation. Residual test cubes for a plurality of faults are first generated based on a signal probability analysis of a circuit design. Test templates are then generated based on merging the residual test cubes. Finally, a plurality of test patterns and/or compressed test cubes are generated based on one of the test templates.
US09651620B2

A measurement circuit and method is provided for generating an oscillating output signal used to derive timing information. The measurement circuit includes a ring oscillator having a plurality of unit cells, where each unit cell comprises at least a storage element whose output signal is used to determine a clock input signal for an adjacent unit cell within the ring oscillator. Control circuitry performs a control operation to control either a set function or a reset function of the storage element in each of the unit cells, in dependence on set or reset signals input to the control circuitry. Oscillation initiation circuitry is used to assert a clock input signal to the storage element in a first unit cell in order to initiate generation of the oscillating output signal, and the control circuitry then performs the control operation in order to control a value of the output signal of the storage element in each unit cell so as to cause the oscillating output signal to be maintained. Such an approach provides a particularly simple and efficient mechanism for deriving timing information for various circuit blocks that include a storage element.
US09651619B2

A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output.
US09651617B2

Transitioning to all addresses of a memory array during BIST includes arranging the addresses as a matrix with rows of the matrix corresponding one to one to the plurality of addresses of the memory array and columns of the matrix corresponding one to one to the plurality addresses of the memory array. A column of a selected current location can correspond to a destination address of a memory transition. The destination addresses can identify a candidate row of the matrix which corresponds to the destination address. The candidate row can be different from a row of the current location. A next location can be determined that has not been recorded in the candidate row that has a minimum column distance from the column of the first location as compared to other locations that have not been recorded in the candidate row.
US09651606B2

A fluorescent lamp testing device 10 has a microcontroller 100 that controls tests for ballast discrimination as well as gas integrity, ballast operation, filament continuity and line voltage. The ballast discrimination test is performed by the microcontroller 100 in combination with a photodiode 30 and high/low pass filter 32. Gas integrity is tested with pulse width modulation and a high-voltage, step-up transformer (PWM/T) circuit 42 and an antenna 40. A built in continuity tester has input pins 52, 54 to test the continuity of the filaments in the fluorescent lamp 12. The antenna 40 and a voltage-divider/voltage-sensor connected to the secondary coil in the transformer test for ballast operation. A PCB conductive loop 18, rectifier 20 and op amp 22 test for line voltage.
US09651602B2

The invention relates to a device for monitoring and switching a load circuit, having an input part and an output part, having switching inputs to connect a controller to the input part, having switching outputs to connect at least one load circuit with at least one load to be switched to the output part, having at least one load switch to switch, in particular to switch on and off, the at least one load, having at least one fault detection circuit to detect a fault in the load circuit and to generate at least a first fault signal in the output part, and having a galvanic isolation stage for galvanically isolated transmission of this first fault signal and/or a second fault signal derived from this first fault signal from the output part to the input part. According to the invention the input part has an input circuit which converts switching commands of the controller incoming via the switching inputs into switching processes of the load switches. The transmitted fault signal is made available via the switching inputs for evaluation.
US09651600B2

A power up detecting system for generating one of a first power up detecting signal and a second power up detecting signal as the final power up detecting signal, according to power provided by a power supplier. The power up detecting system comprises: a power up detecting module, controlled by a control signal to generate the first power up detecting signal in a first mode and to generate the second power up detecting signal in a second mode, wherein a voltage level of the first power up detecting signal is transited when the power reaches a first predetermined voltage value, and the voltage level of the second power up detecting signal is transited when the power reaches a second predetermined voltage value; where the first predetermined voltage value is higher than the second predetermined voltage value.
US09651594B2

A battery remaining power predicting device is provided which is equipped with a first voltage detection portion which detects the voltage of a battery, a second voltage detection portion which detects a voltage across a current sense resistor for detecting a load current, a controller which predicts the remaining power of the battery, based on the values of the voltages detected by the first and second voltage detection portions, and a constant current source which allows a constant current to flow through the current sense resistor. The controller is configured to calculate a resistance value of the current sense resistor, based on the detected voltage of the second voltage detection portion when the load current flows, and the detected voltage of the second voltage detection portion when the load current and the constant current flow.
US09651587B2

An apparatus is for visual indication of an energized state of electrical conductors. The apparatus includes two electrodes structured to capacitively couple to two energized electrical conductors, respectively, in order to harvest an electric field. A rectifier is powered from one or both of the two electrodes. An illuminated indicator or a non-illuminated indicator is powered from the rectifier.
US09651583B2

A measurement module includes a pair of input terminals, a pair of current paths connected to the pair of input terminals, and a pair of output terminals. A partition that is a non-magnetic insulating portion partitions an internal space of the measurement module into two spaces. Low-current components such as a magnetic detection element are disposed in a space different from a space in which the pair of current paths are housed. The presence of the partition allows the low-current components and the pair of current paths to be disposed close to one another, thus making it possible to reduce the size of the measurement module.
US09651578B2

An assembly method of direct-docking probing device is provided. First, a space transforming plate made by back-end-of-line semiconductor manufacturing process is provided, so the thickness of the space transforming plate is predetermined by the client of probe card manufacturer. Then a reinforcing plate in which a plurality of circuits disposed is provided, which has larger mechanical strength than the space transforming plate. After that the reinforcing plate and the space transforming plate are joined and electrically connected by a plurality of solders so as to form a space transformer. Then, a conductive elastic member and a probe interface board are provided. Thereafter, the space transformer and the conductive elastic member are mounted on the probe interface board. After that, at least one vertical probe assembly having a plurality of vertical probes is mounted on the space transforming plate, and the vertical probes is electrically connected with the space transforming plate.
US09651572B2

Embodiments relate to a speed sensor device including a sensor element to provide a sensor signal, a status module to provide status information of the speed sensor device; and a processing module to generate an output signal. The output signal is derived from the sensor signal, if the status information is indicative of a non-critical state of the speed sensor device, and the output signal is a safety message signal having signal edges such that time intervals between subsequent congeneric signal edges are equal to or shorter than a preselected threshold, if the status in-formation is indicative of a critical state of the speed sensor device. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) includes an interface for receiving a signal having signal edges from a speed sensor device and a processing unit to analyze time intervals between subsequent congeneric signal edges. The processing unit is configured to determine a non-critical state of the speed sensor device, if the time intervals are higher than a preselected thresh-old, and to determine a critical state of the speed sensor device, if the time intervals between two subsequent congeneric signal edges are equal to or shorter than the preselected threshold.
US09651571B2

The present invention addresses the problem of inefficient utilization in a specimen pre-processing connection system due to integrated operation of a portion for connecting with pre-processing and a portion for connecting with an automated analysis system. The specific structure of the present invention contributes to providing a highly efficient system by causing a function for connecting to pre-processing and receiving a specimen from a pre-processing system and a function for connecting to an automated analysis system and transferring a specimen to the automated analysis system to each operate independently in a single unit, so that the functions do not affect each other during reset processing, and making it possible for either function to operate alone.
US09651569B1

Provided is a testbed for conducting an experiment on a substance in a cryogenic liquid state in a microgravity environment. The testbed includes a frame with rectangular nominal dimensions, and a source section including a supply of the substance to be evaluated in the cryogenic liquid state. An experiment section includes an experiment vessel in fluid communication with the storage section to receive the substance from the storage section and condense the substance into the cryogenic liquid state. A sensor is adapted to sense a property of the substance in the cryogenic liquid state in the experiment vessel as part of the experiment. A bus section includes a controller configured to control delivery of the substance from the storage section to the experiment vessel, and receive property data indicative of the property sensed by the sensor for subsequent evaluation on Earth.
US09651568B2

An operating and reading instrument for performing an assay employing a portable microfluidic assay cartridge, the instrument comprising a translatable table under automated control, the translatable table carrying a receiving region for the portable cartridge and carrying a port system connectable to the cartridge that includes at least one remotely automated valve carried by the translatable table, the valve arranged to apply pressurized flowable substance at selected times to the cartridge while the cartridge is on the translatable table.
US09651545B1

A device is disclosed for conducting a non-invasive analysis of a bodily fluid to determine the presence and level of a certain constituent carried by the bodily fluid. An indicator formulation of the device changes color in response to exposure to the constituent to provide a visible indication of the presence and level of the constituent carried by the bodily fluid. A carrier substrate of the device is constructed of a material having voids providing a high void volume within the substrate. The device is made by applying a chromagen to the carrier substrate to create a chromagen-laden carrier member. Then, a selected reagent having a particular constituent-specific formulation is applied to the chromagen-laden member. The selected reagent then combines with the chromagen thereby establishing the indicator formulation within the carrier substrate in place for reception of a sample of the bodily fluid.
US09651543B2

The invention provides a method of identifying an antigen from a pathogen or a disease antigen comprising the use of an adenoviral vector array comprising two or more different adenoviral vectors, wherein each adenoviral vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a different antigen of a pathogen. The adenoviral vectors are administered to antigen presenting cells (APCs) in vitro or to an animal in vivo. The immunogenicity of the antigen is measured by screening for an immune response from effector T lymphocytes in vitro and by screening for the absence of pathogen-induced disease onset in vivo.
US09651538B2

This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification.
US09651533B2

A measurement system includes a wearable measurement device for measuring one or more physiological parameters, including a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to generate an output optical beam with a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers. The light source is configured to increase signal-to-noise ratio by increasing a light intensity and pulse rate of the LEDs. The system includes a plurality of lenses configured to receive the output optical beam and to deliver an analysis output beam to a sample. The wearable measurement device includes a receiver configured to process the analysis output beam reflected or transmitted from the sample and to generate an output signal that may be transmitted to a remote device configured to process the received output status to generate processed data and to store the processed data.
US09651528B2

Provided herein are improved fluorogenic compounds and probes that can be used as reagents for measuring, detecting and/or screening peroxynitrite. The fluorogenic compounds of the invention can produce fluorescence colors, such as green, yellow, red, or far-red. Also provided herein are fluorogenic compounds for selectively staining peroxynitrite in the mitochondria of living cells. Provided also herein are methods that can be used to measure, directly or indirectly, the presence and/or amount of peroxynitrite in chemical samples and biological samples such as cells and tissues in living organisms. Also provided are high-throughput screening methods for detecting or screening peroxynitrite or compounds that can increase or decrease the level of peroxynitrite in chemical and biological samples.
US09651524B2

A method is provided of non-destructively inspecting titanium alloy articles in the as-cast condition using ultrasonic waves to detect internal flaws, comprising modification of grain structure in the as-solidified ingot structure by the addition of trace boron to various titanium alloys. The ability to ultrasonically inspect as-cast billets combined with improved hot workability provided by trace boron enhancement permits an economical method of manufacture of titanium alloy articles destined for high performance applications.
US09651517B2

A ceramic heater has a plate substrate made of ceramic and a conductive layer. The conductive layer has a heating section and a pair of lead sections. When receiving electric power, the conductive layer generates heat. The lead sections are formed at one section on the plate substrate adjacent to each other in a width direction and formed along a longitudinal direction on the plate substrate. The heating section is formed to meander on the other section in the plate substrate and both ends of the heating section are connected to the lead sections, respectively. In particular, central sections formed at a central area of the heating section in the width direction and the longitudinal direction have a resistance value which is lower per unit length than a resistance value of other linear shaped sections of the heating section.
US09651512B2

A device, a method, and a use thereof for detecting a concentration of a gas or of a gas component. The device as a gas sensor includes at least one sensor element including a gas-sensitive layer and a heating element for heating the gas-sensitive layer. The heating element is able to heat the sensitive layer to a desired temperature prior to the detection and/or is able to maintain it at a desired temperature during the detection. The heating element allows the gas-sensitive layer to be outgassed if needed, so as to allow absorption again. To heat the heating element, there is a first contacting to which a first voltage may be applied. Moreover, subsequent to the heating step, a second voltage may be applied to the sensor element or to the gas-sensitive layer for measured value detection with the aid of a second contacting. The two contactings at least partially have a shared actuation by being electrically connected to each other, the first contacting including a diode which essentially blocks current from flowing through the heating element when the second voltage, in particular the polarity of the second voltage, is applied.
US09651502B2

An inspection method comprises receiving light emanating from a first surface of a wafer substantially along a first axis for obtaining a first image of the first surface therefrom, the wafer having a crack formed therein and the first image containing at least one portion of the crack. The inspection method also comprises receiving light emanating from the first surface of the wafer substantially along a second axis for obtaining a second image of the first surface therefrom, the second image containing at least one second portion of the crack, the first surface extending substantially parallel a plane, and the orthographic projection of the first axis on the plane being substantially perpendicular the orthographic projection of the second axis on the plane. The inspection method further comprises constructing a third image from the at least one first portion of the crack and the least one second portion of the crack of the first and second images respectively. More specifically, the third image is substantially processable for inspecting the crack in the wafer.
US09651499B2

This invention provides a trigger for a vision system that can be set using a user interface that allows the straightforward variation of a plurality of exposed trigger parameters. Illustratively, the vision system includes a triggering mode in which the system keeps acquiring an image of a field of view with respect to objects in relative motion. The system runs user-configurable “trigger logic”. When the trigger logic succeeds/passes, the current image or a newly acquired image is then transmitted to the main inspection logic for processing. The trigger logic can be readily configured by a user operating an interface, which can also be used to configure the main inspection process, to trigger the vision system by tools such as presence-absence, edge finding, barcode finding, pattern matching, image thresholding, or any arbitrary combination of tools exposed by the vision system in the interface.
US09651495B2

A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.
US09651494B2

Compounds and methods for determining transmembrane potential, monitoring changes in transmembrane potential, and/or drug screening are provided. In one aspect, compounds of the invention have a structure according to the formula: E-M-A, wherein A is a fluorophore, selected from xanthenes, coumarins, cyanines, bimanes, and difluoroboradizaindacenes, charged at physiological pH; M is a molecular wire; and E is a hydrophobic moiety, wherein A and E are capable of being involved in a photo-induced, intramolecular electron transfer that quenches the fluorescence of A in response to a voltage condition. When in use, compounds of the invention are membrane-impermeant and oriented within the cell membrane such that the charged moiety localizes at the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer and the hydrophobic moiety and molecular wire associate with the hydrophobic portion of the lipid bilayer. The rate of electron transfer, fluorescence intensity, and quenching are altered in response to changes in transmembrane potential.
US09651493B2

Systems and methods for executing super-resolution microscopy of a specimen with most of the image processing performed in a camera of a fluorescence microscopy instrument are described. In one aspect, the camera includes one or more processors to execute machine-readable instructions that control excitation light output from a multi-channel light source, control capture of intermediate images of the specimen, and perform image processing of the intermediate images to produce a final super-resolution image of the specimen.
US09651490B2

The present invention relates to polycyclic compounds of the general formula (I) which are distinguished by an amine substituent NR6R7 on the central carbon atom of the chromophore, to processes for their preparation, and to the use thereof for the determination of analytes.
US09651485B1

Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for handling temperature variation with optoelectronic components of a hazard detection system are described herein. A power characteristic of an optoelectronic component of the hazard detection system may be used to determine a temperature of an environment of the hazard detection system. A power characteristic of an optoelectronic component of the hazard detection system may be used to determine a smoke condition of an environment of the hazard detection system. Optoelectronic components of the hazard detection system may be optically coupled to determine a smoke condition of an environment of the hazard detection system. Multiple optoelectronics of the hazard detection system may be operative to detect forward scatter and back scatter of one or more types of light to determine a characteristic of a hazard particle.
US09651476B2

A method for downhole fluid analysis by optical spectroscopy with photoacoustic detection includes positioning a photoacoustic system within a wellbore, applying a laser pulse to the fluid sample using the pulsed laser system, detecting, by the acoustic sensor, a time-resolved acoustic pulse generated by absorption of the laser pulse by the fluid sample, and determining a property of the fluid sample using the detected time resolved acoustic pulse. The photoacoustic system includes a pulsed laser system and an acoustic sensor.
US09651475B2

An optical sensor apparatus includes a light receiving element configured to produce an output according to a light receiving state, and an optical element including a reflecting layer including a metal film, and being arranged such that at least some of incident light on the light receiving element is light that is reflected by the reflecting layer. The optical element further includes a corrosion resistant layer for suppressing corrosion of the reflecting layer, and the reflecting layer includes a surface covered by the corrosion resistant layer formed by vapor plating.
US09651469B1

The present disclosure is directed to an integrated multi-chip module (MCM) sensor assembly having at least one electrostatic sensor and a circuit board. The electrostatic sensor includes an outer housing with an electrode and an amplifier configured therein. The electrode includes a first end and a second end separated by a predetermined length. The second end includes a sensing face that is substantially flush with an edge of the outer housing. Further, the electrode contains a plurality of electrons configured to respond to one or more charged particles that flow past the sensing face by moving either towards or away from the second end. Thus, the amplifier is electrically coupled to the electrode so as to detect a particle level flowing past the sensing face as a function of the electron movement. Moreover, the circuit board is configured within the outer housing and is electrically coupled to the sensor.
US09651465B2

A hand-held compression-tester for golf balls applies a biasing force to the golf-ball, loads it, and then releases the load so that only the biasing force remains. Based on the evolution of a loading curve during these intervals, the compression-tester estimates a compression value.
US09651461B2

A method and an associated apparatus for washing rock samples, which is particularly suited to the washing and preparation of rock samples obtained from oil and gas wells. In one embodiment there is provided a method of washing rock samples involving a plurality of discrete rock samples; providing a plurality of sequentially arranged discrete washers each of which is spaced from a respective washing position and configured to direct a washing flow of water towards said washing position; and automatically conveying said samples relative to said washers so that each sample moves in succession through said washing positions for sequential washing by each said washer.
US09651454B2

System for checking a combustion engine (1) coupled with an electric generator (2) of a hybrid terrestrial vehicle having at least a drive line (61, 62) driven by at least one electric motor (51, 52); the combustion engine (1) comprising at least one subsystem to be checked; the system further comprising first control means (3) configured to drive the combustion engine (1) at a predefined deterministic operation point, wherein the system comprises second control means able to perform a diagnostic test on the subsystem wherein the first control means (3) are configured to vary the operation conditions of the combustion engine (1) in order to allow the second control means (ECU) to perform the diagnostic test.
US09651449B2

A movement simulator [100] has at least three translational degrees of freedom and has at least three actuator assemblies [106, 108, 110] each of which having a four bar parallelogram/trapezoidal link arrangement. A stiffener [214] is also disclosed.
US09651440B2

A pressure sensor for sensing pressure of a fluid includes a diaphragm separator having a protrusion. The pressure sensor further includes a resonator, where the protrusion is in contact with the resonator on a first side of the resonator. The protrusion is positioned to exert an imparted force onto the resonator. The pressure sensor also includes a backing diaphragm positioned on a second side of the resonator. The backing diaphragm exerts a counter force onto the resonator in response to the imparted force.
US09651434B2

A pressure array sensor module including an array electrode board, a plurality of pressure sensing elements, at least one first conductive structure and at least one second conductive structure is provided. The array electrode board includes a substrate and an array electrode. The array electrode, disposed on the substrate, has a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern. Each pressure sensing element, disposed on a sensing position of the array electrode board, includes a top electrode layer, a bottom electrode layer and at least one pressure sensing layer disposed between the top and bottom electrode layers. The top electrode layer has a first lead. The bottom electrode layer has a second lead. The first conductive structure is electrically connected between each first lead and a corresponding first electrode pattern. The second conductive structure is electrically connected between each second lead and a corresponding second electrode pattern.
US09651433B2

A force detector includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a circuit board provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, and an element mounted on the circuit board and outputting a signal in response to an external force, wherein a hole is formed in the circuit board at a location where the element is placed, and a first convex part inserted into the hole and protruding toward the element is provided on the first substrate. Further, the element is placed within a periphery of the first convex part as seen from a direction perpendicular to the first substrate.
US09651431B2

A semiconductor package includes a first package including a first substrate and a first semiconductor chip mounted on the first substrate and a second package facing and spaced apart from the first package. The second package includes a second substrate on which a second semiconductor chip is mounted. The semiconductor package also includes a connection structure electrically connecting the first and second packages to each other, a first temperature sensor connected to the first substrate, a second temperature sensor connected to the first semiconductor chip, and a third temperature sensor connected to the second semiconductor chip.
US09651428B2

A battery system including a plurality of battery cells and at least one electronic unit having a circuit board and a temperature measuring device with at least two infrared temperature sensors arranged on and operatively connected to the circuit board and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined measurement region on a surface of the battery cells.
US09651416B2

A method and system for monitoring sensors of a lighting control system. The method comprises performing a training of a plurality of sensors of the lighting control system (210) to determine a joint probability distribution function (PDF) of the illuminance at a given time t; collecting parameters from the training and storing the parameters in a prior data storage (S212); observing illuminance of the plurality of sensors (S222); determining if there is at least a faulty sensor from among the plurality of sensors based in part on the parameters stored prior data storage (S224); and locating a faulty sensor based on the determination of the existence of the at least a faulty sensor and the prior data (S232, S234).
US09651410B2

A differential pressure fluid flow meter element for insertion between the connecting flanges of conduit sections of a fluid carrying conduit includes a flat orifice plate having a fluid contacting region for positioning in a flow of fluid through the conduit and a handle extending outward from an outer portion of the fluid contacting region. The flat orifice plate includes at least one pressure port formed in the fluid contacting region of the plate, and at least one impulse line channel formed in the flat orifice plate and extending from one of the at least one pressure port through the handle to a corresponding transmitter interface port. A plurality of apertures formed in the handle and disposed and arranged relative to the at least one transmitter interface port allow mounting of the process variable transmitter directly to the paddle style orifice plate handle, with the transmitter substantially perpendicular to a plane of the handle.
US09651408B2

To suppress variations of a vacuum pressure atmosphere in a physical sensor, a physical sensor in which a sensing part that measures a physical quantity is provided in a vacuum space, includes a sensor part in which a plurality of substrates are stacked, and a cavity substrate 9 having a space and provided on an upper surface side or a lower surface side of the sensor part by bonding, wherein the sensing part communicates with a space of the cavity substrate via a ventilation passage 11a provided in the sensor part.
US09651407B2

Systems, devices, and methods for configurable sensor arrays are provided. An example of a configurable sensor array includes a plurality of sensors in a matrix array formed on a single backplane and a plurality of elements within one of the plurality of sensors, where the plurality of elements provides alternative electrical paths enabling the one of the plurality of sensors to have a range of output impedances.
US09651400B2

Examples of generating power through the flow of water are disclosed. In one example, remote water meter monitoring system includes an energy converter and a sensor. The energy converter is in fluid connectivity with water flowing through a pipe, the energy convertor being driven by a mechanical energy of water flowing through the pipe to convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy for charging a battery connected to the energy converter. The sensor detects a level of a property of the water, the sensor being powered by the battery connected to the energy converter.
US09651394B2

An information displaying apparatus and method thereof capable of accurately displaying event information on a captured actual image are provided. The information displaying apparatus may include a controller configured to detect a location of a specific point within an image captured by a capture unit and to match event information corresponding to an event generated location on map data to the captured image based on the location of the specific point and a current location; and a display unit configured to display the matched result.
US09651393B2

To provide a driving support device that, when a vehicle approaches signs arranged in the vicinity of a plurality of roads, provides information of a sign that targets at a road on which the vehicle travels, and suppresses provision of information of a sign that does not target at the road on which the vehicle travels.The driving support device of the present invention includes: sign recognition means for detecting a sign from a video acquired from an imaging device mounted to a vehicle that travels on a road, and recognizing information represented by a detected sign that is the sign detected and a first relative position that is a relative position of the detected sign to the road; map data storage means for storing a second relative position that is a relative position of the sign to the road; sign position determination means for determining conformity of the detected sign and a map sign that is the sign whose second relative position the map data storage means stores by determining if the second relative position and the first relative position conform; and output means for outputting the information that the detected sign represents, when it is determined that the detected sign and the map sign conform.
US09651389B2

One embodiment provides a method including: utilizing at least one processor to execute computer code that performs the steps of: receiving at least one location map comprising a plurality of possible routes; identifying at least one location area configuration, wherein the location area configuration identifies a location, relative to the at least one location map, of at least one location area boundary segment; computing a utility of the at least one location area configuration, wherein the utility comprises an identification of any usefulness of identifying a route comprising at least one identified sub-route and wherein the at least one sub-route is identified using the at least one location area boundary segment; identifying at least one prominent location area boundary segment, wherein a prominent location area boundary segment comprises a location area boundary segment having a computed utility exceeding a predetermined threshold; and generating a location area map comprising a plurality of identified prominent location area boundary segments, wherein the location area map defines boundaries of a location area. Other variants and embodiments are broadly contemplated herein.
US09651387B2

A portable navigation module and its method of operation are disclosed for seamlessly providing navigation and positioning information to a user. The module comprises: means, such as a GPS receiver, for receiving a first set of navigational information from an external source, such as satellites; and an inertial sensor unit for generating a second set of navigational information at the module. The navigational information is used by a processor programmed with a core algorithm, to identify the mode of conveyance algorithm and an orientation or misalignment algorithm. The algorithm utilizes the navigational information, aided by the mode of conveyance information and the orientation information, to produce a filtered navigation solution (which comprises position, velocity and attitude). The solution is suitably displayed, preferably on a detachable display unit.The system has the following attributes: the solution is produced seamlessly, even if one source of navigational information is temporarily out of service; the accuracy of the solution is assisted by use of the mode of conveyance and orientation information; and there is no requirement for the module to be permanently aligned with the direction of movement of the conveyance platform.
US09651385B2

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.
US09651380B2

The invention relates to an integrated optical coupler (1) comprising a substrate (3), at least two planar waveguides (4), which are arranged on or in the substrate (3) and consist of a material having a virtually isotropic refractive index (anisotropy of the refractive index of less than 10−6), and al least three monomode fibers (8, 9, 10) coupled to the planar waveguides (4). One of the monomode fibers (8) is a polarization-maintaining fiber. A fiber optic system according to the invention comprises an integrated optical coupler (1) according to the invention, a light source (21) that is suitable for generating light beams, and a first pigtail fiber (22), which is connected at one end to the light source (21) and at the other end to the polarization-maintaining fiber (8) of the integrated optical coupler (1).
US09651378B2

One embodiment includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope system. The system includes a vapor cell that encloses an alkali metal and a gyromagnetic isotope. The system also includes a magnetic field source that generates a magnetic field aligned with a sensitive axis of the NMR gyroscope system and which is provided through the vapor cell to cause the alkali metal and the gyromagnetic isotope to precess. The system also includes a laser that generates an optical beam that polarizes the alkali metal in the vapor cell to facilitate the precession of the alkali metal and the gyromagnetic isotope. The system further includes an angular rotation sensor configured to calculate a rotation angle about the sensitive axis based on a measured characteristic of a detection beam corresponding to the optical beam exiting the vapor cell, the characteristic being associated with the precession of the gyromagnetic isotope.
US09651369B1

System and method for determining the composition of deposited thin films by acquiring multiple sequential X-ray spectra for a film of interest during the deposition process as the film thickness increases, computing intensities of peaks found in the X-ray spectra corresponding to elements present in the film material, followed by computing, for each pair of elements, ratios of corresponding peak intensities, graphing the intensities and ratios against a parameter correlated to the film thickness, and applying a physically meaningful function to the graphed data for best fitting the data down to a ratio RA/B(0) for each pair of the elements for a virtual film of zero thickness. Elemental concentrations ratio for each pair of elements is subsequently computed as a product of RA/B(0) and a factor which is specific for the pair of elements, constant for the instrument as set up, and independent of elements concentrations, and of film thickness.
US09651363B2

Systems and methods of determining object dimensions of objects passed through a read zone of an automated data reader are disclosed. A system can include a data reader to read an optical code disposed on the objects, a transport mechanism, an object measurement system to measure dimensions of objects that are transported by the transport mechanism, a light plane generator to project a light plane that produces a light stripe on an object, and a camera to capture image data of objects and a light stripe thereon that can be processed to determine a deviation of a light stripe relative to an optical center within the image data. A deviation from the optical center is used to determine one or more dimensions of the object.
US09651359B2

The system includes a dual interferometer sub-system including a first and second channel. The system includes an illumination source. The illumination source includes a first laser source disposed along a first input path and a second laser source disposed along a second input path. The illumination sources includes a combiner-splitter element optically coupled to an output of the first laser source and an output of the second laser source and is configured to combine light of a first wavelength from the first laser source and light of a second wavelength from the second laser source. The combiner-splitter element is further configured to split the combined light into a first channel and a second channel of the dual interferometer sub-system, where the first and second each receive a portion of the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength.
US09651350B2

A measuring roller for a device for measuring a fiber composite (2), in particular on a draw frame, a carding engine or a comber, is made of a material of low thermal expansion (3) and has a surface coating (4). The measuring roller (1) features a shell surface (5) for clamping a fiber composite (6) along with a rotary axis (7). The shell surface (5) features a structure forming an air buffer, made of grooves (8), boreholes (9), and/or spherical projections (18).
US09651349B2

A brake-shoe tool is for use with a brake-shoe lining. The brake-shoe tool includes an elongated rigid linear shaft assembly and a plurality of rigid flat plate members each rotatably mounted to the elongated rigid linear shaft assembly. Each of the rigid flat plate members includes a flat planar surface in rotating contact arrangement with a neighboring instance of the flat planar surface. A free end extends from the flat planar surface. The free end presents an elongated edge having a unique length. The elongated edge is configured to be positioned adjacent to a thickness of the brake-shoe lining in such a way that each instance of the elongated edge is positionable to and visually comparable against the thickness of the brake-shoe lining.
US09651347B2

A shotgun shell carrier includes two clips on opposite ends of a bracket, for holding two shells end to end. Each clip has a shell end compartment for receiving an end portion of a shelf. Each clip has a hood that extends over the shell end compartment to block longitudinal movement of the shell out of the clip.
US09651343B2

Method and apparatus for a small arms training system. In exemplary embodiments, a training system includes a control system, shooter systems that can include a user interface, and a target system that collects projectile position information in relation to a target. In one embodiment, the systems are linked via a mesh radio network and are configured to process GPS information for rapid and accurate positioning of the shooter in relation to the target.
US09651342B2

Anatomically correct archery targets. At least one arrangement includes at least one aiming aid configured to assist in desired arrow placement through the target when the arrow is shot from at least one predetermined elevation at a predetermined horizontal distance from the target.
US09651341B2

A sensor system for detecting buried metal objects such as unexploded ordnance and the collection of data for the classification of the detected objects based on parameters extracted from the collected data includes a wheeled cart, positioned on which is an array of transmitter coils for transmitting a series of excitation signals onto the area of interest and a sensor array of receiver coils and preamplifiers for receiving back the resultant eddy current decays emitted by the buried objects, a computer, and data acquisition electronics for acquiring and storing the received decays as decay data within the computer. The incoming EMI data are digitized and a data fitting process is performed to extract fit location and shape parameters. These data can be transferred to other data analysis systems for comparison to previously recorded signatures to determine whether the received decay data from the area of interest is attributable to buried metal objects or conversely to an object constituting an anomaly.
US09651340B1

A window insert assembly providing ballistic protection for a window of a vehicle side door. The window insert assembly includes a window insert formed from a ballistic-resistant material and a wedge assembly to wedge the window insert within a window frame of the vehicle door. A method of providing ballistic protection for the window.
US09651334B2

Among other things, there is shown embodiments of a feedgate for a paintball loader having vanes or paddles that permit supplying paintballs into the loader but limit or inhibit escape of paintballs from the loader through the supply hole. Embodiments can include a frame, which may be a single piece or multiple-piece structure, and an insert with flexible vanes or paddles. Embodiments can include a pivotable cap, and/or the insert can snap into the frame.
US09651333B1

An archery aid for a compound bow includes a tri-pod base; a mounting frame including a connection element for coupling the bow to the archery aid; and an assembly connecting the mounting frame to the tri-pod base. A dampening system dampens for/aft forces on the archery aid. A method of stabilizing an arrow in flight includes mounting a compound bow to an archery aid, the archery aid including a tri-pod base; and shooting the arrow from the compound bow mounted to the archery aid. The archery aid dampens the shot by minimizing kicking.
US09651330B1

A quiver assembly for detachable connection to an archery bow includes first and second releasable locking members connectable to an archery bow and a quiver. The first locking member has an elongate base with a dovetail-shaped projection. The second locking member has a dovetail-shaped groove for receiving the projection of the first locking member. Concave depressions are formed on each side of the projection. A locking lever is pivotally connected to the second locking member and includes a lever portion for manipulation by a user and a cam portion with a cam surface that engages one of the depressions when the first and second releasable locking members are connected together. The quiver assembly also includes a hood with an insert having a brightly colored surface to thereby illuminate the hollow interior under ambient light conditions without the need for artificial light.
US09651328B1

An ambidextrous bolt release that includes an ambidextrous bolt release lever; a bolt catch pivotable about a bolt catch pivot aperture between a bolt engagement and a bolt release position, wherein the bolt catch comprises a bolt engagement projection, and wherein the bolt catch comprises a bolt catch projection; and a connector bar extending from a first into a second end and attached or coupled between the ambidextrous bolt release lever and the bolt catch, such that vertical movement of the ambidextrous bolt release lever results in vertical movement of the connector bar and rotation of the bolt catch.
US09651323B1

A telescopic recoil system for a firearm having a receiver and a bolt carrier includes a recoil system base, an axle fixed to the base, a central buffer tube slidably mounted on the axle, an axle buffer spring between the base and central buffer tube, biasing the central buffer tube away from the base, an outer tube slidably mounted on a forward portion of the central buffer tube, a spring buffer tube slidably mounted on a rearward portion of the central buffer tube, a rear buffer spring between the base and spring buffer tube, biasing the spring buffer tube away from the base, a central spring between the spring buffer tube and outer tube, biasing the outer tube away from the spring buffer tube and away from the base and an exchangeable spring between the outer tube and the bolt carrier, biasing the outer tube away from the bolt carrier.
US09651322B2

A cleaning device for a combustion boiler, comprising a high-temperature-resistant cleaning hose for feeding a cleaning medium into the combustion boiler, a hose reel which can be rotated about a first axis of rotation, wherein the cleaning hose can be wound at least partially in said reel, and wherein the hose reel comprises an opening through which the cleaning hose can be guided during winding or unwinding parallel to the first axis of rotation.
US09651320B2

The temperature sensor detects a component temperature of an electronic component included in the ICT equipment. The declination index value calculation means calculates a declination index value indicating the degree of declination of the component temperature of the electronic component, based on the detection result of the temperature sensor. As a declination index value, a declination quantity of the component temperature per unit time or a difference between the highest value of the component temperature in a past certain period and the current component temperature may be used, for example. The control means controls the number of rotations of the cooling fan in accordance with the declination index value calculated by the declination index value calculation means. More specifically, the control means causes the number of rotations of the fan to be lower as the degree of declination of the component temperature indicated by the declination index value is larger.
US09651311B2

A thermal exchange food processing device includes a thermal conductive body, a thermal insulation layer and a phase change material. The thermal conductive body has an acting region and an inner thermal conductive region corresponding to, and in thermal connection with, the acting region. The thermal insulation layer has a lower thermal conductivity coefficient than the thermal conductive body and encapsulates, at least in part, the thermal conductive body, so that the acting region of the thermal conductive body is exposed while the remaining regions of the thermal conductive body other than the acting region are thermally insulated from ambient temperature. The thermal conductive body, alone or together with the thermal insulation layer, defines an accommodation space, and the inner thermal conductive region is situated to face the accommodation space. The phase change material is within the accommodation space.
US09651304B1

A pretreatment for use with systems and methods for extracting and separating a bio-molecule, such as a lipid and/or a protein, from a biomass includes the step of contacting the biomass with a drying gas to substantially dewater the biomass to 20% water content by mass or less. Such pretreated biomass, mixed with one or more compressed liquefied gas solvents, may then be introduced into individual filter cells in a rotary pressure filter to separate lipids from proteins.
US09651296B2

A refrigerator includes a body configured to be equipped with a storage, a door configured to be hinge-engaged with the body to open or close the storage, a water supply line configured to respectively supply water provided from a water source to an ice maker placed in the storage and a dispenser placed outside the door. One or more filters are configured to be engaged with the water supply line, and one or more bypass valves for respective water tanks are configured to be engaged with the water supply line at a part which is lower than an engagement point of the one or more filters. The one or more water tanks are configured to be placed inside the door and to be detachably engaged with the bypass valve for water tank.
US09651295B2

Disclosed herein is a refrigerator including a cabinet (10) defining a first storage region (2) for storing food, a door (20) opening and closing the first storage region (2) and filled with a thermal insulator therein, a gasket (26) provided on an inner surface of the door (20) and sealing the first storage region (2) from outdoor air by forming a sealing boundary when the door (20) closes the first storage region (2), a first hinge member (40) rotatably connecting the door (2) to the cabinet (10), a container (100) defining a second storage region for storing food and received in the first storage region (2), a second hinge member (200) rotatably connecting the door (20) to the container (100), and a connection member (260) structurally coupled to the second hinge member (200) within the door (20), in order to prevent distortions of a direction and a position of a rotary shaft (206) of the second hinge member (200) relative to a rotary shaft (42) of the first hinge member (40).
US09651292B2

This invention relates to refrigerators, and more particularly to a refrigerator in which a vacuum space is formed between an outer case and an inner case of a body thereof for enhancing a heat insulating function. The refrigerator includes a body having a storage space for storing a predetermined storage object, wherein the body includes an inner case having the storage space, an outer case having an inside surface spaced a predetermined gap from an outside surface of the inner case to house the inner case, and a vacuum space provided between the inner case and the outer case sealed to maintain a vacuum state for heat insulating between the inner case and the outer case.
US09651286B2

A system is provided and may include a refrigeration circuit having a condenser, a first sensor producing a signal indicative of a detected condenser temperature of the condenser, and processing circuitry in communication with the first sensor. The processing circuitry may determine a derived condenser temperature independent from information received from the first sensor and may compare the derived condenser temperature to the detected condenser temperature to determine a charge level of the refrigeration circuit.
US09651285B2

A refrigerating cycle apparatus is provided. The refrigerating cycle apparatus may include a refrigerant switching valve, which may be moved to a predetermined position through a simple circuit structure, during a blackout (power outage). Further, in a case in which input power is cut off due to a blackout, while the refrigerating cycle apparatus operates, oil may be collected. Even if input power is cut off due to a power outage, in a state in which the refrigerant switching valve is open while a refrigerating cycle apparatus having two compressors of two stages (2tage-2comp) is operating, the refrigerant switching valve may be converted to a closed state. This may reduce a pressure difference between the two compressors, and prevent damage to the compressors.
US09651284B2

A servicing device and method for operating a servicing device for vehicle air-conditioning systems in particular for the self-cleaning thereof, the servicing device is equipped with an emptying device and a filling device for the drawing off of the refrigerant/compressor oil mixture from the refrigerant circuit system of a vehicle air-conditioning system and for the refilling of the vehicle air-conditioning system with refrigerant and compressor oil. A vacuum pump is used for the residual emptying of the refrigerant circuit system of the vehicle air-conditioning system and/or of the servicing device. An at least partially evacuated flushing agent tank is connected directly or indirectly via a connecting line with at least one of the high pressure servicing connection connectors of the servicing device and/or the subsequent pressure hoses and/or the switchover valve block and that a fluidic further connection takes place to the refrigerant reservoir which is under increased refrigerant pressure.
US09651280B2

A helmet attachment is provided, comprising: a shell having a concave bottom; a base having: a convex top affixed to the concave bottom of the shell; a concave bottom affixable to the convex top of a helmet; and an air flow channel formed in the convex top of the base for guiding air through to an exit in the concave bottom of the base; a power and electronics module secured within a cavity in the shell, comprising: a power source; and a 5 volt power output connector electrically coupled to the power source and configured for charging a small electronic device; and a heater electrically coupled to the power source.
US09651277B2

Apparatus for a concentrating solar collector is disclosed, comprising: A nested main frame and reflector carriage with vertically folding one-piece preformed reflector support panels, to which individually replaceable pieces of mirror-like material of various kinds may be mounted to make a Fresnel-type array. A hand-winch operated cable system provides for a full range of reflector altitude adjustment. An alignment guide allows assessment of solar tracking alignment without gazing toward the focal area. A griddle-like flattop receiver is used for frying foods, and an adjustable rack facilitates suspension of cooking pots in the focal area to receive unobstructed, concentrated solar energy. Also described is a method for making the reflector support panels. One embodiment of the apparatus has a lower frame portion substantially forming a rolling chassis. An additional embodiment describes lower frame structure for a fixed location installation.
US09651274B2

An HVAC component and method of forming the HVAC component, including a duct having a first surface and a second surface movable between an unassembled position and an assembled position is provided, wherein the method includes (a) applying a paint sealant to one of the first and the second surfaces; (b) one of drying or curing the applied paint sealant; and (c) moving the first and second surfaces from the unassembled to the assembled position, the paint sealant forming a sealed interface between the assembled first surface and second surface.
US09651266B2

A gas hot water heating device and a system with heating function are disclosed. The device includes a combustion device (1), an inlet (E) and an outlet (G) of a hot water pipeline (2), an inlet (I) and an outlet (H) of a heating loop (3), and a water tank (4). The device also includes a first heat exchanger (5), a second heat exchanger (6) and a third heat exchanger (7). A flue gas outlet (1-2) of the combustion device (1) is connected with flue gas passages of the first heat exchanger (5) and the second heat exchanger (6) in order and in series. A first water flow passage (5-1) and a second water flow passage (5-2) are arranged in the first heat exchanger (5), and the water tank (4) and the first water flow passage (5-1) of the first heat exchanger (5) are communicated between the inlet (E) and the outlet (G) of the hot water pipeline (2) in series. The second heat exchanger (6) and the third heat exchanger (7) can exchange heat with water in the water tank (4).
US09651265B2

The present subject matter provides an oven appliance. The oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chamber. A pair of doors is rotatably mounted to provide selective access to the chamber of the cabinet. A linkage assembly connects the doors of the pair of doors such that the doors rotate open and closed simultaneously. The linkage assembly includes a pair of gears that transfer rotational motion of one door to another door of the pair of doors.
US09651257B2

Disclosed is a heater including: an insulating base; a heating element buried in the insulating base and formed of a first linear section, a second linear section provided in parallel with the first linear section, and a folded section configured to connect the first linear section and the second linear section; a first lead buried in the insulating base and connected to the first linear section; and a second lead buried in the insulating base and connected to the second linear section. The first linear section is inclined relative to the first lead.
US09651253B2

A combustion apparatus comprising: a combustion chamber; a primary fuel input conduit for supplying a fuel to the combustion chamber; a secondary input conduit for supplying a combustion gas to the combustion chamber; and combustion gas supply means, wherein the combustion gas supply means is adapted to switchably supply one of air and an oxygen rich gas to at least the secondary input conduit.
US09651251B2

Methods and systems for controlling the temperature of a heated flue gas stream downstream of a multi-part heat exchanger within a desired operating range through the use of a fluid bypass line which bypasses one or more sections, but not all sections, of the multi-part heat exchanger. In some but not necessarily all embodiments some fluid flow is maintained through the heat exchanger at all times. In one embodiment, the method includes sensing a temperature in said flue gas stream in proximity to an intermediate header of said multi-part heat exchanger and controlling a position of a bypass line control valve to control an amount of fluid passing through a fluid bypass line that bypasses the section of the multi-part heat exchanger between an inlet header and the intermediate header based on said temperature in said flue gas stream in proximity to the intermediate header of said multi-part heat exchanger.
US09651246B2

A safe combustion device includes a housing. A wick is disposed in the housing. The wick has a top end at a first distance from a bottom surface of the housing. A guiding device is connected to the housing and includes at least one shade. The at least one shade has bottom and top sides at second and third distances from the bottom surface of the housing respectively. The second distance is shorter than the first distance. The first distance is shorter than the third distance. The at least one shade has an inner lateral side adjacent to the wick. The at least one shade and the housing include a flow passage formed therebetween.
US09651245B2

The present invention discloses a method of applying electric arc furnace dust in chemical looping combustion process, and particularly a method of applying electric arc furnace dust in chemical looping combustion process without releasing of zinc vapor. The method of applying electric arc furnace dust in chemical looping combustion process comprises following steps: (1) providing an electric arc furnace dust and an inert support (Al2O3) and mixing the electric arc furnace dust and the inert support (Al2O3) to obtain a mixture of the electric arc furnace dust and the inert support (Al2O3); (2) calcining the mixture of the electric arc furnace dust and the inert support (Al2O3) with high temperature to obtain another mixture of Fe2O3, ZnAl2O4, and Al2O3; (3) applying the mixture of Fe2O3, ZnAl2O4, and Al2O3 as oxygen carrier and inert support in a chemical looping combustion process.
US09651241B2

Disclosed is a lighting apparatus which may include a heat sink, a light emitting device including a substrate mounted on the heat sink and LEDs arranged on the substrate, a bulb surrounding the light emitting device, an electronic module received within the heat sink to supply power to the light emitting device, a case provided to surround the electronic module, the case being configured to be inserted into the heat sink, a communication module separably coupled to the electronic module, and a power socket electrically connected to the electronic module, the power socket being mounted to the case. The communication module may include a housing, a circuit board provided in the housing. The circuit board may be electrically connected to the electronic module, and a wireless communication device may be provided on the circuit board.
US09651239B2

A lamp has an optically transmissive enclosure and a base. At least one LED is located in the enclosure and are operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. A heat sink comprises a heat dissipating portion having a first part that is located inside of the enclosure and that is thermally coupled to the LED and a second part that is exposed to the ambient environment. The second part comprises a plurality of stems connected to the first part where each stem supports a first overhang that extends over a portion of the enclosure and a second overhang that extends over a portion of the base.
US09651236B2

A light emitting device with a heat sink composed of two materials is provided. The device comprises: a light emitting material; and, a heat sink comprising: a first material configured to cool the light emitting material, the first material comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and, a second material bonded to the first material at an interface there between, the second material comprising a second CTE lower than the first CTE, the light emitting material bonded to the first material but not the second material.
US09651225B2

An LED linear lamp assemblage. The assemblage has two LED linear lamp sections, each LED linear lamp section with an elongated tube with a transparent or translucent cover that connects to the base portion that defines a space inside. A circuit board with a plurality of spaced apart LEDs and electrical connectors are disposed within the space. At first ends of the two LED linear lamp sections are pin(s) for connecting to a power source, and the electrical connectors are located near second ends of each LED linear lamp section. A joiner unit is provided for mechanically connecting and holding the two LED linear lamps sections together at their second ends. When the two LED linear lamp sections are connected at their second ends to establish electrical connection the LED linear lamp assemblage is complete.
US09651223B2

A light-emitting apparatus includes a pedestal, a substrate, an LED, an optical component, and a fastener. The LED is mounted on the substrate, and the substrate includes a first through-hole. The substrate is disposed on the pedestal. The optical component is disposed in the emission direction of light from the LED. The fastener passes through the first through-hole and fastens the optical component to the pedestal. A portion of the pedestal or a portion of the optical component is inserted in the first through-hole.
US09651209B2

A driver module is configured to generate the drive signals necessary to drive an LED or an array of LEDs of one or more LED luminaires. The driver module may, but need not, be located remotely from the LED luminaires. Since the driver module provides the drive signals, the LED luminaires do not need to have their own driver electronics, and as such, can be rendered in a more aesthetically pleasing and cost effective manner. As an example, the driver module may be located within a junction box or escutcheon plate associated with a light fixture and the LED luminaires can be mounted in the existing sockets of the light fixture. The internal wiring of the light fixture may be used to carry the drive signals provided by the driver module to the LED luminaires via the sockets of the light fixture.
US09651203B2

In at least one embodiment, a light panel system includes a system carrier with a carrier front face. Multiple organic light emitting diodes are arranged in a uniform grid on the carrier front face. An electronics driver is fitted to or in the system carrier. The light panel system can be handled and mounted as a single unit.
US09651201B2

Embodiments of an end-cap for an LED tube are described. In one aspect, an end-cap for an LED tube may include an end-cap housing, an elastic component, a power connector, and a movable assembly. The movable assembly may include a power pin thereon and configured to connect to an external power source. The elastic component may reside inside the end-cap housing. A first end of the movable assembly may connect to the end-cap housing. A second end of the connecting assembly opposite to the first end thereof may connect to a body of the LED tube through the power connector. The power connector may be electrically disconnected from the power pin when the end-cap housing is pressed. The power connector may be electrically connected to the power pin when the end-cap housing is not pressed.
US09651195B2

A releasable hanging system having a loop fastener component and a hook fastener component. The loop fastener component includes a flexible patch carrying a field of engageable fibers exposed on a front side of the patch and an adhesive on a back side of the patch. The hook fastener component includes a resin base carrying an array of male touch fastener elements. A significant majority of the male touch fastener elements each extend from the base to a distal tip to overhang the base in a single, common direction. The fastening system can be used to hang an object on a vertical surface such that the male touch fastener elements of the significant majority bear the weight of the object in a downward direction, and such that the significant majority of the male touch fastener elements are oriented so as not to inhibit lifting of the object in an upward direction.
US09651192B2

An apparatus for supporting a workpiece includes a master template, a locking assembly and a plurality of substantially planar gauge slice templates. The master template includes a plurality of positioning features. The locking assembly is connected to the master template and is movable with respect to the master template between a locked position and an unlocked position. The gauge slice templates are each associated with a workpiece engaging structure that is engageable with the workpiece for supporting the workpiece. Each gauge slice template releasably engages at least one positioning feature of the master template. Each gauge slice template engages the locking assembly, wherein the gauge slice templates are not moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the locked position, and the gauge slice templates are moveable with respect to the master template when the locking assembly is in the unlocked position.
US09651191B1

A modular basin apparatus includes a first panel, a second panel and a third panel. The panels include a plurality of slots that receive portions of the other panels. A user may assemble the panels to form a three-dimensional basin apparatus. A concave cavity is formed on the upper side of the apparatus when assembled, and the cavity may be receive materials depending on the application of the assembly. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be used as a modular fire pit, chair, table, or other device. A fourth panel may rest against the first, second and third panels to provide an upper surface. In some embodiments, all panels include the same planform profile and outer dimensions such that they may be stacked in an arrangement having a uniform outer profile for improved transport and storage.
US09651182B2

In order to create a quick-acting connection which is secure and subject to low levels of wear, in particular for the purpose of filling gas cylinders, having a housing (1), having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3) for medium which is to be transferred, and having a quick-acting-connection device (4), in particular with collet chucks (5), provided in the region of the outlet (3), and having an actuating means (7), which engages in a recess (8′) of a sliding sleeve (8) by means of an eccentric disk (12), it is proposed that the recess (8′) contains a sliding block (9), to which the eccentric disk is eccentrically coupled and which, when the actuating means (7) is pivoted, can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal axis.
US09651177B2

A coupling connection for corrugated pipes includes a coupling element, a support ring which is attachable in a positive fit against an inner wall face of the corrugated pipe, a first annular element which is axially fixable on a circumferential face of the corrugated pipe, a portion of the corrugated pipe being enclosed between the support ring and the first annular element and being fixable axially immovably, and an annular sealing chamber, enclosed circumferentially in a transition region between the support ring and the corrugated pipe, receiving a sealing element, on which a deformation force acts in a functional position which is fixable using a fixing element, including a second annular element, which circumferentially encloses the coupling element and is circumferentially attachable and movable in translation with respect thereto, the first annular element and the second annular element being arranged mutually coaxially.
US09651175B2

There is provided a seamless steel pipe for line pipe, wherein a chemical composition consists, by mass percent, of C: 0.03-0.10%, Si: ≦0.50%, Mn: 1.0-2.0%, P: ≦0.050%, S: ≦0.005%, Cr: 0.05-1.0%, Mo: 0.01-0.30%, Al: 0.001-0.10%, N: ≦0.01%, Ni: 0.04-2.0%, Ca: 0.0005-0.0050%, Cu: 0-2.0%, Ti: 0-0.05%, Nb: 0-0.05%, V: 0-0.10%, the balance: Fe and impurities, and satisfies the conditions of Cu+Ni: ≧0.10%, and Mo+V: ≦0.30%, wherein in a scale formed on the surface of the steel pipe, metal particles consisting mainly of Ni or Cu having an average circle-equivalent diameter of 0.1-5 μm exist, and a distance from a boundary between the base metal of the steel pipe and the scale to a region in which the metal particles do not exist is 20 μm or longer.
US09651174B2

This invention presents a wall mounted receiver to accommodate insulated or non-insulated pipes and at least one inlet or portal for at least one pipe conduit or wiring per portal and with a high degree of flexibility and unique mechanical connection security; this receiver is arranged to receive the piping from any directional angle with a unique flexible inlet capability; without limitation, this receiver is for use with refrigeration or air conditioning equipment and related connections, such as insulated pipes, non-insulated pipes, condensation piping, conduit and wiring. The receiver can be mounted to different wall surface types without the assistance of a wall bracket; can also be fit into tight space service areas depending on refrigeration equipment requirements; can be installed in new construction applications; and can also upgrade existing installations without the need to cut the existing piping.
US09651173B2

A lifting support apparatus and system is disclosed with integrated mounting points for lifting straps. The lifting support apparatus comprises a joint shield and arc proof cover. A cable accessory is placed on the joint shield and surrounded on its sides and top by the arc proof cover. The exposed ends of the arc proof cover allow for the visible inspection of the connectors of the cable accessory. By incorporating mounting points on the joint shield, the lifting straps are prevented from sliding along the arc proof cover or becoming dislodged. Further, the joint shield includes at least one rib on its bottom surface to prevent the joint shield from bending.
US09651170B2

A chain including chain-link units pivotally connected with each other. Each chain-link unit includes two lateral plates, a first link plate and a second link plate. Two ends of the lateral plates are defined as a first end and a second end. Two first pin-joint parts are configured near the first ends of the lateral plates respectively, and two second pin-joint parts are configured near the second ends of the lateral plates respectively. The chain-link units are pivotally connected with each other via the first pin-joint part and the second pin-joint part. Thus, the chain-link units are common, and each can be the starting chain-link unit, the middle chain-link unit or the ending chain-link unit. They can be easily assembled without screws, which further reduce the time consumption. Moreover, the noise made as the chain works can be reduced, and a buffering function can also be provided.
US09651169B1

A hose handle that is a more convenient and comfortable way to hold a hose, which can be easily attached and removed to allow easy hose handler substitution, and that does not move along the length of the hose after being attached.
US09651162B2

In the relief valve, an annular convex portion 16a that is convexed in a direction in which a valve element 5a moves away from a valve hole 17 along a center axis of the valve hole 17 and that is arranged around the valve hole 17 is formed in a valve chamber 16, an annular concave portion 5d that is concaved in the direction in which the valve element 5a moves away from the valve hole 17 is formed in the valve element 5a, and in a shut-off state, the annular convex portion 16a is accommodated in the annular concave portion 5d, and an annular channel 19 that extends in a direction of the center axis is formed between an outer peripheral surface 16b of the annular convex portion 16a and an inner peripheral surface 5e of the annular concave portion 5d.
US09651148B2

Within of the method for improving the shifting quality at the start of the commissioning of a new automatic transmission or an automated transmission of a motor vehicle, a filling pressure adaptation is carried out by individual gearshifts. At least one adaptation counter is monitored, which indicates the number of the carried out filling pressure adaptations of at least one shifting element with one individual gearshift from the commissioning of the new automatic transmission or automated transmission. As long as the value of a specified number of monitored adaptation counters falls below a specified threshold value, no D-R and R-D reversing operations are permitted by the transmission control.
US09651147B2

In an apparatus for determining failure of a double-clutch automatic transmission having a line pressure-regulating valve, pressure-regulating valves and select valves, it is determined whether the pressure regulated by the line pressure-regulating valve is equal to or greater than a predetermined pressure and it is determined that the line pressure-regulating valve has failed if the pressure regulated by the line pressure-regulating valve is determined to be less than the predetermined pressure, whereas it is determined that one from among the pressure-regulating valves and select valves has failed if the pressure regulated by the line pressure-regulating valve is determined to be equal to or greater than the predetermined pressure.
US09651130B2

A gear assembly comprises a housing, a first gear shaft in the housing, a first spiral gear coupled to the first gear shaft in the housing, a second gear shaft in the housing, a second spiral gear coupled to the second gear shaft in the housing, and a fluid connection between a first chamber and a second chamber. The first spiral gear and the second spiral gear couple to define the first chamber and the second chamber within the housing.
US09651121B2

The chain guide mechanism includes a slack side guide, a tension side guide, and a link member that is capable of rotating about a predetermined rotary shaft provided so as to be fixed to an attachment subject. The link member includes a slack side pivot portion attached rotatably to the slack side guide, and the slack side pivot portion is disposed on an opposite side of the chain that is guided by the slack side guide to the predetermined rotary shaft, and in a lower position than the predetermined rotary shaft. The slack side guide is biased by its own weight toward a side of the chain that is guided by the slack side guide.
US09651112B2

A revolution vibration suppressing method and apparatus for pump truck boom is provided. Vibration severity of the boom in the revolution direction is detected. Dynamic characteristic parameters of the boom are extracted. A control signal that can be used to control the revolving actuator to compensate the vibration severity according to the vibration severity and the dynamic characteristic parameters is calculated. The revolving actuator is driven according to the control signal to move, to suppress the revolution vibration of the boom. A revolution vibration suppression controller and a revolution vibration suppression device for a pump truck boom are provided to implement the methods. With the disclosed methods and apparatus, the vibration of a pump truck boom in the revolution direction can be suppressed, and therefore the risk of failures of the boom is decreased and the operating safety in the work is improved.
US09651111B2

A fluid-filled vibration damping device including a vibration damping device main unit which has a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting first and second mounting members, and a fluid chamber whose wall is partially constituted by the main rubber elastic body. The vibration damping device main unit further includes a temporary joint member locked on the second mounting member and temporarily coupled thereto in an axial direction, and an annular sealing part provided to the temporary joint member and overlapped on the second mounting member in the axial direction with a sealing rubber sandwiched therebetween for achieving a temporary seal. A sealing coupling member is mounted on the second mounting member while exerting a pressing force in a direction of overlapping on the second mounting member and the temporary joint member for increasing a compression ratio of the sealing rubber and achieving a full seal.
US09651106B2

A caliper brake apparatus includes: a guide plate that supports a brake shoe; an anchor pin that supports the guide plate and is provided in a caliper main body to be free to advance and retreat; a piston provided in the caliper main body to be free to advance and retreat; a piston plate that is fixed to the piston and supported by the anchor pin; an elastic membrane that is provided so as to define a pressure chamber in the caliper main body, and that moves the brake shoe via the piston, the piston plate, and the guide plate; and an intermediate member disposed between the piston plate and the guide plate. The intermediate member is interposed between the piston plate and the guide plate such that a gap is formed between the piston plate and the guide plate.
US09651103B2

A disc brake includes a first casing and a second casing abutting each other to define a receiving space for partially and separately receiving a brake disc. The first casing and the second casing respectively has an axial pushing apparatus mounted therein. Each axial pushing apparatus has a first end outwardly extending through the first/second casing and a second end having a lining pad mounted thereon. The first end of each of the axial pushing apparatus is respectively connected to a lever that is connected to a brake cable. The two axial pushing apparatus inwardly moves the two brake linings to synchronously clamp the two opposite sides of the brake disc for speeding down or stop the bicycle when the brake cable pulls the lever.
US09651102B2

The invention provides for a brake pad apparatus for connecting to a brake assembly of a motor vehicle. The brake pad apparatus includes a backing plate that extends along a first plane and has an inside surface and an outside surface. A liner is connected to the inside surface of the backing plate for contacting the rotor for creating a frictional force against the rotor to slow the motor vehicle. An insulating layer is connected to the outside surface of the backing plate for providing heat and noise insulation during contact of the liner against the rotor. At least one projection extends from the outside surface of the backing plate through the insulating layer, and past the insulating layer for being engaged by a pressing member of the brake assembly for compressing the liner against the rotor of the brake assembly.
US09651094B2

Methods and apparatus for preloading a bearing are provided. These methods and apparatus include preload monitoring devices whereby the mechanic can accurately monitor and regulate the preload on a bearing or bearing assembly. Aspects of the invention may also be used to adjust the endplay on a bearing or a bearing assembly. In one aspect, the preload on the bearing is transmitted through a housing having a fluid pressure that can be detected and monitored. An apparatus for precisely rotating a nut and a tool for precisely rotating a nut are also provided. A bearing retaining nut arrangement that permits the loading or evaluating of a bearing inner race is also provided. The bearing retaining nut arrangement includes a first load-setting nut, a lock washer, and a second jam nut that secures the arrangement to a shaft.
US09651093B2

A spherical bearing replacement and installation tool, including a removal cup having an open bearing-facing end, a receptacle portion, and a closed base end having a threaded center hole; a removal bolt sized for passage through a through hole in a spherical bearing and threadable insertion into said threaded center hole; a bearing installation clamp assembly including a clamp body portion having a bar disposed between and joining first and second arms, said first arm having a first through hole and said second arm having a second through hole with a threaded bore, said first and second through holes being cylindrical and axially aligned with one another; a staking tool rotationally disposed in said first through hole; and a bearing press rotationally disposed in said second through hole. A method of using the inventive tool is also disclosed.
US09651092B2

A bearing arrangement includes: first and second thrust bearings, arranged on a shaft and including respective first and second pressure faces; and a hydraulic connection, connecting the first and second thrust bearings and having a non-compressible fluid. Applying a shaft thrust load axially moves the first thrust bearing so that the first pressure face displaces the non-compressible fluid from the first thrust bearing to the second thrust bearing so as to apply a reaction force to the second pressure face, in order that the thrust load is shared between the first and second thrust bearings.
US09651090B2

A single-split cage for continuously holding a plurality of rolling elements stably for a long time. A split section for splitting at one portion in the circumferential direction is formed at regions extending between pockets adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, engagement sections being engageable with each other are provided at the circumferential central position between the pockets and on a one-side split face and the other-side split face formed by splitting the regions, and in a state in which both the engagement sections are engaged with each other, predetermined clearances are formed between the one-side split face and the other-side split face and between the engagement sections.
US09651089B2

A single-split cage for holding a plurality of rolling elements stably by eliminating the difference in the strength between split regions, by maintaining the strength of the entire cage uniform in the circumferential direction and by maintaining the dimensional accuracy between the split regions constant at the time of molding. A split section for splitting at one portion in the circumferential direction is formed at regions extending between pockets adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, engagement sections being engageable with each other are provided at the circumferential central position between the pockets and on a one-side split face and the other-side split face formed by splitting the regions. In a state in which both the engagement sections are engaged with each other, predetermined clearances are formed between the one-side split face and the other-side split face and between the engagement sections.
US09651088B2

A ball retainer for a slide apparatus and a mold for manufacturing the same. The ball retainer includes, in a width direction, a first extension part and a second extension part that are extended from a center line, forming a pre-determined angle with each other, in a length direction, a body part formed in the center, and a pair of holding parts. Each holding part is respectively formed at each end of the body part. Each holding part includes a plurality of ball insertion grooves for inserting balls that are spaced apart in the length direction. Expansion parts each having an expanding cross-sectional area are respectively formed at both sides in the length direction of the first extension part and the second extension part.
US09651087B1

A linear guideway with quick-release scraping plates includes: a linear guideway, two end caps, and two scraping plates. The end caps are each provided with a cantilever hook, and the scraping plates are each provided with an abutting protrusion to which the cantilever hook can be hooked, so that the assembly of the scaping plate in accordance with the present invention is very easy since it only requires the displacement of the scraping plate in one direction, and the disassembly of the scraping plate is also very convenient since it only requires the use of a rod.
US09651085B2

This disclosure relates to an automatic concrete pump comprising a support structure, which is mounted on a vehicle, for a concrete distributing mast and at least two supporting jacks which are pivotably joined to the support structure via an articulated joint, each articulated joint comprising two support plates made from a solid material, each having a bearing bore and protruding in a forked manner at a lateral distance from each other over the edge of a defining wall of the support structure, and having a hinge bolt which traverses the bearing bores. According to this disclosure, the defining wall which faces the hinge bolt is further away from the axis of the hinge bolt in the central area between the bearing plates than in the edge areas thereof which are adjacent to the support plates.
US09651078B2

A torque-limiting fastener assembly, comprising: a fastener body having an externally threaded shaft and a drivable head, said head being provided with elements adapted for frictional contact with a driver capable of delivering torque to said threaded shaft, wherein said elements comprise flexible flanges/toggles that deflect at a predetermined torque to prevent further frictional contact between said driver and said head elements that is sufficient to drive said fastener.
US09651071B2

A fitting (10) is formed from by clamping first and second clamp bodies (12,14) of composite plastic material together, each of the clamp bodies being covered by a pressed stainless steel shell (36,38). Each of the clamp bodies (12,14) defines a grip formation (16) that faces a recess (26), so that an edge of a glass panel can be gripped between the grip formations (16)—preferably with soft pads (18). Fasteners such as bolts pass through apertures (24,25) extend through the shells (36,38) and bodies (12,14), to hold the entire fitting (10) together and to exert a gripping force on the glass panel.
US09651067B2

A system can include one or more valve arrangements with a working chamber to receive a working fluid at a first pressure, and a control chamber to receive fluid at a second pressure. A dynamic seal can be disposed on a land of a valve element. The valve arrangement may include a sleeve against which the dynamic seal is slidably engaged. The valve element may include a check stem. A pressure compensating system may be in communication with bores formed in with the valve element. A pressure system to monitor dynamic seal wear may be in communication with the control chamber of the valve arrangement.
US09651066B2

The invention relates to a telescopic actuator comprising a rod (4), a hollow lead screw (5), a fixed piston (9) comprising a first tail (10) which extends in the lead screw (5) and a head (11). According to the invention, the actuator comprises a first hydraulic connection channel (16) extending through the first tail (10) to fluidically connect a first chamber (C1) with a source of hydraulic fluid (17), and the channel (16) comprises first damping means suitable for slowing down the rod (4) when the latter is depressed by regulating a hydraulic fluid flow rate in the first channel provoked by the depression of the rod.
US09651063B2

Disclosed is a lower track for mounting rubber pads on a track shoe to be attachable and detachable after assembling a steel plate which is adhered with divisionally formed rubber pads as a single unit without additionally perforating coupling through-holes in the track shoe when the rubber pad which forms the lower track and the track shoe which is formed of a metal material are coupled. The lower track of a crawler excavator according to the present invention comprises: first and second rubber pads which are divisionally formed; a first steel plate which supports the bottom surface of the first rubber pad by surrounding the same, and has first hooks formed on the bottom surface thereof and coupling holes formed in a connection stepped-portion.
US09651061B2

A hydraulic control apparatus is disclosed which includes an unloading valve controlling part; an command value calculating part configured to calculate, based on an operation amount of an operation member for changing a position of the directional control valve and a discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump, a virtual negative control pressure, and calculates a control command value for the hydraulic pump based on the virtual negative control pressure; and a correcting part configured to operate under the situation where the directional control valve is in such a state that the fluid path to the hydraulic actuator is closed, wherein the correcting part corrects the control command value or a parameter, which is used in calculating the control command value, such that a discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump is a predetermined flow rate.
US09651056B2

A turbo fan blade front edge has, between a main-plate-side blade front edge and a shroud-side blade front edge, a projecting blade front edge that distances from a blade rear edge (located in a rotation direction A) as it becomes further away from a main plate, which curves to a position away from a rotation center. In a range close to the main plate, a main-plate-side front-edge skirt portion distances from the blade rear edge and inclines away from the rotation center as it becomes closer to the main plate. A main-plate-side blade rear edge, close to the main plate of the blade rear edge, is substantially perpendicular to the main plate and a shroud-side blade rear edge, close to a shroud, is inclined so as to gradually distance away from the blade front edge (behind in the rotation direction A) as it becomes further away from the main plate.
US09651051B2

A series fan structure with multistage frame body includes a first main body, a second main body, a first frame and a second frame. The first main body has a first fan frame having a first opening and a second opening. The second main body is correspondingly serially connected to the first main body. The second main body has a second fan frame having a third opening and a fourth opening. The third opening corresponds to the second opening. The first frame is correspondingly serially connected to one side of the first fan frame with the first opening. The first frame and the first fan frame together define a first flow passage. The second frame is correspondingly serially connected to one side of the second fan frame with the fourth opening. The second frame and the second fan frame together define a second flow passage.
US09651045B2

A scroll compressor of the present invention includes a partition plate 20, a fixed scroll 30, an orbiting scroll 40, a rotation-restraining member 90 and a main bearing 60. An inner wall of a fixed spiral lap 32 of the fixed scroll 30 is formed up to a location close to an ending-end of an orbiting spiral lap 42 of the orbiting scroll 40, thereby differentiating, from each other, a containment capacity of one (50A) of compression chambers and a containment capacity of the other compression chamber 50B, the fixed scroll 30 can move in an axial direction of the fixed scroll between the partition plate 20 and a main bearing 60, and high pressure is applied to a discharge space 30H formed between the partition plate 20 and the fixed scroll 30. According to this, the fixed scroll 30 can be pressed against the orbiting scroll 40.
US09651044B2

An electric compressor is provided with a compression mechanism, an electric motor, a motor housing, discharge housing and an intermediate pressure housing. The compression mechanism has a compression chamber and is driven by the electric motor. The motor housing accommodates therein the electric motor and the compression mechanism and formed therein an injection port. The discharge housing has therein a discharge chamber into which compressed refrigerant is discharged. The intermediate pressure housing has therein an introduction port for introducing intermediate pressure refrigerant from an external refrigerant circuit and a communication passage that provides communication between the introduction port and the injection port of the motor housing. The motor housing, discharge housing and the intermediate pressure housing has a bolt fastening hole, and a bolt is inserted in the bolt fastening holes to integrally fix the motor housing, discharge housing and the intermediate pressure housing.
US09651040B2

An unloader valve apparatus is provided for an air compressor. The unloader valve apparatus comprises a cylindrical piston having a longitudinal central axis and movable along the longitudinal central axis between a loaded position and an unloaded position. The unloader valve apparatus further comprises a stopper member pivotable about a pivot axis between a blocking position in which the stopper member blocks an unloader port when the piston is in the loaded position and an unblocking position in which the stopper member is not blocking the unloader port and is thereby allowing compressed air from the compressor to flow through the unloader port when the piston is in the unloaded position.
US09651036B2

A swash plate type variable displacement compressor includes a housing having a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, a swash plate chamber in communication with the suction chamber, a first cylinder block having a plurality of first cylinder bores and a second cylinder block having a plurality of second cylinder bores. The first cylinder bores and the second cylinder bores cooperate to form plural pairs of the first and second cylinder bores. The first cylinder block and the second cylinder block have on outer peripheral side thereof a first projection and a second projection projecting radially, respectively. The first projection and the second projection cooperate together to form an oil separation chamber, an oil reserve chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber and a gas release passage that provides fluid communication between the oil reserve chamber and the intermediate pressure chamber.
US09651027B2

An apparatus for extracting power includes a track and an airfoil coupled to the track. The track includes first and second elongate sections, where the first elongate section is positioned above the second elongate section. The airfoil includes a suction surface lying between a pressure surface and the track, and is moveable in opposite directions when alternately coupled to the first elongate section and second elongate section.
US09651026B2

A wind turbine includes at least one blade (5a) and apparatus for converting movement of the at least one blade (5a) in electric energy. The wind turbine also includes at least one antenna (6a) included in the at least one blade (5a), and a transmitter circuit (70) for feeding the antenna (6a) with a signal (71) to be radiated.
US09651024B2

Rotor blade assemblies and wind turbines are provided. A rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge and a trailing edge each extending between a tip and a root, the rotor blade defining a span and a chord, the exterior surfaces defining an interior of the rotor blade. The rotor blade assembly further includes a loading assembly, the loading assembly including a weight disposed within the interior and movable generally along the span of the rotor blade, the weight connected to a rotor blade component such that movement of the weight towards the tip causes application of a force to the rotor blade component by the weight. Centrifugal force due to rotation of the rotor blade biases the weight towards the tip.
US09651022B2

A method of manufacturing wind turbine blades of variable length with connection elements with the rotor hub. The method includes providing and using enlarged manufacturing molds having a common zone of a predetermined length and, at least, an adaptive zone arranged with the length needed for manufacturing the blades with a desired length, particularly the length required for optimizing the annual energy production (AEP) of a predetermined wind turbine model in a predetermined site.
US09651010B2

Provided is a direct spray fuel injector including a bundle of opening/closing valves, wherein the bundle of opening/closing valves includes: a valve needle that is disposed within a valve housing; an electromagnetic coil that is installed at a side opposite to the spray hole of the valve needle; an armature that is coaxially mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the valve needle to be slidable in an axial direction; and a pressurizing spring that is installed to pressurize the valve needle toward the spray hole and causes the valve needle to close the spray hole in normal times, and the bundle of opening closing valves is configured to pressurize the valve needle by the armature so that bounce generated when the valve needle in an open state approaches the spray hole so as to close the spray hole is able to be attenuated.
US09650999B2

Disclosed is a recirculated exhaust gases distribution device (11) of an inlet manifold (3) for an air inlet module configured to supply at least one internal combustion engine cylinder with a flow of air containing inlet gases and/or recirculated exhaust gases (EGR gases), the distribution device (11) including a recirculated exhaust gases distribution duct (13), the distribution duct (13) including first means (15) for injection of recirculated exhaust gases into the flow of air for supplying at least one cylinder. The distribution device (11) further includes a control member (17) that is arranged in the distribution duct (13) and is configured to modulate the flow of recirculated exhaust gases injected by the first injection means (15).
US09650998B2

A multi-fuel carburetor with gas switching valve structure includes a carburetor body having a throat; a gas jet pipe formed on the carburetor body, the gas jet pipe having one end extended to the throat to connect with it and another end extended out of the carburetor body; and a gas switching valve and a gas adjustor mounted on the carburetor body respectively, the gas switching valve having one end mounted on the carburetor body to connect with the gas jet pipe and another end connected with the gas adjustor, and the gas switching valve having a gas measurement hole for measuring the flow rate of gas. A gas jet pipe is added to provide multiple choices for multiple fuels. Further, a gas measurement hole is set on the switching valve, thus it's easy to choose the corresponding position to meet the gas demand for the engine.
US09650996B2

Method and apparatus for controlling pressure in a pressure vessel. A plurality of valves between a pressure source and a pressure vessel can be selectively opened or turned off, singularly or in combinations, to control pressure in the pressure vessel. A maximum pressure threshold and a minimum pressure threshold can be established based on operating considerations of the pressure vessel. One or more of the valves can be turned on when the pressure in the pressure vessel reaches the minimum pressure threshold. One or more of the valves can be turned off when the pressure in the pressure vessel reaches the maximum pressure threshold.
US09650986B2

A cylinder for an internal combustion engine may include a metallic cylinder body and an amorphous diamond-like hard carbon film disposed on an internal peripheral surface of the cylinder body. The amorphous diamond-like carbon film may include a roughness ranging from Rz 0.5 μm to Rz 4.0 μm.
US09650978B2

A system according to the principles of the present invention includes a firing fraction module, an offset generation module, and a firing fraction module. The firing fraction module determines a firing fraction based on a driver torque request. The offset generation module randomly generates an offset. The firing control module adds the firing fraction to a running total each time that a crankshaft of an engine rotates through a predetermined angle, adds the offset to the running total, and executes a firing event in a cylinder of the engine when the running total is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.
US09650975B2

A method of controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for preventing a valve from sticking may include performing, by an ECU, an EGR Cooler By-Pass Valve (ECB V/V) normal mode for operating an ECB V/V under a low temperature and low load condition to prevent fouling of an EGR cooler and overcooling of an EGR gas, when an EGR is controlled with a vehicle driven, and performing, by the ECU, an ECB V/V self-cleaning mode for operating an ECB V/V in consideration of an engine condition when the OFF-state of the ECB V/V is determined and an ECB V/V sticking detection mode for detecting sticking of the ECB V/V in continuous performing, cold performing, and in-driving performing in consideration of an opening amount of the ECB V/V when a fixed state of the ECB V/V is determined.
US09650974B2

A method for an engine is presented, comprising, following an engine-off event, positioning a first engine cylinder with an intake valve open, opening a canister purge valve; and purging contents of the first engine cylinder to a fuel vapor canister. In this way, uncombusted fuel that may otherwise be emitted from the engine during a prolonged diurnal soak may be stored within the fuel vapor canister, thus decreasing overall vehicle emissions.
US09650972B2

Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of suppressing occurrence of knocking due to pre-ignition and occurrence of misfire even when an operating state in a previous cycle changes in a subsequent cycle. When a ratio of change in heat of air-fuel mixture, which is an index indicating how a heat of air-fuel mixture in the previous cycle changes in the subsequent cycle, does not fall within an allowable range, a variable valve control mechanism capable of changing a valve-closing timing of an exhaust valve for adjusting an internal EGR gas amount is controlled by using an optimum value of exhaust valve close (EVC) timing derived by correcting a set valve-closing timing of the exhaust valve so that the ratio of change in heat of air-fuel mixture falls within the allowable range.
US09650966B2

A gas turbine provided with an air bleeder tube (1) that, during startup, bleeds a portion of the compressed air of a compressor from the compressor and discharged the bled air into a cylindrical exhaust duct (20), wherein the air bleeder tube (1) is disposed at a portion that does not obstruct the flow of the main flow of combustion gas.
US09650964B2

An assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising an accessory gearbox comprising a drive gear and pinion gear and a starter/generator mechanically mounted to the accessory gearbox. The starter/generator comprising a housing and a portion of a rotatable shaft with a safety disconnect where the safety disconnect is located within the housing of the starter/generator.
US09650961B2

A gas turbine combustor includes: multiple gaseous fuel nozzles to inject gaseous fuel; a manifold to distribute gaseous fuel to the multiple gaseous fuel nozzles; a burner flange to secure a burner to an end cover; and a burner body to connect the manifold and the burner flange. Gaseous fuel passages are provided in the end cover, the burner flange, and the burner body. The gaseous fuel passage communicates with the manifold. A second manifold is provided in the burner flange. The gaseous fuel passage is provided in the burner body to make the second manifold communicate with the first mentioned manifold.
US09650953B2

A gas turbine is provided and includes a compressor, which via an air intake inducts and compresses air; a combustion chamber, in which a fuel is combusted using the compressed air, producing a hot gas; and a turbine, equipped with turbine blades, in which the hot gas is expanded, performing work. A first device is provided in order to cool turbine blades with compressed cooling air. The first device includes at least one separate compressor stage which produces compressed cooling air independently of the compressor.
US09650952B2

A variable compression ratio internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable compression ratio mechanism that changes an engine compression ratio depending on the rotational position of a first control shaft arranged in an oil pan, and an actuator that changes and holds the rotational position of the first control shaft, and a linking mechanism configured to link the actuator and the first control shaft. The linking mechanism has a lever linked to the first control shaft, and a connecting pin configured to rotatably link the tip of an arm part extending radially outward from the center of the first control shaft and one end of the lever. At least when having been set to the highest compression ratio, the first connecting pin is configured to be submerged below an oil level of the oil pan.
US09650951B2

An internal combustion engine can include a piston moving in a cylinder and a junk head disposed opposite the piston head in the cylinder. The junk head can optionally be moveable between a higher compression ratio position closer to a top dead center of the piston and a lower compression ratio position further from the top dead center position of the piston. At least one intake port can deliver a fluid comprising inlet air to a combustion chamber within the cylinder. Combustion gases can be directed out of the combustion volume through at least one exhaust port. One or both of the intake port and the exhaust port can be opened and closed by operation of a sleeve valve that at least partially encircles the piston. Related articles, systems, and methods are described.
US09650948B2

A control apparatus of an engine system, the engine system including an engine, a VGT configured to control a boost pressure applied to the engine by adjust an angle of a vane provided in a turbine, and an EGR valve configured to control an amount of a recirculated exhaust gas, includes a target value determiner determining a target boost pressure and a target intake air amount based on an engine speed and a fuel injection amount, an EGR valve controller calculating a target EGR mass flow rate based on the target boost pressure and the target intake air amount and determining an EGR valve opening rate, and a turbocharger controller performing a sliding mode control using the calculated target EGR mass flow rate as a parameter to calculate a target compressor power and a target turbocharger mass flow rate and determining a turbine vane opening rate.
US09650947B1

In order to prevent deterioration of sliding performance of a piston and center core misalignment of the piston when the piston moves for its stroke, there is provided an air bypass valve including: a coil casing in which a coil is accommodated; a pilot valve section covered by the coil casing and having a movable iron core inserted in the coil; and a piston section fitted in the coil casing and having a piston with a hole. The air bypass valve further includes a protrusion provided at an edge of an opening portion of the piston casing which constitutes the piston section.
US09650943B2

A rotary valve that includes a rotor and a casing which rotatably accommodates the rotor. The casing includes an inflow side opening through which a fluid flows in from the outside to the rotor accommodating space and two outflow side openings through which the fluid flows out from the rotor accommodating space to the outside, at a position opposite to an outer circumferential surface of the rotor. The rotor is formed in a cylindrical shape having an internal space. An end surface of the rotor is provided with an end surface side opening which communicates with the internal space. The outer circumferential surface of the rotor is provided with a rotor outer circumferential opening and a rotor outer circumferential blocking surface which are configured to open and close the outflow side openings of the casing.
US09650941B2

A vehicle includes a pump, an evaporator, and an expander in sequential fluid communication in a closed loop containing a condenser configured to transfer heat between a working fluid and ambient air. The vehicle has a generator driven by the expander. The evaporator is configured to transfer heat from at least one of an engine coolant, a battery coolant, an engine lubricant, a transmission lubricant, an exhaust gas in an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas in an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to the working fluid.
US09650920B2

Disclosed in the present invention is a method of generating a high-speed gas flow, utilizing a device comprised of a gas pipe, a circulating pipe and a starting and controlling system. The starting and controlling system is comprised of one or a combination of any two or more of a refrigerator, a circulating pump and a heat exchanger. The method comprises the following operation steps: filling the device with a working medium; activating the starting and controlling system; after having been pressurized under liquid state, the working medium absorbing heat and being gasified, entering the gas pipe, and generating the high-speed gas flow. The method may utilize a low quality heat source to convert a low-speed gas flow into a high-speed or extremely high-speed gas flow with relatively high use value. Thus, thermal energy carried by the fluid in the nature may be converted into mechanical energy efficiently.
US09650913B2

A turbocharger is provided that includes a turbine housing including a gas inlet passage. A turbine wheel has a plurality of blades and is arranged in the turbine housing. A bearing housing is connected to the turbine housing. A shaft is rotatably supported in the bearing housing and connected to the turbine wheel. A shroud is arranged in surrounding relation to at least a portion of the turbine wheel, the shroud being arranged in spaced relation from and not in contact with the turbine housing. A fastening system secures the shroud relative to the bearing housing. The fastening system is configured to fracture when a force is exerted on the shroud corresponding to at least a portion of the turbine wheel contacting the shroud.
US09650886B2

A method of using an umbilical between a surface location and an underwater location of an underwater fluid extraction well system is provided. The umbilical includes an electrical power conductor configured to transmit electrical power at a first frequency from a source at the surface location to the underwater location. The method comprises detecting that the umbilical has been compromised by the ingress of water. In response thereto, the method comprises converting electrical power from the source to electrical power at a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is lower than the first frequency or DC electrical power; transmitting the electrical power at the second frequency or DC electrical power to the underwater location via the conductor; and converting, at the underwater location, the electrical power at the second frequency or DC electrical power to electrical power at a frequency used by the underwater equipment of the well system.
US09650885B2

A system and method to determine and adjust positioning of a subsea test tree (“SSTT”) within a blowout preventer (“BOP”), the system including an SSTT, at least one sensing mechanisms to detect the position of one or more BOP rams and a fluted hanger. Once the assembly is deployed, the ram positions are detected and the position of the fluted hanger is adjusted while deployed to accordingly adjust the spacing between the SSTT and the fluted hanger, thereby eliminating the need of a dummy run. Another system and method improves a dummy run by providing a lightweight joint and dummy hanger deployed on a line (e.g., wireline, slickline, etc.). Through the use of a line and the lightweight of the joint and dummy hanger, the dummy run operation is conducted quickly and efficiently.
US09650874B2

A containment system having a containment dome and a seal plate which is attached to an oil wellhead casing or riser to prevent oil spills and contamination when an oil leak occurs. The containment dome is sealed to the seal plate by a compression mechanism so that oil will not leak from the containment dome. The seal plate may be part of a drilling package having a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer, and a shear module below the blowout preventer. The containment dome can provide a wellhead patch to a wellhead system wherein the wellhead patch can interface with a capping stack. Chemicals can be injected into the containment dome to prevent hydrates from forming. All aspects of controlling and operating an oil wellhead can be performed through the containment dome and seal plate, and all aspects of installation, regulation, and control of the containment dome can be performed by remote operating vehicles under water.
US09650871B2

A hydraulic fracturing system includes an electrically powered pump that pressurizes fluid, which is piped into a wellbore to fracture a subterranean formation. System components include a fluid source, an additive source, a hydration unit, a blending unit, a proppant source, a fracturing pump, and an electrically powered motor for driving the pump. Also included with the system is a signal assembly that visually displays operational states of the pump and motor, thereby indicating if fluid discharge lines from the pump contain pressurized fluid. The visual display of the signal assembly also can indicate if the motor is energized, so that the discharge lines might soon contain pressurized fluid.
US09650870B2

A safety device and method for protection of the integrity of well barrier(s) or other interfacing structure(s) at an end of a riser string or a hose includes a releasable connection in the riser string or hose, the releasable connection arranged to release or disconnect during given predefined conditions in order to protect the well barrier(s) or other interfacing structure(s). The safety device safety device includes at least one sensor to monitor at least one of tension loads, bending loads, internal pressure loads and temperature. The sensor provides measured data relating to at least one of tension loads, bending loads, internal pressure loads and temperature. An electronic processing unit receives and interprets the measured data from the sensor. An electronic, hydraulic or mechanical actuator or switch is arranged to receive a signal from the electronic processing unit and initiate a release or disconnect of the releasable connection.
US09650859B2

A downhole tool system includes a base tubular that includes a bore therethrough; a centralizer positioned to ride on the base tubular, the centralizer expandable to contact a wellbore wall and adjust a location of the downhole tool system relative to the wellbore wall based on a first fluid pressure supplied through the bore; and a liner top assembly positioned to ride on the base tubular, the liner top assembly including a wellbore liner and a pack-off element, the pack-off element expandable to at least partially seal a liner top of the wellbore liner to the wellbore wall based on a second fluid pressure supplied through the bore.
US09650856B2

A fluid control system may be included within a blowout preventer subsea control pod of a subsea drilling system. The fluid control system includes a primary fluid flow path including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet connectable to a fluid supply source, the outlet connectable to a component controllable by the fluid supply source, a surge relief valve connected within the primary fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a control valve connected within the primary fluid flow path between the surge relief valve and the outlet such that hydraulic pressure surges received within the primary fluid flow path are dampened, at least partially, by the surge relief valve before received by the control valve.
US09650854B2

A packoff for hanging a liner string from a tubular string cemented in a wellbore includes: a tubular body having an outer groove and an inner groove; an inner seal assembly disposed in the inner groove; an outer seal assembly disposed in the outer groove; a cap connected to an upper end of the body for retaining the seal assemblies; a plurality dogs disposed in respective openings formed through a wall of the body; and a lock sleeve. The lock sleeve is: disposed in the body, longitudinally movable relative to the body, and has a cam profile formed in an outer surface thereof for extending the dogs.
US09650852B2

A pulling tool is used for setting or removing an internal component of a rotating control device (RCD). The pulling tool includes keys that extend outward for engaging with an inner surface of the internal component. The keys are spring loaded so that as the pulling tool is pressed through the internal component, the keys collapse inward until the keys are moved into a mating internal groove profile on the inner surface of the component. The pulling tool is able to selectively engage with and release from the component, both when the component is disposed in the RCD and when outside the RCD. This facilitates a mechanized installation and/or removal of the internal component from the RCD without relying on a friction force and without applying a torque or providing hydraulic fluid to the pulling tool.
US09650851B2

A technique includes deploying an untethered object though a passageway of a string in a well; and sensing a property of an environment of the string, an electromagnetic coupling or a pressure as the object is being communicated through the passageway. The technique includes selectively autonomously operating the untethered object in response to the sensing.
US09650844B2

An example downhole apparatus includes a drive shaft with a longitudinal axis, a spherical portion that extends radially from the longitudinal axis, and first and second interfacial surfaces proximate the spherical portion. An outer housing is positioned at least partially around the spherical portion. A radial bearing may be between the spherical portion and the outer housing and coupled to the outer housing. The radial bearing may comprise first and second interfacial surfaces in contact with the respective first and second interfacial surfaces of the drive shaft to transmit or receive torque in corresponding first and second rotational directions. A first axial bearing is coupled to the outer housing and in contact with a first end of the spherical portion to axially secure the drive shaft with respect to the outer housing.
US09650841B2

A portable mast assembly is comprised of a skid assembly having a horizontally oriented frame comprised of longitudinally extending support beams and a mast assembly having at least two vertically extending columns that are supported directly upon a longitudinally extending mast beam without an intervening track or roller. A means for moving the mast beams along the top of the extending support beams of the frame without a roller is provided.
US09650835B2

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of determining a critical depth of cut of a drill bit comprises selecting a radial swath associated with an area of a bit face of a drill bit. The method further comprises identifying a plurality of cutting elements disposed on the bit face that each include at least a portion located within the radial swath. The method also comprises identifying a depth of cut controller (DOCC) disposed on the bit face and configured to control a depth of cut of the portions of the plurality of cutting elements located within the radial swath. The method additionally comprises calculating a critical depth of cut associated with the radial swath and DOCC based on a depth of cut associated with each portion of the plurality of cutting elements located within the radial swath and controlled by the DOCC.
US09650833B2

A portable modular horizontal earth boring machine includes three main components: a digging mechanism, a discharge mechanism and a driving mechanism. The digging mechanism includes an auger and a rigid sleeve positioned around the auger. The driving mechanism and the discharge mechanism are positioned within an outer housing. The driving mechanism spins the drive shaft and the auger, and the discharge mechanism includes discharge paddles that rotate, causing dirt and debris that is generated during a boring operation to be expelled from the discharge mechanism through a discharge port. The auger and sleeve are removably connected to the machine, so that it may be disassembled for transport and storage.
US09650825B2

A vehicle door is provided with: a rear glass holder that holds door glass and has a first rear fastening hole: and a carrier plate having a second rear fastening hole fastened to the first rear fastening hole. The rear glass holder has a first rear engagement section. The carrier plate has a second engagement section engaged by the first rear engagement section. In the engaged state, the first rear fastening hole is offset below the second fastening hole. The offset amount of the first rear fastening hole and the second rear fastening hole is greater than the engagement margin of the first rear engagement section and the second engagement section.
US09650823B2

A female locking post for the free end of a folding closure section, with an inner side for connecting the post to the free end, and an outer side opposite the inner side. Two opposed connecting walls connect the inner and outer sides together. An interior wall, spaced from both the inner and outer sides, extends between the connecting walls. A post opening, preferably extending the length of the post, is provided in the outer side between the connecting walls providing access to the interior wall. An operator with a lock bolt is movably mounted on the interior wall, the operator movable along the interior wall between an unlocked position where the lock bolt is within the post and a locked position where the lock bolt projects from an end of the post. A folding closure incorporating the female post is also described.
US09650820B2

A structural arrangement is described in pneumatic floor spring of reduced dimensions, which requires a hole in the floor for its installation, providing a shielded structure that prevents the water accumulation, such pneumatic floor spring keeps the door closed by the force exerted by the plunger and when the door is opened, the pin spins along with the cam which, with the double helicoil, pushes the descendent track and the plunger.
US09650819B2

A holder for securing a leaf of a hinge to a steel door frame has a first U-shaped housing part having two end walls, a bight wall connecting the two end walls, and respective mounting flanges projecting from the end walls and securable to the door frame. A complementarily second housing part defines a cavity with the first housing part and has a cover plate, a pair of end plates having outer faces bearing on inner faces of the end walls, and a front plate extending between the end plates and from a front edge of the cover plate and formed with a cutout through which a hinge leaf can extend into the cavity. A clamp in the cavity can secure the hinge leaf to the housing parts. There is a snap connection between the front plate and the first housing part.
US09650811B2

A locking mechanism includes a bracket configured for mounting on a wall of a securable box and receiving a lock body to selectively secure a cover to the securable box preventing access to an interior of the box. The mechanism further includes a blade that is movable relative to the bracket between a locked position and an unlocked position to secure or remove the blade and bracket to or from a securable box wall respectively. The blade and bracket can be secured to and removed from the securable box without an operator's hand extending into the interior of the box.
US09650810B2

Some examples of a docking apparatus can be implemented to include a key-lockable mechanical mount. The mount includes a housing, a locking unit, a pinion and a lock plate. The locking unit is disposed on the housing and includes a lock mandrel. The locking unit is configured to be rotated to either an open position or a closed position with a key. The A pinion is mounted to the lock mandrel. The pinion is configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the locking unit using the key. The lock plate is configured to be received in the housing. The lock plate is configured either to rotate in response to the rotation of the pinion or to be driven by springs. The lock plate is configured to capture a mounting plate configured to attach to electronic equipment.
US09650809B2

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) wherein the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is provided to be kept at different values by means of the adjustment means (8) during the washing cycle, the locking mechanism (4) is provided to remain locked completely by adjusting the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by means of the adjustment means (8) depending on the requirement at the respective stage of the washing cycle, the stiffness level is adjusted to the lowest value before or after the washing process for easily opening the door (3) and the locking mechanism (4) is provided not to open easily in order to prevent escape of steam from inside the body (2) during the washing process by adjusting the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by means of the adjustment means (8).
US09650805B2

Disclosed is an apparatus for folding and unfolding a shelter frame, e.g., a tent. A plurality of radially arranged connecting bosses is situated on a connecting piece. A pivoting member pivotally attaches to the connecting boss, and a shelter frame rod attaches to the pivoting member. In the folded position, the pivoting members are rotated toward the center of the apparatus. In the unfolded position, the pivoting members are rotated away from the center of the apparatus. The apparatus is rapidly and easily assembled.
US09650799B2

A self-propelled cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank includes a housing having a front portion as defined by the direction of movement of the apparatus when propelled by a water jet, an opposing rear portion and adjoining side portions defining the periphery of the apparatus, and a baseplate with at least one water inlet. Rotationally-mounted supports are coupled proximate the front and rear portions of the housing to enable movement of the apparatus over the submerged surface. A water pump is configured to draw water and debris from the pool through the inlet for filtering. A stationary directional discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the pump and has at least one discharge opening through which a pressurized stream of water forming the water jet is directionally discharged at an acute angle with respect to the surface over which the apparatus is moving.
US09650789B2

Mounting brackets used for mounting decorative panels to walls is provided. The mounting brackets may each include a substantially planar body having a front surface, a rear surface, a top end and a bottom end forming a height in between, and a first end and a second end, forming a length in between. The mounting brackets further include at least one hook rail protruding from the front surface of the body at an angle relative to the front surface. The hook rail runs along at least a portion of the length of the body. A hook rail of a first bracket interlocks with a hook rail of a second bracket when the second bracket is disposed in an upside position relative to the first bracket.
US09650785B2

A reusable architectural wall is provided which provides a cost-effective space-dividing wall structure formed of internal support rails joined by a lightweight, cost effective facing panel on each panel side, which preferably is formed of standard architectural materials such as gypsum board, R-board and the like. The wall is structurally rigid, field cuttable, installable horizontally or vertically and has a substantial acoustic reduction, cable carrying capacity, and HVAC capability.
US09650777B1

A toilet assembly includes a base that may be positioned on a support surface. A bowl is positioned on the base. The bowl may collect a user's waste. An actuator is coupled between the base and the bowl. The actuator may adjust a height of the bowl with respect to the base. A lever is coupled to the actuator. The lever may actuate and de-actuate the actuator.
US09650763B2

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for performing non-contact based determination of the position of an implement. In one embodiment, a non-contact based measurement system is used to determine the relative position of an implement coupled with a mobile machine. The geographic position of the mobile machine is determined and the geographic position of said implement based upon the geographic position of the mobile machine and the position of the implement relative to the mobile machine.
US09650759B2

The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a hydraulic machine comprising: a remote control unit, a valve arrangement for activation means of the remote control unit, each valve arrangement comprising a first valve means in fluid communication with a second valve means; a controller means operable to control the opening and closing of the first valve means of the associated valve arrangement to regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first valve means to the second valve means, wherein, the second valve means in each valve arrangement is moved between first and second configurations to enable the functions of the hydraulic machine to switch between remote control mode and cab control mode when the conditions dictate that it may no longer be practical or safe for a user to remain in the cab. The invention also relates to a method of fitting the control apparatus to a hydraulic machine, and to an interface harness for connecting the control apparatus to such a hydraulic machine. Once the control apparatus is fitted the hydraulic machine may be operated in either manual or remote mode. When the conditions that necessitated the use of remote operation have passed the operator may return to the cab and operate the machine again as a standard machine.
US09650753B2

Apparatus and methods for the installation of pipe pilings into the ground for use as structural building foundations, geothermal piles, or both, are disclosed. In addition to specialized fittings for pipe pile assemblies, the inventions include specialized drive mechanisms used in conjunction with rotary or vibratory motors. Methods of installing pipe pilings are further improved with the disclosure of methods of adding grout or similar materials during or after installation of the piles.
US09650748B2

A free standing vegetated sound attenuating structure is formed by placing multiple layers of rows of concrete stretchers on a level surface with concrete headers extending transversely thereto to form a rectilinear structure with substantially vertical sides, in which soil can be placed within the void formed by the headers and stretchers. The vegetated sound attenuating structure is positioned in a vertical array upwardly from the level surface so that both sides of the vegetated sound attenuating structure are visible. Exposed areas of soil visible between successive layers of concrete stretchers have suitable sound attenuating vegetation growing therefrom. Irrigation means, which may be powered by solar panels, provides moisture for the growing of the sound attenuating vegetation. Seed containing tiles, panels or fabric may be used in contact with the soil to promote growth of vegetation.
US09650740B2

A pressing mat for ironing elements of material that can be placed on a support surface for ironing that includes a backing board layer and a composite material layer superimposed adjacent one another and secured together near the peripheral edges of each layer. The composite material layer has a foam layer and a fabric layer and is positioned such that the fabric layer is adjacent to the backing board layer with the foam layer providing an exterior surface. Alternatively, the pressing mat may be comprised of two pressing board assemblies superimposed adjacent to one another and secured together such that the backing board layers are adjacent to each other and the foam layers provide the exterior surface. In this alternative embodiment, the entire exterior surface of the pressing mat consists of the foam layer. The pressing mat may be configured for folding.
US09650735B2

A method for controlling a laundry machine is provided, including an air supply cycle in which heated or unheated air is supplied to items received in a holding space. The air supply cycle may include initiating operation of a fan for circulating the air in the holding space, the fan being provided in a duct that forms a flow passage for circulating the air in the holding space, and spraying cleaning water onto a filter for removing foreign matter from the filter, the filter being positioned under the fan for removing foreign matter from air being introduced into the duct from the holding space. Spraying cleaning water onto the filter for removing foreign matter from the filter is not performed at the same time as initiating operation of the fan.
US09650734B2

The present invention relates to a sewing machine, specifically a long-armed stitcher. The present invention includes a computer device that may store pantograph patterns therein. The data including the pantograph patterns may be sent to projection units associated with the sewing machine head of the long-armed stitcher. The projection units use projection elements to project the pantograph patterns on the fabric to be stitched, allowing an operator of the stitcher to trace the projected pattern with a needle associated with the sewing machine head. Measurement devices associated with the sewing machine head determine head movement and alter the projected pattern accordingly such that the needle of the sewing head may continue to follow the pantograph pattern despite the head having moved in order to trace the pattern.
US09650732B2

The present disclosure provides methods for removing defects nanotube application solutions and providing low defect, highly uniform nanotube fabrics. In one aspect, a degassing process is performed on a suspension of nanotubes to remove air bubbles present in the solution. In another aspect, a continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) process is used to remove small scale defects from the solution. In another aspect, a depth filter is used to remove large scale defects from the solution. According to the present disclosure, these three methods can be used alone or combined to realize a low defect nanotube application solutions and fabrics.
US09650726B2

Methods and apparatus for deposition processes are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a substrate support comprising a susceptor plate having a pocket disposed in an upper surface of the susceptor plate and having a lip formed in the upper surface and circumscribing the pocket, the lip configured to support a substrate on the lip; and a plurality of vents extending from the pocket to the upper surface of the susceptor plate to exhaust gases trapped between the backside of the substrate and the pocket when a substrate is disposed on the lip. Methods of utilizing the inventive apparatus for depositing a layer on a substrate are also disclosed.
US09650725B2

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal wafer, wherein, under a growth condition that V/G≧1.05×(V/G)crt is achieved where V is a growth rate in growth of the silicon single crystal ingot, G is a temperature gradient near a crystal growth interface, and (V/G)crt is a value of V/G when a dominant point defect changes from a vacancy to interstitial Si, a silicon single crystal ingot having oxygen concentration of 7×1017 atoms/cm3 (ASTM'79) or less is grown, and a silicon single crystal wafer which includes a region where the vacancy is dominant and in which FPDs are not detected by preferential etching is manufactured from the grown silicon single crystal ingot. As a result, there is provided the method that enables manufacturing a low-oxygen concentration silicon single crystal wafer that can be preferably used for a power device with good productivity at a low cost.
US09650724B2

A method of charging raw material, includes: storing the material in a recharge tube including a quartz cylinder for storing the material and a conical valve for opening or closing an opening at a lower end of the cylinder; installing the recharge tube storing the raw material in a chamber; and feeding the raw material stored in the recharge tube into the crucible by locating the recharge tube and crucible such that a distance between the lower end of the recharge tube and raw material or melt in the crucible ranges from 200 to 250 mm, and lowering the conical valve to open the opening while simultaneously lowering the crucible such that a ratio CL/SL of the lowering speed of the crucible to the lowering speed of the conical valve ranges from 1.3 to 1.45. The method can inhibit damage of the quartz crucible and recharge tube.
US09650720B2

In a method for surface-modifying a neural electrode, a neural electrode array is formed, first and second metal nanoparticles having different solubilities with respect to an etching solution are simultaneously electrode-deposited on a surface of the neural electrode array, and the second metal nanoparticles are selectively etched using the etching solution, thereby forming a porous structure including the first metal nanoparticles on the surface of the neural electrode array.
US09650719B1

A solution comprising a palladium compound and a polyaminocarboxylic compound has been found to be suitable as a bath for electroless plating of palladium onto copper. Use of such a solution produces a plated component comprising a copper surface and a palladium plated coating having a thickness of between 0.01 micrometers (μm) and 5 μm. A method for electroless plating of palladium onto a copper surface of a component includes preparing a bath having a palladium compound and a polyaminocarboxylic compound. The copper component is submerged in the bath to plate a palladium layer on the copper surface of the component. The component resulting from the plating method has a palladium layer plated on the copper surface.
US09650705B2

A titanium aluminide application process and article with a titanium aluminide surface are disclosed. The process includes cold spraying titanium aluminide onto an article within a treatment region to form a titanium aluminide surface. The titanium aluminide surface includes a refined gamma/alpha2 structure and/or the titanium aluminide is cold sprayed from a solid feedstock of a pre-alloyed powder.
US09650702B2

A steel material composition in particular for manufacturing piston rings and cylinder liners, which has a good nitriding capability, contains the following elements in the given proportion related to 100% by weight of the steel material composition: 0.5-1.2% by weight C, 4.0-20.0% by weight Cr, 45.30-91.25% by weight Fe, 0.1-3.0% by weight Mn, 0.1-3.0% by weight Mo, 2.0-12.0% by weight Ni, 2.0-10.0% by weight Si and 0.05-2.0% by weight V. It can be manufactured by manufacturing a melt of the starting materials and casting the melt into a prefabricated mold. Nitridation of the steel material composition which is obtained leads to a nitridized steel material composition which, by virtue of the manufacture with gravity casting, exceeds the properties of tempered cast iron with nodular graphite.
US09650698B2

The invention relates to a nickel-chromium alloy comprising (in wt.-%) 29 to 37% chromium, 0.001 to 1.8% aluminum, 0.10 to 7.0% iron, 0.001 to 0.50% silicon, 0.005 to 2.0% manganese, 0.00 to 1.00% titanium and/or 0.00 to 1.10% niobium, 0.0002 to 0.05% each of magnesium and/or calcium, 0.005 to 12% carbon, 0.001 to 0.050% nitrogen, 0.001 to 0.030% phosphorus, 0.0001 to 0.020% oxygen, not more than 0.010% sulfur, not more than 2.0% molybdenum, not more than 2.0% tungsten, the remainder nickel and the usual process-related impurities, wherein the following relations must be satisfied: Cr+Al≧30 (2a) and Fp≦39.9 (3a) with Fp=Cr+0.272*Fe+2.36*Al+2.22*Si+2.48*Ti+0.374*Mo+0.538*W−11.8*C (4a), wherein Cr, Fe, Al, Si, Ti, Mo, W and C is the concentration of the respective elements in % by mass.
US09650686B2

A method for converting lignocellulosic biomass material to a carboxylic acid comprising the step of contacting the lignocellulosic biomass material with a microbial culture for a period of time at an initial temperature and an initial pH, thereby producing an amount of a carboxylic acid; wherein the microbial culture comprises an extremely thermophilic bacteria strain selected from the group consisting of Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB041C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB087C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB103C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB104C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB107C, Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB101C, and Caldicellulosiruptor sp. DIB004C, and wherein the lignocellulosic biomass material is converted in a single step process as part of a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) system.
US09650682B2

Briefly described, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for identifying and classifying taxa of organohalide-respiring bacteria, including methods and systems for identify and classify two or more taxa of Dehalococcoides.
US09650675B2

A restriction endonuclease with a recognition sequence 5′-TCGA-3′. The restriction endonuclease is sensitive to the presence of a modified cytosine residue in the recognition sequence. Methods and kits using the restriction endonuclease with a recognition sequence 5′-TCGA-3′ are also disclosed.
US09650672B2

Provided are compositions comprising modified DNA polymerases that exhibit improved photostability compared to the parental polymerases from which they were derived. Provided are methods for generating enzymes, such as DNA polymerases, with the aforementioned phenotype. Provided are methods of using polymerases with increased resistance to photodamage to make a DNA or to sequence a DNA template.
US09650669B2

A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other.
US09650666B2

This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention.
US09650663B2

This invention relates to a sensor for detecting a stem cell differentiation, including (a) an electrode; and (b) a substrate of an alkaline phosphatase. The phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of the substrate for an alkaline phosphatase as a stem cell undifferentiation marker which dephosphorylates its substrate may be measured using an electrical signal in the present sensor. Therefore, the sensor of the present invention enables to electrically detect a stem cell status in a high-throughput manner and to determine the stem cell differentiation.
US09650662B2

The aim of the present invention is a method of sampling all or part of a sample (11) of biological matter (7), which is crude, enriched or cultured through contact with a culture medium (8), such as agar, for example in a Petri dish, using a probe (3) equipped with a terminal end (4), said sampling method comprising the steps of cooling the terminal end (4) of the probe (3), sticking all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7) to be sampled through contact, or by applying a pressure exerted by the terminal end (4) onto the sample (11) of biological matter (7), and sampling of all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7) so as to separate the sample (11) of biological matter (7) from the culture medium (8), a method of depositing into a container (9) or onto an analysis plate (14) all or part of a sample (11) of biological matter (7) stuck onto a frosted terminal end (4) of a probe, said depositing method including a step of separating the terminal end (4) of the probe (3) from all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7), as well as a device (2), a kit and an apparatus (1) implementing these methods.
US09650656B2

The biosynthesis of fungal bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane indole alkaloids with a wide spectrum of biological activities have attracted increasing interest. Their intriguing mode of assembly has long been proposed to feature a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, a presumed intramolecular Diels-Alderase, a variant number of prenyltransferases, and a series of oxidases responsible for the diverse tailoring modifications of their cyclodipeptide-based structural core. Until recently, the details of these biosynthetic pathways have remained largely unknown due to lack of information on the fungal derived biosynthetic gene clusters. Herein, we report a comparative analysis of four natural product metabolic systems of a select group of bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane indole alkaloids including (+)/(−)-notoamide, paraherquamide and malbrancheamide, in which we propose an enzyme for each step in the biosynthetic pathway based on deep annotation and on-going biochemical studies.
US09650655B2

Recombinant microorganisms are provided which have been engineered to produce fatty alcohols. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms which comprise a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a fatty alcohol reductase enzyme and an introduced polynucleotide encoding a β-ketoacyl acyl carrier protein synthase.
US09650649B2

The invention relates to recombinant VSV viruses and viral vectors which produce a glycoprotein GP of the lymphocyte choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) instead of the G protein of the VSV, to virus producing cells which produce LCMV-GP-pseudotyped VSV virions, and to the use of said vectors and cells in the therapy of solid tumors, especially brain tumors.
US09650636B2

Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing LDL-C in an individual having elevated LDL-C. Additionally disclosed are antisense compounds and methods for treating, preventing, or ameliorating hypercholesterolemia and/or atherosclerosis. Further disclosed are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing coronary heart disease risk. Such methods include administering to an individual in need of treatment an antisense compound targeted to a PCSK9 nucleic acid. The antisense compounds administered include gapmer antisense oligonucleotides.
US09650625B1

A pectinase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The pectinase has a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is a substitution of serine at position 181 with phenylalanine, methionine or leucine.
US09650619B2

The object is to provide an α-glucosidase in which a transglycosylation activity predominates, and use thereof, and the like. A modified α-glucosidase consisting of an amino acid sequence in which one or two or more of the amino acid(s) is selected from a group of specific amino acids.
US09650609B2

A bioartificial liver system is described that incorporates a cell reservoir and hepatocyte spheroids to both increase the number of and longevity of cells in the system. Additional methods are also described for forming spheroid aggregates from isolated hepatocytes.
US09650599B2

An apparatus for culturing cells using a culture medium, including: a replacer that replaces the culture medium in a culture vessel held by a holder; a measurer that measures a pH of the culture medium in the culture vessel; and an instructor that instructs the replacer to replace the culture medium in the culture vessel, wherein the instructor gives an instruction when the pH measured by the measurer is less than a predetermined pH threshold at a first replacement of the culture medium, and gives an instruction when the pH measured by the measurer is less than the predetermined pH threshold and the interval is less than an interval of a previous replacement of the culture medium at second and subsequent replacements of the culture medium.
US09650594B2

The disclosure is directed solutions and processes to remove substances from substrates. Optionally, the substances can include photoresist on semiconductor wafers. The solution may include a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, a first amine, a second amine, and a third amine with the total amount of amine being no greater than about 95% by weight of a total weight of the solution. Additionally, a solution may include at least one amine, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, and water and be free of a polar solvent other than water with the solution having a dynamic viscosity that is no greater than about 60 centipoise.
US09650593B2

The present application relates to organosilicones and compositions such as consumer products comprising such organosilicones, as well as processes for making and using such organosilicones and such compositions. Such compositions comprising such organosilicones are easier to formulate, and provide more economical and superior care benefits when compared to current silicone containing compositions.
US09650591B2

Described are automatic dishwashing detergents, comprising a builder, a surfactant, and a polymer comprising units derived from at least one carboxylic acid monomer or its salt, at least one allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) and iminodiacetic acid (IDA), said polymer having Formula I: (Formula I) wherein m; n; R, R1, R2, and X are as defined herein. In some embodiments, an AGE and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) are first reacted to produce an ethylenically unsaturated aminocarboxylic acid monomer, which is then polymerized with at least one carboxylic acid monomer to produce the polymer having Formula I. Alternatively, an AGE is polymerized with at least one carboxylic acid monomer to produce a polymer, which is then reacted to graft IDA thereon to form the polymer having Formula I.
US09650590B2

Disclosed is a chromatographic process complex for the refining of krill oil extract including desalting, removal of impurities such as trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), and the production of krill oil products including desalted krill oil extract, polar lipid products having polar lipid contents greater than 50 wt-% on a dry or solvent free basis, neutral lipid streams for biodiesel production and astaxanthin. The refinery includes a continuous desalting zone, a fixed bed polar lipid extraction zone to adsorb neutral lipids and astaxanthin to provide a polar lipid extract stream comprising solvent and polar lipids and being essentially free of neutral lipids and astaxanthin, and an astaxanthin separation zone to recover essentially pure astaxanthin and provide a neutral lipid stream. The enriched products of the krill oil refinery are essentially free of TMAO and salt and provide products which can be used as dietary supplements and as medicinal additives.
US09650588B2

A lubricant composition comprising a Group I, II, III or IV hydrocarbon oil and a polyalkylene glycol, the polyalkylene glycol having been prepared by reacting a C8-C20 alcohol and a mixed butylene oxide/propylene oxide feed using a double metal cyanide catalyst catalyzed oxyalkylation process, and wherein the lubricant composition remains clear and shows no phase separation at temperatures equal to and greater than the pour point of the hydrocarbon oil is provided. A method for making a lubricant composition is also provided.
US09650587B2

The present invention relates to functional fluid compositions containing antioxidants, and specifically stable compositions containing antioxidants with limited solubility in and/or limited compatibility with the functional fluids with which they are used. In particular the present invention deals with functional fluids used in internal combustion engines, such as engine oils, and antioxidants containing a phenolic or benzoic group, where the antioxidant is present in the functional fluid composition at levels that would otherwise cause the composition to be unstable and/or hazy.
US09650585B2

A solid lubricant magnetron sputtering physical vapor deposition (MS PVD) coating can be used e.g. in automotive, aircraft and space industries for increasing lifetime of moving parts such as bearings, chains, pistons and joints that experience sliding or rolling friction. A nanocomposite solid lubricant coating contains a carbon matrix with copper grains and at least one of Ti, Zr, Hf, and V, in bulk proportions, at. %: carbon 5-35; copper50-90; additional metal 5-15. The carbon matrix with copper grains is reinforced with interlayers of the additional metal. The thickness of each layer of the carbon matrix with copper grains is in the range between 30 and 150 nanometers and the thickness of each interlayer of the additional metal is in the range between 5 and 20 nanometers. The hardness of said coating is in the range between 200 and 1000 HV.
US09650578B2

A process for upgrading oil including optionally pre-treating a heavy oil including at least one dissolved gas, asphaltenes, water, and mineral solids; reducing at least one dissolved gas content from said heavy oil, optionally further reducing water content from said heavy oil; adding a paraffinic solvent to said heavy oil, at a predetermined paraffinic solvent:heavy oil ratio, facilitating separation of asphaltenes, water, and mineral solids from the heavy oil resulting in a de-asphalted or partially de-asphalted oil (“DAO”)-paraffinic solvent stream, comprising a low asphaltenes content DAO-paraffinic solvent stream and an asphaltenes-mineral solids-paraffinic solvent-water slurry stream; optionally separating the paraffinic solvent and water from the asphaltenes-mineral solids-paraffinic solvent-water slurry stream; optionally separating the DAO-paraffinic solvent stream into a paraffinic solvent rich stream and a DAO stream; and optionally adding diluent to the DAO stream resulting in transportable oil.
US09650574B2

Various techniques are disclosed for pretreating municipal solid waste (MSW) and other biomass-containing feedstocks that may be of a poorer quality and consequently more difficult, or even impossible, to convert to higher value liquid products (e.g., transportation fuels) using conventional processes. Such conventional processes may otherwise be satisfactory for the conversion of the biomass portion of the feedstock alone. The pretreatment of biomass-containing feedstocks may generally include steps carried out prior to a hydropyrolysis step and optionally further steps, in order to change one or more characteristics of the feedstock, rendering it more easily upgradable.
US09650565B2

A carbazole compound represented by the following formula: wherein, when m=1, n=0, Ar1, Ar2, Ar3 and X2 are C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl, provided that Ar1 and Ar2, or Ar3 and X2 may form together a ring; X1=C6-50 arylene; R1, R2, R4, R5 and R7 are H, halogen, amino, C1-18 alkyl, C1-18 alkoxy, C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl, R3 and R6 are H, halogen, C1-18 alkyl, C1-18 alkoxy, C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl; when m=0, n=1-3, Ar3, Ar4 and Ar5 are C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl, Ar4 and Ar5 may form together a ring; X1=C1-18 alkyl, C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl; X2=C6-50 arylene; R1-R7 are H, halogen, C1-18 alkyl, C1-18 alkoxy, C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl; when m=0, n=0, X1=C1-18 alkyl, C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl; Ar3 and X2 are C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl; R2=H, halogen, C1-18 alkyl, C1-18 alkoxy; R1 and R3-R7 are H, halogen, C1-18 alkyl, C1-18 alkoxy, C6-50 aryl or C4-50 heteroaryl. The carbazole compound is suitable for an organic EL device.
US09650564B2

A scintillator material according to one embodiment includes a polymer matrix; a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount of 3 wt % or more; and at least one component in the polymer matrix, the component being selected from a group consisting of B, Li, Gd, a B-containing compound, a Li-containing compound and a Gd-containing compound, wherein the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for thermal neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for fast neutrons and gamma rays. A system according to one embodiment includes a scintillator material as disclosed herein and a photodetector for detecting the response of the material to fast neutron, thermal neutron and gamma ray irradiation.
US09650556B2

The present disclosure relates to a method of encapsulating microcapsules containing relatively high temperature phase change materials and the microcapsules so produced. The microcapsules are coated with an inorganic binder, film former and an inorganic filler. The microcapsules may include a sacrificial layer that is disposed between the particle and the coating. The microcapsules may also include an inner coating layer, sacrificial layer and outer coating layer. The microcapsules are particularly useful for thermal energy storage in connection with, e.g., heat collected from concentrating solar collectors.
US09650555B2

This invention relates to treated geothermal brine compositions containing reduced concentrations of iron and silica compared to the untreated brines. Exemplary compositions of the treated brine contain concentration of silica ranging from 0 to 80 mg/kg and concentration of iron ranging from 0 to 300 mg/kg. Exemplary compositions of the reduced silica and iron brines also contain reduced concentrations of elements like arsenic, barium, lead, and lithium.
US09650554B2

A latent heat storage material contains sodium acetate, water, and a supercooling stabilizer containing a group 11 metal-containing compound, and has a group 11 metal concentration of 2.0×105 ppm or less.
US09650546B2

Provided is a novel double-sided adhesive sheet for image display device which can be bonded to the adhesion surface in close contact without space therebetween although there is a step due to printing or the like on the adhesion surface to be bonded to the adhesive sheet. The double-sided adhesive sheet for image display device 1 of the invention is a sheet to bond any two adherends selected from a surface protective panel 2, a touch panel 3, and an image display panel, and the sheet is characterized in that at least one of the adherends (surface protective panel 2) has a stepped portion 2b on an adhesion surface 2a to adhere to the double-sided adhesive sheet 1 and the surface shape of the bonding surface 1a of the double-sided adhesive sheet 1 to be bonded to the adhesion surface 2a is shaped in accordance with the surface shape of the adhesion surface 2a.
US09650544B2

A polishing composition contains silicon dioxide, a water-soluble polymer, and water. An adsorbate containing at least part of the water-soluble polymer is adsorbed on the silicon dioxide. The adsorbate is contained in a concentration of 4 ppm by mass or more in terms of carbon. A percentage of the concentration of the adsorbate in terms of carbon relative to a total carbon concentration in the polishing composition is 15% or more.
US09650539B2

A thermosetting composition having: I) an unsaturated curable polyester comprising the residues of an α,β-unsaturated polycarboxylic acid compound, said α,β-unsaturated polycarboxylic acid compound having at least two carboxylic acid groups or at least one anhydride group, and having at least one unsaturation in a position that is α,β relative to a carbonyl group and not located on an aromatic ring; and II) a phenolic resin having at least one methylol group. The unsaturated curable polyester resin can be dispersed in water or dissolved in a solvent and is suitable for waterborne or solventborne coating compositions. Phenolic based crosslinking coating compositions that contain these unsaturated curable polyester resins are curable at elevated temperatures.
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