f Saccharification enzyme composition and method of saccharification thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure relates to a Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase (AmyE) or its variants thereof. AmyE or its variants thereof may be used to more efficiently produce fermentable sugars from starch. Also disclosed are a composition comprising a glucoamylase and AmyE or variant thereof and a method of processing starch utilizing the described enzyme composition. Full Article
f Dry food product containing live probiotic By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure relates to a probiotic delivery system that can be consumed as a snack-food or added to a food product. In particular, the disclosure describes a crisp and tasty treat that comprises viable probiotic microorganisms preserved in a vacuum dried matrix of sugars, proteins, and polysaccharides. The probiotic remain viable within the treat for a longer time without the need for additional moisture barrier coating. The probiotic also remain viable in the animal gastrointestinal tract. Full Article
f Nutritional products including monoglycerides and fatty acids By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are nutritional formulations including predigested fats that can be administered to preterm infants, infants, toddlers, and children for improving tolerance, digestion, and absorption of nutrients and for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, colic, and short bowel syndrome. The predigested fats include fatty acid-containing monoglycerides and/or a fatty acid component. Full Article
f Laser-welded joint structure between insulation frame and bearing cup of fan and method of forming same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laser-welded joint structure between insulation frame and bearing cup of fan includes a base having a bearing cup and a stator having at least one insulation frame. The insulation frame includes a sleeve portion defining a bore axially extending therethrough. The sleeve portion is provided on an inner wall surface with at least one pressing section that radially projects into the bore to press a lower side against an upper end of the bearing cup and a bearing received therein. A portion of at least one lateral side of each pressing section that is in contact with the upper end of the bearing cup is melted by laser beam to form a laser-welded joint, so that the insulation frame and the bearing cup are integrally connected together at reduced manufacturing cost and have increased structural strength. A method of forming the laser-welded joint structure is also disclosed. Full Article
f Ventilation fan By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a ventilation fan of inner rotor type in which a shaft is fixed to a motor supporting portion, the shaft is held by a shaft holding portion preferably provided by, for example, a metal member. The shaft holding portion includes a cylindrical portion which is fixed to a resin of the motor supporting portion preferably by being embedded through insert molding and into which the shaft is inserted, and a shaft holding flange portion extending outwards in the radial direction from either one of an upper end or a lower end of the cylindrical portion. Full Article
f Fluid control device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluid control device includes a vibrating plate unit, a driver, a flexible plate, and a base plate. The vibrating plate unit includes a vibrating plate including first and second main surfaces, and a frame plate surrounding the surrounding of the vibrating plate. The driver is bonded to the first or the second main surface of the vibrating plate and vibrates the vibrating plate. The flexible plate includes a hole provided therein, and is bonded to the frame plate so as to face the vibrating plate. The base plate is bonded to the main surface of the flexible plate on a side opposite to the vibrating plate. A size relationship between the coefficients of linear expansion of the material of the base plate and the frame plate is equal to a size relationship between the coefficients of linear expansion of the material of the vibrating plate and the driver. Full Article
f Wellbore fluid removal systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Deliquefication systems with an upper pumping section for discharging fluid pumped to it by a lower pumping section; in one aspect, for providing liquid from a wellbore to the upper section for removal of the liquid from the wellbore; and, in one aspect, such systems for dewatering a gas well. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). Full Article
f Rotary piston pump and method for operating a rotary piston pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rotary piston pump equipped with a motor having two counter-rotating rotary pistons. The two rotary pistons are housed in an oval pump housing. The two rotary pistons are arranged on a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The first output shaft and the second output shaft are driven and synchronized via at least one elastic element. Full Article
f Blood circuit assembly for a hemodialysis system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A blood circuit assembly for a dialysis unit may include an organizing tray, a pair of pneumatic pumps mounted to the organizing tray for circulating blood received from a patient through a circuit including a dialyzer unit and returned to the patient, an air trap mounted to the organizing tray arranged to remove air from blood circulating in the circuit, a pair of dialyzer connections arranged to connect to the inlet and outlet of a dialyzer unit, and a pair of blood line connectors, one inlet blood line connector for receiving blood from the patient and providing blood to the pneumatic pumps and the other outlet blood line connector for returning blood to the patient. Full Article
f Method and system for optimizing downhole fluid production By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for pumping unit with an elastic rod system is applied to maximize fluid production. The maximum stroke of the pump and the shortest cycle time are calculated based on all static and dynamic properties of downhole and surface components without a limitation to angular speed of the prime mover. Limitations of structural and fatigue strength are incorporated into the optimization calculation to ensure safe operation while maximizing pumped volume and minimizing energy consumption. Calculated optimal prime mover speed is applied to the sucker rod pump by means of beam pumping, long stroke or hydraulic pumping unit by controlling velocity, acceleration and torque of the electric prime mover or by controlling pressure and flow rate in hydraulically actuated sucker rod pumping system. Full Article
f Fire hose adapter and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fire hose adapter comprising a body and a vacuum generator. The body having a cap and a hose connector. The cap being penetrated by a generator channel that connects an intake port with an exhaust port, the two ports being located on an exterior of the cap. The hose connector defining a vacuum channel that continuously connects the generator channel to a vacuum aperture located on an exterior of the hose connector. The vacuum generator being located within the generator channel, wherein a stream of pressurized air passes through the vacuum generator causing a reduction in air pressure in the generator channel that subsequently induces air in an interior of a fire hose section connected to the hose connector to flow into the vacuum aperture and be directed out the exhaust port. Full Article
f Displacement control system for variable displacement compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A displacement control system (A) of a variable displacement compressor sets a target for pressure in an intake chamber or a crank chamber, on the basis of a detected evaporator-outlet air temperature and a target for evaporator-outlet air temperature. The pressure of a refrigerant in a high-pressure section is detected, and a regulating current is supplied to a solenoid (316) of a displacement control valve, on the basis of the pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure section and the target for pressure. Full Article
f Electric fan By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electric fan is provided, including a labyrinth structure with increased performance of preventing entry of a liquid into a receiving space to receive a stator and a rotor. A clearance is defined between an opposed wall portion of a base and an opposed wall portion of an impeller body, which are opposed to each other in an axial direction of a rotary shaft, to form a labyrinth structure. The opposed wall portion of the base and the opposed wall portions of the impeller body are shaped to form a volume expanding portion within the clearance. The volume expanding portion is constituted from a groove portion for expanding the clearance, having a volume larger than other portions within the clearance. Full Article
f Control valve body with integrated pump for automatic transmissions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated control valve body and hydraulic pump for an automatic transmission includes a control valve body having a plurality of control valves and passageways and an internal cavity having an inlet and an outlet, a pump rotor received within the internal cavity and having a plurality of radially and axially extending slots, radially moveable vanes and a shaft, and a device for transferring drive energy from a drive shaft extending between an output of a torque converter and an input of the transmission to the shaft of the hydraulic pump. The device for transferring drive energy may be a pair of chain sprockets and a chain, a pair of spur or helical gears or other inter-axis power transfer components and may affect a speed increase or reduction. Full Article
f Ventilating fan By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ventilating fan comprises a ventilating fan body, a ventilating fan mounting member, and a power supply case. A power supply wire disposed in the ventilating fan body to be connected to a blower is provided with an internal terminal at a leading end of the power supply wire. The power supply case projects from the power supply opening to be located outside the cylinder of the ventilating fan mounting member, and is fixed to the ventilating fan mounting member from the indoor side. An external terminal is mounted on an indoor side of the power supply case. An external electric wire for supplying electric power to the ventilating fan is connected with the external terminal in the power supply case, and the internal terminal is connected with the external terminal, so that the connection operation becomes simpler. Full Article
f Scroll refrigeration compressor including heat shield, bypass passage, and bypass valve By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The scroll refrigeration compressor includes a sealed casing, stationary and moving volutes including spiral wraps engaged in one another and defining the variable-volume compression chambers, a delivery chamber defined by the plate of the stationary volute and the sealed casing, a heat shield disposed in the delivery chamber and dividing the delivery chamber into a first volume defined by the plate of the stationary volute and the heat shield and a second volume defined by the heat shield and the sealed casing, and at least one flow passage arranged to communicate the first and second volumes. The compressor further includes at least one bypass passage arranged to communicate the first volume with an intermediate compression chamber, and at least one bypass valve disposed in the first volume and movable between closing and opening positions for closing and opening the corresponding bypass passage. Full Article
f Turbocharger arrangement for an internal combustion engine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A turbocharger arrangement in an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger arrangement includes a turbocharger housing surrounding a sealed inner space and a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing. The turbocharger arrangement further includes a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft and driving a compressor unit, a bearing arrangement mounting the shaft in the turbocharger housing, an oil supply device lubricating the bearing arrangement, and a pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space configured to adjust the pressure in the sealed inner space based on engine operating conditions. Full Article
f Control apparatus for electric oil pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A temperature range in which an electric oil pump to supply oil to a vehicle drive system can start is enlarged to enhance an effective use degree, enhance a start success probability, and suppress malfunction occurrence. When a measured oil temperature To is in a temperature range (T1≦To Full Article
f Suction duct with adjustable diametric fit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A suction duct for a compressor such as a scroll compressor may include a plastic ring body with a metal screen heat staked in a window of the ring body to filter refrigerant gas entering the motor cavity. The ring body may be in surrounding relation of the motor and resiliently compressed in the housing through intermittent contact with the inner housing surface to better seal around the inlet port. Oil drain channels and stabilizing ribs may be along the outside surface of the ring body. Full Article
f Tire inflation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity. Full Article
f Supercharged compressor and method for controlling a supercharged compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A supercharged compressor and method of operating the compressor supplies a commercial vehicle with compressed air. The compressor includes a piston chamber, a dead space or clearance volume and a valve unit for switching the clearance volume. The valve element is configured such that the air volume supplied by the supercharged compressor can be reduced to a value that is different from zero by activating the clearance volume. Full Article
f Tire inflation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tire inflation system including a drive mechanism having a rotational axis, a pump cavity positioned a radial distance away from the axis of rotation, and a force translator coupling the rotational axis to the pump cavity. The drive mechanism includes a cam comprising an arcuate bearing surface having a non-uniform curvature, the cam rotatable about the rotational axis, and an eccentric mass couple to the cam that offsets a center of mass of the drive mechanism from the rotational axis. The pump cavity is rotatably coupled to the cam, wherein the pump cavity includes an actuating element and a chamber. The force translator couples the arcuate bearing surface to the actuating element, wherein the force translator includes an axis having an arcuate position fixed to an arcuate position of the pump cavity. Full Article
f Centrifugal blower with asymmetric blade spacing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A centrifugal blower in a cooling system of an electronic device having asymmetrical blade spacing with acceptable balance. The asymmetrical blade spacing is determined according to a set of desired acoustic artifacts that are favorable and balance that is similar to that found with equal fan blade spacing. In one embodiment, the fan impeller can include thirty one fan blades. The perceived sound quality from the fan is improved with essentially no effect on the thermal performance of the fan. Full Article
f Ceiling fan with suspension detection By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ceiling fan includes a suspending part fixed to a ceiling and a ceiling fan body suspended via the suspending part. The ceiling fan body has a plurality of horizontally-provided blades, a motor that rotates the blades, a shaft protruding from an upper side of the motor, and a joint part that is fixed to an upper side of the shaft and is connected to the suspending part. The joint part is detachable from the suspending part and is provided with a suspension detecting part extending from the joint part to the suspending part. The suspension detecting part detecting an energized state between the suspending part and the joint part. Full Article
f Camera system and focus detecting method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera system according to the present invention, comprising: an interchangeable lens comprising: a zoom position detecting section configured to detect a zoom position corresponding to a focal length of the photographing optical system; and a lens control section configured to input the zoom position and transmit it to the camera body, and a camera body comprising: a body control section configured to communicate with the lens control section, a focus detecting section configured to detect an in-focus position of a focus lens included in the photographing optical system, and a zoom position memory section configured to memorize the zoom position which is transmitted from the lens control section and received by the body control section, wherein when transmitting the in-focus position to the lens control section, the body control section transmits the memory zoom position memorized in the zoom position memory section to the lens control section. Full Article
f Camera protection module for portable device case By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile device case defining an aperture and a camera protection module within the aperture. The camera protection module may be a separate element from the case shell or may be formed as an integral part of shell. Full Article
f Periphery coating apparatus, periphery coating method and storage medium therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A periphery coating unit performs a scan-in process of moving a resist liquid nozzle 27 from an outside of an edge Wb of a wafer W to a position above a periphery region Wc of the wafer W while rotating the wafer W and discharging a resist liquid from the resist liquid nozzle 27; and a scan-out process of moving the resist liquid nozzle 27 from the position above the periphery region Wc of the wafer W to the outside of the edge Wb of the wafer W while rotating the wafer W and discharging the resist liquid from the resist liquid nozzle 27. Further, in the scan-out process, the resist liquid nozzle 27 is moved at a speed v2 lower than a speed v3 at which the resist liquid is moved to a side of the edge Wb of the wafer W. Full Article
f Image capturing apparatus and control method of the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor configured to capture an image; a vibration detection unit configured to detect a vibration; a vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector from images; a first correction unit configured to optically correct an image blur; a second correction unit configured to electrically correct the image blur; a first calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the vibration, a first vibration correction amount for controlling the first correction unit; a second calculation unit configured to calculate, on the basis of the motion vector, a second vibration correction amount for controlling the second correction unit; and a control unit configured to control the first and second calculation units so that the first and second vibration correction amounts are suppressed when a vibration amount is greater than a first threshold. Full Article
f Method and apparatus for controlling flash By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and an apparatus for controlling a flash are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a statistical gray value of a preview image. If the statistical gray value of the preview image is less than a preset threshold, a corresponding fill light parameter is searched for in a preset dynamic fill light table according to the statistical gray value of the preview image and the fill light drive current is set according to the fill light parameter. The fill light drive current is configured to drive a flash lamp to fire a pre-flash. A corresponding exposure drive current in the preset exposure parameter table is configured according to the fill light parameter and the exposure drive current is configured to drive the flash lamp to flash. Full Article
f Methods for enhancing camera focusing performance using camera orientation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic system for enhancing camera focusing on a portable electronic device is disclosed. The system comprises a body, a bus, and a camera module coupled to the bus and comprising a photosensitive substrate and a lens assembly wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens capable of being selectively moved to a distance from the photosensitive substrate for light focus thereon. Further, it comprises an accelerometer coupled to the bus and configured to generate orientation information, said orientation information indicating contemporaneous orientation of the body with respect to a predetermined reference. It also comprises a memory and a processor coupled to the bus. The memory comprises instructions that when executed implement an autofocus program configured to automatically determine the distance based on: 1) image data captured by said camera module; and 2) the orientation information generated by the accelerometer. Full Article
f Image capture apparatus and method of controlling the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image capture apparatus comprises an inclination detection unit which detects an inclination of the image capture apparatus, a display unit which displays the inclination of the image capture apparatus, and a predetermined reference orientation set for the image capture apparatus, a still state determination unit which determines that the image capture apparatus is in a still state, if a variation of the inclination falls within a predetermined range, and a reference orientation setting unit which sets the reference orientation of the image capture apparatus, wherein the reference orientation setting unit does not set the reference orientation if the still state determination unit determines that the image capture apparatus is not in the still state. Full Article
f Image shake correcting apparatus and control method for same, lens barrel, optical apparatus, and imaging apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The CPU acquires the output of an angular velocity sensor and performs image shake correction. An angle 1 calculating unit integrates a signal from which an offset component is removed to calculate an angle 1. An angular velocity subtraction amount calculating unit calculates an angular velocity subtraction amount based on a signal obtained by subtracting a first offset from the output of the angular velocity sensor and a signal obtained by subtracting a second offset from the output of the angle 2 calculating unit. An angle 2 calculating unit integrates a signal obtained by subtracting the angular velocity subtraction amount from the output of the angular velocity sensor to calculate an angle 2. The CPU performs image shake correction based on the angle 1 prior to operation of a release SW, whereas the CPU performs image shake correction based on the angle 2 after operation of the release SW. Full Article
f Imaging apparatus, flash device, and control method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An imaging apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external device. An instruction transmitting unit transmits an operation instruction to the external device. A response signal receiving unit receives a response signal from the external device. A first controlling unit starts a first operation relating to an imaging process in a case that a first time passes from a point of receiving the response signal by the response signal receiving unit. The external device executes a second operation relating to the imaging process in a case that a second time passes from a point of transmitting the response signal from the external device to the imaging apparatus. Full Article
f Autofocus mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A computation & control unit defines, as first and second voltages, A+B_signal voltages at distances which give the maximum and minimum voltages of an S_signal voltage, respectively. The unit further defines the higher one of the first and second voltages as an S_signal validity determination voltage and defines a distance at which the S_signal voltage takes on an in-focus determination voltage. The unit defines first and second lower limit voltages, defines the higher one of the first and second lower limit voltages as a lower limit voltage, and defines, as an upper limit voltage, an A+B_signal voltage at a distance which gives an in-focus determination voltage between the maximum and minimum positions of the S_signal voltage. An input and output unit outputs the upper and lower limit voltages as the upper and lower limit values of a settable range of the S_signal validity determination voltage. Full Article
f Convertible flash bag By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A modifiable enclosure that can be used to house an object and can be adapted and connected to the object to aid in directing a stream of light emanating from the object. The modifiable enclosure can include a first panel with a connecting element extending substantially about a periphery thereof and a second panel with connecting element extending substantially about a periphery thereof that is releasably fastenable to the connecting element extending substantially about a periphery of the first panel. Full Article
f Viewfinder and imaging apparatus including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A viewfinder 3 includes a finder optical system S2 including first and second lens groups L1, L2; a zoom frame 6 provided with first and second cam grooves 63, 64 configured to rotate about an optical axis A2 to move the first and second lens groups L1, L2 in the optical axis direction in accordance with the shapes of the first and second cam grooves 63, 64; and a diopter adjuster 9 configured to adjust the diopter of the finder optical system S2. The diopter adjuster 9 changes the position of the zoom frame 6 in the optical axis direction to adjust the diopter of the finder optical system S2, and adjusts, during rotation of the zoom frame 6, the position of the zoom frame 6 in the optical axis direction such that the diopter of the finder optical system S2 is maintained. Full Article
f Frame and insert for mounting a mobile device to a tripod By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for mounting a mobile device on a tripod includes a frame with a rigid peripheral member defining an opening therethrough. The peripheral member includes a mount configured to releasably couple the frame to the tripod. An insert is sized and shaped to be placed into the opening of the frame and releasably engage at least a portion of the peripheral member in an assembled configuration. The insert has a membrane in the form of a cavity configured to releasably receive and support the mobile device. The membrane extends over at least a portion of the opening of the frame in the assembled configuration and includes at least one camera hole extending therethrough that is aligned with a camera lens of the mobile device when the mobile device is mounted in the cavity. Full Article
f Camera lens front cover and the monitoring camera having the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A camera lens front cover and the monitoring camera having the same are disclosed. The monitoring camera may comprise a main body, a lens module and a camera lens front cover. The lens module may be disposed on the main body and comprise a lens holder and a camera lens, wherein the camera lens may protrude from the lens holder. The camera lens front cover may comprise a cylindrical casing and a glass cap, wherein the cylindrical casing may be hollow, and there are two openings at both sides of the cylindrical casing, and the lens module may be disposed inside the cylindrical casing. The glass cap may be disposed on one of the openings of the cylindrical casing and one side of the glass cap may be disposed with a protrusion part for accommodating the camera lens protruding from the lens holder. Full Article
f Lens holder driving device capable of avoiding deleterious effect on hall elements By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An AF unit of a lens holder driving device includes a lens holder, a focusing coil, a permanent magnet having a plurality of permanent magnet pieces having first surfaces opposed to the focusing coil, a magnet holder holding the permanent magnet, and first and second leaf springs supporting the lens holder in a direction of an optical axis shiftably. An image stabilizer portion includes a fixed portion disposed near the second leaf spring, a supporting member swingably supporting the AF unit with respect to the fixed portion, an image stabilizer coil having a plurality of image stabilizer coil portions disposed so as to oppose to second surfaces of the plurality of permanent magnet pieces that are perpendicular to the first surfaces, and a plurality of Hall elements. Each Hall element is disposed at a position where the image stabilizer coil portion is separated into a plurality of coil parts. Full Article
f Bufferless nonblocking networks on chip By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Network on Chips (NoC)s with a bufferless and nonblocking architecture are described. Core processors are communicatively coupled together on a substrate with a set of routing nodes based on nonblocking process. A network component routes data packets through the routing nodes and the core processors via communication links. A bufferless cross bar switch facilitates the communication of the data packets and/or path setup packets through the communication links among source processors and destination processors. The communication links include one or more channels, in which a channel comprises a data sub-channel, an acknowledgement sub-channel and a release sub-channel. Full Article
f Continuous film and camera and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The dual camera allows continuous wireless transmission of image data through radio waves to outside picture processing devices and continuous capture of images on frames of camera film rolls. A radio wave transmission attachment transmits image data though radio waves to outside picture processing devices. Several housing compartments of the dual camera receive camera film rolls. When images are captured on all frames of one camera film roll, a detachable housing compartment door is operable so that the camera film roll may be removed. While the camera film roll is being removed, the dual camera may simultaneously capture images on a remaining camera film roll in a filming position and the radio wave transmission attachment may transmit image data to outside picture processing devices without exposing the camera film roll in the filming position. Alternatively, a cable transmits radio wave image data to outside picture processing devices. An image radio wave converter of the dual camera converts photograph image data into radio wave image data. Full Article
f Holding device for a camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention pertains to a device which allows a person to hold a camera with a first arm (10) which extends longitudinally in the first extension direction (E). The first arm (10) is designed to be attached to or detached from the camera (2) and features a first free end (100) and a chin rest surface (21) provided on that first free end (100). The chin rest surface (21) is designed to rest on the chin (K) of the person (P) holding the camera (2). A second arm (30) extends from the first arm (10) along the second extension direction (E') and features a free end (31) where a grip area (32) is provided. This grip area (32) is designed to allow a person (P) to grasp the camera with one hand (H) using the device (1) and is kept separate from the chin rest surface (21) along the first extension direction (E). Full Article
f Focal plane shutter and optical device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A focal plane shutter includes: first, second, and third boards respectively including openings through which light enters an image pickup element from an object side, and arranged in this order from the object side toward the image pickup element side; a blade arranged between the first and second boards and capable of opening and closing the openings; and a holding member arranged between the second and third boards, not coupled to the blade, and holding the second board from the image pickup element side. Full Article
f Method and apparatus for self camera shooting By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method enables self-camera shooting in a mobile terminal. In the method, whether a first user input is detected is determined. When the first user input is detected, a half shutter mode is entered. Whether a second user input is detected is determined. When the second user input is detected, self-camera shooting is performed. Full Article
f System and method for storing images captured from a booth By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for capturing images in a booth. The system includes a network, a server communicatively coupled to the network, the server comprising a database operable to store images. The system further includes a booth communicatively coupled to the network, the booth comprising an input device operable to receive one or more inputs from a user, a camera operable to capture one or more images of the user, a display operable to present the one or more images, and a booth computer operable to transmit the one or more images to the server. Full Article
f Method and apparatus for determining linear position using multiple magnetic field sensors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The linear position of an object is estimated using multiple magnetic field sensors and a magnet. The multiple magnetic field sensors are held in fixed relation to one another and in moving relation with respect to the magnet. Readings of the first and second magnetic field sensors and the fixed distance between the first and second magnetic field sensors may be used to estimate the linear position. In some embodiments, an estimated frequency of an approximately sinusoidal field versus position characteristic is also used as part of the estimation. Full Article
f Magnetic lens filters and adapter assemblies for a camera By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided herein are devices and system to magnetically, rotably secure a lens filter to a camera. Generally the devices and systems comprise a magnet assembly and a lens filter assembly threadably engageable. Also provided are magnetic lens filter systems comprising the engaged magnet and lens filter assemblies and an attachment assembly securable around a camera lens and magnetically attachable to the magnet comprising the magnetic lens filter, magnetic adapter assembly or magnetic adapter. Further provided are camera systems comprising the magnetic lens filter systems rotatably affixed thereto. Full Article
f Auxiliary user interface for a transmit controller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In an embodiment, a transmit controller compatible with an auxiliary user interface device is provided. The transmit controller has a memory with operational parameters, a control user interface, an auxiliary user interface connector, and a transmit controller processor. The transmit controller processor is configured to transmit the operational parameters to the auxiliary user interface device and modify the operational parameters in accordance with a parameter instruction from the auxiliary user interface device. The transmit controller processor is further configured to receive a control instruction from the control user interface, determine an output signal based on the control instruction and the one or more operational parameters, and transmit the output signal to the model vehicle. Full Article
f Apparatus for a throwing game By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A throwing disc, goal apparatus, and game are provided. A disc includes a central hub with blades projecting equiangularly from the hub. The blades are circumscribed by and joined to an outer perimeter ring that aids in throwing. The blades of the disc act as airfoils and impart unique flight characteristics to the disc. A goalpost is comprised of two vertical sections, joined by a horizontal cross-bar located above the midline of the vertical sections, and supported by a rectangular frame oriented perpendicularly to the vertical sections. A scoring pad is included. The game is played by tossing the disc and attempting to pass the disc while in flight between the vertical posts and above the horizontal cross-bar of the goalpost, and landing the disc on the scoring pad. Full Article
f Building blocks and building block fasteners By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A building block (100) comprises a first mating portion and a second mating portion which are complementary. The first mating portion comprises a mating protrusion (140) which defines an axially extending through bore (144) and the second mating portion comprises an axially extending mating receptacle (180) which is complementary to the mating protrusion (140). The mating protrusion (140) and the mating receptacle (180) are in communication via the through bore (144), and a fastener anchoring device (146) adapted for engaging with an engagement means (920) of a fastener (900) is formed inside the through bore (144). The through bore (144) is adapted to permit axial insertion of the engagement means (920) of the fastener (900) into the mating protrusion (140). The fastener anchoring device (146) is adapted to obstruct axial passage of the engagement means (920) until the engagement means (920) overcomes the obstruction by negotiating rotationally with the fastener anchoring device (146) to thereby gain axial advancement and enter into engagement with the fastener anchoring device (146). Full Article