Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100009571 | CARRIER ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO COMMONLY GROUND A HEADER - An electrical connector system includes a header and a carrier assembly attachable with the header. The header includes a leading end having a plurality of signal pins that are insertable into an electronic device and a stripline ground plate extending from the leading end toward a mating end. The carrier assembly is coupleable with the mating end of the header and includes a plurality of termination devices. Each termination device includes a cable terminated to a contact that electrically couples with one of the signal pins of the header, an insulator disposed around the contact, and a tubular shield disposed around the insulator. When the carrier assembly is connected to the header, the tubular shield contacts the stripline ground plate to commonly ground each signal pin/contact connection within the electrical connector system. | 01-14-2010 |
20100062629 | PROBE BLOCK ASSEMBLY - A probe block assembly includes a block and a cable terminated to a coaxial connector that is configured to electrically communicate with a plurality of probes inserted in the block. The coaxial connector includes a connector signal contact configured to separably connect to a first probe that is insertable into an aperture of the block and insulated from the block, and a resilient ground beam configured to commonly ground one or more second probes inserted in the block. | 03-11-2010 |
20120029885 | VIRTUAL DESIGNER - The present invention includes a method of electronically designing an article, including accessing an electronic article design system, selecting an article type to design, and iteratively configuring a group of characteristics by selecting one or more options for each characteristic and/or iteratively modeling the article performance based on a selection of one or more performance parameters for each performance model. In the iterative configuration and modeling step, the electronic article design system automatically presents the characteristics and the performance models based on the article type selected, dynamically updates the article for each step of the iterative configuration and/or modeled performance, and automatically resolves conflicts between iteratively configured characteristics, between iteratively modeled performances, and across iteratively configured characteristics and modeled performances. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029886 | VIRTUAL DESIGNER - The present invention includes a method of electronically designing an article, including accessing an electronic article design system, selecting an article type to design, and iteratively configuring a group of characteristics by selecting one or more options for each characteristic and/or iteratively modeling the article performance based on a selection of one or more performance parameters for each performance model. In the iterative configuration and modeling step, the electronic article design system automatically presents the characteristics and the performance models based on the article type selected, dynamically updates the article for each step of the iterative configuration and/or modeled performance, and automatically resolves conflicts between iteratively configured characteristics, between iteratively modeled performances, and across iteratively configured characteristics and modeled performances. | 02-02-2012 |
20120182034 | CONTACT ASSEMBLY - A contact assembly for receiving a spring probe unit includes an elongate contact element adapted to electrically contact the spring probe unit. The contact element includes a stop for restraining movement of the spring probe unit towards the stop in the direction of an axis along the length of the contact element, and urging means, adapted to urge the spring probe unit against the contact element for removable engagement of the spring probe unit with the contact element. | 07-19-2012 |
20120309221 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND ASSEMBLY - An electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical cable terminations for mating with a corresponding plurality of contact pins and a planar insulative connector body. Each of the electrical cable terminations includes a tubular housing, an inner housing, and at least one electrical contact. The tubular housing is of electrically conductive material and has inner walls defining an opening and first and second opposed open ends. The inner housing is of eletrically insulating material and is inserted into the tubular housing from at least one of the open ends thereof. The inner housing comprises at least one inner space configured to receive an electrical contact in a fixed relative position. The electrical contact is positioned in the inner housing and configured to be connected to an electrical cable. The planar insulative connector body has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are defined by a front edge, a back edge, and two longitudinal side edges. The upper surface includes a plurality of longitudinal channels. Each channel contains one of the plurality of electrical cable terminations. The front edge of the connector body has a plurality of openings for guiding the contact pins into the mating electrical cable terminations positioned within the channels. An electrical connector assembly may include a plurality of the electrical connectors secured in a stacked configuration. | 12-06-2012 |
20130196555 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM - An electrical connector system includes a header and an electrical connector assembly. The header includes a leading end having a plurality of contact pins that are insertable into an electronic device and a plurality of separated stripline ground plates extending from the leading end toward a mating end of the header. The electrical connector assembly is coupleable with the mating end of the header and includes a plurality of electrical connectors secured in a stacked configuration. Each electrical connector includes a planar insulative connector body and a plurality of electrical cable terminations for mating with a corresponding plurality of contact pins of the header. At least two electrical cable terminations make electrical contact with a common stripline ground plate when the header and the electrical connector assembly are in a mated configuration. | 08-01-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090144469 | USB KEY EMULATION SYSTEM TO MULTIPLEX INFORMATION - In an information handling system, a universal serial bus (USB) key emulation system includes a USB hub operable to communicate with a USB host, a USB bus communicatively coupled with the USB hub, a USB controller communicatively coupled with the USB bus via a set of endpoints, and a USB virtual media module communicatively coupled with the USB controller and operable to communicate data between the USB controller and a plurality of data storage devices as if the plurality of data storage devices are a single USB key. | 06-04-2009 |
20090158021 | METHODS OF USING BIOS INFORMATION WHEN BOOTING INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEMS AND MACHINE-EXECUTABLE CODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHODS - A method of using BIOS information can include exporting first BIOS information from a first information handling system. The method can further include initiating a boot sequence for the second information handling system and importing second BIOS information into a second information handling system after initiating the boot sequence and before initiating an operating system, wherein the second BIOS information is associated with the first BIOS information. The method can further include initiating an operating system of the second information handling system after importing the second BIOS information. The first and second BIOS information may be the same, or the second BIOS information may be derived from the first BIOS information. The first and second information handling systems may be the same or different. In one embodiment, the first BIOS information can be translated into a text file for editing before using the second BIOS information during a boot sequence. | 06-18-2009 |
20090198870 | Methods and Media for Writing Data to Flash Memory - A method for writing bytes to flash memory is disclosed herein whereby the method comprising includes counting bytes from a data source, the bytes associated with a first value and a second value and comparing a number of bytes associated with the first value with a number of bytes associated with the second value. The method may further include inverting the bytes in the case where the number of bytes associated with the first value is greater than the number of bytes associated with the second value and transferring the bytes not associated with the second value to the flash memory. | 08-06-2009 |
20140149730 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENFORCING SECURE BOOT CREDENTIAL ISOLATION AMONG MULTIPLE OPERATING SYSTEMS - A method may include designating a key exchange key as an active key exchange key for a boot session of the information handling system. The method may further include during the boot session, in response to a call for updating a value of an authorized database of keys associated with executable code permitted to execute on the information handling system or an authorized database of keys associated with executable code forbidden to execute on the information handling system: determining whether the value is digitally signed with the active key exchange key, determining whether the update is to a database or database entry associated with the active key exchange key, and processing the update in response to determinations that the value is digitally signed with the active key exchange key and that the update is to a database or database entry associated with the active key exchange key. | 05-29-2014 |
20140164781 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ONE-TIME PASSWORD FOR INFORMATION HANDLING RESOURCE - In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include generating a random number to be associated with an information handling resource. The method may also include generating a challenge string based at least on the random number. The method may additionally include encrypting the challenge string using a first shared secret. The method may further include receiving a one-time password generated by a vendor associated with the information handling resource, the one-time password generated by decrypting the challenge string using the first shared secret, parsing the random number from the decrypted challenge string, and digitally signing the decrypted challenge string with a digital signature using a second shared secret. The method may also include granting user access to the information handling resource in response to verifying, using the second shared secret, that the digital signature matches the random number. | 06-12-2014 |
20140207902 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OUT-OF-BAND MANAGEMENT OF AN INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM - Instructions embodied in a basic input/output system may cause a processor to, when read and executed by the processor communicate a query via a network interface to an intermediate information handling system to determine if digital assets intended for the information handling system were previously communicated from a management server to the intermediate information handling system and in response to a determination that digital assets intended for the information handling system were previously communicated from a management server to the intermediate information handling system, receive the digital assets at the information handling system from the intermediate information handling system. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208090 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMAND-BASED ENTRY INTO BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM SETUP FROM OPERATING SYSTEM - In accordance embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include, during execution of an operating system on an information handling system and responsive to a user input indicating a desire to invoke a basic input/output system (BIOS) setup program for configuring a BIOS, prompting for and receiving user-provided credentials via a user interface communicatively coupled to the processor. The method may also include, during execution of the operating system, passing BIOS credentials to the BIOS based on the user-provided credentials. The method may additionally include, during execution of the operating system determining, by the BIOS, if the BIOS credentials are valid. The method may further include, responsive to determining that the BIOS credentials are valid, setting a flag to a value indicating that the BIOS setup program is to be invoked on a subsequent boot of the information handling system. | 07-24-2014 |
20150220088 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REPORTING AIR MOVER EVENTS TO AN OPERATING SYSTEM DURING OPERATING SYSTEM RUNTIME - In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a processor, a controller, a driver, and a basic/input output system. The controller may be associated with an air mover and configured to generate an interrupt responsive to an event associated with the air mover. The driver may be embodied in an operating system configured for execution on the processor, the driver configured to, during a runtime execution of the operating system in which the event occurred, receive at least one of the interrupt from the controller or an indication of the interrupt from a basic input/output system. The basic input/output system may comprise a program of instructions executable by the processor and configured to cause the processor to, responsive to the event, receive air mover data from the air mover, and communicate the air mover data to the driver. | 08-06-2015 |
20150278525 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMAND-BASED ENTRY INTO BASIC INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEM SETUP FROM OPERATING SYSTEM - In accordance embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include, during execution of an operating system on an information handling system and responsive to a user input indicating a desire to invoke a basic input/output system (BIOS) setup program for configuring a BIOS, prompting for and receiving user-provided credentials via a user interface communicatively coupled to the processor. The method may also include, during execution of the operating system, passing BIOS credentials to the BIOS based on the user-provided credentials. The method may additionally include, during execution of the operating system determining, by the BIOS, if the BIOS credentials are valid. The method may further include, responsive to determining that the BIOS credentials are valid, setting a flag to a value indicating that the BIOS setup program is to be invoked on a subsequent boot of the information handling system. | 10-01-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090271600 | METHOD OF USING AN INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM HAVING A BOOT FILE, AND AN INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM AND MACHINE-EXECUTABLE CODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - An information handling system and a method of using it can allow the information handling system to be started or restarted and have an operating system loaded, even if a boot variable within a persistent memory is currently invalid. The method can detect and determine a hardware path name to a new drive that has an operating system. The new drive can have a relative path name to boot entries that include a pointer to a boot file. The boot file can be executed to run a boot loader that loads the operating system. During loading of the operating system, other boot entries within the drive can provide boot parameters. The boot variable within persistent memory, and potentially the relative path name or boot parameter(s) can be updated on the new drive. In a particular embodiment, the information handling system can include a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI). | 10-29-2009 |
20110035515 | System and Method of Providing a User-Friendly Device Path - A method can include, during a boot flow at an information handling system, receiving an initial device path related to a device that is integrated with or coupled to the information handling system. The method can also include identifying a system-specific device location table based on a node included in the initial device path and receiving a particular alternate location string associated with the node at the system-specific location table. Further, the method can include adding the particular alternate location string to an alternate device path string related to the device and outputting the alternate device path to a user after the alternate device path includes an alternate location string associated with each node of the initial device path. | 02-10-2011 |
20120180076 | System and Method to Abstract Hardware Routing via a Correlatable Identifier - An information handling system includes a firmware management infrastructure. The firmware management infrastructure includes a database that identifies a correspondence between members of a set of device paths and members of a set of correlatable identifier strings. A device path represents a platform-specific reference to an object at the information handling system and a correlatable identifier string represents a platform independent reference to the object. Programs can access the database using an application programming interface. | 07-12-2012 |
20120204019 | Method of Using an Information Handling System Having a Boot File, and an Information Handling System and Machine-Executable Code for Carrying Out the Method - A method includes detecting a storage device that has a boot file and a relative path name that corresponds to the boot file, determining a hardware path name corresponding to the storage device, obtaining from the storage device the relative path name, combining the hardware path name and the relative path name to generate a full path name to the boot file, and storing the full path name within a persistent memory. | 08-09-2012 |
20160048694 | System and Method for Secure Transport of Data from an Operating System to a Pre-operating System Environment - An information handling system includes a trusted platform module (TPM) and a storage device, the TPM provides boot authentication for the information handling system such that, during a pre-boot phase, the TPM can access a platform configuration register (PCR). During a first instance of the pre-boot phase, the information handling system provides a public/private key pair including a public key and a private key, stores the private key to an encrypted storage of the TPM, seals the private key in the encrypted storage to the PCR, and stores the public key to the storage device. During an operating system phase that is after the first instance of the pre boot phase, the information handling system retrieves the public key from the storage device, encrypts transfer data using the public key, and stores the encrypted transfer data to the storage device. | 02-18-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140359302 | System and Method for Intercept of UEFI Block I/O Protocol Services for BIOS Based Hard Drive Encryption Support - An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver. | 12-04-2014 |
20150331734 | DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BASED ON INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM VARIABLES - Methods and systems for performing diagnostic testing based on information handling system variables include receiving a first indication specifying diagnostic tests to be performed on an information handling system, receiving a second indication specifying diagnostic test conditions respectively associated with the diagnostic tests, receiving a third indication specifying health condition severity of the information handling system, and receiving a fourth indication specifying a user profile including user usage patterns. Based on the first indication, the second indication, the third indication, and the fourth indication, a schedule for executing diagnostic tests is generated. | 11-19-2015 |
20160070655 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERCEPT OF UEFI BLOCK I/O PROTOCOL SERVICES FOR BIOS BASED HARD DRIVE ENCRYPTION SUPPORT - An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver. | 03-10-2016 |
20160098283 | Platform Configuration Management Using a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) - Methods and systems for platform configuration management may use a platform configuration register (PCR) stored on a trusted platform module (TPM) included with an information handling system. A basic input/output system (BIOS) may include instructions to generate a first PCR value based on BIOS settings while a user is operating the BIOS. When the first PCR value indicates a change from a previous PCR value stored in the PCR, an alert may be displayed to the user and sent to a network administrator. The BIOS may display an indication of a mapping of BIOS settings to the first PCR value. | 04-07-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110241802 | TUNABLE EVANESCENT-MODE CAVITY FILTER - A tunable filter having an electronically tunable center frequency and dynamic bandwidth control over a large tuning range. High-Q continuously tunable evanescent-mode cavity resonators and filters using reliable RF MEMS actuators. One embodiment is a 3.4-6.2 GHz (1.8:1 tuning ratio) continuously tunable electrostatic MEMS resonator with quality factor of 460-530, with a volume of 18×30×4 mm including the actuation scheme and biasing lines. A tunable resonators is also disclosed with a 2.8:1 (5.0-1.9 GHz) tuning ratio, and Q of 300-650. | 10-06-2011 |
20120276854 | Slot Antenna For An Implantable Device - An implantable medical device may include a case which houses components of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. The inductive coil may be operative to inductively couple to an external coil and to transfer energy from the external coil to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a cutout formed in the case of the implantable medical device and filled with a dielectric material. The cutout may be operative to reduce eddy currents in the case during recharge of the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a slot antenna disposed within the case. The slot antenna may be operative to communicate with an external device through the cutout in the case. | 11-01-2012 |
20120276856 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE ANTENNA - An implantable medical device includes a case having a conductive housing defining an opening. A dielectric material is coupled to the conductive housing to hermetically seal the opening. An antenna is within the case under the dielectric material. A header block is coupled to the case over the dielectric material. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277831 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE CHARGING - A particular method of providing power to an implantable medical device includes providing a first signal to a primary coil that is inductively coupled to a secondary coil of an implantable medical device. The method also include determining a first alignment difference between a voltage corresponding to the first signal and at least one of a current corresponding to the first signal and a component voltage at a component of a primary coil circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency sweep range based on the first alignment difference. The method also includes performing a frequency sweep over the frequency sweep range. | 11-01-2012 |
20120287004 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITHOUT ANTENNA FEEDTHROUGH - An implantable medical device includes a case having a conductive housing defining an opening. A dielectric material is coupled to the conductive housing to hermetically seal the opening. A header block is coupled to the case over the dielectric material. An antenna is within the case under the dielectric material and there is no antenna feedthrough extending through the case into the header block. | 11-15-2012 |
20130207863 | ANTENNA SHIELD FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device includes a housing. An opening is present in the housing. The implantable medical device includes an antenna in the housing, where the antenna is located below the opening. The implantable medical device includes a cover coupled to edges of the housing defining the opening to close the opening. The cover enables passage of radio frequency signals at one or more communication frequencies to and from the antenna. The implantable medical device also includes an antenna shield positioned above the cover. The antenna shield reduces passage of radio frequency signals to and from at least a portion of the antenna during use. | 08-15-2013 |
20140055088 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE WITH BACKSCATTER SIGNAL BASED COMMUNICATION - An implantable medical device is disclosed that includes a charging coil configured to inductively couple to a first external coil to receive a charging signal to charge a charge storage element of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device also includes a circuit coupled to the charging coil. The circuit includes a circuit component that, in response to the charging signal, generates a backscatter signal. The implantable medical device also includes a communication coil orthogonal to the charging coil and coupled to the circuit component. The communication coil is configured to inductively couple to a second external coil to communicate the backscatter signal to the second external coil. | 02-27-2014 |
20140084855 | COMMUNICATION EFFICIENCY WITH AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE USING A CIRCULATOR AND A BACKSCATTER SIGNAL - A device includes a primary antenna configured to communicate a signal to an antenna of an implantable medical device (IMD). A circulator is coupled to the primary antenna. The circulator enables the signal to pass from a transmitter to the primary antenna. The circulator also enables a backscatter signal from the IMD to pass from the primary antenna to a receiver. A processor coupled to the receiver. The processor configured to determine, based on the backscatter signal, an improved impedance value for a component of the IMD and/or an improved frequency for the signal communicated to the IMD, to improve communication efficiency of the signal to the IMD. | 03-27-2014 |
20140203823 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE DEPTH ESTIMATION - A method includes applying a signal to a primary coil of an external charging device. The signal causes the primary coil to inductively couple to a secondary coil of an implantable medical device that is implanted within tissue of a patient. The method also includes measuring a current at the primary coil. The method further includes estimating a depth of the implantable medical device within the tissue of the patient based on the measured current. | 07-24-2014 |
20140266921 | ANTENNA COUPLED TO A COVER CLOSING AN OPENING IN AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device includes a housing. An opening is present in the housing. The implantable medical device includes communication circuitry in the housing. The implantable medical device includes a cover coupled to edges of the housing defining the opening to substantially close the opening. The implantable medical device also includes an antenna coupled to the cover. The antenna is electrically coupled to the communication circuitry. | 09-18-2014 |
20140320074 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE CHARGING APPARATUS HAVING BOTH PARALLEL AND SERIES RESONATORS - An implantable medical device charging apparatus includes a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes a series resonator responsive to a signal applied to the charging circuit. During operation, the series resonator inductively couples to a secondary coil within an implantable medical device to transfer energy to the secondary coil. The charging circuit also includes a parallel resonator coupled to the series resonator. The parallel resonator filters a first component of the signal from propagating to the series resonator. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110180459 | METHODS FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN FROM BITUMINOUS MATERIAL - Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The method can include the steps of adding a first quantity of first solvent to a bitumen material to form a first mixture, separating a first quantity of bitumen-enriched solvent from the first mixture and thereby creating first solvent-wet tailings, adding a quantity of second solvent to first solvent-wet tailings to separate a first quantity of first solvent component from the first solvent-wet tailings and thereby producing second solvent-wet tailings, and adding a quantity of water to the second solvent-wet tailings to separate a first quantity of second solvent component from the second solvent-wet tailings and thereby forming solvent-dry, stackable tailings. | 07-28-2011 |
20120101014 | METHOD FOR MAKING BIOFUELS AND BIOLUBRICANTS - A process for producing biofuels and biolubricants from lipid material includes reacting lipid material with a motive fluid in a reactor. The reactor may be configured to cause a high energy collision between the motive fluid and the lipid material that facilitates the reactions that result in biofuels and biolubricants. A heavy fraction of the effluent may be repeatedly recycled back through the reactor until most, if not all, of the lipid material has been converted. | 04-26-2012 |
20120145602 | PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN AND DRYING THE TAILINGS - A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen. | 06-14-2012 |
20120145603 | Process for Extracting Bitumen and Drying the Tailings - A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen. | 06-14-2012 |
20120152809 | Methods and Apparatus for Bitumen Extraction - Methods and system for extracting bitumen can include the use of a mixing drum for spraying solvent over bituminous material to help dissolve bitumen and create a bitumen-laden solvent phase that can be separated from the non-bituminous components of the bituminous material. The mixing drum can be rotating during the spraying step to help promote dissolution of bitumen. The mixing drum can also include an internal screen for separating bitumen-laden solvent from the non-bituminous material. In some embodiments, two or more mixing drums are used in series, with the non-bituminous material from the first mixing drum being sprayed with additional solvent in the second mixing drum and bitumen laden solvent from the second mixing drum being used as the solvent sprayed over bituminous material in the first mixing drum. Hydrocyclones can also be incorporated in the in system and methods for increased extraction efficiency. | 06-21-2012 |
20120228196 | Methods of Preparing Bituminous Material for Bitumen Extraction - Methods of preparing bituminous material for extraction processing are described. The methods can include mixing bituminous material with hydrocarbon solvent before and/or during a step of crushing the bituminous material to reduce the size of clumps contained in the bituminous material. The steps of adding hydrocarbon solvent and crushing the bituminous material can be carried out multiple times. | 09-13-2012 |
20130006026 | Methods of Transporting Various Bitumen Extraction Products and Compositions Thereof - Methods for transporting bitumen extraction product include providing bitumen-laden aromatic solvent, providing bitumen-laden paraffinic solvent, and blending the two materials. The resulting mixture can be transported through existing pipeline infrastructure and can use existing separation processing equipment, and thereby avoids the need for separate infrastructure for each composition. Combining the two compositions can also avoid undesirable asphaltene precipitation. | 01-03-2013 |
20130025861 | Methods and Systems for In-Situ Extraction of Bitumen - A method for carrying out in-situ bitumen extraction can include a step of forming one or more vertical freeze walls within or around a deposit of bituminous material and establishing a laterally confined deposit of bituminous material; a step of injecting a solvent within the laterally confined deposit of bituminous material; a step of withdrawing a mixture of dissolved bitumen and solvent from within the laterally confined deposit of bituminous material; a step of injecting water within the laterally confined deposit of bituminous material; and a step of withdrawing a mixture of solvent and water from within the laterally confined deposit of bituminous material. | 01-31-2013 |
20130026077 | Methods and Apparatus for Bitumen Extraction - A bitumen extraction method can include the use of a two or more mixing drums aligned in series for spraying solvent over bituminous material and/or tailings loaded in the mixing drums while the mixing drums rotate. Such mixing can result in the dissolution of bitumen into the solvent, which then allows for the separation of a “dilbit” stream from the bituminous material. | 01-31-2013 |
20130026078 | Methods for Extracting Bitumen From Bituminous Material - Methods for preparing solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The method can include the steps of adding a first quantity of solvent to a bitumen material to form a first mixture, separating a first quantity of bitumen-enriched solvent from the first mixture and thereby creating solvent-wet tailings, and adding a quantity of water to the solvent-wet tailings to separate a solvent component from the solvent-wet tailings and thereby forming solvent-dry, stackable tailings. The solvent used in the methods can include paraffinic solvent, such as pentane. | 01-31-2013 |
20130043033 | UPGRADING HYDROCARBON MATERIAL ON OFFSHORE PLATFORMS - Methods and systems for upgrading hydrocarbon on offshore platforms are described. Hydrocarbon material can be extracted from deposits under bodies of water and upgraded on offshore platforms, such as through the use of one or more nozzle reactors. The upgraded hydrocarbon material produced by the nozzle reactor, can than be transported back to shore through pipelines, in part due to the improved viscosity of the upgraded material. | 02-21-2013 |
20130048539 | Methods and Systems for Upgrading Hydrocarbon - Methods and systems for upgrading hydrocarbon are described. The system can include a combustor and a nozzle reactor. The combustor can be used to produce a motive fluid suitable for use in the nozzle reactor. The motive fluid produced by the combustor and a hydrocarbon stream can be injected into the nozzle reactor to upgrade the hydrocarbon material. The systems and methods can also be integrated with a steam assisted gravity drainage system. | 02-28-2013 |
20130058835 | NOZZLE REACTOR AND METHOD OF USE - A nozzle reactor includes a passage having one or more regions with a converging-diverging shape. The nozzle reactor accelerates a reacting fluid to supersonic velocities and mixes it with a feed material. The reacting fluid and the feed material may be pre-heated. The high speed collision between the reacting fluid and the feed material at elevated temperatures causes the materials to react. | 03-07-2013 |
20130092599 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR UPGRADING HYDROCARBON - Methods and systems of upgrading hydrocarbon material, such as bituminous material, are described. The methods and systems can reduce or eliminate the need for the use of atmospheric and/or vacuum distillation towers by instead using clyconic separation apparatus. The methods and systems can include the use of one or more cyclonic separation apparatus aligned in series in order to separate out a high boiling point fraction of the hydrocarbon material and then upgrading the high boiling point hydrocarbon material in a nozzle reactor. | 04-18-2013 |
20130105361 | Nozzle Reactor Systems and Methods of Use | 05-02-2013 |
20130105362 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTEGRATING BITUMEN EXTRACTION WITH BITUMEN UPG... | 05-02-2013 |
20130161238 | Methods and Systems for Removing Material from Bitumen-Containing Solvent - Methods and systems for preparing bitumen-laden solvent for downstream processing are described. The bitumen-laden solvent can be treated with various materials, such as water and emulsion breakers, followed by treating the bitumen-laden solvent in a desalter. The desalted bitumen-laden solvent can then be subjected to downstream processing, such as upgrading in a nozzle reactor. | 06-27-2013 |
20130206405 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IN-SITU EXTRACTION OF BITUMEN - Methods and systems for in situ extraction of bitumen from deposits of bitumen-containing material are described. The methods and systems can generally include establishing freeze walls within the deposit of bitumen-containing material to establish a confined zone into which solvents can be injected in order to extract bitumen from the bitumen-containing deposits. Different types of solvents can be sequentially injected in order to extract bitumen and also help reduce the amount of solvent left behind in the deposit. | 08-15-2013 |
20130206647 | PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING BITUMEN AND DRYING THE TAILINGS - A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen. | 08-15-2013 |
20130251597 | NOZZLE REACTOR AND METHOD OF USE - A nozzle reactor includes a passage having one or more regions with a converging-diverging shape. The nozzle reactor accelerates a reacting fluid to supersonic velocities and mixes it with a feed material. The reacting fluid and the feed material may be pre-heated. The high speed collision between the reacting fluid and the feed material at elevated temperatures causes the materials to react. | 09-26-2013 |
20130341245 | Methods and Systems for Upgrading Hydrocarbon Residuum - A hydrocarbon upgrading method is described. The method can generally include a step of providing a nozzle reactor, a step of injecting hydrocarbon residuum into the feed passage of the nozzle reactor, and a step of injecting a cracking material into the main passage of the nozzle reactor, and a step of collecting a product stream exiting the exit opening of the main passage of the nozzle reactor. The hydrocarbon residuum used in the method can be obtained from a hydroconversion-type upgrader, such as an ebullating bed hydrocracker. | 12-26-2013 |
20140110307 | DUAL REACTOR FOR IMPROVED CONVERSION OF HEAVY HYDROCARBONS - An improved hydrocarbon cracking process includes a first reactor such as a nozzle reactor positioned in series with a second reactor such as a tubular reactor. A cracking fluid such as steam or natural gas is reacted with heavy hydrocarbon material in the first reactor. The first reactor may provide a tremendous amount of thermal and kinetic energy that initiates cracking of heavy hydrocarbon materials. The second reactor provides sufficient residence time at high temperature to increase the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon materials to the desired level. The cracking fluid functions as a hydrogen donor in the cracking reactions so that very little of the heavy hydrocarbon material becomes hydrogen depleted and forms coke even if the heavy hydrocarbon material is repeatedly recycled through the process. | 04-24-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120150642 | ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-BASED RECOMMENDER AND SELF-PROVISIONER - A method including providing at least one of a phone service, an Internet access service, or a television service to customers; identifying a customer when the customer uses the at least one of the phone service, the Internet access service, or the television service; selecting products or services for which the customer qualifies based on the identifying; gathering customer-specific data for the customer; generating recommendations that pertain to the at least one of the phone service, the Internet access service, or the television service for the customer based on the products or the services for which the customer qualifies, the customer-specific data, and other factors, wherein the other factors include at least one of a location of the customer or a time in which the recommendations is to be provided to the customer; and providing the recommendations to the customer via the at least service. | 06-14-2012 |
20120151514 | INTELLIGENT OFFER GENERATION - A method may include receiving a user request to view a channel to which the user does not currently subscribe. Customer information regarding the user and marketing rules regarding a plurality of combination offers that include the channel may be obtained. A number of combination offers from the plurality of combination offers may be determined based on the customer information and the marketing rules. One or more of the determined combination offers may be provided to the user. A user request to purchase a selected one of the provided combination offers may be received. The channels included within the selected combination offer may be provisioned based on the user request. | 06-14-2012 |
20120151533 | MULTI-SERVICE STORE - A method may include obtaining customer information regarding the user and marketing rules regarding a plurality of store offerings. A number of store offerings from the plurality of store offerings may be identified based on the customer information and the marketing rules. One or more of the identified store offerings may be provided to the user. A user request to purchase a selected one of the provided store offerings may be received. The content or services associated with the selected store offering may be provisioned based on the user request. | 06-14-2012 |
20130036443 | INTERACTIVE AND PROGRAM HALF-SCREEN - A method and system that provides a television service via a customer device; receives a customer input to invoke an interactive mode pertaining to the television service; retrieves a graphical user interface that includes an interactive and program half-screen comprising an interactive half-screen and a program half-screen, wherein the interactive half-screen is substantially a same size as a program half-screen, and the interactive half-screen and the program half-screen occupy an entire size of the graphical user interface; and displays the graphical user interface via the customer device, wherein the interactive half-screen includes one or more interactive graphical elements and the program half-screen includes a program window to display a program. | 02-07-2013 |
20130042269 | INTERACTIVE MASTHEAD - A method and system that provides a television service; receives a customer input to access a graphical user interface that includes a main menu pertaining to the television service; retrieves the graphical user interface; and displays the graphical user interface via the customer device, wherein the graphical user interface includes a main menu body and an interactive masthead having an interactive element that permits a customer to access content via the interactive element. | 02-14-2013 |
20130042284 | PAY-PER-VIEW PORTAL - A method and system that provides customers a pay-per-view portal, accessible via a television service, a mobile service, or an Internet service. The pay-per-view portal permits customers to search for pay-per-view programs and provide search results that include related content to pay-per-view programs including related videos, articles, biographical summaries, stats on players or fighters, and images. The pay-per-view portal provides personalized pay-per-view program recommendations, pay-per-view calendars, and sub-portals directed to categories or sub-categories of pay-per-view programs. The pay-per-view portal also provides the ordering and purchasing of pay-per-view programs days, weeks, or months in advance of the airing of the pay-per-view programs. | 02-14-2013 |
20130246155 | DIGITAL CONTENT PURCHASE OFFERS VIA SET-TOP BOX - A network device receives details of a purchase offer for digital content, where the purchase offer includes a price for the digital content at a required customer purchasing participation threshold, and where the required customer purchasing participation threshold includes a number of customers that must agree to purchase the digital content at the price for the purchase offer to be fulfilled. The network device targets multiple customers based on customer profile data, and presents the purchase offer to the multiple customers, via multiple different devices associated with respective ones of the multiple customers, during the offer period. The network device charges participating customers the purchase offer price, if the purchasing participation threshold is reached by expiration of the offer period; and notifies the participating customers of expiration of the purchase offer, if the purchasing participation threshold is not reached by the expiration of the offer period. | 09-19-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100138820 | Framework for Control Flow-Aware Processes - An improved system and method are disclosed for processing Java program code. Java source code is annotated with a Module or a ControlFlow annotation. The Java source code is then compiled to produce Java bytecode, which in turn is compiled by a just-in-time compiler to produce native code, which retains the annotations. The native code with annotations is then executed. If a bug is identified during the execution of the native code, an associated Module is selected for debugging, followed by determining associated Java source code segments within the responsible control flow path. Debugging operations are then performed on the associated Java source code segments. | 06-03-2010 |
20110145502 | META-DATA BASED DATA PREFETCHING - A technique for prefetching data into a cache memory system includes prefetching data based on meta information indicative of data access patterns. A method includes tagging data of a program with meta information indicative of data access patterns. The method includes prefetching the data from main memory at least partially based on the meta information, by a processor executing the program. In at least one embodiment, the method includes generating an executable at least partially based on the meta information. The executable includes at least one instruction to prefetch the data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes inserting one or more instructions for prefetching the data into an intermediate form of program code while translating program source code into the intermediate form of program code. | 06-16-2011 |
20120005432 | Reducing Cache Probe Traffic Resulting From False Data Sharing - Disclosed herein are a processing unit and a multi-processing unit system that implement a cache-coherency method. Such a multi-processing unit system includes a main memory, a first processing unit, and a second processing unit. The first processing unit and the second processing unit are coupled to the main memory. The first processing unit includes a cache and logic. The cache is configured to store data from the main memory. The logic is configured to maintain an entry in a directory of the cache. The entry indicates whether either of the first processing unit and the second processing unit accesses a data object of a cache line for which the first processing unit is a home node. | 01-05-2012 |
20120005592 | Method and Apparatus for Providing Metadata-Based User Interfaces - Methods and apparatus provide for the production of metadata-based user interfaces (UIs) such as graphical user interfaces (GUIs). In one example, keypad descriptor metadata is obtained. The keypad descriptor metadata is data identifying a plurality of available keypad GUIs for a particular data field to control the change from a first keypad GUI to a different keypad GUI. The first keypad GUI is provided for the data field based on the obtained keypad descriptor metadata. A second and different keypad GUI is also provided for the same data field based on the keypad descriptor metadata during the same field population session. In another example, a user interface is provided for a device. The user interface is changed based on a current machine state of an input/output function of the device and based on user interface descriptor metadata associated with an element of the user interface. | 01-05-2012 |
20130165154 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC CHECK-IN AT BUSINESSES AND OTHER APPROPRIATE VENUES USING HANDHELD DEVICES - A method and system for automatically checking-in patrons by detecting that a user is within a defined boundary and then communicating with the patron to invite them to electronically check-in with a business via a mobile device. | 06-27-2013 |