最新美国发明专利第2016-09-13期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09444419B2	Boosted differential class H amplifier A differential audio amplifier system and a related system to generate an output signal free or with only very limited clipping are disclosed. It provides a solution to solve the problem of limited electrical speaker amplifier output power available (e.g. inside battery driver applications). A differential speaker amplifier has positive and negative supply rails. In a first embodiment of the disclosure the negative supply rail is connected to the output of an inverting buck-boost converter and the positive supply rail is directly connected to VSS voltage. In a second embodiment of the disclosure the positive supply rail is connected to the output of a buck-boost converter and the negative supply rail is directly connected to a positive battery voltage.
US09444417B2	Weakly coupled RF network based power amplifier architecture RF communications circuitry, which includes a first group of RF power amplifier circuits and a first weakly coupled RF network, is disclosed. The first group of RF power amplifier circuits includes a first RF power amplifier circuit, which receives and amplifies a first RF amplifier input signal to provide a first RF amplifier output signal, and a second RF power amplifier circuit, which receives and amplifies a second RF amplifier input signal to provide a second RF amplifier output signal. The first weakly coupled RF network includes a first pair of weakly coupled RF resonators coupled to the first RF power amplifier circuit and a second pair of weakly coupled RF resonators coupled to the second RF power amplifier circuit.
US09444416B1	Broadband amplifier topology with current shutdown An apparatus includes a first depletion-mode transistor, a first enhancement-mode transistor, and a pull down switch. The first depletion-mode transistor has a common source configuration. The first enhancement-mode transistor has a common gate configuration. The first depletion-mode transistor and the first enhancement-mode transistor are coupled in a cascode arrangement. The pull down switch is operatively coupled between a gate of the enhancement-mode transistor and a circuit ground.
US09444415B2	Power amplifier spurious cancellation This disclosure relates generally to power amplification devices and methods of operating the same. The power amplification devices are capable of reducing (and possibly cancelling) modulation of a ripple variation of a supply voltage level of a supply voltage onto a radio frequency (RF) signal. In one embodiment, a power amplification device includes a power amplification circuit configured to amplify an RF signal with a supply voltage such that a ripple variation in a supply voltage level of the supply voltage is modulated onto the RF signal in accordance with a conversion gain. However, the power amplification device also includes a plurality of ripple rejection circuits. The plurality of ripple rejection circuits is configured to produce phase shifts and one or more amplitude shifts in the RF signal so as to reduce the conversion gain of the power amplification circuit.
US09444414B2	Current sense circuit using a single opamp having DC offset auto-zeroing A current sense circuit having a single opamp DC offset auto-zero capability that allows for continuous current sensing operation while at the same time providing for DC offset sensing and compensation. The single opamp design can operate in a first phase to sense and store a DC offset, while providing an output to drive an output stage of the current sense circuit. The single opamp design can operate in a second phase, using the sensed DC offset to generate an accurate output that can drive the output stage and which can be used in the first phase.
US09444409B2	Amplification device and amplification method An amplification device includes at least two amplifiers. The amplification device further includes: a switching unit that switches an amplification mode to one of a first amplification mode and a second amplification mode based on power of a signal before or after amplification by the amplifiers; a separating unit that separates an input signal to two signals having a constant amplitude and different phases from each other when switched to the first amplification mode by the switching unit; a modulation unit that modulates an input signal into a signal having a constant amplitude when switched to the second amplification mode by the switching unit; an amplification unit that amplifies the two signals obtained by the separating unit or two signals obtained by the modulation unit by using the amplifiers; and a combining unit that combines the two signals amplified by the amplifiers.
US09444407B2	Dual instantaneous envelope tracking Power supply circuitry, which includes a parallel amplifier and a parallel amplifier power supply, is disclosed. The power supply circuitry operates in either an average power tracking mode or an envelope tracking mode. The parallel amplifier power supply provides a parallel amplifier power supply signal. The parallel amplifier regulates an envelope power supply voltage based on an envelope power supply control signal using the parallel amplifier power supply signal, which provides power for amplification. During the envelope tracking mode, the envelope power supply voltage at least partially tracks an envelope of an RF transmit signal and the parallel amplifier power supply signal at least partially tracks the envelope power supply control signal. During the average power tracking mode, the envelope power supply voltage does not track the envelope of the RF transmit signal.
US09444403B2	Resonation element, resonator, oscillator, electronic device and moving object A resonation element includes a basal portion, resonating arms extending out in a Y-axis direction from the basal portion, and a vibration substrate, formed of single crystal silicon, in which a Z-axis direction is set to a thickness direction, and is configured such that the resonating arms are flexurally vibrated in an XY in-plane direction. In addition, when resonation frequencies of the resonating arms are set to F [kHz], widths of the resonating arms are set to W [μm], and lengths of the resonating arms are set to L [μm], at least one expression of the following Expression (1) and the following Expression (2) is satisfied. W<10A×Log(F)+B (1) where, A is −5.006×10−1, and B is 2.451, and L<10C×log(F)+D (2) where, C is −7.507×10−1, and D is 4.268.
US09444399B2	Semiconductor circuit device, electronic apparatus, and moving object A semiconductor circuit device includes: a semiconductor circuit provided on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate; and a thin film circuit element including a conductive thin film and disposed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor circuit is provided between the thin film circuit element and a peripheral portion of the semiconductor substrate in a plan view.
US09444395B2	Support assembly for mounting a solar panel unit A support assembly for mounting a solar panel unit includes a base unit and a supporting unit. The base unit includes a plurality of base tubes that are spaced apart from one another and two connecting tubes that are respectively and detachably connected to opposite end portions of each of the base tubes. The supporting unit includes a plurality of limiting components and a plurality of supporting rods. Each limiting component permits at least two of the base tubes to extend therethrough so as to position the at least two of the base tubes relative to each other. Each supporting rod is detachably connected to and extends upwardly from a corresponding one of the limiting components and is adapted for supporting the solar panel unit thereon.
US09444394B1	Modular deployable structure A modular deployable structure that includes at least two panels, one of which is configured to be pivotably attached to a further structure for deployment therefrom and return thereto. Interfaces pivotably interconnect each two panels, and are in the form of a pin clevis joint arrangement. Dogbone links are pivotably attached to the interfaces to effect pivoting of the panels. Linkage members extend adjacent to the panels and are pivotable relative to the dogbone links. The linkage members pivotably interengage one another, for example via gears. A drive mechanism effects pivoting of one of the linkage members to in turn effect synchronized pivoting of all of the linkage members and the panels.
US09444393B2	Motor driving device A motor driving device, which controls a rotation number of a brushed motor by outputting a command signal to a motor controller placed in a current supply path, includes: a noise detecting unit including at least one of: a high voltage side noise detecting unit which detects high voltage side noise from brush noise included in the monitor voltage, based on whether a monitor voltage is larger than a first threshold voltage; and a low voltage side noise detecting unit which detects low voltage side noise from the brush noise included in the monitor voltage, based on whether the monitor voltage is smaller than a second threshold voltage; and a calculating unit which outputs the command signal to the motor controller to control the rotation number of the motor to reduce a occurrence number of the brush noise, based on at least one of the occurrence numbers.
US09444384B2	Direct torque control motor controller with transient current limiter An AC motor controller is provided that utilizes a direct torque controller and primary and secondary control loops. The primary control loop operates in a relatively conventional manner, determining a voltage vector that sets the inverter switching variables for the motor's power inverter, where the voltage vector is based on the motor's torque and flux as estimated from the measured voltage and current of the motor. The voltage vector determined by the primary loop is selected and applied immediately upon completion of the corresponding primary control loop computational cycle. The secondary loop, utilizing a faster sampling rate than that of the primary loop, compares the measured phase current to a preset current limit. If the secondary loop determines that the measured phase current has exceeded the preset current limit, it sets a null voltage vector, thereby limiting transient over currents.
US09444382B2	Optimized field oriented control strategies for permanent magnet synchronous motors A motor control system and associated method includes a transform component configured to receive current values associated with a motor being driven by the motor control system, and output rotating coordinate system values representing a flux generating component and a torque generating component of a current space vector. The motor control system and method further includes a control component configured to receive the flux generating component and the torque generating component of the current space vector, and generate motor control signals for driving the motor by performing a Cartesian to polar transform to obtain values associated with a rotating coordinate system followed by an angle addition to convert the rotating coordinate system values to values of a stationary coordinate system.
US09444378B2	Compressed air energy storage system utilizing two-phase flow to facilitate heat exchange A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
US09444367B2	Method and apparatus for generating single-phase power from a three-phase resonant power converter A method and apparatus for providing AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cycloconverter controller for determining a DC value based on a reference waveform and a three-phase cycloconverter, coupled to the cycloconverter controller, for selectively coupling, based on the DC value, an alternating current to an AC line to generate a single-phase AC output.
US09444366B2	Dual mode micro-inverter system and operation A dual mode direct current-to-alternating current (DC-AC) micro-inverter is capable of operating either with or without connection to an active external AC power source. The dual mode DC-AC micro-inverter may operate in “current control mode” when connection to the active AC power source is present and may operate in “voltage control mode” when connection to the active external AC source is absent. Processes for operating an array of these micro-inverters are disclosed. The dual mode operation capability enables the micro-inverter(s) to function both in the grid connected mode (i.e., current control mode) as well as off-grid mode (i.e., voltage control mode). The system is configured to sense the presence or absence of grid power and automatically select the appropriate mode of operation. For the voltage control mode of operation, a process may include designating a master from the array of micro-inverters in order to establish the voltage and frequency references.
US09444361B2	Mechanical arrangement of a multilevel power converter circuit A mechanical arrangement of a multilevel power converter circuit includes a power converter having a first portion with a plurality of first control inputs, at least three direct current voltage inputs, and an alternating current voltage output, and a second portion with a plurality of second control inputs, the at least three direct current voltage inputs and the alternating current voltage output. The second portion is split apart from the first portion. The power converter has at least three levels corresponding to the at least three direct current voltage inputs.
US09444353B2	Isolated power converter and associated switching power supply In one embodiment, an isolated power converter can include: (i) a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; (ii) a secondary rectifier circuit coupled to the secondary winding; (iii) a power switch coupled between an input voltage source and a first terminal of the primary winding, where a second terminal of the primary winding is coupled to ground; (iv) a feedback circuit coupled between the first and second terminals of the primary winding, the feedback circuit being configured to generate a feedback voltage based on a voltage across the primary winding; (v) a control circuit configured to generate a control signal to control the power switch; and (vi) an over voltage protection circuit configured to activate a reset signal when the voltage feedback signal is greater than a threshold value, where the reset signal is configured to reset the control signal when activated.
US09444339B2	DC-DC converter A DC-DC converter, adapted to control a converting circuit to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, is disclosed. The converting circuit comprises a switch module and an LC filter, the switch module is coupled to the input voltage, and the LC filter is coupled to the switch module and provides the output voltage. The DC-DC converter comprises a system control circuit, a driver circuit, and an output voltage adjusting circuit. The system control circuit generates a switch control signal according to a reference voltage and a state of the LC filter. The driver circuit controls the switch module according to the switch control signal for adjusting the output voltage in response to the reference voltage. The output voltage adjusting circuit determines whether adjusting the output voltage toward a predetermined adjusting voltage according to an adjusting reference voltage and a detecting voltage indicative of the output voltage.
US09444334B2	DC/DC converter The present invention includes: a zero crossing detection circuit which outputs a zero crossing signal when an inductor's regeneration period is completed; a light load detection circuit which compares an amplified error signal from an error amplifier and a threshold and outputs a light load signal; a timer circuit which outputs an intermittent operation enabling signal after a predetermined period based on the light load signal and zero crossing signal and outputs an intermittent operation disabling signal when the zero crossing signal is not outputted for a predetermined period; and an ON-OFF control controller which turns off a switching element when the amplified error signal falls below the threshold while the timer circuit is outputting the intermittent operation enabling signal, and turns on the switching element when the amplified error signal at least reaches or exceeds the threshold while the timer circuit is outputting the intermittent operation enabling signal.
US09444332B2	System and method for controlling a power supply during discontinuous conduction mode In accordance with an embodiment, a controller for a switched mode power supply includes an average current comparator that determines whether an average current within the switched mode power supply is below a current threshold, and a switch signal generation circuit coupled to the average current comparator having switch signal outputs configured to be coupled to a switching circuit of the switched mode power supply. The switch signal generation circuit produces a first switching pattern in a first mode of operation and produces a second switching pattern a second mode of operation. When the average current comparator determines that the average current is below the current threshold, the switch signal generation circuit is operated in a first mode, and when the average current comparator determines that the average current is not below the current threshold, the switch signal generation circuit is operated in a second mode.
US09444329B2	Step-up/step-down voltage converter having low output ripple A voltage converter device converts an input signal having a given input voltage value into an output signal having an output voltage different from the input voltage. The device comprises a main module, arranged between an input terminal and a first circuit node, The device is adapted to output at the first circuit node a pulse-width-modulated signal switching between a first voltage value and a second voltage value, defining a switching range, by switching successively between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The switching range of the pulse width modulation has an amplitude, calculated as the absolute difference between the first and the second voltage value, inferior or equal to half the input voltage.
US09444328B2	Acoustic noise mitigation using periodicity disruption In one or more embodiments, a fixed time interval for a system is determined. The fixed time interval corresponds to time between clock ticks. A random time interval is determined based on the fixed time interval and an offset. One or more electronic components affixed to a motherboard are transitioned to a new power state when the random time interval has elapsed. By introducing a randomization to the timing element to a control signal that drives the power state transition, a periodicity for the system is disrupted. The disruption in periodicity mitigates acoustic noise generated by vibrations in electronic components and motherboards affected by current and/or voltage transitions.
US09444327B2	Boost PFC converter, method and control circuit used for boost PFC converter A boost PFC converter, a method and a control circuit used for boost PFC converter are discussed in the present invention. The boost PFC converter decreases the switching frequency when a line voltage is around zero, so that the whole operating efficiency is not decreased.
US09444326B2	Sepic-type voltage converter A SEPIC-type voltage converter for converting an input voltage supplied by a power supply into an output voltage comprises an inductive component comprising primary and secondary windings, an output capacitor for delivering power to a load by way of an output node, an AC coupling capacitor, a first rectifier for rectifying the output voltage, and a switch for periodically switching between an ON state in which the primary winding is energized by the power supply and in which the secondary winding is energized by the coupling capacitor, and an OFF state in which the output capacitor is charged by both the primary winding and the secondary winding. A second rectifier is connected in series with the secondary winding and the secondary winding is inductively coupled to the primary winding such that the secondary winding is influenced by changes in the voltage applied across the primary winding by the power supply.
US09444322B2	Method for suppressing circulating current in modular multilevel converter for high voltage direct-current transmission Provided is a method for suppressing a circulating current in a modular multi-level converter for a high voltage direction-current (HVDC) transmission system. The HVDC transmission system converts an alternating current (AC) into a direct current (DC) and vice versa, transmits energy using a DC cable, and including a modular multilevel converter generating a high voltage source by stacking a plurality of sub-modules in series. In the circulating current suppression method, a circulating current (idiffj; j=a,b,c) of a,b,c phase in an abc 3-phase stationary reference frame, a DC current (idc) flowing in a DC cable, a current reference value (idc) of a DC component that needs to flow in the DC cable are inputted. The circulating current (idiffj) of the a,b,c phase is controlled to become zero. A compensation value (Vdiffj) for suppressing a harmonic component of the circulating current is outputted.
US09444316B2	Method and device for extraction or introduction of a rotor from or into a stator of an electric machine The method for extraction or introduction of a rotor (4) from or into a stator (2) of an electric machine (1) includes removing the fan blades (20) from the seats (19) of the rotor shaft (26), connecting a first guide (16) into the seats (19) of the removed fan blades (20), connecting a second guide (23) to the stator or to an element fixed to the stator (2), extracting or inserting the rotor (4) by sliding the first guide (16) on the second guide (23).
US09444315B2	Arrangement apparatus and arrangement method An arrangement apparatus and an arrangement method of allowing gripping devices to grip electrical conductors by using inexpensive, simple, and small-sized configurations. A stator manufacturing apparatus for arranging coil elements in a ring shape includes: a plurality of gripping devices that are arranged in a ring shape and grip coil elements; robot arms that supply the coil elements to the gripping devices; and a turntable that integrally rotates the plurality of gripping devices. According to this, the gripping devices are rotated by the turntable is aligned in a ring shape, and thus, the coil elements are supplied to the arrangement points by the robot arms and the plurality of coil elements can be aligned in a ring shape while gripped by the gripping devices.
US09444313B2	Rotary electric machine and driving apparatus using the same A motor includes a stator core fitted to a cylindrical portion of a case, a rotor core being rotatable in the stator core, soft magnetic poles radially extending from the rotor core, and magnet poles disposed between the soft magnetic poles. The case includes a bottom portion having a ring-shaped plate portion, a protrusion portion, and a bearing-supporting portion extending from the protrusion portion. A condition that L2≧t and a condition that L1≧L2 are met, wherein t represents a thickness of the bottom portion, L1 represents a distance in an axial direction between a side surface of the ring-shaped plate portion close to the stator core and a protrusion end of the protrusion portion close to the rotor core, and L2 represents a distance in the axial direction between the side surface and an end surface of a bearing opposite to the rotor core.
US09444312B2	Rotary electric machine A metal plate is insert-molded into a case so as to be exposed inside a B terminal mounting aperture so as to overlap with a busbar, a B terminal bolt is press-fitted from an opposite side from the busbar into a press-fitting aperture that is formed on the portion of the metal plate that is exposed inside the B terminal mounting aperture, a spacer and a nut are mounted onto a shaft portion of the B terminal bolt, and the nut is electrically connected to the busbar by the busbar being pressed and held between the spacer and the nut by a fastening force from the nut.
US09444310B2	Motor drive apparatus having a motor, rotor, stator and heat sink A motor drive apparatus includes a motor having a shaft, an end frame, and a control unit having a heat sink. The end fame and the heat sink are arranged to overlap at least partly when the end frame and the heat sink are projected on a plane, which is parallel with a rotation axis of the shaft. This arrangement improves heat radiation performance of the motor drive apparatus.
US09444307B2	Variable speed switch and electric power tool with the variable speed switch mounted thereto A variable speed switch includes a switch main body portion which is accommodated in a housing of an electric power tool and mounted to the housing so as to be capable of relative movement, and a load sensor which is provided in the switch main body portion and capable of outputting an electric signal in proportion to the amount of distortion caused by a pressing force. The switch operating portion is mounted on the surface of the housing so as to be capable of relative displacement with respect to the housing and transmits a pressing force applied to the switch operating portion to the load sensor, with the maximum displacement amount of the switch operating portion being set to equal to or less than 5 mm.
US09444306B2	Variable flux electric starter motor and method of operating the same A variable flux electric starter motor includes a frame, an armature rotatably mounted within the frame, and a primary field mounted to the frame. The primary field includes a plurality of primary windings electrically connected one to another. A relay is electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of poles. A supplemental field is mounted to the frame. The supplemental field includes a supplemental winding electrically connected in parallel to the plurality of primary windings.
US09444305B2	Motor having a braking function and used in linear actuator A motor, which has a braking function and is used in a linear actuator includes a main body, a rotation shaft, a braking means and a stopping means. The rotation shaft penetrates the center of the main body. The braking means includes a braking ring and a helical ring. The braking ring includes a plurality of curved plates. The helical ring surrounds outer edges of the curved plates. Each curved plate is put on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft. The stopping means is disposed between the main body and the braking means for restricting the rotation of any of the curved plates. By this arrangement, a better braking and decelerating function can be achieved.
US09444302B2	Rotary electric machine A rotary electric machine includes a rotor, a stator, a circuit substrate, a tubular closed-top and closed-bottom motor case arranged to accommodate the rotor, and bearings. The motor case is axially divided into a first casing and a second casing. Each of a first and a second tap portion of the first and the second casings includes an inner circumferential surface and at least one groove arranged on the inner circumferential surface. A lead bush includes a through-hole arranged to guide a lead wire and at least three annular bulging portions arranged at a specified interval along an outer circumferential surface of the lead bush. A middle annular bulging portion of the three annular bulging portions is fitted to the groove of each of the first tap portion and the second tap portion so that the lead bush is gripped between the first tap portion and the second tap portion.
US09444300B2	Core winding method and stator In a method for winding a core having an arch-like yoke portion, a tooth portion, and a tooth end portion by revolving a nozzle for feeding a conductive wire, when winding is performed in a bow-like area surrounded by an inner circumferential arc of the yoke portion and the chord thereof, upon winding on an end surface of the core, the nozzle moves so as to draw a convex-shaped trajectory proceeding from the tooth end portion side toward the yoke portion side with reference to the chord of the bow-like area, and upon winding on a side surface of the core, the nozzle returns from the yoke portion side to the tooth end portion side with reference to the chord of the bow-like area, and then moves along the side surface of the core.
US09444294B2	Split rotor multiphase generator A generator comprises a rotor assembly having a first rotor and a second rotor located about a shaft along a rotational axis. Each rotor includes a plurality of magnets circumferentially located about the rotational axis. The first rotor and the second rotor are separated by a gap, and adjacent magnets around each rotor and between the first rotor and the second rotor are aligned to have alternating polarity. The generator further comprises a stator assembly having a first stator and a second stator located about the shaft. The first stator inner surface is in close proximity to the first rotor outer surface and the second stator inner surface is in close proximity to the second rotor outer surface. Each stator includes a plurality of conductors circumferentially located about the shaft and proximal to the plurality of magnets of a corresponding rotor.
US09444289B2	Wireless power system and resonant frequency changing method thereof This specification provides a wireless power system capable of changing a resonant frequency and a resonant frequency changing method thereof. To this end, a wireless power receiver according to one exemplary embodiment includes a power receiving unit having a receiving side resonant circuit provided with at least one inductor and at least one capacitor, and configured to receive a wireless power signal, the wireless power signal being generated based on a resonance phenomenon between the receiving side resonant circuit and a transmitting side resonant circuit of a wireless power transmitter, and a power reception control unit configured to control the power receiving unit to change a connection between the at least one inductor and the at least one capacitor so as to change a resonant frequency corresponding to the wireless power signal.
US09444288B2	Power monitor and control apparatus and control apparatus of distributed powering system If a failure has occurred on the backbone-power-transmission-network side, i.e., the electric-power system, and if the power supply to a power-distributing/transforming substation is stopped, a power-distributing feeder is cut off from the electric-power system. Moreover, a monitor/control apparatus transmits a single-operation-permitting permission signal to a distributed power-source system which is connected to the cut-off power-distributing feeder. Here, the distributed power-source system supplies its power to the power-distributing feeder only during a time-interval in which the system is receiving the permission signal. A general load and an important load, which are connected to the power-distributing feeder, find it possible to continue their activities by taking advantage of this power.
US09444285B2	Charge controller for vehicle A charge controller is used for a vehicle equipped with a rotating machine, a main battery for storing electrical power supplied to the rotating machine, a power storage device, and a solar power generator. The charge controller includes a power converter, a first charging section, a step-up section, and a second charging section. The power converter is interposed between the solar power generator and the storage device. The first charging section controls the power converter to store electrical power generated by the solar power generator in the storage device. The step-up section steps up and outputs the power stored in the power storage device to the main battery. The second charging section controls the step-up section to charge the main battery with the power stored in the power storage device.
US09444284B2	Bi-directional wireless charger A bi-directional charging device includes a rechargeable battery, a coil coupled to the rechargeable battery, a selection mechanism that selectively causes power to be delivered from the coil to the battery and selectively causes power to be delivered from the battery to the coil, and a control mechanism. Upon determining that the coil is to provide power to the battery, the control mechanism causes the selection mechanism to selectively cause power to be delivered from the coil to the battery, and upon determining that the coil is to receive power from the battery, the control mechanism causes the selection mechanism to selectively cause power to be delivered from the battery to the coil.The bi-directional charging device includes a housing enclosing the rechargeable battery, the coil, the selection mechanism, and the control mechanism.
US09444283B2	Method and apparatus for wirelessly charging multiple wireless power receivers A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting wireless power to at least one wireless power receiver. The apparatus includes a communication unit that receives power management information from the at least one wireless power receiver, wherein the power management information includes a power capacity of each of the at least one wireless power receiver; and a controller that analyzes the power management information and determines whether an output capacity of the wireless power transmitter is greater than a total sum of the power capacities of the at least one wireless power receiver.
US09444276B2	Mobile terminal capable of being charged in a wired or wireless manner A mobile terminal capable of being charged in a wired or wireless manner is disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed mobile terminal include a terminal body having a battery, a contact unit formed at one side of the terminal body and coupled to an adaptor, and a plurality of conductive lines configured to connect the contact unit with the battery, where a first conductive line passes through a first charging unit configured to charge the battery with power received wirelessly from a wireless power transmitter, where a second conductive line passes through the second charging unit, and the first conductive line and the second conductive line diverge at a first point and converge at a second point between the contact unit and the battery.
US09444274B2	Method of detection and display of charging information of power bank A method of detection and display of charging information of power bank is provided and used when a mobile electronic device is charged by a power bank via a charging transmission device. The method of detection and display of charging information of power bank includes an information acquisition step, an integrating and computing step, and an information output step. In the information acquisition step, a power bank parameter information and a device parameter information are provided based on a choice. The power bank parameter information and the device parameter information are transmitted to a computing module of a process unit of the mobile electronic device. In an integrating and computing step, a charging information is produced after the power bank parameter information and the device parameter information are integrated or computed. In an information output step, the charging information is transmitted to a display element of the mobile electronic device.
US09444271B2	Battery balance circuit A battery balance circuit is adapted to balance battery voltages among a plurality of battery cells. The battery balance circuit is enabled to perform a battery balance process when the battery cells are charged, and is disabled when one of the batter cells is fully charged or the battery cells are un-charged.
US09444268B2	Discharge controller Remaining capacity calculation section (110) calculates remaining capacities for each of cells (300-1) and (300-2) connected in parallel with each other, and control section (130) discharges one of cells (300-1) and (300-2) having priority until the remaining capacity of that cell becomes equal to a second threshold value stored in storage section (120), if the remaining capacity of the one of the cells calculated by remaining capacity calculation section (110) is equal to a first threshold value stored in storage section (120).
US09444259B2	Safety device The present invention relates to a downhole safety device (1) for a downhole tool (2) for controlling a delivery of electricity from a power device to an electrical component in the tool, comprising a first member (3) comprising a plurality of conductors (4) and a second member (6) comprising a plurality of conductors (7). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for activating the safety device.
US09444256B2	Power storage system A power storage system includes an AC/DC converter, a first control device, a power storage device, and a load. The first control device includes a measuring portion that measures the amount of power consumed by the load, a predicting portion that predicts the demand for power consumed by the load on the basis of the amount of power consumed by the load, and a planning portion that makes a charge and discharge plan of the power storage device on the basis of the demand for power predicted by the predicting portion. The power storage device includes a second control device, a DC/DC converter, a first battery cell group, and a second battery cell group. The power storage device is placed in an underfloor space surrounded by a base and a floor of a building.
US09444254B2	Bypass switch for a boost device A boost device is coupled to a compensation device that is configured to be connected to a power system. The boost device includes multiple portions, each of the multiple portions including at least one electrical element, and a solid-state switching device electrically connected to the at least one electrical element. The solid-state switching device is connected in parallel with the at least one electrical element such that closing the solid-state switching substantially prevents current flow to the at least one electrical element.
US09444253B2	Paralleling of active filters with independent controls A parallel filter arrangement with at least two filters supplying current in line side sensing configuration and a number of sensors for measuring current. The sensors are used to determine the amount of current being supplied by the filters and the amount of current being supplied by a source. The filters adjust their supplied current in order to reduce or eliminate the amount of reactive or harmonic current being supplied by a source.
US09444240B2	Aerial cable spacer apparatus with rollers and associated methods thereof An aerial cable spacer apparatus and associated methods thereto are provided. The aerial cable spacer apparatus includes a spacer arm. A spacer body is connected to the spacer arm. At least one saddle is formed on the spacer body. At least one roller is connected to at least one of the at least one saddle and the spacer body, wherein an exterior surface of the at least one roller is positioned to intersect a cable interface path of the at least one saddle.
US09444238B1	Torsion resistant electrical wiring device An electrical wiring device includes a device housing that has a front cover having a user-accessible portion having at least one set of receptacle openings formed therein. The housing also includes a back body having a major rear surface. A mounting strap includes a central strap portion. A stabilization structure includes a plurality of shutter stabilization elements coupled to the central strap portion and disposed in a substantially balanced array around the central strap portion. The plurality of shutter stabilization elements extends through the back body to form a three-dimensional reinforcing structure that rigidly interconnects the user-accessible portion and the major rear surface.
US09444235B1	Snap-in electrical connector with spiral slot A connector assembly including a connector body with a spring clip including a first free end for engaging a side wall of an electrical box upon installation. During insertion of the connector body the first free end engages the knock-out hole perimeter and deforms so as to permit further insertion. Once the connector body is fully inserted, the spring clip cooperates with a lug on the connector body to hold the connector assembly onto the electrical box. The connector body includes one or more spiral indentations for engaging a convolution of a metal cable. The spring clip biases the cable toward engagement with the spiral indentation to yield improved performance characteristics.
US09444232B2	Site grounding and bonding system A site grounding and bonding system provides for the grounding of a plurality of facilities at a field site using a ground box through which electrical connections are made between one or more ground devices and a distribution panel electrically connected to the facilities. The grounding devices may include one or more grounding plates and one or more ground rods buried beneath the earth. A bumper pole may be placed adjacent to the ground box and bonded to the grounding devices through the ground box. The system allows for the safe grounding of a number of facilities at a site without the necessity of placing separate grounding rods and connecting conductors for each facility.
US09444231B2	Mounting mechanism A mounting mechanism for gripping DIN rail comprises: a main body and a latching body. The main body includes a first mounting portion having a stopper member and at least one first retaining unit, and a second mounting portion. The latching portion is movably disposed in the first mounting portion and includes at least one resilient portion and at least one second retaining unit. When one end of the latching body protrudes into the second mounting portion, the range of movement of the latching body spans from a position wherein the resilient portion abuts the stopper member to a position in wherein the second retaining unit abuts the first retaining unit. The main body is movably latched onto the DIN rail through the second mounting portion, and is fixed to a position on the DIN rail through one end of the latching body protruding into the second mounting portion.
US09444229B2	Spark plug for internal combustion engine that ensures stable and high ignitability when high frequency voltage is applied A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a ground electrode, an insulator held inside the ground electrode, and a center electrode held inside the insulator. When a segment of a line extending in a plug radial direction to connect an arbitrary start point on a surface of the ground electrode and an outer peripheral surface of the insulator is a line segment H, a point of intersection between the line segment H and the outer peripheral surface of the insulator is an intersection point K, a length of the line segment H is L1, and an axial distance between the intersection point K and the distal end of the insulator is L2, the ground electrode is provided on the surface thereof with a shortest discharge forming portion as the start point along a plug circumferential direction at which a value of (L1+L2) becomes minimum.
US09444224B2	Nitride laser diode with engineered non-uniform alloy composition in the n-cladding layer An ultraviolet laser diode having multiple portions in the n-cladding layer is described herein. The laser diode comprises a p-cladding layer, an n-cladding layer, a waveguide, and a light-emitting region. The n-cladding layer includes at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion maintains material quality of the laser diode, while the second portion pulls the optical mode from the p-cladding layer toward the active region. The first portion may have a higher aluminum composition than the second portion. The waveguide is coupled to the n-cladding layer and the light-emitting region is coupled to the waveguide. The light-emitting region is located between the n-cladding layer and the p-cladding layer. Other embodiments are also described.
US09444221B2	Laser apparatus and method to re-tune emission wavelength tunable LD A laser apparatus for tuning the emission wavelength of a wavelength tunable laser diode will be described. The apparatus includes a tunable LD with heaters to tune the emission wavelength of the tunable LD, and a controller to control the power supplied to the heaters. A feature of the laser apparatus is that the controller supplies pre-emphasis power to the heaters before the supplement of the power corresponding to the re-tuned emission wavelength to accelerate the stability of the temperature of the heaters.
US09444218B1	Compact WDM optical modules Methods, systems, and apparatus, for optical communication. One optical assembly includes a Fabry-Perot (FP) laser diode; a first polarization controller (PC) coupled to the FP laser diode; a circulator having four ports, a first port coupled to the first PC; an optical fiber coupled at a first end to a second port of the circulator; a second PC coupled to a third port of the circulator; an optical amplifier coupled to the second PC and a fourth port of the circulator; a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) filter coupled to the second end of the optical fiber; a splitter having at least three ends coupled at a first end to the WDM; and a Faraday rotator mirror (FRM) coupled directly or indirectly to a second end of the splitter.
US09444216B2	Method of manufacturing a Ti:sapphire crystal fiber by laser-heated pedestal growth The present invention relates to a crystal fiber, and more particularly to a Ti: sapphire crystal fiber, a manufacturing method thereof, and a wide band light source with the same. The Ti: sapphire single crystal is grown by means of laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method into a crystal fiber of a predetermined diameter. The as-grown crystal fiber is annealed for enhancing its fluorescence and reducing the infra-red residual absorption. The annealed crystal fiber is inserted into a glass capillary and is grown into a single-clad crystal fiber. The wide band light source comprises: a pumping source for providing a pumping light; a single-clad Ti: sapphire crystal fiber for absorbing the pumping light and emitting the wide band light.
US09444213B2	Method for manufacture of multi-layer wire structure for high efficiency wireless communication A structure for wireless communication having a plurality of insulator layers, a conductor layer separating each of the insulator layers, and at least one connector connecting two conductor layers wherein an electrical resistance is reduced when an electrical signal is induced in the resonator at a predetermined frequency.
US09444209B2	Brush device, electric machine The invention relates to a brush device, in particular for an electric machine, comprising at least one brush holder which has at least two brush boxes for receiving in each case one brush, wherein the brushes are mounted in a displaceable manner in the respective brush box and wherein a helical spring can be braced/is pretensioned in each case between one of the brushes and a stop in the respective brush box, and comprising at least two elastically deformable electrical conductors which are each connected with an end thereof to one of the brushes.
US09444204B2	Serial bus connector A serial bus connector is provided comprising as least one insulated body having a plurality of openings, a plurality of rows of terminals, a base assembly, at least one conductive cover, and an outer shielding. The at least one conductive cover is located upon an outer surface of a side wall of the insulated body, and comprises a plurality of first conductive portions and second conductive portions. The first conductive portions are formed by bending the conductive cover toward a direction of the inside of the insulated body, and the second conductive portions are formed by bending the conductive cover toward an opposite direction of the insulated body. The first conductive portions pass through the openings of the insulated body to extend into the inside of the insulated body for electrically connecting with another complementary connector.
US09444202B2	Connector receptacle A connector receptacle includes an insulating housing, a plurality of contacts, a protective plate, and a metallic shell. The insulating housing includes a base portion and a tongue portion extending from the base portion. The tongue portion defines a plurality of receiving slots through the base portion. The contacts are inserted into the receiving slots, and a power contact exists among the contacts. The protective plate includes a planner main portion and two connecting arm portions. The planar main portion is disposed on the tongue portion, and includes a planar section, a front section, a side section, and a connecting section. One lateral side of the planar section is a cutting notch exposing parts of the tongue portion which corresponds to the power contact. The cutting notch prevents the power contact and the protective plate from contacting while connecting with a plug, so as to secure the safety.
US09444201B2	Electric connector An electric connector includes an insulation body, a shielding shell, first and second conductive terminals, and an organizer. The insulation body has a base portion and a tongue portion extended horizontally forward from the base portion. The shielding shell encloses the insulation body. Each first or second conductive terminal has a retaining section fixedly located in the insulation body, a contact section extended forward from the retaining section and located on the tongue portion, and a soldering section bent upward from the retaining section and extended outside the base portion. The organizer located on the base portion has an elongate slot and apertures that penetrate the base portion. The elongate slot allows the soldering sections of the first conductive terminals to pass through and anchor therein. Each aperture allows the soldering section of each second conductive terminal to pass through and anchor therein.
US09444194B2	Connector with sheet A connector with a sheet has a housing mated with another connector, a terminal secured to the housing and contacting another terminal on the other connector, and a sheet affixed to the housing. The sheet has a laminate structure which includes a soft magnetic layer having real parts of complex relative permeability at 100 MHz of from 20 to 45, and a conductive/dielectric layer having an electrical resistance of from 0.5 to 20 Ω·cm.
US09444192B2	Communication connector and electronic device using communication connector A connector includes one insulator, conductive contacts fixed through the insulator, and wire bodies that are in respectively one-to-one connection to the conductive contacts. The conductive contacts are arranged in arrays to form several conductive contact arrays, each conductive contact array includes several conductive contact groups, and each conductive contact group includes two differential contacts and one earth contact, where wire bodies connected to each conductive contact array form a wire body array, and wire bodies connected to each conductive contact group form a wire body group. The communication connector further includes several shielding pieces, where the shielding pieces are disposed between two neighboring wire body arrays two neighboring wire body arrays, each shielding piece is not conductively connected to any object, and each shielding piece covers only one wire body group.
US09444190B2	Adapter for mounting protector module to ground An adapter for grounding a protector module in a network interface device (NID) is provided. The adapter includes a body, and at least one ground mount area on the body. Each ground mount area includes a ground post extending from the body and configured to conductively couple to the protector module. A connector extends from the body and is configured to conductively couple to a grounding element of the NID. The body, the at least one ground post and the connector are conductive. The adapter allows for reuse of existing protector modules that do not have a ground adapter for direct mounting to a ground post by using the vertical grounding feature found in the protector module.
US09444185B2	Guide device A guide device that guides a component terminal includes: a guide portion configured to guide the component terminal to a specified position; and a separating mechanism portion configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal after the guidance of the component terminal, as compared with before the guidance of the above component terminal.
US09444184B2	System and method for releasably coupling a fluid dispenser to a dispensing system A system and method for releasably coupling a fluid dispenser to a structure. There is a push to connect-pull to disconnect connector system that has first and second mating connectors. A first connector is mounted to the dispenser and a second connector is mounted to the structure. The connector system accomplishes both mechanical and electrical interconnection between the dispenser and the structure.
US09444183B2	Bused electrical center for electric or hybrid electric vehicle A bused electrical center and a method for its construction. The bused electrical center includes a plurality of bus bars, which are housed between a bus bar housing and a filter housing, a filter device and a plurality of interface terminals that couple leads on the filter device to isolation tabs formed on the bus bars. No solder is employed to electrically or mechanically couple the interface terminals to the leads or to the isolation tabs such that the interface terminals are the sole means for electrically connecting the isolation tabs and the leads.
US09444180B2	Connector strain relief assembly Disclosed is a connector strain relief assembly comprising: a connector adapter having a first connector adapter end configured to fit over an electrical connector, and a second connector adapter end having a substantially spherical shape; a cable adapter having a first cable adapter end configured to fit over an electrical cable, and a second cable adapter end having a substantially spherical shape; and, a ball-joint connector having a link socket end and a link ball end attached to the connector adapter and to the cable adapter.
US09444179B1	Secure dual mount cover for outdoor electrical devices A cover for outdoor electrical devices includes a rectangular base having a rear, side and bottom panels. A peripheral flange surrounds the base. Haspways are provided in diagonally opposed corners of the flange, with the haspways being closed by a web. A lid is hinged to the top panel, for orientation in a vertical position or to a side panel for orientation in a horizontal position. An aperture at a lower corner of the lid registers with a lower haspway. To secure the cover, the lower haspway web is broken and padlock shackle inserted through the open haspway and lid aperture. The haspway at the upper corner of the base flange remains closed by the web to preclude the entrance of water into the interior of the cover.
US09444175B2	Socket connector A socket connector has a core. The core has a base located at a first end of the core and has a plurality of orifices opening at a second end of the core. Each socket contact in a plurality of socket connectors includes a socket contact lead. Each of the socket contacts in the plurality of socket connectors is located in an orifice in the plurality of orifices so that the socket contact lead of each socket contact lead extends through the base and outside the socket connector. A core cap is affixed to the core so that the core cap covers the plurality of orifices.
US09444174B2	Connecting terminal device and compressor A connecting terminal device includes a connecting terminal body having a plurality of pin connection holes. The connecting terminal body has an outer circumferential surface with at least one arcuate groove cut out of the outer circumferential surface. The arcuate groove extends along a circumferential direction centered on a first hole of the plurality of pin connection holes provided in the connecting terminal body. The plurality of pin connection holes other than the first hole are positioned within the arcuate groove. Preferably, the connecting terminal device is part of a compressor.
US09444170B1	Electronic charging device for vehicles and method for making same An electronic charging device for vehicles comprises a stretchable contact head, a housing connected with the contract head, an outside diameter of a bottom part of the housing is equal to an inside diameter of a power taking mouth of a vehicle cigarette lighter, a power adapter is located inside the housing, the power adapter has a first electrode contact and a second electrode contact, the first electrode contact is located at the bottom part of the housing, a top area of the contract head is defined as the second electrode contact, a top part of the housing has a charging port, the charging port is connected with the power adapter, the housing further includes a limiting element, the limiting element is clamped with the contract head through a clamping piston structure, the housing further has a spring, one end of the spring resists the contract head.
US09444167B2	Terminal and terminal manufacturing method A male terminal (40) includes a terminal body (41) and an insulating member (45). The terminal body (41) includes a cylindrical terminal contact portion (42) provided with a penetration hole (42a) extending in the axial direction. The insulating member (45) includes a tip insulating portion (46) projecting forward from the tip of the terminal contact portion (42), a terminal holding portion (47) disposed on the rear side of the terminal contact portion (42) to hold the terminal body (41), and a communicating resin portion (48) disposed in the penetration hole (42a) to connect the tip insulating portion (46) and the terminal holding portion (47).
US09444162B1	DIMM connector region vias and routing A dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connector system is provided. The DIMM connector system includes a motherboard, a DIMM card and a connector by which the DIMM card is coupled with the motherboard. The motherboard includes a printed circuit board (PCB) formed of a mid-loss dielectric constant material, signal pads that are thinner than ground pads, ground pads disposed proximate to signal pads, signal vias connected to distal edges of signal pads and shared antipads. The DIMM card includes a printed circuit board (PCB) formed of a mid-loss dielectric constant material, signal pads that are thinner than ground pads, signal vias connected to distal edges of signal pads and shared antipads for respective pairs of signal vias.
US09444161B2	Multiple-in-one receptacle connector A multiple-in-one receptacle connector used for an audio equipment includes an insulating housing, receptacle connectors, and sealants. The insulating housing has a top surface having cavities disposed thereon and a bottom surface. Each cavity has a bottom having through holes disposed thereon and penetrating through the bottom surface. Each receptacle connector accommodated in the corresponding cavity includes terminals. Each terminal has a soldering section extending backward out of the corresponding receptacle connector. The soldering sections of each receptacle connector pass through the through holes disposed on the bottom of the corresponding cavity, respectively, to be out of the bottom surface. Each sealant disposed on the bottom surface seals gaps formed between the soldering sections of each receptacle connector and the through holes disposed on the bottom of the corresponding cavity. Sounds are prevented from leaking from gaps by the sealants sealing the gaps.
US09444160B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector is to be connected to a mating connector. The electrical connector includes a circuit board member formed of an insulation plate member; and a holding member for holding the circuit board member. The circuit board member includes a connecting portion to be connected with a mating connector of the mating connector. The connecting portion includes a pair of conductive band portions and a first insulation region disposed between the conductive band portions.
US09444159B2	Terminal for contacting an electrical conductor A terminal (100) for contacting an electrical conductor (400) is characterized by an insulating housing (110) having an elongated opening (200) which is accessible from above for the insertion of the electrical conductor (400) and having at least one insulation displacement connector (210, 220) which is arranged laterally on the housing (110) and is able to move from the side and substantially perpendicularly to the elongated opening (120) and thereby contacts the electrical conductor (400) by insulation displacement connection and fixes it in the housing (110).
US09444156B2	Coaxial connector grounding inserts A coaxial cable connector and a grounding insert extending between an elongated hollow post and a nut interior and providing an electrically conductive path therebetween.
US09444154B2	Terminal fitting-equipped conductor The present disclosure provides a terminal fitting-equipped conductor that has a high level of tensile strength and can achieve stable contact resistance. A terminal fitting-equipped conductor is a terminal fitting-equipped conductor to which a terminal fitting is attached by crimping an end portion of a flexible metal braided portion made of a plurality of metal wires braided together. The wires are fused to each other by resistance welding and a crimped portion is formed at the end portion of the metal braided portion. The crimped portion is crimped to a barrel portion with which the terminal fitting is provided. The wires are mutually bonded by being fused to each other, and fixed. As a result, the crimped state of the crimped portion to the barrel portion is stable.
US09444153B2	Composite molding and method of manufacturing the same A composite molding comprises an insulative molded body molded into a prescribed shape; an insulative transfer layer covering at least part of a front surface of the molded body; an electrode pattern layer formed between the molded body and the transfer layer; an electrically conductive contact pin having one end side buried in the molded body and fixed thereto and an other end stuck out from the molded body; and an electrically conductive bonding agent formed between the electrode pattern layer and the molded body and bonding to the electrode pattern layer and the contact pin to form an electrical connection between the electrode pattern layer and the contact pin. This arrangement prevents defects caused by embedding a contact pin in a molded body and reliably makes an electrical connection between the contact pin and an electrode pattern layer.
US09444142B2	Dual band antenna and wireless communication device employing same A dual band antenna includes a first radiating portion, a second radiating portion, and a resonating portion. The first radiating portion includes a first feeding arm that feeds first signals at a first frequency band. The second radiating portion is positioned spaced apart from the first radiating portion. The second radiating portion includes a second feeding arm that feeds second signals at a second frequency band. The resonating portion is connected between the first radiating portion and the second radiating portion. The resonating portion resonates with the first and second radiating portions to generate two different frequency bands, so that the dual band antenna receives and sends wireless signals at the first and second frequency bands.
US09444138B2	Link quality to static and non-static devices In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for transmitting to static and non-static devices. An access point having a plurality of antennas can send a plurality of sounding frames from the plurality of antennas to a plurality of devices. The access point can identify, based on responses to the plurality of sounding frames, at least one static device from the plurality of devices. The access point can assign, based on the responses to the plurality of sounding frames, to each of the at least one static device, a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas for operation in a directional mode for transmissions to the corresponding static device, and the remaining antennas from the plurality of antennas for operation in an omnidirectional mode.
US09444137B2	Handheld device A handheld device including a ground plane, a first antenna element and a second antenna element is provided. The ground plane includes a short edge and a first long edge adjacent to each other to form a first corner. The first antenna element is opposite to the short edge of the ground plane. The second antenna element is opposite to the first long edge of the ground plane and includes a first radiation portion. An end of the first radiation portion is electrically connected to the first long edge and adjacent to the first corner. The handheld device uses the second antenna element to adjust an equivalent ground plane length of the first antenna element.
US09444135B2	Integrated circuit package An integrated circuit package has a first side and an opposite second side. The integrated circuit package comprises: a stack of layers comprising at least a first and second electrically isolating layers, a dielectric material arranged on the stack of layers at the second side for encapsulating the integrated circuit package, a first integrated antenna structure for transmitting and/or receiving a first radio frequency signal, and a first array of electrically conductive vias extending through at least the first electrically isolating layer and the dielectric material. The first integrated antenna structure is arranged between the first and second electrically isolating layers and is surrounded by the electrically conductive vias which are electrically connected to respective first metal patches arranged on the dielectric material at the second side.
US09444128B2	Electronic device having antenna structure An electronic device having antenna structure is provided. The electronic device includes a first body, a pivot assembly, a second body and an antenna structure. The pivot assembly is pivoted to the first body along a first axis. The second body is pivoted to the pivot assembly along a second axis. The antenna structure is disposed in the pivot assembly and has a first radiation portion, a second radiation portion and a third radiation portion. The first radiation portion and the second radiation portion have a slot therebetween to form a slot antenna. The third radiation portion forms a monopole antenna and is aligned to the slot. The third radiation portion and the slot are not coplanar.
US09444126B2	High-frequency signal line A high-frequency signal line includes a base layer including first and second principal surfaces, a signal line provided on the first principal surface, a ground conductor provided on the first principal surface along the signal line, and a plurality of high-permittivity portions arranged along the signal line and in contact with a portion of both the signal line and the ground conductor, each of the high-permittivity portions having a higher specific permittivity than the base layer.
US09444121B2	Manufacturing method for sulfide-based solid electrolyte material A manufacturing method for a sulfide-based solid electrolyte material includes: preparing a raw material mixture, containing LiHS and LiX (X is one of F, Cl, Br and I), from a single lithium source; and desorbing hydrogen sulfide from the LiHS in the raw material mixture to form Li2S and synthesizing a sulfide-based solid electrolyte material from the LiX and the Li2S.
US09444116B2	Electrochemical converter An electrochemical converter with proton membrane includes a plurality of electrochemical unitary cells connected in series and arranged on a carrier tape elongated along a longitudinal axis, a first face of which has anodes that receive hydrogen and a second face has cathodes that receive air, wherein the hydrogen circulates in a flow parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aforementioned tape and the air circulates in a flow transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aforementioned tape, and separation means dividing the air flow into a cooling flow having no contact with the cathodes and a cathodic reaction flow in contact with the cathodes.
US09444114B2	Fuel cell system A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section by a first vertical partition plate and a second vertical partition plate. The first vertical partition plate extends from a front plate of the casing toward a back plate of the casing. The first vertical partition plate has a recess formed by bending a marginal end portion of the first vertical partition plate on the back plate side toward the module section at a predetermined angle. At least a raw fuel pipe of the fuel gas supply apparatus as a passage of a raw fuel is provided in the recess.
US09444113B2	Fuel cell system with water production control, and vehicle equipped with the same The invention aims to reduce degradation of the power generation performance of a fuel cell during a prolonged high load operation with high effectiveness. A fuel cell vehicle correlates the dryness of an electrolyte membrane to the cell temperature, while performing power generation control of a fuel cell based on a power demand for a driving motor. When the cell temperature exceeds a first temperature α that indicates the increased dryness of the electrolyte membrane, the fuel cell vehicle intermittently repeats temporary current increase control that shifts the operation state of the fuel cell to the state of an increased electric current and a decreased voltage in a time period t, in order to increase the amount of water production on a cathode.
US09444112B2	Fuel cell monitoring device In a fuel cell monitoring device, a gas-diffusion resistance calculation section calculates a gas-diffusion resistance Rtotal indicating a difficulty of diffusing reaction gas to a catalyst layer in a fuel cell based on a gas reaction resistance Rct calculated by a resistance calculation section. A second diffusion resistance calculation section calculates a second diffusion resistance Rdry varying depending on a dried-up in the fuel cell based on a proton transfer resistance Rmem calculated by the resistance calculation section. A first diffusion resistance calculation section calculates a first diffusion resistance Rwet varying depending on a flooding in the fuel cell by subtracting the second diffusion resistance Rdry from the gas-diffusion resistance Rtotal. A water content calculation section calculates a water content of the fuel cell based on the first diffusion resistance. A recovery control section adjusts the water content in the fuel cell based on the calculated water content.
US09444107B2	Preparation of nanostructured thin catalytic layer-based electrode ink A method of making an electrode ink containing nanostructured catalyst elements is described. The method comprises providing an electrocatalyst decal comprising a carrying substrate having a nanostructured thin catalytic layer thereon, the nanostructure thin catalytic layer comprising nanostructured catalyst elements; providing a transfer substrate with an adhesive thereon; transferring the nanostructured thin catalytic layer from the carrying substrate to the transfer substrate; removing the nanostructured catalyst elements from the transfer substrate; providing an electrode ink solvent; and dispersing the nanostructured catalyst elements in the electrode ink solvent. Electrode inks, coated substrates, and membrane electrode assemblies made from the method are also described.
US09444105B2	Immersible gaseous oxidant cathode for electrochemical cell system An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an oxidant reduction electrode module containing an oxidant reduction electrode mounted to a housing to form a gaseous oxidant space therein that is immersed into the ionically conductive medium. A fuel electrode is spaced from the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the ionically conductive medium may conduct ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A gaseous oxidant channel extending through the gaseous oxidant space provides a supply of oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the fuel electrode and the oxidant reduction electrode are configured to, during discharge, oxidize the metal fuel at the fuel electrode and reduce the oxidant at the oxidant reduction electrode, to generate a discharge potential difference therebetween for application to a load.
US09444104B2	Electrode mixture The present invention aims to provide an electrode mixture which shows little change in viscosity even after 24 hours from the preparation of the mixture and enables production of an electrode having a high electrode density and excellent flexibility and is capable of giving excellent electric properties to the resulting cell. The present invention relates to an electrode mixture including a powdery electrode material; a binder; and an organic solvent, the binder including a fluorine-containing polymer including a polymer unit based on vinylidene fluoride and a polymer unit based on tetrafluoroethylene, the fluorine-containing polymer including the polymer unit based on vinylidene fluoride in an amount of 80.0 to 89.0 mol % based on all the polymer units, and the organic solvent being N-methyl-2-pyrolidone and/or N,N-dimethylacetamide.
US09444103B2	Electrode mixture The present invention aims to provide an electrode mixture which shows little change in viscosity even after 24 hours from the preparation of the mixture and enables production of an electrode having a high electrode density and excellent flexibility and is capable of giving excellent electric properties to the resulting cell. The present invention relates to an electrode mixture including a powdery electrode material; a binder; and an organic solvent, the binder including polyvinylidene fluoride and a fluorine-containing polymer including a polymer unit based on vinylidene fluoride and a polymer unit based on tetrafluoroethylene, the fluorine-containing polymer including the polymer unit based on vinylidene fluoride in an amount of 80.0 to 90.0 mol % based on all the polymer units, the polyvinylidene fluoride having a number average molecular weight of 150,000 to 1,400,000.
US09444102B2	Fluoro material which may be used as an electrode active material A fluoro material is provided for use as an electrode active material as well as a process tar producing it. The material includes particles of a fluorosulfate which corresponds to formula (I) L1-yFe1-xMnxSO4F (I) in which 0
US09444100B2	Secondary battery In a secondary battery, a negative electrode, an electrolytic solution for negative electrode, a diaphragm, an electrolytic solution for positive electrode, and a positive electrode are disposed in order. The negative electrode includes a negative-electrode active material that has an element whose oxidation-reduction potential is more “base” by 1.5 V or more than an oxidation-reduction potential of hydrogen, and whose volume density is larger than that of lithium metal. The diaphragm includes a solid electrolyte transmitting ions of said element alone. A secondary battery with high volumetric density is provided.
US09444097B2	Positive electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, method for producing the same, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery [Object] To provide a positive electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with which characteristics of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, such as a charge/discharge efficiency, a capacity retention ratio, and a discharge capacity retention ratio are not easily degraded even in the case where the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is continuously charged at a high temperature.[Solution] A positive electrode 12 of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 1 includes a positive electrode active material layer 12b. The positive electrode active material layer 12b contains a positive electrode active material and a compound represented by a general formula (1): MH2PO2 (1). In the general formula (1), M represents a monovalent cation.
US09444095B1	Method of making cathode active material, cathode and lithium secondary battery Provided are a cathode material for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery containing the same. The cathode material for a lithium secondary battery comprises: a cathode active material, which is a lithium-transition metal oxide, and a lithium phosphate layer coated on a surface of the cathode active material.
US09444094B2	Preparation of high energy-density electrode materials for rechargeable magnesium batteries An anode active material for a magnesium battery includes a Metal M which electrochemically alloys with magnesium, magnesium, and carbon that are ball milled forming an active material mixture. The mixture may be of the formula: MgaM1-a (0≦a<1)+Carbon wherein the mixture is ball milled and has a stoichiometric amount of M and Mg and carbon of from 0.1-50 weight percent of the total mixture.
US09444079B2	Electrode structure of lithium battery An electrode structure of a lithium battery is provided for electrically connecting a positive pole and a negative pole in a tank of the lithium battery to the external. The electrode structure includes a lid body and at least one electrode body made of sheet metal material. The electrode body has a wrapped portion disposed in the lid body, two ends of the wrapped portion form bent portions respectively, and a connection portion and an output portion extend respectively from the bent portions to protrude from a surface of the lid body. A conductive electrode structure of the lithium battery is formed by wrapping instead of direct penetrating, thus achieving a hermetic effect of conductive positions of the electrode.
US09444077B2	Light emitting element manufacturing method, light emitting element and display panel A method of manufacturing a light-emitting element. The method includes forming an underlayer that includes a reflective electrode, forming a bank that has liquid repellency, irradiating the bank with characteristic energy rays to decrease liquid repellency of the bank, and forming a functional layer. The bank is formed on the underlayer and is provided with an opening and an inclined portion surrounding the opening. The opening has a shape that has a long axis and a short axis and is positioned above the reflective electrode. In plan view, end sections of the inclined portion in a direction of the long axis overlap the upper surface of the reflective electrode, while central sections of the inclined portion in the direction of the long axis do not overlap the upper surface of the reflective electrode.
US09444075B2	Emissive display with photo-switchable polarization Novel emissive display module and an emissive display assembly are disclosed. The emissive display module and the emissive display assembly incorporate a photo-switchable polarizer that is switchable between an active, polarizing, state and an inactive, non-polarizing, state depending on the predetermined level of intensity of UV light in the ambient light and enhance the viewable quality of the emissive display by minimizing or eliminating UV light reflection on the emissive display.
US09444070B2	Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same An organic light emitting display device includes: a cover window having a receiving recess, the receiving recess having a bottom surface and a side surface inclined with respect to the bottom surface; a display panel assembly in the receiving recess; an adhesive layer between the bottom surface and the display panel assembly and coupling the bottom surface to the display panel assembly; and a sealing part between the side surface and the display panel assembly to couple the side surface and the display panel assembly.
US09444067B2	Organic light-emitting diode fluorescent device and method for producing same An organic light-emitting diode fluorescent device includes an anode layer, a hole injection layer, an emissive layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode layer. A confinement layer is disposed on at least one of an upper face and a lower face of the emissive layer. The confinement layer has a triplet energy level higher than a triplet energy level of the emissive layer. A method for producing the organic light-emitting diode fluorescent device includes providing an anode substrate as an anode layer and disposing a hole injection layer, an emissive layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode layer on the anode layer in sequence. A confinement layer is disposed on at least one of an upper face and a lower face of the emissive layer while producing the emissive layer. The confinement layer has a triplet energy level higher than a triplet energy level of the emissive layer.
US09444066B2	Organic electroluminescent device and organic electroluminescent display device An organic electroluminescent device and organic electroluminescent display device having enhanced efficiency are discussed. In one example, the organic electroluminescent device includes first and second electrodes facing each other on a substrate and at least two emission layers formed between the first and second electrodes and realizing blue light, wherein, among the emission layers, a first blue emission layer close to the first electrode includes a first blue dopant having a different maximum luminescence wavelength than that of a second blue dopant of a second blue emission layer close to the second electrode.
US09444064B2	Organic electroluminescent device The present invention relates to phosphorescent organic electroluminescent devices which comprise at least one phosphorescent emitter and a mixture of at least two matrix materials in the emitting layer.
US09444063B2	Light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device To increase emission efficiency of a fluorescent light-emitting element by efficiently utilizing a triplet exciton generated in a light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer of the light-emitting element includes at least a host material and a guest material. The triplet exciton generated from the host material in the light-emitting layer is changed to a singlet exciton by triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA). The guest material (fluorescent dopant) is made to emit light by energy transfer from the singlet exciton. Thus, the emission efficiency of the light-emitting element is improved.
US09444061B2	Display substrate, manufacturing method thereof and flexible display device The invention provides a display substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a flexible display device. The display substrate in the present invention includes a base substrate and a vulnerable member arranged on the base substrate, as well as a stress absorption layer arranged between the base substrate and the vulnerable member, wherein the projection of the vulnerable member on the base substrate is within the projection region of the stress absorption layer on the base substrate; the stress absorption layer is not arranged on part of the base substrate. Since the display substrate and the flexible display device provided by the present invention are provided with the stress absorption layer, stress generated during bending may be dispersed through the stress absorption layer to protect the vulnerable member from being damaged, so as to improve the reliability of the display substrate and the flexible display device.
US09444059B2	Organometallic complex, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device A novel substance capable of emitting phosphorescence is provided. An organometallic complex represented by General Fomulae (G3) or (G5). In the formulae, M represents iridium, platinum, palladium, or rhodium, R1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R2 to R7 separately represent hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
US09444057B2	Organic light-emitting device and method for manufacturing same The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device and a method for preparing the same, and the organic light emitting device according to the present invention comprises: a substrate; a first electrode provided on the substrate; an organic material layer provided on the first electrode; a second electrode pattern provided on the organic material layer and comprising two or more metal layers spaced apart from each other; and a fuse layer provided in an entire region of an upper surface of the second electrode pattern and gaps between the metal layers spaced apart from each other.
US09444046B2	Three dimensional memory array architecture Three dimensional memory array architectures and methods of forming the same are provided. An example memory array can include a stack comprising a plurality of first conductive lines at a number of levels separated from one another by at least an insulation material, and at least one conductive extension arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines. Storage element material is formed around the at least one conductive extension. Cell select material is formed around the at least one conductive extension. The at least one conductive extension, storage element material, and cell select material are located between co-planar pairs of the plurality of first conductive lines.
US09444045B2	Top electrode for device structures in interconnect Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device includes a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell, which includes a top electrode and a bottom electrode that are separated by a RRAM dielectric layer. The top electrode of the RRAM cell has a recess in its upper surface. A via is disposed over the RRAM cell and contacts the top electrode within the recess.
US09444044B2	Resistive nonvolatile storage device, manufacturing method for same, and resistive nonvolatile storage apparatus A resistive nonvolatile storage device includes a first interlayer insulating layer provided above a substrate, a contact hole penetrating through the first interlayer insulating layer, a contact layer wholly covering a bottom surface and a sidewall surface of the contact hole and extending to at least partially cover an upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer, a contact plug filled in the contact hole, an upper surface of the contact plug being positioned below an upper surface of the contact layer, a lower electrode provided on both the contact plug and the contact layer that is provided on the part of the upper surface of the first interlayer insulating layer, and a resistance change layer provided on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode that is provided on the resistance change layer.
US09444041B2	Back-gated non-volatile memory cell A memory device and a method of making the same are presented. The memory device includes a substrate and a memory cell formed on the substrate. The memory cell includes a single transistor. The single transistor includes a first gate on the substrate which functions as a control gate and a second gate embedded in the substrate which functions as a select gate.
US09444040B2	Sidewall type memory cell A sidewall-type memory cell (e.g., a CBRAM, ReRAM, or PCM cell) may include a bottom electrode, a top electrode layer defining a sidewall, and an electrolyte layer arranged between the bottom and top electrode layers, such that a conductive path is defined between the bottom electrode and a the top electrode sidewall via the electrolyte layer, wherein the bottom electrode layer extends generally horizontally with respect to a horizontal substrate, and the top electrode sidewall extends non-horizontally with respect to the horizontal substrate, such that when a positive bias-voltage is applied to the cell, a conductive path grows in a non-vertical direction (e.g., a generally horizontal direction or other non-vertical direction) between the bottom electrode and the top electrode sidewall.
US09444038B2	Magnetic random access memory with nickel/transition metal multilayered seed structure The present invention is directed to a magnetic random access memory element that includes a multilayered seed structure formed by interleaving a first type sublayer and a second type sublayer to form one or more repeats of a unit bilayer structure and a first magnetic layer formed on top of the multilayered seed structure. The unit bilayer structure is made of the first and second type sublayers with at least one of the first and second type sublayers including therein one or more ferromagnetic elements. The multilayered seed structure may be amorphous or non-magnetic or both. The unit bilayer structure may be made of CoFeB and Ta sublayers.
US09444036B1	Implementing segregated media based magnetic memory A segregated media based magnetic memory pillar cell and a method for implementing the segregated media based magnetic memory pillar cell for use in Solid-State Drives (SSDs) are provided. The segregated media based magnetic memory pillar cell includes a first conductor M1 and a second conductor M2 with the second conductor M2 surrounded by the first conductor M1. The first conductor M1 is formed of a segregated magnetic media material defining multiple domains.
US09444031B2	Energy harvester using mass and mobile device including the energy harvester Provided are an energy harvester using a mass, and a mobile device including the energy harvester. The mobile device includes an energy harvester connected to a mobile device body to generate electric energy. The energy harvester includes an energy generator configured to generate electric energy by using a mechanical force applied by a movement of the mobile device body.
US09444021B2	Film wiring substrate and light emitting device The folding along the disposed direction of wiring patterns is prevented. Concave-convex shapes in a plan view for preventing the folding of a device as step portions in a plan view are provided on opposing sides of two conductive regions. A front edge side 3a1 of a convex shape in a plan view of a Cu foil layer 3a, which is one of the two conductive regions, is disposed to enter into a concave portion (on the side of a bottom side 3b2) of a concave shape in a plan view of a Cu foil layer 3b, which is the other conductive region, to prevent the folding along the disposed direction of wiring patterns.
US09444020B2	Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same A highly reliable light-emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A light-emitting element and a terminal electrode are formed over an element formation substrate; a first substrate having an opening is formed over the light-emitting element and the terminal electrode with a bonding layer provided therebetween; an embedded layer is formed in the opening; a transfer substrate is formed over the first substrate and the embedded layer; the element formation substrate is separated; a second substrate is formed under the light-emitting element and the terminal electrode; and the transfer substrate and the embedded layer are removed. In addition, an anisotropic conductive connection layer is formed in the opening, and an electrode is formed over the anisotropic conductive connection layer. The terminal electrode and the electrode are electrically connected to each other through the anisotropic conductive connection layer.
US09444017B2	Semiconductor light emitting device with a film having a roughened surface According to one embodiment, the second insulating film is provided between the first interconnect portion and the second interconnect portion, and at an outer periphery of a side face of the semiconductor layer. The optical layer is provided on the first side, and on the second insulating film at the outer periphery. The optical layer is transmissive with respect to light emitted from the light emitting layer. The film is provided between the second insulating film at the outer periphery and the optical layer. The film has a roughened surface on a side in contact with the optical layer.
US09444016B2	Light emitting device Provided are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device comprises a reflective layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the reflective layer, an active layer on the second conductive type semiconductor layer, a first conductive type semiconductor layer on the active layer, and a pad electrode on the first conductive type semiconductor layer. The reflective layer comprises a predetermined pattern.
US09444013B2	Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a p-side electrode, an n-side electrode, an insulating film, a p-side interconnection section, an n-side interconnection section, a phosphor layer, and a metal film. The semiconductor layer is formed on a substrate which is then removed. The p-side interconnection section is provided on the insulating film and electrically connected to the p-side electrode. The n-side interconnection section is provided on the insulating film and electrically connected to the n-side electrode. The phosphor layer is provided on the first surface and includes a step portion continued to the side surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal film is provided on the side surface of the semiconductor layer and a side surface of the step portion of the phosphor layer.
US09444012B2	Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor light emitting device includes a structural body, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The structural body includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type, and a light emitting layer between the first and second semiconductor layers. The first electrode layer includes a metal portion, plural first opening portions, and at least one second opening portion. The metal portion has a thickness of not less than 10 nanometers and not more than 200 nanometers along a direction from the first semiconductor layer toward the second semiconductor layer. The plural first opening portions each have a circle equivalent diameter of not less than 10 nanometers and not more than 1 micrometer. The at least one second opening portion has a circle equivalent diameter of more than 1 micrometer and not more than 30 micrometers.
US09444011B2	Nitride semiconductor device In the nitride semiconductor device of the present invention, an active layer 12 is sandwiched between a p-type nitride semiconductor layer 11 and an n-type nitride semiconductor layer 13. The active layer 12 has, at least, a barrier layer 2a having an n-type impurity; a well layer 1a made of a nitride semiconductor that includes In; and a barrier layer 2c that has a p-type impurity, or that has been grown without being doped. An appropriate injection of carriers into the active layer 12 becomes possible by arranging the barrier layer 2c nearest to the p-type layer side.
US09444004B1	System and method for producing modular photovoltaic panel assemblies for space solar arrays An automated system provides automated manufacturing of photovoltaic standard power modules for utilization in a space solar array, in both rolled blanket and z-folded configurations. The automated system provides robotically controlled systems for CIC-ing, glassing, stringing, laydown and acceptance testing of interconnected photovoltaic devices. A method of manufacturing the photovoltaic standard power modules includes the steps of robotic positioning of diodes, interconnects and busbars onto a SPM stringing tray followed by the robotic positioning of bare cells into position adjacent to the diodes, interconnects and busbars to form strings. The SPM stringing tray is thereafter robotically positioned adjacent to an integral welder for welding of the front side of the string. Cover glass is thereafter robotically placed over the cells. The string is flipped and the backside of the string is robotically positioned for welding.
US09444003B2	Layer-by-layer nanoassembled nanoparticles based thin films for solar cell and other applications A solar cell. The solar cell includes a substrate, a first layer comprising a first copper-based material deposited upon the substrate, the first copper-based material electrically attracted to the substrate or to a first optional deposit layer deposited between the substrate and the first layer, and a second layer comprising a second copper-based material deposited upon the first layer or an second optional deposit layer deposited between the first layer and the second layer, the second copper-based material electrically attracted to the first layer or to the second optional deposit layer, wherein the first copper-based material and the second copper-based material are selected from the group consisting of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS), copper indium selenium (CIS), and cadmium sulfate (CdS).
US09444001B1	Low cost, high performance barrier-based position sensitive detector arrays A position sensitive detector includes a substrate, an absorber layer on the substrate, a barrier layer on the absorber layer, a contact layer on the barrier layer, and a first contact and a second contact on the contact layer. The barrier layer prevents a flow of majority carriers from the absorber layer to the contact layer. The position sensitive detector is sensitive to a lateral position between the first contact and the second contact of incident light on the contact layer.
US09443991B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same In a power feeding region of a memory cell (MC) in which a sidewall-shaped memory gate electrode (MG) of a memory nMIS (Qnm) is provided by self alignment on a side surface of a selection gate electrode (CG) of a selection nMIS (Qnc) via an insulating film, a plug (PM) which supplies a voltage to the memory gate electrode (MG) is embedded in a contact hole (CM) formed in an interlayer insulating film (9) formed on the memory gate electrode (MG) and is electrically connected to the memory gate electrode (MG). Since a cap insulating film (CAP) is formed on an upper surface of the selection gate electrode (CG), the electrical conduction between the plug (PM) and the selection gate electrode (CG) can be prevented.
US09443990B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device for adjusting threshold thereof A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device in which the threshold is adjusted is provided. In a semiconductor device including a plurality of transistors arranged in a matrix each including a semiconductor, a source or drain electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor, a gate electrode, and a charge trap layer between the gate electrode and the semiconductor, electrons are trapped in the charge trap layer by performing heat treatment and, simultaneously, keeping a potential of the gate electrode higher than that of the source or drain electrode for 1 second or more. By this process, the threshold increases and Icut decreases. A circuit that supplies a signal to the gate electrode (e.g., word line driver) is provided with a selection circuit formed of an OR gate, an XOR gate, or the like, whereby potentials of word lines can be simultaneously set higher than potentials of bit lines.
US09443989B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor film, manufacturing method of semiconductor device, and manufacturing method of photoelectric conversion device A method for forming an amorphous semiconductor which contains an impurity element and has low resistivity and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with excellent electrical characteristics with high yield are provided. In the method for forming an amorphous semiconductor containing an impurity element, which utilizes a plasma CVD method, pulse-modulated discharge inception voltage is applied to electrodes under the pressure and electrode distance with which the minimum discharge inception voltage according to Paschen's Law can be obtained, whereby the amorphous semiconductor which contains an impurity element and has low resistivity is formed.
US09443987B2	Semiconductor device In a semiconductor device using a transistor including an oxide semiconductor, a change in electrical characteristics is suppressed and reliability is improved. The semiconductor device includes a gate electrode over an insulating surface; an oxide semiconductor film overlapping with the gate electrode; a gate insulating film that is between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor film and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film; a protective film in contact with a surface of the oxide semiconductor film that is an opposite side of a surface in contact with the gate insulating film; and a pair of electrodes in contact with the oxide semiconductor film. The spin density of the gate insulating film or the protective film measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy is lower than 1×1018 spins/cm3, preferably higher than or equal to 1×1017 spins/cm3 and lower than 1×1018 spins/cm3.
US09443976B1	Integrated circuit product comprising lateral and vertical FinFet devices One example of a novel integrated circuit product disclosed herein includes, among other things, a lateral FinFET device comprising a first gate structure having a first upper surface positioned above a semiconductor substrate and a vertical FinFET device comprising a second gate structure having a second upper surface positioned above the semiconductor substrate, wherein the first upper surface of the first gate structure is positioned at a first height level above a reference surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second upper surface of the second gate structure is positioned at a second height level above the reference surface of the semiconductor substrate, the first height level being greater than the second height level.
US09443961B2	Semiconductor strips with undercuts and methods for forming the same An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor strip extending into the semiconductor substrate. A first and a second dielectric region are on opposite sides of, and in contact with, the semiconductor strip. Each of the first dielectric region and the second dielectric region includes a first portion level with the semiconductor strip, and a second portion lower than the semiconductor strip. The second portion further includes a portion overlapped by the semiconductor strip.
US09443959B2	Transistor structure with feed-through source-to-substrate contact An LDMOS (laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor) structure connects the source to a substrate and also the gate shield while utilizing a reduced area for such contacts. The structure includes an electrically conductive substrate layer, a source, and a drain contact; the drain contact is separated from the substrate layer by at least one intervening layer. An electrically conductive trench-like feed-through element passes through the intervening layer and contacts the substrate and the source to electrically connect the drain contact and the substrate layer.
US09443957B1	Self-aligned source and drain regions for semiconductor devices A method for forming a semiconductor device includes patterning a gate conductor, formed on a substrate, and a two-dimensional material formed on the gate conductor. Recesses are formed adjacent to the gate conductor in the substrate, and a doped layer is deposited in the recesses and over a top of the two-dimensional material. Tape is adhered to the doped layer on top of the two-dimensional material. The tape is removed to exfoliate the doped layer from the top of the two-dimensional material to form source and drain regions in the recesses.
US09443956B2	Method for forming air gap structure using carbon-containing spacer A method includes forming a line feature above a substrate. Carbon-containing spacers are formed on sidewalls of the line feature. A first dielectric layer is formed above the carbon spacers and the line feature. The first dielectric layer is planarized to expose upper ends of the carbon-containing spacers. An ashing process is performed to remove the carbon-containing spacers and define air gaps adjacent the line feature. A cap layer is formed to seal the upper ends of the air gaps.
US09443953B1	Sacrificial silicon germanium channel for inversion oxide thickness scaling with mitigated work function roll-off and improved negative bias temperature instability A technique relates to forming a transistor. A dummy gate is formed on a substrate with spacers on both sides. A source and a drain are formed in the substrate, where the source and the drain are positioned under the spacers. An interlayer dielectric is formed on top of the substrate, the spacers, and the dummy gate. The interlayer dielectric is planarized along with part of the spacers and the dummy gate. The dummy gate is removed, thereby leaving an opening. A sacrificial layer is deposited on top of the substrate in a bottom of the opening. The sacrificial layer includes at least one of silicon germanium and/or germanium. The sacrificial layer is removed from the substrate in the bottom of the opening, thereby growing an interfacial oxide layer on the substrate in the opening. A high-κ dielectric layer is deposited on top of the interfacial oxide layer.
US09443947B2	Semiconductor chip including region having integrated circuit transistor gate electrodes formed by various conductive structures of specified shape and position and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor chip includes a region that includes a first conductive structure (CS) that forms a gate electrode (GE) of a first transistor of a first transistor type. The region includes a second CS that forms a GE of a second transistor of the first transistor type and a GE of a first transistor of a second transistor type. The region includes another CS that forms a GE of a second transistor of the second transistor type. The GE's of the first and second transistors of the first transistor type are separated by a gate pitch. The GE's of the first and second transistors of the second transistor type are separated by the gate pitch. The first CS has a total length that is greater than one-half of the total length of the second CS. The second and third CS's have at least one respective end aligned with each other.
US09443945B2	Transistor including a gate electrode extending all around one or more channel regions A semiconductor structure comprises a substrate and a transistor. The transistor comprises a raised source region and a raised drain region provided above the substrate, one or more elongated semiconductor lines, a gate electrode and a gate insulation layer. The one or more elongated semiconductor lines are connected between the raised source region and the raised drain region, wherein a longitudinal direction of each of the one or more elongated semiconductor lines extends substantially along a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the substrate. Each of the elongated semiconductor lines comprises a channel region. The gate electrode extends all around each of the channel regions of the one or more elongated semiconductor lines. The gate insulation layer is provided between each of the one or more elongated semiconductor lines and the gate electrode.
US09443944B2	Integrated circuits with middle of line capacitance reduction in self-aligned contact process flow and fabrication methods Devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices with middle of line capacitance reduction in self-aligned contact process flow and fabrication are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining a wafer with at least one source, drain, and gate; forming a first contact region over the at least one source and a second contact region over the at least one drain; and forming at least one first and second small contact over the first and second contact regions. One intermediate semiconductor device includes, for instance: a wafer with a gate, source region, and drain region; at least one first contact region positioned over a portion of the source; at least one second contact region positioned over a portion of the drain; at least one first small contact positioned above the first contact region; and at least one second small contact positioned above the second contact region.
US09443943B2	Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof The invention provides a semiconductor device. A buried layer is formed in a substrate. A first deep trench contact structure is formed in the substrate. The first deep trench contact structure comprises a conductor and a liner layer formed on a sidewall of the conductor. A bottom surface of the first deep trench contact structure is in contact with the buried layer.
US09443938B2	III-nitride transistor including a p-type depleting layer A transistor includes a III-N layer structure comprising a III-N channel layer between a III-N barrier layer and a p-type III-N layer. The transistor further includes a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain, the gate being over the III-N layer structure. The p-type III-N layer includes a first portion that is at least partially in a device access region between the gate and the drain, and the first portion of the p-type III-N layer is electrically connected to the source and electrically isolated from the drain. When the transistor is biased in the off state, the p-type layer can cause channel charge in the device access region to deplete as the drain voltage increases, thereby leading to higher breakdown voltages.
US09443937B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a SiC layer including a first region provided at a surface. The first region satisfies NA−ND<5×1015 cm−3 when a concentration of a p-type impurity is denoted by NA, whereas a concentration of an n-type impurity is denoted by ND. The surface is inclined at 0 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less to a {000-1} face, or the surface having a normal direction inclined at 80 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less to a <000-1> direction. The device includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film provided between the SiC layer and the gate electrode, and a second region provided between the first region and the gate insulating film. The second region has a nitrogen concentration higher than 1×1022 cm−3.
US09443936B2	Quantum well MOSFET channels having lattice mismatch with metal source/drains, and conformal regrowth source/drains Embodiments described include straining transistor quantum well (QW) channel regions with metal source/drains, and conformal regrowth source/drains to impart a uni-axial strain in a MOS channel region. Removed portions of a channel layer may be filled with a junction material having a lattice spacing different than that of the channel material to causes a uni-axial strain in the channel, in addition to a bi-axial strain caused in the channel layer by a top barrier layer and a bottom buffer layer of the quantum well.
US09443935B2	Method of fabricating fin-field effect transistors (finFETs) having different fin widths Provided are methods of forming field effect transistors. The method includes preparing a substrate with a first region and a second region, forming fin portions on the first and second regions, each of the fin portions protruding from the substrate and having a first width, forming a first mask pattern to expose the fin portions on the first region and cover the fin portions on the second region, and changing widths of the fin portions provided on the first region.
US09443934B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof To provide a transistor having high field effect mobility. To provide a transistor having stable electrical characteristics. To provide a transistor having low off-state current (current in an off state). To provide a semiconductor device including the transistor. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor; a source electrode and a drain electrode including regions in contact with a top surface and side surfaces of the semiconductor; a gate insulating film including a region in contact with the semiconductor; and a gate electrode including a region facing the semiconductor with the gate insulating film provided therebetween. A length of a region of the semiconductor, which is not in contact with the source and drain electrodes, is shorter than a length of a region of the semiconductor, which is in contact with the source and drain electrodes, in a channel width direction.
US09443931B2	Fabricating stacked nanowire, field-effect transistors Methods are presented for facilitating fabricating stacked nanowire, field-effect transistors. The methods include: forming a cut mask spacer on a gate structure disposed above multiple layers above a substrate structure, the gate structure including a sidewall spacer along its sidewalls, and the cut mask spacer overlying the sidewall spacer; defining a stack structure by cutting through the multiple layers using the cut mask spacer and gate structure as a mask, and selectively etching at least one layer of the multiple layers to undercut, in part, the mask, where at least one other layer of the multiple layers remains un-etched by the selectively etching; and providing an alignment mask spacer over the gate structure and over end surfaces of the multiple layers below the gate structure, the alignment mask spacer facilitating etching the other layer(s) of the multiple layers to selectively expose, in part, end surfaces of the other layer(s).
US09443929B2	Shallow trench isolation structure having a nitride plug A semiconductor structure and method for forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure having one or more oxide layers and a nitride plug. Specifically, the structure and method involves forming one or more trenches in a substrate. The STI structure is formed having one or more oxide layers and a nitride plug, wherein the STI structure is formed on and adjacent to at least one of the one or more trenches. One or more gates are formed on the substrate and spaced at a distance from each other. A dielectric layer is formed on and adjacent to the substrate, the STI structure, and the one or more gates.
US09443925B2	Semiconductor structure with dielectric-sealed doped region Leakage current can be substantially reduced by the formation of a seal dielectric in place of the conventional junction between source/drain region(s) and the substrate material. Trenches are formed in the substrate and lined with a seal dielectric prior to filling the trenches with semiconductor material. Preferably, the trenches are overfilled and a CMP process planarizes the overfill material. An epitaxial layer can be grown atop the trenches after planarization, if desired.
US09443922B2	Metal-insulator-metal capacitor formation techniques Techniques and structure are disclosed for providing a MIM capacitor having a generally corrugated profile. The corrugated topography is provisioned using sacrificial, self-organizing materials that effectively create a pattern in response to treatment (heat or other suitable stimulus), which is transferred to a dielectric material in which the MIM capacitor is formed. The self-organizing material may be, for example, a layer of directed self-assembly material that segregates into two alternating phases in response to heat or other stimulus, wherein one of the phases then can be selectively etched with respect to the other phase to provide the desired pattern. In another example case, the self-organizing material is a layer of material that coalesces into isolated islands when heated. As will be appreciated in light of this disclosure, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to increase capacitance per unit area, which can be scaled by etching deeper capacitor trenches/holes.
US09443919B2	Light emitting device and electronic equipment including a light reflection layer, and insulation layer, and a plurality of pixel electrodes A light emitting device includes a transistor, a light reflection layer, a first insulation layer that includes a first layer thickness part, a second layer thickness part, and a third layer thickness part, a pixel electrode that is provided on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer that covers a peripheral section of the pixel electrode, a light emission functional layer, a facing electrode, and a conductive layer that is provided on the first layer thickness part. The pixel electrode includes a first pixel electrode which is provided in the first layer thickness part, a second pixel electrode which is provided in the second layer thickness part, and a third pixel electrode which is provided in the third layer thickness part. The first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode are connected to the transistor through the conductive layer.
US09443916B2	Organic light emitting display device and method for manufacturing the same An organic light emitting display (OLED) device, and a method of manufacturing the OLED device are discussed. The OLED device according to one embodiment includes a substrate; a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, and a third pixel electrode formed on the substrate; a first bank layer and a second bank layer formed on the substrate; and a first organic light emitting layer, a second organic light emitting layer, and a third organic light emitting layer formed on the first pixel electrode, the second pixel electrode, and the third pixel electrode, respectively. The first organic light emitting layer overlaps the second organic light emitting layer on the first bank layer.
US09443913B2	Method of tuning display chromaticity by mixing color filter materials and device having mixed color filter materials A color display is provided that includes a light emitting sub-pixel and a filter layer including first and second color filter materials. The first color filter material is adapted to reduce transmittance of visible light outside a first transmittance spectrum corresponding to a first color, and the second color filter material is adapted to reduce transmittance of visible light outside a second transmittance spectrum corresponding to a second color. The second color is different than the first color. A color display having a white-balanced pixel is provided. A method of white-balancing a light emitting device is provided. A method of reducing unwanted light output due to electrical leakage is provided to fall below a pre-determined threshold. An opaque layer may be interposed between the sub-pixels and/or may frame illuminated areas of sub-pixels, and may be a combination of red, green, and/or a blue filter material.
US09443908B2	Electronic device and method for fabricating the same An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes a plurality of first pillar electrodes spaced apart from each other, a plurality of second pillar electrodes spaced apart from each other, each second pillar electrode being spaced apart from adjacent first pillar electrodes, and a plurality of variable resistance layers enclosing sidewalls of corresponding second pillar electrodes, respectively, wherein a group of adjacent first pillar electrodes is in contact with one variable resistance layer, and a group of adjacent variable resistance layers is in contact with one first pillar electrode.
US09443906B2	TiOx based selector element Control elements that can be suitable for nonvolatile memory device applications are disclosed. The control element can have low leakage currents at low voltages to reduce sneak current paths for non selected devices, and high leakage currents at high voltages to minimize voltage drops during device switching. The control element can be based on a single dielectric layer or on a multilayer dielectric stack.
US09443904B1	Light-emitting diode display and manufacturing method thereof A light-emitting device display includes a substrate, a first bottom electrode, a second bottom electrode, a micro light emitting device, a first isolation layer, an opposite electrode, and an encapsulation layer. The first and second bottom electrodes are disposed on the substrate. The micro light emitting device is disposed on the first bottom electrode and electrically connected to the first bottom electrode. The first isolation layer at least partially covers a side surface of the micro light emitting device, in which the first isolation layer has a refractive index n1, and the micro light emitting device has a refractive index ndevice, and ndevice≧n1. The opposite electrode is disposed on the micro light emitting device and electrically connected to the micro light emitting device and the second bottom electrode. The encapsulation layer at least covers the micro light emitting device and the first isolation layer.
US09443902B1	Fabricating method of back-illuminated image sensor with dishing depression surface A fabricating method of a back-illuminated image sensor includes the following steps. First, a silicon wafer having a first surface and a second surface is provided, wherein a number of trench isolations are formed in the first surface, and at least one image sensing member is formed between the trench isolations. Then, a first chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is performed to the second surface using the trench isolations as a polishing stop layer to thin the silicon wafer. Because the polishing rate of the silicon material in the silicon wafer is different with that of the isolation material of the trench isolations in the first CMP process, at least one dishing depression is formed in the second surface of the silicon wafer. Finally, a microlens is formed above the dishing depression, and a surface of the microlens facing the dishing depression is a curved surface.
US09443900B2	Pixel with multigate structure for charge storage or charge transfer This disclosure provides an integrated circuit (IC) including one or more pixels. A photodiode is arranged in a semiconductor substrate and includes an n-type region near an upper surface of the substrate and a p-type region under the n-type region. A semiconductor fin is arranged over the photodiode and is electrically coupled to the n-type region of the photodiode. The semiconductor fin includes a transfer transistor and a separate charge storage or charge transfer region, wherein the charge storage or charge transfer region is adapted to store or transfer charge generated by the photodiode in response to impingent light.
US09443896B2	Imaging device An imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a unit pixel cell provided to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The unit pixel cell includes: a photoelectric converter that includes a pixel electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer located on the pixel electrode, the photoelectric converter converting incident light into electric charges; a charge detection transistor that includes a part of the semiconductor substrate and detects the electric charges; and a reset transistor that includes a first gate electrode and initializes a voltage of the photoelectric converter. The pixel electrode is located above the charge detection transistor. The reset transistor is located between the charge detection transistor and the pixel electrode. When viewed from a direction normal to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, the pixel electrode covers an entire portion of the first gate electrode.
US09443892B2	Image sensor and method of forming the same An image sensor includes a substrate having a first surface opposing a second surface and a plurality of pixel regions. A photoelectric converter is included in each of the pixel regions, and a gate electrode is formed on the photoelectric converter. Also, a pixel isolation region isolates adjacent pixel regions. The pixel isolation region includes a first isolation layer coupled to a channel stop region. The channel stop region may include an impurity-doped region.
US09443891B2	Solid-state image sensor and imaging device A ranging pixel located in a peripheral region of a solid-state image sensor includes a microlens having a center axis that is shifted relative to a center axis of the ranging pixel, a first photoelectric conversion unit, and a second photoelectric conversion unit. The first photoelectric conversion unit is disposed on a side of the center axis of the ranging pixel that is in a direction opposite to a direction (projection shift direction) obtained by projecting a shift direction of the microlens onto a straight line connecting a center of the first photoelectric conversion unit and a center of the second photoelectric conversion unit, and the second photoelectric conversion unit is disposed on another side of the center axis of the ranging pixel that is in a direction identical to the projection shift direction of the microlens. In addition, the area of the first photoelectric conversion unit is greater than the area of the second photoelectric conversion unit.
US09443883B2	Methods of forming printable integrated circuit devices and devices formed thereby Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a sacrificial layer on a handling substrate and forming a semiconductor active layer on the sacrificial layer. The semiconductor active layer and the sacrificial layer may be selectively etched in sequence to define an semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, which includes a first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be formed on the SOI substrate. This multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be encapsulated by an inorganic capping layer that contacts an upper surface of the first portion of the semiconductor active layer. The capping layer and the first portion of the semiconductor active layer may be selectively etched to thereby expose the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer may be selectively removed from between the first portion of the semiconductor active layer and the handling substrate to thereby define a suspended integrated circuit chip encapsulated by the capping layer.
US09443873B1	Structure and method for tensile and compressive strained silicon germanium with same germanium concentration by single epitaxy step A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first silicon germanium layer on a substrate, the first silicon germanium layer forming a portion of a first transistor; forming a second silicon germanium layer on the substrate adjacent to the first silicon germanium layer, the second silicon germanium layer forming a portion of a second transistor and having a germanium content that is different than the first silicon germanium layer and a thickness that is substantially the same; growing by an epitaxial process a compressively strained silicon germanium layer on the first silicon germanium layer, and a tensile strained silicon germanium layer on the second silicon germanium layer; patterning a first fin in the compressively strained silicon germanium layer and the first silicon germanium layer; and patterning a second fin in the tensile strained silicon germanium layer and the second silicon germanium layer.
US09443869B2	Systems and methods for a semiconductor structure having multiple semiconductor-device layers A multilayer semiconductor device structure comprising a first buried oxide and a first semiconductor device layer fabricated above the first buried oxide is provided. The first semiconductor device layer comprises a patterned top surface. The patterned surface comprises insulator material and conductor material. The surface density of the insulator material is greater than 40 percent. The multilayer semiconductor device structure further comprises a second buried oxide bonded to the patterned surface of the first semiconductor device layer and a second semiconductor device layer fabricated above the second buried oxide.
US09443861B1	Fluorine-blocking insulating spacer for backside contact structure of three-dimensional memory structures Electrical shorts caused by diffusion of residual fluorine in metallic layers can be retarded or eliminated by forming fluorine-blocking structures. A stack of alternating layers including electrically insulating layers and electrically conductive layers with a vertically extending trench is provided. In one embodiment, an insulating spacer can be formed by depositing a silicon nitride layer and partially or fully converting the silicon nitride layer into a silicon oxynitride layer, and by performing an anisotropic etch. Alternatively, an insulating spacer can be formed by forming a stack of a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer, and by performing an anisotropic etch. The silicon nitride layer or the silicon oxynitride layer can retard fluorine diffusion. Yet alternately, sidewalls of the electrically conductive layers can be nitrided to form metallic nitride portions that retard fluorine diffusion.
US09443860B1	Semiconductor device having E-fuse and method for fabricating the same An e-fuse including a substrate including a first active region and a second active region which are spaced from each other by an isolation region, a first program gate and a second program gate which are disposed over the first active region in parallel with each other, a single select gate disposed over the second active region; a sharing doping region formed in the first active region between the first program gate and the second program gate, a first doping region and a second doping region that are formed in the second active region on both sides of the select gate, a first metal line suitable for electrically coupling the sharing doping region to the first doping region and a second metal line connected to the second doping region.
US09443854B2	FinFET with constrained source-drain epitaxial region A method includes forming a plurality of fins on a substrate, conformally depositing a nitride liner above and in direct contact with the plurality of fins and the substrate, removing a top portion of the nitride liner above the plurality of fins to expose a top surface of the plurality of fins, forming a gate over a first portion of the plurality of fins, a second portion of the plurality of fins remains exposed, forming spacers on opposite sidewalls of the nitride liner on the second portion of the plurality of fins, removing the second portion of the plurality of fins to form a trench between opposing sidewalls of the nitride liner, and forming an epitaxial layer in the trench, the lateral growth of the epitaxial layer is constrained by the nitride liner to form constrained source-drain regions.
US09443850B2	Epitaxial growth between gates An integrated circuit device includes at least two epitaxially grown active regions grown onto a substrate, the active regions being placed between two gate devices. The device further includes at least one dummy gate between two epitaxially grown active regions. Each active region is substantially uniform in length.
US09443846B2	Dual trench rectifier and method for forming the same A structure of dual trench rectifier comprises of the following elements. A plurality of trenches are formed parallel in an n− epitaxial layer on an n+ semiconductor substrate and spaced with each other by a mesa. A plurality of recesses are formed on the mesas. Each the trench has a trench oxide layer formed on the sidewalls and bottom thereof, and a first poly silicon layer is filled therein to form MOS structures. Each the recess has a recess oxide layer formed on the sidewalls and bottom thereof, and a second poly silicon layer is filled therein to form MOS structures. A plurality of p type bodies are formed at two sides of the MOS structures in recesses. A top metal is formed above the semiconductor substrate for serving as an anode. A bottom metal is formed beneath the semiconductor substrate for serving as a cathode.
US09443842B2	Integrated circuit device The invention provides an integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device includes a substrate. A first capacitor is disposed on the substrate. A first metal pattern is coupled to a first electrode of the first capacitor. A second metal pattern is coupled to a first electrode of the second capacitor. A third metal pattern is disposed over the first and second metal patterns. The third metal pattern covers the first capacitor, the first metal pattern, and the second metal pattern. The third metal pattern is electrically grounded. An inductor is disposed over the third metal pattern.
US09443839B2	Semiconductor device including gate drivers around a periphery thereof A semiconductor device and method of forming the same including, in one embodiment, a semiconductor die formed with a plurality of laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (“LDMOS”) cells, and a metallic layer electrically coupled to the plurality of LDMOS cells. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of gate drivers positioned along a periphery of the semiconductor die and electrically coupled to gates of the plurality of LDMOS cells through the metallic layer.
US09443837B2	Z-connection for a microelectronic package using electroless plating An assembly includes a substrate having a substrate conductor and a contact at a first surface and a terminal at a second surface for electrically interconnecting the assembly with a component external to the assembly, at least one of the substrate conductor or the contact electrically coupled with the terminal. A first element has a first surface facing the first surface of the substrate, a first conductor at the first surface and a second conductor at a second surface. An interconnect structure may extend through the first element electrically coupling the first and second conductors. An adhesive layer may bond first surfaces of the first element and the substrate, and at least portions of the first conductor and the substrate conductor may be beyond an edge of the adhesive layer. A continuous electroless plated metal region may extend between the first conductor and the substrate conductor.
US09443835B2	Methods for performing embedded wafer-level packaging (eWLP) and eWLP devices, packages and assemblies made by the methods Embedded Wafer-Level Packaging (eWLP) methods and optoelectronic devices, packages and assemblies made by the eWLP methods are described. The eWLP methods allow electrical interconnections to be easily and economically made to the back sides of the chips of the eWLP wafer using eWLP wafer-level processes, thereby eliminating the need to use TMVs or TSVs to make such interconnections. The eWLP methods also allow thermal and optical interconnections between the back side and the front side of the eWLP wafer to be easily and economically made. In addition, the eWLP methods allow electrical and optical interfaces to be formed on the front side and/or on the back side of the eWLP wafer. The eWLP methods may be used to form a variety of very thin optoelectronic devices, packages and assemblies having a various useful configurations with high volume, yield and throughput.
US09443833B2	Transparent overlapping LED die layers A first layer of inorganic first vertical LED dies (VLEDs) of a first color is printed on a conductor surface. A first transparent conductor layer is deposited over the first VLEDs to electrically contact top electrodes of the first VLEDs. An electrically insulated second layer of second VLEDs of a second color is printed over the first transparent conductor layer, and an electrically insulated third layer of third VLEDs of a third color is printed over the first transparent conductor layer. For a color display, the VLEDs are printed in an addressable pixel array. Since the VLEDs are printed as an ink, the overlying VLEDs in a pixel are not vertically aligned, so there is little blockage of light. If the structure is used for general illumination, the VLEDs do not need to be printed in pixel areas.
US09443832B2	Light emitting device, light source for illumination, and illumination apparatus A light emitting device includes: a substrate; a first light emitting element and a second light emitting element that are mounted above the substrate; and a heat transfer pattern that is formed on the substrate. A rate of decrease in light output with respect to a temperature increase is greater for the second light emitting element than for the first light emitting element. The second light emitting element is mounted above the substrate via the heat transfer pattern, and the first light emitting element is mounted above the substrate without the heat transfer pattern.
US09443828B2	Semiconductor device and method of embedding thermally conductive layer in interconnect structure for heat dissipation A semiconductor device has a first thermally conductive layer formed over a first surface of a semiconductor die. A second surface of the semiconductor die is mounted to a sacrificial carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the first thermally conductive layer and sacrificial carrier. The encapsulant is planarized to expose the first thermally conductive layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the second surface of the semiconductor die and a first surface of the encapsulant. A portion of the first insulating layer over the second surface of the semiconductor die is removed. A second thermally conductive layer is formed over the second surface of the semiconductor die within the removed portion of the first insulating layer. An electrically conductive layer is formed within the insulating layer around the second thermally conductive layer. A heat sink can be mounted over the first thermally conductive layer.
US09443823B2	Semiconductor device including filling material provided in space defined by three semiconductor chips A semiconductor device comprises a wiring substrate, first and second semiconductor chips mounted on the wiring substrate so as to be spaced apart from each other, a third semiconductor chip mounted on the first and second semiconductor chips, first and second adhesive layers that are provided between the first and second semiconductor chips and the wiring substrate so as to bond the first and second semiconductor chips to the wiring substrate, and a third adhesive layer that is provided between the third semiconductor chip and the first and second semiconductor chips so as to bond the third semiconductor chip to the first and second semiconductor chips, with its thickness being made thicker than that of the first and second adhesive layers, a sealing layer covering the wiring substrate, and a filling layer that is provided between the first and second semiconductor chips and is different from the sealing layer.
US09443821B2	Pb-free solder bumps with improved mechanical properties A method of forming an electronic device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate having a first contact and an undoped electroplated lead-free solder bump formed on the first contact. The method also comprises providing a device package substrate having a second contact and a doped lead-free solder layer on the second contact comprising a fourth row transition metal dopant. The method further comprises melting the solder bump and the solder layer while the solder layer and the solder bump are in contact, thereby forming a doped solder bump consisting essentially of Sn, one or both of Ag and Cu, and the fourth row transition metal dopant.
US09443818B2	Power semiconductor module Disclosed herein is a power semiconductor module. The power semiconductor module includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); first and second heat spreaders mounted on the PCB and having one surface arranged with terminal slots; power devices mounted on the first heat spreader and connected to one another in parallel and electrically connected to the second heat spreader; and first and second terminals provided with protrusion inserted into the terminal slots and provided with connection terminals for connecting external terminals. Therefore, it is possible to improve heat radiating properties of the power semiconductor module and improve a reliability problem such as solder crack or delamination in connection with terminal connection.
US09443817B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device Characteristics of a semiconductor device are improved. An opening that exposes a pad region of a top-layer wiring containing aluminum is formed in a protection film over the wiring, and aluminum nitride is formed on a surface of the exposed wiring. Additionally, a silicon nitride film is formed on a back surface of a semiconductor substrate having the wiring. As described above, foreign substances generated over the pad region due to the silicon nitride film on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate can be prevented by providing an aluminum nitride film over the pad region. Particularly, even in a case of requiring time before an inspection step and a bonding step, after a formation step of the pad region, formation reaction of the foreign substances can be prevented in the pad region, and the characteristics of the semiconductor device can be improved.
US09443814B2	Bump structures for multi-chip packaging A multi-chip package includes a substrate having a plurality of first bump structures. A pitch between first bump structures of the plurality of first bump structures is uniform across a surface of the substrate. The multi-chip package includes a first chip bonded to the substrate and a second chip bonded to the substrate. The first chip includes a plurality of second bump structures, and the plurality of second bump structures are bonded to a first set of first bump structures of the plurality of first bump structures. The second chip includes a plurality of third bump structures, and the plurality of third bump structures are bonded to a second set of first bump structures of the plurality of first bump structures. A pitch between second bump structures of the plurality of second bump structures is different from a pitch between third bump structures of the plurality of third bump structures.
US09443813B1	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die, a semiconductor element and a solder layer. The semiconductor die includes a copper pillar. The semiconductor element includes a surface finish layer, wherein the material of the surface finish layer is a combination of at least two of nickel, gold, and palladium. The solder layer is disposed between the copper pillar and the surface finish layer. The solder layer includes a first intermetallic compound (IMC) and a second IMC, wherein the first IMC includes a combination of at least two of copper, nickel and tin. The second IMC is a combination of gold and tin, a combination of palladium and tin, or both.
US09443809B2	Portable apparatus, IC packaging structure, IC packaging object, and IC packaging method thereof A portable apparatus, an IC packaging structure, an IC packaging object, and an IC packaging method thereof are disclosed. The IC packaging structure includes an IC packaging object and a substrate. The packaging object includes a die and a metallurgy layer. The die has a contact portion, a saw reserved portion, and a seal ring. The seal ring is disposed between the contact portion and the saw reserved portion. The metallurgy layer is disposed on the contact portion. At least a part of the metallurgy layer overlaps the seal ring. The metallurgy layer includes a solderable layer coated by a solder paste. The substrate includes a solder pad. The solder pad is coupled to the solderable layer coated by the solder paste.
US09443807B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device A device includes a semiconductor chip. An outline of a frontside of the semiconductor chip includes at least one of a polygonal line including two line segments joined together at an inner angle of greater than 90° and an arc-shaped line.
US09443804B2	Capping layer interface interruption for stress migration mitigation A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer supported by the substrate, an interconnect adjacent the dielectric layer, the interconnect including a conduction material and a barrier material disposed along sidewalls of the interconnect between the conduction material and the dielectric layer, and a layer disposed over the interconnect to establish an interface between the conduction material, the barrier material, and the layer. A plate is disposed along a section of the interconnect to interrupt the interface.
US09443802B2	Semiconductor device, fabrication method for a semiconductor device and electronic apparatus Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device, including: a first substrate including a first electrode, and a first insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the first electrode and covering a periphery of the first electrode, the first electrode and the first insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face; and a second substrate bonded to and provided on the first substrate and including a second electrode joined to the first electrode, and a second insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the second electrode and covering a periphery of the second electrode, the second electrode and the second insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face to the first substrate.
US09443801B2	Method to reduce metal fuse thickness without extra mask Methods of fabricating a multi-layer semiconductor structure are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes depositing a first dielectric layer over a semiconductor structure, depositing a first metal layer over the first dielectric layer, patterning the first metal layer to form a plurality of first metal lines, and depositing a second dielectric layer over the first metal lines and the first dielectric layer. The method also includes removing a portion of the second dielectric layer over selected first metal lines to expose a respective top surface of each of the selected first metal lines. The method further includes reducing a thickness of the selected first metal lines to be less than a thickness of the unselected first metal lines. A multi-layer semiconductor structure is also provided.
US09443799B2	Interposer with lattice construction and embedded conductive metal structures A lattice structure is formed in a non-silicon interposer substrate to create large cells that are multiples of through hole pitches to act as islands for dielectric fields. Each unit cell is then filled with a dielectric material. Thereafter, holes (i.e., through holes or blind holes) are created within the dielectric material in the cells. After hole formation, a conductive metal is formed into each of the holes providing an interposer. This method can enable fine pitch processing in organic-based materials, isolates the thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) stress from metal vias to low TCE carriers and creates a path to high volume, low costs components in panel form.
US09443795B2	Power quad flat no-lead (PQFN) package having bootstrap diodes on a common integrated circuit (IC) According to an exemplary implementation, a power quad flat no-lead (PQFN) package includes a multi-phase inverter situated on a leadframe. The PQFN package further includes drivers situated on the leadframe and configured to drive the multi-phase inverter. The PQFN package also includes bootstrap diodes respectively coupled to the drivers. The bootstrap diodes are in a common integrated circuit (IC) that is situated on the leadframe. The common IC can include the drivers. The drivers can be high side drivers that are coupled to high side power switches of the multi-phase inverter. Also, the bootstrap diodes can be coupled to a supply voltage terminal of the PQFN package. Furthermore, the PQFN package can include wirebonds coupling the common IC to bootstrap supply voltage terminals of the PQFN package.
US09443787B2	Electronic component and method An electronic component includes a high-voltage depletion-mode transistor, a low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor arranged adjacent and spaced apart from the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor, and an electrically conductive member electrically coupling a first current electrode of the high-voltage depletion-mode transistor to a first current electrode of the low-voltage enhancement-mode transistor. The electrically conductive member has a sheet-like form.
US09443786B1	Packaging and cooling method and apparatus for power semiconductor devices A packaging and cooling apparatus for power semiconductor devices comprising a printed circuit board and a semiconductor module. The semiconductor module having a manifold element and a semiconductor element consisting of power semiconductor devices, thermally conductive plates, and serpentine fin elements. The power semiconductor devices and serpentine fin elements are bonded to the thermally conductive plates on opposing sides to form plate assemblies. The plate assemblies are installed in the windows of the manifold element forming the semiconductor module, which allows for heat removal from each of the power semiconductor devices. The terminals of the semiconductor module are received in the holes of the circuit board, and soldered to traces. The packaging and cooling apparatus may be potted with a resin to prevent leakage of coolant or sealing may be achieved by use of clamped o-rings.
US09443779B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a molded body obtained by sealing, with a sealing material, a member including a semiconductor element, an insulating substrate which is bonded to one surface of the semiconductor element, and a printed circuit board which is used for a connection to an external circuit and is bonded to another surface of the semiconductor element. The sealing material includes a first sealing material which is a nanocomposite resin including an epoxy base resin, a curing agent, and an inorganic filler with an average particle size of 1 nm to 100 nm; and a second sealing material which is a thermosetting resin, a thermoplastic resin, or a mixture thereof without an inorganic filler. The sealing material is less likely to be degraded by thermal oxidation, even when the semiconductor element operates at a high temperature of 175° C. or higher, is crack resistant, and has high reliability and durability.
US09443778B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof It is possible to provide a semiconductor device which can be obtained at a high reliability by warping an insulating substrate stably into a convex shape while ensuring a close contact between a cooling member and the insulating substrate. The semiconductor device includes an insulating substrate, a semiconductor element disposed on a first surface of the insulating substrate, a case connected to the insulating substrate, and a resin filled inside the case. Assuming that the thickness of the insulating substrate is denoted by t1, the thickness of the resin is denoted by t2, the linear expansion coefficient of the insulating substrate is denoted by α1, and the linear expansion coefficient of the resin is denoted by α2, the relationship therebetween satisfies t2≧t1 and α2≧α1, and a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite to the first surface thereof is warped into a convex shape.
US09443777B2	Semiconductor element housing package, semiconductor device, and mounting structure A semiconductor element housing package includes a rectangular ceramic package having a recess section on an upper surface thereof or a penetration section from the upper surface to a lower surface thereof, and a heat radiation plate attached to the lower surface of the ceramic package, extending from one side toward the other side of the lower surface up to a region in which the heat radiation plate overlays the recess section or the penetration section, which plate has a width on a side of the other side which is narrower than that on a side of one side. The package includes a plurality of first lead pins disposed on the lower surface of the ceramic package along the other side, and a pair of second lead pins disposed on the lower surface of the ceramic package on both sides of a narrow portion of the heat radiation plate.
US09443776B2	Method and structure for determining thermal cycle reliability A test structure used to determine reliability performance includes a patterned metallization structure having multiple interfaces, which provide stress risers. A dielectric material surrounds the metallization structure, where a mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the metallization structure and the surrounding dielectric material exist such that a thermal strain value is provided to cause failures under given stress conditions as a result of CTE mismatch to provide a yield indicative of reliability for a manufacturing design.
US09443775B2	Lithography process monitoring of local interconnect continuity Disclosed is a novel system and method to form local interconnects in a continuity test structure. The method begins with a first set of transistor gate lines and a second set of transistor gate lines are formed. Next, a first group of two or more local interconnect lines landing on transistor gates and formed substantially perpendicular to the first set of transistor gate lines and electrically coupled therewith is formed using a first lithography pass. A second group of two or more local interconnect lines landing and formed substantially perpendicular to the second set of transistor gate lines and electrically coupled therewith is formed during second lithography pass. For some technologies, a third set of transistor gate lines is formed along with a third group using a third lithography pass.
US09443774B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device A donor layer that is formed by performing a heat treatment for a crystal defect formed by proton radiation is provided in an n-type drift layer of an n− semiconductor substrate. The donor layer has an impurity concentration distribution including a portion with the maximum impurity concentration and a portion with a concentration gradient in which the impurity concentration is reduce to the same impurity concentration as that of the n-type drift layer in a direction from the portion with the maximum impurity concentration to both surfaces of the n-type drift layer. The crystal defect formed in the n-type drift layer is a composite crystal defect mainly caused by a vacancy, oxygen, and hydrogen.
US09443773B2	IC and IC manufacturing method Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a vertical bipolar transistor in a CMOS process, comprising implanting an impurity of a first type into a the substrate (100) to form a buried region (150, 260) therein; forming a halo implant (134) using an impurity of a second type and a shallow implant (132) using an impurity of the first type, said halo implant enveloping the shallow implant in the substrate and being located over said buried region (150, 250); forming, adjacent to the halo implant (134), a further implant (136) using an impurity of the second type for providing a conductive connection to the halo implant; and providing respective connections (170, 160, 270) to the further implant (136), the shallow implant (132) and the buried region (150, 260) allowing the shallow implant, halo implant and buried region to be respectively operable as emitter, base and collector of the vertical bipolar transistor. Hence, an IC may be provided that comprises vertical bipolar transistors manufactured using CMOS processing steps only.
US09443772B2	Diffusion-controlled semiconductor contact creation A contact can be formed by forming a layer of dielectric material on a silicon-containing region of a semiconductor substrate. An opening is created through the layer of dielectric material that exposes the silicon-containing region. A metal stack is formed within the opening. The metal stack includes at least a first metal film having a first and second type of metal and a second metal film. The metal stack and the silicon-containing region of the semiconductor substrate are annealed to form a silicide that includes the first and second types of metal and that is in contact with the semiconductor substrate. A first liner is formed within the opening and a fill metal is deposited in the opening.
US09443762B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming a thin wafer without a carrier A semiconductor device has a conductive via in a first surface of a substrate. A first interconnect structure is formed over the first surface of the substrate. A first bump is formed over the first interconnect structure. The first bump is formed over or offset from the conductive via. An encapsulant is deposited over the first bump and first interconnect structure. A portion of the encapsulant is removed to expose the first bump. A portion of a second surface of the substrate is removed to expose the conductive via. The encapsulant provides structural support and eliminates the need for a separate carrier wafer when thinning the substrate. A second interconnect structure is formed over the second surface of the substrate. A second bump is formed over the first bump. A plurality of semiconductor devices can be stacked and electrically connected through the conductive via.
US09443760B2	Multichip power semiconductor device An electronic device includes a first chip carrier and a second chip carrier isolated from the first chip carrier. A first power semiconductor chip is mounted on and electrically connected to the first chip carrier. A second power semiconductor chip is mounted on and electrically connected to the second chip carrier. An electrically insulating material is configured to at least partially surround the first power semiconductor chip and the second power semiconductor chip. An electrical interconnect is configured to electrically connect the first power semiconductor chip to the second power semiconductor chip, wherein the electrical interconnect has at least one of a contact clip and a galvanically deposited conductor.
US09443754B2	Semiconductor device including high-voltage diode A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a high-voltage N-well (HVNW) disposed in the substrate, a bulk P-well disposed in the substrate and adjacent to an edge of the HVNW, a high-voltage (HV) diode disposed in the HVNW, the HV diode including a HV diode P-well disposed in the HVNW and spaced apart from the edge of the HVNW, and an N-well disposed in the HVNW and between the HV diode P-well and the bulk P-well. A doping concentration of the N-well is higher than a doping concentration of the HVNW.
US09443750B2	Dicing sheet with protective film-forming layer, and method for producing chip A dicing sheet with a protective film-forming layer includes a protective film-forming layer on an adhesive layer of an adhesive sheet with a peel strength adjusting layer being interposed therebetween. The adhesive sheet is composed of a base film and the adhesive layer. The dicing sheet with a protective film-forming layer may also include a laminate of the peel strength adjusting layer and the protective film-forming layer arranged in the inner circumferential part of the adhesive sheet; the adhesive layer is exposed in the outer circumferential part of the adhesive sheet; and the peel strength between the peel strength adjusting layer and a protective film that is obtained by curing the protective film-forming layer is 0.05-5 N/25 mm.
US09443747B2	Apparatus for transferring and manipulating semiconductor components An apparatus for picking and placing or for picking and transferring or for picking, placing and pressing semiconductor components (10) is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a motor for generating power to rotate a turret (6) which holds a plurality of pick up heads (7), a plurality of pressers (8), wherein each of said pressers (8) is a voice coil assembly (3) which consist of voice coil actuator assemblies (31), at least one stationary frame (1, 2) to secure said voice coil assemblies (3) and a controller means to control the direction and magnitude of displacement of said voice coil actuator assemblies (31). When current flows into voice coil in said voice coil actuator assembly (31), electromagnetic force is generated in vertical direction, forcing said actuators to press said pick up heads (7) located directly below said actuators at a particular moment, which in turn reaches to and press on wafers or semiconductor components located below said pick up heads. The pressing force, speed and direction of each actuator can be controlled individually. Furthermore, this invention includes safety measures wherein a real time actuator position feedback system is used to confirm the displacement of said actuators and an urging device (35) is used to return the actuators back to their original position in the event of power outage.
US09443746B2	Floating mold tool for semicondcutor packaging Tooling for molding a packaged semiconductor device includes a clamping plate, a cavity bar, and an attachment mechanism. The cavity bar has a mold half that has a mold cavity for molding the packaged semiconductor device. The mold half has teeth and a space between pairs of adjacent teeth. The teeth and the spaces support bending of leads of a lead frame of the packaged semiconductor device. The attachment mechanism affixes the cavity bar to the clamping plate and permits the cavity bar to slide relative to the clamping plate. This sliding of the cavity bar enables proper alignment with a mating cavity bar to reduce the likelihood of resin bleed.
US09443738B2	Integrated circuits with middle of line capacitance reduction in self-aligned contact process flow and fabrication methods Semiconductor devices and methods for forming the devices with middle of line capacitance reduction in self-aligned contact process flow are provided. One method includes, for instance: obtaining a wafer with at least one source, at least one drain, and at least one sacrificial gate; forming a first contact region over the at least one source and a second contact region over the at least one drain; removing the at least one sacrificial gate; forming at least one gate; and forming at least one small contact over the first contact region and the second contact region. An intermediate semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US09443736B2	Silylene compositions and methods of use thereof A silicon precursor composition is described, including a silylene compound selected from among: silylene compounds of the formula: wherein each of R and R1 is independently selected from organo substituents; amidinate silylenes; and bis(amidinate) silylenes. The silylene compounds are usefully employed to form high purity, conformal silicon-containing films of SiO2, Si3N4, SiC and doped silicates in the manufacture of microelectronic device products, by vapor deposition processes such as CVD, pulsed CVD, ALD and pulsed plasma processes. In one implementation, such silicon precursors can be utilized in the presence of oxidant, to seal porosity in a substrate comprising porous silicon oxide by depositing silicon oxide in the porosity at low temperature, e.g., temperature in a range of from 50° C. to 200° C.
US09443733B2	Method and apparatus for authenticating a semiconductor die The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for device-based die authentication. In some aspects, an intensity of a particle beam is varied during semiconductor processing to provide a semiconductor die having devices of varied values. In other aspects, different areas of semiconductor dies are exposed during semiconductor processing to provide semiconductor dies with devices that vary in value from one die to the next. For each semiconductor die, a value generated based on the values of the die's respective devices can be associated with that die thereby enabling subsequent authentication of the semiconductor die.
US09443732B1	Method of fabricating semiconductor device The method may include forming a plurality of fins on a substrate with first and second regions, forming a photoresist pattern to expose the fins of the first region, forming a material layer to cover the fins of first region and the photoresist pattern, chemically reacting the photoresist pattern the material layer to form a supplemental film on a side surface of the photoresist pattern, performing an ion implantation process using the photoresist pattern and the supplemental film as a ion injection mask to form impurity layers in the fins of the first region.
US09443730B2	Process for forming silicon-filled openings with a reduced occurrence of voids In some embodiments, silicon-filled openings are formed having no or a low occurrence of voids in the silicon fill, while maintaining a smooth exposed silicon surface. In some embodiments, an opening in a substrate may be filled with silicon, such as amorphous silicon. The deposited silicon may have interior voids. This deposited silicon is then exposed to a silicon mobility inhibitor, such as an oxygen-containing species and/or a semiconductor dopant. The deposited silicon fill is subsequently annealed. After the anneal, the voids may be reduced in size and, in some embodiments, this reduction in size may occur to such an extent that the voids are eliminated.
US09443727B2	Semi-polar III-nitride films and materials and method for making the same A method has been developed to overcome deficiencies in the prior art in the properties and fabrication of semi-polar group III-nitride templates, films, and materials. A novel variant of hydride vapor phase epitaxy has been developed that provides for controlled growth of nanometer-scale periodic structures. The growth method has been utilized to grow multi-period stacks of alternating AlGaN layers of distinct compositions. The application of such periodic structures to semi-polar III-nitrides yielded superior structural and morphological properties of the material, including reduced threading dislocation density and surface roughness at the free surface of the as-grown material. Such enhancements enable to fabrication of superior quality semi-polar III-nitride electronic and optoelectronic devices, including but not limited to transistors, light emitting diodes, and laser diodes.
US09443726B1	Semiconductor process A semiconductor process includes the following steps. A dielectric layer is formed on a substrate, where the dielectric layer has at least a dishing from a first top surface. A shrinkable layer is formed to cover the dielectric layer, where the shrinkable layer has a second top surface. A treatment process is performed to shrink a part of the shrinkable layer according to a topography of the second top surface, thereby flattening the second top surface.
US09443725B2	Multi-step system and method for curing a dielectric film A multi-step system and method for curing a dielectric film in which the system includes a drying system configured to reduce the amount of contaminants, such as moisture, in the dielectric film. The system further includes a curing system coupled to the drying system, and configured to treat the dielectric film with ultraviolet (UV) radiation and infrared (IR) radiation in order to cure the dielectric film.
US09443723B2	Integrated circuits with an insultating layer and methods for producing such integrated circuits Integrated circuits and methods for producing the same are provided. A method of producing the integrated circuits includes forming an insulating layer overlying a substrate. The insulating layer includes a first composition that includes silicon oxide and a porogen. The porogen is removed from the first composition to form a second composition that includes a pore, where the second composition has a dielectric constant lower than that of the first composition. An insulating layer mechanical property desired range is determined, where the second composition has an insulating material mechanical property outside of the insulating layer mechanical property desired range. The second composition is altered to form a third composition, where the third composition has the insulating layer mechanical property within the insulating layer mechanical property desired range.
US09443721B2	Wafer back side processing structure and apparatus Disclosed herein is a method of processing a device, comprising providing a substrate having a buffer layer disposed on a back side and forming an outer protection layer over the back side of the buffer layer, forming a thermal layer on the back side of the outer protection layer and heating the substrate through the thermal layer and the back side of the outer protective layer. A back side protection layer may be formed on the back side of the buffer layer. The thermal layer has a thermal emissivity coefficient of about 0.7 or greater and a thickness greater than a roughness of the back side of the outer protection layer. The back side protection layer is an oxide with a thickness between about 20 angstroms and about 50 angstroms. The outer protection layer is a nitride with a thickness between about 50 angstroms and about 300 angstroms.
US09443718B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium Provided is a method including forming a film including a predetermined element, oxygen and at least one element selected from a group consisting of nitrogen, carbon and boron on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including supplying a source gas to the substrate wherein the source gas contains the predetermined element, chlorine and oxygen with a chemical bond of the predetermined element and oxygen, and supplying a reactive gas to the substrate wherein the reactive gas contains the at least one element selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, carbon and boron.
US09443712B2	Substrate cleaning method and substrate cleaning system A method for cleaning a substrate includes supplying a treatment solution which includes a volatile component onto the front surface of a substrate, solidifying or curing the treatment solution through vaporization of the volatile component of the treatment solution such that a treatment film is formed on the entire portion of the front surface of the substrate, treating a different surface of the substrate while the entire portion of the front surface of the substrate is covered with the treatment film, and supplying to the substrate a removal solution which removes the treatment film in the amount sufficient such that the treatment film covering the entire portion of the front surface of the substrate is removed substantially in entirety after the treating of the different surface of the substrate is finished.
US09443711B2	Room-temperature bonding apparatus A room-temperature bonding apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of first beam sources configured to emit a plurality of first activation beams which are irradiated to a first activation surface of a first substrate; a plurality of second beam sources configured to emit a plurality of second activation beams which are irradiated to a second activation surface of a second substrate; and a pressure welding mechanism configured to bond the first substrate and the second substrate by bring the first activation surface and the second activation surface contact, after the first activation surface and the second activation surface are irradiated. The room-temperature bonding apparatus can more uniformly irradiate to the first activation surface and the second activation surface, so that the first substrate and the second substrate can be more appropriately bonded with each other, compared with another room-temperature bonding apparatus which irradiates the first activation surface and the second activation surface by using one beam source.
US09443709B2	Corona ionization device and method A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.
US09443708B2	Ion implantation system and process for ultrasensitive determination of target isotopes A system and process are disclosed for ultrasensitive determination of target isotopes of analytical interest in a sample. Target isotopes may be implanted in an implant area on a high-purity substrate to pre-concentrate the target isotopes free of contaminants. A known quantity of a tracer isotope may also be implanted. Target isotopes and tracer isotopes may be determined in a mass spectrometer. The present invention provides ultrasensitive determination of target isotopes in the sample.
US09443707B2	Method and apparatus for transporting samples in a mass spectrometer A sample plate handling system for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a transport chamber and a mass spectrometer chamber that is mechanically coupled to transport chamber. A vacuum chamber is coupled through a bypass valve to the transport chamber. A two-dimensional translation stage is positioned in the mass spectrometer chamber. A sample plate transporter is mounted on the two-dimensional translation stage. A first portion of the sample plate transporter is mechanically attached to the two-dimensional translation stage. A second portion of the sample plate transporter defines a sample plate receiver that is positioned in the transport chamber. A sealing orifice located between the first and the second portions connects the transport chamber and the mass spectrometer chamber. A motion of the two-dimensional translation stage in one direction aligns the sample plate transporter with the sealing orifice and a motion of the two-dimensional translation stage in the other direction moves the sealing surface of the sample plate transporter to engage the sealing orifice, thereby preventing gas flow between the mass spectrometer chamber and the transport chamber.
US09443699B2	Multi-beam tool for cutting patterns In a charged-particle multi-beam processing apparatus for exposure of a target with a plurality of parallel particle-optical columns, each column has a beam shaping device forming the shape of the illuminating beam into a desired pattern composed of a multitude of sub-beams, by means of an aperture array device, which defines the shape of a respective sub-beam by means of an array of apertures, and a deflection array device selectively deflecting sub-beams off their nominal paths; thus, only the non-selected sub-beams can reach the target. According to many embodiments of the invention each beam shaping device is provided with a first field-boundary device and a second field-boundary device, which are the first and last plate elements traversed by the beam. One of the first and second field-boundary devices defines a field-free space interval so as to accommodate feeding lines for controlling the deflection array device.
US09443698B2	Hybrid scanning for ion implantation A hybrid scanner is disclosed that is capable of performing at least one of an electric and magnetic scanning of an ion beam. The hybrid scanner comprises a plurality of magnetic elements configured to generate a magnetic field across the ion beam for magnetic scanning, and a plurality of electric elements configured to generate an electric field proximate to the ion beam for electric scanning. A power delivery controller is coupled to at least one of the magnetic elements and at least one of the electric elements, and is configured to selectively provide power to the magnetic and electric elements.
US09443697B2	Low energy ion beam etch A carbonaceous material is removed using a low energy focused ion beam in the presence of an etch-assisting gas. Applicant has discovered that when the beam energy of the FIB is lowered, an etch-assisting gas, such as O2, greatly increases the etch rate. In one example, polyimide material etched using a Xe+ plasma FIB with a beam energy from 8 keV to 14 keV and O2 as an etch-assisting gas, the increase in etch rate can approach 30× as compared to the default mill rate.
US09443694B2	Charged particle beam apparatus, specimen observation system and operation program For a novice user to easily recognize a difference between imaging results caused by a difference between observation conditions, a computer has an operation screen display observation target setting buttons for changing an observation condition for a specimen including a combination of parameter setting values of a charged particle beam apparatus. The processing unit has the operation screen display a radar chart including a characteristic, indicated by three or more incompatible items, of an observation condition for each of the observation target setting buttons. The radar chart indicates at least items of high resolution, emphasis on surface structure and emphasis on material difference.
US09443693B2	Notched magnetic lens for improved sample access in an SEM A magnetic immersion lens apparatus includes an outer pole piece and an inner pole piece with a gap therebetween. The outer pole piece has an opening that permits energetic particles from a target in front of the immersion lens to pass through the outer pole piece to an external detector. The outer or inner pole piece has one or more notches near the gap. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09443692B2	Focused ion beam low kV enhancement The invention provides a charged particle beam system wherein the middle section of the focused ion beam column is biased to a high negative voltage allowing the beam to move at higher potential than the final beam energy inside that section of the column. At low kV potential, the aberrations and coulomb interactions are reduced, which results in significant improvements in spot size.
US09443690B2	Device for generating microwaves A device for generating microwaves has a plurality of separately controlled microwave generators. Each of the generators includes a resonator, each with a capacitor structure formed with two electrodes that are separated by a spark gap. A high voltage supply charges the individual capacitor structures, which can be discharged by a breakdown of the spark gap. The individual capacitor structures are charged up by way of the high voltage supply device to a voltage that lies below the breakdown voltage of the individual spark gaps. A triggering device for triggering a breakdown of the respective spark gap is associated with each spark gap and the triggering devices are individually controlled by a common control device.
US09443689B2	Fuse The invention relates to a fuse for connection to a protective component of an overvoltage protective device. A fuse wire runs between a first cap and a second cap. In some implementations, the fuse wire may be held on the first cap by means of a soldered connection and fastened to a connection electrode. The connection electrode may be movable with respect to a fuse body and under mechanical pretension with respect to a fuse body. The fuse wire melts when acted on with a high I2t, and the soldered connection melts upon external heating by the overvoltage protective device above a specified temperature by means of the thermal connection. Electrical contact between the first cap and the connection electrode is broken via the mechanical pretension if the fuse wire or the soldered connection melt.
US09443685B2	Contact device Provided is a contact device in which all of three movable contacts can be securely brought into contact with fixed contacts. The contact device includes a fixed terminal 37 that has a fixed contact 35, a movable terminal 28 that moves toward and away from the fixed terminal 37 and has three movable contacts 31a, 31b, and 31c that are brought into contact with the fixed contact 35, and a pressing spring 33 that presses the movable terminal 28 and brings the movable contacts 31a, 31b, and 31c into contact with the fixed contacts 35 at a predetermined pressing force. The point of application of the pressing spring 33 is located in a triangle formed by internal tangents of the three movable contacts.
US09443683B2	RF thermal fuse Certain aspects are directed to a thermal fuse for preventing overheating of RF devices in a telecommunication system. The RF thermal fuse includes a body, a conductive bolt, and a driving mechanism. The body can be positioned on a transmission line between an RF signal source and an RF device. The conductive bolt is positioned in the body. The conductive bolt has a length sufficient to provide impedance at a point of protection on the transmission line in response to the conductive bolt contacting a live conductor of the transmission line. The impedance is sufficient to reflect a portion of the incident power of an RF signal from the RF source. The driving mechanism can cause the conductive bolt to contact the live conductor in response to a temperature at or near the point of protection exceeding a threshold temperature.
US09443679B2	Two-piece rocker assembly A two-piece rocker assembly having an inner rocker and an outer rocker, the inner rocker being snap-fit into the outer rocker via a connection between at least one flange and at least one latch beam. In certain embodiments, a locking member is added to the two-piece rocker assembly.
US09443677B2	Flexible rotary control A rotary control knob (110) for a portable radio (100) utilizes a flexible shaft (112) as a tether to provide a plurality of flexible positions. The flexible shaft (112) is coupled to a switch mechanism (116) located in the radio housing (102). The rotary control knob (110) can be slid up and down the flexible shaft (112) and the flexible shaft can be bent to provide improved user access to the knob, such as for gloved usage.
US09443674B1	Illuminated keyboard device An illuminated keyboard device includes plural keys, a membrane switch circuit module and plural light-emitting elements. The membrane switch circuit module is located under the plural keys. The plural light-emitting elements and plural light source wiring lines are disposed on the membrane switch circuit module. The plural light-emitting elements are connected with each other through the plural light source wiring lines. Since the plural light-emitting elements and the plural light source wiring lines are disposed on the membrane switch circuit module, it is not necessary to install a backlight module.
US09443670B2	Contamination resistant push button switch A switch suitable for use in contaminated environments provides for internal support of the operator allowing an oversized opening in the housing of the switch through which the operator extends. In this way contamination on the outer surface of the operator may be accommodated without a jamming of the operator in the retracted position.
US09443666B2	Electrical contact device of the contact finger type with a strong nominal current An electrical contact device of the contact finger type for high nominal current between a first part that is conductive and a conductive surface of a second part comprising a flexible rod connected to a first connection element for mechanical and electrical connection to the first part, a contact portion applied on the conductive surface of the second part, and at least one metal contact blade placed at a first end between a first end of the flexible rod and the first part. The flexible rod is conductive, and the at least one metal blade is connected at its second end to the second end of the flexible rod by a second mechanical and electrical connection element.
US09443663B2	Electric double-layer capacitor The present application provides an electric double-layer capacitor capable of reducing an internal resistance without exerting a large stress on a positive electrode body, a negative electrode body, and separators. The electric double-layer capacitor according to the present invention is obtained by housing a capacitor element impregnated with an electrolytic solution in a case. The capacitor element is obtained by stacking and winding a positive electrode body, separators, and a negative electrode body. The positive electrode body has positive electrode current collector tabs fixed on positive electrode current collectors. The negative electrode body has negative electrode current collector tabs fixed on negative electrode current collectors. The paired positive electrode current collector tab are displaced from each other and the paired negative electrode tabs are displaced from each other in a state where the positive electrode body and the negative electrode body are not wound.
US09443660B2	Flat capacitor for an implantable medical device One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
US09443656B2	Tensile stress resistant multilayer ceramic capacitor A multilayer ceramic capacitor is configured such that “a” is a distance in a height direction between an effective portion and a first principal surface; “b” is a distance in a length direction between a first end surface and the effective portion in the length direction; “c” is a thickness of the thickest portion of a first base layer provided over the first principal surface; “d” is a distance in the length direction between the thickest portion of the first base layer provided over the first end surface and a portion of the first base layer located over the first principal surface and closest to a second end surface; and “e” is a maximum thickness of a portion of the first base layer provided over the first end surface; and f: the height of the ceramic body, and 2≦(c·d+e·f/2)/(a·b)≦6 is satisfied.
US09443655B2	Dielectric resin composition for film capacitor and film capacitor To increase the heat resistance of a film capacitor, a dielectric resin composition is used as a material for a dielectric resin film used in a film capacitor, the dielectric resin composition being cured by mixing and crosslinking two or more organic materials having functional groups that react with each other to provide a cured article. At least one pair highly cohesive atomic groups which has a molecular cohesive energy equal to or higher than that of a methyl group and capable of cohering with each other due to the molecular cohesive energy is linked to the organic material. The highly cohesive atomic groups form a cohesive portion serving as pseudo-crosslinking.
US09443654B2	Multilayer ceramic electronic component and method for manufacturing multilayer ceramic electronic component A multilayer ceramic electronic component achieves a high electrostatic capacitance and includes an Al inner electrode superior in smoothness and conductivity. The multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer body including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers and a plurality of inner electrodes arranged along certain interfaces between the ceramic layers and containing Al as a main component, and an outer electrode located on an outer surface of the multilayer body. A surface of the inner electrode is covered with a layer including a noble metal or Ti as a main component.
US09443653B2	Rare earth magnet, rotor and manufacturing method for rare earth magnet A rare earth magnet may include a formed body having magnetic powder containing rare earth metal, the formed body being magnetized, a coating film which is formed on an outer face of the formed body, and a rust preventive treatment layer which is formed on a surface of the magnetic powder in a pore of the formed body. In a manufacturing method for a rare earth magnet, a forming step is performed in which a formed body having magnetic powder containing rare earth metal is formed, after that, a coating film forming step is performed in which a coating film is formed on an outer face of the formed body and, after that, a rust prevention processing step is performed in which rust preventive liquid is impregnated into the formed body.
US09443649B2	Coil and solenoid valve A coil (4) for a solenoid valve (2) in particular for actuating a camshaft adjuster, including a coil carrier (6) with an underside, a pot (8) with a base on which the underside of the coil carrier (6) is placed and with a wall which forms an intermediate space (16) with respect to the coil carrier (6), and a yoke disk (10) which is placed on the pot (8) with coil carrier (6) and which covers the intermediate space (16), wherein the intermediate space (16) is open via a flow gap (34) between the yoke disk (10) and the coil carrier (6) and/or between the yoke disk (10) and the pot (8) and is provided for receiving a filler (36). The flow gap (34) is formed for the hardening of the filler (36).
US09443648B2	Magnetic sheet for non-contact power receiving device, non-contact power receiving device, electronic apparatus, and non-contact charger A magnetic sheet of an embodiment includes a laminate of a plurality of magnetic thin plates. The laminate constituting the magnetic sheet includes a first magnetic thin plate and a second magnetic thin plate different in kind from the first magnetic thin plate. The first magnetic thin plate has a magnetostriction constant exceeding 5 ppm in an absolute value, and the second magnetic thin plate has a magnetostriction constant of 5 ppm or less in an absolute value. Alternatively, the first magnetic thin plate has a thickness of from 50 to 300 μm, and the second magnetic thin plate has a thickness of from 10 to 30 μm.
US09443645B2	Insulated wire for vehicle use and cable for vehicle use An insulated wire for vehicle use includes a conductor and an insulating layer disposed on an outer circumference of the conductor. The insulating layer comprises a halogen-free flame retardant cross-linkable resin composition containing a base polymer, and a silane coupling agent and a metal hydroxide which are added to the base polymer. The base polymer includes, as major components, (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and (b) an acid-modified olefin resin having a Tg of −55° C. or lower at a ratio (a):(b) of 70:30 to 100:0 and has an acetic acid content (VA) of 50% to 70% by mass. The silane-coupling agent is added in an amount of 1 to 5 parts by mass and the metal hydroxide is added in an amount of 100 to 250 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the base polymer.
US09443638B2	Carbon nanotube (CNT) materials having increased thermal and electrical conductivity A structure having a carbon nanotube material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes and an electrically or thermally conductive material disposed on at least a portion of the carbon nanotubes, such electrically or thermally conductive material being chemically bonded to such portion of the carbon nanotubes.
US09443637B2	Semiconductive roller A semiconductive roller (1) according to the present invention has a nonporous single-layer structure formed from a rubber composition which includes: a rubber component including a styrene butadiene rubber and an epichlorohydrin rubber; and a salt of an anion having a fluoro group and a sulfonyl group in its molecule; the salt being present in the rubber composition in a proportion of 0.05 to 5 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the overall rubber component.
US09443635B2	Electrical transmission cables with composite cores The present invention discloses electrical cables containing a cable core and a plurality of conductive elements surrounding the cable core. The cable core contains at least one composite core, and each composite core contains a rod which contains a plurality of unidirectionally aligned fiber rovings embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, and surrounded by a capping layer.
US09443634B2	Atmospheric electron particle beam generator Provided is an atmospheric electron particle beam nozzle, with a nozzle body having a lumen disposed therethrough; an electrode that is disposed within the lumen, optionally concentrically with the nozzle body, to define an output chamber within the lumen that encompasses the electrode. Also provided is an atmospheric electron particle beam system that provides: a nozzle, that supplies a nozzle body having a lumen disposed therethrough; an electrode disposed within the lumen, optionally concentrically with the nozzle body, to define an output chamber; an RF generator that is in communication with a transformer having a number of turns and connected to a vacuum variable capacitor, and connected electrically to the electrode; and a fluid source that supplies the nozzle with a fluid. Also herein is a method of projecting an electron beam, by projecting an electron charged fluid sheath over a distance, and projecting the electron beam within the sheath.
US09443633B2	Electromagnetically actuated multi-leaf collimator A multi-leaf collimator with electromagnetically actuated leaves. The multi-leaf collimator includes a plurality of leaves, a leaf guide configured to support the plurality of leaves, and a plurality of magnets. Each leaf includes a blocking portion that is radio opaque, a drive portion connected to the blocking portion, and a coil embedded in the drive portion. The coil is operatively connected to an electrical current source to generate a first magnetic field. The first magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field generated by the magnet to thereby move the leave to a desired state. The leaves have the capability of moving at speeds of 50 cm/s up to and higher than 1 m/s.
US09443627B1	Apatite sequestration of technetium A method for sequestering technetium is disclosed. The method includes contacting technetium with apatite under reducing conditions whereby the technetium is absorbed by the apatite.
US09443625B2	Method of storing high level radioactive waste Method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one embodiment, the invention comprises: (a) providing a body portion comprising a floor, an open top end, an inner shell forming a cavity having, an outer shell surrounding the inner shell so as to form a space therebetween, and at least one opening in the inner shell that forms a passageway from the space into a bottom of the cavity; (b) placing a canister containing high level radioactive waste into the cavity; and (c) positioning a lid having at least one outlet vent atop the inner and outer shells so as to enclose the open top end of the body portion and the at least one outlet vent forming a passageway from a top of the cavity to the ambient atmosphere; and wherein at least one inlet vent forms a passageway from an ambient atmosphere to the space.
US09443621B2	Method of adjusting oxygen concentration of reactor water samples using demineralized water Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of adjusting an oxygen concentration of a reactor water side stream in a nuclear plant. The method may include injecting demineralized water into the reactor water side stream to produce an oxygenated stream with an increased oxygen concentration. The oxygenated stream may be tested to determine the effect of a process treatment on the reactor system.
US09443620B2	Reactor containment vessel and nuclear power plant using the same According to an embodiment, a nuclear reactor containment vessel has: a primary reactor containment vessel which contains a nuclear pressure vessel; a secondary reactor containment vessel and which is disposed outside the primary reactor containment vessel which has the pressure resistant properties and the leak-tightness which are equivalent to those of the primary reactor containment vessel; an air bag which is disposed within the secondary reactor containment vessel and which, when a failure occurs in primary reactor containment vessel, expands while receiving and encapsulating a high pressure gas discharged from the inside of the primary reactor containment vessel; and a gas phase vent pipe which connects the primary reactor containment vessel and the air bag.
US09443618B2	Semiconductor memory device mapping external address as internal address wherein internal addresses of spare cells of two blocks differ by upper most bit and internal addresses of main cells of two blocks differ by upper most bit and the internal addresses of main cell and spare cell of each block differ by one bit and operating method for the same Provided is a semiconductor memory device that may efficiently map an internal address used inside the semiconductor memory device in response to an external address that is applied from the outside of the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array configured to include a first main cell array, a first spare cell array, a second main cell array, and a second spare cell array each of which has internal cells that are selected in response to an internal address, and an address mapping unit configured to map external address as the internal address when the external address designates the first main and spare cell arrays, and to operate calculation with a given value and the external address and to map the calculation result value as the internal address when the external address designates the second main and spare cell arrays.
US09443615B2	Methods and apparatuses for memory testing with data compression Apparatuses and methods for memory testing with data compression is described. An example apparatus includes a plurality of latch test circuits, wherein each of the plurality of latch test circuits is coupled to a corresponding global data line of a memory. Each of the latch test circuits is configured to receive test data and is configured to latch data from the corresponding global data line or a corresponding mask bit. Each of the plurality of latch test circuits is further configured to output data based at least in part on the corresponding mask bit. A comparison circuit is coupled to an output of each of the latch test circuits and is configured to compare output data provided by each of the latch test circuits and provide a comparator output having a logical value indicative of whether all the output data matches.
US09443614B2	Data pattern generation for I/O testing One feature pertains to a single data pattern being read from a pattern register located within a memory circuit or device. At least one of the plurality of data patterns is derived from the single data pattern, and the plurality of data patterns may be used in a test and sent to an output driver of the memory circuit. The plurality of data patterns may include a first data pattern and a second data pattern. The first data pattern may be derived from the single data pattern. The second data pattern is one of either a true copy of the single data pattern, an inverse copy of the single data pattern, an all zero bits data pattern, or an all one bits data pattern.
US09443613B2	Advanced memory test diagnostics For performing advanced memory test diagnostics, an apparatus, method, and computer program product are disclosed. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory that stores code executable by the processor, an address space module that identifies an address space having a plurality of blocks of memory addresses, a memory diagnostic module that performs, at least three times, a memory test procedure using a block pattern, wherein a first block pattern is used the first time, a second block pattern is used the second time, and a third block pattern is used the third time, and a memory fault module that determines the presence of a memory fault based on results of the memory test procedures.
US09443609B2	Voltage monitoring test circuit and voltage monitoring method using the same A voltage monitoring test circuit includes a switching control signal generation unit configured to receive first and second switching signals, control the first and second switching signals such that an enable period of the first switching signal and an enable period of the second switching signal do not overlap with each other, and generate first and second switching control signals where a first voltage is transmitted in response to the first switching control signal and a second voltage is transmitted in response to the second switching control signal.
US09443607B2	Latch circuit and semiconductor device including the same A latch circuit includes a write driving unit configured to output fuse data as boot-up data according to a fuse set select signal in a boot-up operation; and a latch set configured to latch the boot-up data when a latch select signal is activated in the boot-up operation, and output data latched as the latch select signal is activated as a repair column address in a normal operation.
US09443606B2	Word line dependent two strobe sensing mode for nonvolatile storage elements A non-volatile storage system includes a plurality of non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of bit lines connected to the non-volatile storage elements, a plurality of word lines connected to the non-volatile storage elements, and one or more control circuits connected to the bit lines and word lines. The one or more control circuits perform programming, verifying, reading and erasing for the non-volatile storage elements. When verifying, a first subset of bit lines connected to non-volatile storage elements are charged to allow for sensing, while a second subset of bit lines are not charged. When reading, a two strobe sensing process is selectively used to more accurately read data from the non-volatile storage elements.
US09443602B2	Storage device and data latch timing adjustment method According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a storage medium, a DLL circuit, a latch circuit, and a delay amount adjustment circuit. The DLL circuit gives a predetermined amount of delay to an inputted clock signal, the latch circuit latches data outputted from the storage medium in accordance with the clock signal delayed in the DLL circuit, the delay amount adjustment circuit adjusts the delay amount that the DLL circuit is to give to the clock signal based on a latch result by the latch circuit.
US09443593B2	Semiconductor memory device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes memory units each includes a first transistor, memory cell transistors, and a second transistor serially coupled between first and second ends. A memory cell transistor of each memory unit has its gate electrode coupled to each other. A bit line is coupled to the first ends. First and second drivers output voltage applied to selected and unselected first transistors, respectively. Third and fourth drivers output voltage applied to selected and unselected second transistors, respectively. A selector couples the gate electrode of the first transistor of each memory unit to the first or second driver, and that of the second transistor of each memory unit to the third or fourth driver.
US09443592B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device in which the threshold is corrected is provided. In a semiconductor device including a plurality of transistors each includes a semiconductor, a source or drain electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor, a gate electrode, and a charge trap layer between the gate electrode and the semiconductor, electrons are trapped in the charge trap layer by performing heat treatment and, simultaneously, keeping a potential of the gate electrode higher than that of the source or drain electrode for 1 second or more. By this process, the threshold increases and Icut decreases. A circuit for supplying a signal to the gate electrode and a circuit for supplying a signal to the source or drain electrode are electrically separated from each other. The process is performed in the state where the potential of the former circuit is set higher than the potential of the latter circuit.
US09443591B2	Storage device out-of-space handling Described embodiments detect an impending out-of-space (OOS) condition of a media. On startup, a media controller determines whether an impending OOS indicator is set from a previous startup. If the impending OOS indicator is not set, it is determined whether a free pool size has reached a threshold. The free pool is blocks of the solid-state media available to be written with data. If the free pool size has not reached the first threshold, while the startup time is less than a maximum startup time, garbage collection is performed on the solid-state media to accumulate blocks to the free pool. If the startup time reaches the maximum startup time and the free pool size has not reached the threshold, the impending OOS indicator is set and the media is operated in impending OOS mode. Otherwise, if the free pool size reaches the threshold, the media is operated in normal mode.
US09443590B2	Content addressable memory cells, memory arrays and methods of forming the same A content addressable memory cell is provided that includes plurality of transistors having a minimum feature size F, and a plurality of memory elements coupled to the plurality of transistors. The content addressable memory cell occupies an area of between 18F2 and 36F2.
US09443587B1	Resistive memory apparatus and writing method thereof A resistive memory apparatus and a writing method thereof are provided. In the method, logic data is received, and a corresponding resistive memory cell is selected. A logic level of the logic data is determined. When the logic data is in a first logic level, where a first reading current of the corresponding resistive memory cell is greater than a first reference current, a set pulse and a reset pulse are provided to the resistive memory cell during a writing period. When the logic data is in a second logic level, where a second reading current of the resistive memory cell is smaller than a second reference current, the reset pulse is provided to the resistive memory cell during the writing period. Polarities of the reset pulse and the set pulse are opposite.
US09443586B2	Nonvolatile memory device, memory system including the same and method for driving nonvolatile memory device A nonvolatile memory device can improve a read retry operation speed while minimizing a reduction in the capability of a memory read operation by performing a read retry operation. The nonvolatile memory device includes a resistive memory cell, a sensing node, and a sense amplifier connected to the sensing node and sensing a difference between a voltage level of the sensing node and a reference voltage level or a difference between a current level of the sensing node and a reference current level. When a read fail bit value is generated during a read operation of data stored in the resistive memory cell, a current flowing in the resistive memory cell is changed by changing a difference between voltages of opposite ends of the resistive memory cell and a read retry operation is then performed.
US09443585B2	Resistance change memory According to one embodiment, a resistance change memory includes a first memory cell, a word line, a first bit line, first and second inverters, first to sixth MOS transistors, and a control circuit. The first transistor is connected to the first output terminal of the first inverter. The second transistor is connected to the second output terminal of the second inverter. The fifth transistor has a first current path whose one end is connected to the first voltage terminal of the first inverter. The sixth transistor has a second current path whose one end is connected to the third voltage terminal of the second inverter. The control circuit makes the first and second transistors a cutoff state by a first signal and makes the fifth and sixth transistors the cutoff state by a second signal in a standby state.
US09443584B2	Network interface with logging Structures and methods for improving logging in network structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus can include: (i) a network interface card (NIC) configured to receive data, to transmit data, and to send data for logging; (ii) a memory log coupled to the NIC, where the memory log comprises non-volatile memory (NVM) configured to write the data sent for logging from the NIC; and (iii) where the data being sent for logging by the memory log occurs substantially simultaneously with the data being received by the NIC, and the data being transmitted from the NIC.
US09443581B2	Electronic device and method for fabricating the same An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory, the semiconductor memory including: a substrate configured to comprise a plurality of line patterns which are extended in a second direction, and a plurality of pillar patterns which protrude perpendicular to the line patterns and are arranged in the second direction and in a first direction crossing the second direction; a source line configured to be formed between the line patterns, to be coupled to the line patterns disposed at both sides of the source line, and to be extended in the second direction; a word line configured to be in contact with sidewalls of the pillar patterns arranged in the first direction, and to be extended in the first direction; an interconnection line configured to be disposed over the pillar patterns, and to be extended in the first direction so as to be coupled to the pillar patterns arranged in the first direction; variable resistance elements configured to be disposed over the interconnection line, and to be positioned between the pillar patterns which are adjacent to each other in the first direction; and a bit line configured to be disposed over the variable resistance elements, and to be extended in the second direction so as to be coupled to the variable resistance elements arranged in the second direction.
US09443578B2	NAND array architecture for multiple simultaneous program and read This invention discloses a HiNAND array scheme with multiple-level of bit lines (BLs) including metal3 global bit lines (GBLs), divided metal2 Segment bit lines (SBLs), and divided metal1 block bit lines (BBLs) laid out in parallel to each other respectively for a plurality of NAND Strings. All other source lines or power lines connected to bottoms of corresponding String capacitances of GBLs, SBLs, and BBLs are associated with metal0 line laid out perpendicular to those BLs. Under the HiNAND array scheme, conventional one-WL Read and Program-Verify operations are replaced by multiple-WL and All-BL Read and Program-Verify operations executed with charge capacitance of SBLs being reduced to 1/10- 1/20 of capacitance of GBLs to achieve DRAM-like faster operation, less operation stress, and lower power consumption. A preferred set of program biased voltages on the selected WL and remaining non-selected WLs associated with a Multiplier and a DRAM-like charge-sharing Latch Sensing Amplifier is proposed.
US09443576B1	Josephson magnetic random access memory with an inductive-shunt A memory system includes a word-line coupled to memory cells in a row, and a bit-line coupled to memory cells in a column. Each of the memory cells includes a memory storage element including a Josephson junction configured to be in either a first state or a second state in response to an application of a word-line current to the Josephson junction. A read operation is performed on the at least one memory storage element by an application of a bit-line current to the bit-line. At least one inductive-shunt, coupled in parallel to the at least one memory storage element, is configured to, after the read operation, remove at least a substantial portion of the bit-line current provided to the at least one memory storage element without requiring removal of an entirety of the bit-line current applied to the bit-line during the read operation.
US09443575B2	Semiconductor memory The disclosed invention provides an SRAM capable of stably generating a PUF-ID without having to be powered on/off under control. The SRAM including a plurality of write ports is provided with a plurality of word lines, each transferring write data from each of the write ports to one memory cell. Timing to negate at least two word lines (AWL, BWL), respectively coupled to two write ports, among the word lines is synchronized. Because synchronicity of writing different values to the memory cell is assured, by using a large number of such memory cells, it is possible to stably generate a PUF-ID without power on/off control.
US09443572B2	Programmable power for a memory interface Systems and methods for delay control are described herein. In one embodiment, a delay system comprises a first delay circuit configured to provide a voltage bias to a second delay circuit, wherein the voltage bias controls a delay of the second delay circuit, and to update the voltage bias at an update rate. The delay system also comprises an update controller configured to adjust the update rate of the first delay circuit. For example, the update controller may adjust the update rate based on timing requirements of a memory interface incorporating the delay system. The update rate may be reduced when the timing requirements are more relaxed to reduce power, and may be increased when the timing requirements are tighter.
US09443568B2	Electronic device and data transmission method thereof An electronic device and a data transmission method thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a counter, a multiplexer, and a buffer. The counter counts the number of read times that the host device reads the electronic device, and produces a read time header corresponding to the number of read times. The multiplexer selects a piece of transmission data in a plurality of data to be transmitted according to the read time header. Each of the plurality of data to be transmitted corresponds to a different read time header related to the varied number of read times. The buffer buffers the read time header and outputs the read time header and the transmission data to the host device after receiving the transmission data. The host device decodes the read time header and the transmission data to obtain the selected data to be transmitted.
US09443567B1	High speed sense amplifier latch with low power rail-to-rail input common mode range Described is an apparatus which comprises: an input sensing stage for sensing an input signal relative to another signal; a decision making circuit, coupled to the input sensing stage, for determining whether the input signal is a logic low or a logic high; and a power management circuit, coupled to the input sensing stage and the decision making circuit, which is operable to monitor a state of the decision making circuit and to disable the input sensing stage according to the monitored state. Described is an apparatus which comprises: a decision making circuit integrated with an input sensing stage, wherein the decision making circuit is operable to pre-charge its internal nodes during a phase of the clock signal; and a latching circuit to latch an output of the decision making circuit.
US09443564B2	Semiconductor device, electronic component, and electronic device To provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure. To provide a semiconductor device excellent in reducing power consumption. A memory cell including an SRAM capable of backing up data to the nonvolatile memory and a peripheral circuit of the memory cell are configured to offer different power gating states. In a first period, which is extremely short, the bit line is brought into an electrically floating state by turning off the switch. In a second period, which is longer than the first period, power gating is performed on the memory cell. In a third period, which is longer than the second period, power gating is performed on the memory cell and the peripheral circuits.
US09443563B2	Semiconductor device and driving method thereof In a memory module including a memory cell array including memory cells arranged in matrix, each including a first transistor using an oxide semiconductor and a first capacitor; a reference cell including a p-channel third transistor, a second capacitor, and a second transistor using an oxide semiconductor; and a refresh timing detection circuit including a resistor and a comparator, wherein when a potential is supplied to the first capacitor through the first transistor, a potential is supplied to the second capacitor through the second transistor, wherein a drain current value of the third transistor is changed in accordance with the potential stored in the second capacitor, and wherein when the drain current value of the third transistor is higher than a given value, a refresh operation of the memory cell array and the reference cell are performed.
US09443562B2	Connections for memory electrode lines Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to word line electrodes and/or digit line electrodes in a cross-point array memory device. One or more word line electrodes may be configured to form a socket area to provide connection points to drivers and/or other circuitry that may be located within a footprint of an array of memory cells.
US09443559B2	Tray assembly A tray assembly configured for carrying a storage device is provided. The tray assembly includes a carrier, a base frame, a handle and a connecting rod. The carrier carries the storage device. The base frame slidably connects with the carrier, allowing the carrier to slide between a first position and a second position relative to the base frame. The base frame includes a locking part and the handle pivots to the base frame. Two ends of the connecting rod respectively pivot to the carrier and the handle. When the handle rotates relative to the base frame and drives the carrier to slide to the first position, the carrier is carried on the base frame and the handle locks up with the locking part. When the handle rotates relative to the base frame and drives the carrier to slide to the second position, the carrier tilts relative to the base frame.
US09443557B2	Recording apparatus, recording method, and reproducing apparatus A recording apparatus includes a data recording unit configured to record data in a cartridge which is mounted on a cartridge mounting unit and stores a plurality of recording media, the data recording unit being configured to record a first resolution video data file having a first resolution in a first recording medium of the cartridge and record, in a second recording medium of the cartridge, a second resolution video data file having another resolution lower than the first resolution corresponding to the first resolution video data file recorded in the first recording medium.
US09443551B1	Method and system for writing and reading closely-spaced data tracks A method for writing data onto a medium on which data are stored in tracks includes encoding the data into at least one codeword, and writing a respective portion of each of the at least one codeword onto respective different tracks on the medium. The writing may include writing a respective portion of each of the at least one codeword onto respective different adjacent tracks on the medium. Another method for reading data includes positioning a plurality of read heads to read codewords that have been written across multiple tracks of a medium. Each read head in the plurality of read heads reads a different portion of the first group of the multiple tracks, and where each different portion of the multiple tracks overlaps at least one other different portion of the multiple tracks. Signals are detected from the plurality of read heads, and the detected signals are decoded.
US09443548B2	Hologram reproducing device and hologram reproducing method A hologram reproducing device which reproduces information from a recording medium having information recorded by interfering a signal beam and a reference beam, provided with a first light-angle change unit which changes an irradiation angle of the reference beam; a second light-angle change unit which changes the irradiation angle of the reference beam; a photodetector which detects a reproduction beam; a first light-angle drive-signal output unit which outputs a drive signal of the first light-angle change unit; a first light-angle control unit which controls the first light-angle change unit on the basis of the output of the photodetector; a second light-angle drive-signal output unit which outputs a drive signal of the second light-angle change unit; a second light-angle control unit which controls the second light-angle change unit; and a light-angle interpolation processing unit which controls a control target value of the second light-angle control unit.
US09443547B2	Visco pad placement in disk drives The present disclosure relates to methods and a related systems and tools for dispensing an adhesive piece having damping qualities onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension. The adhesive piece can be commercially available layered strip sold as an adhesive layer having a first and a second liner adhered to each side. An exemplary method can cut an adhesive piece, separate the adhesive piece from a secondary liner, adhere the adhesive piece onto a component of a hard disk drive suspension, separate a primary liner from the adhesive piece, and dispose of the primary liner using a conventional gantry system. The method can be performed using a two-step operation of the gantry system.
US09443544B1	Recording layer for heat assisted magnetic recording A magnetic stack includes multiple granular layers, at least one of the multiple granular layers is a magnetic layer that includes exchange coupled magnetic grains separated by a segregant having Ms greater than 100 emu/cc. Each of the multiple granular layers have anisotropic thermal conductivity.
US09443541B1	Magnetic writer having a gradient in saturation magnetization of the shields and return pole A method and system provide a magnetic transducer. The transducer includes a main pole, a side gap, at least one coil, a side shield and at least one of a leading shield, a trailing shield and a return pole. The coil(s) are configured to energize the main pole. The side gap is between the main pole and the side shield. The main pole is between the leading shield and the trailing shield. The trailing shield is between the main pole and the return pole. The side shield is between the leading shield and the trailing shield. At least one of the leading shield, the trailing shield and the return pole have a gradient in saturation magnetization such that the saturation magnetization varies in a down track direction.
US09443539B2	Write head for a magnetic tape medium with magnetically encoded servo band bursts A write head for writing a servo pattern to a magnetic tape medium includes a first coil configured to generate a first magnetic flux when applying an electric current to the first coil, a second coil configured to generate a second magnetic flux when applying an electric current to the second coil, and a pole piece structure configured to guide the generated magnetic flux. The pole piece includes a first ring structure for guiding the first magnetic flux, a second ring structure for guiding the second magnetic flux, and a common section of the first and the second ring structure which common section is arranged between the first coil and the second coil. The write head further includes a section containing a gap in each of the first ring structure and the second ring structure. The magnetic flux is oriented in opposite directions across the two gaps.
US09443538B2	Waveform processing device, waveform processing method, and waveform processing program There is provided a waveform processing device for changing power of each pitch waveform of a segment in order to acquire a natural synthesis speech. A power calculation means 71 selects pitch waveforms one by one from a group of pitch waveforms corresponding to a segment, and calculates a scalar indicating power of a selected pitch waveform. A normalization degree calculation means 72 calculates a degree of normalization which is an index indicating a degree of normalization of a pitch waveform selected by the power calculation means 71, as a function value of an increasing function using the scalar as a variable. A change coefficient calculation means 73 calculates a change coefficient for changing an amplitude value of a pitch waveform selected by the power calculation means 71 based on the scalar and the degree of normalization. An amplitude change means 74 multiplies an amplitude value at each sampling point of a pitch waveform selected by the power calculation means 71 by the change coefficient.
US09443534B2	Bandwidth extension system and approach A method of performing BandWidth Extension (BWE) includes a frequency band shifting approach to generate an extended high band signal in time domain and a gain determination approach of controlling the energy of the extended high band. The proposed approach allows shifting any size of low band to any size of high band. The BWE scaling gain is estimated by using available filter bank coefficients with extremely low bit rate or without costing any bit, combining three possible gain factors.
US09443533B2	Measuring and improving speech intelligibility in an enclosure A method for accurately estimating and improving the speech intelligibility from a loudspeaker (LS) is disclosed. A microphone is placed in a desired position and using an adaptive filter, an estimate of the clean speech signal at the microphone is generated. By using the adaptive-filter estimate of the clean speech signal and measuring the background noise in the enclosure an accurate Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) or Articulation Index (AI) measurement at the microphone position is obtained. On the basis of the estimated speech intelligibility measurement, a decision can be made if the LS signal needs to be modified to improve the intelligibility.
US09443530B2	Acoustic echo cancellation A method and system for acoustic echo cancellation stores received far-end data in a first buffer. When the far-end data in the first buffer exceeds a predefined length, the stored far-end data is used to calculate echo estimate data. The echo estimate data is stored in a second buffer. Whenever microphone data is received the error data is calculated independent of echo estimate data availability. In particular, subsequent to sufficient echo estimate data being stored in the second buffer and responsive to the reception of the microphone data, the error data is calculated by subtracting, from the microphone data, corresponding echo estimate data stored in the second buffer.
US09443528B2	Method and device for eliminating echoes Provided are a method and device for eliminating echo. The method comprises: an echo path characteristic parameter of an echo signal is estimated; a source signal of the echo signal is taken as a reference signal, and an echo estimation signal is generated according to the echo path characteristic parameter; and the echo estimation signal is subtracted from a speech signal to be processed. The disclosure solves the problem in the related art that self-adaptation cannot be achieved when a returned near-end audio is suppressed, thus facilitating the enhancement of the speech quality of a conference and the improvement of user experience.
US09443526B2	Generation of comfort noise A comfort noise controller (50) for generating CN (Comfort Noise) control parameters isdescribed. A buffer (200) of a predetermined size is configured to store CN parameters for SID (Silence Insertion Descriptor) frames and active hangover frames. A subset selector (50A) is configured to determine a CN parameter subset relevant for SID frames based on the age of the stored CN parameters and on residual energies. A comfort noise control parameter extractor (50B) is configured to use the determined CN parameter subset to determine the CN control parameters for a first SID frame following an active signal frame.
US09443525B2	Quality improvement techniques in an audio encoder An audio encoder implements multi-channel coding decision, band truncation, multi-channel rematrixing, and header reduction techniques to improve quality and coding efficiency. In the multi-channel coding decision technique, the audio encoder dynamically selects between joint and independent coding of a multi-channel audio signal via an open-loop decision based upon (a) energy separation between the coding channels, and (b) the disparity between excitation patterns of the separate input channels. In the band truncation technique, the audio encoder performs open-loop band truncation at a cut-off frequency based on a target perceptual quality measure. In multi-channel rematrixing technique, the audio encoder suppresses certain coefficients of a difference channel by scaling according to a scale factor, which is based on current average levels of perceptual quality, current rate control buffer fullness, coding mode, and the amount of channel separation in the source. In the header reduction technique, the audio encoder selectively modifies the quantization step size of zeroed quantization bands so as to encode in fewer frame header bits.
US09443519B1	Reducing latency caused by switching input modalities Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media (transitory and non-transitory) are provided herein for reducing latency caused by switching input modalities. In various implementations, a first input such as text input may be received at a first modality of a multimodal interface provided by an electronic device. In response to determination that the first input satisfies one or more criteria, the electronic device may preemptively establish a session between the electronic device and a query processor configured to process input received at a second modality (e.g., voice input) of the multimodal interface. In various implementations, the electronic device may receive a second input (e.g., voice input) at the second modality of the multimodal interface, initiate processing of at least a portion of the second input at the query processor within the session, and build a complete query based on output from the query processor.
US09443518B1	Text transcript generation from a communication session Techniques, systems, and devices for managing streaming media among end user devices in a video conferencing system are described. For example, a transcript may be automatically generated for a video conference. In one example, a method may include receiving a combined media stream comprising a plurality of media sub-streams each associated with one of a plurality of end user devices, wherein each of the plurality of media sub-streams comprises a respective video component and a respective audio component. The method may also include, for each of the media-sub-streams, separating the audio component from the respective video component, for each audio component of the respective media sub-streams, transcribing speech from the audio component to text for the respective media sub-stream, and combining the text for each of the respective media sub-streams into a combined transcription. In some examples, the combined transcription may also be translated into a user selected language.
US09443514B1	Dynamic voice response control based on a weighted pace of spoken terms A system is configured to obtain a first voice request, from a client, to access a voice processing system that processes voice communications received from clients; determine a first pace at which terms, associated with the first voice request, are spoken by a user of the client; determine a second pace, associated with the user, based on terms, associated with other voice requests, spoken by the user and users of the clients prior to receiving the first voice request by using a weighted average of the pace associated with the user of the client and a pace associated with the users of the clients other than the client; compare the first pace to the second pace; determine a third pace based on the comparison; and send, to the client, a voice response to be outputted at the third pace.
US09443513B2	System and method for automated detection of plagiarized spoken responses Systems and methods are provided for automated detection of plagiarized spoken responses. A spoken response is processed to generate a text that is representative of the spoken response. The text is processed to remove disfluencies in the text and to identify a plurality of sentences in the text. A first numerical measure indicative of a number of words and phrases of the text that are included verbatim in a source text is determined. The source text has been designated as a source of plagiarized content. A second numerical measure indicative of an amount of the text that paraphrases portions of the source text is determined. A third numerical measure indicative of a similarity between sentences of the text and sentences of the source text is determined. A model is applied to the first, second, and third numerical measures to classify the spoken response as being plagiarized or non-plagiarized.
US09443512B2	Initiating actions based on partial hotwords Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, receiving audio data; determining that an initial portion of the audio data corresponds to an initial portion of a hotword; in response to determining that the initial portion of the audio data corresponds to the initial portion of the hotword, selecting, from among a set of one or more actions that are performed when the entire hotword is detected, a subset of the one or more actions; and causing one or more actions of the subset to be performed.
US09443511B2	System and method for recognizing environmental sound A method for recognizing an environmental sound in a client device in cooperation with a server is disclosed. The client device includes a client database having a plurality of sound models of environmental sounds and a plurality of labels, each of which identifies at least one sound model. The client device receives an input environmental sound and generates an input sound model based on the input environmental sound. At the client device, a similarity value is determined between the input sound model and each of the sound models to identify one or more sound models from the client database that are similar to the input sound model. A label is selected from labels associated with the identified sound models, and the selected label is associated with the input environmental sound based on a confidence level of the selected label.
US09443510B2	Speech recognition apparatus and method The present specification relates to a speech recognition apparatus and method capable of accurately recognizing the speech of a user in an easy and convenient manner without the user having to operate a speech recognition start button or the like. The speech recognition apparatus according to embodiments of the present specification comprises: a camera for capturing a user image; a microphone; a control unit for detecting a preset user gesture from the user image, and, if a nonlexical word is detected from the speech signal which is input through the microphone from the point in time at which the user gesture was detected, determining the speech signal detected after the detected nonlexical word as an effective speech signal; and a speech recognition unit for recognizing the effective speech signal.
US09443508B2	User programmable voice command recognition based on sparse features A low power sound recognition sensor is configured to receive an analog signal that may contain a signature sound. Sparse sound parameter information is extracted from the analog signal. The extracted sparse sound parameter information is processed using a speaker dependent sound signature database stored in the sound recognition sensor to identify sounds or speech contained in the analog signal. The sound signature database may include several user enrollments for a sound command each representing an entire word or multiword phrase. The extracted sparse sound parameter information may be compared to the multiple user enrolled signatures using cosine distance, Euclidean distance, correlation distance, etc., for example.
US09443506B2	High frequency energy converter A high frequency energy converter which has application as an acoustic actuator for converting incoming high frequency energy into outgoing harmonized high frequency mechanical (e.g., sound) and electromagnetic waves. The energy converter is adapted to improve the quality of sound heard by a listener by reducing random and spurious harmonics that are introduced by the environment in which the listener is located. The energy converter includes an outer body and a reactive crystalline material (e.g., quartz) lying at the bottom of the outer body that is responsive to the incoming high frequency energy. A dispersion horn is located at the top of the outer body to be seated upon the crystalline material. The dispersion horn has a throat extending therethrough so that both incoming high frequency energy and outgoing high frequency mechanical and electromagnetic waves are transmitted through the throat of the horn in opposite directions.
US09443503B2	Signal processing device, signal processing method and signal processing program The present invention compensates output variability caused by the difference in the performance of and the individual difference between converter devices when processing the signals inputted by means of a converter device, and performs highly-accurate signal processing.The present invention is provided with an input means which inputs an input signal through a converter device, a memory means which stores a minimum value of a reference signal inputted through a reference converter device, a comparison means which compares a minimum value of the input signal and the minimum value of the reference signal, and a modification means which modifies the input signal in accordance with the comparison result of the comparison means.
US09443497B1	Time display for a tuning device A tuning device with a time display is disclosed. The tuning device has a vibration sensor, a microprocessor, machine readable memory, and a display. A computer program stored in the machine readable memory for executing with the microprocessor to analyze audio frequency signals to determine musical pitch and error information for the detected audio frequency, and display both the time of day and the musical pitch and error information. A display has two display areas, one for display of the musical pitch and error information, and another for alternating display of the time of day and an A-reference setting. User inputs are provided for selecting among several user session modes, including a continual time of day display mode, or a tuning information mode, and a timer display mode. A clamp is provided for mechanically mounting the tuning device to a musical instrument and transmitting acoustic vibrations.
US09443496B1	Guitar stand A guitar stand includes a top member, two front legs and a rear leg pivotally connected to the top member and biasable between an extended position and a received position, two bearing bars respectively pivotally connected to the front legs and adapted for supporting a guitar, and a foot assembly mounted at the bottom end of each front leg to enhance positioning stability. The foot assembly includes a front foot member affixed to the bottom end of the respective front leg, and a stop bar coupled to and movable in and out of the front foot member and turnable outwardly forwards for stopping at the bottom end of the front foot member at a predetermined angle to enhance positioning stability after having been moved out of the front foot member.
US09443494B1	Generating bounding boxes for labels A computing device can receive, from a map search system and in response to a map search query, map data that describes a geographic region. Each map label includes one or more text characters. A respective bounding box for each map label that is defined by an aspect ratio having a width and a height can be generated. The width of the bounding box is twice that of the height of the bounding box and an area for the bounding box is the same as an area for the map label. Map labels can be selected for display in an interactive geographic map. The interactive geographic map that displays the selected map labels that each describes a feature that is located in the geographic region can be generated. Each selected map label is enclosed by a respective bounding box for the map label.
US09443492B2	Display with non-homogenous spectral transmission curve A display having a substrate is provided. The substrate is at least partially made of a partially transparent material having a non-homogenous spectral transmission curve. The substrate has a display face and a rear face with at least one luminous element disposed in the region of the rear face. The luminous element includes at least two base color lamps, where the base color brightness of at least one of the base color lamps is different, in order to compensate for the spectrally non-homogenous transmission curve of the substrate.
US09443491B2	Information display device An information display apparatus includes main image tone value modification means for modifying a tone value to compress a tone of a main image, first projection means for projecting the main image having the compressed tone by the main image tone value modification part with a first polarization component, sub-image tone value modification means for compressing tones of the sub-image, then modifying tone values of the sub-image by adding to the tone values after the compression an offset value, the offset value being not less than the maximum tone value of the main image having the compressed tone, correction image generation means for generating the correction image formed by subtracting the tone values of the main image having the compressed tone from the tone values modified by the sub-image tone value modification means, and second projection means for projecting the correction image with a second polarization component different from the first polarization component overlaying to the main image projected by the first projection means.
US09443486B2	Driving circuit of display panel and driving module thereof, and display device and method for manufacturing the same The present invention relates to a driving circuit for a display panel and the driving module thereof and a display device and the method for manufacturing the same. The present invention comprises a power generating module, a plurality of signal generating units, a power generating circuit, and a scan control circuit. The power generating module generates a supply power source according to an input power source. The plurality of signal generating units are coupled to the power generating module and generate a plurality of control signals according to the supply power source and a plurality of input signals. The power generating circuit generates a driving power source. The scan control circuit is coupled to the power generating circuit and the plurality of signal generating unit, and generates a plurality of scan signals according to the driving power source and at least one of the plurality of control signals.
US09443484B2	Liquid crystal display device and method for driving same In a liquid crystal display device for performing pause driving, occurrence of flicker is effectively suppressed while an increase in power consumption is suppressed. A frame in which an image signal is inputted without requesting an external portion to input the image signal is set as a refresh frame by a reversal driving technique deciding portion. A pause frame counting portion counts the number of times of pause frames since the previous refresh frame as a count value. The comparison portion compares the count value with a previously set threshold. As a result, when the count value is not smaller than the threshold, the reversal driving technique deciding portion sets a reversal driving technique in the first input frame to dot-reversal driving. When the count value is smaller than the threshold, the reversal driving technique deciding portion sets a reversal driving technique in the first input frame to column-reversal driving.
US09443483B2	Liquid crystal displays having pixels with embedded fringe field amplifiers A multi-domain liquid crystal display is disclosed. The display includes embedded fringe field amplifiers behind the color dots of the display. Specifically, the embedded fringe field amplifiers have a polarity that is different from the polarity of the color dot, that is located in front of the embedded fringe field amplifier. This difference in polarity enhances the fringe fields of the color dot or in some situations may create additional fringe fields. The enhanced fringe fields or additional fringe fiends enhances the performance of the display.
US09443476B2	Image pickup device and image pickup method An image pickup device includes: a camera; a display; a touch panel that overlaps the display, and a vertical sensor that detects a vertical direction. When a flick operation from down to up along the vertical direction is performed, a brightness of the display is changed from a first brightness to a second brightness that is brighter than the first brightness.
US09443475B2	Display device Back cabinet (7) has space (7a) which can accommodate backlight unit (4) and a circuit board therein, a backlight supporter which supports backlight unit (4) is provided on an inner wall surface forming space (7a), liquid crystal display panel (3) is disposed in an opening of space (7a) of back cabinet (7), and panel driving circuit board (22) for electrically connecting liquid crystal display panel (3) to a signal processing circuit board is exposed to outside from a side wall of back cabinet (7).
US09443474B2	Organic light emitting display apparatus and method of driving the same An organic light emitting display apparatus includes a power generating unit and a display panel. The power generating unit generates a first power voltage and a second power voltage. The display panel includes a plurality of organic light emitting elements. The organic light emitting elements have first electrodes to which the first power voltage is applied in a first direction and second electrodes to which the second power voltage is applied in a second direction.
US09443473B2	Pixel array and organic light emitting display device including the same A pixel array and an organic light emitting display device including the same, can display an image with uniform luminance by compensating for a variation in threshold voltage/mobility of a driving transistor for each pixel and compensating for a change in efficiency due to degradation of an organic light emitting diode. A first pixel among the pixel array includes an organic light emitting diode; a pixel circuit positioned among an anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode, a first scan line and a first data line through which a data signal is supplied to the first pixel, and controlling current flowing in the organic light emitting diode; and a switching element controlling the coupling between a second data line through which a data signal is supplied to a second pixel of the plurality of pixels and the anode electrode of the organic light emitting diode.
US09443465B2	Display device displaying substantially constant luminance and driving method thereof A display device includes: a first switching element which transmits a first data voltage; a second switching element which transmits a second data voltage; a driving transistor connected to the first switching element and the second switching element, where the driving transistor is driven based on the first data voltage and the second data voltage; and an organic light emitting diode connected to the driving transistor, where the organic light emitting diode emits light based on an output of the driving transistor, and a driving method thereof.
US09443464B2	Stage circuit and organic light emitting display device using the same An organic light emitting display device having a stage circuit capable of creating a scan signal and a light emitting control signal. The stage circuit includes a control unit controlling a first node and a second node corresponding to signals of a first input terminal, a third input terminal, and a fourth input terminal, a first output unit supplying a light emitting control signal to a second output terminal corresponding to voltages at the first node and the second node, and a second output unit supplying a scan signal having different polarity than that of the light emitting control signal to a first output terminal corresponding to a signal of a second input terminal and voltages at the first node and the second node.
US09443459B2	Flat display panel A flat display panel includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of tracking gate lines and a display area. The display area is disposed with pixel modules therein. Each pixel module includes a first pixel unit and a second pixel unit. The first pixel unit is configured to determine whether to receive a data transmitted on the first predetermined data line according to a voltage level of the first predetermined gate line. The second pixel unit is configured to determine whether to receive a voltage level of the second predetermined gate line according to a voltage level of the first predetermined gate line and determine whether to receive a data from the first pixel unit according to a voltage level received from the second predetermined gate line.
US09443454B1	Real-estate sign support assembly A horizontal cross-arm assembly is disclosed having a housing with an external surface, the housing defining a horizontal cross-arm operably configured to support a real-estate sign thereunder. A plurality of color-changing light-sources are disposed within an interior cavity defined by the external surface of the housing, the plurality of color-changing light-sources operable to emit a colored light through the external surface of the housing. At least one controller is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of color-changing light-sources, the controller operably configured to change a color of at least one of the plurality of color-changing light-sources from a first color to a second color, different from the first color.
US09443450B2	Display element, display device and joint display A display device includes a display element and an image compensation element. The display element includes a main display region and a first periphery display region located at a first side of the main display region, each of the main display region and the first periphery display region includes a plurality of pixels, and a pixel density of the main display region is smaller than a pixel density of the first periphery display region. The image compensation element includes a compensation portion corresponding to the periphery display region, and the image compensation element extends an image of the first periphery display region to one side of the first periphery display region away from the main display region.
US09443449B2	Self-laminating rotating cable marker label with breakaway portion A self-laminating rotating cable marker label is constructed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, an adhesive-free smooth area, and a second adhesive area. A print-on area forms one side of the transparent film, the print-on area adapted to receive indicia identifying the cable about which the marker label is applied. A perforation extends across the transparent film providing a line of separation of the transparent film. When wrapped around a cable, the second adhesive area overlies the print-on area such that the cable identifying indicia is visible through the transparent second adhesive area. As the transparent film is wrapped around the cable, the first adhesive area adheres to the cable. The remainder of the transparent film is rotated, breaking the perforation, whereby the smooth area of the film in contact with the cable provides smooth rotation of the label around the cable.
US09443446B2	System for cosmetic and therapeutic training Systems and methods are disclosed for an apparatus and method for practicing injection techniques through an injectable apparatus. The injectable apparatus may contain a camera that is configured to detect the intensity and color of light attenuated from a testing tool after it is injected into a simulated human or animal body parts. A training tool may be connected to a user display device to generate a display of the injection apparatus as well as the performance parameters of a trainee.
US09443445B2	Automatic injection training device Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide reusable training automatic injection training devices, and components thereof, to simulate and/or mimic an operation of an actual automatic injection device. Exemplary embodiments of the training device can provide audible instructions, which can be in different languages, output from circuitry associated with the training device. Exemplary embodiment of the training device can be a self-contained and portable device that mimics a shape, size, and function of an actual automatic injection device without including a needle or any drug on board. Exemplary embodiments can be implemented to train a user on an operation and/or usage of an actual automatic injection device using embodiments of the automatic injection training devices so that a user can practice an autoinjection without injecting a therapeutic agent, such as a liquid drug, into a recipient.
US09443442B2	Computing device providing electronic book data having selectable content layers with different difficulty levels and related methods A computing device may include a display, a memory to store electronic book data having a plurality of different content layers each associated with a different content difficulty level, and a processor coupled to the display and the memory. The processor may determine a selected content difficulty level for viewing of the electronic book data, and display on the display the respective content layer of the electronic book data associated with the selected content difficulty level.
US09443441B1	View port resolution independent network pages Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating transition in a rendering of a network page given a resizing of a view port of a viewing window. A network page is rendered in a computing system in a view port on a display device, the network page defining a plurality of view port resolution ranges. A first level of changes is implemented in a display of the network page in response to a resizing of the view port within a respective one of the view port resolution ranges. A second level of changes is implemented in the display of the network page in response to a resizing of the view port through a transition threshold defined between a respective pair of the view port resolution ranges.
US09443440B2	Figure plate set The present invention provides a figure plate set (10) for learning that comprises a first triangular plate (1) that has an isosceles triangular shape having an apex angle of 108° and base angles of 36°; and a second triangular plate (2) that has an isosceles triangular shape having an apex angle of 36° and base angles of 72°, wherein a length of isosceles sides (7, 8) of the first triangular plate (1) is same as a length of isosceles sides (14, 15) or a bottom side (16) of the second triangular plate (2), and a new triangular shape can be formed by combining the first triangular plate (1) and the second triangular plate (2).
US09443435B2	Vision system for an aircraft approaching a landing runway and associated vision method The system according to the invention comprises an assembly for managing the graphic interface of a display, capable of controlling the display, on at least a first region of the display, of a peripheral area formed by a synthetic image comprising at least one synthetic surface representation of the terrain, and capable of maintaining at least one area representative of the position of a landing runway, centered on the landing runway, and at least one front area, adjacent to the center area, substantially free of any synthetic surface representation of the terrain. The management assembly includes means for dynamically defining the length (L) of the front area on the display as a function of a vertical decision position (DP) associated with a selected approach for said landing runway.
US09443433B1	Method and system to monitor for conformance to a traffic control instruction Method, system, and computer program product for monitoring vehicle compliance with a vehicle operating instruction provided by a traffic controller. A spoken vehicle operating instruction is translated into a computer-readable instruction that can be used for data entry and/or retrieval. The computer-readable instruction is transformed into an expected vehicle operating trajectory by mapping to a published vehicle procedure or by calculating a trajectory based on provided instructions. The vehicle is monitored as it operates. In the event the monitored operation differs or is forecast to differ from conformance limits associated with the expected trajectory, an alert can be provided.
US09443431B1	System and method for preventing undesirable substantially concurrent switching in multiple power circuits A power system is disclosed including a plurality of power circuits, each power circuit providing an independent power output and including a high-side driver coupled to a high-side switch and a low-side drive coupled to a low-side switch, and control circuitry coupled to each of the power circuits. The control circuitry is operable to detect a present state of each high-side and low-side switch, and prevent two or more of the high-side switches from substantially concurrently switching from a first state to a second state, or two or more of the high-side switches and one or more of the low-side switches from substantially concurrently switching from a third state to a fourth state, or two or more of the low-side switches from substantially concurrently switching from the third state to the fourth state.
US09443427B1	Reference tokens for managing driverless cars Negotiating a multi-vehicle environment using vehicle-to-vehicle network tokens for intra-vehicle communication. Preliminary routing assignment are efficiently improved by available intra-vehicle communication.
US09443426B1	Method and device for sensing traffic flow and notifying motor vehicle drivers of the same A method and device for providing wireless notifications to a driver via a mobile device indicating when a stopped traffic condition in the present lane of travel is about to resume flowing.
US09443424B2	Method of displaying traffic congestion estimation Disclosed is a method of displaying traffic congestion estimation including a step of detecting a transition state that exists when transitioning from a free flow in which a possibility (probability of occurrence) of an occurrence of traffic congestion is lower than a first set value, to a mixed flow in which states of braking and accelerating the vehicle are mixed as the state of the flow of traffic, and a step of displaying the possibility (probability of occurrence) of transition from the free flow to the mixed flow in a continuous and visual manner on the basis of the detection result of the transition state.
US09443421B2	Method used in a system for remotely controlling an appliance A method used in a remote control system for remotely controlling an appliance by execution of a remote control command contained in a control program stored in an operation terminal device, by which: a first identifier is acquired at a first time point (S801), the first identifier being unique to a portable medium located close to an operation terminal device serving as a remote controller for the appliance; the first identifier is embedded into the control program (S802); a second identifier is acquired at a second time point later than the first time point (S803), the second identifier being unique to a portable medium located close to the operation terminal device serving as the remote controller for the appliance; whether the first identifier matches the second identifier is determined (S804); and remote control of the appliance is prohibited when the first identifier does not match the second identifier (S805).
US09443418B1	Wearable apparatus for indicating lawfully armed individuals to police officers arriving at the scene of an incident in progress An apparatus and method is disclosed for identifying to responding police officers at a scene the individuals that are legally carrying a firearm. A wearable light source includes a light source on an exterior surface. The light source is activated when turned on by the wearer, or when permitted by the wearer to be turned on by a transmitter operated by a responding police officer that sends an activate signal that is received by the wearable light source, such as a bracelet, watch, or badge, either by a receiver incorporated into the wearable light source, or by a smart phone carried by the wearer that relays the activation command to the wearable light source.
US09443414B2	Object tracking Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the automatic tracking of objects. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of operating a mobile computing device having an image sensor. The method includes acquiring image data, identifying an inanimate moveable object in the image data, determining whether the inanimate moveable object is a tracked object, if the inanimate moveable object is a tracked object, then storing information regarding a state of the inanimate moveable object, detecting a trigger to provide a notification of the state of the inanimate moveable object, and providing an output of the notification of the state of the inanimate moveable object.
US09443410B1	Personal safety response system and method A personal safety response system comprises a wearable device to be worn by a user, the wearable device includes a speaker configured for generating audio notification, an exterior visual indicator configured for generating visual notification, a vibrator configured for generating haptic notification, a panic button, a radio frequency transceiver, and a controller configured to recognize a first set of predetermined conditions, and transmit a notification to a base telephone. The base telephone includes a radio frequency transceiver configured for two-way communication with the wearable device, and transmit and receive data over the telecommunication network and Internet, a memory, a processor configured to recognize a second set of predetermined conditions, and transmit a notification to the wearable device, a user input device configured to receive user input, and a display screen configured to display information associated with the notification transmitted to the wearable device.
US09443409B1	Systems to monitor proximity of body portions relative to an environment A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including a proximity sensor configured to generate one or more sense signals associated with a proximity of an environmental object relative to the body portion; circuitry operably coupled to the sensor assembly and configured to receive the one or more sense signals and to determine whether the proximity of the environmental object relative to the body portion changes over a time period; and a reporting device operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to generate one or more communication signals associated with one or more of the environmental object or a change in proximity of the environmental object relative to the body portion responsive to instruction by the circuitry.
US09443405B2	Wireless voice alarm and public announcement system An apparatus is provided, wherein the apparatus includes an audio annunciator of a security system that protects a secured geographic area, a first wireless interface of the annunciator that wirelessly exchanges synchronization and channel maintenance messages with a control panel of the security system under a TDMA format, and a second wireless interface of the annunciator that wirelessly exchanges alarm messages with the control panel of the security system through a second wireless interface under a CSMA/CA format, the second wireless interface being maintained in a deactivated state until an alarm message is detected from the control panel through the first wireless interface, the second interface being activated in response to the alarm message, wherein audio information is thereafter streamed from the control panel to the annunciator through the second wireless interface.
US09443400B2	Voltage detector for hydraulic lifts A voltage detector assembly employed in hydraulic systems, comprising a hydraulic power unit having a hydraulic cylinder with a piston, a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected with the hydraulic cylinder and containing hydraulic fluid, a pump operated by a motor connected with the hydraulic fluid reservoir. The hydraulic fluid reservoir includes a pair of control valves and a pair of relief valves. A battery is connected to the hydraulic power unit by means of a start solenoid that transfers power from the battery to the motor of the hydraulic power unit. A digital remote having a circuit board, a digital display, an up button and a down button, is connected to the hydraulic power unit and the battery through the start solenoid. The digital display registers available battery power in volts during upstroke and down stroke of the hydraulic system.
US09443399B2	Cassette for use with an automated banking machine that can receive power and communicate via magnetic induction In an example embodiment, a document holding cassettes that can be used in an automated banking machine that includes circuitry that is wirelessly powered through inductive coupling. The cassette can wirelessly communicate with the automated banking machine through induction.
US09443398B2	Electronic gaming device with reel-of-one functionality Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for utilizing one or more reel-of-one symbol functionalities. The electronic gaming device may include a memory, a processor, and a plurality of reels. The plurality of reels may include one or more areas. The memory may include one or more reel-of-one functionality modules. The processor may generate one or more symbols to be located in the one or more areas and to generate one or more reel-of-one symbol groupings to be placed on one or more reels.
US09443397B1	Computer activated instant winner lottery ticket game system and method A system and method for selling pre-printed instant-winner lottery tickets by use of a central computer communicating with widely-distributed enclosed vending machines and other terminals, with each ticket providing a traditional instant-winner game with a chance for an added instant-winner progressive jackpot prize. The identification code printed on each ticket is read by a code reader, after the ticket has been issued from a vending machine or selected from an accessible display of inactive tickets, and the computer determines whether the ticket is a progressive jackpot winner, and notifies the terminal at which the ticket is a processed of the win or loss. If the ticket has not been activated, the computer activates it. If necessary, the computer also supplies play data to be printed on the ticket or separate paper, or displayed to complete the traditional game and indicate the winning or loss of that game as well.
US09443388B2	Degressive bonus system Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.
US09443384B2	Avatar as security measure for mobile device use with electronic gaming machine A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The gaming system is configured to establish a secure communication session between an electronic gaming machine and a portable electronic device. The system can confirm that a communication session is secure by displaying pre-selected content unique to the portable electronic device. The content can be continuously displayed on the EGM during the active communication session to indicate that the session is secure.
US09443378B2	Gaming machine communication with external systems through a single communication port Electronic gaming machines and gaming systems for allowing communication between the electronic gaming machines and a plurality of external systems are described. The electronic gaming machine is configured to provide gameplay of a wager-based game. The electronic gaming machine includes a processor and a memory. The electronic gaming machine further includes a slot accounting system port configured to allow communications between the EGM and a plurality of separate master control systems. The electronic gaming machine includes a universal game module (UGM) having a UGM SAS port, wherein the UGM SAS port is coupled to the SAS port of the EGM with a connector.
US09443376B2	Gaming device base with slidable mounting brackets One or more gaming devices, such as slot machines, can be installed onto a gaming device base comprised of façade kits removably attached to a gaming device foundation. The tops of the gaming device bases either have replaceable top surfaces or adjustable attachment points in order to allow different gaming devices to be attached to any given base. In one embodiment of the later, adjustable mounting brackets are utilized that provide elongated bolt hole slots through which bolts can be inserted from a gaming device. The gaming devices are then secured to a base by use of nuts inserted and tightened over the bolts. The adjustable mounting brackets can be slid back and forth when bolts through them have not been secured with nuts. The mounting brackets can also be easily inserted and removed. The result is that the mounting points for gaming devices can be adjusted in two dimensions, allowing for the installation of most gaming devices, regardless of bolt and cable configurations.
US09443364B2	Multi-control entry door hardware An electronic coded entry lock that includes a multifunction switch having an actuator and a circuit member. The actuator is configured to be displaced to a plurality of input positions. For example, the actuator may be displaced to at least four, and in some instances at least eight, input positions. Further, the actuator may have at least two axes of movement. Moreover, the actuator may be configured for two or three dimensional movement. When the actuator is displaced to an input position, the circuit member may provide a signal associated with that input position. The controller may determine whether the signals provided by the circuit member correspond to a security code for the electronic coded entry lock. If the signal(s) does/do correspond to the security code, the controller may generate a command to actuate a lock actuator that displaces at least a component of a lock mechanism.
US09443362B2	Communication and processing of credential data Credential data representing users seeking access to a well-defined space are registered in a reader unit associated with an access-control-related building component. A linked address associates the credential data with a first credential data receiver (EAC1) and/or at least one second credential data receiver (EAC2). The address is stored in a memory at the reader unit or on a portable carrier holding the credential data. If the address identifies the first credential data receiver (EAC1), the reader unit forwards the registered credential data to this unit (EAC1). If the address (A) identifies a particular second credential data receiver (EAC2), the reader unit instead forwards the registered credential data (CD) to this unit (EAC2). When receiving the credential data, the units (EAC1; EAC2) effect at least one decision concerning the well-defined space independently of one another.
US09443361B2	Systems and methods for RFID-based access management of electronic devices Disclosed are systems and methods for preventing unauthorized persons from using an electronic device within a facility. In such an embodiment, the system may include a RFID tag having unique identification information associated with a wearer of the RFID tag. The RFID tag may be comprised in a non-removable item worn by the wearer, such as a bracelet. This system may also include an RFID reader associated with the electronic device and having an RFID coverage zone for detecting RFID tags within the coverage zone. A device management system may be connected to the reader and configured to determine whether a wearer in the coverage zone is authorized to use the electronic device based at least in part on detected RFID tag's unique identification information. In such an embodiment, the device management system is configured to activate the electronic device if it determines the authorized wearer is detected in the coverage zone.
US09443359B2	Vehicle electronic control unit calibration Calibration for a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) includes determining a trigger event configured to initiate a check for updates to calibration data files of the ECU, iterating through calibration part numbers present in the ECU, and accessing, from a memory device in communication with the vehicle, in response to the iterating, a chain of parts table in a linked list that maps calibration part numbers identified in the ECU unit to any subsequently-issued calibration part numbers. The subsequently-issued calibration part numbers reflect an index to the updates to the calibration data files. The calibration also includes searching the chain of parts table using the calibration part numbers identified in the ECU to determine a corresponding subsequently-issued calibration part number, selecting one of the updates to the calibration data files using the subsequently-issued calibration part number from the memory device, and updating the ECU with the selected update.
US09443353B2	Methods and systems for capturing and moving 3D models and true-scale metadata of real world objects In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for assisting a user in visualizing how a modified real-world setting would appear. An imaging device may capture a plurality of images of one or more objects or settings. A three-dimensional model of each object or setting may be created based on the images. These models may then be used to create a realistic image of a modified setting. For example, an image may display a setting (e.g., a living room) with an additional object (e.g., a couch) in the setting. The image may be realistic, in that it may accurately represent dimensions of the object relative to dimensions in the setting. Because three-dimensional models were created for both the setting and object, a user may be able to manipulate the image to, e.g., re-position and/or re-orient the object within the setting and view the setting from different perspectives.
US09443351B2	Apparatus and method for reconstructing skeletal image An apparatus and method for reconstructing a skeletal image for osteoporotic diagnosis is disclosed. A skeletal image reconstruction method may include separating a region of interest (ROI) corresponding to a skeletal system from an image captured from an inspection target, and reconstructing a high-resolution skeletal image by performing a finite element method (FEM) and topology optimization on the ROI.
US09443346B2	Method and system for X-ray image generation A method of creating an image including providing three-dimensional image data of an anatomy, providing a model of a portion of the anatomy, and creating a virtual radiograph of a target portion of the anatomy using information from the image data and information from the model. The method may further include representing the portion of the anatomy in a modified state, wherein the modified state is a resected, translated, rotated, and/or otherwise modified portion of the anatomy. The method may further include adding a virtual image of a prosthetic device to the virtual radiograph. The virtual radiograph may by created by executing a ray casting process on the three-dimensional image data.
US09443345B2	Method and apparatus for rendering three-dimensional (3D) object Provided is a method and apparatus that may generate a three-dimensional (3D) object from a two-dimensional (2D) image, and render the generated 3D object.Light source information may be extracted from the 2D image using a characteristic of the 2D image, and property information associated with the 2D image may be extracted based on the light source information. In particular, specular information, scattering information, and the like may be stored in a database using a plurality of samples. Since pecular information or scattering information similar to an input image may be retrieved from the data base, property information may be quickly extracted.
US09443339B2	Creating a wireframe mesh for representing a moving object in a three-dimensional coordinate system A method and systems for creating a three-dimensional wireframe mesh that represents characteristics of a model of an object moving along a curve in a three-dimensional coordinate system. A processor determines a direction of the object's motion from a starting location to an ending location. The processor performs vector operations to draw pairs of vectors from a common, initial base point. The tips of each pair of vectors identify two corresponding points of the mesh, and the vector operations are functions of the starting location, of the second location, and of the object's direction of motion. The processor adjusts characteristics of the mesh and determines, as a function of the adjusted mesh, a characteristic of the animated object at the ending location, such as its orientation, color, texture, reflectance, size, font, or animation speed.
US09443337B2	Run-time techniques for playing large-scale cloud-based animations Various of the disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for providing animated multimedia, e.g. animated shows, to an audience over a network. Particularly, some embodiments provide systems and methods for generating and providing audio, animation, and other experience-related information so that user's may readily experience the content in a seamless manner (e.g., as an audience member watching a show, playing a video game, etc.). Various embodiments animate “to the audience” based, e.g., on what content the audience is consuming. The animations may be generated in real-time from constituent components and assets in response to user behavior.
US09443333B2	Methods and systems to communicate information There is provided a method and system to communicate information. The system receives a first query that contains a first constraint and retrieves a first plurality of data items from a database based on the first query. Next, the system generates a first distribution based on the first plurality of data items, the first distribution utilizing a first plurality of domains that are used to identify data items. Next the system generates a second distribution based on a plurality of requests to view a second plurality of data items. Next the system generates a third distribution based on the first distribution and the second distribution. Finally, the system generates distribution data to be included within an interface, the interface to include at least one interface element that is positioned on the interface based on the third distribution, the at least one interface element to respectively represent at least one domain.
US09443327B2	Rendering and un-rendering using profile replacement Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, can perform rendering and un-rendering using profile replacement. A computer implemented method includes obtaining source image data associated with a source input-referred color space, transforming the source image data to intermediate image data associated with an intermediate input-referred color profile, applying a rendering operation to the intermediate image data by associating the intermediate image data with an intermediate output-referred color profile, and transforming the intermediate image data to destination image data associated with a destination output-referred color space using the intermediate output-referred color profile. The method further includes making available for output the destination image data.
US09443326B2	Semantic place labels The subject disclosure is directed towards automatically labeling location-related information such as corresponding to GPS data or the like with a semantic label. A classifier trained with machine learning is provided with feature data corresponding to the location-related information and other features, such as user demographics data of a person associated with location-related information. The semantic label is received from the classifier, and associated with the location-related information. Other features may be used, such as other egocentric features corresponding to a person's particular visit, features from a sequence of visits, and/or features from other user information. The semantic label may be used to trigger an action, label a location on a map or the like, and so on.
US09443322B2	Method and associated apparatus for correcting color artifact of image A method for correcting color shading artifact of an image and associated apparatus is provided. The method comprises: providing a plurality of bases, calculating a plurality of coefficients respectively associated with the bases, generating a correction map by summing the bases respectively weighted by with the coefficients, and providing a corrected image by correcting the image according to the correction map. Each basis is capable of providing a basic correction value for each pixel of an intermediate image which is associated with the image.
US09443321B2	Imaging device, endoscope system and imaging method using yellow-eliminated green data An image generating device includes a first image-information generating unit that generates first image information based on a plurality of pieces of acquired color element information, a color-component detecting unit that detects a predetermined color component based on each piece of color element information, a color-component eliminating unit that eliminates the predetermined color component detected by the color-component detecting unit from a predetermined piece of color element information among the plurality of pieces of color element information, and a second image-information generating unit that generates second color information based on a piece of color element information obtained by eliminating the predetermined color component by the color-component eliminating unit and another piece of color element information.
US09443318B2	Line segment and arc detection apparatus An apparatus and method to detect a line segment or arc using Hough transform. A Hough transform unit performs contour extraction on brightness image data to generate contour image data, with pixels having a pixel value of 0 to 255, performs the Hough transform on points in the contour image data, and counts additional values represented by pixel values of points in the contour image data in a Hough table. The Hough transform unit performs contour extraction on first to third component data to generate first to third contour data with pixels having a pixel value of 0 to 255, performs the Hough transform on points in the first to third contour data, and counts additional values represented by pixel values of points in the first to third contour data in the Hough table. The detection unit comprehensively evaluates the counts to detect a line segment or arc.
US09443315B2	Method and system to process magnetic resonance diffusion image data In a method, a user interface, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a storage medium encoded with programming instructions, in order to enable processing and/or display of magnetic resonance diffusion image data, diffusion image data are provided to a computer, a signal threshold are provided to a computer, and a b-value map is calculated by the computer on the basis of the diffusion image data and the predetermined signal threshold.
US09443314B1	Hierarchical conditional random field model for labeling and segmenting images An image processing system automatically segments and labels an image using a hierarchical classification model. A global classification model determines initial labels for an image based on features of the image. A label-based descriptor is generated based on the initial labels. A local classification model is then selected from a plurality of learned local classification model based on the label-based descriptor. The local classification model is applied to the features of the input image to determined refined labels. The refined labels are stored in association with the input image.
US09443311B2	Method and system to identify a position of a measurement pole A method and a system in which an image of an object having a tip end and a plurality of markings disposed on an outer surface is acquired, a distance between the measurement system and each of the plurality of markings and a plurality of angles at which the object is positioned in the three-dimensional space are determined, a three-dimensional vector of the object is determined based on the distance between the measurement system and each of the plurality of markings and based on the plurality of angles at which the object is positioned in the three-dimensional space, and a position of the tip end in the three-dimensional space is determined based on the distance to each of the plurality of markings and based on the three-dimensional vector of the object.
US09443309B2	System and method for image based mapping, localization, and pose correction of a vehicle with landmark transform estimation A system and method for mapping, localization and pose correction including, determining a current position of a vehicle along a travel route and a set of currently observable landmarks along the travel route relative to the current position, the set of currently observable landmarks extracted from one or more stereo images obtained from an imaging device, and querying a survey landmark database to identify a subset of surveyed landmarks relative to the current position of the vehicle. The method including determining one or more two-dimensional transform estimates between the set of currently observable landmarks and the subset of surveyed landmarks and identifying a best transform estimate from the one or more two-dimensional transform estimates that minimizes distances between the set of currently observable landmarks and the subset of surveyed landmarks. The method including correcting a pose of the vehicle based on the best transform estimate.
US09443306B2	Automated image cropping to include particular subjects A digital image is automatically cropped to fit within a desired frame. The cropping is based on one or more of two identified portions of the image. One of the portions is an all-subjects portion that includes all the identified subjects of a particular type in the image. The other portion is an attention portion that identifies an intended focus of the image. An attempt to crop the image to include both of these portions is made, and if unsuccessful then an attempt to crop the image to include at least the all-subjects portion is made. If neither of these attempts is successful, then the image is cropped to include one or more, but less than all, of the identified subjects of the particular type in the image.
US09443305B2	Method and apparatus for capturing, geolocating and measuring oblique images A computerized system for displaying and making measurements based upon captured oblique images. The system includes a computer system executing image display and analysis software causing the computer system to display at least one oblique image having corresponding geo-location position data; receive one or more signals indicative of user selection of at least two points on a man-made structure depicted within the at least one oblique image; and calculate at least one measurement between the at least two points on the man-made structure depicted within the at least one oblique image using the geo-location position data associated with the at least one oblique image. The system may calculate at least one measurement using a series of interconnected line segments between at least two points on a geographic structure depicted within the at least one oblique image using the geo-location position data associated with the at least one oblique image.
US09443302B2	Method and system for roentgenography-based modeling Modeling an object in 3-D space may be accomplished various embodiments disclosed herein. An exemplary method of creating a 3-D model includes receiving roentgenograms of an object and at least one reference marker. In some embodiments, the roentgenograms may each include an image of at least one object marker. The exemplary method may further include determining 3-D positions of the x-ray source using the images of the at least one reference marker. The location of the 3-D positions of the x-ray source may allow a 3-D model of the imaged object to be created.
US09443292B2	Blind defringing for color images This disclosure pertains to novel devices, methods, and computer readable media for performing “blind” color defringing on images. In one embodiment, the blind defringing process begins with blind color edge alignment. This process largely cancels every kind of fringe, except for axial chromatic aberration. Next, the process looks at the edges and computes natural high and low colors to either side of the edge, attempting to get new pixel colors that aren't contaminated by the fringe color. Next, the process resolves the pixel's estimated new color by interpolating between the low and high colors, based on the green variation across the edge and the amount of green in the pixel that is being repaired. Care is taken to prevent artifacts in areas that generally do not fringe, like red-black boundaries and skin tone. Finally, the process computes the final repaired color by using luminance-scaling of the new pixel color estimate.
US09443287B2	Image processing method and apparatus using trained dictionary The image processing method includes providing first dictionaries produced by dictionary learning and second dictionaries corresponding to the first dictionaries, performing, on each first dictionary, a process to approximate the first image by linear combination of elements of the first dictionary so as to produce a linear combination coefficient and thereby acquiring multiple linear combination coefficients, and calculating, for each linear combination coefficient, a ratio between a largest coefficient element and a second-largest coefficient element and selecting a specific linear combination coefficient in which the ratio is largest among the multiple linear combination coefficients. The method further includes selecting, from the multiple second dictionaries, a specific dictionary corresponding to the first dictionary for which the specific linear combination coefficient is produced, and producing the second image by using linear combination of the specific linear combination coefficient and elements of the specific dictionary.
US09443286B2	Gray image processing method and apparatus based on wavelet transformation The embodiments provide an image processing method and apparatus, which combine a wavelet transform method with a non-local means method, comprising: performing N-level decomposition of an original gray image by using a wavelet transform method; and performing non-local means processing and wavelet reconstruction of each level of components one by one starting from an N-th level, so as to obtain a processed gray image. The image processing method and apparatus can effectively remove various image noises, and well reserve the image details.
US09443274B1	System watches for new paths to a target in a social graph A system gathers information on important and influential people and builds a social graph. The information is organized based on this social graph and provided to users as a service. The system continually updates information in the social graph by crawling websites and other sources of information. When a user wants to keep updated with a person of the system, the user can establish a watch. The system processes the requirements of the user from the watch and alerts the user when the requirements are met.
US09443269B2	FPGA matrix architecture High volume data processing systems and methods are provided to enable ultra-low latency processing and distribution of data. The systems and methods can be implemented to service primary trading houses where microsecond delays can significantly impact performance and value. According to one aspect, the systems and methods are configured to process data from a variety of market data sources in a variety of formats, while maintaining target latencies of less than 1 microsecond. A matrix of FPGA nodes is configured to provide ultra-low latencies while enabling deterministic and distributed processing. In some embodiments, the matrix can be configured to provide consistent latencies even during micro burst conditions. Further book building operations (determination of current holdings and assets) can occur under ultra-low latency timing, providing for near instantaneous risk management, management, and execution processes, even under microburst conditions. In further embodiments, a FPGA matrix provides a readily expandable and convertible processing platform.
US09443267B1	Self organizing electric grid with mobile payment system A system and a computer-implemented method for providing a prepaid amount of energy, are provided. The system includes a source node that receives a message authorizing a disbursement of the prepaid amount of energy at a receiver node. The payment for the prepaid amount of energy is made using a receiver node identifier associated with the receiver node that receives the discrete amount of energy. The source node receives input voltage from a power source for the duration that corresponds to the payment amount for energy. The input voltage provided by the power source is transformed into a micro-grid voltage that is distributed to the receiver node in a point-to-point wiring.
US09443265B1	Method, system, and computer readable medium for selection of catalog items for inclusion on a network page Disclosed are various embodiments for selecting catalog items for display on a network page. The catalog items have corresponding catalog item identifiers and catalog item representations. In response to a network request, a response is received. The response includes catalog item object identifiers but excludes the corresponding catalog item object representations. At least one of the catalog item object representations is requested using the corresponding catalog object identifier. At least one of the catalog items is selected for inclusion on a network page. The selection is based on an attribute in the catalog item object representation. The network page is displayed to a user.
US09443264B2	Methods, systems, and products for gift giving A shopper selects from gifts that are compatible with a recipient's devices. When the shopper wishes to purchase a gift, descriptions of gifts are compared to the recipient's devices. Compatible gifts may be recommended, while incompatible gifts may be rejected.
US09443263B1	Travel destination one stop shopping system based on 3D panoramic image and control method thereof Disclosed are a travel destination one stop shopping system based on 3D panoramic image and a control method thereof. That is, a virtual reality is implemented by making a tag associated with a corresponding product or store be included in a 3D panoramic image of products displayed at a store or a small store on a road view without an online shopping mall, interested product purchase and delivery functions are performed through providing information on the product or store associated with the selected tag when the tag associated with the product or store is selected, shopping information of a corresponding area is previously collected and verified based on the 3D panoramic image before departing for a travel destination, and performs a payment function of a traveler dedicated prepaid multi-product discount coupon as necessary.
US09443258B2	Mass ingestion of content related metadata to an online content portal The present technology supports mass ingestion of metadata related to consumables related to online server supported applications. The online server publishes a specification defining metadata fields, allowed format values, and other parameters to facilitate the mass submission of metadata related to consumables. Metadata arranged according to the specification can be fed to the online server via a data stream or through submission of a document including metadata defining a plurality of consumables. The specification has been intelligently designed to account for the many different uses of consumables in applications supported by the server. As will be further described herein, the specification accounts for unique events pertaining to subscription content, in-application purchases, game performance and game award consumables, among others. Every type of consumable being submittable in the same document.
US09443254B2	Product placement engine and method A product placement engine and method for automatically identifying products for association with a document, the engine including a parser, an analysis module adapted to determine word scores and to adjust the word scores of the words by predetermined weightings, a keyword constructor module adapted to construct a keyword query search string using words having the highest word scores, a search engine adapted to search a products database having product records to identify products satisfying the keyword query search string and assign product scores, and a post processing module adapted to identify word matches in each of the product records and the document and update the product score.
US09443253B2	Systems and methods to provide and adjust offers In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to allow merchants to initiate offers in an offer campaign based on a spending pattern specified by the merchant, such as the lack of transactions in a predetermined period of time of the day, in a recent time period, and/or in a particular merchant category. The offer campaign can be adjusted between offer delivery/announcement and fulfillment for a limited time period. The benefit of a further purchase may be announced via a message scheduled to be transmitted in response to an event identifying the arrival of a particular time instance, in response to a qualification notification of a transaction satisfying the requirements of a purchase event required in the offer campaign, or in response to the detection of a required spending pattern.
US09443252B2	Customer journey prediction and resolution Customer journey prediction and resolution is accomplished via a predictive model in which each user is mapped onto all available user journey information corresponding to a specific business. The predictive model is analyzed to understand the characteristics, preferences, and lowest effort resolution for the user related to the services that are subscribed to by the user. The predictive model is analyzed to predict the service or collection of services for each user. Embodiments interact with, provide and receive information from, and react to and/or deliver action to the customer across channels and across services. All customer and system behavior, data, and action is tracked and coordinated and leveraged for continuous feedback and performance improvement.
US09443251B2	System for encoding customer data A system for authenticating a customer includes a network interface and a processor. The network interface communicates a request for customer data associated with a particular customer. It also receives a customer profile code associated with the customer, wherein the customer profile code comprises a first code segment and a second code segment. It further receives first and second rules associated with the customer profile code. The processor transforms the first and second code segments into customer data using the rules. It further authenticates the customer using the customer data.
US09443250B1	Learning characteristics for extraction of information from web pages A learning module of an information retrieval system is configured to automatically learn distinctive characteristics used by different web sites when presenting data variables of interest. The learned information can then be used to identify data variables of interest on arbitrary web pages of the web sites. In one embodiment, the learning process is guided by feeds provided by the web sites that list values for data variables of interest, and by web pages also provided by the web sites. The values of the feeds enable the learning module to identify candidate portions of the web pages that may represent a data variable of interest. Weights are computed for different values of various properties of the candidate portions, aggregated over all the analyzed pages, and used to identify one of the candidate portions as being the best candidates.
US09443240B2	Transaction verification on RFID enabled payment and transaction instruments A display enabled RFID tag (DERT) receives transaction details from the reader. DERT verifies that the details match their counterparts in the reader public key certificate. The process is aborted in case of a mismatch. DERT extracts and displays user-verifiable data. It then enters a countdown stage that lasts for a predetermined duration. A user observes the transaction information and, if the transaction amount and other details are deemed correct, presses an accept button provided on the DERT before the timer runs out. DERT signs the time-stamped transaction statement and sends it to the reader. This signed statement is then sent to the payment gateway and eventually to the financial institution that issued the payment DERT.
US09443237B2	Systems and methods for financial transaction through card reader in communication with third party financial institution with encrypted information A system is provided that includes a transaction engine running on a mobile device. In response to a financial transaction between a buyer and a seller, the transaction uses the mobile device to accept information selected including but not limited to information from financial transaction or information pertaining to financial transaction card used by the buyer in the transaction. At least a portion of this information is communicated with a third party financial institution or payment network to authorize the transaction. Encrypted information is sent to the third party payment system authorizing a financial transaction.
US09443235B1	Method and apparatus for third party control of a device A method and apparatus for third party control of a device have been disclosed. By utilizing a third party to control a device, view and control of a device may be separated.
US09443233B1	Payment using a fractal image A method for approving a commercial transaction using a customer generated fractal image. The method includes receiving, from a central authority, a seed, and receiving a request for the customer generated fractal image for payment of the commercial transaction with a merchant. In response to the request, payment device information is obtained and the customer generated fractal image is generated using the seed and the payment device information. The customer generated fractal image is displayed on the mobile device where it is scanned by the merchant to obtain a scanned fractal image. The scanned fractal image is sent, by the merchant, to the central authority. The central authority approves the commercial transaction by generating an expected fractal using a copy of the payment device information and the seed, and comparing the scanned fractal image with the expected fractal.
US09443227B2	Messaging system apparatuses circuits and methods of operation thereof A messaging system may include a messaging client device that may be configured to receive an impermanent text message and may be further configured to manage the impermanent text message in accordance with a message management policy associated with the impermanent text message. The messaging system may further include an impermanent messaging server configured to validate the messaging client device as complying with the message management policy prior to authorizing a transmission of the impermanent text message to the messaging client device. The messaging system may include a distributed network gateway server configured to validate the messaging client device as complying with a message management policy prior to authorizing transmission of the impermanent text message to the messaging client device.
US09443220B2	Systems and methods for producing and managing a tracking label in an item delivery system Providing an information system in an item delivery system comprises reading a tracking indicia on a unit load, updating a database with first data from the tracking indicia, and updating the database with information that the unit load has been terminated. In addition, receiving second data to be included in a label, and printing the label may be included.
US09443217B2	Manufacturing quality inspection and analytics system A quality inspection and analytics system may include a quality inspection module to receive the information for inspection lots and display the information for the inspection lots simultaneously in a scrollable screen via a user interface. The information for the inspection lots may include inspection metrics, expected values for the inspection metrics and measured values for the inspection metrics. The quality inspection module may receive a usage decision and store the usage decision. Also, the system may include a quality analytics module to execute causal analysis of rejected inspection lots based on the inspection lot information.
US09443216B2	System and method for providing managed instant communication (or chat)-based helpdesk services An approach for managed instant communication (or chat)-based helpdesk services. An inquiry for a support service is received, at a helpdesk management platform, from a customer requesting assistance, the inquiry including one or more parameters defining the support service. A response is generated to the inquiry based on the one or more parameters, the response indicating a plurality of helpdesks associated with at least one service provider. An instant communication session is established between the customer and one of the helpdesks. The instant communication session is placed into a queue for an agent associated with the one helpdesk.
US09443214B2	News mining for enterprise resource planning A system may include a record generator to receive a plurality of documents associated with a plurality of suppliers and provide supplier-specific data records based thereon. The record generator may include an event classifier configured to execute a supplier-independent, event-based classification of each document, to thereby obtain event-classified documents. The record generator may include a supplier query generator configured to query the plurality of documents to obtain potential supplier matches from the plurality of suppliers, and a supplier match analyzer configured to analyze each potential supplier match of the potential supplier matches, to thereby obtain supplier matches. The record generator may include a supplier relevance analyzer configured to relate, for each event-classified document, any supplier identified therein to at least one event of the event-classified document, to thereby obtain supplier-event relationships. Thus, the record generator may provide supplier-specific data records, based on the supplier event relationship.
US09443209B2	Recommendations based on branding A method and a system for providing recommendations based on branding are disclosed. For example, a brand preference corresponding to a first brand and a first category may be identified based on user activity. A recommendation is provided to the user based on the brand preference. The recommendation may be provided based on a predetermined brand relationship comprising the first brand associated with the first category, a second brand associated with a second category, and a recommendation score between the first and second categories and brands. The recommendation may provided by accessing a relationships database to determine at least one brand relationship of the brand relationships corresponding to the brand preference.
US09443205B2	Enhancing diagnosis of disorder through artificial intelligence and mobile health technologies without compromising accuracy A computer system for generating a diagnostic tool by applying artificial intelligence to an instrument for diagnosis of a disorder, such as autism. For autism, the instrument can be a caregiver-directed set of questions designed for an autism classification tool or an observation of the subject in a video, video conference, or in person and associated set of questions about behavior that are designed for use in a separate autism classification tool. The computer system can have one or more processors and memory to store one or more computer programs having instructions for generating a highly statistically accurate set of diagnostic items selected from the instrument, which are tested against a first test using a technique using artificial intelligence and a second test against an independent source. Also, a computer implemented method and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed.
US09443203B2	Ambulation prediction controller for lower limb assistive device Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein relate to a control unit comprising a memory having stored thereon a feature database that includes feature data, a portion of which is labeled with a transition from an ambulation mode and a memory having stored thereon a pattern recognition controller that is trained using the labeled feature data, wherein the pattern recognition controller is configured to predict the ambulation mode of an assistive device and the control unit is configured to communicate with sensors coupled to the assistive device.
US09443195B2	Assisted labeling of devices with disaggregation Electrical usage of devices in a building may be monitored to assist a user in labeling devices. In some implementations, an electrical signal corresponding to devices may be processed with models to determine first information about a device, and this first information may be presented to a user to receive second information about the device from the user. The device may then be labeled using the second information from the user. In some implementations, a user may provide first information about a device, and the first information may be used to obtain models for processing an electrical signal. A model may be selected from the obtained models by comparing the obtained models to an electrical signal. The device may then be labeled using the selected model or the first information.
US09443194B2	Missing value imputation for predictive models Provided are techniques for imputing a missing value for each of one or more predictor variables. Data is received from one or more data sources. For each of the one or more predictor variables, an imputation model is built based on information of a target variable; a type of imputation model to construct is determined based on the one or more data sources, a measurement level of the predictor variable, and a measurement level of the target variable; and the determined type of imputation model is constructed using basic statistics of the predictor variable and the target variable. The missing value is imputed for each of the one or more predictor variables using the data from the one or more data sources and one or more built imputation models to generate a completed data set.
US09443190B2	Methods and apparatus for neural pattern sequence completion and neural pattern hierarchical replay by invoking replay of a referenced neural pattern Aspects of the present disclosure support techniques for neural pattern sequence completion and neural pattern hierarchical replay. At least a portion of a pattern can be invoked for replay upon referencing the pattern and learning relational aspects between elements of the pattern and the referencing of the pattern using hierarchical levels of neurons.
US09443188B2	Operation number-counting piezoelectric dispenser Provided is an operating number-counting piezoelectric dispenser including a piezoelectric pump dispensing a liquid by using a piezoelectric element as an actuator. According to the operating number-counting piezoelectric dispenser, damages to a piezoelectric actuator may be predicted and the piezoelectric actuator may be replaced before the damages are caused, thereby preventing process loss and defective products and improving productivity.
US09443177B2	Universal printing controller Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a universal printing controller, and corresponding method, for universal printing control. A universal printing controller is presented herein which may provide instructions and/or control functionality to printers of various print technologies. Based on a particular print-head type, the universal controller may choose a print technology format from a variety of different print technology formats. The universal printing controller may also provide print instructions for printing an image description based on the chosen print technology format.
US09443176B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program for determining suitability of printing content data displayed on a display apparatus An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit configured to detect approach or contact of a printing apparatus relative to a display apparatus, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a print attribute of the printing apparatus detected by the detection unit, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire attribute information about content data to be displayed on the display apparatus, and a determination unit configured to determine suitability of printing the content data in the printing apparatus, based on the information about the print attribute of the printing apparatus and the attribute information about the content data.
US09443173B2	Printing apparatus and control method therefor A printing apparatus comprises a conveyance control unit which controls conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet as a printing sheet precedingly fed from a stacking unit and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet as a printing sheet succeedingly fed from the stacking unit overlap each other, and a determination unit which determines whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet. The determination unit determines whether the printing sheet is suitable for overlap conveyance, and if the determination unit determines that the printing sheet is unsuitable for overlap conveyance, the conveyance control unit conveys the succeeding sheet while the succeeding sheet does not overlap the preceding sheet.
US09443171B2	Methods for printing with a printhead A method for printing with a printhead, comprising: generating a first imaging matrix comprising cells each containing information related to the ink to be deposited on a corresponding area of the print medium; on the basis of said first matrix, generating a second imaging matrix, comprising cells each containing information related to the ink drops to be deposited on a corresponding area of the print medium; wherein some cells of the second matrix are prioritized and for some of them the information related to the ink drops depends on a cell of the first matrix that corresponds to a different area of the print medium than the area of said prioritized cell of the second matrix; such that upon printing, nozzles of the printhead associated with some prioritized cells fire ink that in the first matrix is associated with areas of the print medium corresponding to non-prioritized cells.
US09443167B2	Filter and shutter based on image emotion content A computer-implemented (including method implemented using laptop, desktop, mobile, and wearable devices) method for image filtering. The method includes analyzing each image to generate a content vector for the image; applying an interest operator to the content vector, the interest operator being based on a plurality of pictures with desirable characteristics, thereby obtaining an interest index for the image; comparing the interest index for the image to an interest threshold; and taking one or more actions or abstaining from one or more actions based on a result of the step of comparing. Also, related systems and articles of manufacture.
US09443166B2	Animal / pet identification system and method based on biometrics An animal identification system and method is provided. The system includes a biometric sensor configured to capture a biometric feature of an animal as a biometric representation of the animal and a biometric identification module configured to receive the biometric representation of the animal and compare said biometric representation of the animal with stored biometric data for a plurality of animals and evaluate matching characteristics between the biometric representation of the animal and stored biometric data for the plurality of animals. The biometric sensor may include a nose print sensor, capacitive sensor, or camera. The biometric feature may include a nose print, an iris image of an eye of the animal, or an image of the unique vein pattern in the sclera of an eye of the animal.
US09443165B2	Blob-encoding A method is directed to identifying spatially extensive image features that are not pixelwise contiguous in a two-dimensional digital image to be examined having pixels arranged in grid form in the form of a rectangular grid. Each pixel of the two-dimensional digital image is respectively assigned two coordinate values corresponding to their position in the rectangular grid of the digital image, and the respective coordinate values of adjoining pixels respectively differ by one pixel dimension. The individual pixels are run through in the order of a regular scan.
US09443154B2	Fusion of far infrared and visible images in enhanced obstacle detection in automotive applications A computerized system mountable on a vehicle operable to detect an object by processing first image frames from a first camera and second image frames from a second camera. A first range is determined to said detected object using the first image frames. An image location is projected of the detected object in the first image frames onto an image location in the second image frames. A second range is determined to the detected object based on both the first and second image frames. The detected object is tracked in both the first and second image frames When the detected object leaves a field of view of the first camera, a third range is determined responsive to the second range and the second image frames.
US09443153B1	Automatic labeling and learning of driver yield intention A yield determination system for automatically collecting, determining, and labeling yield behaviors of vehicles during cooperative driving scenarios. The system includes sensors for detecting the start and stop of the scenario, a data recorder for automatically collecting the data, an annotation unit for automatically labeling features of interest about the vehicle and surrounding vehicles during the scenario. The labeled file may be automatically uploaded and processed to insert the labelled features into a learning model to predict vehicle behavior in cooperative driving scenarios.
US09443151B2	Apparatus and method for searching for wanted vehicle Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method of searching for a wanted vehicle, capable of interoperating with black boxes mounted in vehicles of unspecified individuals, recognizing and searching for registration numbers of vehicles in proximity of each black box in real time, and identifying a location of the wanted vehicle in real time using information about locations of the searched vehicles. The method includes requesting, by an apparatus for searching for a wanted vehicle, a black box installed in at least one vehicle to search for a registration number of the wanted vehicle, and receiving a response corresponding to the request, and acquiring information about the wanted vehicle and a location of the wanted vehicle corresponding to the response using the black box for recognizing a vehicle registration number or the black box for detecting a vehicle registration number region.
US09443145B2	Person recognition apparatus, person recognition method, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium There are provided a person recognition apparatus, method, and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium which can perform accurate person recognition according to a time dependent face change. A sorting section sorts a plurality of images by shooting date and time. A group division section divides the plurality of images into a plurality of groups according to a predetermined shooting date and time range. A face recognition section extracts feature amounts by face recognition for each group. An in-group person determination section determines a person having a similarity of a predetermined reference threshold value or higher as the same person and integrates the feature amounts relevant to the person for each group. An inter-group person recognition section recognizes persons having a similarity of a predetermined recognition threshold value or higher as the same person between two groups based on the feature amounts integrated in adjacent groups.
US09443143B2	Methods, devices and systems for detecting objects in a video Methods, devices and systems for performing video content analysis to detect humans or other objects of interest a video image is disclosed. The detection of humans may be used to count a number of humans, to determine a location of each human and/or perform crowd analyzes of monitored areas.
US09443142B2	Vision-based system for dynamic weather detection A method of detecting a dynamic weather event includes the steps of: (a) receiving video images of a scene from a camera; (b) dividing each of the video images into multiple regions, in which a region is defined by a range of distances from the camera to objects in the scene; (c) selecting a region; and (d) segmenting the selected region into a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) image patches, in which each 3D image patch includes a time-sequence of T patches, with each patch comprised of N×M pixels, wherein N, M and T are integer numbers. The method also includes the following steps: measuring an image intensity level in each of the 3D image patches; masking 3D image patches containing image intensity levels that are above a first threshold level, or below a second threshold level; and extracting features in each 3D image patch that is not discarded by the masking step. Based on the extracted features, the method makes a binary decision on detecting a dynamic weather event.
US09443137B2	Apparatus and method for detecting body parts Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting body parts, the method including identifying a group of sub-images relevant to a body part in an image to be detected, assigning a reliability coefficient for the body part to the sub-images in the group of sub-images based on a basic vision feature of the sub-images and an extension feature of the sub-images to neighboring regions, and detecting a location of the body part by overlaying sub-images having reliability coefficients higher than a threshold value.
US09443133B2	Electronic device having message-recording and message-playback function and related method A method for completing message-playback on an electronic device involves: detection of an unplayed message storage, determining the facial images of the message recipients associated with the unplayed message, capturing facial images of members in front of the electronic device, comparing the facial images associated with the unplayed message with the captured facial image, determining whether there is at least one member who has not received this message who is in front of the electronic device according to the comparison, and if so playing the message.
US09443131B2	Wrinkle detection apparatus and wrinkle detection method A wrinkle detection apparatus is an apparatus for detecting a wrinkle area of skin included in an image. The wrinkle detection apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains the image including the skin; an area estimation unit that estimates a plurality of image areas, each of the plurality of image areas having a different gloss level of the skin; a parameter determination unit that determines one or more parameter values for each of the plurality of estimated image areas, the one or more parameter values being used to detect the wrinkle area; and a wrinkle detection processing unit that detects the wrinkle area in the image by using the determined one or more parameter values for each of the plurality of image areas.
US09443130B2	Method, apparatus and computer program product for object detection and segmentation In an example embodiment, a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes facilitating receipt of a first image and a second image of a scene comprising one or more objects. The method includes detecting the objects in the first image by detecting object point of the objects in the first image. The method includes detecting the object points of the objects in the second image based on detection of the object points of the objects in the first image. Detection of an object point in the second image that corresponds to an object point of the first image comprises searching for the object point on an epipolar line in the second image corresponding to the object point of the first image. The method includes determining disparity values between the objects points in the first image and the object points in the second image.
US09443128B2	Segmenting biological structures from microscopy images A method performed by one or more processors, includes: receiving an image to be segmented into one or more representations of one or more biological structures; accessing data representing a set of biological structures that are derived from other biological structures delineated in a training image, wherein the training image is associated with a level of modality that corresponds to a level of modality associated with the image to be segmented; computing a normalized cross correlation of the received image against one or more of the biological structures in the set of biological structures; generating, based on computing, seed data representing an estimate of a spatial organization of the one or more biological structures in the received image; and segmenting, based on a normalized cross correction of the received image to the seed data, the received image into the one or more representations of the one or more biological structures.
US09443124B2	Biometric authentication device and biometric information processing device A fingerprint image obtaining unit 1 obtains a fingerprint image of multiple fingers. A vein image obtaining unit 3 obtains a palm vein image. An authentication information DB 6 stores reference vein characteristic information, and a reference direction of a predetermined finger in a reference palm vein image for which the reference vein characteristic information is obtained. A reference obtaining unit 20 detects a longitudinal direction of a predetermined finger based on the fingerprint image. A position correcting unit 40 corrects the palm vein image based on the longitudinal direction of the predetermined finger, and the reference direction of the predetermined finger. A vein characteristic information extracting unit 4 obtains vein characteristic information from a corrected palm vein image. A verification processing unit 32 matches the vein characteristic information obtained with the reference vein characteristic information for authentication.
US09443122B2	Upload apparatus, server apparatus, upload system, and upload method An upload apparatus includes: an outputter configured to output a code image including information of an ID and a password necessary for uploading content onto a network; and an uploader configured to upload the content onto said network by use of said code image outputted by the outputter.
US09443119B2	Portable encoded information reading terminal configured to locate groups of RFID tags A portable radio-frequency identifier (RFID) reading terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a memory, an RFID reading device, and a display. The portable EIR terminal can be configured, responsive to successfully reading a plurality of RFID tags attached to a plurality of items sustained by a physical structure, to group the plurality of read RFID tags into zero or more clusters, by correlating quantities of RFID tags read within several time periods to spatial positions of the coverage shapes of the RF signals transmitted by the RFID reading device during the several time periods. The EIR terminal can be further configured to determine the spatial positions of the RFID signal coverage shapes based on the spatial positions and orientations of the portable EIR terminal during the several time periods. The EIR terminal can be further configured to display a quantity of RFID tags within each cluster overlaid over an image.
US09443118B1	Pairing techniques for a wireless card reader Methods, systems, and apparatus, for pairing a wireless card reader and a computing device, including: receiving first user input setting the wireless card reader in a pairing mode; sending an indication from the wireless card reader to the computing device that a pairing mode of the wireless card reader is enabled; receiving an indication from the computing device that a pairing mode of the computing device is enabled; receiving, in the wireless card reader, a second user input of a sequence of actuations of a sensor on the wireless card reader; determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the sequence of actuations matches a stored sequence; and in response to determining that the sequence of actuations matches a stored sequence, pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device.
US09443108B1	Secure timestamping A method and system for retrieving a current and previous timestamp value, retrieving a previous accumulator value reflecting a previous state of the accumulator, retrieving information representing digests collected during an interval window, and generating a new accumulator value based on the retrieved values, and a storage medium with executable code for retrieving a first and second timestamp, a first and second accumulator value, information representing digests, and for validating data by comparing the second accumulator value with a hash of the first timestamp, the first accumulator value, and the information.
US09443101B2	Low-cost specification and enforcement of a privacy-by-consent-policy for online services A system and method for implementing a privacy policy in an application to be run are provided. Definitions are received for a set of fields. At least one of the fields is designated as sensitive by a default privacy policy. A user is provided with a consent editor whereby the user can consent to relaxing the default privacy policy for at least one of the sensitive fields. A consent privacy rule is generated based on the received consent. A mapping aspect is provided which identifies joins at which code of the application is to be augmented by calling a minimization service to apply the default privacy policy by generating a minimized value of data in each of the designated sensitive fields used by the application unless there is a generated consent privacy rule which authorizes relaxation of the default privacy policy for the user's data in a respective sensitive field.
US09443097B2	Systems and methods for securing data in motion The systems and methods of the present invention provide a solution that makes data provably secure and accessible—addressing data security at the bit level—thereby eliminating the need for multiple perimeter hardware and software technologies. Data security is incorporated or weaved directly into the data at the bit level. The systems and methods of the present invention enable enterprise communities of interest to leverage a common enterprise infrastructure. Because security is already woven into the data, this common infrastructure can be used without compromising data security and access control. In some applications, data is authenticated, encrypted, and parsed or split into multiple shares prior to being sent to multiple locations, e.g., a private or public cloud. The data is hidden while in transit to the storage location, and is inaccessible to users who do not have the correct credentials for access.
US09443096B2	Systems and methods for controlling access to supplemental content integrated into existing content Methods and systems to allow for selective access to supplemental content that is associated with more generally distributed original content. In an embodiment, supplemental content may be encrypted, then integrated with original content using a steganographic technique. The resulting aggregated content may then be made available to users. Users may then extract the encrypted supplemental content from the original content. Those users having the proper privilege level may be given a cryptographic key to allow decryption of the supplemental content. Those without the necessary privilege will not be given this decryption key, and will therefore be unable to access the supplemental content.
US09443095B2	Method in a processor, an apparatus and a computer program product There is disclosed a method in which information relating to a sequence of instructions of a thread is examined to determine a security condition of the thread. It is further determined by using the security condition which processor core of a multicore processor has an appropriate security mode to fulfil the security condition. If the determining indicates that one or more processor cores of the multicore processor has the appropriate security mode are available, one of the one or more processor cores is selected as a potential processor core to execute the sequence of instructions of the thread. There is also disclosed an apparatus and a computer program product to implement the method.
US09443094B2	Methods and systems for controlling levels of geolocation access A communication device may be configured to control access to geolocation services for applications on the communication device utilizing a first privacy access level setting that enables access to the geolocation services when selected, a second privacy access level setting that disables access to the geolocation services when selected, and other privacy access level settings that are different from, and fall between, the first privacy access level setting and the second privacy access level setting, and enable one time access to the geolocation services for the communication device when selected. The applications can include applications on the communication device that are managed and/or handled by a particular application service provider. The privacy access level settings comprise an anonymous one-time access and a non-anonymous one-time access.
US09443085B2	Intrusion detection using taint accumulation A method operable in a computing device adapted for handling security risk can use taint accumulation to detect intrusion. The method can comprise receiving a plurality of taint indicators indicative of potential security risk from a plurality of distinct sources at distinct times, and accumulating the plurality of taint indicators independently using a corresponding plurality of distinct accumulation functions. Security risk can be assessed according to a risk assessment function that is cumulative of the plurality of taint indicators.
US09443084B2	Authentication in a network using client health enforcement framework A network with authentication implemented using a client health enforcement framework. The framework is adapted to receive plug-ins on clients that generate health information. Corresponding plug-ins on a server validate that health information. Based on the results of validation, the server may instruct the client to remediate or may authorize an underlying access enforcement mechanism to allow access. A client plug-in that generates authentication information formatted as a statement of health may be incorporated into such a framework. Similarly, on the server, a validator to determine, based on the authentication information, whether the client should be granted network access can be incorporated into the framework. Authentication can be simply applied or modified by changing the plug-ins, while relying on the framework to interface with an enforcement mechanism. Functions of the health enforcement framework can be leveraged to provide authentication-based functionality, such as revoking authorized access after a period of user inactivity or in response to a user command.
US09443080B2	Application execution in a restricted application execution environment Application programming interface (API) calls made by an application are intercepted at runtime. A determination is made as to whether each intercepted API call is allowed or blocked by a restricted application execution environment. Each API call that is blocked by the restricted application execution environment is modified so that the API call is allowable such as, for instance, modifying the API call to execute against a shadow resource. Remediation code might also be executed at runtime to reformat the API call so that it is allowed to execute in the restricted application execution environment.
US09443078B2	Secure access to a virtual machine A management appliance includes at least one processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. The memory comprising executable code stored thereon such that the at least one processor, upon executing the executable code, is configured to: dispense an image corresponding to a virtual machine to a distributed computing system comprising a plurality of interconnected computing devices, such that at least one of the computing devices implements the virtual machine; establish a trusted relationship with the virtual machine; and provide an authenticated user with access to the virtual machine without further authentication credentials from the user.
US09443074B1	Techniques for attesting to information Systems and methods for attesting to information about a computing resource involve electronically signed documents. For a computing resource, a document containing information about the resource is generated and electronically signed. The document may be provided to one or more entities as an attestation to at least some of the information contained in the document. Attestation to information in the document may be a prerequisite for performance of one or more actions that may be taken in connection with the computing resource.
US09443070B2	Secure social network Systems and methods for facilitating and securing the exchange of digital information between individuals within the social network of a person or group of people who are subject to security or law enforcement limitations or otherwise reside within a controlled or correctional facility. All submitted information requires administrative approval, either by a human administrator or an automated process, before it can be viewed by other members of the social network.
US09443068B2	System and method for preventing unauthorized access to information An authentication system protects a hardware cryptographic chip from being commanded to decrypt or sign data by someone other than the legitimate owner(s) of the certificate residing on the chip. Openness of present cryptographic hardware systems are limited by imposing a condition that the cryptographic chip will only perform critical cryptographic tasks if the task is accompanied by a signature which only the legitimate owner can provide.
US09443066B2	Decrypting content samples including distinct encryption chains Embodiments may be configured to receive a protected version of content that includes multiple encrypted content samples. In various embodiments, each encrypted content sample includes multiple encrypted blocks. For a given encrypted content sample, different sets of encrypted blocks in that sample may form different encryption chains. The protected version of the content may further include decryption information for decrypting the encrypted content samples. The decryption information may include at least some initialization vectors generated dependent upon non-content information that is not included in the protected version of the content. The non-content information may be from a different protected version of the content. Embodiments may be configured to use the decryption information to decrypt one or more of the encrypted content samples.
US09443061B2	Devices and methods for recording information on a subject's body Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for visibly or non-visibly indicating a subject has received a medical treatment. In certain embodiments, a subject receives an information mark in conjunction with a medical treatment. In certain embodiments, the information mark includes unique information relating to the subject. In certain embodiments, devices, computer systems, and methods relate to reading an information mark on a subject, and optionally determining if further medical treatment of the subject is warranted. In certain embodiments, receipt of an information mark entitles a subject to a reward.
US09443056B2	Phased whole genome genetic risk in a family quartet An embodiment of the present invention is a methodology for prioritizing variants relevant to inherited Mendelian (“single gene”) disease syndromes according to disease phenotype, gene, and variant level information.
US09443055B2	Methods for retargeting circuit design layouts and for fabricating semiconductor devices using retargeted layouts Methods for retargeting a circuit design layout for a multiple patterning lithography process and for fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-executed method for retargeting a circuit design layout for a multiple patterning lithography process is provided. The method includes decomposing a circuit design layout file to produce decomposed layout files in a computer. Each decomposed layout file is associated with a respective mask for use in the multiple patterning lithography process. The method includes preparing retargeted layout files in the computer by retargeting selected decomposed layout files based on photolithography limitations specific to each selected decomposed layout file to produce retargeted layout files. Also, the method includes determining in the computer that a combination of layout files includes a spacing conflict. The method further includes resolving the spacing conflict in the computer by modifying the layout file or layout files causing the spacing conflict.
US09443054B1	Method and apparatus for utilizing constraints for the routing of a design on a programmable logic device A method for designing a system on a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. Routing resources are selected for a user specified signal on the PLD in response to user specified routing constraints. Routing resources are selected for a non-user specified signal on the PLD without utilizing the user specified routing constraints.
US09443052B2	Compensation of dose inhomogeneity using overlapping exposure spots An exposure pattern is computed which is used for exposing a desired pattern on a target by means of a particle beam and a blanking aperture array in a particle-optical lithography apparatus, taking into account a non-uniform current dose distribution as generated by the beam over the positions of the apertures of the blanking aperture array: From the desired pattern a nominal exposure pattern is calculated as a raster graphics comprising nominal dose values for the pixels of the raster graphics; based on a map of the current dose distribution, which correlates each aperture with a current factor describing the current dose of the beam at the location of the aperture, a compensated dose value is calculated for each pixel; and for each pixel, a discrete value is determined by selecting a value from a discrete gray scale so as to approximate the compensated dose value.
US09443051B2	Generating root cause candidates for yield analysis Aspects of the invention relate to yield analysis techniques for generating root cause candidates for yield analysis. With various implementations of the invention, points of interest are first identified in a layout design. Next, regions of interest are determined for the identified points of interest. Next, one or more properties are extracted from the regions of interest. Based at least on the one or more properties, diagnosis reports of failing devices fabricated according to the layout design are analyzed to identify probable root causes.
US09443049B2	Boundary based power guidance for physical synthesis A method and system to obtain a physical design of an integrated circuit from a logical design are described. The method includes performing a baseline synthesis to obtain a baseline physical design using timing constraints and an overall power budget. The method also includes computing power assertions, performing a re-synthesis using the timing constraints and the power assertions to obtain a new physical design, comparing the new physical design with the baseline physical design to determine a degradation of the new physical design in comparison with the baseline physical design, and reducing a weighting of the power assertions relative to the timing constraints based on the degradation. The executing the performing the re-synthesis, the comparing, and the reducing are done iteratively until the degradation is below a threshold value.
US09443046B2	Determining the electromagnetic field in a computer aided design environment Examples of the invention include methods and apparatus for determining an electromagnetic field, such as a magnetic field, at a selected location within computer-aided design (CAD) data. An example approach may include selecting a location by clicking on, or otherwise selecting the location within a visual representation of the CAD data, selecting one or more electrical components within the CAD data, retrieving electrical current data and distance data for each of the selected electrical components, and determining the electromagnetic field at the selected location using electromagnetic theory. Examples of the invention allow rapid determination of potential electromagnetic noise problems in the CAD design stage, before prototyping and without the complexity of a full 3D electromagnetic simulation.
US09443045B2	Power estimation in an integrated circuit design flow Power estimates for an integrated circuit may be obtained without having to individually enter monitor statements at hierarchical levels in a design. The current, or consumed power may be considered at the transistor level throughout the entire circuit, even when the circuit is divided into hierarchical modules. Current, or power measurements may be obtained after a circuit has been synthesized and an extracted transistor-level netlist has been created. Separate netlists may be created for different modules, and estimate results collected from the different modules, since current measurements are performed at the transistor level. To accurately estimate the power consumption, the current flowing through transistors that are connected to power rails in the netlist may be measured during circuit simulation. This may be accomplished via measurement statements created for these transistors, and placed in a simulation input file, by a script or program, for example. Only the currents flowing through these transistors need to be measured to account for all the current provided from the power sources in the design.
US09443039B2	Systems and methods for dive computers with remote upload capabilities Dive computers incorporating a variety of features are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a dive computer including a microprocessor, memory configured to store a software application, a pressure transducer configured to determine depth information, and a communications device configured to communicate with external devices, wherein the software application configures the microprocessor to create a dive log stored in memory, wherein the dive log includes recorded information including depth of submersion information recorded from the pressure transducer, and transmit the dive log using the communications device.
US09443038B2	Method and system for tag suggestion in a tag-associated data-object storage system Embodiments of the present invention are directed to facilitating tag assignment to data objects as data objects are added to a tag-associated data-object storage system by users of the tag-associated data-object storage system and to facilitate subsequent display, access, and further characterization of data objects that already reside in the a tag-associated data-object storage system. Methods and systems of the present invention provide for automated tag suggestion to users in order to both increase usability of the interface provided to the tag-associated data-object storage systems as well as decrease the likelihood of unnecessary and unproductive tag proliferation within the tag-associated data-object storage system.
US09443030B2	Apparatus and method for dynamically displaying an object on a blank area of a web page A server system receives a request for a Web page from a user terminal, extracts page data corresponding to the request from a Web DB, and transmits the page data to the user terminal. Further, the server system receives a request related to an object to be placed in a blank area of a Web page from the user terminal, extracts data corresponding to the request from an object DB, and transmits the extracted data or an object generated based on the data to the user terminal. The page data contains an embedded object display program for specifying a blank area of a Web page and placing an object in the blank.
US09443026B2	Method and system to utilize session queries in real time to improve geo precision of sponsored listings Contextual or cumulative interpretation is applied to individual user queries to improve the accuracy of sponsored and/or non-sponsored search results. Queries are interpreted based on present features derived from a user query in the context of past features derived from qualified past queries such as those previously received during a user query session. Based on contextual interpretation, present features may be augmented using past features. A search is performed using augmented features instead of present features. Contextual interpretation of queries improves search system understanding of the context in which queries are submitted, which is particularly helpful when interpolating query intent to develop features not expressed in a query. Contextual interpretation permits queries to be interpreted and treated more uniformly and more intelligently. As a result, users and advertisers benefit from more precise sponsored and/or non-sponsored search results. As one example, contextual interpretation can improve the geo-precision of sponsored search results.
US09443025B1	Suppressing duplicate listings on multiple search engine web sites from a single source system given a known synchronized listing Responsive to selecting, by a source system, a representative listing of an entity located on a provider system, the representative listing having first identification data and a first provider-supplied external identifier, the source system searches the provider system for additional listings having identification data matching the first identification data. The source system receives, from the provider system, a potential matching listing having identification data matching the first identification data and having a second provider-supplied external identifier that differs from the first provider-supplied external identifier. The source system designates the potential matching listing as a duplicate listing. The source system transmits, to the provider system, a request to suppress the designated duplicate listing on the provider system, the request comprising the second provider-supplied external identifier.
US09443021B2	Entity based search and resolution Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for providing a rich search experience utilizing entity-type characterization are provided. A search query is received and an entity type is determined for the query. A Web search is then performed for the query against a predefined list of sources determined to be authoritative for the determined entity type. The results of the source-specific searches are filtered based upon the entity type providing a filtered list of results that each pertains to an entity of the entity type determined to be associated with the query. The filtered list are then compared to a list of resolved entities to determine equivalent entities identified by different searched sources, the equivalent entities being combined into a single potential search result. The consolidated search results are then ordered based upon rank values. At least a portion of the results may then be presented to the user.
US09443016B2	System and method for generating and interacting with a contextual search stream A system and method for a collection of digital items that includes generating a collection of result items, wherein each result item corresponds to result data of at least one query input, and wherein at least one result item includes a context property; storing the collection of result items as a first instance; and augmenting the collection in a second instance through at least the context property.
US09443014B2	Custom web page themes Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for applying custom web page themes. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for search results, where the request includes a search query submitted in an input field by a user; obtaining a search results page in response to the search query; identifying one or more features of the search query; selecting a first visual theme from among a plurality of visual themes, where each visual theme has respective trigger data, based on the one or more features of the search query matching the trigger data of the first visual theme, the first visual theme having theme data, the theme data specifying visual features; and applying the visual features to the search results page for display in a user interface.
US09443013B2	Question-related identification of relevant social communities Methods, products, apparatus, and systems may identify one or more relevant social communities for one or more questions. Additionally, a user-question affinity value between a user and a question may be determined. In addition, a user-community affinity value between the user and each of a plurality of candidate social communities may be determined. Moreover, a question-community affinity value between the question and each of the plurality of candidate social communities may be determined based on the user-question affinity value and the user-community affinity value. The question-community affinity value determination may involve calculating a running average using the user-question affinity value and the user-community affinity value. The question-community affinity value may identify the one or more relevant social communities from the plurality of candidate social communities.
US09443011B2	Searching for images by video Techniques describe submitting a video clip as a query by a user. A process retrieves images and information associated with the images in response to the query. The process decomposes the video clip into a sequence of frames to extract the features in a frame and to quantize the extracted features into descriptive words. The process further tracks the extracted features as points in the frame, a first set of points to correspond to a second set of points in consecutive frames to construct a sequence of points. Then the process identifies the points that satisfy criteria of being stable points and being centrally located in the frame to represent the video clip as a bag of descriptive words for searching for images and information related to the video clip.
US09443008B2	Clustering of search results One particular embodiment clusters a plurality of documents using one or more clustering algorithms to obtain one or more first sets of clusters, wherein: each first set of clusters results from clustering the documents using one of the clustering algorithms; and with respect to each first set of clusters, each of the documents belongs to one of the clusters from the first set of clusters; accesses a search query; identifies a search result in response to the search query, wherein the search result comprises two or more of the documents; and clusters the search result to obtain a second set of clusters, wherein each document of the search result belongs to one of the clusters from the second set of clusters.
US09442999B2	Method and system employing graphical electric load categorization to identify one of a plurality of different electric load types A system for different electric loads includes sensors structured to sense voltage and current signals for each of the different electric loads; a hierarchical load feature database having a plurality of layers, with one of the layers including a plurality of different load categories; and a processor. The processor acquires voltage and current waveforms from the sensors for a corresponding one of the different electric loads; maps a voltage-current trajectory to a grid including a plurality of cells, each of which is assigned a binary value of zero or one; extracts a plurality of different features from the mapped grid of cells as a graphical signature of the corresponding one of the different electric loads; derives a category of the corresponding one of the different electric loads from the database; and identifies one of a plurality of different electric load types for the corresponding one of the different electric loads.
US09442996B2	Enabling collaborative development of a database application across multiple database management systems An approach for enabling collaborative development of a database application is provided. Specifically, this approach provides a database development and collaboration tool (DDCT), which can be utilized by multiple developers involved in a particular software project, to enable automated synchronization and database version control by allowing a database development language and data changes to be stored in a metadata form that is general to more than one database management system (DBMS). Each developer is united and able to collaborate through the system, thus ensuring that a change to a database structure and/or data in a static data table created in a particular database language by one developer is automatically incorporated in the overall development process. Furthermore, the DDCT provides the opportunity to maintain a single repository entry for more than one DBMS, which simplifies synchronization.
US09442994B2	Database, apparatus, and method for storing encoded triples A database of graph data encoded as triples, each including a subject, a predicate, and an object, and each stored within a data item of data items ordered according to their data and distributed across a plurality of nodes of a distributed network; where the node to which each of the data items is mapped is dependent upon the position of the item within the set; and each triple is stored in two or more items each having a different configuration from among the following: —a first in which the subject precedes the predicate and the object in the item; —a second in which the predicate precedes the subject and the object in the item; and —a third in which the object precedes the subject and the predicate in the item.
US09442983B2	Method and system for reducing instability when upgrading software A system and a method of rating software bugs using a bug scoring and tracking system is presented. The system and method may use automated scoring of the bugs to determine the impact of the bug. The system and method may connect to one or more databases to determine the extent of the deployment of the software, the impact of the bug, and/or the history of the bug. Scoring is used to prioritize the bugs and the scoring is extensible and adjustable allowing easy addition of new parameters and allowing the system to be modified for different bug types, software, or customers.
US09442980B1	Mathematical method for performing homomorphic operations The present invention relates generally to a system and method of querying an anonymized database. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for querying an anonymized database without the need to decrypt queried data while it's processed. Even more specifically, the invention provides a method and system of anonymizing a database such that it may be queried efficiently in near real time while still retaining the ability to not decrypt requested data while it's being processed.
US09442977B2	Database language extended to accommodate entity-relationship models Embodiments extend the relational model and language of standard SQL, to recognize features of higher level entity-relationship models (ERMs). SQL extensions implemented in the data design language (DDL) incorporate Entities (and Views) having custom-defined/semantic structure, rather than being limited to primitive types (e.g. flat tables as in standard SQL). Entities are defined similar to structured types with an underlying persistency, but with a uniquely identifying leading key. In DDL, these entities are combined with associations in the data model. The associations of the extended SQL reflect relationships between entities in the ERM. Associations are specified by adding an element to a source entity, with an association type pointing to a target entity. This may be complemented by providing optional information (e.g., cardinality, keys, filter conditions), up to a complete JOIN condition. In the query language (QL), JOINs may be replaced by the use of simple path expressions.
US09442971B2	Weighted transaction priority based dynamically upon phase of transaction completion Resource reservation request information originated by a client application during a first phase of a distributed multi-phase transaction is received at a processor. The resource reservation request information specifies a first resource the client application intends to access during a first subsequent phase of the distributed multi-phase transaction after the first phase of the distributed multi-phase transaction is completed. The requested first resource is reserved on behalf of the client application. A transaction weighted priority is assigned to the distributed multi-phase transaction of the client application based upon a stage of completion of the distributed multi-phase transaction.
US09442964B2	Conforming data structure instances to schema versions In a method for managing versions of a schema, a processor receives a first version of a schema. A processor generates an annotated version of the first version of the schema, wherein one or more fields of the annotated version of the first version of the schema each correspond to a distinct identifier. A processor receives a first instance conforming to the first version of the schema. A processor identifies one or more values of the first instance, wherein each value of the one or more values corresponds to a field of the one or more fields. A processor assigns an identifier to at least one value of the one or more values based on the distinct identifier corresponding to the field of the at least one value. A processor stores the at least one value, such that the at least one value is associated with the assigned identifier.
US09442958B2	Product identification via image analysis A method includes identifying, in an image, a shelf, a price tag affixed to the shelf, a first group of one or more first products resting on the shelf and positioned on a first side of the price tag, and a second group of one or more second products resting on the shelf and positioned on a second side of the price tag. One or more first candidates are identified for the one or more first products, and one or more second candidates are identified for the one or more second products. Upon receiving information indicating expected locations for the first and the second candidates, determining, an identity of the first products can be determined based on the expected locations and the one or more first candidates, and an identity of second products can be determined based on the expected locations and the one or more second candidates.
US09442957B2	System and method of identifying visual objects A system and method of identifying objects is provided. In one aspect, the system and method includes a hand-held device with a display, camera and processor. As the camera captures images and displays them on the display, the processor compares the information retrieved in connection with one image with information retrieved in connection with subsequent images. The processor uses the result of such comparison to determine the object that is likely to be of greatest interest to the user. The display simultaneously displays the images the images as they are captured, the location of the object in an image, and information retrieved for the object.
US09442956B2	Waypoints generation systems and methods Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method. The method may receive a request to record images. The method may send a trigger to a marine electronics device in response to receiving the request to record images. The method may receive navigational data regarding a location of the marine electronics device. The method may generate a waypoint based on the navigational data in response to the trigger.
US09442954B2	Method and apparatus for achieving optimal resource allocation dynamically in a distributed computing environment A method for achieving optimal use of compute, storage and network resources in a distributed computing system is provided. In one embodiment, a job request associated with a file is submitted. A Job Scheduler in conjunction with a workflow manager determines the best fit for dynamically chunking size of the file. The distributed storage subsystem provides a dynamic view to the compute resources where the job will be run. This knowledge is also used to pre-staging the data by the distributed storage subsystem. Furthermore, keeping a history of the job and their data allows for further improvements in resources and job execution times by being able to skip processing on data that has been done previously. Given the ability to chunk the file dynamically, it is possible to re-balance resources for running the job dynamically to meet its service level agreement.
US09442951B2	Maintaining deduplication data in native file formats Mechanisms are provided to maintain deduplication data in native file formats. Files, including entities such as volumes and databases, are analyzed to identify components suitable for deduplication. These components suitable for deduplication are delineated into chunks and identifiers are generated for each of the chunks. The identifiers are used to reference the chunks in deduplication dictionaries that provide locations indicating where deduplicated chunks are stored. The components in the files are replaced with file handles or stubs that applications can use to access deduplicated data. Applications can continue to perform operations on the files as though no deduplication has occurred.
US09442949B2	System and method for compressing data in a database A method of compressing a plurality of multi-dimensional keys includes receiving, by a computer, the plurality of multi-dimensional keys, where the plurality of multi-dimensional keys have a first length and determining a first plurality of bit slots that are common among the plurality of multi-dimensional keys, wherein the first plurality of bit slots are not a prefix. Also, the method includes forming a mask indicating the first plurality of bit slots and forming a pattern indicating values of the first plurality of bit slots. Additionally, the method includes determining a second plurality of bit slots that vary among the plurality of multi-dimensional keys and forming a plurality of compressed multi-dimensional keys indicating values of the second plurality of bit slots. Further, the method includes storing the mask, the pattern, and the plurality of compressed multi-dimensional keys.
US09442943B2	Endoscope inspection report creating apparatus, creating method of endoscope inspection report and storage medium An endoscope inspection report creating apparatus has a file name reading section that reads file names of a plurality of endoscopic images, a file name of each of the endoscopic images including inspection result information separated with use of a predetermined symbol or character, and a report creating section that creates a predetermined report by writing the inspection result information which is included in each of the file names read by the file name reading section in each predetermined position in the predetermined report by associating the inspection result information with the endoscopic image of each of the read file names.
US09442941B1	Data structure for hash digest metadata component In one aspect, a method includes providing a server that stores a hash digest metadata table and configuring entries in the hash digest metadata table to include entries that include persistent fields and non-persistent fields. The hash digest metadata table maps a hash digest representing X-Page data to its metadata information. The persistent fields include a short hash digest field, a physical layout offset field, a deduplication reference count field and a flags field.
US09442935B2	Method and apparatus for presenting media to users An approach is provided for determining at least two associated users who are presented media items based on respective playlists of media items. The approach further involves analyzing media items in the respective playlists to determine similarity information for the media items in the respective playlists. The approach further involves causing insertion of at least one further media item in the respective playlists of the at least two users at least in part based on the determined similarity information.
US09442933B2	Identification of segments within audio, video, and multimedia items The invention pertains to methods, systems, and apparatus for identifying segments within a media item, the media segment including at least one of audio content and video content, comprising segmenting the media item into a plurality of segments as a function of subject matter, storing data identifying each segment and its subject matter, and organizing each segment within an ontology based on its subject matter.
US09442925B2	Regulated texting solution for mobile devices A system for consolidating data messages includes a memory that stores data messages. Each of the data messages has a user field, an outside party field, and a timestamp field. The first data message's user field is associated with a first user, the outside party field is associated with a first outside party, and the timestamp field is associated with a first timestamp. The third data message's user field is associated with a first user, the outside party field is associated with a first outside party, and the timestamp field is associated with a third timestamp. A processor then groups the first data message and the third data message based at least in part upon the user field, outside party field, and timestamp field of each message. The processor then combines the first data message and the third data message into a consolidated data message.
US09442924B2	Localization framework for dynamic text An apparatus and method providing a localization framework capable of localizing dynamic text is disclosed herein. The localization framework is configured to automatically identify and prioritize certain text contained within an application code base to be translated. Such text is pre-processed prior to translation to facilitate accurate and complete translation in a target language.
US09442919B2	Identifying word-senses based on linguistic variations One or more words are received. A set of frequency of occurrence values of the received word(s) within a set of domain tables is determined. A domain table in the set of domain tables is associated to the received word(s), based on the set of frequency of occurrence values meeting a threshold value. A word-sense of the received word(s) is determined based on a corresponding word-sense in the associated domain table and/or corresponding domain dictionary.
US09442918B2	Perspective data management for common features of multiple items A computer-implemented method of managing perspective data associated with a common feature in items is disclosed. The method can include identifying a common feature in a first item and a second item, the first item having a set of perspective data and establishing a subset of perspective data associated with the common feature. The method can include associating the subset of perspective with the second item. The method can include determining a set of relevancy scores for the subset of perspective data associated with the common feature and establishing a set of relevant perspective data from the subset of perspective data. The set of relevant perspective data can have relevancy scores outside of a relevancy threshold. The method can include associating the set of relevant perspective data with the second item.
US09442913B2	Using parallel insert sub-ranges to insert into a column store Provided are techniques for using parallel inserts to insert into a column store. A list of sub-ranges for a columnar table is created. A change statement for one or more rows to be inserted into the columnar table is received. For each of the received change statements, a sub-range from the list of sub-ranges is identified and data is serially inserted into the identified sub-range of the columnar table, while allowing parallel processing of each change statement for different sub-ranges of the columnar table.
US09442912B1	Estimating the number of content items to fill an online space before distributing the content items to the online space Aspects and implementations described herein are directed to systems and methods of distributing online content. The distribution of online content may include receiving a request for content items for a designated space having a size. A data processing system may estimate a number of content items for the space given the size. A second number of content items, greater than the estimated number, may be provided in response to the request. Data may be received indicative of a third number of content items rendered in the space, which may be equal to or less than the second number, and the content items may be selected in an online auction.
US09442906B2	Wrap descriptor for defining a wrap package of cards including a global component A wrap descriptor, which defines a wrap package of cards, including (i) a plurality of card descriptors, each defining card-specific components that define content, structure and a layout for an associated card and (ii) a global component descriptor for specifying a global component associated with two or more cards of the wrap package. Unlike card descriptors that define only card-specific components, global descriptors define components that can be applied to all the cards, or a designated subset of the cards, of a wrap package.
US09442905B1	Detecting neighborhoods from geocoded web documents Provided is a process of identifying a name and boundary of a neighborhood based on web documents, the process including: extracting, via one or more processors, an n-gram appearing in a plurality of web documents; associating the n-gram with geographic locations associated with the web documents from which the n-gram was extracted; identifying a neighborhood by identifying a cluster of geographic locations associated with the n-gram; determining a boundary for the neighborhood from the distribution of geographical locations in the cluster; determining a name for the neighborhood from the n-gram; and adding the name and boundary of the neighborhood to a geographic information system.
US09442900B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium An apparatus for arranging a plurality of elements includes a memory that stores a program and a processor that executes the program stored in the memory. The processor acquires a first element and a second element, each of which strides over a page partition position corresponding to a bottom of a first page in a vertical direction. The processor arranges the first element and the second element, so that the first element is divided, at a position of the first element corresponding to the page partition position over which the second element strides, into the first page and a second page, and a whole of the second element is arranged to the second page.
US09442896B2	Universal mobile document viewer with high fidelity, efficient architecture and editing Embodiments are directed to processing documents on a computer. A document may received on a computer over a platform specific interface. The document may be provided to a platform independent engine where parser may be configured to parse the document based on a page description language (PDL) that comprises the document. A plurality of feature objects may be generated based on feature information. Intermediate documents may be generated based on the plurality of feature objects. The intermediate documents may be stored on a data store for various reasons including, backups, archiving, sharing, or the like. A preview document may be generated from the at least one intermediate document arranged such that the preview document may displayable on the computer. A user may be further enabled to provide edit information that may be used for generating an updated preview document.
US09442892B2	Representing a function bandlimited within a polygonal space Based at least in part on one or more characteristics relating to a measurement system, a polygonal space in a Fourier domain is determined. A representation of a function that is bandlimited within the polygonal space is computed.
US09442888B2	Apparatus and methods for renting and controlling occupancy of a vehicle One variation of a method for renting a vehicle includes: receiving a signal from a fleet manager, the signal specifying a current availability of the vehicle for rent; updating a visual indicator arranged on the vehicle according to the signal, the visual indicator visually detectable from outside the vehicle; receiving identification information of a user proximal the vehicle; enabling access to the vehicle for the user in response to verification of the user as a driver of the vehicle; determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle, that the user is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle; and enabling ignition of the vehicle for the user in response to determination that the user is seated in the driver's seat.
US09442886B2	Scheduling in a multicore architecture This invention relates to scheduling threads in a multicore processor. Executable transactions may be scheduled using at least one distribution queue, which lists executable transactions in order of eligibility for execution, and multilevel scheduler which comprises a plurality of linked individual executable transaction schedulers. Each of these includes a scheduling algorithm for determining the most eligible executable transaction for execution. The most eligible executable transaction is outputted from the multilevel scheduler to the at least one distribution queue.
US09442885B2	Estimating the time until a reply email will be received using a recipient behavior model A system is provided. The system includes a recipient behavior model for generating an estimate of a receipt time of a reply email from a recipient of an initial email by applying machine learning to the initial email and to training data from other emails. The system further includes an indicator device for indicating the estimate to a user.
US09442880B2	Method for determining the topology of a serial asynchronous databus A computer-implemented method for determining the topology of a serial asynchronous data bus, to which at least a first bus subscriber and a second bus subscriber are connected, which subscribers communicate via a prescribed bus access protocol.
US09442879B2	Multiple transaction data flow control unit for high-speed interconnect Methods, apparatus, and systems, for transporting data units comprising multiple pieces of transaction data over high-speed interconnects. A flow control unit, called a KTI (Keizer Technology Interface) Flit, is implemented in a coherent multi-layer protocol supporting coherent memory transactions. The KTI Flit has a basic format that supports use of configurable fields to implement KTI Flits with specific formats that may be used for corresponding transactions. In one aspect, the KTI Flit may be formatted as multiple slots used to support transfer of multiple respective pieces of transaction data in a single Flit. The KTI Flit can also be configured to support various types of transactions and multiple KTI Flits may be combined into packets to support transfer of data such as cache line transfers.
US09442877B2	Storage device According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a processing unit and a plurality of storage units. The processing unit includes a processor and a network communication unit. The storage unit includes a processor input/output port connected to the processing unit via a bus, a storage-unit input/output port connected to adjacent storage unit thereto, a memory capable of storing data, and a routing unit configured to perform a transfer process by determining a transfer route of the data to another one of the storage units on the basis of positional information of the storage unit included in the data.

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