| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09490364B2 |
Semiconductor transistor having a stressed channel
A process is described for manufacturing an improved PMOS semiconductor transistor. Recesses are etched into a layer of epitaxial silicon. Source and drain films are deposited in the recesses. The source and drain films are made of an alloy of silicon and germanium. The alloy is epitaxially deposited on the layer of silicon. The alloy thus has a lattice having the same structure as the structure of the lattice of the layer of silicon. However, due to the inclusion of the germanium, the lattice of the alloy has a larger spacing than the spacing of the lattice of the layer of silicon. The larger spacing creates a stress in a channel of the transistor between the source and drain films. The stress increases IDSAT and IDLIN of the transistor. An NMOS transistor can be manufactured in a similar manner by including carbon instead of germanium, thereby creating a tensile stress. |
| US09490362B2 |
Semiconductor device production method and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device production method includes a first step of forming a planar silicon layer on a silicon substrate and forming first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers on the planar silicon layer; a second step of forming a gate insulating film around the first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers, forming a metal film and a polysilicon film around the gate insulating film, controlling a thickness of the polysilicon film to be smaller than a half of a distance between the first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers, depositing a resist, exposing the polysilicon film on side walls of upper portions of the first and second pillar-shaped semiconductor layers, etching-away the exposed polysilicon film, stripping the third resist, and etching-away the metal film; and a third step of forming a resist for forming a gate line and performing anisotropic etching to form a gate line and first and second gate electrodes. |
| US09490359B2 |
Superjunction semiconductor device with columnar region under base layer and manufacturing method therefor
A semiconductor device that includes the following is manufactured: an n− base layer; a p-type base layer formed on the surface of the n− base layer; an n+ source layer formed in the inner area of the p-type base layer; a gate electrode formed so as to face a channel region across a gate insulating film; a plurality of p-type columnar regions that are formed in the n− base layer so as to continue from the p-type base layer and that are arranged at a first pitch; and a plurality of p+ collector layers that are selectively formed on the rear surface of the n− base layer and that are arranged at a second pitch larger than the first pitch. |
| US09490358B2 |
Electronic device including a vertical conductive structure
An electronic device can include a buried conductive region and a semiconductor layer over the buried conductive region. The electronic device can further include a horizontally-oriented doped region and a vertical conductive region, wherein the vertical conductive region is electrically connected to the horizontally-oriented doped region and the buried conductive region. The electronic device can still further include an insulating layer overlying the horizontally-oriented doped region, and a first conductive electrode overlying the insulating layer and the horizontally-oriented doped region, wherein a portion of the vertical conductive region does not underlie the first conductive electrode. The electronic device can include a Schottky contact that allows for a Schottky diode to be connected in parallel with a transistor. Processes of forming an electronic device allow a vertical conductive region to be formed after a conductive electrode, a gate electrode, a source region, or both. |
| US09490356B2 |
Growth of high-performance III-nitride transistor passivation layer for GaN electronics
Methods for forming a high-quality III-nitride passivation layer on an AlGaN/GaN HEMT. A III-nitride passivation layer is formed on the surface of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT by means of atomic layer epitaxy (ALE), either before or after deposition of a gate metal electrode on the AlGaN barrier layer. Depending on the gate metal and/or the passivation material used, the III-nitride passivation layer can be formed by ALE at temperatures between about 300° C. and about 85020 C. In a specific embodiment, the III-nitride passivation layer can be an AlN layer formed by ALE at about 550° C. after deposition of a Schottky metal gate electrode. The III-nitride passivation layer can be grown so as to conformally cover the entire device, providing a hermetic seal that protects the against environmental conditions. |
| US09490354B2 |
Insulated gate bipolar transistor
A semiconductor body of an IGBT includes: a first base region of a second conductivity type; a source region of a first conductivity type different from the second conductivity type and forming a first pn-junction with the first base region; a drift region of the first conductivity type and forming a second pn-junction with the first base region; a collector region of the second conductivity type; at least one trench filled with a gate electrode and having a first trench portion of a first width and a second trench portion of a second width, the second width being different from the first width; and a field stop region having the first conductivity type and located between the drift region and the collector region. The field stop region includes a plurality of buried regions having the second conductivity type. |
| US09490353B2 |
Three terminal PIN diode
This disclosure describes a switch having a collector, base, emitter, and an intrinsic region between the collector and base. The intrinsic region increases the efficiency of the switch and reduces losses. The collector, base, and emitter each have respective terminals, and an AC component of current passing through the base terminal is greater than an AC component of current passing through the emitter terminal. Additionally, in an on-state a first alternating current between the base and collector terminals is greater than a second alternating current between the collector and emitter terminals. In other words, AC passes primarily between collector and base as controlled by a DC current between the base and emitter. |
| US09490351B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device having stable electric characteristics by using an oxide semiconductor film having stable electric characteristics. Another object is to provide a semiconductor device having higher mobility by using an oxide semiconductor film having high crystallinity. A crystalline oxide semiconductor film is formed over and in contact with an insulating film whose surface roughness is reduced, whereby the oxide semiconductor film can have stable electric characteristics. Accordingly, the highly reliable semiconductor device having stable electric characteristics can be provided. Further, the semiconductor device having higher mobility can be provided. |
| US09490350B2 |
Transistor, liquid crystal display device, and manufacturing method thereof
Photolithography and etching steps for forming an island-shaped semiconductor layer are omitted, and a liquid crystal display device is manufactured with four photolithography steps: a step of forming a gate electrode (including a wiring formed using the same layer as the gate electrode), a step of forming source and drain electrodes (including a wiring formed using the same layer as the source and drain electrodes), a step of forming a contact hole (including the removal of an insulating layer and the like in a region other than the contact hole), and a step of forming a pixel electrode (including a wiring formed using the same layer as the pixel electrode). By the reduction in the number of photolithography steps, a liquid crystal display device can be provided at low cost and high productivity. Formation of a parasitic channel is prevented by an improvement in shape and potential of a wiring. |
| US09490346B2 |
Structure and formation method of fin-like field effect transistor
A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a fin structure over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a gate stack covering a portion of the fin structure and an epitaxially grown source/drain structure over the fin structure and adjacent to the gate stack. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor protection layer over the epitaxially grown source/drain structure. The semiconductor protection layer has an atomic concentration of germanium greater than that of the epitaxially grown source/drain structure. |
| US09490344B2 |
Methods of making transistor devices with elevated source/drain regions to accommodate consumption during metal silicide formation process
Disclosed herein are various semiconductor devices with dual metal silicide regions and to various methods of making such devices. One illustrative method disclosed herein includes the steps of forming an upper portion of a source/drain region that is positioned above a surface of a semiconducting substrate, wherein the upper portion of the source/drain region has an upper surface that is positioned above the surface of the substrate by a distance that is at least equal to a target thickness of a metal silicide region to be formed in the upper portion of the source/drain region and forming the metal silicide region in the upper portion of the source/drain region. |
| US09490338B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor apparatus and method of manufacturing same
A silicon carbide vertical MOSFET having low ON-resistance and high blocking voltage is provided. For this, a first deposition film (2) of low concentration silicon carbide of a first conductivity type is formed on the surface of a high concentration silicon carbide substrate (1) of a first conductivity type. Formed on the first deposition film (2) is a second deposition film (31) that comprises a high concentration gate region of a second conductivity type, with a first region removed selectively. A third deposition film (32) formed on the second deposition film, which comprises a second region that is wider than the selectively removed first region, a high concentration source region (5) of a first conductivity type and a low concentration gate region (11) of a second conductivity type. A low concentration base region (4) of a first conductivity type is formed in contact with the first deposition film (2) in the first and second regions. |
| US09490333B2 |
Anti-fuse and method for forming the same
An anti-fuse includes a first gate structure disposed in a semiconductor substrate and a second gate structure that is spaced apart from the first gate structure by a distance and disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The first and second gate structures have different depths from each other in the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09490331B2 |
Formation of semiconductor arrangement comprising buffer layer and semiconductor column overlying buffer layer
A semiconductor arrangement and methods of formation are provided. A semiconductor arrangement includes a semiconductor column on a buffer layer over a substrate. The buffer layer comprises a conductive material. Both a first end of the semiconductor column and a bottom contact are connected to a buffer layer such that the first end of the semiconductor column and the bottom contact are connected to one another through the buffer layer, which reduces a contact resistance between the semiconductor column and the bottom contact. A second end of the semiconductor column is connected to a top contact. In some embodiments, the first end of the semiconductor column corresponds to a source or drain of a transistor and the second end corresponds to the a drain or source of the transistor. |
| US09490329B2 |
Semiconductor devices with germanium-rich active layers and doped transition layers
Semiconductor device stacks and devices made there from having Ge-rich device layers. A Ge-rich device layer is disposed above a substrate, with a p-type doped Ge etch suppression layer (e.g., p-type SiGe) disposed there between to suppress etch of the Ge-rich device layer during removal of a sacrificial semiconductor layer richer in Si than the device layer. Rates of dissolution of Ge in wet etchants, such as aqueous hydroxide chemistries, may be dramatically decreased with the introduction of a buried p-type doped semiconductor layer into a semiconductor film stack, improving selectivity of etchant to the Ge-rich device layers. |
| US09490323B2 |
Nanosheet FETs with stacked nanosheets having smaller horizontal spacing than vertical spacing for large effective width
A device including a stacked nanosheet field effect transistor (FET) may include a substrate, a first channel pattern on the substrate, a second channel pattern on the first channel pattern, a gate that is configured to surround portions of the first channel pattern and portions of the second channel pattern, and source/drain regions on opposing ends of the first channel pattern and second channel pattern. The first and second channel patterns may each include a respective plurality of nanosheets arranged in a respective horizontal plane that is parallel to a surface of the substrate. The nanosheets may be spaced apart from each other at a horizontal spacing distance between adjacent ones of the nanosheets. The second channel pattern may be spaced apart from the first channel pattern at a vertical spacing distance from the first channel pattern to the second channel pattern that is greater than the horizontal spacing distance. |
| US09490321B2 |
Optoelectronic integrated circuit
A semiconductor device includes a substrate supporting a plurality of layers that include at least one modulation doped quantum well (QW) structure offset from a quantum dot in quantum well (QD-in-QW) structure. The modulation doped QW structure includes a charge sheet spaced from at least one QW by a spacer layer. The QD-in-QW structure has QDs embedded in one or more QWs. The QD-in-QW structure can include at least one template/emission substructure pair separated by a barrier layer, the template substructure having smaller size QDs than the emission substructure. A plurality of QD-in-QW structures can be provided to support the processing (emission, absorption, amplification) of electromagnetic radiation of different characteristic wavelengths (such as optical wavelengths in range from 1300 nm to 1550 nm). The device can realize an integrated circuit including a wide variety of devices that process electromagnetic radiation at a characteristic wavelength(s) supported by the QDs of the QD-in-QW structure(s). Other semiconductor devices are also described and claimed. |
| US09490319B2 |
Silicon carbide semiconductor device
The trench has, in a cross-sectional view, a first corner portion which is an intersection between a first sidewall surface and a bottom portion and a second corner portion which is an intersection between a second sidewall surface and the bottom portion. A first layer has a second-conductivity-type region. In a cross-sectional view, the second-conductivity-type region is arranged to intersect with a line which passes through any of the first corner portion and the second corner portion and is in parallel to a <0001> direction of a silicon carbide crystal forming the silicon carbide layer. A ratio calculated by dividing SP by ST is not lower than 20% and not higher than 130%, where ST represents a total area of the trenches in a boundary surface between the first layer and a second layer and SP represents a total area of the second-conductivity-type regions in a plan view. |
| US09490318B2 |
Three dimensional strained semiconductors
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a three dimensional structure comprising a semiconductor material, and at least one thin film in contact with at least one exterior surface of the three dimensional structure for inducing a strain in the structure, the thin film being characterized as providing at least one of: an induced strain of at least 0.05%, and an induced strain in at least 5% of a volume of the three dimensional structure. In another embodiment, a method includes forming a three dimensional structure comprising a semiconductor material, and depositing at least one thin film on at least one surface of the three dimensional structure for inducing a strain in the structure, the thin film being characterized as providing at least one of: an induced strain of at least 0.05%, and an induced strain in at least 5% of a volume of the structure. |
| US09490311B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display device having high transmittance with respect to external light and a method of manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting display device includes a substrate; a plurality of pixels formed on the substrate, each of the pixels including a first region that emits light and a second region that transmits external light; a plurality of thin film transistors disposed in the first region of each pixel; a plurality of first electrodes disposed in the first region of each pixel and electrically connected to the thin film transistors, respectively; a second electrode formed opposite to the plurality of first electrodes and comprising a plurality of transmission windows corresponding to the second regions; and an organic layer formed between the first electrodes and the second electrode. The transmission windows can be formed in the second electrode, that is, a cathode. |
| US09490304B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic EL device, organic EL device and electronic apparatus
An organic EL device according to the present application includes a substrate, a plurality of organic EL elements arranged on the substrate, the plurality of organic EL elements including an organic light-emitting layer interposed between an anode and a cathode, a plurality of connection terminals disposed on the substrate, a sealing layer covering the plurality of organic EL elements such that the plurality of organic EL elements lie between the substrate and the sealing layer, and an organic layer formed above the sealing layer. The organic layer and the sealing layer have an opening portion that exposes at least one of the plurality of connection terminals. |
| US09490292B1 |
Dual-band detector array
An infrared photo-detector array and a method for manufacturing it are disclosed. The infrared photo-detector array contains a collector layer, a first absorber layer that absorbs incident light of a first wavelength band and generates first electrons and first holes, a second absorber layer that absorbs incident light of a second wavelength band and generates second electrons and second holes, and wherein the wavelengths of the incident light in the first wavelength band are shorter than the wavelengths of the incident light in the second wavelength band, and wherein the second absorber layer is laterally contiguous across at least two photo-detectors. The method disclosed teaches how to manufacture the infrared photo-detector array. |
| US09490290B2 |
Back side illuminated semiconductor structure with semiconductor capacitor connected to floating diffusion node
There is provided a back side illuminated semiconductor structure with a semiconductor capacitor connected to a floating diffusion node in which the semiconductor capacitor for reducing a dimension of the floating diffusion node is provided above the floating diffusion node so as to eliminate the influence thereto by incident light and enhance the light absorption efficiency. |
| US09490287B2 |
Optical devices and opto-electronic modules and methods for manufacturing the same
The optical device comprises a first substrate (SI) comprising at least one optical structure (1) comprising a main portion (2) and a surrounding portion (3) at least partially surrounding said main portion. The device furthermore comprises non-transparent material (5, 5a, 5b) applied onto said surrounding portion. The opto-electronic module comprises a plurality of these optical devices comprised in said first substrate. The method for manufacturing an optical device comprises the steps of a) providing a first substrate comprising at least one optical structure comprising a main portion and a surrounding portion at least partially surrounding said main portion; and b) applying a non-transparent material onto at least said surrounding portion. Said non-transparent material is present on at least said surrounding portion still in the finished optical device. |
| US09490280B2 |
Miniature phase-corrected antennas for high resolution focal plane THz imaging arrays
An imaging/detection device includes a hemispherical lens having a surface opposite a curvature of the hemispherical lens, where the hemispherical lens defines an optical axis. The imaging/detection device also includes a plurality of detectors arranged on a focal plane array that is positioned near the surface of the hemispherical lens. Each of the detectors respectively includes a diode and an antenna monolithically integrated with the diode. Additionally, at least one of the detectors is offset by a distance from the optical axis of the hemispherical lens and is configured such that a radiating pattern of the respective antenna is tilted by an angle and directed toward the optical axis of the hemispherical lens. A maximum direction of the radiating pattern of the respective antenna is related to the distance by which the detector is offset from the optical axis of the hemispherical lens. |
| US09490278B2 |
Photo mask and method of manufacturing thin film transistor using the same
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a photomask includes a transparent substrate and a polarizing pattern. A polarizing pattern is disposed on a transparent substrate. The polarizing pattern polarize light. |
| US09490276B2 |
Display backplane and method of fabricating the same
There is provided a TFT backplane having at least one TFT with oxide active layer and at least one TFT with poly-silicon active layer. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the TFTs implementing the circuit of pixels in the active area is an oxide TFT (i.e., TFT with oxide semiconductor) while at least one of the TFTs implementing the driving circuit next to the active area is a LTPS TFT (i.e., TFT with poly-Si semiconductor). |
| US09490275B2 |
Method for manufacturing thin film transistor array panel
A thin film transistor array panel includes: a gate line on a substrate and including a gate electrode; a first gate insulating layer on the substrate and the gate line, the first gate insulting layer including a first portion adjacent to the gate line and a second portion overlapping the gate line and having a smaller thickness than that of the first portion; a second gate insulating layer on the first gate insulating layer; a semiconductor layer on the second gate insulating layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from each other on the semiconductor layer; a passivation layer on the second gate insulating layer, the source electrode and the drain electrode; and a pixel electrode on the passivation layer and connected with the drain electrode. The first gate insulating layer and the second gate insulating layer have stress in opposite directions from each other. |
| US09490274B2 |
Thin film transistor array panel and liquid crystal display device including the same
A thin film transistor array panel includes a first substrate; a gate line and a data line on the first substrate; a storage electrode line on the first substrate where a constant voltage is applied thereto; a first thin film transistor and a second thin film transistor which are connected to the gate line and the data line; a third thin film transistor which is connected to the gate line, the second thin film transistor and the storage electrode line; a first subpixel electrode which is connected to the first thin film transistor; and a second subpixel electrode which is connected to the second thin film transistor. |
| US09490273B2 |
Display device comprising a dielectric layer having an opening partially exposing a semiconductor layer and a data line filling the opening
A display device includes a first substrate and an insulating layer over the first substrate. The display device further includes a semiconductor layer over the insulating layer and a dielectric layer over the semiconductor layer, having an opening partially exposing the semiconductor layer and the insulating layer, wherein the opening has a first width along a first direction. In addition, the display device further includes a conductive line extending over the dielectric layer along a second direction that is different from the first direction and filling the opening to electrically connect to the semiconductor layer exposed by the opening. The conductive line includes a first portion over a top surface of the dielectric layer and a second portion in the opening. The first portion of the conductive line has a second width along the first direction. The first width is greater than the second width. |
| US09490270B2 |
Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, and display device including the array substrate
An array substrate and manufacturing method thereof and a display device having the array substrate are provided. The array substrate includes a non-pixel region distributed in the form of a grid and a plurality of sub-pixel regions formed by being surrounded by the non-pixel region, a plurality of scan lines (12) and data lines (16) disposed in a crossing manner are provided within the non-pixel region, and a common electrode (20) is provided in the sub-pixel regions and the non-pixel region. A zone of the common electrode (20) corresponding to the sub-pixel regions has a first thickness, a zone of the common electrode (20) corresponding to the scan lines (12) and/or the data lines (16) has a second thickness, and the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness. By means of arranging the common electrode (20) to have such a structure that thickness of its zone corresponding to scan lines (12) and/or data lines (16) in a non-pixel region is larger than thickness of its zone corresponding to sub-pixel regions, the ability of conductivity of the common electrode (20) can be enhanced, and this makes the voltage distribution on the whole liquid crystal display panel for the common electrode (20) be more even. Thus, the display quality of picture is improved, and the quality grade of the display device is promoted. |
| US09490264B2 |
Device having a contact between semiconductor regions through a buried insulating layer, and process for fabricating said device
The invention relates to a semiconductor device produced on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate that includes a thin layer of semiconductor material separated from a base substrate by a buried insulating layer, the device including a first conducting region in the thin layer, a second conducting region in the base substrate and a contact connecting the first region to the second region through the insulating layer. The invention also relates to a process for fabricating such semiconductor devices. |
| US09490263B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a substrate on which a plurality of logic cells are provided, and a plurality of active portions provided on the substrate and extending in a first direction. Contacts and gate structures extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction and are alternately arranged. A common conductive line extends along a boundary region of the plurality of logic cells in the first direction. At least one of the contacts is electrically connected to the common conductive line through a via therebetween, and each of the contacts intersects a plurality of the active portions. End portions of the contacts are aligned with each other along the first direction. |
| US09490259B2 |
Anti-fuse, anti-fuse array and method of operating the same
An anti-fuse, an anti-fuse array and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The anti-fuse array includes: an active region formed in a semiconductor substrate; a slit region formed at both edge portions of the active region in a first direction; a plurality of select gates extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the active region, and coupled to a select word line; a plurality of first program gates spaced apart from the select gates, formed over the active region isolated by the slit region, and coupled to a first program word line; a plurality of second program gates spaced apart from the select gates, formed over the active region isolated by the slit region, and coupled to a second program word line; and a bit line perpendicular to the select word line. |
| US09490258B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor device comprises a first fin type active pattern formed on a substrate and extending in a first direction and including first to third parts. At least one dimension of the third part measuring less than the corresponding dimension of the first part. A gate electrode extending in a second direction different from the first direction is at least partially formed on the first part of the fin type active pattern. A first source/drain is formed on the third part of the fin type active pattern. |
| US09490254B2 |
Fin sidewall removal to enlarge epitaxial source/drain volume
A FinFET device includes a dielectric layer formed over a semiconductor substrate and having an upper dielectric layer surface. A fin of semiconductor material extends upwards from the substrate through an opening in the dielectric layer. A base portion of the fin, which is recessed below the upper dielectric layer surface, includes a base channel region that separates first and second base source/drain regions. An upper channel region extends upwards from the base channel region and terminates in an upper fin surface disposed above the upper dielectric layer surface. A gate electrode straddles the upper channel region and is separated from the upper channel region by a gate dielectric. First and second epitaxial source/drain regions meet the first and second base source/drain regions, respectively, at first and second interfaces, respectively. The first and second interfaces are recessed in the opening and arranged below the upper dielectric layer surface. |
| US09490246B2 |
Semiconductor device
A P-type epitaxial growth layer is formed on a P-type semiconductor substrate with an N-type buried region and a P-type buried region interposed therebetween. A cathode region, an anode region, and an N-type sinker region are formed in P-type epitaxial growth layer. A resistance element is formed on a surface of an isolation region that electrically isolates anode region and N-type sinker region. Resistance element has: one end portion electrically connected to each of anode region and N-type sinker region; and the other end portion electrically connected to a ground potential. |
| US09490243B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising an ESD protection device, an ESD protection circuitry, an integrated circuit and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device is provided which comprises an ESD protection device. The ESD protection device is being formed by one or more pnp transistors which are present in the structure of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device comprises two portions, of an isolated p-doped region which are separated by an N-doped region. Two p-doped regions are provided within the two portions. The p-dopant concentration of the two-doped region is higher than the p-dopant concentration of the isolated p-doped region. A first electrical contact is connected only via a highly doped p-contact region to the first p-doped region and a second electrical contact is connected only via another highly doped p-contact region to the second p-doped region. |
| US09490240B2 |
Film interposer for integrated circuit devices
In one embodiment, a stack device comprising a film interposer of a polyimide film material, for example, is assembled. In accordance with one embodiment of the present description, a front side of the film interposer is attached to a first element of the stack device, which may be an integrated circuit package, an integrated circuit die, a substrate such as a printed circuit board, or other structure used to fabricate electronic devices. In addition, a back side of the film interposer is attached to a second element which like the first element, may be an integrated circuit package, an integrated circuit die, a substrate such as a printed circuit board, or other structure used to fabricate electronic devices. Other aspects are described. |
| US09490239B2 |
Solid state transducers with state detection, and associated systems and methods
Solid state transducers with state detection, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A solid state transducer system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a support substrate and a solid state emitter carried by the support substrate. The solid state emitter can include a first semiconductor component, a second semiconductor component, and an active region between the first and second semiconductor components. The system can further include a state device carried by the support substrate and positioned to detect a state of the solid state emitter and/or an electrical path of which the solid state emitter forms a part. The state device can be formed from at least one state-sensing component having a composition different than that of the first semiconductor component, the second semiconductor component, and the active region. The state device and the solid state emitter can be stacked along a common axis. In further particular embodiments, the state-sensing component can include an electrostatic discharge protection device, a thermal sensor, or a photosensor. |
| US09490235B2 |
Light emitting devices, systems, and methods
Light emitting devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment a light emitting device can include an emission area having one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted over an irregularly shaped mounting area. The light emitting device can further include a retention material disposed about the emission area. The retention material can also be irregularly shaped, and can be dispensed. Light emitting device can include more than one emission area per device. |
| US09490234B2 |
Alternative current light-emitting systems
A light-emitting system is introduced herein. The light-emitting system includes an insulating substrate and a plurality of light-emitting units electrically-connected on the insulating substrate. Each of the plurality of light-emitting units includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged as a bridge rectifier. A first part of the plurality of light-emitting diodes emits light during positive half cycles of an AC power signal. A second part of the plurality of light-emitting diodes emits light during negative half cycles of the AC power signal. The third part of the plurality of light-emitting diodes comprising at least one light-emitting diode emits light during both the positive half cycles and the negative half cycles of the AC power signal, wherein the plurality of light-emitting units including the plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged as a bridge rectifier is formed together in a light-emitting chip. |
| US09490232B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method for fabricating the same
An electronic apparatus includes a first electronic part with a first terminal, a second electronic part with a second terminal opposite the first terminal, and a joining portion which joins the first terminal and the second terminal. The joining portion contains a pole-like compound extending in a direction in which the first terminal and the second terminal are opposite to each other. The joining portion contains the pole-like compound, so the strength of the joining portion is improved. When the first terminal and the second terminal are joined, the temperature of one of the first electronic part and the second electronic part is made higher than that of the other. A joining material is cooled and solidified in this state. By doing so, the pole-like compound is formed. |
| US09490231B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device thereof
A semiconductor device structure and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that comprises ordering and performing processing steps in a manner that prevents warpage deformation from occurring to a wafer and/or die due to mismatching thermal coefficients. |
| US09490229B2 |
Semiconductor device connected by anisotropic conductive film
Provided is a semiconductor device, including an anisotropic conductive film connecting the semiconductor device, the anisotropic conductive film having a maximum stress of 0.4 kgf/mm2 or more; and a stress-strain curve having a slope (A) of greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.2 kgf/(mm2·%) as represented by the following equation 1: slope(A)=(½Smax−S0)/x (1), wherein: Smax=maximum stress, x=strain (%) at half (½) of the maximum stress, and S0=stress at a strain of 0. |
| US09490224B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A resin sealed semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element having a plurality of metal plated plastic particle core or metal particle core micro-balls including an internal terminal surface and an external connection electrode. Metal wires electrically connect the semiconductor element to the internal terminal and are bonded to the internal terminal surface by a wire bond connection coupling the metal wire to the metal plating, where the metal wire and the metal plating are different materials. A sealing body seals the semiconductor element, a part of each the plurality of the terminals, and the metal wires, where a back surface of the semiconductor element is exposed by the sealing body, and a part of each the plurality of micro-balls project from a bottom surface of the sealing body to provide the external connection electrodes. |
| US09490223B2 |
Structure to prevent deep trench moat charging and moat isolation fails
A semiconductor structure is provided that includes a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate comprising a bottom semiconductor layer, an epitaxial semiconductor layer present on the bottom semiconductor layer, a buried insulator layer present on the epitaxial semiconductor layer, and a top semiconductor layer present on the buried insulator layer. A deep trench moat (DTMOAT) is disposed in the SOI substrate and has a bottom surface contacting a dopant region of the bottom semiconductor layer. A moat contact electrically connecting the DTMOAT to the epitaxial semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate. Charges accumulated in the DTMOAT can be discharged through the heavily doped epitaxial semiconductor layer to ground, thus preventing the DTMOAT failure caused by the process-induced charge accumulation. |
| US09490221B2 |
Semiconductor device having multiple magnetic shield members
A semiconductor device includes a wiring substrate, a lower magnetic shield member, a semiconductor chip, and an upper magnetic shield member. The lower magnetic shield member is provided on the wiring substrate. The semiconductor chip is provided on the lower magnetic shield member. The semiconductor chip includes a magnetic memory element. The upper magnetic shield member is provided on the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip is disposed between the upper magnetic shield member and the lower magnetic shield member. The lower magnetic shield member and the upper magnetic shield member include a soft magnetic resin. The lower magnetic shield member and the upper magnetic shield member are in direct contact with each other. |
| US09490217B1 |
Overlay marks and semiconductor process using the overlay marks
An overlay mark for determining the alignment between two separately generated patterns formed along with two successive layers above a substrate is provided in the present invention, wherein both the substrate and the overlay mark include at least two pattern zones having periodic structures with different orientations, and the periodic structures of the overlay mark are orthogonally overlapped with the periodic structures of the substrate. |
| US09490216B2 |
Semiconductor device and semiconductor package
Provided are a semiconductor device and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor device includes semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side. A front-side structure including an internal circuit is disposed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer is disposed on the second side of the semiconductor substrate. A through-via structure passes through the semiconductor substrate and the passivation layer. A back-side conductive pattern is disposed on the second side of the semiconductor substrate. The back-side conductive pattern is electrically connected to the through-via structure. An alignment recessed area is disposed in the passivation layer. An insulating alignment pattern is disposed in the alignment recessed area. |
| US09490215B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device and method for manufacturing organic light-emitting display device
Provided are an organic light-emitting display device and a method for manufacturing the same. A flexible substrate of the organic light-emitting display device is bent across a bend line and includes a first area, a first bending area adjacent to the first area, a second bending adjacent to the first bending area, and a second area adjacent to the second bending area. A wiring is formed over the first area, the first bending area, the second bending area, and the second area of the flexible substrate to electrically connect a display unit formed in the first area and a pad unit formed in the second area. A first alignment key is formed over the flexible substrate, and a second alignment is formed over the flexible substrate. The first alignment key is positioned to overlap the second alignment key with the flexible substrate bent across the bend line. |
| US09490212B2 |
High quality electrical contacts between integrated circuit chips
Methods and structures of connecting at least two integrated circuits in a 3D arrangement by a zigzag conductive chain are disclosed. The zigzag conductive chain, acting as a spring or self-adaptive contact structure (SACS) in a wafer bonding process, is designed to reduce bonding interface stress, to increase bonding interface reliability, and to have an adjustable height to close or eliminate undesirable opens or voids between two integrated circuits. |
| US09490209B2 |
Electro-migration barrier for Cu interconnect
Integrated circuit devices and method of forming them. The devices include a dielectric barrier layer formed over a copper-containing metal interconnect structure. The dielectric barrier layer inhibits electro-migration of Cu. The dielectric barrier layer includes a metal-containing layer that forms an interface with the interconnect structure. Incorporating metal within the interfacial layer improves adhesion of the dielectric barrier layer to copper lines and the like and provides superior electro-migration resistance over the operating lifetime of the devices. |
| US09490207B2 |
Semiconductor device having a copper wire within an interlayer dielectric film
The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor layer, an interlayer dielectric film formed on the semiconductor layer, a wire formed on the interlayer dielectric film with a metallic material to have a width of not more than 0.4 μm, and a broad portion integrally formed on the wire to extend from the wire in the width direction thereof. |
| US09490206B2 |
Electrical device and fabrication method
An electrical device with a fin structure, a first section of the fin structure having a first width and a first height, a second section of the fin structure having a second width and a second height, wherein the first width is smaller than the second width and the first height is lower than the second height. |
| US09490201B2 |
Methods of forming under device interconnect structures
Methods of forming microelectronic interconnect under device structures are described. Those methods and structures may include forming a device layer in a first substrate, forming at least one routing layer in a second substrate, and then coupling the first substrate with the second substrate, wherein the first substrate is bonded to the second substrate. |
| US09490195B1 |
Wafer-level flipped die stacks with leadframes or metal foil interconnects
An assembly includes a plurality of stacked encapsulated microelectronic packages, each package including a microelectronic element having a front surface with a plurality of chip contacts at the front surface and edge surfaces extending away from the front surface. An encapsulation region of each package contacts at least one edge surface and extends away therefrom to a remote surface of the package. The package contacts of each package are disposed at a single one of the remote surfaces, the package contacts facing and coupled with corresponding contacts at a surface of a substrate nonparallel with the front surfaces of the microelectronic elements therein. |
| US09490187B2 |
Semiconductor package on which semiconductor chip is mounted on substrate with window
The semiconductor package includes: a substrate having a window and first and second bond fingers arranged over a first surface along a periphery of the window; a first semiconductor chip disposed within the window and having a plurality of first bonding pads arranged over edges of an upper surface; a plurality of first connection members electrically coupling the first bonding pads with the first bonding fingers; a second semiconductor chip disposed over the first semiconductor chip and the first surface of the substrate and a plurality of second bonding pads in the edges of the lower surface; a plurality of second connection members electrically coupling the second bonding pads with the second bonding fingers of the substrate adjacent to the second bonding pads; and an encapsulation member formed over the first surface of the substrate to cover side surfaces of the second semiconductor chip. |
| US09490185B2 |
Implant-induced damage control in ion implantation
An ion implantation system is provided having an ion implantation apparatus configured to provide a spot ion beam having a beam density to a workpiece, wherein the workpiece has a crystalline structure associated therewith. A scanning system iteratively scans one or more of the spot ion beam and workpiece with respect to one another along one or more axes. A controller is also provided and configured to establish a predetermined localized temperature of the workpiece as a predetermined location on the workpiece is exposed to the spot ion beam. A predetermined localized disorder of the crystalline structure of the workpiece is thereby achieved at the predetermined location, wherein the controller is configured to control one or more of the beam density of the spot ion beam and a duty cycle associated with the scanning system to establish the localized temperature of the workpiece at the predetermined location on the workpiece. |
| US09490181B2 |
Misalignment/alignment compensation method, semiconductor lithography system, and method of semiconductor patterning
A misalignment/alignment compensation method for a lithography process includes the steps of: obtaining misalignment data associated with an alignment mark disposed on a substrate; and obtaining a compensation parameter by performing asymmetry compensation calculation on at least one of a first directional component of the misalignment data, which is associated with a first direction, and a second directional component of the misalignment data, which is associated with a second direction. |
| US09490179B2 |
Semiconductor element and semiconductor device
One object is to provide a semiconductor element in which leakage current between a gate electrode and a channel formation region is suppressed even when the gate electrode is miniaturized as a result of miniaturization of the semiconductor element. Another object is to provide a downsized and high-performance semiconductor device. A semiconductor element having the following structure is manufactured: an insulating film containing gallium oxide and having a relative permittivity of 10 or more is formed as a gate insulating film over a semiconductor layer having a function of a channel formation region; and a gate electrode is formed over the gallium oxide. Further, a semiconductor device is manufactured by using the semiconductor element. |
| US09490178B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a first and a second voltage device portion, each including a first and a second conductive type MOS region, forming a first gate insulating layer on the first and the second voltage device portion, removing the first gate insulating layer from the first conductive type MOS region of the first voltage device portion to expose a part of the semiconductor substrate, forming a first semiconductor layer on the first conductive type MOS region of the first voltage device portion, and removing the first gate insulating layer from the second conductive type MOS region of the first voltage device portion to expose a part of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09490177B2 |
Integrated circuit devices including stress proximity effects and methods of fabricating the same
An integrated circuit can include first and second FETs of a particular conductivity type on a substrate, wherein a first source/drain region of the first FET is closer to a center of a first channel region of the first FET than a second source/drain region of the second FET is to a center of a second channel region of the second FET. |
| US09490176B2 |
Method and structure for FinFET isolation
A semiconductor device with effective FinFET isolation and method of forming the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a substrate having an active fin, a plurality of dummy gate stacks over the substrate and engaging the fin, and first dielectric features over the substrate and separating the dummy gate stacks. The method further includes removing the dummy gate stacks thereby forming a first trench and a second trench that expose first and second portions of the active fin respectively. The method further includes removing the first portion of the active fin and forming a gate stack in the second trench, the gate stack engaging the second portion of the active fin. The method further includes filling the first trench with a second dielectric material that effectively isolates the second portion of the active fin. |
| US09490173B2 |
Method for processing wafer
A method for processing a wafer including a plurality of chips is provided. The method may include: forming a trench in the wafer between the plurality of chips; forming a diffusion barrier layer at least over the sidewalls of the trench; forming encapsulation material over the plurality of chips and in the trench; and singularizing the plurality of chips from a side opposite the encapsulation material. |
| US09490172B2 |
Method for preventing delamination and cracks in group III-V wafers
In an exemplary implementation, a method includes growing a III-Nitride body over a group IV substrate in a semiconductor wafer. The method includes forming at least one device layer over the III-Nitride body. The method also includes etching grid array trenches in the III-Nitride body, where the etching of the grid array trenches may extend into the group IV substrate. The method can also include forming an edge trench around a perimeter of the semiconductor wafer. The method further includes forming separate dies by cutting the semiconductor wafer approximately along the grid array trenches. |
| US09490167B2 |
Pop structures and methods of forming the same
A device includes a top package bonded to a bottom package. The bottom package includes a molding material, a device die molded in the molding material, a Through Assembly Via (TAV) penetrating through the molding material, and a redistribution line over the device die. The top package includes a discrete passive device packaged therein. The discrete passive device is electrically coupled to the redistribution line. |
| US09490164B1 |
Techniques for forming contacts for active BEOL
In one aspect, a method for forming a contact to a device is provided which includes the steps of: forming a conformal etch stop layer surrounding the device; forming a dielectric layer over and covering the device; forming a contact trench in the dielectric layer, wherein the contact trench is present over the device and extends down to, or beyond, the etch stop layer; exposing a contact region of the device within the contact trench by selectively removing a portion of the etch stop layer covering a top portion of the device; and filling the contact trench with a conductive material to form the contact to the device. Other methods for forming a contact to a device and also to BEOL wiring are provided as are device contact structures. |
| US09490163B2 |
Tapered sidewall conductive lines and formation thereof
A semiconductor arrangement and methods of formation are provided. The semiconductor arrangement includes conductive lines having sidewalls angled between about 45° to about 90° relative to a plane in which bottom surfaces of the conductive lines lie. A dielectric layer is formed over the conductive lines. The angled sidewalls of the conductive lines cause the dielectric layer to pinch off before an area between adjacent conductive lines is filled, thus establishing an air gap between adjacent conductive lines, where the air gap has a lower dielectric constant than the dielectric material. |
| US09490162B2 |
Use of dielectric slots for reducing via resistance in dual damascene process
An integrated circuit may include dual damascene interconnects formed using a via-first dual damascene process or a trench-first dual damascene process. The via-first process may be a partial-via-first process or a full-via-first process. A trench mask for a wide interconnect line which is at least twice as wide as a dual damascene via in the wide interconnect line may have a dielectric slot adjacent to the dual damascene via. The dual damascene via is laterally separated from the dielectric slot by no more than half a width of the dual damascene via. |
| US09490160B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including providing a substrate; forming a field trench in the substrate; and forming a diffusion barrier region under the field trench, wherein the diffusion barrier region includes carbon. |
| US09490156B2 |
Transfer device for holding an object using a gas flow
A transfer device for holding an object comprises: i) a housing; ii) at least one inlet conduit having an inlet for gas; iii) a plurality of sets of outlet conduits, each set of outlet conduits being in fluid communication with the at least one inlet conduit and having a plurality of outlets for directing the gas out of the outlet conduits. The respective outlets of the sets of outlet conduits are arranged in a direction along the housing surface and away from a center region relative to the respective sets of outlet conduits, so that a laminar gas flow that flows along the housing surface generates a pressure differential which creates a force towards the center region to hold the object against the housing surface. |
| US09490154B2 |
Method of aligning substrate-scale mask with substrate
Methods and systems for alignment of substrate-scale masks are described. The alignment methods presented may improve the uniformity and repeatability of processes which are impacted by the relative lateral position of a substrate-scale mask and a substrate. The methods involve measuring the “overhang” of the substrate at multiple locations around the periphery of the substrate-scale mask. Based on the measurements, the relative position of the substrate relative to the substrate-scale mask is modified by adjustment of the substrate and/or mask position. The adjustment of the relative position is made in one adjustment in embodiments. A feature of hardware and methods involves the capability of making measurements and adjustments while a substrate processing system is fully assembled and possibly under vacuum. |
| US09490152B2 |
Asymmetrical chamber configuration
A production tool includes a chamber, a heater in the chamber, and a pumping outlet on a side of the heater. A pumping liner is in the chamber and encircling the heater. The pumping liner and the heater have a first gap therebetween and a second gap therebetween. The second gap is different from the first gap, and the second gap is farther away from the first pumping outlet than the first gap. |
| US09490151B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method
A substrate processing apparatus performs a predetermined process on a substrate by using a processing gas under a vacuum atmosphere. The substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber configured to accommodate the substrate and to be kept in the vacuum atmosphere; a substrate mounting table configured to mount the substrate thereon in the chamber; a gas introduction member configured to introduce a gas including the processing gas in the chamber; a partition wall member provided to be movable up and down in the chamber and configured to form a partition wall that defines a processing space in a region including the substrate above the substrate mounting table; and an elevating mechanism configured to move the partition wall member up and down. |
| US09490146B2 |
Semiconductor device with encapsulated lead frame contact area and related methods
A semiconductor device may include an IC, and lead frame contact areas adjacent the IC. Each lead frame contact area may have a lead opening. The semiconductor device may include bond wires, each bond wire coupling a respective lead frame contact area with the IC. The semiconductor device may include encapsulation material surrounding the IC, the lead frame contact areas, and the bond wires, and leads. Each lead may extend through a respective lead opening and outwardly from the encapsulation material. |
| US09490144B2 |
Quaternary ammonium salt compound, composition for forming a resist under layer film, and patterning process
A quaternary ammonium salt compound is represented by the following formula (A-1), wherein, R1, R2, and R3 each represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, a part or all of hydrogen atoms in these groups may be substituted by a hydroxyl group(s), an alkoxy group(s), or a halogen atom(s), and these groups may include one or more of a carbonyl group and an ester bond; R4 represents a single bond, an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, an arylene group, or an aralkylene group, a part or all of hydrogen atoms in these groups may be substituted by an alkoxy group(s) or a halogen atom(s), and these groups may include one or more of an ether bond, a carbonyl group, an ester bond, and an amide bond; and A− represents a non-nucleophilic counter ion. |
| US09490142B2 |
Cu-low K cleaning and protection compositions
This disclosure relates post chemical mechanical planarization cleaning composition of semiconductor substrate for advanced electronics fabrication and packaging. It provides novel corrosion inhibition and quality upmost Cu-low K surfaces to the demanding reliability of nano device and Cu interconnection. Its efficacious cleaning without changing of ultra-low K dielectric and interfering with ultimate electronics performance also offers a cleaning solution to the Cu-low K structure of post reactive ion etching as well as resist ashing in semiconductor fabrication process flow. |
| US09490140B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
There are provided methods for manufacturing a semiconductor device including providing a substrate including a metal layer including an oxidized surface layer in a heat treatment chamber, generating hydrogen radicals within the heat treatment chamber and reducing the oxidized surface layer of the metal layer using the hydrogen radicals. |
| US09490136B1 |
Method of forming trench cut
A method includes forming a hard mask (HM) stack over a material layer, which has a first, second, third and fourth HM layers. The method also includes forming a first trench in the fourth HM layer, forming a first spacer in the first trench, forming a second trench in the fourth HM layer, removing at least a portion of the first spacer to form a cut by using the third HM layer as an etch-stop layer, removing a portion of the third HM layer and the second HM layer exposed by the first trench, second trench, and cut to form an extended first trench, extended second trench, and extended cut, respectively. The method also includes forming second spacers in the extended first trench, the extended second trench, and the extended cut and removing another portion of the second HM layer to form a third trench. |
| US09490135B2 |
Movable chamber liner plasma confinement screen combination for plasma processing apparatuses
A movable symmetric chamber liner in a plasma reaction chamber, for protecting the plasma reaction chamber, enhancing the plasma density and uniformity, and reducing process gas consumption, comprising a cylindrical wall, a bottom wall with a plurality of openings, a raised inner rim with an embedded heater, heater contacts, and RF ground return contacts. The chamber liner is moved by actuators between an upper position at which substrates can be transferred into and out of the chamber, and a lower position at which substrate are processed in the chamber. The actuators also provide electrical connection to the heater and RF ground return contacts. |
| US09490134B2 |
Termination structure of semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A termination structure of a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes an active area and a termination area adjacent to the active area, in which the termination area has the termination structure. The termination structure includes a substrate, an epitaxy layer, a dielectric layer, a conductive material layer and a conductive layer. The epitaxy layer is disposed on the substrate and has a voltage-sustaining region. The voltage-sustaining region has trenches parallel to each other. The dielectric layer is disposed in the trenches and on a portion of the epitaxy layer. The conductive material layer is disposed on the dielectric layer in the trenches. The conductive layer covers the trenches, and is in contact with the conductive material layer and a portion of the epitaxy layer, and is electrically connected between the active area and the termination area. A method for manufacturing the termination structure is also provided. |
| US09490133B2 |
Etching apparatus
A system and method of etching a semiconductor device are provided. Etching solution is sampled and analyzed by a monitoring unit to determine a concentration of components within the etching solution, such as an oxidant concentration. Then, based upon such measurement, a makeup amount of the components may be added be a makeup unit to the etching solution to control the concentration of the components within the etching system. |
| US09490123B2 |
Methods of forming strained epitaxial semiconductor material(S) above a strain-relaxed buffer layer
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, sequentially forming a first material layer, a first capping layer, a second material layer and a second capping layer above a substrate, wherein the first and second material layers are made of semiconductor material having a lattice constant that is different than the substrate, the first material layer is strained as deposited, and a thickness of the first material layer exceeds its critical thickness required to be stable and strained, performing an anneal process after which the strain in the first material layer is substantially relaxed through the formation of crystallographic defects that are substantially confined to the semiconducting substrate, the first material layer, the first capping layer and the second material layer, and forming additional epitaxial semiconductor material on an upper surface of the resulting structure. |
| US09490121B2 |
Plasma-assisted chemical gas separation method having increased plasma density and device for implementing the method
The invention relates to a method and a device for coating surfaces of a substrate (8) according to the technique of plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. The basic idea of the present invention is to increase the ion concentration prevailing in the plasma so as to have more ions accumulate on the substrate (8) and to promote layer growth (12). According to the invention, the ion concentration is increased by forming a so-called fireball at the surface of the substrate (8) to be coated. The term fireball refers to the ionization processes that occur on electrode surfaces (2) as spontaneous small brightly luminescent phenomena in plasma processes. To this end, an electrode (2) is introduced into an existing background plasma and connected to a positive potential (4). |
| US09490120B2 |
Vapor transport deposition method and system for material co-deposition
An improved feeder system and method for continuous vapor transport deposition that includes at least two vaporizers couple to a common distributor through an improved seal for separately vaporizing and collecting at least any two vaporizable materials for deposition as a material layer on a substrate. Multiple vaporizer provide redundancy and allow for continuous deposition during vaporizer maintenance and repair. |
| US09490117B2 |
Directed self-assembly pattern formation methods and compositions
A method of forming a pattern by directed self-assembly, comprising: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising one or more layers to be patterned; (b) applying a crosslinkable underlayer composition over the one or more layers to be patterned to form a crosslinkable underlayer, wherein the crosslinkable underlayer composition comprises a crosslinkable polymer comprising a first unit formed from a monomer of the following general formula (I-A) or (I-B): wherein: P is a polymerizable functional group; L is a single bond or an m+1-valent linking group; X1 is a monovalent electron donating group; X2 is a divalent electron donating group; Ar1 and Ar2 are trivalent and divalent aryl groups, respectively, and carbon atoms of the cyclobutene ring are bonded to adjacent carbon atoms on the same aromatic ring of Ar1 or Ar2; m and n are each an integer of 1 or more; and each R1 is independently a monovalent group; (c) heating the crosslinkable underlayer to form a crosslinked underlayer; (d) forming a self-assembling layer comprising a block copolymer over the crosslinked underlayer; and (e) annealing the self-assembling layer. The methods and compositions find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices or data storage devices for the formation of high resolution patterns. |
| US09490108B2 |
Indium target and method for manufacturing same
Provided are an indium target capable of achieving a high deposition rate while suppressing the occurrence of arcing, and a method for manufacturing the indium target. In the process of solidification at the time of melting and casting an indium ingot, ultrasonic vibration is applied to molten indium liquid which is at least in a state immediately before solidification, and thereby, coarsening of the grain size is suppressed. Thus, an indium target is provided An indium target in which an overall average grain size is 10 mm or less; for the grains observed from a cross-section parallel to a thickness direction, a ratio of an average grain size in a direction parallel to the thickness direction with respect to an average grain size in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction is 0.7 to 1.1; and pores with a pore size of 50 μm or greater exists at a density of 1 pore/cm3 or less. |
| US09490096B2 |
Medium voltage controllable fuse
A medium voltage controllable fuse that provides fast activation in response to both low current and high current faults, and at load currents in response to an external condition detected by an external sensing device. The controllable fuse includes a high-current fault interrupting section, a low-current fault interrupting section, and a trigger element responsive to a fuse controller. |
| US09490093B2 |
Fuse and trip mechanism therefor
A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element, The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings. |
| US09490090B2 |
Fuse unit
An alternator connecting bolt of an alternator connecting end has a diameter different from that of a second battery connecting bolt of a second battery connecting end. |
| US09490089B2 |
Shielding element for the use in medium voltage switchgears
A shielding element is disclosed for use in medium voltage switchgears with vacuum interrupters with at least two contacts, which are movable along a switching path between closed and open contact positions, wherein the shielding element is positioned around the contact position region in the vacuum interrupter, wherein at least the inner surface of the shielding is applied with an implemented surface structure to form a topographic structure which is a rough or a structured surface. To enhance the energy absorbance behavior of the shielding, the implemented topographic structure can be formed such that by given constant or approximately constant volume (Vi) of the shielding body, the surface ratio of the treated surface (S2) with implemented surface structure and volume V2, and a untreated surface (S1) without topographic structure and volume V1 is greater than 1, so that this follows the condition: V1˜V2 and S2/S1>1. |
| US09490084B2 |
Visible disconnect switch interlock assembly
A visible disconnect switch (VDS) interlock assembly is provided. The VDS interlock assembly is movable between a CBA, first lockout position, wherein a CBA second contact assembly cannot move when a VDS second contact assembly is in a first position, and a VDS, second lockout position, wherein a VDS second contact assembly cannot move when the CBA second contact assembly is in a second position. Further, the VDS interlock assembly is placed in an open position in between where the CBA, first lockout position and the VDS, second lockout position; from the open position the VDS interlock assembly may be moved into one of the CBA, first lockout position or the VDS, second lockout position. |
| US09490081B2 |
Limit switch
A limit switch has a housing having an opening in a front surface of the housing, and a connection hole in which a lead wire is drawn made in a bottom surface of the housing, a switch main body fixed in the housing, a front surface of which is vertically partitioned into a plurality of stages, a pair of fixed contact terminals embedded at each of the stages, an operation shaft exposed from a ceiling surface of the switch main body, a contact that is opened and closed by driving the operation shaft in a shaft center direction, and a projection provided between the fixed contact terminals embedded at the stages of the front surface of the switch main body. |
| US09490080B2 |
Negative electrode for power storage device and power storage device
A decomposition reaction of an electrolyte solution and the like caused as a side reaction of charge and discharge is minimized in repeated charge and discharge of a lithium ion battery or a lithium ion capacitor, and thus the lithium ion battery or the lithium ion capacitor can have long-term cycle performance. A negative electrode for a power storage device includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer which includes a plurality of particles of a negative electrode active material. Each of the particles of the negative electrode active material has an inorganic compound film containing a first inorganic compound on part of its surface. The negative electrode active material layer has a film in contact with an exposed part of the negative electrode active material and part of the inorganic compound film. The film contains an organic compound and a second inorganic compound. |
| US09490078B2 |
Cover for an energy storage unit, energy storage unit comprising said cover, and method for manufacturing such an energy storage unit
The invention relates to a cover (40) for an energy storage unit, which is to be inserted at an end of a casing (20) in which a capacitive element (30) of the unit is arranged, the cover comprising at least one sidewall (43) which to be arranged opposite at least one sidewall of the casing and two end walls (41, 42), characterized in that a plurality of cavities (46, 48) are provided in the cover, at least one first cavity (46) opening onto the sidewall(s) (43) and onto an end wall (41), and at least one second cavity (48) opening onto the sidewall(s) (43) and onto the other end wall (42), the first cavity or cavities opening onto the sidewall(s) (43) in one or more first portions extending over a portion of the periphery of the sidewall(s), while the second cavity or cavities (48) open onto the sidewall(s) (43) in one or more second portions extending over a portion of the periphery of the sidewall(s). |
| US09490077B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and mounting assembly
A solid electrolytic capacitor includes: a first capacitor element unit and a second capacitor element unit electrically insulated from each other. The first capacitor element unit includes a first anode portion and a first cathode portion respectively and electrically connected to a first anode bottom exposed portion and a first cathode bottom exposed portion exposed from an outer package. The second capacitor element unit includes a second anode portion and a second cathode portion respectively and electrically connected to a second anode bottom exposed portion and a second cathode bottom exposed portion exposed from the outer package. At the bottom surface of the outer package, the first cathode bottom exposed portion is disposed between the first anode bottom exposed portion and the second cathode bottom exposed portion, and the second cathode bottom exposed portion is disposed between the second anode bottom exposed portion and the first cathode bottom exposed portion. |
| US09490076B2 |
Solid electrolytic capacitor and manufacturing method therefor
A solid electrolytic capacitor that includes: a laminated body having a plurality of capacitor elements stacked to have principal surfaces thereof overlapped with each other. The capacitor elements each include a valve-action metallic substrate having two principal surfaces opposed to each other, a dielectric oxide film covering a surface of the valve-action metallic substrate, and a cathode layer covering a surface of the dielectric oxide film. The laminated body has two principal surfaces and more than one side surface, and has at least one of the side surfaces with the valve-action metallic substrates exposed. An anode terminal is electrically connected to the side surface of the laminated body having the valve-action metallic substrates exposed therefrom, and the cathode layers and the anode terminal are insulated with insulators interposed therebetween, the insulators being obtained from the cathode layers. |
| US09490075B2 |
Method for fabricating solid electrolytic capacitors
The instant disclosure relates to an improved method for the production of solid electrolytic capacitor, comprising the following steps. First, provide an insulating substrate. Next, form a plurality of conducting gels including aluminum powder on the insulating substrate. Thirdly, execute a high-temperature sintering process to metalize the conducting gels to form a plurality of aluminum plates. Next, form a dielectric layer on every aluminum plate. Then form an isolation layer on every dielectric layer to define an anodic region and a cathodic region. Lastly, form a conductive layer on the dielectric layer of every cathodic region, thus defining a solid electrolytic capacitor unit. |
| US09490070B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component, manufacturing method thereof and board having the same mounted thereon
A multilayer ceramic electronic component may include: a ceramic body in which dielectric layers containing plate-shaped dielectric grains are stacked; and internal electrodes disposed on the dielectric layers within the ceramic body. The dielectric layer may contain dielectric grains, plate-shaped surfaces of which have an angle of 20° or less with regard to a boundary surface between the dielectric layer and the internal electrode. |
| US09490067B2 |
Joining dissimilar materials using an epoxy resin composition
An epoxy resin composition is disclosed for joining dissimilar materials. The identified epoxy resin compositions can be used to seal metallic and non-metallic components of a capacitor. Specifically the epoxy resin composition can be applied to joints between a non-metallic capacitor bushing and a metallic tank cover and metallic terminal cap. Once the epoxy resin composition is cured, it can provide a seal that can withstand the stresses and environmental conditions to which a capacitor is subjected. |
| US09490065B2 |
High voltage transformer
A high voltage transformer for cascade coupling wherein the high voltage transformer comprises a primary winding, a high voltage winding and a transformer core, and wherein the primary and high voltage windings encircles concentrically at least a part of the transformer core, and wherein the high voltage transformer is provided with a secondary winding, as the high voltage winding comprises one or more single layers connected in parallel. |
| US09490064B2 |
Wireless power transmission method
A wireless power transmission method transmits power from a first resonance antenna to a second resonance antenna in a noncontact manner through resonance of a magnetic field. The first resonance antenna is a resonance antenna of a power transmitting device, the second resonance antenna is a resonance antenna of a power receiving device. The wireless power transmission method includes setting a first transmission efficiency between the first resonance antenna and the second resonance antenna by changing a frequency of supply power of the power transmitting device. Power transmitted from the first resonance antenna to the second resonance antenna is gradually increased. A resonance frequency is changed by changing an induction coefficient or electrostatic capacity of the second resonance antenna to change the transmission efficiency between the first and second resonance antenna to a second transmission efficiency smaller than the first transmission efficiency, thereby matching received power to required power. |
| US09490059B2 |
Coil component, method for manufacturing the same, and coil electronic component
A coil component has a wound coil, a coil magnetic body, and an exterior body. The coil magnetic body has a magnetic core inside winding of the wound coil. The exterior body covers a surface of the coil magnetic body. This coil component has a mount surface, and a thermal conductivity in a direction parallel to a surface of the exterior body is greater than a thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the exterior body. |
| US09490057B2 |
Integrated magnetic module
An integrated magnetic module includes a first auxiliary circuit board, a second auxiliary circuit board, a first transformer, a second transformer and at least one inductor. The second auxiliary circuit board and the first auxiliary circuit board are arranged side by side. The first transformer is disposed on the first auxiliary circuit board. The second transformer is disposed on the second auxiliary circuit board. The at least one inductor is arranged between the first transformer and second transformer, and electrically connected with the first auxiliary circuit board and the second auxiliary circuit board. |
| US09490055B2 |
Ceramic electronic component and manufacturing method thereof
A ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body, an inner electrode, an outer electrode, and a connecting portion. The inner electrode is disposed inside the ceramic body. The end portion of the inner electrode extends to a surface of the ceramic body. The outer electrode is disposed on the surface of the ceramic body so as to cover the end portion of the inner electrode. The outer electrode includes a resin and a metal. The connecting portion is disposed so as to extend from an inside of the outer electrode to an inside of the ceramic body. In a portion of the surface of the ceramic body on which the outer electrode is disposed, the length of the connecting portion that extends in a direction in which the inner electrode is extends about 2.4 μm or more. |
| US09490052B2 |
Tubular insulator for coaxial connector
An insulator for a coaxial connector is disclosed. The insulator is adapted to connect to a coaxial transmission medium to form an electrically conductive path between the transmission medium and the coaxial connector. The insulator is constructed of dielectric material. A laser-cut pattern in the insulator produces voids in the dielectric material such that air is incorporated into the insulator. The insulator has a composite tangent delta and a composite dielectric constant based on a combination of the dielectric material and the air and maintains dielectric properties to insulate and separate components of the coaxial connector. |
| US09490049B2 |
Wire harness, method for manufacturing wire harness, and protective member
An object is to form a protective member such that its inner circumferential surface portion is hard and its outer circumferential surface portion is soft. A wire harness includes a wire harness main portion that includes at least one electrical wire, and a protective member. The protective member is formed by a laminate, which is obtained by overlaying an inner circumferential non-woven member and an outer circumferential non-woven member, being hot-pressed into a shape that covers at least a portion of the wire harness main portion, and the inner circumferential surface portion is harder than the outer circumferential surface portion. |
| US09490039B2 |
Strip of Cu—Co—Si-based copper alloy for electronic materials and the method for producing the same
Cu—Co—Si-based alloy strip, which has not only an excellent balance between strength and electrical conductivity but also suppressed hanging curl, is provided. The copper alloy strip for electronic materials comprises 0.5-2.5 mass % of Co, 0.1-0.7 mass % of Si, the balance Cu and inevitable impurities, wherein, from a result obtained from measurement of an X ray diffraction pole figure, using a rolled surface as a reference plane, the following (a) is satisfied.(a) A diffraction peak height at β angle 120° among diffraction peak intensities by β scanning at α=25° in a {200} pole figure is at least 10 times that of standard copper powder. |
| US09490034B1 |
Centralized memory repair block
Embodiments provide centralized redundancy block repair for memory circuits. Certain embodiments are implemented in context of high-performance memory, such as last-level cache design, where the primary memory bank often uses high-density memory cells (“bitcells”) and supports long self-bitline structures to increase compactness. In such contexts, it can be difficult to finish read operations within a single cycle, even when the entire cache is divided into small bank pieces. Bank-interleaved structure in clusters can be implemented to allow access to different memory banks in consecutive cycles, thereby achieving overall single circle throughput (i.e., the latency can be masked by the interleaving). Accordingly, some embodiments of the centralized block repair can support bank interleaved access, for example, with a strict single-cycle throughput. Some embodiments can also support other features, such as row repair and/or column repair. |
| US09490033B2 |
Auto-blow memory repair
In an example embodiment, a method may include collecting, at a controller within an integrated circuit, defect information indicative of defects identified during a built-in self-test (BIST) operation performed on plural memories embedded within the integrated circuit. Fuses within the integrated circuit may be blown based on the defect information collected automatically and without software intervention. The fuses blown may be used to inform a built-in self-repair (BISR) operation performed on the plural memories. |
| US09490030B2 |
Circuit for controlling write leveling of a target module and a method thereof
A write leveling control method which includes registering data-related signal (DRS) reference delay values corresponding to types of memory modules in a leveling reference table; transmitting write leveling-related signals to a first type of memory module mounted on a target board; detecting timing skews between a clock signal and data-related signals received from memory devices on the mounted memory module; and adjusting a delay of a data-related signal transmitted to a memory device of the mounted memory module if a corresponding timing skew is outside of a first range, based on the DRS reference delay value corresponding to the mounted memory module. |
| US09490027B2 |
Anti-fuse type one-time programmable memory cell array with plurality of unit cells, each made of a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor structure without a selection transistor and method of operation the same
An anti-fuse type one-time programmable (OTP) memory cell array includes a plurality of unit cells which are respectively located at cross points of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, a well region shared by the plurality of unit cells, a plurality of anti-fuse gates respectively disposed in the plurality of columns to intersect the well region, a plurality of source/drain regions respectively disposed in portions of the well region between the plurality of anti-fuse gates, and a plurality of drain regions respectively disposed in portions of the well region located at one sides of the anti-fuse gates arrayed in a last column, which are opposite to the anti-fuse gates arrayed in a first column. Each of the unit cells includes one anti-fuse transistor having a MOS transistor structure without a selection transistor. |
| US09490026B2 |
Nonvolatile memory erasure method and device
Disclosed are non-volatile memory erasure method and device for solving the problem of unnecessary time expenditure and complex process of the current erasure operation. The method comprises: after receiving an erasure instruction, performing a pre-reading verification on the target erasure area corresponding to the erasure instruction; if the pre-reading verification passes, then performing an erasure operation on the target erasure area; if not, then performing pre-programming verification on the target erasure area, and after the pre-programming verification passes, performing the erasure operation on the target erasure area. The method of the present application can eliminate the unnecessary pre-programming verification process while ensuring the target erasure area is in a full-erasure state before the erasure operation, thus saving erasure time and simplifying the erasure process. |
| US09490023B2 |
Mitigation of retention drift in charge-trap non-volatile memory
A method includes storing data values in a group of memory cells that share a common isolating layer, by producing quantities of electrical charge representative of the data values at respective regions of the common isolating layer that are associated with the memory cells. A function, which relates a drift of the electrical charge in a given memory cell in the group to the data values stored in one or more other memory cells in the group, is estimated. The drift is compensated for using the estimated function. |
| US09490022B2 |
Data storage device and data maintenance method
A data storage device includes a flash memory, a voltage source and a controller. The flash memory includes a plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks includes a plurality of pages. The voltage source provides the flash memory with an operation voltage. The controller determines whether the operation voltage was lower than a predetermined voltage level during a predetermined operation after the predetermined operation on the flash memory is finished, and enabling the flash memory to initialize when the operation voltage was lower than the predetermined voltage level during the predetermined operation. |
| US09490020B2 |
Time domain ramp rate control for erase inhibit in flash memory
When performing an erase on a flash type non-volatile memory with a NAND type of structure, techniques are presented for inhibiting erase on selected word lines, select lines of programmable select transistors, or some combination of these. The voltage along the selected control lines are initially ramped up by the level on a corresponding input line, but then have their voltage raised to an erase inhibit level by capacitive coupling with the well structure. The level of these input signals are ramped up with the erase voltage applied to the well structure, but with a delay based upon the coupling ratio between the control line and the well. |
| US09490018B2 |
Extended select gate lifetime
A flash memory device may include two or more flash memory cells organized as a NAND string in a block of flash memory cells, and flash cells, coupled to the NAND string at opposite ends, to function as select gates. The flash memory device may be capable of providing information related to a voltage threshold of the select gates to a flash controller, erasing the flash cells that function as select gates in response to a select gate erase command, and programming the flash cells that function as select gates in response to a select gate program command. A flash controller may be coupled to the flash memory device, and is capable of sending the select gate erase commend to the flash memory device if the information provided by the flash memory device indicates that the voltage threshold of at least one of the select gates is above a predetermined voltage level, and sending the select gate program command to the flash memory device if the information provided by the flash memory device indicates that the voltage threshold of at least one of the select gates is outside of a predetermined voltage range. |
| US09490017B2 |
Forced-bias method in sub-block erase
A method is provided for operating a NAND array that includes a plurality of blocks of memory cells. A block of memory cells includes a plurality of NAND strings having channel lines between first string select switches and second string select switches. The plurality of NAND strings shares a set of word lines between the first and second string select switches. A channel-side erase voltage is applied to the channel lines through the first string select switches in a selected block. Word line-side erase voltages are applied to a selected subset of the set of word lines in the selected block to induce tunneling in memory cells coupled to the selected subset. Word line-side inhibit voltages are applied to an unselected subset of the set of word lines in the selected block to inhibit tunneling in memory cells coupled to the unselected subset. |
| US09490015B2 |
Semiconductor memory device, memory system having the same, and method of operating the same
A semiconductor memory device, a memory system having the same, and a method of operating the same are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells electrically coupled between a source select transistor and a drain select transistor, a peripheral circuit configured to perform a program operation on the plurality of memory cells, and a control logic unit configured to control the operation of the peripheral circuit so that at least two memory cells of the plurality of memory cells adjacent to the source select transistor and at least two memory cells of the plurality of memory cells adjacent to the drain select transistor are programmed to have a relatively fewer number of data bits than that of remaining memory cells of the plurality of memory cells in the program operation. |
| US09490014B2 |
Method and system for accessing a flash memory device
An apparatus, system, and computer-implemented method for controlling data transfer between a plurality of serial data link interfaces and a plurality of memory banks in a semiconductor memory is disclosed. In one example, a flash memory device with multiple links and memory banks, where the links are independent of the banks, is disclosed. The flash memory devices may be cascaded in a daisy-chain configuration using echo signal lines to serially communicate between memory devices. In addition, a virtual multiple link configuration is described wherein a single link is used to emulate multiple links. |
| US09490013B1 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including guarantee blocks, normal blocks, and redundancy blocks. A bad block address indicates which block from the guarantee blocks and the normal blocks is defective, and an indication information indicates whether the bad block address belongs to the guarantee blocks or to the normal blocks. A request block address is supplied together with associated block type information. The block type information indicates whether the request block address belongs to the guarantee blocks or to the normal blocks. A match signal is enabled when the block type information matches the indication information, and the request block address matches the bad block address. The enablement of the match signal allows the defective block to be replaced with one block from the redundancy blocks. |
| US09490011B2 |
Storage device write pulse control
According to an example, a method for storage device write pulse control may include writing a storage device to a first polarity by driving a row address line (RAL) and a column address line (CAL) to an intermediate voltage level RCA for a cycle A. The RAL may be driven to a voltage level RB for a cycle B pulse duration, and the CAL may be maintained at RCA for the cycle B pulse duration. The RAL may be driven to a voltage level RC for a cycle C pulse duration, and the CAL may be driven to a voltage level CC for the cycle C pulse duration. The RAL may be driven to RCA, and the CAL may be driven to a voltage level CD for a cycle D pulse duration. The RAL may be maintained at RCA, and the CAL may be driven to RCA. |
| US09490007B1 |
Device comprising a plurality of FDSOI static random-access memory bitcells and method of operation thereof
A device including a plurality of static random-access memory (SRAM) bitcells arranged in rows and columns, wherein the SRAM bitcells comprise fully depleted silicon-on-insulator field effect transistors (FDSOI-FETs). The FDSOI-FETs comprise P-channel-pull-up-transistors, wherein each P-channel-pull-up-transistor comprises a back gate. The device further includes a plurality of bitlines, wherein each bitline is electrically connected to the SRAM bitcells of one of the columns and a plurality of wordlines, wherein each wordline is electrically connected to the SRAM bitcells of one of the rows. The device further includes a bitline control circuit configured to select at least one column for writing, wherein during a write operation a first control signal is applied to the back gates of the P-channel-pull-up-transistors of the at least one column selected for writing and a second control signal to the back gates of the P-channel-pull-up-transistors of the columns not selected for writing. |
| US09490005B2 |
Memory circuit and method for routing the memory circuit
A memory circuit includes a first row of memory cells, a first word line and a second word line over and electrically coupled to the first row of memory cells, a second row of memory cells aligned with the first row of memory cells along a predetermined direction, and a third word line and a fourth word line over and electrically coupled to the second row of memory cells. The first word line is aligned with the third word line, and the second word line is aligned with the fourth word line. One of the first word line or the second word line is electrically coupled with one of the third word line or the fourth word line. The other one of the first word line or the second word line is electrically decoupled from the other one of the third word line or fourth word line. |
| US09489995B2 |
Memory device for realizing sector erase function and operating method thereof
A memory device comprises a plurality of sectors and a driving circuit comprising a global word line driver and a first local word line driver. The global word line driver applies an erasing voltage to a selected sector of the sectors via a global word line. The first local word line driver, coupled to the global word line, drives a first local word line of the selected sector with a biasing voltage, so that the first local word line has a first voltage level corresponding to a non-erased state. |
| US09489994B2 |
Memory timing circuit
A memory circuit including a memory cell configured to provide a charge, voltage, or current to an associated bit-line; a sense amplifier configured to sense the charge, voltage, or current on the bit-line; a word-line circuit configured to control a word-line of the memory cell; and a tracking circuit configured to track one or more conditions of the memory circuit and provide a timing control signal at an output operative to adaptively control the word-line circuit. |
| US09489991B2 |
Memory reading circuit, memory device and method of operating memory device
A circuit for reading a memory device includes a sense amplifier (SA) and a controller. The SA has an input, an output and an enabling terminal. The controller has a first input coupled to the output of the SA, a second input configured to receive a control signal, and an output coupled to the enabling terminal of the SA to send an SA enabling (SAE) signal from the controller to the SA. The controller is configured to start the SAE signal, in response to the control signal, to enable the SA, and to terminate the SAE signal, in response to an SA output signal at the output of the SA, to disable the SA. |
| US09489990B1 |
Adaptive non-volatile memory programming
In an embodiment, a method of programming non-volatile memory (NVM) comprises: determining, by control logic of an NVM system, a number of unsuccessful attempts to program NVM cells; responsive to the determining, dividing the NVM cells into at least a first group and a second group; programming the first group during a first programming cycle; and programming the second group during a second programming cycle, wherein the first programming cycle and second programming cycle are different. |
| US09489985B2 |
Multimedia player displaying operation panel depending on contents
A digital content operating apparatus, including: a communication unit which communicates with an external device which has a display for displaying the digital content; a user operation interface which receives a user operation to control the digital content which is displayed on the external device; a display which displays either a linear content operation panel or an interactive content operation panel; and a controller which controls the user operation interface corresponding to information on the digital content which is displayed on the external device; wherein either the linear content operation panel or the interactive content operation panel is displayed alternatively as the user operation interface on the display. |
| US09489980B2 |
Video/audio synchronization apparatus and video/audio synchronization method
A video/audio synchronization apparatus includes: a decoder configured to decode a frame contained in encoded video data and determine playback time of the frame based on a first clock signal, and decode encoded audio data and determine playback time of an associated audio signal contained in the decoded audio data and to be played back simultaneously with the frame, based on a second clock signal different from the first clock signal; a silent period detector configured to detect a silent period from within the associated audio signal; and an audio timing adjuster configured to reduce a difference between the playback time of the frame and the playback time of the associated audio signal by skipping or repeating a silent period contained within a period of the associated audio signal. |
| US09489979B2 |
Image processing apparatus for time-lapse moving image, image processing method, and storage medium
An image capture apparatus includes a photographic scene selection section and a parameter setting section. The photographic scene selection section selects a photographic scene. The parameter setting section independently sets, according to the photographic scene selected by the photographic scene selection section, each of a photographing parameter relating to time-lapse photography that captures images at a predetermined interval and generates a moving image with a shorter playback time than photographing time, and a playback parameter relating to playback of a time-lapse moving image photographed at the photographing parameter. |
| US09489978B2 |
Method of surface-treating metal component
Provided is a method for surface-treating a metal component, whereby a pseudo-plated layer can be formed on a surface of a metal component, and quality equivalent to plating or other coating process can be obtained. The method includes a chemical polishing step scraping a surface of a base plate formed into a given shape through chemical polishing by 0.5 micrometer or more, and a heat treat pseudo-plating step forming a pseudo-plated layer on the surface through a heat treatment conducted by heating the base plate at a solution treatment temperature or above, for example, 850 degrees C. or above, preferably approximate 1040 degrees C., in a reducing atmosphere after the polishing step. |
| US09489975B2 |
Optical disk device and optical disk processing system having optical disk device
An optical disk device which quickly detects that a transparent disk is loaded is provided. When an optical disk is loaded, a drive controller of an optical disk device drives a spindle motor and checks existence of an optical disk based on a driving result. In addition, the drive controller drives an optical pickup to apply a focus control, to detect whether or not focusing is possible. When it is determined from the driving result that there is an optical disk and that focus is not possible, the drive controller judges that the optical disk (D) is a transparent disk. |
| US09489974B2 |
Method of fabricating a BPM template using hierarchical BCP density patterns
The embodiments disclose a method including patterning a template substrate to have different densities using hierarchical block copolymer density patterns in different zones including a first pattern and a second pattern, using a first directed self-assembly to pattern a first zone in the substrate using a first block copolymer material, and using a second directed self-assembly to pattern a second zone in the substrate using a second block copolymer material. |
| US09489973B2 |
Magnetic data storage using induced strain of a magnetostrictive material
Acoustically assisted magnetic recording can be used in a hard disk drive or a solid state medium. In the described embodiments, otherwise unwriteable high-coercivity media are made amenable to recording by lowering their coercivity via strain induced by acoustic waves. The use of acoustic waves temporarily and locally reduces the magnetic field required to record information on a magnetic recording medium. The process makes use of the magnetostrictive property of a magnetic material by which the magnetic anisotropy of the material is changed by strain. The result of such a change is a reduction in the coercive field, i.e., the magnetic field required to reverse the magnetization direction. Because acoustic waves cause strain, the passage of an acoustic wave through a magnetic material can be used to reduce its coercive field. |
| US09489971B1 |
Flexible circuit for concurrently active recording heads
A system includes a first preamplifier, a second preamplifier and a flex circuit. The first preamplifier is configured to be connected to a first plurality of recording heads. The second preamplifier is configured to be connected to a second plurality of recording heads. At least one of the first plurality of recording heads and at least one of the second plurality of recording heads are configured to concurrently perform read and or write operations. The flex circuit is a single flex circuit configured to connect the first and second preamplifiers to the plurality of recording heads. |
| US09489967B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning a laser diode on a slider
A structure includes a channel waveguide and a pocket adjacent to an input facet of the channel waveguide. A laser having an output facet is positioned in the pocket. The structure includes a stop on either the laser or a wall of the pocket. The stop is positioned at an interface between the laser and the wall of the pocket such that the output facet of the laser and the input facet of the waveguide are separated by a gap. |
| US09489963B2 |
Correlation-based two microphone algorithm for noise reduction in reverberation
Embodiments are directed towards providing speech enhancement of audio signals from a target source and noise reduction of audio signals from a noise source. A coherence between a first audio signal from a first microphone and a second audio signal from a second microphone may be determined. A first gain function may be determined based on real components of a coherence function, wherein the real components include coefficients based on the previously determined coherence. A second gain function may be determined based on imaginary components of the coherence function. And a third gain function may be determined based on a relationship between a real component of the coherence function and a threshold range. An enhanced audio signal may be generated by applying a combination of the first gain function, the second gain function, and the third gain function to the first audio signal. |
| US09489962B2 |
Sound signal hybrid encoder, sound signal hybrid decoder, sound signal encoding method, and sound signal decoding method
A sound signal hybrid encoder includes: a signal analysis unit which determines a scheme for encoding a frame included in a sound signal; an LFD encoder which encodes a frame to generate an LFD frame; an LP encoder which encodes a frame to generate an LP frame; a switching unit which switches between the encoders according to a result of the determination by the signal analysis unit; and an AC signal generation unit which generates an AC signal according to a scheme selected from among schemes, outputs the generated AC signal, and also outputs an AC flag indicating the selected scheme. |
| US09489961B2 |
Controlling a noise-shaping feedback loop in a digital audio signal encoder avoiding instability risk of the feedback
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the shaping of encoding noise during the ADPCM encoding of a digital audio input signal. The noise-shaping is carried out through the use of feedback that comprises filtering noise. The method includes the following steps: obtaining a parameter for indicating a high spectral dynamic range of the signal, the parameter indicating a risk of instability of the feedback; detecting a risk of instability by comparing the indication parameter to at least one predetermined threshold; limiting the feedback in the event that a risk of instability is detected; and gradually reactivating the feedback over a predetermined number of frames subsequent to the current frame for which the feedback is limited. Also provided is an encoder with feedback, including a control module implementing the control method as described. |
| US09489953B2 |
Directional coding conversion
A directional coding conversion method and system includes receiving input audio signals that comprise directional audio coded signals into which directional audio information is encoded according to a first loudspeaker setup and extracting the directional audio coded signals from the received input audio signals. The method and system further includes decoding, according to the first loudspeaker setup, the extracted directional audio coded signals to provide at least one absolute audio signal and corresponding absolute directional information and processing the at least one absolute audio signal and the absolute directional information to provide first output audio signals coded according to a second loudspeaker setup. |
| US09489949B2 |
System and method for identifying and/or authenticating a source of received electronic data by digital signal processing and/or voice authentication
A method for verifying and identifying users, and for verifying users' identity, by means of an authentication device capable of transmitting, receiving and recording audio or ultrasonic signals, and capable of converting the signals into digital data, and performing digital signal processing. Voice pattern(s) and user(s) information of one or more authorized user(s) are recorded and stored on the authentication device. User(s) identification is verified by inputting to the authentication device a vocal identification signal from a user, and comparing the voice pattern of the vocal identification signal with the recorded voice pattern(s) of the authorized user(s), and if a match is detected issuing an indication that the user is identified as an authorized user. |
| US09489946B2 |
Transcription support system and transcription support method
In an embodiment, a transcription support system includes: a first storage, a playback unit, a second storage, a text generating unit, an estimating unit, and a setting unit. The first storage stores the voice data therein; a playback unit plays back the voice data; and a second storage stores voice indices, each of which associates a character string obtained from a voice recognition process with voice positional information, for which the voice positional information is indicative of a temporal position in the voice data and corresponds to the character string. The text creating unit creates text; the estimating unit estimates already-transcribed voice positional information based on the voice indices; and the setting unit sets a playback starting position that indicates a position at which playback is started in the voice data based on the already-transcribed voice positional information. |
| US09489944B2 |
Information processing device, method and computer program product for processing voice recognition data
According to an embodiment, a memory controller stores, in a memory, character strings in voice text obtained through voice recognition on voice data, a node index, a recognition score, and a voice index. A detector detects reproduction section of the voice data. An obtainer obtains reading of a phrase in a text written down from the reproduced voice data, and obtains insertion position of character strings. A searcher searches for a character string including the reading. A determiner determines whether to perform display based on the recognition score corresponding to the retrieved character string. A history updater stores, in a memory, candidate history data indicating the retrieved character string, the recognition score, and the character insertion position. A threshold updater decides on a display threshold value using the recognition score of the candidate history data and/or the recognition score of the character string selected by a selector. |
| US09489943B2 |
System and method for learning alternate pronunciations for speech recognition
A system and method for learning alternate pronunciations for speech recognition is disclosed. Alternative name pronunciations may be covered, through pronunciation learning, that have not been previously covered in a general pronunciation dictionary. In an embodiment, the detection of phone-level and syllable-level mispronunciations in words and sentences may be based on acoustic models trained by Hidden Markov Models. Mispronunciations may be detected by comparing the likelihood of the potential state of the targeting pronunciation unit with a pre-determined threshold through a series of tests. It is also within the scope of an embodiment to detect accents. |
| US09489941B2 |
Operation assisting method and operation assisting device
An operation assisting method comprising, comparing an input spoken voice with a preliminarily stored keyword associated with an operation target to obtain an evaluation value of likelihood that the keyword is included in the spoken voice, and determining whether or not the keyword was spoken, based on the evaluation value of likelihood where it is determined that the keyword was spoken if the evaluation value of likelihood exceeds a threshold value, detecting whether or not eyes of a user are directed at the operation target. A threshold value is decreased in cases where the eyes of the user are directed at the operation target and where the evaluation value of the spoken voice falls within a predetermined range. |
| US09489939B2 |
Speech server managing one or a plurality of pieces of speech terminal-specifying information and user-specifying information
A speech server (SS) managing one or a plurality of pieces of speech terminal-specifying information (STSI) and user-specifying information (USI), each of pieces of STSI allowing a corresponding one of one or a plurality of speech terminals to be specified, USI being of a user who is capable of causing the corresponding one of the one or a plurality of speech terminals to output speech. The SS receives USI and transmit the one or a plurality of pieces of STSI associated with USI. The SS receives (i) STSI selected from the one or a plurality of pieces of STSI transmitted and (ii) speech information indicative of speech content to be outputted as speech. The SS instructs a speech terminal to output the speech content as speech, the speech terminal being identified among the one or a plurality of speech terminals by STSI received. |
| US09489937B1 |
Real-time noise reduction system for dynamic motor frequencies aboard an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Systems and methods for simultaneously capturing live audio and video feeds and reducing motor/rotor noise associated with the video feed for a multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Noise reduction occurs in real time or near real time as one or more frequencies associated with a motor, rotor, or attitude of the UAV are recognized, subtracted and/or dithered from the audio feed, resulting in one or more correction signals. The one or more correction signals may be dynamically summed in order to generate a corrected audio feed for transmission. |
| US09489935B2 |
Ambient gas flow alarm
A gas flow alarm includes a main barrel with a proximal end and a distal end. The main barrel defines a gas flow direction from the proximal end to the distal end. A cap is disposed slidingly on the main barrel between a proximal position and a distal position. The proximal position of the cap defines a compressed condition of the gas flow alarm and the distal position of the cap defines an expanded condition of the gas flow alarm. A noise generating device is disposed within the main barrel. The noise generating device is adapted to generate noise from the gas flow when the gas flow alarm is in the expanded condition. |
| US09489931B2 |
Musical drum with removable snare assembly
A housing for a musical instrument having a resonant chamber made from several integrated panel members with at least one snare assembly inside having individual wires having a first end portion connected to a first mounting member releasably supported at a first position and a second end portion connected to a second mounting member releasably supported at a second position. First and second mounting members are disposed to vertically stretch the wires substantially taut in continuous contact relation with the inside surface of one panel member. First and second wedge-shaped support members, which are is secured at the first and second positions, respectively, are spaced apart and have sloping surfaces disposed towards the inside surface of a panel member, and are conformed to receive corresponding first and second mounting members in angular relation. |
| US09489930B1 |
Wrist alignment device for stringed musical instruments
A wrist alignment system for attachment to a stringed musical instrument comprising a neck and a nose, the system comprising a device comprising a three-dimensional smooth body comprising a substantially flat planar end, a substantially oblong end opposite the flat planar end, a top rounded edge, a substantially flat bottom edge and integral first and second attachment elements, the first attachment element attached to the flat planar end, the second attachment element attached to the substantially flat bottom edge, the first and second attachment elements being substantially arcical in shape and comprising two gripping ends adapted to removably attach the device to the neck and the nose of the instrument, respectively, wherein the device places a player's wrist in substantially vertical alignment with the corresponding forearm of the player and allows rotation of the wrist for placement of the player's fingers on the fingerboard. |
| US09489927B2 |
Information processing device for controlling direction of display image and control method thereof
Information indicating a posture of the information processing device is periodically detected. When the posture of the information processing device indicated by the information has changed, the first display change unit rotates the image displayed on display unit. At this time, determination is made whether or not to cancel the rotation of the image by the first display change unit. If it is determined to cancel to rotate the image, the second display change unit changes the direction of the image to display on the display section to the direction to which the image was directed before it was rotated by the first display change unit. |
| US09489921B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying plurality of different images of object
Provided is a method of displaying a plurality of different images of an object, the method including displaying a first image produced with respect to the object; selecting at least one region of interest (ROI) from a displayed first image obtained therefrom; producing at least one second image of different type with respect to a selected region of interest; and displaying a first image and the at least one second image. |
| US09489918B2 |
Information processing methods and electronic devices for adjusting display based on ambient light
Information processing methods and electronic devices are provided. A method for an electronic device with a display unit may comprise: determining a first environmental light parameter under an environment where the electronic device is disposed; and determining a first display parameter for output by the display unit based on the first environmental light parameter. When the display unit performs display based on the first display parameter, a difference between a first color temperature of the display unit and a second color temperature of the environment may be less than a first preset threshold. |
| US09489917B2 |
Color perception tester, control program and method of controlling color perception tester
A color perception test has a color matching processor that executes a color matching processing on a color monitor, and an image display controller that displays two or more images for color perception test in order on the color monitor on which the color matching processing was done. When displaying each image for color perception test, a color perception test is done in a state that one of its hue, brightness, saturation and display time is changed and the other elements are fixed. Since the color perception tester has the color matching processor, colors of the image are not changed with passage of time different from color printed one, and correct test can be done thereby. If the test is periodically done on some examinee, a degree of decreasing color perception function by aging can be exactly known. |
| US09489915B2 |
Display method, display device and computer system
A display method for a display device to display a display information includes receiving the display information to generate a first classification group display information and a second classification group display information; and displaying the first classification group display information at a first display zone in a first display period and displaying the second classification group display information at a second display zone in a second display period; wherein the display device corresponds to a matrix and a plurality of matrix units of the matrix correspond to a plurality of display units, such that the plurality of display units of the first display zone neighbor with the plurality of display units of the second display zone and both are disposed at different matrix units with different column or row information. |
| US09489913B2 |
Flexible display apparatus and control method thereof
A flexible display apparatus is provided. The flexible display apparatus includes: a display configured to display an object on a screen; an actuator configured to provide shape deformation to the display; and a controller configured to determine deformation information for reconfiguring and displaying the object, control the actuator to provide the shape deformation according to the determined deformation information, and control the display to reconfigure the displayed object and display the reconfigured object. |
| US09489912B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method for driving liquid crystal display apparatus
Provided is a liquid crystal display apparatus employing a drive method whereby nonuniform electric field is not generated in pixels. This liquid crystal display apparatus is provided with a first substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, a second substrate, a common electrode, a counter electrode, a liquid crystal layer, and a drive unit. The drive unit executes drive operations including: operations of setting the potential of the first electrode at a low level, the potential of the second electrode at a high level, and the potential of the counter electrode at the high level; operations of setting the potential at the high level, the potential at the low level, and the potential at the high level; operations of setting the potential at the low level, the potential at the high level, and the potential at the low level; and operations of setting the potential at the high level, the potential at the low level, and the potential at the low level. |
| US09489909B2 |
Method of driving a display panel, display panel driving apparatus for performing the method and display apparatus having the display panel driving apparatus
A method of driving a display panel includes detecting a position of a viewer to output a viewer position detection signal, determining whether the position of the viewer is in a first area or in a second area based on the viewer position detection signal to output a viewer position signal, and driving a unit pixel of the display panel using a plurality of gamma values according to the viewer position signal. The first area is less than a reference distance, and the second area is not less than the reference distance. Thus, side visibility of a display apparatus may be improved. |
| US09489900B2 |
Display device that can suppress the unevenness of reflection brilliance due to the glare of an outside light on a display surface
A display device that can suppress the unevenness of reflection brilliance due to the glare of an outside light on a display surface, and can achieve the enhancement of the visibility of a display image. For preventing the unevenness of the reflection brilliance due to the glare of the outside light on the front surface of the display of the display device, a display device according to an aspect of the present invention corrects the display brilliance of the display image on the display and suppresses the unevenness. That is, the display brilliance of the display image is corrected for each pixel, such that a mixed display brilliance MDB resulting from adding the reflection brilliance on the front surface of the display and the display brilliance of the display image becomes a brilliance in accordance with a characteristic curve OMDBC that is fixed regardless of the reflection brilliance R. |
| US09489899B2 |
Control circuit for continuous smooth reduction of backlight luminance, and a display thereof
A control circuit having large effects of low power consumption in CABC drive is provided. The control circuit performs B/L luminance reduction in eliminating a discomfort in image quality by using the feature value calculation circuit in the video signal. The control circuit comprises a luminance control circuit controlling a backlight luminance according to an inputted video signal and a gradation conversion circuit for converting a gradation of inputted video signal according to a controlled luminance. The control circuit reduces continuously and smoothly the backlight luminance, while the screen area reaches one-pixel white, in case where the all white is inputted as video signal, one-pixel black is displayed in any screen area from a display condition of all white, a rate of screen area displaying one-pixel black is gradually increased, and the video signal is continuously changed until the screen area of all white reaches the one-pixel white. |
| US09489898B2 |
LED boost converter and backlight LED driver device using the same
The present disclosure discloses an LED boost converter and an LED backlight driver using the same. The LED boost converter comprises an inductive boost circuit used in different display modes for boosting an input voltage to a working voltage necessary for the operation of LED in a current display mode; a detecting circuit used in different display modes for selecting different detecting resistors for the different display modes so as to provide different detecting currents in the inductive boost circuit; and a controller used for providing a pulse width modulation signal so as to drive the inductive boost circuit, and for detecting whether a detecting voltage corresponding to the detecting current exceeds a reference voltage. The present disclosure can avoid possible element failure or abnormal protection in the 3D display mode by arranging a detecting circuit in the LED boost converter so as to offer detecting resistors corresponding to the working currents of the 2D display mode and the 3D display mode respectively. |
| US09489894B2 |
Pixel circuit and driving method thereof, and thin film transistor backboard
There is provided a pixel circuit comprising a driving transistor (DTFT), a signal loading module, a light emitting control module and a storage capacitor (Cs). The pixel circuit can effectively eliminate the non-uniformity due to the threshold voltage of the driving transistor (DTFT) itself and the afterimage phenomenon due to the threshold voltage drift when driving the OLED, avoid the display brightness non-uniformity due to different threshold voltages of the driving transistors (DTFT) between the OLEDs of different pixel units. There is further provided a driving method for the above pixel circuit and a TFT backboard comprising the above pixel circuit. |
| US09489889B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An OLED display having a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel arranged in a matrix format including: a substrate; gate lines formed on the substrate; data lines crossing the gate lines in the insulated manner; a plurality of driving power lines formed on the substrate and including a first driving power line transmitting a driving voltage to the first pixel, second driving power line transmitting a driving voltage to the second pixel, and a third driving power line transmitting a driving voltage to the third pixel; a switching thin film transistor connected with the gate lines and the data lines; a driving transistor connected with the switching thin film transistor and the driving power lines; a first electrode connected with the driving transistor; an organic light emitting member formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on the organic light emitting member. |
| US09489888B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method of driving the same to include a compensation strategy applied during different time periods
A method of driving an organic light emitting display device includes sensing characteristics of driving TFTs of pixels to generate sensing data at a power-on time when the organic light emitting display device is powered on, merging initial compensation data and the sensing data at the power-on time to compensate for the characteristics of the driving TFTs of all the pixels, displaying an image in a driving mode and sequentially sensing characteristics of driving TFTs of a plurality of pixels in units of one horizontal line in real time during a blank interval between frames, and sequentially compensating for the characteristics of the driving TFTs of the pixels in units of one horizontal line in real time by using a real-time sensing data generated by real-time sensing. |
| US09489886B2 |
Active matrix organic light emitting diode display
An improved AM OLED pixel circuit and method of wide dynamic range dimming for AM OLED displays are disclosed that maintain color balance throughout the dimming range, and also maintain the uniformity of the luminance and chromaticity of the display at low gray-levels as the display is dimmed to lower luminance values. As such, AM OLED displays can meet the stringent color/dimming specifications required for existing and future avionics, cockpit, and hand-held military device display applications. Essentially, the OLED pixel circuit and method of dimming that are disclosed use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) of the OLED pixel current to achieve the desired display luminance. Two example circuits are disclosed that externally PW modulate the common cathode voltage or common power supply voltage to modulate the OLED current in order to achieve the desired display luminance. Three example circuits are disclosed that incorporate additional transistor switches in the pixel circuit to modulate the OLED current during the frame time. By PWM of the OLED current, in combination with data voltage (or current) modulation, wide dynamic range dimming can be achieved while maintaining the color balance and the luminance and chromaticity uniformity required over the surface of the display involved. |
| US09489885B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a substrate; a scan line formed on the substrate and that transfers a scan signal; a data line and a driving voltage line that intersect the scan line and that transfer a data signal and a driving voltage, respectively; a switching thin film transistor (TFT) connected to the scan line and the data line; a driving TFT connected to the switching TFT and the driving voltage line; an OLED connected to the driving TFT; a storage capacitor connected between the driving voltage line and a driving gate electrode of the driving TFT; and a boosting capacitor connected to the storage capacitor, wherein the storage capacitor has at least one capacitor opening. |
| US09489874B1 |
Reporting open sign
An open sign, including a body including a circuit in electrical communication with a lighting and an internet connector configured to send a store data, and a power supply in electrical communication with the lighting and the internet connector. |
| US09489873B2 |
Textile fastener with cover
Embodiments are directed to textile fasteners. In one embodiment, the textile fastener may include a spherical member and a receiving member. The receiving member may include a flange portion and an opening within the flange portion where the opening is configured to receive the spherical member. In an embodiment, the insertion of the spherical member at least partially into the opening applies a friction force between the textile and the receiving member thereby attaching the textile fastener to the textile. In particular, magnetic interaction between the spherical member and the receiving member may maintain the friction force between the textile and the receiving member. The textile fastener also includes a cover member that substantially conceals the spherical member and the receiving member from view. The cover member may be an ornamental or functional structure, including a wearable electronic device. |
| US09489870B2 |
Medical simulators with energy harvesting power supplies
Devices, systems, and methods appropriate for use in medical training are provided. In some implementations, the devices, systems, and methods are not dependent on external power supplies or internal batteries. A patient simulator is provided that includes a simulated patient body portion; and an electric-harvesting system positioned within the simulated patient body portion. The electric-harvesting system converts mechanical energy applied to the simulated patient body portion into electric energy for use by one or more components of the simulated body portion. |
| US09489868B2 |
Device for simulating the operation of a medication delivery device
A simulation device for simulating the operation of a medication delivery device comprises a housing (1) and a moveable element (4) partly disposed in the housing (1). The moveable element is moveable from a first position to a second position. |
| US09489865B2 |
Language learning exchange
Systems and methods to enable users to communicate via a language learning exchange are provided herein. One aspect includes registering through a computing device one or more users in a user community of an online language learning platform, the one or more users associated with profile information comprising user name, native language, and language of interest elements; accessing language content for use by the one or more users; matching the one or more users with one or more complementary users; and making the language content available to the users via a language learning exchange interface. |
| US09489863B2 |
Performance monitoring systems and methods
Systems and methods for electronically creating and modifying a fitness plan are disclosed. The method may include receiving an input of a workout parameter, generating workout plan data based on the workout parameter, displaying the workout plan data to suggest a workout activity, collecting performance data, and generating second workout plan data. |
| US09489854B2 |
Computing technologies for diagnosis and therapy of language-related disorders
The present disclosure relates to computing technologies for diagnosis and therapy of language-related disorders. Such technologies enable computer-generated diagnosis and computer-generated therapy delivered over a network to at least one computing device. The diagnosis and therapy are customized for each patient through a comprehensive analysis of the patient's production and reception errors, as obtained from the patient over the network, together with a set of correct responses at each phase of evaluation and therapy. |
| US09489853B2 |
Reading and information enhancement system and method
A written document (hereinafter referred to as a “work,” on electronic format which includes, stories, novels, education texts, biographies, compilations, collections, anthologies, tracts, and any other traditional format for relatively extensive texts) provides access to reference, bibliography and/or definition material through an electronic software capability associated with the work. Depending upon reader access information or characteristics (e.g., age, grade, proficiency, or position within the work or any other identifiable reader characteristic or access limitation), any request for reference material, definitions, explanations, translations, or other material provided in the associated software capability is automatically limited by system acknowledgement of the reader access information or characteristics. As the reader's access information or characteristics change, the quality and/or quantity and/or format of requested information with respect to a work changes. |
| US09489850B2 |
Method for engine torque adjustment
In a method for engine torque adjustment of a propulsion engine in a vehicle, the vehicle surroundings are monitored with the aid of surroundings sensors, the actual engine torque being reduced with regard to the torque intended by the driver when an obstacle is recognized. |
| US09489846B2 |
Modifying directions to a parking lot associated with a venue based on traffic conditions proximate to the parking lot
A venue is associated with various parking lots, and a user may purchase a space in one of the parking lots. A venue management system associated with the venue stores an association between the user and the parking lot. Based on a location of a client device associated with the user, the venue management system communicates navigation directions to the client device for presentation to the user. The directions communicated to the client device account for traffic conditions within a threshold distance of the parking lot, and the venue management system may modify stored directions to the parking lot based on the traffic conditions and communicate the modified directions to the client device for presentation to the user. Additionally, the traffic conditions used by the venue management system include information describing on current usage of various parking lots associated with the venue to allow the user to bypass congestion. |
| US09489843B2 |
Map provision server and map provision method
In order to enable information about dangers from the perspective of users using various means of transportation to be collected, a map provision server (1) is equipped with: a data acquisition unit (11) that acquires from multiple vehicles (20) driving information (FCD) containing instances of sudden braking and the locations where the sudden braking occurred; a dangerous location identification unit (121) which, on the basis of the acquired driving information, identifies dangerous locations (41) where many instances of sudden braking have occurred; and a posting column generation unit (122) that places the dangerous locations (41) on a map and generates a posting column (60) capable of receiving postings from users and associated with the dangerous locations (41) placed on the map. The map on which the dangerous locations (41) have been placed is provided to a user terminal (4). |
| US09489841B1 |
Portable multi-function roadway barrier
A roadway barrier is provided for detecting a dangerous traffic condition. The roadway barrier includes a control module comprising at least one processor, a computer readable storage medium, and executable instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium; a display in communication with the control module; and at least one sensor oriented to measure data related to an approaching vehicle. The roadway barrier is positioned adjacent a safety zone such that the at least one sensor is oriented in a direction to detect traffic approaching the adjacent safety zone. The control module receives data from the at least one sensor related to a speed and direction of an approaching vehicle and determines, based on a speed, distance, predetermined reactionary response times, road surface drag factors and direction of the vehicle whether the stopping distance of the vehicle is estimated to be capable of stopping prior to entering the safety zone. |
| US09489838B2 |
Probabilistic road system reporting
Probabilistic road system reporting may involve determining a probability that a section of road is congested, calculating the congestion levels for sections of road having a high probability of congestion, and providing calculated congestion levels. The high probability congestion road sections may also be subject to more frequent congestion level calculation and updating than road sections having lesser probabilities of congestion. |
| US09489836B2 |
Control system and passive device control method
A control system includes a server, an active device and a passive device. An operation interface information is stored in the server. The active device is wirelessly connected with the passive device according to a communication identification information. When a device information of the passive device is acquired by the active device, a control application program of the active device retrieves the operation interface information from the server according to the device information. Consequently, an operation interface corresponding to the operation interface information is displayed on the active device. By operating the operation interface, the passive device is correspondingly controlled. |
| US09489835B2 |
System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s). |
| US09489834B2 |
Noise-reducing motorized gearbox assembly for automating window coverings
An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor and configured to actuate a window covering. The gearbox includes an internal wall enclosing gears of the gearbox, and an external wall enclosing the internal wall and creating a cavity between the internal wall and the external wall. The external wall is configured to support an output shaft extending from the internal wall. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein. |
| US09489833B2 |
Remote control and communication method for remote control
A remote control for controlling a controllable device, including: an infrared transmitter that transmits information via infrared light; a wireless transceiver that transmits information by wireless communication via radio waves; a receiver that receives, from a user, control information to be transmitted to the controllable device; a wireless communication determination unit configured to determine whether wireless communication between the wireless transceiver and the controllable device is possible; and a control unit configured to select, based on a result of the determination by the wireless communication determination unit, one of the infrared transmitter and the wireless transceiver for transmission of the control information to the controllable device, and cause the selected one of the infrared transmitter and the wireless transceiver to transmit the control information to the controllable device. |
| US09489828B2 |
Programmable security sensor
Various embodiments of a programmable barrier alarm are described. In one embodiment, a programmable barrier alarm comprises a magnet and a sensor, the sensor comprising a magnetic field detector for sensing a magnetic field produced by the magnet and for producing an electronic signal associated with the magnetic field, a processor, and, a memory for storing an alarm threshold value and processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the sensor to, in a calibration mode of operation, calculate the alarm threshold value based on a first magnetic field sensed by the magnetic field detector when the barrier is in the closed position, and in a normal mode of operation, compare the electronic signal from the magnetic field detector to the alarm threshold value, and generate an alarm signal if the electronic signal falls below the alarm threshold value. |
| US09489827B2 |
System and method for distributing content in a video surveillance network
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes creating a key from a hash of a resource identifier associated with a video object; storing the video object in a distributed hash table with the key; and replicating the video object in the distributed hash table based on a redundancy factor associated with the video object. In more particular embodiments, the method can include fragmenting the video object into segments; creating sub-keys with a hash of resource identifiers associated with each of the segments; storing the segments in the distributed hash table with the sub-keys; and replicating the segments in the distributed hash table based on the redundancy factor. |
| US09489825B1 |
Computerized school safety system
A computerized school safety system is disclosed for providing information to an emergency responder about an alert at a school. The system includes a computerized processor including programming configured to monitor inputs from a mobile computerized device within the school, the inputs including location data for the mobile computerized device, combine the inputs with a floor plan for the school, and provide a tactical display to the emergency responder comprising the combined inputs and floor plan. |
| US09489823B2 |
Security system and alarm activation control
A controller arms an alarm aspect of a corresponding security system. The corresponding security system is initially configured to audibly activate an alarm in response to detecting motion of free-to-roam entities in a monitored location. The free-to-roam entities can be provided unrestricted access into the monitored location. In addition to monitoring for presence of motion at the monitored location, the security system monitors the location for presence of a disarming device. At times of detecting presence of the disarming device at the monitored location, the security system prevents activation of the alarm based on detecting the motion of the free-to-roam entities. |
| US09489818B2 |
Bed status system for a patient support apparatus
A bed status system includes a patient support apparatus having a status, a location unit configured to provide a location to the patient support apparatus, and a bed status module coupled to the location unit and the patient support apparatus to receive the status and the location. |
| US09489809B1 |
Wearable indicator devices and methods of using same
Disclosed are wearable indicator devices and methods of using same. The device is a head-mounted device for detecting an alert condition and providing an alert to a user. The device has a display unit with one or more LEDs and a driver circuit configured to control the brightness of the one or more LEDs. The device also has a control unit having a microprocessor, a memory buffer in electronic communication with the microprocessor, a microphone in electronic communication with the microprocessor, and a radio transceiver configured to interface with an external computing system. The microprocessor can be configured to gather audio samples from the microphone, analyze one or more gathered audio samples for an alert condition, transmit the alert condition, and control the LEDs based on the alert condition. |
| US09489807B2 |
Life safety device with compact circumferential acoustic resonator
Low frequency alarm tones emitted by life safety devices are more likely to notify sleeping children and the elderly. Disclosed herein is a life safety device equipped with a novel, compact, circumferential resonant cavity which increases the low frequency (400-600 Hz square wave) acoustic efficiency of an audio output apparatus formed by acoustically coupling an audio output transducer to the resonant cavity. The resonant cavity is a compact circumferential acoustic resonator with a captured mass of air within a ring shaped cavity significantly reducing the overall size of the resonator, thereby permitting the audio output apparatus to fit within the housing of conventional size life safety devices such as, but not limited to, residential and commercial smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. The compact resonator is an acoustic compliant cavity with internal passages transforming axial traveling sound waves to circumferentially traveling sound waves thereby yielding a very compact geometry. |
| US09489804B2 |
Community gaming system with varying eligibility criteria
A computer-implemented method includes displaying a community game on at least one display device. Dependent upon a first player playing an underlying wagering game via a first terminal, the first player is permitted to participate in the community game. The community game is distinct from the underlying wagering game. Not dependent upon a second player playing an underlying wagering game via a second terminal, the second player is permitted to participate in the community game. |
| US09489799B2 |
Lottery games on an electronic gaming machine
Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine. |
| US09489798B2 |
System and method of providing wagering opportunities based on invitations
The invention relates to systems and methods of placing real-world wagers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers based on invitations to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the invitations even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the invitations. The system may provide an invitation to participate in a reveal opportunity. For example, the system may invite the user to play a specific game (e.g., “play this game to claim five dollars”), interact with multi-media content (e.g., “watch a video to win ten dollars”), challenge one or more other players (e.g., “challenge another player to win two dollars”), engage in some other objective, and/or otherwise accept an opportunity to reveal at least a portion of a payout that has not yet been revealed. |
| US09489792B1 |
Managing gaming data rule sets and communications
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include accumulating data for a plurality of events that a first application generates during a wagering game session from a plurality of wagering game sessions associated with a wagering game player account. The operations can further include detecting that occurrence of at least one of the plurality of events would cause a second application to award a level of progress in a persistent-state game. A state of the persistent-state game is persisted across the plurality of the wagering game sessions for the wagering game player account. The operations can further include providing the data to the second application, after the occurrence of a trigger, such as in response to determining the at least one of the plurality of events would cause the second application to award the level of progress in the persistent-state game. |
| US09489790B2 |
Data processing device and data processing system
A data processing device is provided between a cash processing terminal cluster in a local network and an external network outside the local network. The data processing device includes a data acquisition section that acquires, in the local network, serial numbers obtained from banknotes read by a cash processing terminal configuring the cash processing terminal cluster, and results of recognition of the banknotes by the cash processing terminal; a storage controller that associates the serial numbers and the recognition results with each other and stores the serial numbers and the recognition results in a storage section; and a comparison section that, in cases in which the serial numbers and banknote recognition results have been acquired from any cash processing terminal configuring the cash processing terminal cluster, compares the banknote recognition results against the stored recognition results associated with the serial numbers. |
| US09489789B2 |
Electronic key registration method and electronic key registration system
A method for registering an electronic key includes storing an electronic key ID and an encryption code in a controller to register the electronic key to the controller, and associating a communication subject ID, which is unique to a communication subject, with a controller ID, which is unique to the controller storing the electronic key ID and the encryption code, and the electronic key ID. |
| US09489782B2 |
Collect vehicle performance with a PDT
A mobile device includes: a display; a data reader for reading data from an information bearing medium; at least one vehicle data collection device; a global positioning system (GPS); a wireless communications module; a memory device; a processor; and a housing configured for placement in a vehicle and supporting the display, the data reader, the vehicle data collection device, the GPS module, the wireless communications module, the memory device and the processor, wherein the vehicle data collection device facilitates monitoring at least one vehicle performance characteristic. |
| US09489776B2 |
Gen II meter system
Apparatus for controlling and monitoring vehicle parking meter systems wherein a plurality of programmable single space parking meters enable the resetting of time upon a vehicle departure and the occurrence of any other operational parameter; multiple low power microprocessors for monitoring and initiating changes in the logic for all the devices monitoring the parking meter spaces; a plurality of specialized microprocessors for monitoring the system to assure reliable operation thereof; a master operational microprocessor connected to each of the additional low power microprocessors for monitoring of and control of any changes in the logic to establish new operating parameters for the low power microprocessors; a centralized operational controller accessible to parking personnel to monitor and control the space monitoring units from a remote location; a pass-through radio frequency communication device for passing messages from the centralized operational controller to and from each space monitoring unit by way of the internet; and a power supply comprising a rechargeable battery receiving a charge from any combination of high energy density-low current battery and/or a solar panel mounted onto the power supply. |
| US09489773B2 |
Caching support for visual search and augmented reality in mobile networks
A visual search and augmented reality are performed in a communication system that includes an Internet network attached to a mobile network. Data related to objects that are geographically related to at least one intermediate node is stored in at least one intermediate node in the mobile network. This involves transmitting a request for metadata from a user equipment in the mobile network towards the Internet network via the at least one intermediate node. The request comprises object recognition data related to an object geographically related to the at least one intermediate node. The request is de-tunnelled and intercepted in an intermediate node of the at least one intermediate node. |
| US09489768B2 |
Semantic dense 3D reconstruction
A method to reconstruct 3D model of an object includes receiving with a processor a set of training data including images of the object from various viewpoints; learning a prior comprised of a mean shape describing a commonality of shapes across a category and a set of weighted anchor points encoding similarities between instances in appearance and spatial consistency; matching anchor points across instances to enable learning a mean shape for the category; and modeling the shape of an object instance as a warped version of a category mean, along with instance-specific details. |
| US09489766B2 |
Position searching method and apparatus based on electronic map
The present invention relates to electronic maps, and provides a position searching method and apparatus based on an electronic map. The method includes: receiving a keyword of a searching object; searching the electronic map with the keyword to obtain a current geographical position; acquiring panoramic images of a plurality of scenes that are located within a geographical area around the current geo-geographical position and of a predetermined size; calculating coordinates of the searching object in one of the panoramic images according to position-related information of each scene; generating an image from an image area of the one of the panoramic images and outputting the image, wherein the image area is centered on the coordinates and of a predetermined size. The present invention can accurately position an image associated with the searching object, and has the advantages of low cost and less amount of data. |
| US09489765B2 |
Silhouette-based object and texture alignment, systems and methods
An object-image alignment data generating method for use in an object recognition system is presented. The method obtains a 3D model and a set of 2D images of the object. Each 2D image from the set is captured based on a particular camera point of view. The method then uses the 3D model of the object to generate multiple silhouettes of the object according to different camera point of views. Each silhouette is then matched and aligned with a 2D image based on the corresponding camera point of view. The method also derives at least one descriptor from the 2D images and compiles feature points that correspond to the descriptors. Each feature point includes a 2D location and a 3D location. The method then generates an object-image alignment packet by packaging the 2D images, the descriptors, and the feature points. |
| US09489764B2 |
Method of generating three-dimensional (3D) volumetric data
A method of generating three-dimensional (3D) volumetric data may be performed by generating a multilayer image, generating volume information and a type of a visible part of an object, based on the generated multilayer image, and generating volume information and a type of an invisible part of the object, based on the generated multilayer image. The volume information and the type of each of the visible part and invisible part may be generated based on the generated multilayered image which may be include at least one of a ray-casting-based multilayer image, a chroma key screen-based multilayer image, and a primitive template-based multilayer image. |
| US09489763B2 |
Techniques for setting up and executing draw calls
One embodiment sets forth a method for processing draw calls that includes setting up a plurality of shader input buffers in memory, receiving shader input data related to a graphics scene from a software application, storing the shader input data in the plurality of shader input buffers, computing a pointer to each shader input buffer included in the plurality of shader input buffers, and passing the pointers to the plurality of shader input buffers to the software application. By implementing the disclosed techniques, a shader program advantageously can access the shader input data associated with a graphics scene and stored in various shader input buffers without having to go through the central processing unit to have the shader input buffers binded to the shader program. |
| US09489762B2 |
Delivering and controlling streaming interactive media comprising rendered geometric, texture and lighting data
In an exemplary embodiment, a method, conducted on a server, sends renderable graphics information to a client device, said graphics information including at least one set of graphics information visible from a second view region and not visible from a first view region. The method includes determining a likelihood that a viewpoint undergoes movement from said first view region to said second view region. The method further includes sending said at least one set of graphics information upon determination that the likelihood that the viewpoint undergoes movement from said first view region to said second view region is greater than a predetermined threshold, said movement determined according to a predetermined motion path. |
| US09489754B2 |
Annotation of map geometry vertices
Some embodiments provide a method for a mapping service. The method receives a set of road segments for a map region. For each road segment in the set, the method generates a geometry that includes a set of vertices that define a boundary for the road segment. The geometries are included as part of a map tile for the map region. The map tiles are for downloading to user devices that render map presentations using the geometries. For several of the vertices, the method stores data with the vertices that specifies for the device at least one aspect of rendering the road for the map presentation. |
| US09489753B1 |
Reconstruction of three dimensional model of an object from surface or slice scans compensating for motion blur
Techniques for creating a three dimensional model of an object and eliminate artifacts due to object motion. Such techniques are applied to line scans and slice scans of an object. |
| US09489749B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
The image coding method is used to code images to generate a coded stream. The image coding method includes: writing, into a sequence parameter set in the coded stream to be generated, a first parameter representing a first bit-depth that is a bit-depth of a reconstructed sample in the images; and writing, into the sequence parameter set, a second parameter which is different from the first parameter and represents a second bit-depth that is a bit-depth of an Intra Pulse Code Modulation (IPCM) sample in the images. |
| US09489745B1 |
Using depth maps of a scene to identify movement of a video camera
A process recomputes zones for a scene. The process is performed at a computing device having one or more processors and memory. The memory stores one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors. The process receives a first image of a scene taken by an array of image sensors of a camera system at a first time and receives designation from a user of a zone within the first image. The process also receives a second image of the scene taken by the array of image sensors at a second time that is after the first time. The process compares the first and second images to identify movement of the camera and notifies the user about a change to the zone when the camera has moved. |
| US09489737B2 |
Object detection apparatus and method
According to one embodiment, an object detection apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a first detector, a determination unit, and a second detector. The acquisition unit acquires frames in a time-series manner. The first detector detects a predetermined object in each of the frames. The determination unit stores detection results corresponding to the frames, compares a first detection result corresponding to a first frame of the frames with a second detection result corresponding to a second frame of the frames, and determines whether false negative of the predetermined object exists in the second frame. The second detector detects the predetermined object in the second frames when it is determined that false negative of the predetermined object exists. The second detector differs in performance from the first detector. |
| US09489735B1 |
Multiplexed temporal calibration for event-based cameras
Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for calibrating an event-based camera are presented. One example method includes the steps of receiving a calibration image comprising intensity information for a set of image elements defining the calibration image; iteratively, until a threshold number of different image elements have been projected: selecting a portion of the calibration image corresponding to a subset of image elements of the set of image elements, the subset comprising less than all image elements in the set of image elements, and comprising at least one image element not previously selected; projecting the selected portion of the calibration image onto a sensor of the event-based camera; detecting, by the sensor, the selected portion of the calibration image; generating a set of detected pixels corresponding to the detecting; and discontinuing projection of the selected portion; and determining, for a position of the event-based camera, at least one calibration parameter using the generated sets of detected pixels. |
| US09489733B2 |
Query-specific generation and retrieval of medical volume images
Methods and a system are disclosed for providing a mechanism for searching and extracting three-dimensional regions of interest in image archives. In at least one embodiment, a textual search query serves as input and is processed in order to provide a newly generated query-specific volume image, including computed sub-volumes covering the anatomical structure the query refers to. The query is input via a graphical search interface and the sub-volumes are outputted also via the graphical search interface. |
| US09489730B2 |
Method and device for safeguarding a hazardous working area of an automated machine
A method and device for safeguarding a hazardous working area includes a camera system for generating successive 3-D images of the working area, and an evaluation unit comprising a fail-safe foreign object detector, a classifier, a person tracker and a comparator. The foreign object detector generates a first signal comprising a first item of position information, representative of the position of a foreign object in the protection zone. The classifier attempts to identify the foreign object as a person. The person tracker tracks an identified person using a series of current 3-D images and, after each new 3-D image, determines a second item of position information representing the current position of the identified person. If the position of the foreign object according to the first item of position information and the position of the identified person are different from one another, a control signal for stopping the machine is generated. |
| US09489728B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus for obtaining an image with a higher signal to noise ratio with reduced specular reflection
An image processing method which includes obtaining a normal image captured with all polarization components of light from an object, and a polarization image captured with specific polarization components out of all the polarization components of the light. The method further includes generating a difference image between the normal image and the polarization image; calculating, using pixel values of the difference image, a coefficient to be multiplied by at least one of a pixel value of the normal image and a pixel value of the polarization image; and synthesizing the normal image and the polarization image using a pixel value obtained by multiplying the coefficient by the at least one of the pixel value of the normal image and the pixel value of the polarization image to generate a synthesized image. |
| US09489725B2 |
Method and device for expanding a dynamic range of display device
An apparatus generates pixel data in a display. RGB pixel data is received corresponding to a target pixel of an image. A local adaption level is determined for the RGB pixel data representing perceived brightness of the RGB pixel data. The local adaption level is modified to generate a modified local adaption level. A transfer curve is generated based on the modified local adaption level and the transfer curve is applied to the input RGB pixel data. A local dimming value is generated to drive a light source driver of the display based on RGB pixel data for each of the pixels in the local dimming block and RGBW pixel data for each of the pixels in the local dimming block. |
| US09489724B2 |
Three-dimensional stereoscopic projection on complex surfaces
A method of displaying. The method includes using a system including three-dimensional stereoscopic projection equipment to project an image onto a complex surface of a physical object disposed in an area. The complex surface includes at least one curve or angle. The system also includes a device worn by a user or disposed on a mobile device. The method further includes warping the image based on a geometry of the complex surface, tracking a position and orientation of the user or the mobile device, and further warping the image based on the position and orientation. |
| US09489723B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus, image signal processing method and program to suppress color shift caused by lens distortion
Provided is an image signal processing apparatus including multiple color support distortion correcting units receiving a color signal of a correction target image, performing image distortion correction of a color based on a lens distortion characteristic and generating a correction image supporting the color. Each of the multiple color support distortion correcting units performs processing of receiving a reference signal indicating a pixel position in an input image applied to calculate a pixel value of an output correction image, and setting a pixel value of the pixel position indicated by the reference signal in the input image as an output pixel value. |
| US09489719B2 |
Image processing device, imaging device, computer, image processing method and computer readable non-transitory medium
An image processing device includes a statistical information acquiring unit, an optical information acquiring unit, a filter information calculating unit and a filter coefficient calculating unit. The filter information calculating unit obtains filter information of a restoration filter for point image restoration processing according to at least one of statistical information and optical information. The filter information includes information related to number of taps of the restoration filter and information indicating a kind of symmetry of the restoration filter. The filter coefficient calculating unit calculates a filter coefficient of the restoration filter according to the statistical information and the optical information with at least the information related to the number of taps of the restoration filter and the information indicating the kind of the symmetry of the restoration filter of the filter information as a constraint condition. |
| US09489718B2 |
Display apparatus and image processing method thereof which decode an image in unit of minimum coded unit
The display apparatus includes: a display; a decoder which decodes an image in unit of a MCU; a scaler which scales the decoded image; a memory which stores the scaled image; and a controller which controls the display to display the scaled image, sets an RAU structure of the image, and further stores in the memory image information corresponding to the RAU structure. Thus, even if a decoded and scaled image is zoomed in, the quality of the zoomed image may be maintained at a high level. |
| US09489708B2 |
Parallel approximation of distance maps
Method for parallel approximation of distance maps on a discrete representation of a manifold, the method comprising: for at least one Euclidean grid applied on the discrete representation of a manifold, iterating over rows of the Euclidean grid in a first direction, and for each row currently visited during the iterating in the first direction, calculating a distance value for each single cell of the currently visited row in parallel, wherein the calculating is carried out according to a predefined approximation rule, using a distance value calculated for each one of respective cells of a row visited immediately before the currently visited row, wherein the cells of the row visited before the currently visited row are adjacent to the single cell in the Euclidean grid. |
| US09489706B2 |
Device and algorithm for capturing high dynamic range (HDR) video
Embodiments are directed towards enabling digital cameras to digitally process a captured a Low Dynamic Range image sequence at a real time video rate, and to convert the image sequence into an High Dynamic Range (HDR) image sequence using a pipelined architecture. Two or more image frames are captured using different exposure settings and then combined to form a single HDR output frame in a video sequence. The pipelined architecture operate on adjacent image frames by performing an image alignment, an image mixing, and a tone mapping on the adjacent image frames to generate the HDR image sequence. |
| US09489704B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking public transportation vehicles using an internet-enabled device
A system for tracking a public transportation vehicle includes a reporting device implemented on the public transportation vehicle that transmits a signal including information regarding an identity of the public transportation vehicle and a receiving device implemented on a public transportation station that receives the signal from the reporting device and communicates the information regarding the identity of the public transportation vehicle and a time-stamp regarding an arrival of the public transportation vehicle at the public transportation station. The system further includes an internet-enabled back-end server that receives the communication from the reporting device and stores the identity of the public transportation vehicle and the time-stamp regarding the arrival of the public transportation vehicle at the public transportation station in a database of the back-end server. The back-end server is configured to allow access of its database by an internet-enabled commuter device. |
| US09489696B1 |
Estimating a cost using a controllable inspection vehicle
Disclosed systems and methods automatically assess claims. A device may receive one or more images of a claimed object, such as a building or vehicle, compare the images to reference images and generate an estimate of financial damages to the object. The device may then generate a claim assessment based on previous comparisons and generated estimates. The claim assessment may be sent directly to a client or to an agent for review and/or processing. |
| US09489695B1 |
Extensible infrastructure for managing workflow on a plurality of installed application components that interact with a central hosted component
Managing workflow on a plurality of installed application components that interact with a central hosted component is disclosed. A new rule is defined on the central hosted component. The new rule is applied, based on data provided by an installed application component and information that is managed by the central hosted component, to generate a new action item to be executed on the installed application component. The new action item to be executed by the installed application component is sent. The new action item modifies a workflow on the installed application component without modifying application code on the installed application component. |
| US09489694B2 |
Multi-bureau credit file freeze and unfreeze
The systems and methods described herein allow consumers to lock or unlock their credit files at multiple credit bureaus in real-time or near real-time. The service may allow a consumer to provide identifying information, such as a personal identifier to lock or unlock credit files at a plurality of credit bureaus over a network. Upon receiving the personal identifier, the system may use the personal identifier to translate the identifier into a plurality of access codes for respective credit bureaus, for example by accessing a data structure, such as a database or table, that stores a personal identifier and access codes that are associated with a consumer. The system may then use the access codes to automatically initiate locking or unlocking of credit files for the consumer at the respective credit bureaus. |
| US09489692B1 |
Location-based bid modifiers
Systems and methods for determining location-based bid modifier suggestions include determining a content placement cost based in part on a likelihood of a user that has entered a physical establishment completing a transaction, an average transaction amount for the establishment, and an expected return on investment (ROI). A location-based bid modifier may be determined using the computed cost and a base bid amount. In some implementations, the location-based bid modifier may also be based on a probability model that models the probability of the user visiting the establishment. |
| US09489688B2 |
Method and system for recommending search phrases
Embodiments of the present application relate to a method for recommending search phrases, a system for recommending search phrases, and a computer program product for recommending search phrases. A method for recommending search phrases is provided. The method includes obtaining subject terms and descriptive terms relating to the subject terms from title information, combining s subject term with a descriptive term to form a set of search phrases, calculating a first appraisal value for each search phrase, the calculating of the first appraisal value comprising multiplying term frequency of the search phrase with an inverse document frequency of the search phrase, determining a second appraisal value of each search phrase, combining the first appraisal value and the second appraisal value of each search phrase to obtain a publisher recommendation appraisal value for each search phrase, and selecting a recommended phrase. |
| US09489687B2 |
Methods and systems for managing software development
Methods and systems to manage software development. Embodiments of the present invention allow a programmer to specify the software packages, services, and other materials used in a particular software project. As development of the software project proceeds, the materials associated with the project are reviewed to identify the materials actually used in the project and to identify any discrepancies between what has been specified and what materials are actually used. Metadata, for example license and contractual terms and other policies relating to the specified materials and the materials actually used in the project may optionally be retrieved and analyzed to identify conflicting metadata. |
| US09489686B2 |
System and method based on use information obtained from a user terminal
Provided is a system and method based on use information of an application obtained from a user terminal. With respect to a communication terminal in which at least one first application and a second application including a function of collecting the use information associated with the first application are installed, in conjunction with the second application, a server for providing a collecting unit to collect the use information collected from a user with respect to the first application, and a recommended application list with respect to the first application based on statistics of the use information. |
| US09489684B2 |
Delivering wrapped packages in response to the selection of advertisements
Delivery of a wrap package in response to the selection of an advertisement appearing in a web page, social media feed or in an email, text or other electronic message. In some embodiments, the advertisement may be a “cover” for the wrap package that contains an identifier associate with the wrap. When the cover is selected, the identifier is used to access and deliver the wrap package to the requesting device. In other embodiments, the advertisement may contain a link including the identifier that is then used to retrieve and deliver the wrap when the link is selected. |
| US09489677B2 |
Systems and methods for delivering tailored content based upon a consumer profile
The present disclosure includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for aggregating a consumer profile, identifying tailored content (e.g., in response to a trigger event and/or based upon a consumer profile), and/or tailoring a digital destination. For example, the systems may receive direct data indicating an interest in receiving specific content, aggregate that data into a consumer profile, compare the consumer profile to content, and/or identify tailored content based upon the comparison. Further, the systems may communicate the tailored content to a web client associated with a consumer, receive a transaction request from a web client, and/or receive bids associated with tailored content. In addition, these systems may prioritize tailored content comprising a plurality of tailored offers and/or forecast a budget for an upcoming experience. |
| US09489676B2 |
Fixed total in collaborative survey system
A system may include presentation of a plurality of options and a graphical indicator, the graphical indicator indicating a first amount to be allotted among one or more of the plurality of options, reception of an instruction to allot a first portion of the first amount to one of the plurality of options, and change of the presented graphical indicator to indicate a new amount to be allotted among one or more of the plurality of options, the new amount equal to a difference between the first amount and the first portion. |
| US09489674B2 |
Frequency-based transaction prediction and processing
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for tracking and analyzing data of consumer activity. The tracked data can be organized (e.g. as stored in cache, RAM, hard drives) in certain types of tables, where the tables can be associated with certain tags (keys) for efficiently accessing the data. The organization and associations of the data can also provide simple mechanisms for manipulating the data to obtain results specifically relevant for a task, such as detection of fraud or prediction of consumer behavior to provide better customer service or new services. For example, the tables may contain counters that store the number of times that two correlated consumer events occur within specific time intervals of each other. Such time data can provide efficient determination of patterns of consumer activity. |
| US09489670B2 |
Hybrid wireless short range payment system and method
A smart phone payment management system includes a synthetic barcode module and near field communication module. Each module is configured to wirelessly convey payment information to a point of sale, with the synthetic barcode module being available for use if the point of sale is not equipped with a compatible near field communication terminal. |
| US09489668B2 |
Electronic payment device
An electronic payment device is disclosed which is portable and makes use of existing wireless connections for data transfer. The device described herein makes it possible to obtain information from different data sources such as credit cards with magnetic stripe. The device incorporates anti-manipulation means which detect any improper or unauthorized access to the device, so that a circuit which is connected to the central unit and powered by the system supply device or an auxiliary system is monitored to determine that the circuit is closed and not altered in any way, which would occur on attempting to access the device as the fine thread mesh comprising the flexible circuit would be affected by an unauthorized or forced access. |
| US09489657B2 |
Aggregation and visualization of multiple chat room information
The information made available in a series of chat windows which each represent a different chat room is summarized and displayed in a single chat window summary screen. In this way a user can monitor a single window in a single display rather than many windows occupying a series of displays. When one of the chat room summaries indicates something of interest to the user, the user may return to a view of the entire chat window for that chat room. In some implementations the user may designate one or more of the chat room summaries as an active window. The active window may include more information in its summary that the chat room summaries for the remaining chat room summaries which are not designated as active windows. |
| US09489656B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating community
A method and apparatus generate a community based on goals and intentions of its members. Context information related to a first member is collected. A list of goals that the first member wants to accomplish and a list of capabilities that the first member may provide are derived, based on the context information. A search is conducted to find a second member that has at least one of a capability matching at least one goal listed in the list of goals and a goal matching at least one capability listed in the list of capabilities. And then, a community including the first member and the second member is generated. |
| US09489650B2 |
Radio frequency identification system for tracking and managing materials in a manufacturing process
A process management system uses a radio frequency identification (RFID) detection system in the form of, for example, a phased array antenna based RFID detection system to track and manage material storage and flow in a manufacturing process or plant. The process management system operates in conjunction with the various machines that implement manufacturing stages or steps of the manufacturing process to assure that the correct materials and processing procedures are used at or on the various production machines of the process to produce a particular product as defined by a job number or job order. The process management system is thereby able to increase the efficiencies of the plant and to increase the quality of the plant production by reducing or eliminating waste, manufacturing errors and shipping errors in the production facility. |
| US09489647B2 |
System and method for a cloud computing abstraction with self-service portal for publishing resources
In embodiments of the present invention, improved capabilities are described for a virtualization environment adapted for development and deployment of at least one software workload, the virtualization environment having a metamodel framework that allows the association of a policy to the software workload upon development of the workload that is applied upon deployment of the software workload. |
| US09489638B2 |
Method and apparatus for propagating user preference information in a communications network
A method for propagating user preference information in a communications network, in which the user preference information may be available for a subset of users within the network. The method comprises generating individual user attribute vectors, based on user historical data and estimating user preference information. The method further comprises defining a community structure for the network and generating a stacked representation for users, the representation comprising the user attribute vector augmented with an aggregated vector of estimated user preferences of members of the user's community. The method further comprises learning a function relating the stacked representation to user preference, using the subset of users, and applying the learned function to users outside the subset. |
| US09489636B2 |
Task-agnostic integration of human and machine intelligence
A system combines inputs from human processing and machine processing, and employs machine learning to improve processing of individual tasks based on comparison of human processing results. Once performance of a particular task by machine processing reaches a threshold, the level of human processing used on that task is reduced. |
| US09489635B1 |
Methods and systems for vehicle perception feedback to classify data representative of types of objects and to request feedback regarding such classifications
Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to methods and systems for improving object detection and classification. An example system may include a perception system and a feedback system. The perception system may be configured to receive data indicative of a surrounding environment of a vehicle, and to classify one or more portions of the data as representative of a type of object based on parameters associated with a machine learning classifier. The feedback system may be configured to request feedback regarding a classification of an object by the perception system based on a confidence level associated with the classification being below a threshold, and to cause the parameters associated with the machine classifier to be modified based on information provided in response to the request. |
| US09489627B2 |
Hybrid clustering for data analytics
The invention includes methods and systems for analyzing data to determine trends in the data and to identify outliers. The methods and systems include a learning algorithm whereby a data space is co-populated with artificial, evenly distributed data, and then the data space is carved into smaller portions whereupon the number of real and artificial data points are compared. Through an iterative process, clusters having less than evenly distributed real data are discarded. Additionally, a final quality control measurement is used to merge clusters that are too similar to be meaningful. The invention is widely applicable to data analytics, generally, including financial transactions, retail sales, elections, and sports. |
| US09489624B2 |
Method and system for recommending crowdsourcing platforms
A method and system for recommending one or more crowdsourcing platforms from a plurality of crowdsourcing platforms to a requester is disclosed. The method includes receiving values corresponding to one or more parameters of one or more tasks from the requester. In response to the received values recommending the one or more crowdsourcing platforms to the requester based on the values and one or more statistical models maintained for the one or more crowdsourcing platforms, wherein the one or more statistical models corresponds to mathematical models representing performances of the one or more crowdsourcing platforms over a period of time. |
| US09489621B2 |
Graph based selection of decorrelated variables
A computing device to select decorrelated variables using a graph based method is provided. A correlation value is computed between each pair of a plurality of variables to define a correlation matrix. A binary threshold value is compared to each correlation value to define a binary similarity matrix from the correlation matrix. An undirected graph comprising a subgraph that includes one or more connected nodes is defined based on the binary similarity matrix to store connectivity information for the plurality of variables. Each node of the subgraph is pairwise associated with a unique variable of the variables. (a) A least connected node is selected from the undirected graph based on the connectivity information. (b) The selected least connected node is removed from the undirected graph. (c) The connectivity information for the undirected graph is updated based on the removed node. (d) (a)-(c) are repeated until a stop criterion is satisfied. |
| US09489620B2 |
Quick analysis of residual stress and distortion in cast aluminum components
A computer-implemented system and method of rapidly predicting at least one of residual stress and distortion of a quenched aluminum casting. Input data corresponding to at least one of topological features, geometrical features and quenching process parameters associated with the casting is operated upon by the computer that is configured as a neural network to determine output data corresponding to at least one of the residual stress and distortion based on the input data. The neural network is trained to determine the validity of at least one of the input data and output data and to retrain the network when an error threshold is exceeded. Thereby, residual stresses and distortion in the quenched aluminum castings can be predicted using the embodiments in a tiny fraction of the time required by conventional finite-element based approaches. |
| US09489616B2 |
Mobile device to control virtual assistant system to remotely control external services and selectively share control of the same
A mobile device to operate a virtual assistant system to control any wirelessly connected devices and services by receiving an input command to perform a function at the devices and services, translate the input command into a common language sharable between the external devices and services so that such input commands can be understood between the plurality of devices and services, and functions can be performed at the devices and or service in response to the input command. This control is sharable with other mobile devices as instructed by an input command. |
| US09489613B2 |
RFID transponder chip modules with a band of the antenna extending inward
The planar antenna (PA) of a transponder chip module (TCM) may have a U-shaped portion so that an outer end (OE) of the antenna may be positioned close to an RFID chip (IC) disposed at a central area of a module tape (MT) for the transponder chip module. A module tape (MT2) may have contact pads (CP) on one side thereof and a connection bridge (CBR) on another side thereof, and may be joined with a module tape (MT1) having a planar antenna (PA). Metal of a conductive layer (CL) within a conductive element such as a coupling frame (CF) or a planar antenna (PA) may be scribed to have many small segments. A metal sheet may be stamped to have contact side metallization, and joined with a module tape (MT) having a planar antenna (PA). |
| US09489612B2 |
Jewellery with tag
A piece of jewelry, wherein the jewelry comprises at least one tag or chip programmed with at least a unique identification code, and a tag reader is configured to read the tag or chip when the tag reader and the piece of jewelry touch, or come into close contact and, display a message or content associated with the unique identification code. |
| US09489608B2 |
Amplifier and transmission solution for 13.56MHz radio coupled to smartmx smartcard controller
An RFID card includes a smartcard controller that receives power from a host device. The RFID card also includes a small inductive device capable of inductive coupling with an RFID reader. The small inductive device is small enough to fit in the form factor of a memory card or SIM card. Enhancement circuits enhance the usable read and write distance of the RFID card. |
| US09489605B2 |
Wireless IC device
A wireless IC device includes a wireless IC chip arranged to process a radio signal, a power-supply circuit board that is connected to the wireless IC chip and that includes a power supply circuit including at least one coil pattern, and a radiation plate arranged to radiate a transmission signal supplied from the power-supply circuit board and/or receiving a reception signal to supply the reception signal to the power-supply circuit board. The radiation plate includes an opening provided in a portion thereof and a slit connected to the opening. When viewed in plan from the direction of the winding axis of the coil pattern, the opening in the radiation plate overlaps with an inner area of the coil pattern and the area of the inner area is approximately the same as that of opening. |
| US09489600B2 |
System and method for determining the activity of a mobile element
A system for determining activity of a mobile element, includes at least one motion sensor having a measurement axis, and which is securely connected to the mobile element. A filter for selects, for each measurement axis of the motion sensor, high frequencies above a first threshold, and processing equipment for determines a unidimensional high-frequency component (y(n)) equal to the square of the Euclidean norm of the high frequencies along the measurement axes of the motion sensor. A calculator calculates, for each state, probability density functions (Py,i) of the high-frequency component, the probability density function corresponding to each state according to a Chi-square law with a degree of freedom equal to the number of measurement axes of the motion sensor. An analyzer defines states of the mobile element, utilizing the probability density function of the high-frequency component for each state, together with the probabilities of transitions between two successive states. |
| US09489599B2 |
Decision tree construction for automatic classification of defects on semiconductor wafers
Methods and systems for decision tree construction for automatic classification of defects on semiconductor wafers are provided. One method includes creating a decision tree for classification of defects detected on a wafer by altering one or more floating trees in the decision tree. The one or more floating trees are sub-trees that are manipulated as individual units. In addition, the method includes classifying the defects detected on the wafer by applying the decision tree to the defects. |
| US09489590B2 |
Color mode determination apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium storing color mode determination program
A color mode determination apparatus includes: a color mode determining section that obtains image data including a plurality of visualization objects, performs polychrome/monochrome determination on whether the visualization object is polychromic or monochromic, and performs color mode determination on whether the image data is polychromic image data or monochromic image data based on a result of the polychrome/monochrome determination; and an overlap determining section that determines whether a predetermined visualization object is overlapped with other visualization objects when the polychrome/monochrome determination is performed for the predetermined visualization object. The color mode determining section changes a determination target range of the polychrome/monochrome determination depending on whether the predetermined visualization object is overlapped with other visualization objects. |
| US09489588B2 |
Matting method for extracting foreground object and apparatus for performing the matting method
A matting method and apparatus for extracting a foreground object are disclosed. The matting method includes extracting one or more pixels from an input image and a trimap; calculating a first processing cost by extracting one or more nonlocal neighboring pixels; calculating a second processing cost by extracting one or more local neighboring pixels; and performing matting on the input image by estimating an opacity value for each of the extracted pixels based on the first and second processing costs. Accordingly, it is possible to perform high-quality image matting, and thus increase a performance in extracting a to foreground object from the input image, so that the matting method and apparatus can be applied to multiple-purpose image editing software. |
| US09489584B2 |
Intersection recognition device and road type recognition device
An intersection recognition device installed in a vehicle includes an image acquisition unit that acquires images around the moving vehicle. The device includes an extraction unit that extracts, from the images acquired by the image acquisition unit, a type and a position of at least one traffic marking existing around the vehicle. The device includes a determination unit that determines whether an intersection exists based on the type of the at least one traffic marking extracted by the extraction unit and a relative position relationship between the at least one traffic marking and the vehicle. |
| US09489581B2 |
Vehicle counting and emission estimation
A computing device, for example, receives image data of vehicles on a path captured by a camera. The image is analyzed using a low level feature extraction on the image data. The computing device estimates exhaust levels produced by the vehicles based on the low level feature extraction or based on vehicle classifications and quantities determined from the low level feature extraction. |
| US09489577B2 |
Visual similarity for video content
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for visual similarity. A method includes receiving a stream of video content, generating interpretations of the received video content using speech/natural language processing (NLP), associating the interpretations of the received video content with images extracted from video content based on timeline, and using the interpretations to obtain interpretations of other images or other video content. |
| US09489576B2 |
Crop stand analysis
In one example, a method includes receiving, by a computing device, data for a region of interest that includes growing crops. The received data for the region of interest can include image data for the region of interest. The method further includes identifying, by the computing device based on the received image data, rows of crops within the region of interest. The method further includes determining, by the computing device based on the received data for the region of interest associated with portions of the region of interest included in the identified rows of crops and excluding portions of the region of interest outside the identified rows of crops, a stand status of the growing crops within the region of interest. The stand status includes a quantity status corresponding to a population of crops within the region of interest. |
| US09489575B1 |
Sensor-based navigation correction
A system and method for providing sensor-based navigation correction of a GPS-sensed position of an aircraft includes a synthetic vision system. The synthetic vision system captures a visual image of the surrounding area via image sensors and generates a location model based on the image. A georeference engine compares the location model to static high-resolution terrain and obstacle databases to determine a corrected position of the aircraft. The georeference engine then updates the GPS-sensed position with the corrected position, transmitting the corrected position to the combiner. The combiner generates for display an enhanced image based on the visual image and the corrected position of the aircraft. |
| US09489568B2 |
Apparatus and method for video sensor-based human activity and facial expression modeling and recognition
An apparatus and method for human activity and facial expression modeling and recognition are based on feature extraction techniques from time sequential images. The human activity modeling includes determining principal components of depth and/or binary shape images of human activities extracted from video clips. Independent Component Analysis (ICA) representations are determined based on the principal components. Features are determined through Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) based on the ICA representations. A codebook is determined using vector quantization, Observation symbol sequences in the video clips am determined. And human activities are learned using the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based on status transition and an observation matrix. |
| US09489562B2 |
Image processing method and apparatus
The invention is an image processing method and an apparatus for automatic categorization of elements in an image of a body fluid sample, the apparatus comprising a recognition module (RM) for generating probability maps associated with each category on the basis of visual information appearing in the image, the probability map showing presence probability distribution of the element of the given category, and a decision module (DM) for providing information about the presence of elements of the categories on the basis of an analysis of the probability maps. The apparatus according to the invention furthermore comprises a calling module (CM) for locating presumably present elements in the image (10) and calling the decision module (DM) regarding each presumably present element, and the decision module (DM) is adapted for taking into account, examining the presence of the element, at least one further probability map other than the probability map (11) associated with the category of the element. |
| US09489561B2 |
Method and system for estimating fingerprint pose
A method and system for estimating a fingerprint pose are provided. The method includes following steps. A fingerprint image to be estimated is input, features are extracted from the fingerprint image to be estimated in all possible center positions and directions, each feature is scored via a classifier and a center position and direction corresponding to a feature of a highest score is selected as a fingerprint pose estimation result. |
| US09489560B2 |
On-the go touchless fingerprint scanner
On-the-go fingerprint scanners and methods of capturing fingerprints on-the-go are disclosed. In some aspects, the on-the-go fingerprint scanner can include a scanning area and a beam break sensor disposed coincident to the scanning area such that the beam break sensor detects when an object passes through the scanning area. The scanner can also include at least one hand camera configured to capture a video image of the scanning area such that when the beam break sensor detects that an object has passed through the scanning area, the hand camera detects whether the object is a human hand and the location of any fingers on said hand, and at least one fingerprint camera configured to receive the location of any fingers within the scanning area from the hand camera and capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of any of said fingers passing through the scanning area. |
| US09489558B2 |
Bar code reading terminal with video capturing mode
A bar code reading terminal can, in one embodiment, include a two-dimensional image sensor and an imaging assembly. The terminal can be configured, in response to receipt of a trigger signal, to buffer a set of frames and subject each frame of the set of frames to a decode attempt. The terminal can also be configured to convert the convert the captured set of video frames into a compressed video format, and transfer the resulting video file to a file server or to one or more playback devices, in response to a user interface action, or in response to difficult read condition having been detected. The terminal can also be configured to establish two-way video- and audio-communication with a remote video- and audio-streaming device. The video capturing and streaming operation of the terminal can be controlled remotely from a playback device via web interface. |
| US09489556B2 |
Scanner notifications
A scanner notification indicates an operational status of the scanner, such as a hand-held scanner used at a point-of-sale or as part of an inventory-tracking system. Among other things, a notification might indicate to a user that a product identifier has been verified, product tracking is occurring, a tag is being deactivated, successful completion of scanning functions, and various other operational states of the scanner. |
| US09489545B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for protecting electronic devices in a virtual perimeter
Described herein are apparatus, system, and method for protecting electronic devices through the creation of a virtual perimeter among the electronic devices. The virtual perimeter may be generated by the electronic devices themselves. The method performed by an electronic device comprises: identifying a current context; receiving a role, according to the current context, in a hierarchy of multiple electronic devices, and operating in accordance with the role in the hierarchy within a secure perimeter in the current context around the multiple electronic devices, wherein the hierarchy includes a system of security checks based on context information. |
| US09489542B2 |
Split-key arrangement in a multi-device storage enclosure
Apparatus and method for data security in a multi-device data storage enclosure. In some embodiments, the storage enclosure has a housing with opposing first and second ends. A plurality of active elements are disposed within the housing including an array of data storage devices, a control board, and an interconnection arrangement which mechanically and electrically interconnects the plurality of storage devices with the control board. A control circuit encrypts user data stored on a selected data storage device using a cryptographic encryption function and an associated cryptographic key. The key is partitioned into a plurality of portions, with each portion stored in a different one of the active elements. |
| US09489538B2 |
Role-based anonymization
A data anonymization system provides role-based anonymization for data requesters. The system applies a base anonymization function to subscriber data related to at least one subscriber of a service provider to produce base anonymized subscriber data. Upon receiving a request for the subscriber data from a data requester, a role assigned to that data requester is determined to identify a custom anonymization function to be applied to the subscriber data in order to produce custom anonymized subscriber data for the data requester. |
| US09489537B2 |
Personal information protection for navigation systems
Arrangements related to the protection of personal information associated with a navigation system are described. The navigation system can be operatively connected to a data store of personal information. The data store of personal information is locked so that access to and/or use of data stored in the data store of personal information is prevented. Responsive to a receiving a request to access the data store of personal information, a user is prompted to provide authentication to unlock the data store of personal information. Responsive to receiving authentication, it is determined whether the received authentication is correct or incorrect. The data store of personal information is unlocked if the authentication is correct. The data store of personal information remains locked wherein if the received authentication is incorrect. One or more types of authentication can be required. |
| US09489534B2 |
Multi-level security system for enabling secure file sharing across multiple security levels and method thereof
A multi-level security system includes a storage medium partitionable into a plurality of partitions, a file system coupleable to the plurality of partitions, and a plurality of enclaves. Each enclave is assigned a security classification level. Each enclave resides in a different storage partition of the storage medium. Data stored on the storage medium is cryptographically separated at rest on a per-enclave basis. Cryptographic separation occurs at the disk block level, allowing individual blocks to be read and decrypted. The system also includes a reference monitor that enforces a system security policy that governs access to information between the enclaves. The reference monitor allows an enclave having a first classification level to securely read-down to an enclave having a second classification level lower than the first classification level and to write to another enclave having the first classification level. |
| US09489533B2 |
Efficient memory utilization in a dispersed storage system
A method for improving memory utilization in a dispersed storage network (DSN). After a data object is received for storage in the DSN, it is determined whether a substantially identical data portion of the data object has previously been encrypted and stored. The determination may be made, for example, by comparing a portion reference value relating to the data object to portion reference information stored in DSN memory. If not detected, the data object is encrypted using an encryption pattern sequence and encryption key, at least one of which substantially identical to at least a portion of the data portion. The encrypted data object is then compressed using a pattern based data compression function, and the compressed data object is stored. The portion reference value is also stored in DSN memory. |
| US09489532B2 |
Fast access rights checking of configured structure data
Methods for product data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a hierarchical data structure that includes a plurality of structure lines referencing persistent data objects and receiving metadata corresponding to persistent data objects referenced by the hierarchical data structure. The method includes computing an access control expression corresponding to each persistent object according to the metadata, wherein the access control expressions are string-representation Boolean expressions, and storing the access control expressions. |
| US09489531B2 |
System and method for controlling access to electronic devices
A computer implemented method for controlling access to an electronic media source is disclosed. An access control system receives achievement goals and degree of access information. Assessment information is also received by the access control system from one or more input data sources. The access control system determines whether the achievement goals are met based on the received assessment information and forwards an access signal to the electronic media source based on the access determination. The access signal, including a grant signal, is forwarded when the achievement goals are met. |
| US09489530B2 |
Methods and apparatus for anonymising user data by aggregation
In one aspect of a method of anonymizing user data by aggregation, at least one server-side device receives an anonymous aggregation command from a user client device. The anonymous aggregation command includes a specification of a set of users and an action to be taken. A list of users who meet the specification in the anonymous aggregation command is generated. The list of users who meet the specification is validated as meeting at least one criterion for anonymous aggregation. The action in the anonymous aggregation command is triggered to be taken in respect of the validated list of users who meet the specification. |
| US09489524B2 |
Intra-application permissions on an electronic device
Various embodiments are provided in which intra-application permissions may be granted on an electronic device. An application may access data from another application if the application has the proper permission signed by a permissions server. In one embodiment, a request is received by a first application that is installed on a device. The request is from a second application for permission to access data associated with the first application. A permissions record for the second application may be stored in an application package of the second application. The first application may access the permissions record to determine whether the second application has permission to access the data associated with the first application. The first application may provide the second application with access to the data associated with the first application based, at least in part, on the permissions record stored in the application package of the second application. |
| US09489523B2 |
Systems and methods for file access auditing
Systems and methods for providing an auditing file system for theft-prone devices are disclosed. The auditing file system supports fine-grained file auditing: a user may obtain reliable, explicit evidence that no files have been accessed after a device's loss. A user may also disable future file access after a device's loss, even in the absence of device network connectivity. In one embodiment, files are encrypted locally but the encryption keys are stored remotely, so that an audit server is queried for encryption keys to access protected files. By configuring the audit server to refuse to return a particular file's key, the user can prevent new accesses after the device is lost. |
| US09489519B2 |
Method and apparatus for encrypting data messages after detecting infected VM
For a host that executes one or more guest virtual machines (GVMs), some embodiments provide a novel encryption method for encrypting the data messages sent by the GVMs. The method initially receives a data message to send for a GVM executing on the host. The method then determines whether it should encrypt the data message based on a set of one or more encryption rules. When the process determines that it should encrypt the received data message, it encrypts the data message and forwards the encrypted data message to its destination; otherwise, the method just forwards the received data message unencrypted to its destination. In some embodiments, the host encrypts differently the data messages for different GVMs that execute on the host. When two different GVMs are part of two different logical overlay networks that are implemented on common network fabric, the method in some embodiments encrypts the data messages exchanged between the GVMs of one logical network differently than the data messages exchanged between the GVMs of another logical network. In some embodiments, the method can also encrypt different types of data messages from the same GVM differently. Also, in some embodiments, the method can dynamically enforce encryption rules in response to dynamically detected events, such as malware infections. |
| US09489517B2 |
Determining an attack surface of software
A method of determining an attack surface of software may include generating a platform for testing at least one deployment of software code, identifying protocols that are used by the at least one deployment, mapping the protocols to at least one port in the at least one deployment, and computing a metric comprising parameters for the at least one deployment. |
| US09489516B1 |
Detection of malware using an instrumented virtual machine environment
Various techniques for detection of malware using an instrumented virtual machine environment are disclosed. In some embodiments, detection of malware using an instrumented virtual machine environment includes instantiating a first virtual machine in the instrumented virtual machine environment, in which the first virtual machine is configured to support installation of two or more versions of a resource; installing a first version of the resource on the first virtual machine and monitoring the instrumented virtual machine environment while executing the first version of the resource with a malware sample opened using the first version of the resource; and installing a second version of the resource on the first virtual machine and monitoring the instrumented virtual machine environment while executing the second version of the resource with the malware sample opened using the second version of the resource. |
| US09489509B2 |
Electronic device and method for unlocking objects of electronic device
In a method for unlocking an object of an electronic device, an unlocking rule is preset to unlock the object. After movement signals are received from a touch screen of the electronic device, a quantity of segments displayed on the touch screen generated by the movement signals and a quantity of areas of the touch screen partitioned by the obtained segments are obtained. When a touch signal on one area of the obtained areas is received, a sequence number of the area from which the touch signal is received is calculated. The object of the electronic device is unlocked when the object is authorized to be unlocked according to the preset unlocking rule, the quantity of the obtained segments, the quantity of the obtained areas, and the sequence number of the area from which the touch signal is received. |
| US09489506B2 |
Linking ad hoc networks
A communication device capable of communicating according to two communication protocols, the device being configured to: in response to receiving a first message according to a first one of the protocols, the first message including data defining a payload, automatically retransmit a second message according to the first protocol, the second message comprising data defining an identical payload to that of the first message; and in response to receiving the first message, automatically transmit a third message according to the second protocol, the second message also comprising data defining an identical payload to the first message. |
| US09489503B2 |
Behavioral stochastic authentication (BSA)
Methods and systems for authenticating a user and a consumer electronic device (CED) to a financial services provider (FSP) for purposes of communications initiated from the device and needing security, such as purchases and financial transactions, are provided. The FSP may compile information about a user's behavior from various sources, both public and private, including the CED. The information may be of a stochastic nature, being gathered by sampling user data and behavior at chosen times. The information may include indicators of user behavior—such as the user using the device to check various accounts and web-pages—and data from the device—such as GPS location. Based on the compiled stochastic information, and using a sliding scale, a throttling mechanism, acceptance variation, and pinging information, the FSP can compare current information from the device with what is known about the user and the device to provide a more accurate and reliable authentication process. |
| US09489493B2 |
Systems and methods for dispensing beneficial products
A dispensing station comprises beneficial products for patients of a health care provider. An inventory database tracks inventory available in the dispensing station. A patient is associated with a prescription record, which specifies a prescribed beneficial product. The patient may provide patient identifying information to the dispensing station, such as credentialed payment information, which may be used to identify a prescription record, authenticate the patient, transfer a payment, and/or dispense the prescribed beneficial product to the patient. The prescription record may be valid for a limited time period, may be restricted to fulfillment within a particular location, and/or may be restricted to one or more specified dispensing stations. The dispensing station may validate the beneficial products before dispensing the products to the patient. |
| US09489492B2 |
Systems and methods for automating pharmacy operations utilizing robotic pick and place technology
The present invention is directed to a computer-controlled system for automatically transferring individual solid pharmaceutical products from bulk containers into a selected solid pharmaceutical product package from among a variety of different packaging solutions. Advantageously, in accordance with the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a robotic pick and place arm incorporates a contact holding mechanisms such as a suction tube which selectively temporarily secures a solid pharmaceutical product for transfer from a bulk container into a desired solid pharmaceutical product package. |
| US09489491B2 |
Portable and modular prescription drug dispensing device
A dispensing device for dispensing doses of non-individually packaged pills at a plurality of pre-specified dosing times includes a housing that holds a removable magazine, a dispensing unit and an electronic circuit. The removable magazine is configured to hold a stack of the non-individually packaged pills. The dispensing unit is configured to operate on the removable magazine to dispense a pre-specified dose of the pills upon receipt of a signal. The electronic circuit includes a timer that provides the signal at the pre-specified dosing times to activate the dispensing unit to dispense the pre-specified dose. |
| US09489490B1 |
Mobile robot for receiving, transporting, and/or delivering one or more pharmaceutical items
Mobile robots and methods for operating mobile robots are provided. One of these mobile robots autonomously transports a pharmaceutical item from a first location to a second location. The mobile robot autonomously delivers the pharmaceutical item at the second location. |
| US09489489B2 |
Image acquisition for medical dose preparation system
Use of improved image acquisition for a medical dose preparation system. The medical dose preparation system may include a work station for capturing medical dose preparation images (e.g., to document preparation of a mediation dose). The medical dose preparation image may be captured by a video data stream processor capable of performing an auto cropping technique on a video data stream received from an image device. Accordingly, memory resources may be more efficiently employed while maintaining high quality medical dose preparation images. |
| US09489484B2 |
Determining a quantity of transported fluid
A system for determining a quantity of transported fluid, includes a measured parameter receiver (1) for obtaining a plurality of measured parameters relating to the fluid within the conduit at different measurement times during at least a predetermined time interval. A measured parameter combiner (2) for combining the measured parameters relating to the predetermined time interval, to obtain a first quantity indicative of an amount of fluid that has been transported through the conduit during the predetermined time interval. The system further includes a time interval divider (3) for dividing the predetermined time interval into a plurality of subintervals, and a parameter corrector (5) for determining a corrected value for at least one of the averaged parameters. A quantity corrector (6) for determining a corrected value for the quantity based on the corrected value for the at least one of the averaged parameters. |
| US09489477B2 |
Method and apparatus for word-level netlist reduction and verification using same
A computer implemented representation of a circuit design is reduced by representing the circuit design as a data structure defining a netlist. A first set of nodes is identified in the netlist that includes datapath nodes, preferably nodes that do not intermingle data and control. The first set of nodes is segmented into segment widths that correspond to uniformly treated segments of the corresponding words. A second set of nodes, including nodes that intermingle data and control, are converted into bit-level nodes. The segmented nodes are analyzed to define reduced safe sizes by applying a computer implemented function. An updated data structure representing the circuit design is then generated using the reduced safe sizes of the segmented nodes. |
| US09489474B2 |
Model and methods for identifying points of action in electrically active cells
The invention provides a model for generating predicted action potentials of an electrically active cell. The disclosed model includes three operatively coupled submodels. A first submodel contains Hodgkin-Huxley elements generating action potentials based on electrical equivalent circuits. A second submodel is based on reaction kinetics of cell metabolism and is operatively coupled with the first submodel. A third submodel is based on Boolean dynamics representing signaling and associated cellular processes and is operatively coupled with the first and second submodels. The invention includes storing a library of calculated action potentials and associated cellular parameters generated by the model, applying a stimulus to the electrically active cell in vitro so that the cell generates an action potential; and comparing the cell-generated action potential with those stored in the library, wherein a match is predictive of the cellular point of action of the applied stimulus according to the parameters stored. |
| US09489468B2 |
System, method and computer readable medium for binding authored content to the events used to generate the content
A web page that includes content form fields may be modified to include an event observer module and an authored content module. Events generated during the authoring of content by a user are recorded by the event observer module and sent to an event server with an InteractionID. The authored content module inserts hidden fields into the form fields that are updated with the InteractionID when content is submitted to the web server. The web server provides the InteractionID in a bind request to the event server. The event server binds the content to the events used to create the content in response to the request. |
| US09489467B2 |
Apparatus and method for simplifying service interface to access web service
A device for accessing web services uses a service interface and a conversion and interpretation unit to implement a method which simplifies the access interface of wave services. The service interface includes an upload element, a download element and a command element. With the conversion and interpretation unit, the data and the command of web pages are converted and interpreted as the contents of the three elements. The contents are converted into web page documents and forwarded to a network platform for further processing associated tasks. The presentation on the service interface may replace the browsers and achieve the function of supporting the participation-typed service. It simplifies the complexity on the network access interface, and can access different services provided by different servers. |
| US09489466B2 |
Transportation and resort infrastructure, and associated cutaneous information device and method
Apparatus for identifying and providing for the retrieval of information relating to an individual, comprises an adhesive layer and a machine readable device secured to said adhesive layer. The machine readable device is encoded with identification information. A first quantity of ink deposited on said adhesive layer is arranged to provide a physiologically perceptible and humanly understandable visual indication of information relating to set individual. The adhesive layer, the machine readable device and said first quantity of ink form an individual identification device. The machine readable device is secured to said adhesive layer further comprises a second quantity of ink deposited on said adhesive layer and arranged to provide a machine readable image. A plurality of reader devices and said individual identification device provide information respecting the individual identified by said individual identification device to a computer system which includes a memory with an algorithm for processing collected information. |
| US09489459B2 |
Single point metadata driven search configuration, indexing and execution
Systems and methods for application search configuration, indexing, and execution. A method includes receiving a metadata definition for search and indexing configuration and generating a transfer mode definition to export objects for indexing. The method includes identifying objects to be indexed according to the metadata definition and extracting data according to the transfer mode definition. The method includes indexing the extracted data. The method can include executing queries according to the meta definition. |
| US09489457B2 |
Methods and apparatus for initiating an action
Some embodiments relate to techniques for receiving a query from a device, the query comprising content; determining based at least in part on the content of the query that an application is to be launched on the device; and causing the device to launch the application using at least some information determined from the content of the query. Some embodiments relate to techniques for receiving a free-form query from a user; transferring a representation of the query to at least one computer; and receiving from the at least one computer at least one instruction to launch an application on the device. |
| US09489456B1 |
Previewing file information over a network
A process for opening and reading a file over a network, including a WAN. An edge file gateway receives a request from an application to open a file cached with the edge file gateway at one point on a network and stored on a file server connected to a central server at another point on the network. The edge file gateway forwards the request to open the file to the central server, along with any offsets and lengths stored from any previous requests to read the file. The central server responds by sending any file data described in the offsets and lengths to the edge file gateway. When the edge file gateway receives a read request, the edge file gateway stores the offset and length for the request, if a predefined storage limit is not exceeded, and attempts to satisfy the request from cached file data. |
| US09489454B1 |
Automatic generation of playlists from digital content embedded on third-party services
A content hosting service automatically creates a playlist of embedded content items based on the content items embedded by a third-party service. The playlist is associated with a channel on the content hosting service that is managed by the third-party service. In operation, each time a content item is embedded on a third-party service, the content hosting service determines whether a channel is associated with the third-party service. When a channel is found to be associated with the third-party service, the content item embedded on the third-party service is inserted into a playlist of embedded content items included in the channel. The playlist can be presented to viewers of the channel directly on the content hosting service. |
| US09489453B2 |
Building an ontology by transforming complex triples
An approach for building an ontology is provided. Syntactically transformed complex triples whose core terms are identified are semantically transformed into simplified triples referring to new conceptualized core terms formed by user selections from a lexical database or by adding a suffix to core terms. The core terms are assigned to respective definitions and keys in a reference ontology, thereby retaining the semantics of the complex triples. Based on the reference ontology, an enrichment transformation of the simplified triples is performed to create simplified and enriched triples by adding relations derived from a correspondence each term in the simplified triples has with the reference ontology and by adding representations of semantics of reference ontology definitions of the terms. The simplified and enriched triples are stored as an ontology representing knowledge in an application providing free-form text from which the complex triples were extracted. |
| US09489449B1 |
Method and system for identifying keywords for use in placing keyword-targeted advertisements
A method and system for identifying search terms for placing advertisements along with search results is provided. The advertisement system selects a description of an item that is to be advertised. The advertisement system then retrieves documents that match the selected description. The advertisement system generates a score for each word of the retrieved documents that indicates relatedness of the word to the item to be advertised. After generating the scores for the words, the advertisement system identifies phrases of the words within the documents that are related to the item. The advertisement system then generates search terms for the item to be advertised from the identified phrases. The advertisement system submits the search terms and an advertisement to a search engines service for placement of a paid-for advertisement for the item. |
| US09489443B1 |
Scheduling of splits and moves of database partitions
A system that implements a data storage service may store data in multiple replicated partitions on respective computing nodes on behalf of clients. A storage node may, based on the amount of provisioned resources on a given storage device or logical volume, identify candidate partition management operations to be performed, and may send information about the operations to a central partition management scheduler. The scheduler may apply a global prioritization scheme to determine an order in which to perform the candidate operations. The order may be based on whether the operations include partition splits or partition moves, whether they aim to reduce provisioned storage capacity or reduce throughput capacity on a storage device or logical volume, whether they conflict with each other, whether the total number of partitions (or replicas thereof) involved in partition management at any given time exceeds a pre-determined limit, or whether they were requested by clients. |
| US09489441B2 |
Reusable multimodal application
A method and system are disclosed herein for accepting multimodal inputs and deriving synchronized and processed information. A reusable multimodal application is provided on the mobile device. A user transmits a multimodal command to the multimodal platform via the mobile network. The one or more modes of communication that are inputted are transmitted to the multimodal platform(s) via the mobile network(s) and thereafter synchronized and processed at the multimodal platform. The synchronized and processed information is transmitted to the multimodal application. If required, the user verifies and appropriately modifies the synchronized and processed information. The verified and modified information are transferred from the multimodal application to the visual application. The final result(s) are derived by inputting the verified and modified results into the visual application. |
| US09489440B2 |
Opportunistic, priority-based object synchronization
Mechanisms for synchronizing an object set with a remote data store are often performed at a particular frequency, e.g., once per hour or day. However, the objects of the object set may have different priorities, and it may be advantageous to synchronize higher-priority objects more often than regular-priority objects. The synchronization mechanisms may also differ (e.g., high-priority object synchronization may be direct and/or holistic, while regular-priority object synchronization may be differential, cached, and/or involving version and/or conflict resolution). Additionally, a resource-based threshold may be applied to the high-priority objects (e.g., a bandwidth cap) in order to reduce resource exhaustion, and high-priority objects that are not synchronized within the threshold may be synchronized with the regular-priority objects. These techniques may be particularly advantageous for synchronizing objects comprising an application state of applications of current or recent usage by a user, where application state “staleness” is acutely visible to the user. |
| US09489433B2 |
User interface for predictive model generation
A dataset is searched using inclusion set criteria to produce an inclusion set and exclusion set criteria to produce an exclusion set. A set of unique content elements is identified from the inclusion set and the exclusion set. Metrics are derived from the inclusion set, exclusion set, and set of unique content elements, such as a measure, for each unique content element, of the absolute value of the difference between the percentage of records in the inclusion set containing the unique content element and the percentage of records in the exclusion set containing the unique content element. The unique content element set may be sorted and displayed in decreasing order of the above-referenced absolute value. The content element set may be filtered. Individual content elements may be excluded from the content set. A predictive model may be generated based on the resulting version of the content element set. |
| US09489431B2 |
System and method for distributed search-by-content
A method for conducting search-by-content is provided. The method includes responsive to an input multimedia content item provided to a user device, checking if the input multimedia content item matches at least one concept of a plurality of concepts cached in the user device; retrieving characteristics set for a user of the user device; performing a search, using the at least one matching concept, for multimedia content items similar to the input multimedia content item; determining which of the search results are of interest to the user based on the characteristics set for the user; and saving results that are of interest to the user in the user device, wherein the saved results include multimedia content items. |
| US09489424B2 |
Cursor pre-fetching
Techniques determine a quantity of rows to fetch based on memory available on a client computer and the fetch state of cursors. The techniques are used to determine a quantity of rows for “pre-fetching”. Under pre-fetching, rows in addition to those requested by an application are fetched from a database instance and stored in a “pre-fetch buffer”. The pre-fetch quantities are based on an amount of memory that is deemed available for pre-fetch buffers on a client computer and the number of cursors in the fetch state for a session at a given moment. Pre-fetching is used to hasten session migration. By fetching a quantity of rows that is larger than would be fetched if only the application-specified quantity were fetched, the fetch phase of a cursor is completed sooner. An earlier completion of the fetch phase of a session's cursors allows migration of the session to be completed sooner. |
| US09489422B2 |
System and method for searching disparate datastores via a remote device
A system and method are provided for searching the contents of a network system connected to data storage devices from a remote terminal over a wired or wireless link. This system formulates search requests, and dispatches the requests, A variety of search engines and services are invoked to find the requested contents. A summary is formed in a format brief enough for transmission over a wireless link. The search summary information is indexed the remote terminal to subsequently request all or part of a document referenced in the search summary, allows formation of requests of all or part of a referenced document in its original form or in a form transcoded appropriately for transmission over a wireless link and presented on the remote terminal. |
| US09489418B2 |
Processing database queries embedded in application source code from within integrated development environment tool
Embodiments of the invention provide database integration within an integrated development environment (IDE) tool for displaying database structure and other database information, query editing and execution, and error detection for database statements embedded in program source code. Embodiments of the invention integrate database connectivity and error detection into the IDE tool, thereby potentially reducing the time required for database-aware application development. |
| US09489416B2 |
Scalable searching of biometric databases using dynamic selection of data subsets
A method of searching a biometric database includes storing biometric data corresponding to a number of users in a database, and defining one or more data subsets in the database according to inputs from users expecting to pass through a given biometric acquisition device that is linked with the database within a certain time period. A search initiated by the given acquisition device at a given time is then scaled down to only those data subsets defined by the inputs from those users expecting to pass through the acquisition device at the given time. This modification of the database and database search is performed continuously and automatically based on dynamic information provided by other automatic and/or manual systems, and then optionally the information on the databases can be automatically modified or deleted based either on a biometric match result or based on rules encoded in the database records. |
| US09489414B2 |
Prefix burrows-wheeler transformations for creating and searching a merged lexeme set
Systems and methods to create a merged lexeme set from a first lexeme set and a second lexeme set such that an existential lexeme search may be performed on both data originally from the first lexeme set and data originally from the second lexeme set via the merged lexeme set, and wherein information in the merged lexeme set includes information as to which lexeme set a lexeme originated. Specifically Prefix Burrows-Wheeler Transform (“PBWT”) systems and techniques are applied to the scenario where a plurality lexeme sets are merged to a single merged lexeme set. Additionally, applications of PBWT systems and techniques as applied to genome sequence data and k-Mer searches are disclosed. |
| US09489413B2 |
Asynchronous global index maintenance during partition maintenance
Techniques for maintaining a global index in response to a partition being dropped are provided. In response to an instruction to drop a partition, partition identification data that identifies the partition is stored. Index entries, in the global index, that correspond to the dropped partition become “orphaned” entries. Later, an execution plan for a query is processed, where the execution plan targets a global index. During execution of the execution plan, one or more index entries are accessed. For each accessed index entry, the partition identification data is analyzed to determine if the index entry is an orphaned entry. If so, then the index entry is ignored for purposes of the query. Later, the global index may be updated to delete each orphaned entry. Such deletion may occur much later, such as during a time when the database is not queried or updated frequently. |
| US09489412B2 |
Managing replicated data
An approach for managing replicated data is presented. Metadata is received specifying inter-data correlation(s), inter-replica correlation(s), and data-replica correlation(s) among replicas generated for a system. A unified replication metadata model specifying the correlations is generated. Based on the inter-replica correlation(s), a proper subset of the replicas is selected. Based on the inter-replica and inter-data correlation(s), the selected proper subset of replicas is indexed to generate a unified content index. Based on a current usage of resources, an expected usage and an affinity score for performing an indexing task online or offline are determined. A query is received to locate a data item in at least one of the replicas. Based on the unified content index, the unified replication metadata model, and the query, candidate replica(s) and confidence score(s) indicating likelihood(s) that the candidate replica(s) include the data item are determined. |
| US09489405B2 |
Geometric array data structure
A method for implementing a geometric array in a computing environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing an array of slots, where each slot is configured to store a pointer. Each pointer in the array points to a block of elements. Each pointer with the exception of the first pointer in the array points to a block of elements that is twice as large as the block of elements associated with the preceding pointer. Such a structure allows the geometric array to grow by simply adding a pointer to the array that points to a new block of elements that is twice as large as the block of elements associated with the preceding pointer in the array. A corresponding computer program product, as well as a method for accessing data in the geometric array, are also disclosed. |
| US09489404B2 |
De-duplicating data in a network with power management
A method, computer system, and computer program product for managing copies of data objects in a network data processing system. The computer system identifies copies of a data object stored on storage devices. The computer system places the storage devices into groups. Each storage device in a group has a smallest distance from the storage device to a center location for the group as compared to distances to center locations for other groups within the groups. The computer system selects a portion of the copies of the data object for removal from the storage devices based on a management of power for the storage devices such that remaining set of storage devices in each group is capable of handling concurrent requests that have been made historically for the copies of the data object. The computer system removes the portion of the copies of the data object from the storage devices. |
| US09489399B1 |
Data center management using virtualized data center inventory
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for locating a target IT component in a data center. A first identification marker is scanned by a mobile computing device. A location of the first identification marker in the data center based on a virtual representation of the data center is determined by the mobile computing device. An identity of the target IT component is received. A location of the rack containing the target IT component in the data center based on the virtual representation of the data center is determined by the mobile computing device. A map of the data center, wherein the map of the data center includes first indicia of the location of the first identification marker and second indicia of the location of the rack containing the target IT component, is displayed by the mobile computing device. |
| US09489396B2 |
Intermediation of hypervisor file system and storage device models
A communication model in which application(s) above a hypervisor use a file system having one data access model (e.g., a block-based file system) to access an underlying storage device having another data access model (e.g., an object-based file system). This is accomplished via an intermediary component that converts input/output requests and responses from the file system data access model into the underlying storage device data access model, and vice versa. As an example, virtual machines operating a block-based file system using a hypervisor may interface through the intermediary component with an object-based storage device. Thus, the prolific use and availability of block-based file systems may be used compatibly with highly efficient object-based storage devices. |
| US09489390B2 |
Reconciling access rights at IAM system implementing IAM data model
Systems and methods for reconciling access rights provisioned for physical computing resources of a computer system are provided. A reconciler may identify current physical computing resources accessible to a user account of the computer system and a physical entitlement specification associated with the user account. The reconciler may determine whether adjustment of access rights is needed based on a comparison of the current physical computing resources to the physical entitlement specification. Access rights to at least one physical computing resource may be adjusted in response to a determination that adjustment of access rights is needed. |
| US09489384B2 |
Content providing techniques
Techniques for content providing and classifying users based on content search conditions are generally described. In some examples, the techniques may be embodied in apparatus, systems, and methods. An example content providing apparatus may include a receiving unit, a classifying unit, a content acquisition unit, and a determining unit. The receiving unit may be configured to receive content search conditions and the classifying unit may be configured to classify users into types according to the search conditions. The content acquisition unit may be configured to acquire content that includes non-text data based on the received search conditions and the determining unit may be configured to evaluate acquired content to identify data of the non-text data in the acquired content that is firstly processed to output based on the user type. |
| US09489382B2 |
Digital publishing platform
The present subject matter relates in general to system and method of content management and content life cycle management on a digital publishing platform. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to methods and systems for publishing, collaborating, distributing, managing, and subscribing digital contents and rights using a content-centric approach. Some such embodiments include receiving an electronic data item including at least one content item and based on a type of the electronic data item, identifying in a configuration-setting repository, a normalized data type for which the electronic data item is to be stored in. The electronic data item may then be transformed to the identified normalized form. Such embodiments may further extract content items from the electronic data item and performing a semantic analysis on each extracted content item to generate metadata descriptive of each respective content item. The extracted content items and metadata may then be stored. |
| US09489381B1 |
Structured document customizable comparison systems and methods
Multiple structured documents can be compared with one another utilizing user-specified custom configurations. For example, a traversal of at least two of the documents may identify one or more potential matches in the documents. A user-defined rule may be obtained that specifies differences that are expected within the documents. Additionally, a determination may be made regarding when differences between potential matches are significant based in part on user-defined rule. In some examples, significant differences may be determined to be significant as a result of being differences, other than expected differences, that vary from the expected differences. Any significant differences can be logged, reported on or added to statistics for the new service being tested. |
| US09489378B1 |
Parsing rule generalization by N-gram span clustering
A method includes accessing command sentences stored in a data store, wherein each command sentence is a collection of n-grams and each command sentence includes at least one n-gram that is a non-terminal n-gram that maps to a non-terminal type, and wherein the command sentences include non-terminal n-grams that collectively map to a plurality of different non-terminal types; for each of the non-terminal types: identifying n-gram spans; determining clusters of the n-gram spans, each cluster including n-gram spans meeting a measure of similarity of n-grams spans that belong to the cluster; and for each cluster of n-gram spans, determining, from the n-gram spans belonging to the cluster, a new non-terminal type to which the terminal n-grams of the n-gram spans map. |
| US09489377B1 |
Inferring recipe difficulty
Embodiments infer a difficulty attribute of a recipe. A recipe is obtained that includes recipe content such as preparation steps and ingredients. A recipe server identifies attribute features in the recipe content, where the attribute features are representative of portions of the recipe content that are correlated with difficulty attributes. The recipe server determines whether the recipe is associated with a difficulty attribute based on the attribute features and obtained attribute parameters corresponding to the attribute features. A difficulty attribute determined to be associated with a recipe is transmitted to a client device in response to a request for the recipe. The estimated difficulty attribute is used to filter recipes sent in response to a request for recipes, where the request specifies a criterion based on the difficulty attribute. The estimated difficulty attribute is used to select recipes for recommendation to a user based on that user's preferences. |
| US09489376B2 |
Identifying confidential data in a data item by comparing the data item to similar data items from alternative sources
A method, apparatus and computer program product to identify confidential information in a document. To examine a document for inclusion of confidential information, the document is compared against documents having similar structure and content from one or more other sources. When comparing documents (of similar structure and content) from different sources, confidential information is then made to stand out by searching for terms (from the sources) that are not shared between or among them. In contrast, common words or terms that are shared across the sources are ignored as likely being non-confidential information; what remains as not shared may then be classified as confidential information and protected accordingly (e.g., by omission, redaction, substitution or the like). Using this technique, non-confidential information may be safely segmented from confidential information in a dynamic, automated manner. |
| US09489372B2 |
Web-based spell checker
A fast client-side spell checker is provided that builds efficient structures out of dictionary and a common misspelling list and uses the structures to prune the number of searches required to identify misspelled words and provide suggestions for correcting the misspelled words. The spell checker is a browser-based application, which is provided by a server to a client device. The server sends the dictionary and a list of common misspellings to the client device in the form of efficient data structures. The spell checker utilizes a set of rules to identify the words that are not in the dictionary but are intended to be correct as typed. The spell checker is used by different browser-based applications that utilize the same spell checker regardless of the browser platform used to access the applications. The spell checker, therefore, provides a uniform spell checking user experience across different browser platforms. |
| US09489369B2 |
Spread sheet application having multidimensional cells
The invention relates to a method for modifying the content of one or a plurality of cells of a spread sheet or a report which is associated with a spread sheet having a number of cells which are displayed in rows and columns, comprising: detecting a user request to modify the content of one or a plurality of cells, when a user request has been recognized, retrieving and processing a predetermined entry from a storage medium, wherein the storage medium includes a number of different entries, which are processed consecutively, wherein, each time a user request has been recognized, a predetermined next entry is processed. |
| US09489366B2 |
Interactive synchronization of web data and spreadsheets
Interactive synchronization of Web data and spreadsheets is usable to build data wrappers based on any type of data found in a document. Such data wrappers can be used to interact with source documents, crawl a network for additional data, map data from across domains, and/or synchronize data from dynamic Web documents. |
| US09489364B2 |
Method and system for data analysis
A data analysis and display system and method for performing a plurality of operations on data arranged in data tables. One or more of the following data operations are provided: combining separate data together, for example by joining and appending; normalizing and summarizing; copying; calculating and presenting new information from existing data; making corrections in a persistent manner, and analyzing the data, to allow users to work with their data at a high level using a core set of functions that facilitate performance of these operations in a generally simple, intuitive manner. |
| US09489358B2 |
Data processing apparatus, input supporting method, and program
A communication terminal acquires an email, when an instruction to generate a memorandum is detected, specifies a character string associated with a predetermined attribute (a date and time, place, and person etc.), selects an input candidate from the specified character string and presents the selected candidate. For example, when a receive time of the email is “March 10th,” and the email includes the character string “next day” in the text, the communication terminal presents the character string “March 11th” as an input candidate. |
| US09489353B2 |
System and method for sharable browsing experience
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable web browsing experience on a host device, utilizing the transfer of URL and form data information. The present invention further describes a method for establishing a synchronized browsing session, comprising sending a request to establish the synchronized browsing session to a synchronization server, receiving a confirmation message from the synchronization server including a session identifier associated with the established synchronized browsing session, and sending an invitation to an invitee to join the synchronized browsing session, wherein the invitation includes the session identifier. The present invention further describes a method for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising recording a shared web browsing interaction, and transmitting information related to the shared web browsing interaction to a synchronization server. |
| US09489351B2 |
Enhancement of multi-lingual business indicia through curation and synthesis of transliteration, translation and graphemic insight
There is provided a method that includes parsing a string of characters into its graphemes, and generating a pattern of characters that represents an abstraction of the graphemes. There is also provided a system that performs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions for controlling a processor to perform the method. |
| US09489349B2 |
Page template selection for content presentation in a digital magazine
A digital magazine server creates a section of a digital magazine including content items based on a page template describing the relative positioning and sizing of content items. A page template may include display regions specifying the size of content items as a percentage of a display area. Additionally, a display region in a page template may specify use of a sub-template for presenting content items. The sub-template includes display regions specifying the relative positioning of content items presented in the display region specifying use of the sub-template. To generate the section of the digital magazine, various page templates are scored and a page template is selected based on the scoring. One or more diversity policies may be enforced when selecting the page template to improve user interaction with the digital magazine. |
| US09489347B2 |
Method and apparatus for incorporating additional content in a printed document at a time of printing
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for incorporating additional content in a document at a time of processing are disclosed. For example, the method initiates a request to process a document, receives an option to include one or more additional content to the document, selects at least one additional content to add to the printed document from the endpoint device at the time of processing, defines at least one access control of the at least one additional content and sends the request to process the document, wherein the at least one additional content is incorporated into the document that is processed and the at least one additional content has the at least one access control. |
| US09489345B1 |
System and method for providing products and locations
A computing system is provided, comprising a processor, a memory for storing instructions executable on the processor, a product generation module within the memory and, an input/output controller coupled to output a product sequence from the product generation module to a peripheral device. The product generation module comprises a code provider module and a product provider module. |
| US09489342B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products for performing mathematical operations
The system has first, second, third, and fourth subsystems. Each subsystem has first and second multipliers coupled, respectively, to first and second adders. Each multiplier has two inputs. The first adder is coupled to a first output, a first accumulator, and a bit shifter. The bit shifter is coupled to a third adder. The third adder is coupled to a multiplexer. The multiplexer is coupled to a second output and a second accumulator. The second adder is coupled to the third adder and the multiplexer. The first outputs of the first and second subsystems are coupled directly to a fourth adder, the second outputs of the first and second subsystems are coupled directly to a fifth adder, the first outputs of the third and fourth subsystems are coupled directly to a sixth adder, and the second outputs of the third and fourth subsystems are coupled directly to a seventh adder. |
| US09489340B2 |
Electrical power health monitoring system
An electrical power generation and distribution health monitoring system includes a network of a plurality of nodes included in an electrical system of a vehicle. Each node of the plurality of nodes is synchronized with other nodes of the plurality of nodes. The network is configured to communicate electrical system health data associated with the electrical system to at least one vehicle health reporting system. |
| US09489338B1 |
Systolic array based architecture for branch and bound algorithms
Techniques and mechanisms implement a branch and bound algorithm using a systolic array based circuit architecture. For example, a systolic array may perform calculations associated with nodes of a tree data structure. Information associated with the nodes may be analyzed and stored by a controller. The controller may also provide data to the systolic array based on the information associated with the nodes. |
| US09489337B2 |
Picoengine multi-processor with task assignment
A general purpose PicoEngine Multi-Processor (PEMP) includes a hierarchically organized pool of small specialized picoengine processors and associated memories. A stream of data input values is received onto the PEMP. Each input data value is characterized, and from the characterization a task is determined. Picoengines are selected in a sequence. When the next picoengine in the sequence is available, it is then given the input data value along with an associated task assignment. The picoengine then performs the task. An output picoengine selector selects picoengines in the same sequence. If the next picoengine indicates that it has completed its assigned task, then the output value from the selected picoengine is output from the PEMP. By changing the sequence used, more or less of the processing power and memory resources of the pool is brought to bear on the incoming data stream. The PEMP automatically disables unused picoengines and memories. |
| US09489335B2 |
Circuit arrangement and method for transmitting signals
On the basis of single-ended signals based on logic levels, and of differential, in particular common-mode-based, signals, a circuit arrangement and a corresponding method are proposed, in which a serialized signal transmission is always performed in an error-free and stable manner. |
| US09489332B2 |
System and method for virtual hardware memory protection
A memory protection unit including hardware logic. The hardware logic receives a transaction from a virtual central processing unit (CPU) directed at a bus slave, the transaction being associated with a virtual CPU identification (ID), wherein the virtual CPU is implemented on a physical CPU. The hardware logic also determines whether to grant or deny access to the bus slave based on the virtual CPU ID. The virtual CPU ID is different than an ID of the physical CPU on which the virtual CPU is implemented. |
| US09489320B2 |
System and method for transferring an active state between a powerful processor and a less powerful processor
An information handling system includes a tablet with a processor, and a dock with a second processor that determines that the tablet is coupled to the dock, boots the dock, receives a request for the tablet to be uncoupled from the dock, creates a migration image with state information of the dock and that identifies a process running on the dock, and sends the migration image to the tablet. The first processor receives the request, boots the tablet, receives the migration image from the second processor, loads the state information to the tablet, and launches the first process. |
| US09489318B2 |
Method and system for accessing protected memory
Methods and systems for accessing protected memory are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include enabling access to protected memory on a chip when a user access key for the chip matches a customer specific access key that is pre-programmed and stored in a one-time programmable memory within the chip. The protected memory in the chip may comprise non-volatile memory. Portions of the protected memory may be allocated for access by different users. Accordingly, each user may have a different user access key to access the portion of the protected memory allocated to that user. A user may use offset to objects when sending commands to access the protected memory. The object may indicate memory address and data size. This may allow a level of abstraction where a customer may not need to know specific addresses for the portion of the protected memory being accessed. |
| US09489317B2 |
Method for fast access to a shared memory
A system, a method, and an apparatus are disclosed. In an embodiment, a system includes a host processor with a communications unit, a memory coupled to the communications unit, and a coprocessor coupled to the communications unit. The memory may include at least a first area and a second area. The coprocessor may be configured to request access to the first area of the memory via the communications unit. The communications unit may be configured to verify an identity of the coprocessor, and grant access to the first area of the memory responsive to a positive identification of the coprocessor. |
| US09489314B2 |
Multi-master cache coherent speculation aware memory controller with advanced arbitration, virtualization and EDC
This invention is an integrated memory controller/interconnect that provides very high bandwidth access to both on-chip memory and externally connected off-chip memory. This invention includes an arbitration for all memory endpoints including priority, fairness, and starvation bounds; virtualization; and error detection and correction hardware to protect the on-chip SRAM banks including automated scrubbing. |
| US09489308B2 |
Cache line eviction based on write count
A method of shielding a memory device (110) from high write rates comprising receiving instructions to write data at a memory container (105), the memory controller (105) composing a cache (120) comprising a number of cache lines defining stored data, with the memory controller (105), updating a cache line in response to a write hit in the cache (120), and with the memory controller (105), executing the instruction to write data in response to a cache miss to a cache line within the cache (120) in which the memory controller (105) prioritizes for writing to the cache (120) over writing to the memory device (110). |
| US09489305B2 |
System and method for managing bandwidth and power consumption through data filtering
Various embodiments of methods and systems for managing write transaction volume from a master component to a long term memory component in a system on a chip (“SoC”) are disclosed. Because power consumption and bus bandwidth are unnecessarily consumed when ephemeral data is written back to long term memory (such as a double data rate “DDR” memory) from a closely coupled memory component (such as a low level cache “LLC” memory) of a data generating master component, embodiments of the solutions seek to identify write transactions that contain ephemeral data and prevent the ephemeral data from being written to DDR. |
| US09489298B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus, operating method thereof, and data processing system having the same
Provided is a nonvolatile memory apparatus which writes data into a memory cell according to a program and verify (PNV) operation, wherein the nonvolatile memory apparatus performs the PNV operation for first data during a first time, and performs a plurality of PNV operations for second data during the first time. |
| US09489293B2 |
Techniques for opportunistic data storage
Techniques for opportunistic data storage are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a data storage device and a storage management module, and the storage management module may be operative to receive a request to store a set of data in the data storage device, the request indicating that the set of data is to be stored with opportunistic retention, the storage management module to select, based on allocation information, storage locations of the data storage device for opportunistic storage of the set of data and write the set of data to the selected storage locations. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09489292B2 |
Devices and methods for acquiring abnormal information
Devices and methods are provided for acquiring abnormal information. For example, a test command line is generated using one or more data processors based on at least information associated with test demand information; the generated test command line is run using the data processors to send a test instruction to execute a test of a condition associated with the demand information; a test log is monitored using the data processors; keyword identification is performed using the data processors on the test log; and in response to one or more test abnormal keywords existing in the test log based on at least information associated with the keyword identification, abnormal information associated with the abnormal keywords is extracted using the data processors from the test log. |
| US09489290B1 |
Scheduling tests based on a valuation system
Disclosed herein are tools and methods for selecting and scheduling executable test program the use in testing, evaluating, monitoring, and analyzing an executable test program or any portion thereof. The tools and methods disclosed can analyze an executable test program developed in a text based programming language environment and an executable test program developed in a graphical modeling based programming environment. The tools and methods identify and analyze the quantitative measures of an executable test program and compute one or more scores for the executable test program. The tools and methods can use the scores computed to rank and order the executable test programs for execution to test an executable program or any portion thereof. |
| US09489289B2 |
Adaptive framework automatically prioritizing software test cases
An automated, self-adaptive framework prioritizes software testing in a consistent and effective manner. A metric evaluates past test execution information for assigning regression testing priority. The metric may be calculated with reference to one or more of the following factors taken in combination: requirement, coverage, history, and cost. The requirement factor considers customer-assigned priority of testing the code, complexity of implementing the code, and proneness of the code to faults. The coverage factor considers code coverage, feature coverage, and common usage rate. The history factor considers previous bug found rate, case stable rate, and priority to calculate. The cost factor considers test case execution time, and step length. A value of each factor for one test case is measured according to that test case and is not related to other test cases. The calculation result representing the metric for each test case determines a priority of the test case. |
| US09489283B1 |
Unified hardware and software debugging
A device receives information specifying a functional model that includes a set of variables and a set of computations, and receives debugging information associated with the functional model. The device generates computer code based on the set of computations associated with the functional model, the set of variables associated with the functional model, and the received debugging information. The device executes the generated computer code based on the debugging information. |
| US09489274B2 |
System and method for performing efficient failover and virtual machine (VM) migration in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)
Certain aspects direct to system for performing efficient failover and virtual machine (VM) migration in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). The system includes a plurality of computing devices functioning as nodes, and a virtual desktop controller. The virtual desktop controller includes a processor, a memory, and a storage device storing computer executable code. The code, when executed at the processor, is configured to configure the computing devices as a failover cluster of the system; assign one computing device as an active node; assign each of the other computing devices as a passive node, and configure a clustered shared volume (CSV) of physical disks as backup nodes of the active node; and monitor the computing devices of the failover cluster. When the active node of the failover cluster fails, the executed code configures assigns one of the passive node of the failover cluster as a new active node. |
| US09489271B1 |
User interface for restoring databases
Various systems and methods for restoring data in distributed storage systems. For example, one method involves receiving a first selection, where the first selection identifies data abstraction. The data abstraction represents a data source that can be restored. The method also involves receiving a second selection, where the second selection identifies a restore operation, and where the restore operation is associated with the data abstraction. The method also involves determining data to be restored, where this determination is based on the data source(s) (as can be determined from the data abstraction) and on the second selection. Data can then be restored based on the determined data. |
| US09489270B2 |
Managing backup operations from a client system to a primary server and secondary server
Provided are techniques for managing backup operations from a client system to a primary server and secondary server. A determination is made at the client system of whether a state of the data on the secondary server permits a backup operation in response to determining that the primary server is unavailable when a force failover parameter is not set. The client system reattempts to connect to the primary server to perform the backup operation at the primary server in response to determining that the state of the data on the secondary server does not permit the backup operation. The client system performs the backup operation at the secondary server in response to determining that the state of the secondary server permits the backup operation. |
| US09489268B2 |
System and method to proactively maintain a consistent recovery point objective (RPO) across data centers
A system and method for proactively monitoring and maintaining a consistent recovery point objective (RPO) across data centers, the system comprising: one or more RPO Management Server(s) logically connected to one or more Production Sites and one or more Disaster Recovery Sites; a Network connecting the said RPO Management Server(s) with the said Production Site and the said Disaster Recovery Site wherein the said RPO Management Server is provided with at least one RPO Manager, at least one Disaster Recovery Management (DRM) System and at least one Replication Management System. |
| US09489267B1 |
Optimization to permit block based incremental backup across system reboot or crash
Techniques to back up data are disclosed. In various embodiments, a copy of a free block map as of a first time associated with a first backup is stored in persistent data storage. Writes made subsequent to the first backup to blocks not listed as free in the copy of the free block map as of the first time are tracked in a persistently-stored change block tracking log. A free block map as of a second time and the previously-stored copy of the free block map as of the first time are used to determine which blocks listed as free in the free block map as of the first time have been written to since the first time. At least a subset of blocks determined to have been written to since the first time are including in an incremental backup. |
| US09489262B2 |
Low density parity check encoder having length of 16200 and code rate of 2/15, and low density parity check encoding method using the same
A low density parity check (LDPC) encoder, an LDPC decoder, and an LDPC encoding method are disclosed. The LDPC encoder includes first memory, second memory, and a processor. The first memory stores an LDPC codeword having a length of 16200 and a code rate of 2/15. The second memory is initialized to 0. The processor generates the LDPC codeword corresponding to information bits by performing accumulation with respect to the second memory using a sequence corresponding to a parity check matrix (PCM). |
| US09489255B2 |
Dynamic array masking
A method, system, and/or computer program product for dynamic array masking is provided. Dynamic array masking includes, during execution of computer instructions that access a cache memory, detecting an error condition in a portion of the cache memory. The portion of the cache memory contains an array macro. Dynamic array masking, during the execution of the computer instructions that access a cache memory, further includes dynamically setting mask bits to indicate the error condition in the portion of the cache memory and preventing subsequent writes to the portion of the cache memory in accordance with the dynamically set mask bits. Embodiments also include evicting cache entries from the portion of the cache memory. This evicting can include performing a cache purge operation for the cache entries corresponding to the dynamically set mask bits. |
| US09489252B1 |
File recovery using diverse erasure encoded fragments
Diverse erasure encoded fragments, that is, fragments produced by different erasure encoding schemes, may be used to reconstruct a data file. The diverse erasure encoded fragments for the data file are collected and the erasure encoding schemes used to generate the fragments are identified. A fragment matrix is generated from these fragments. An expanded encoding matrix is generated based upon the identified erasure encoding schemes. One or more rows may be removed from the expanded matrix to generate a square matrix. If the square matrix is invertible then it is inverted to provide a decoding matrix. One or more corresponding rows may be removed from the collected fragment matrix. The decoding matrix and the collected fragment matrix are multiplied to recover the data file. Padding symbols may be added to one or more fragments so that all fragments have the same number of symbols per fragment. |
| US09489250B2 |
System and method for managing a network infrastructure using a mobile device
A system and method for managing an IT infrastructure using a mobile device, the method comprises identifying, using one or more processors of a network management system, an issue in one or more components in the infrastructure; retrieving a message instruction for the identified issue from an action database, wherein the message instruction includes information identifying a support personnel and a mobile device of the support personnel to contact regarding the identified issue; sending an alert message to the mobile device of the identified support personnel, wherein the alert message contains information of the identified issue; receiving, at the network management system, a reply message from the mobile device, wherein the reply message contains an instruction to resolve the identified issue; generating an executable command corresponding to the instruction in the reply message; and executing the executable command on the affected components in the infrastructure to resolve the identified issue. |
| US09489249B2 |
Sending failure information from a solid state drive (SSD) to a host drive
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for a host device to request and obtain failure information from a solid state drive (SSD). In operation, an error is detected during an operation associated with a solid state drive. Additionally, a command to return failure information is provided to the solid state drive by a host device. Further, the failure information is sent from the solid state drive to the host device, the failure information including failure information associated with the solid state drive. |
| US09489246B2 |
Method and device for determining parallelism of tasks of a program
A method and device for determining parallelism of tasks of a program comprises generating a task data structure to track the tasks and assigning a node of the task data structure to each executing task. Each node includes a task identification number and a wait number. The task identification number uniquely identifies the corresponding task from other currently executing tasks and the wait number corresponds to the task identification number of a node corresponding to the last descendant task of the corresponding task that was executed prior to a wait command. The parallelism of the tasks is determined by comparing the relationship between the tasks. |
| US09489245B2 |
Work-queue-based graphics processing unit work creation
One embodiment of the present invention enables threads executing on a processor to locally generate and execute work within that processor by way of work queues and command blocks. A device driver, as an initialization procedure for establishing memory objects that enable the threads to locally generate and execute work, generates a work queue, and sets a GP_GET pointer of the work queue to the first entry in the work queue. The device driver also, during the initialization procedure, sets a GP_PUT pointer of the work queue to the last free entry included in the work queue, thereby establishing a range of entries in the work queue into which new work generated by the threads can be loaded and subsequently executed by the processor. The threads then populate command blocks with generated work and point entries in the work queue to the command blocks to effect processor execution of the work stored in the command blocks. |
| US09489241B2 |
Guaranteed response pattern
Methods, systems and computer readable medium are presented for providing a response to a request. A request (e.g., a java request) is received by a computer-based system for providing a response to a request. The availability of the backend system (e.g., java dispatching system) request is analyzed in response to receiving the request. In response to a determination that the backend system is unavailable to process the request, an unavailable response is transmitted. In response to a determination that the backend system is available to process the request, the request is transmitted to a backend system to process the request. |
| US09489238B2 |
Hierarchal system of objects
Techniques are disclosed that include instantiating a storage object hierarchy including a root storage object and one or more descendant objects of the root storage object. The storage object hierarchy comprises instantiated objects temporarily denied utilization of the computational resources. The techniques further include instantiating a source object hierarchy including a root source object. The source object hierarchy comprises instantiated objects allowed utilization of the computational resources. The techniques also include receiving a request to execute a process corresponding to a particular object in the storage object hierarchy, relocating the particular object to the source object hierarchy, and allocating a computational resource corresponding to the process to the particular object, thereby allowing utilization of the computational resource by the particular storage object. |
| US09489237B1 |
Dynamic tree determination for data processing
Data can be processed in parallel across a cluster of nodes using a parallel processing framework. Using Web services calls between components allows the number of nodes to be scaled as necessary, and allows developers to build applications on the framework using a Web services interface. A job scheduler works together with a queuing service to distribute jobs to nodes as the nodes have capacity, such that jobs can be performed in parallel as quickly as the nodes are able to process the jobs. Data can be loaded efficiently across the cluster, and levels of nodes can be determined dynamically to process queries and other requests on the system. |
| US09489236B2 |
Application prioritization
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for application prioritization. For example, an operating system of a computing device may contemporaneously host one or more applications, which may compete for computing resources, such as CPU cycles, I/O operations, memory access, and/or network bandwidth. Accordingly, an application (e.g., a background task or service) may be placed within a de-prioritized operating mode during launch and/or during execution, which may result in the application receiving a relatively lower priority when competing with applications placed within a standard operating mode for access to computing resources. In this way, an application placed within a standard operating mode (e.g., a foreground application currently interacted with by a user) may have priority to computing resources over the de-prioritized application, such that the application within the standard operating mode may provide enhanced performance based upon having priority to computing resources. |
| US09489233B1 |
Parallel modeling and execution framework for distributed computation and file system access
A method, system, and program product comprising determining a set of objects to be represented in a computer model, determining the relationships between the object to be represented in the computer model, and creating layered over and underlying relationship between the determined set of objects. |
| US09489229B2 |
Transparent dynamic code optimization
A transparent dynamic code optimization capability natively executes code and identifies hot regions within the code or identifies code that is to otherwise be optimized; notifies an optimizer that such hot region or code has been identified enabling the optimizer to create optimized code; efficiently passes control to the newly optimized code; and transfers control back from such optimized code. |
| US09489227B2 |
Apparatus and method for virtual desktop service
Disclosed herein are a method and architecture capable of efficiently providing virtual desktop service. A service architecture for virtual desktop service according to the present invention includes a connection broker configured to perform authentication, manage virtual machines, and perform a server monitoring and protocol coordination function, a resource pool configured to manage software resources that are delivered to a specific virtual machine in a streaming form on a specific time in order to provide on-demand virtual desktop service and are executed on the specific virtual machine and to provide provision information about the managed software resources in response to a request from the connection broker, and a virtual machine infrastructure configured to support hardware resources, generate virtual machines in which the software of a user terminal is executed, and provide the generated virtual machine as virtual desktops. |
| US09489226B2 |
Systems and methods to manage write commands in a cache
When a virtual machine sends a write command to a host operating system, a cache system stores the record included in the write command and later sends the write command to a storage system. Systems and methods store an indication of when the write command was received along with the received records in the cache. The cache system determines an order of the records from the indication. In some instances, records received at the same time are serialized and/or assigned record numbers. The simultaneously received records can be assigned a batch number. According to the determined order, the records are retrieved from the cache memory and included in write commands sent to the storage system. In some instances, checkpoints can be stored to prevent records from being re-sent to the storage system following a failure. |
| US09489225B2 |
Allocating resources for multi-phase, distributed computing jobs
In one embodiment, data indicative of the size of an intermediate data set generated by a first resource device is received at a computing device. The intermediate data set is associated with a virtual machine to process the intermediate data set. A virtual machine configuration is determined based on the size of the intermediate data set. A second resource device is selected to execute the virtual machine based on the virtual machine configuration and on an available bandwidth between the first and second resource devices. The virtual machine is then assigned to the second resource device to process the intermediate data set. |
| US09489224B2 |
Network virtualization system, physical node, and virtual interface identification method in virtual machine
A domain management apparatus instructs physical nodes about the configuration of virtual nodes and virtual links of virtual networks. The physical nodes assign a virtual machine to a virtual node based on the definition of the virtual node contained in an instruction from the domain management apparatus. The physical nodes write a configuration associating virtual interfaces in the virtual node definition with virtual NICs on the virtual machine into a configuration file of the operating system to be started up on the virtual machine before the start-up of the virtual machine and, then, start up the virtual machine. Therefore, it is possible to recognize the correspondence relation between the virtual interface in the virtual node definition and the virtual NIC in the virtual machine without referring to the virtual network assignment result and without waiting for the start-up of the virtual machine. |
| US09489221B2 |
Matching based pattern inference for SMT solvers
A method for automatically analyzing formulas and adding pattern annotations to quantifiers based on a database of common pattern idioms. The method involves matching base pattern inference for Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solvers. The method uses a database for fault detection in externally supplied pattern annotated formulas. The method also uses matching code trees to mixed second-order pattern matching. |
| US09489220B1 |
Displaying guest operating system statistics in host task manager
A system, method and computer program product for implementing a VM on a host computer and monitoring the VM processes from the Host computer. A host-based Task Manager monitors the VM process and obtains execution statistics using a proprietary dynamic link library that substitutes Guest statistic collection functions for standard host statistic collection functions. The Guest statistic collection functions acquire data related to the execution of the VM processes running on the Guest OS. |
| US09489215B2 |
Managing an expression-based DFA construction process
DFA construction may be aborted if the DFA will become too big for the computing device to handle or based on user preferences. A DFA may be constructed from an NFA, which is constructed from an expression. The expression may have a total number of operands and operators r. The determination to abort DFA construction may be based on the operands. If the number of DFA nodes constructed is more than a lower threshold and the number of DFA nodes constructed is greater than a function, f(r), the DFA construction may be aborted. If the number of DFA nodes is greater than a higher threshold, the DFA construction may be aborted. The lower threshold may be determined based on computing device capabilities and user preference. The higher threshold may be based on computing device capabilities. |
| US09489210B2 |
Implementing configuration preserving relocation of SRIOV adapter
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing configuration preserving relocation of a Single Root Input/Output Virtualization (SRIOV) adapter in a computer system. At system power on an SRIOV adapter having been relocated to a different slot while the system was powered off is automatically detected, and the configuration data associated with the adapter automatically updated so that it remains associated with the adapter in the adapter's new location. |
| US09489209B2 |
Bios graphical setup engine
A system and method for rendering a graphical setup display. A computer system comprises a first non-volatile storage device and a second non-volatile storage device. The first non-volatile storage device comprises a Basic Input/Output System (“BIOS”). The BIOS further comprises a BIOS graphical setup engine. The second non-volatile storage device comprises a setup image file containing a non-critical graphical setup image. The BIOS graphical setup engine selectively renders a basic graphical setup display omitting the non-critical image by using a set of pre-defined parameters stored in the first non-volatile storage device in place of the non-critical image if the non-critical image is not available, and renders an enhanced graphical setup display comprising the non-critical image contained in the setup image file stored in the second non-volatile storage device if the non-critical image is available. |
| US09489208B2 |
Operating a pipeline flattener in order to track instructions for complex breakpoints
A semiconductor device comprising a processor having a pipelined architecture and a pipeline flattener and a method for operating a pipeline flattener in a semiconductor device are provided. The processor comprises a pipeline having a plurality of pipeline stages and a plurality of pipeline registers that are coupled between the pipeline stages. The pipeline flattener comprises a plurality of trigger registers for storing a trigger, wherein the trigger registers are coupled between the pipeline stages. |
| US09489206B2 |
Dependent instruction suppression
A method includes suppressing execution of at least one dependent instruction of a first instruction by a processor responsive to an invalid status of an ancestor load instruction associated with the first instruction. A processor includes an instruction pipeline having an execution unit to execute instructions, a load store unit for retrieving data from a memory hierarchy, and a scheduler unit. The scheduler unit selects for execution in the execution unit a first load instruction having at least one dependent instruction linked to the first load instruction for data forwarding from the load store unit and suppresses execution of a second dependent instruction of the first dependent instruction responsive to an invalid status of the first load instruction. |
| US09489203B2 |
Pre-fetching instructions using predicted branch target addresses
The present application describes a method and apparatus for prefetching instructions based on predicted branch target addresses. Some embodiments of the method include providing a second cache line to a second cache when a target address for a branch instruction in a first cache line of a first cache is included in the second cache line of the first cache and when the second cache line is not resident in the second cache. |
| US09489200B2 |
Method and apparatus for asynchronous processor with fast and slow mode
A clock-less asynchronous processing circuit or system is configured to operation in a plurality of modes. In an initialization mode (e.g., reset, initialization, boot up), a self-clocked generator associated with the asynchronous circuit is configured to generate an active complete signal (to latch output processed data) within a first period of time after receiving a trigger signal. In a normal mode, the self-clocked generator is configured to generate the active complete signal within a second period of time after receiving the trigger signal. In one embodiment, during the initialization mode, the asynchronous circuit latches the output slower than when in the normal mode. |
| US09489199B2 |
Vector compare instructions for sliding window encoding
A processor is described having an instruction execution pipeline having a functional unit to execute an instruction that compares vector elements against an input value. Each of the vector elements and the input value have a first respective section identifying a location within data and a second respective section having a byte sequence of the data. The functional unit has comparison circuitry to compare respective byte sequences of the input vector elements against the input value's byte sequence to identify a number of matching bytes for each comparison. The functional unit also has difference circuitry to determine respective distances between the input vector's elements' byte sequences and the input value's byte sequence within the data. |
| US09489195B2 |
Method and apparatus for configuring control software for radar systems having different hardware architectures and related software products
Techniques and systems are provided for generating radar control software for radar systems having a variety of different hardware architectures in an efficient manner. A base radar control program may be provided that is configurable using architecture-specific configuration data. A database may also be provided that includes configuration data associated with a plurality of different radar system architectures. Radar control software may be generated for a radar system of interest by retrieving configuration data associated with a corresponding hardware architecture from the database and using the data to configure the base radar control program. |
| US09489189B2 |
Dynamically generate and execute a context-specific patch installation procedure on a computing system
A patch installation procedure may be generated and executed that is specific both to the patch and the configuration of the target computing system. Configuration data may be received that indicates the configuration of the target computing system. Installation metadata for the patch, describing the operations to be performed for installing the patch may also be received. A patch installation procedure may be generated that is based on both the configuration data and the installation metadata. This patch installation procedure may then be executed to automatically install the patch on the target computing system. In at least some embodiments, the target computing system may a distributed computing system including multiple nodes. |
| US09489187B2 |
Adaptive deployment of applications for mobile devices
A method of installing an application on a mobile user device is disclosed. A request for the application is received. Information is received related to the mobile user device on which the application is to be installed. A version of an application is determined to send in response to the request for the application and the information related to the mobile user device. The application version is sent to the mobile user device. Information is received related to the performance of the application version. Adapted application determination information is stored related to at least a portion of the received information. |
| US09489185B2 |
Small/medium business application delivery platform
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods for the purchase, dissemination, configuration, or provisioning of applications to a mobile device. The systems can include devices that receive indications from a small to medium sized businesses of a need for an application, obtain the application from an independent software vendor, configure the application for utilization on the mobile device, and thereafter dispatches the application to the mobile device. |
| US09489184B2 |
Adaptive selection of programming language versions for compilation of software programs
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates the development and compilation of a software program. During operation, the system obtains a set of compilation units to be used in the software program and a version order associated with a programming language of the compilation units. Next, for each compilation unit from the set of compilation units, the system uses the version order to select a version of the programming language that is compatible with the compilation unit. The system then uses the version to compile the compilation unit. |
| US09489179B2 |
Application programming interface tracing mechanism
Example systems and methods of providing an application programming interface tracing mechanism are presented. In one example, an application programming interface for an application is provided, the interface including an interface object. A proxy object is created for the interlace object. At the proxy object, method calls from the application for the interface object are received, recorded, and passed to the interface object. An execution trace including the recorded method calls is generated. |
| US09489176B2 |
Optimized matrix and vector operations in instruction limited algorithms that perform EOS calculations
There is provided a system and method for optimizing matrix and vector calculations in instruction limited algorithms that perform EOS calculations. The method includes dividing each matrix associated with an EOS stability equation and an EOS phase split equation into a number of tiles, wherein the tile size is heterogeneous or homogenous. Each vector associated with the EOS stability equation and the EOS phase split equation may be divided into a number of strips. The tiles and strips may be stored in main memory, cache, or registers, and the matrix and vector operations associated with successive substitutions and Newton iterations may be performed in parallel using the tiles and strips. |
| US09489172B2 |
Method and apparatus for voice control user interface with discreet operating mode
An electronic device includes a voice control interface engine operative in a first mode to receive a speech command, through a microphone, from a first distance and produce, through a loudspeaker and in response to the speech command, an audible output at a first output level. One or more processors are operable with one or more sensors to detect a predefined user input. The one or more processors can then transition the voice control interface engine to a second mode operative to receive the speech command from a second distance and produce, in response to the speech command, the audible output at a second output level, where the second distance is less than the first distance and the second output level less than the first output level. |
| US09489163B2 |
System and method to provide mobile printing using near field communication
A method of mobile printing using near field communication (NFC) includes checking a version of firmware installed in an image forming apparatus; determining whether the checked version of the firmware supports Wi-Fi Direct connection via automatic transmission of a personal identification number (PIN); updating the firmware installed in the image forming apparatus when the checked version of the firmware does not support Wi-Fi Direct connection via automatic transmission of a PIN; encrypting and storing a PIN in an NFC tag attached to the image forming apparatus; setting a Wi-Fi Direct connection by receiving the stored PIN and automatically transmitting the PIN to the image forming apparatus by the mobile device when the mobile device is NFC-tagged to the image forming apparatus; and performing mobile printing via the Wi-Fi Direct connection. |
| US09489158B1 |
Print logging for use with terminal emulators
Print control and print logging may be performed using a web service and a terminal emulator. This may enable a business using an enterprise business application to monitor, control, and log printing activity for further analysis. This functionality may be useful to provide additional security and privacy for business activities. The web service may receive print data and store the print data in a staging database record. The staging record may be analyzed and the data stored as a profile record. The profile record may contain user profile information along with respective access paths for a received print request. The staging record may be deleted upon creation of the profile record. The profile record may be searched and analyzed for particular print information and data reports may be provided and output to an enterprise application. |
| US09489156B1 |
Stream printing method for handling large print jobs to achieve reduced first-page-out time
A stream printing method implemented in a print server and a printer for handling printing of large files. The print server divides the input data file into a plurality of data chunks, and transfers them sequentially to the printer. The printer sequentially rips the data chunks and prints them. The print server dynamically monitors the system performance factors to measure, for each data chunk, the time required to extract the data chunk from the data file, the time required to transfer the data chunk to the printer, the time required to rip the data chunk, and the time required to print the data chunk. The sizes of the data chunks are calculated using these performance factors and the chunk size of a previous data chunk. |
| US09489148B2 |
Selecting between non-volatile memory units having different minimum addressable data unit sizes
An apparatus includes a controller capable of being coupled to a host interface and a memory device. The memory device includes two or more non-hierarchical, non-volatile memory units having different minimum addressable data unit sizes. The controller is configured to at least perform determining a workload indicator of a data object being stored in the memory device via the host interface. The controller selects one of the memory units in response to the workload indicator of the data object corresponding to the minimum addressable data unit size of the selected memory unit corresponding to the workload indicator. The data object is stored in the selected memory unit in response thereto. |
| US09489144B2 |
Transactional memory operations with read-only atomicity
Execution of a transaction mode setting instruction causes a computer processor to be in an atomic read-only mode ignoring conflicts to certain write-sets of a transaction during transactional execution. Read-set conflicts may still cause a transactional abort. Absent any aborting, the transaction's execution may complete, by committing transactional stores to memory and updating architecture states. |
| US09489141B2 |
Efficient scheduling of Input/Output requests to reduce latency and maximize throughput in a flash storage device
In an all-flash storage array, write requests can take about 9 to 10 times longer than a read request of the same size. There could be several problems when reading or writing from all-flash storage, such as a large write request slowing down small read requests, or other write requests. Also, a large read request may slow down smaller read requests by filling the incoming requests queue. In one implementation, a determination is made on what is the maximum size of a request to flash storage that improves the throughput of a flash chip (e.g., write requests beyond a certain size do not improve throughput). A chunklet is defined as a block of data having the calculated maximum size. As write requests come in, the write requests are broken into chunklets, and then the chunklets are queued for processing by the flash chip. One chunklet is processed at a time per write request. This way, one write request does not monopolize the use of the flash chip for a period of time, allowing other requests to be queued while the chunklet is being processed by the all-flash storage. |
| US09489139B2 |
Command processing apparatus, method and integrated circuit apparatus
A command processing apparatus that processes a plurality of commands which are issued independently from a first master and a second master is provided. The command processing apparatus sequentially issues commands to a storage apparatus including a plurality of banks. The first master issues a first command and a second command in order to the command processing apparatus, with the first command being a command to request access to a first bank and the second command being a command to request access to a second bank different from the first bank. When the second master issues a third command to the command processing apparatus during an interval between issuance of the first command and the second command, the command processing apparatus issues the second command to the storage apparatus consecutively after the first command by prioritizing the second command over the third command. |
| US09489138B1 |
Method and apparatus for reliable I/O performance anomaly detection in datacenter
A method and apparatus for reliable I/O performance anomaly detection. In one embodiment of the method, input/output (I/O) performance data values are stored in memory. A first performance data value is calculated as a function of a first plurality of the I/O performance data values stored in the memory. A first value based on the first performance data value is calculated. An I/O performance data value is compared to the first value. A message is generated in response to comparing the I/O performance value to the first value. |
| US09489136B2 |
Interrupt driven memory signaling
Some embodiments includes an interrupt-driven data transport architecture utilizing a memory channel bus. For example, a first logic component at a first computing device can initiate a data access request involving a second logic component at a second computing device. The first logic component can store request information associated with the data access request in a predefined memory space of a memory module connected via a memory channel bus to the first logic component and the second logic component. The first logic component can then generate a request-ready interrupt signal through one or more redundant pins of the memory channel bus. The second logic component can be triggered by the interrupt signal to read the request information from the predefined memory space. The second logic component can use that information to complete the request. |
| US09489131B2 |
Method of presenting a web page for accessibility browsing
A method of presenting a web page is described which incorporates navigation techniques and tools to allow impaired users to navigate throughout a web page in a convenient and geographically intuitive manner. Elements are sampled for in a region located in a user-specified direction, and a UI tool is presented for a detected element. Elements that are “hit” during sampling may be tested for materiality, and the material element with precedence will become the detected element. |
| US09489127B2 |
Method for processing input and electronic device thereof
A method for operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes obtaining input information input to a display screen and fingerprint information input to a fingerprint sensor. The method also includes executing a command matching a combination of the obtained screen input information and fingerprint information. |
| US09489125B2 |
Touch processing method and system using a GUI image
A touch processing method and system using a GUI image, the method including the steps of: reading a sensed data array from a touch panel; performing a conversion procedure on a GUI to generate a GUI image; and performing a touch processing procedure according to the sensed data array and the GUI image. |
| US09489124B2 |
Systems and methods for virtual control of a non-destructive testing system
A non-transitory computer readable medium may comprise instructions configured to display a virtual joystick, a virtual control pad, or a combination thereof and to derive control data based on a manipulation of the virtual joystick, the virtual control pad, or the combination thereof. The instructions may be further configured to communicate the control data to control a component of a non-destructive testing (NDT) device. |
| US09489123B2 |
Method for sensing touch pressure and digital device using the same
The present invention relates to a method for sensing touch pressure on a digital device by using image data sensed by a camera unit.To achieve these objects and other advantages, the present invention provides the method for sensing touch pressure and a digital device using the same, wherein the method comprises obtaining image data sensed by a camera unit of the digital device; obtaining illumination value sensed by a illumination sensor of the digital device; extracting color information of the image data; determining whether a touch input has been performed on the camera unit; and sensing the touch pressure of the touch input based on the extracted color information and the obtained illumination value, if it is determined that the touch input has been performed in the determining step. |
| US09489120B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program
This information processing device enables a user to easily move objects between applications simultaneously displayed on touch panels. The information processing device is provided with touch panels on which applications are simultaneously displayed. A touch panel coordinate management unit detects that an application object has existed for a prescribed time in a defined area of the touch panel when the object is being dragged. An application control unit and a display control unit move the display of the application to a position that allows the object to be dropped as a trigger for detecting the existence of the object in the defined area. |
| US09489113B2 |
System and method for playback of media content with audio touch menu functionality
A system and method for playback of media content, for example music, video, or other media content. A media device having a media playback application and including a touch-sensitive user interface can be adapted to display a visual array of media options, for example as a grid or list of card elements. Each media option can be associated with one or more media content items that can be streamed to and/or played on the device. The system can determine a selected card element, or media options that are proximate to a selected point or region of the visual array, and play or crossfade media content as appropriate. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be provided that improve user interaction, for example the use of audible notifications, media caching, or touch menus. |
| US09489111B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for navigating through a range of values
A multifunction device displays a navigation user interface that includes: a navigation bar having a plurality of unit regions and a plurality of subunit regions. Each of the unit regions represents a range of values. Each subunit region represents a subset of a respective range of values. The navigation user interface also includes a content area for displaying content associated with subunit regions. In response to detecting an input that selects a respective subunit region, the multifunction device updates the content area in accordance with the respective selected subunit region. In response to detecting an input that selects a respective unit region, the multifunction device updates the navigation bar to include subunit regions in accordance with the selected unit region and updates the content area in accordance with at least one of the subunit regions in the updated navigation bar. |
| US09489109B2 |
Data communication in an electronic device
The invention relates to an electronic device (10) and a method for data communication with such an electronic device. The electronic device combines, on the one hand, a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface, including an antenna and a circuit for generating a modulated electromagnetic wave, and on the other hand a user interface including a touch-sensitive display configured to present an object relating to a communication action executable by means of the NFC interface. A control unit connected to the NFC interface and the user interface, is configured to trigger the NFC interface to execute the communication action responsive to simultaneous detection of the presented object being touched and the NFC interface being in communicative connection with a second NFC interface of a second device. |
| US09489108B2 |
Touch switch module
A touch switch module according to one embodiment comprises a panel, a touch sensor and a control unit. The panel displays a slide bar including a step-up portion, a step-down portion, a non-responsive portion and a slide responsive portion. The control unit includes an up signal output unit which, when a short touch which is the touch for a short time is performed on the step-up portion, outputs an up signal for raising an operating condition of the electrical equipment by one level per short touch, a down signal output unit which, when the short touch is performed on the step-down portion, outputs a down signal for lowering the operating condition of the electrical equipment by one level per short touch, and an output forbidding unit which, when the touch is performed on the non-responsive portion, forbids the output of the operation signal. |
| US09489104B2 |
Viewable frame identification
A set of media items may be matched with a media arrangement that displays the media items in the set in a group of frames. The media arrangement may extend across an area larger than a viewable area of a display device. In order to determine the media items that appear within a viewable area, a list of media items may be divided into two portions, one on either side of a middle item in the list. If any part of a frame with which the middle item is associated is within an extended spatial area that extends beyond the viewable area, the middle item may be eliminated from the list, when no part of the frame with which the middle item is associated is within the extended area. The process may be repeated until it is determined that a part of a frame with which the middle item is associated is within the extended area. |
| US09489102B2 |
System and method of modifying lighting in a display system
The present invention describes a display system. The display system includes a display, the display including a display screen capable of operating in a transparent mode; a lighting characteristic assessment component for determining the lighting characteristics of the content on the display screen and the lighting characteristics behind the display screen; and an adaptive lighting control component for controlling of an at least one lighting source and the lighting characteristics of the content on the display screen, wherein based on a comparison of the lighting characteristics of the content on the display screen and the lighting characteristics behind the display screen, modifying at least one of the lighting characteristics of the content on the display screen or the lighting characteristics of the at least one lighting source. |
| US09489097B2 |
Dynamic touch sensor scanning for false border touch input detection
A device, having a touch screen display, performs a mutual capacitance scan of rows and columns of an array of capacitive touch sensors associated with the touch screen display. The device selects a subset of the rows, and a subset of the columns, of the array of capacitive touch sensors, and performs a self capacitance scan of the selected subset of the rows, and the selected subset of the columns, of the array of capacitive touch sensors based on results of the mutual capacitance scan. The device identifies an accidental or false touch input on the touch screen display based on results of the self capacitance scan. |
| US09489094B2 |
Touch sensing panel
A touch sensing panel includes a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes in a touch sensing area to sense a touch, the plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes are separated from each other. The touch sensing panel further includes a plurality of first connectors coupling the first touch electrodes arranged in a first direction and a plurality of second connectors coupling the second touch electrodes arranged in a second direction different from the first direction, a first connecting wire between a second touch electrode of the second touch electrodes and a first touch electrode of the first touch electrodes that are adjacent to each other, the first connecting wire being coupled to the first touch electrode or the corresponding first connectors, and a shield pattern adjacent to the first connecting wire and extending along the first connecting wire. |
| US09489092B2 |
Display device having touch sensor and manufacturing method thereof
A display device having a touch sensor and a manufacturing method thereof. The display device includes a pixel defining layer, first electrodes, an emissive layer, second electrodes, and an insulating layer. The first electrodes are exposed and arranged through the pixel defining layer. The emissive layer is formed on each first electrode. Each second electrode is connected to the emissive layer, and the second electrodes are arranged to be spaced apart from each other. The insulating pattern is formed on the pixel defining layer exposed between adjacent second electrodes. |
| US09489091B2 |
Organic light-emitting display panel
An organic light-emitting display panel includes a display area including pixels configured to display content, and a touch key area including at least one touch key configured to facilitate detection of a touch interaction. |
| US09489089B2 |
Touch-sensitive panel
The invention relates to a touch sensitive panel comprising a single interaction means with at least a first and a second interaction area, wherein the interaction means is transparent in the first interaction area, at least one transforming means for transforming a mechanical, in particular pressure, excitation of the at least first and/or second interaction area of the interaction means into respective signals, and a processing means configured to identify the position of the excitation based on the signals. It furthermore relates to a device comprising such touch sensitive panel. It furthermore relates to an improved drag and drop method. |
| US09489088B2 |
Input-output device and method for driving input-output device
Accuracy of photodetection is improved. An input-output device includes a light unit including Z (Z is a natural number of 3 or more) first light-emitting diodes that emit light with a wavelength in a visible light range and a second light-emitting diode that emits light with a wavelength in an infrared range; a display circuit that is supplied with a display selection signal, supplied with a display data signal in accordance with the display selection signal, and set to be in a display state based on data of the input display data signal; and Y (Y is a natural number) photodetectors including a filter for absorbing light with a wavelength in a visible light range, supplied with a photodetection control signal is input, and generating data based on the illuminance of incident light in accordance with the input photodetection control signal. |
| US09489082B2 |
Touch pad module and electronic device using the same
A touch pad module includes: a touch pad, a sensor group, a touch pad controller IC and a touch pad controller IC (Integrated Circuit). The touch pad has a touch surface touchable by a user. The sensor group is mounted on a mount surface of the touch pad. The sensor group includes at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor and a geomagnetic sensor. The touch pad controller IC is mounted on the mount surface of the touch pad configured to control the touch pad and includes a detector, a digital processor and a first interface. The detector generates digital data representing an electrical state of the touch pad. The digital processor generates coordinate data representing coordinates touched by the user based on the digital data. The first interface transmits data between the digital processor and the outside of the touch pad controller IC. |
| US09489080B2 |
Portable device comprising a touch-screen display, and method for controlling same
A method of controlling a portable device including at least one foldable panel and first and second touch screens is provided. The method includes displaying, on the first touch screen, a first page designated as a home screen and an icon related to at least one application, and a dock area, and displaying, on the second touch screen, first information in a state where the foldable panel is unfolded. The method also includes replacing the first page and the dock area with an outgoing call screen, receiving a phone number input, replacing the outgoing call screen with a dialing screen, and displaying, on the second touch screen, a guide message indicating to fold the portable device for a call. The method also includes replacing the dialing screen with a mid-call screen, and removing the guide message displayed on the second touch screen, and displaying the first information. |
| US09489078B2 |
Portable device comprising a touch-screen display, and method for controlling same
A method of controlling a portable device including at least one foldable panel and first and second touch screens is provided. The method includes displaying, on the first touch screen, a first page designated as a home screen and an icon related to at least one application, and a dock area, and displaying, on the second touch screen, first information in a state where the foldable panel is unfolded. The method also includes replacing the first page and the dock area with an outgoing call screen, receiving a phone number input, replacing the outgoing call screen with a dialing screen, and displaying, on the second touch screen, a guide message indicating to fold the portable device for a call. The method also includes replacing the dialing screen with a mid-call screen, and removing the guide message displayed on the second touch screen, and displaying the first information. |
| US09489074B2 |
Electronic device, operation control method, and operation control program
According to an aspect, an electronic device includes: a display unit; an input unit including an input area; a time detecting unit for detecting an operation time of an input operation performed on the input area; and a control unit for performing a predetermined notification when an input operation is performed on the input area to which a plurality of actions are assigned according to the operation time detected by the time detecting unit. |
| US09489071B2 |
Electronic apparatus and data transmission system
An electronic apparatus is cooperated with an operation apparatus and includes a display panel and a transceiver module. The display panel has at least one electrode. The transceiver module has a transmission unit and a receiving unit. The information exchange between the electronic apparatus and the operation apparatus is performed by at least one of the following ways: the operation apparatus couples and receives a first data transmitted from the electrode, the transmission unit delivers a second data from the electronic apparatus to the operation apparatus, and the receiving unit receives a third data transmitted from the operation apparatus. A data transmitting system is also disclosed. Accordingly, a near field wireless data transmission, which can be applied to not only the near field transmission of data or file but also the far distance data transmission by cooperating with the current communication transmission system, is provided. |
| US09489068B2 |
Methods and apparatus for preventing accidental touch operation
Method and apparatus for preventing an accidental touch operation. The method includes determining, when detecting a touch point in a display area on a touch screen, whether the touch point is within an invalid touch area based on the detected touch point in the display area; and making a response to the touch point only if it is determined that the touch point is not within the invalid touch area. If it is determined that the touch point is within the invalid touch area, no response to the touch point is made. |
| US09489061B2 |
Method and system for power conservation in a multi-zone input device
A method includes placing an input device in a passive mode of operation and periodically monitoring a displacement sensor of the input device, receiving an indication of displacement from the displacement sensor, and placing the input device in an active mode of operation characterized by a power consumption level. The method also includes determining a passing of a predetermined time period since receiving the indication of displacement, placing the input device in a second active mode of operation characterized by a second power consumption level less than the power consumption level, and periodically monitoring one or more of a plurality of touch sensors. The method further includes receiving an indication of input from the one or more of the plurality of touch sensors and placing the input device in the active mode of operation. |
| US09489060B2 |
Stylus extender
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a stylus extender. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing includes a stylus extender. The stylus extender may be attached to a door hinging from the electronic device housing for containing the stylus. The stylus extender may push the stylus forward when the door is opened. |
| US09489056B2 |
Off-axis detection for proximity or gesture sensor
An optical sensor for detecting at least one of proximity and gesture is disclosed. The optical sensor is configured to detect or sense an object that is located out of the sensor's primary axis. This off-axis detection is facilitated by projecting light emitted by a light source away from the sensor's primary axis and away from the direction in which the light was originally emitted by the light source. The light detector is also configured to detect the light that is being projected off-axis. |
| US09489054B1 |
Keyboard folio with attachment strip
A keyboard folio comprises a shell to receive a tablet computer. The shell has an attachment strip along a side thereof. A wireless keyboard has a keyboard panel with an alphanumeric keyboard pivotally coupled to an attachment bar. The attachment bar of the wireless keyboard removably attaches to the attachment strip of the shell in a fixed relationship. The keyboard panel pivots with respect to the attachment bar, and thus the shell. |
| US09489052B2 |
Image recognition device, image recognition method, image recognition program, and recording medium
A secondary coupled vibration occurs between a hand portion of the user and a vehicle due to an influence of a direct vibration of the vehicle. The coupled vibration differs in a deflection width, and generation timing and peak timing of a vibration depending on user's various individual conditions. A difference amount calculation unit and a user-based characteristic learning unit analyze and store a correspondence relation of an acceleration and the coupled vibration, and thereby learn a characteristic of the coupled vibration corresponding to the user. The coupled vibration corresponding to the user can be detected with high accuracy by checking the detected acceleration against a learning result. A position of an indication point indicated by the hand of the user can be recognized with high accuracy by correcting a position of a captured image itself by element of the detected coupled vibration. |
| US09489049B2 |
Force simulation finger sleeve using orthogonal uniform magnetic field
An apparatus and method for providing feedback to a user of an electronic device is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic user input device, a touch panel display configured to display application output and to receive application input, a series of solenoids positioned on each side of or wrapped around the touch panel display, the series of solenoids configured to output a magnetic field, and a processor programmed to execute an application that displays the application output via the touch panel display and in response to input received from the touch panel, drives a separate current to each solenoid of the series of solenoids to apply a force against the magnetic user input device. |
| US09489047B2 |
Haptic device with linear resonant actuator
A haptic output device including an actuator configured to generate a haptic effect, and a processor configured to communicate a driving signal to the actuator and to communicate a braking signal to the actuator before or at the same time the driving signal is terminated to generate the haptic effect. The braking signal has a frequency substantially the same as a resonant frequency of the actuator and at a reverse phase of the driving signal. |
| US09489046B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing haptic feedback to non-input locations
A handheld apparatus includes a top surface that includes a touch screen defining a plurality of keys, and a bottom surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The apparatus further includes a processor and an actuator coupled to the processor and located on the bottom surface. The processor is adapted to detect an object moving across the keys and in response generate an actuation signal to the actuator to generate a haptic feedback on the back surface. |
| US09489042B2 |
Scenario-specific body-part tracking
A human subject is tracked within a scene of an observed depth image supplied to a general-purpose body-part tracker. The general-purpose body-part tracker is retrained for a specific scenario. The general-purpose body-part tracker was previously trained using supervised machine learning to identify one or more general-purpose parameters to be used by the general-purpose body-part tracker to track a human subject. During a retraining phase, scenario data is received that represents a human training-subject performing an action specific to a particular scenario. One or more special-purpose parameters are identified from the processed scenario data. The special-purpose parameters are selectively used to augment or replace one or more general-purpose parameters if the general-purpose body-part tracker is used to track a human subject performing the action specific to the particular scenario. |
| US09489041B2 |
Input device, input system, electronic apparatus, and sense presentation method
An input device includes an operation portion configured to receive an input operation made by a user, a vibration portion configured to vibrate the operation portion, a detection portion configured to detect the input operation, and a controller configured to determine a vibration condition of the vibration portion based on the input operation detected by the detection portion and present an elastic sense to the user by driving the vibration portion under the determined vibration condition. |
| US09489040B2 |
Interactive input system having a 3D input space
An interactive input system comprises computing structure; and an input device detecting at least one physical object carrying a recognizable pattern within a three-dimensional (3D) input space and providing output to the computing structure, wherein the computing structure processes the output of the input device to: recognize the pattern carried by the at least one physical object in the 3D input space; and modify an image presented on a display surface by applying a transition to digital content associated with the at least one physical object based on a detected state of the at least one physical object. |
| US09489039B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting intermediaries
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an intermediary engine having a controller, and a storage medium for storing instructions to be executed by the controller. The instructions, when executed by the controller, can cause the controller to receive a measure of a mood of an individual, invoke an intermediary according to the measure of the mood of the individual, and present the intermediary to an entity requesting to interact with the individual. The measure of the mood can be synthesized from collected information associated with a behavior of the individual, and can have a plurality of dimensions. The mood can also indicate an availability of the individual and a receptiveness of the individual to accept a request to interact with an entity. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09489035B2 |
Efficient power management of a system with virtual machines
Efficient power management of a system with virtual machines is disclosed. In particular, such efficient power management may enable coordination of system-wide power changes with virtual machines. Additionally, such efficient power management may enable coherent power changes in a system with a virtual machine monitor. Furthermore, such efficient power management may enable dynamic control and communication of power state changes. |
| US09489032B2 |
Power gated communication controller
A method includes detecting a communication event over a communication bus 130 coupled to a device, and in response to detecting the communication event, deactivating a module of the device. The method may further include sending a data throttle packet over the communication bus 130 while the deactivated module reactivates. |
| US09489031B2 |
Method to reduce acoustic noise induced by processor performance state changes in response to periodic application workloads
A method and apparatus to alter acoustic noise induced by processor performance changes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor having one or more processor cores may execute instructions of one or more applications. The performance level (e.g., supply voltage and/or clock frequency) may be adjusted in accordance with workload demands. One or more of the applications executing on a core of the processor may exhibit periodic behavior, thereby causing periodic changes (e.g., increases) in the performance level. Performance monitoring may be conducted and may detect the periodic changes in the workload of the application. Responsive to the detection of the periodic changes, a power management unit may subsequently cause future performance level changes associated with the application to occur aperiodically. |
| US09489028B2 |
Managing sideband segments in on-die system fabric
Methods and apparatus for managing sideband segments in an On-Die System Fabric (OSF) are described. In one embodiment, a sideband OSF includes a plurality of segments that may be reset or powered down independently after power management logic determines that in progress messages have been handled and future messages to the segment being reset or powered down will be blocked. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US09489027B1 |
System and method for the accurate recordation of power consumption in a computing device utilizing power profiles
A method for establishing a power profile for a computing device and then using that profile for future power calculations and cost savings estimates after the implementation of a selected power scheme in the computing device is disclosed. This is accomplished by establishing a power profile on a model computing device and then matching that profile to other machines that are similar in configuration. Each tested machine has a power profile that is recorded and saved in cloud based memory storage. A striated matching methodology is utilized to provide the best profile match for each target machine in the enterprise which allows for accurate power calculations for each machine based upon similar original target machine profiles. Once power calculations are done for target machines based on the established profiles, power schemes can then be deployed across an enterprise computing landscape and power calculations taken again to determine potential power savings. |
| US09489026B2 |
Selective event reaction processing in power control
A reaction mode is selected through a user interface from a plurality of reaction modes that includes a fast reaction mode, by which each of a plurality of values assigned to a process variable over time are individually evaluated in an event decision that asserts an occurrence of a power event. The reaction modes also include a slow reaction mode by which none of the values assigned to the process variable over time are individually evaluated in the event decision. Measurements of a signal monitored by a power controller are assigned to the process variable as its values. The event decision evaluates the process variable values against an event boundary in accordance with the selected reaction mode. A transition between conducting and non-conducting states in a switch circuit is compelled in response to the occurrence of the power event as determined from the event decision. |
| US09489023B1 |
Secure wake on LAN with white list
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with secure Wake on LAN with white list are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes memory and sleep manager logic. The memory is configured to store a white list. The white list includes credentials for entities that are authorized to wake a host device from a power-saving sleep mode. The sleep manager logic is configured to receive, from a requesting entity, a request to wake the host device and determine if credentials for the requesting entity are on the white list. The sleep manager logic is configured to wake the host device when credentials for the requesting entity are on the white list and refrain from waking the host device when credentials for the requesting entity are not on the white list. |
| US09489022B2 |
Memory apparatus and computer system including the same
A semiconductor device includes a memory bank, a data line and a data line control unit. The memory bank stores data. The data line transfers data to be stored in or output from the memory bank. The data line control unit initializes the data line in response to a power-up signal and a write command. |
| US09489021B2 |
Insertion and extraction structure with inclined surfaces of card-shaped component and electronic apparatus including the same
An insertion and extraction structure of a card-shaped component includes a slot receiving a card-shaped component in an insertable and extractable manner. The slot has a first surface slidably guiding one surface of the card-shaped component and a second surface located opposite the first surface and slidably guiding the other surface of the card-shaped component. The insertion and extraction structure of a card-shaped component further includes a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The first inclined surface projects from the first surface while being inclined in an extraction direction of the card-shaped component. The second inclined surface is located apart from the first inclined surface in the extraction direction and, with one end portion of the card-shaped component yet to be completely extracted from the slot, abuts the other end portion of the card-shaped component. The second inclined surface is steeper than the first inclined surface. |
| US09489020B2 |
Electronic device case and method of use
The present invention relates to improved protective cases for hand-held electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to cases that protect and modify the functionality of an electronic device. |
| US09489019B2 |
Electrostatic discharge protection in consumer electronic products
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) blocking component is set forth for a computing device. The computing device can include a housing formed of non-conducting material and an overlaying display assembly supported by the housing. The display assembly can further include a plurality of display elements such as thin film transistors (TFTs) interconnected by corresponding metallic traces. The ESD block is used to block static charges associated with an ESD event so that essentially no ESD event related static charge is accumulated on the metallic traces thereby preventing ESD related damage to the plurality of TFTs. |
| US09489018B2 |
Input detection system for a portable electronic device
A proximity input detection system for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes an inductive field sensor to detect a change in a magnetic field when an input device with a coil is within a threshold distance. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a capacitive sensor which can locate the position of an electrically conductive object which is within a threshold distance. The capacitive sensor can also be used, for example, as a switch to activate the device if a user picks it up. The present invention allows user inputs to be detected without actually touching the electronic device. The present invention can also be used to detect inputs through intervening non-metallic layers such as a protective cover or another display of the device without using additional input sensors. |
| US09489017B2 |
Key retraction
A retraction mechanism moves a depressable key downward along a sloped surface from a raised state to a retracted state relative to a deck. |
| US09489016B2 |
Electronic display wearable item
Apparatus, methods and media for delivering an image to a wearable item. The apparatus may include, and the methods and media may involve, a body-engaging member and a compartment configured to receive a electronic display circuit that includes a communication port. The body-engaging member may be mechanically connected with the compartment. The apparatus may include, and the methods and media may involve, a processor module that is configured to format the image for the electronic display circuit and a transmitter module that is configured to transmit the image to the head wearable item electronic display circuit. |
| US09489013B2 |
C6-azaspiro iminothiadiazine dioxides as bace inhibitors, compositions, and their use
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain C2-ring-substituted thiadiazine compounds, including compounds Formula (I): (structure represented) or tautomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds and said tautomers, wherein R1, R4, ring A, RA, m, -L1-, RL, and ring C are as defined herein. The novel compounds of the invention are useful as BACE inhibitors and/or for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies related thereto. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use, including for the possible treatment of Alzheimer's disease, are also disclosed. |
| US09489010B2 |
Pulse generation circuit, burst order control circuit, and data output circuit
A pulse generation circuit includes a control unit configured to activate one or more of control clocks among a plurality of control clocks, and to activate one or more of select signals among a plurality of select signals, in response to one or more of sequence signals; a plurality of shifting units each configured to generate one or more of output signals, and to sequentially activate the one or more of output signals by shifting an input pulse when a corresponding control clock among the plurality of control clocks is activated; and a signal transfer unit configured to transfer one or more of output signals of a shifting unit corresponding to an activated select signal among the plurality of shifting units, as one or more of pulses. |
| US09489007B2 |
Configurable clock interface device
A configurable clock circuit on an integrated circuit, such as an integrated circuit memory, can be configured to utilize external multiple phase clocks and external single phase clocks to produce an internal clock signal in a form compatible with the integrated circuit. |
| US09489005B2 |
Method and apparatus for phase-controlling a load
A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load. |
| US09488997B1 |
Power over Ethernet system where power sourcing equipment detects actual voltage at powered device
A Power Over Ethernet (PoE) system, or other power over data lines system, includes Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) providing combined data and voltage over wires to a Powered Device (PD). Since cable length and PD load currents may not be known, there is a variable voltage drop along the cable between the PSE and PD. Prior to the PD being fully powered up, a test is performed by the PSE to determine the actual resistance or voltage drop of the cable, and the results are stored in a memory accessed by the PSE upon powering up. The PSE uses the stored information to adjust its voltage source to provide a target voltage at the PD input during full power operation. This may obviate the need for a voltage regulator at the PD. The test may only be conducted when the PSE is initially powered up or may be conducted periodically. |
| US09488993B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting temperature setpoints
A controller for operating a water heater includes an input device configured to input a temperature setpoint for the water heater and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to input at least one restricted setpoint above a predetermined maximum temperature. The processor is configured to detect that an unlock sequence has been input using at least the input device, and in response to the detection of the unlock sequence, permit the water heater to operate at the restricted setpoint above the predetermined maximum temperature when the restricted setpoint is selected using the input device within a predetermined length of time after the detection of the unlock sequence. |
| US09488991B2 |
Fan control system for shipping container
A fan control system includes an AC power supply, a fan module, a switch control module, a switch unit, and a control module. The control module includes a number of outputs. The switch unit includes a number of switches. The switch control module includes a number of relays. The control module outputs a high voltage or a low voltage to control the number of relays via the number of switches to change a rotating speed of the fan module. |
| US09488990B2 |
Solenoid valve system
In a solenoid valve system, a plurality of first through third solenoid valve units are divided into a plurality of first through third groups. In this case, a safety power source control unit is provided for controlling the first through third solenoid valve units with respect to each of the first through third groups. |
| US09488989B2 |
Flow rate controller for high flow rates and high pressure drops
A flow rate controller is disclosed that maintains constant flow rate with changes in pressure drop across the valve by maintaining a constant pressure drop across a restrictor with the aid of a spring balanced piston that mates a cone to a seat to dissipate the majority of pressure drop across the valve. |
| US09488985B2 |
Method for constructing air-observed terrain data by using rotary wing structure
A method for constructing air-observed terrain data by using a rotary wing structure includes setting flight information including a photographing starting location and a photographing ending location on the basis of a flight route and a photographing location of the rotary wing structure; transmitting, to the rotary wing structure, the flight information so as to store the flight information in a flight control unit; capturing a ground image by a photographing unit of the rotary wing structure and storing the ground image in a storage unit when the rotary wing structure arrives at the photographing location; ending photographing and returning to the ground when the rotary wing structure arrives at the photographing ending location while repeatedly capturing a ground image; and constructing, by a computer in the control center, terrain data by using ground images stored in the storage unit. |
| US09488982B2 |
Systems for a shared vehicle
The present invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting a vehicle feature of a vehicle, where the system includes a first sensor, an onboard computer, a camera, a mirror, a controller; an actuator; and an algorithm. The algorithm instructs the onboard computer in steps for adjusting one or more vehicle features. The first sensor and the controller are in electronic communication with the onboard computer and the controller is in electronic communication with one or more actuators that connect to and adjust the various vehicle features. The onboard computer includes or accesses a database that correlates users, features, and vehicle feature settings. Such vehicle features include seat position and camera viewing angle. |
| US09488979B1 |
System and method for human operator intervention in autonomous vehicle operations
An autonomous vehicle system is configured to receive vehicle commands from one or more parties and to execute those vehicle commands in a way that prevents the execution of stale commands. The autonomous vehicle system includes a finite state machine and a command counter or stored vehicle timestamp, which are used to help reject invalid or stale vehicle commands. |
| US09488976B2 |
Device and method for diagnosing an evolutive industrial process
A device for diagnosing an evolutive industrial process comprise a plurality of technical steps for the production of a given industrial compound, for which a plurality of state or characterization technical data is available, the device including at least one microprocessor and one memory, an interface module, a counter module for verifying whether a calculation end criterion has been reached, a management module for managing operations and data exchanges between the different modules, a computational grid comprising a plurality of production window calculation modules in order to determine appropriate production windows, a clustering module for distributing parameter combinations between several clusters in order to perform convergence calculations, and a convergence module for verifying whether an expected convergence rate between clusters has been reached. |
| US09488974B2 |
Method and apparatus for pulse-modulated feedback control
A control system and method for controlling a plant based on feedback is described. In some embodiments, the control system uses pulse-modulated (PM) control to overcome friction stickiness. |
| US09488973B2 |
Programmable logic controller device and method for controlling the same
Provided are a PLC device and a method for controlling the same. The method includes: receiving input data from an external; storing the received input data in an input area of a data input/output unit; reading the input data from the input area of the data input/output unit in order to perform a calculation operation; storing output data, which is a result of the calculation operation, in an output area of the data input/output unit; and transmitting the output data in the output area of the data input/output unit to an output circuit. |
| US09488972B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling programmable logic controller
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for controlling a PLC output signal. The method includes receiving the PLC digital output signal and interpolating a gradient of the PLC digital output signal by applying a nonlinear correction function to the received PLC digital output signal. The embodiment provides a stable output control apparatus and a stable output control method capable of allowing an external device controlled by a PLC to smoothly output a response and a PLC output is gradually changed to prevent the external device to be controlled from being malfunctioned or broken. |
| US09488970B2 |
System controller and program
Upon receiving an update registration request for operating state data from a user I/F controller (a device controller), an arbitrator determines whether to permit the update registration request. Upon permission, the arbitrator retains the update registration request for operating state data. If the update registration request is sent by the user I/F controller (the device controller) and the request is permitted by the arbitrator, the user I/F controller (the device controller) generates FIFO registration data, stores the data in a first FIFO buffer (a second FIFO buffer), and saves the data in a display data storage (a device control data storage). If the arbitrator is retaining an update registration request by the other controller, the user I/F controller (the device controller) retrieves the FIFO registration data from the second FIFO buffer (the first FIFO buffer) and saves the data in the display data storage (the device control data storage). |
| US09488962B2 |
Alkali-metal vapour cell, especially for an atomic clock, and manufacturing process
The invention relates to an alkali-metal vapor cell, especially for an atomic clock, and to its manufacturing process. The alkali-metal vapor cell is able to be associated with a laser for emitting an external input laser beam and a photodetector for receiving an external output laser beam, and comprises a housing having an upstream optical window and a downstream optical window and forming an optical cavity filled with an alkali-metal vapor such as a caesium-comprising vapor, and micro-optical means arranged in the optical cavity and comprising an upstream optical reflector and a downstream optical reflector for reflecting the laser beam, which reflectors are inclined relative to each other, the upstream reflector being inclined relative to the plane (P) of the upstream window and to the axis of the input laser beam so that the external input laser beam passes through the upstream window in order to form an internal input laser beam, the latter being reflected by the upstream reflector and deviated towards the downstream reflector so as to form an internal intermediate laser beam that is reflected on the downstream reflector and deviated towards the downstream window so as to form an internal output laser beam, the internal output laser beam passing through the downstream window in order to form the external output laser beam. |
| US09488957B2 |
Vertical arrangement of components in an image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus into the casing, and the exposure unit is disposed on the one side in the second direction of the includes a an image forming unit, the image forming unit including a toner accommodation portion. The image forming apparatus further includes a detachable sheet feed cassette that is disposed at a lower part of the casing, a pickup roller, a sheet conveying path, and a sheet discharge path. The pickup roller and the toner accommodation portion are positioned at heights that at least partially overlap one another (e.g., when viewed in a horizontal direction). In some arrangements, the sheet conveying path passes between the toner accommodation portion and the sheet feed cassette. Moreover, the image forming apparatus may include a scanner unit, wherein the toner accommodation portion and the scanner unit are arranged at positions where at least a part of the toner accommodation portion overlaps the scanner unit when viewed in horizontal direction. |
| US09488953B1 |
Cleaning blade, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning blade includes a polyurethane member that contains a polyurethane, the polyurethane member constituting at least a contact portion that comes in contact with a member to be cleaned. An infrared absorption spectrum obtained by infrared spectroscopy of the polyurethane member has a peak intensity ratio (A/B) of about 1.1 or more, where A represents an intensity of a spectral peak due to a carbonyl group that does not form a hydrogen bond, the spectral peak appearing in a range of about 1,730 cm−1 or more and about 1,740 cm−1 or less, and B represents an intensity of a spectral peak due to a carbonyl group that forms a hydrogen bond, the spectral peak appearing in a range of about 1,670 cm−1 or more and about 1,720 cm−1 or less. |
| US09488948B2 |
Image forming apparatus that detects deterioration of a component and determines life of the component
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that fixes an image, an obtaining unit that obtains information regarding conveying time taken to convey a recording material, a detection unit that detects information regarding an environment, and a control unit configured to determine, based on the information regarding the conveying time and the information regarding the environment, a timing at which the fixing unit is replaced. |
| US09488946B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming system and concentration unevenness detecting method
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable image carrier; an image forming unit configured to form a plurality of divided patch images, which is obtained by dividing a patch image for detecting a concentration of an image in a rotation direction of the image carrier, on the image carrier at regular intervals and form an image to be formed on a paper sheet on the image carrier; a concentration detecting unit configured to detect the concentration of the plurality of divided patch images formed by the image forming unit; and a controller configured to combine the concentration of divided patch images detected by the concentration detecting unit in chronological order and detect concentration unevenness of the image in the vertical scanning direction which is a paper sheet conveying direction of the paper sheet. |
| US09488945B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method for reducing toner bearing amount, and storage medium thereof
An image forming apparatus that can reduce a toner bearing amount stably regardless of a density of an image. The image forming apparatus comprises a first generating unit which generates a reference pattern, and a second generating unit which generates, based on image data, a correction pattern for thinning out dots at a region from halftone density to high density. The image data is converted based on the reference pattern generated by the first generating unit and the correction pattern generated by the second generating unit. The image forming apparatus further comprises a photoreceptor. The photoreceptor is charged, the charged photoreceptor is exposed based on the converted image data to form an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. |
| US09488937B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image using a toner; an intermediate transfer body onto which toner image is transferred; a secondary transfer member that comes in contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer body; a power supply that outputs a voltage for transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer body onto a recording member; and a protective agent supply unit that applies a protective agent including zinc stearate and boron nitride onto a surface of the image carrier. The voltage is alternatively switched in a transfer direction and an opposite direction. The voltage in the transfer direction enables transfer of the toner image from the intermediate transfer body to the recording member, and the voltage in the opposite direction has polarity opposite to polarity of the voltage in the transfer direction. |
| US09488933B2 |
Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying device includes: a curved conveyance path; and a pair of downstream side rollers that lies on the downstream side with respect to the curved conveyance path, and catches the sheet conveyed from the upstream side with respect to the curved conveyance path and reaching the curved conveyance path, wherein the curved conveyance path includes a movable guide movable between a first position and a second position, at the first position, the movable guide forms an outer circumferential wall of the curved conveyance path, and guides a tip of the sheet in such a direction that the sheet conveyed to the curved conveyance path travels toward the pair of downstream side rollers, and at the second position, a summit portion of a curve of the outer circumferential wall is retracted toward the outside in a radial direction of the curve with respect to the first position. |
| US09488932B1 |
Method and system for converting a toner cartridge printer to a white, clear, or fluorescent toner printer
A method and system for converting a toner cartridge printer to a white, clear or fluorescent toner printer. The method may comprise the steps of: providing a printer having one or more toner printing cartridges; removing at least one of the one or more toner printing cartridges; providing one or more white, clear, or fluorescent toner printing cartridges; installing one or more white, clear, or fluorescent toner printing cartridges into the printer; using raster image processor software for printing cartridge remapping; and printing one or more toner print layers using the installed white, clear, or florescent toner printing cartridges in one pass. |
| US09488930B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
When rotation speed of second rotator is greater than or equal to a threshold previously determined, first control portion causes first generation portion to generate a first potential difference that enables toner in a predetermined amount to be transferred from first rotator to second rotator, and causes second generation portion to generate a second potential difference that enables the toner in the predetermined amount to be transferred from second rotator to a electrostatic latent image. When the rotation speed is less than the threshold, second control portion causes first generation portion to generate a third potential difference that enables the toner in an amount exceeding the predetermined amount to be transferred from first rotator to second rotator, and causes second generation portion to generate a fourth potential difference that enables the toner in the predetermined amount to be transferred from second rotator to the electrostatic latent image. |
| US09488928B2 |
Image forming apparatus with guide for exposure unit
The image forming apparatus has: a photoreceptor; an exposure unit that exposes the photoreceptor to light; a first contact portion; and a positioning portion provided in the exposure unit, this portion coming into contact with the first contact portion to position the exposure unit in a first position where the photoreceptor is exposed to light. The image forming apparatus also has: a second contact portion; and a contacted portion provided in the exposure unit, wherein the contacted portion is brought into contact with the second contact portion, thereby positioning the exposure unit in a second position where the positioning portion and the first contact portion are separated from each other. |
| US09488927B2 |
Printing systems and methods of using such printing systems
A printing system (30, 40, 40′, 50, 50′) includes at least one ejector coupled to a reservoir (38) that is configured to contain a printing composition including a hydrocarbon having at least one unsaturated bond. The hydrocarbon is configured to at least one of polymerize or crosslink in the presence of a reactive species. The at least one ejector is configured to eject the printing composition onto a surface (34, 36, 10). The system (30, 40, 40′, 50, 50′) further includes a corona generator (32, 32′, 32″, 32′″) configured to generate the reactive species in situ. The corona generator (32, 32′, 32″, 32′″) is positioned with respect to the reservoir (38) such that the reactive species is exposed to the printing composition after the printing composition has been ejected onto the surface (34, 36, 10). The polymerizing and/or the cross-linking of the hydrocarbon is configured to form a polymer matrix (12) from the ejected printing composition. |
| US09488925B2 |
Magenta toner, developer, and image forming apparatus
A magenta toner for electrophotography, including: a polyester resin; and a colorant containing a naphthol-based pigment, wherein the magenta toner for electrophotography satisfies requirements <1> and <2> below: <1> [G′(100)(THF insoluble matter)] is 1.0×105 Pa to 1.0×107 Pa, and a ratio of [G′(40)(THF insoluble matter)] to the [G′(100)(THF insoluble matter)] is 3.5×10 or less, where the [G′(100)(THF insoluble matter)] is a storage modulus at 100° C. of THF insoluble matter of the toner and the [G′(40)(THF insoluble matter)] is a storage modulus at 40° C. of the THF insoluble matter of the toner; and <2> an X-ray diffraction pattern of the naphthol-based pigment in a crystalline state has a plurality of peaks in a range of 0°≦2θ≦35°, and a sum of half value widths of the peaks is 5° to 10°. |
| US09488921B2 |
Lithography apparatus, an apparatus for providing setpoint data, a device manufacturing method, a method of calculating setpoint data and a computer program
An exposure apparatus configured to project each of a plurality of radiation beams onto a respective location on a target, the plurality of radiation beams forming a desired dose pattern via a plurality of spot exposures, the nominal position of a characteristic point in the dose distribution of each of the spot exposures lying at points defining a first grid. The apparatus has, or is provided data from, a controller configured to: calculate a target intensity value for each of the plurality of radiation beams to expose the target to the desired dose pattern, the calculation using as input a rasterized representation of the desired dose pattern, the rasterized representation including a dose value defined at each of a plurality of points on a second grid, the first and second grids having the same geometry, and control the exposure apparatus to emit beams with the target intensity values. |
| US09488919B2 |
Substrate table, a lithographic apparatus and a method involving an encoder plate
A table for a lithographic apparatus, the table having an encoder plate located on the table, a gap between the encoder plate and a top surface of the table, the gap located radially inward of the encoder plate relative to the periphery of the table, and a fluid extraction system with an opening in the surface of the gap to extract liquid from the gap. |
| US09488918B2 |
Optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus and microlithographic exposure method
The invention relates to an optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, and to a microlithographic exposure method. An optical system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises at least one mirror arrangement having a plurality of mirror elements, wherein these mirror elements can be adjusted independently of one another for changing an angular distribution of the light reflected by the mirror arrangement, and a polarization-influencing optical arrangement which is arranged downstream of the mirror arrangement in the light propagation direction, wherein the polarization-influencing optical arrangement reflects a light beam incident on the arrangement in at least two reflections, which do not occur in a common plane, for at least one angular distribution of the light reflected by the mirror arrangement. |
| US09488917B2 |
Mask and fabrication method thereof, and method of patterning by using mask
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mask and a fabrication method thereof, and a method of patterning by using a mask. The mask comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate disposed oppositely; a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate; a transparent conductive layer formed on the first substrate, the transparent conductive layer and the liquid crystal layer being located on a same side of the first substrate; and a mask pattern made of a non-transparent conductive material formed on the second substrate, wherein the mask pattern and the transparent electrode are configured to be capable of generating an electric field therebetween, so as to drive liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to deflect. |
| US09488916B2 |
Interior energy-activation of photo-reactive species inside a medium or body
A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The energy modulation agent has a normal predominant emission of radiation in a first wavelength range outside of a second wavelength range (WR2) known to produce the change, but under exposure to the applied initiation energy produces the change. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent. |
| US09488913B2 |
Photoresist having decreased outgassing
Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided. A material layer is formed over the substrate. A photoresist layer is formed over the material layer. The photoresist layer contains a polymer. The polymer includes an acid labile group (ALG) that is linked to a plurality of carboxylic acid function groups. The photoresist layer is then patterned using a lithography process, for example an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography process. |
| US09488912B2 |
Method of forming protective film for touch panel electrode, photosensitive resin composition and photosensitive element, and method of manufacturing touch panel
In the method for forming a protective coat on an electrode for a touch panel according to the invention, a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive resin composition containing a binder polymer having a carboxyl group and an acid value of 30 to 120 mgKOH/g, a photopolymerizable compound having at least three ethylenic unsaturated groups, and a photopolymerization initiator, is formed on a base material having an electrode for a touch panel, prescribed sections of the photosensitive layer are cured by irradiation with active light rays and then the sections other than the prescribed sections are removed, to form a protective coat comprising the cured sections of the photosensitive resin composition covering all or a portion of the electrode. |
| US09488911B2 |
Photosensitive composition, photocurable composition, chemical amplification resist composition, resist film, pattern forming method, method of manufacturing electronic device and electronic device
There is provided a photosensitive composition containing a compound represented by Formula (I), and the Formula (I) is defined as herein, and chemical amplification resist composition containing the photosensitive composition, wherein the photosensitive composition further contains a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and a chemical amplification resist composition containing the photosensitive composition, wherein the photosensitive composition further contains a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation. |
| US09488909B2 |
Light coloring system
A rainbow wheel that colors light that is passed therethrough. The wheel can be formed using a photolithographic process. Another supermagenta wheel can be used to increase the number of colors that can be obtained. |
| US09488907B2 |
Photomask blank, process for production of photomask, and chromium-containing material film
In the chromium-containing material film of the present invention, an element is added thereto and is capable of bringing a mixture of the element and the chromium into a liquid phase at a temperature of 400° C. or lower. The use of such a chromium-containing material film as an optical film (e.g., a light-shielding film, an etching mask film, or an etching stopper film) of a photo mask blank can achieve an improvement in chlorine-dry etching while retaining the same optical characteristics and the like as those of the conventional chromium-containing material film, thereby increasing the patterning precision. |
| US09488903B1 |
Silhouette zoetrope
An animation device for producing the perception of animation within a slotted cylinder. The animation device has a rotatable platform, and a slotted cylinder with wall segments at least partially separated by longitudinal slots retained to rotate concentrically with the platform. Images, such as two-dimensional or three-dimensional figures, are retained to rotate with the platform along a circumference substantially concentric with but greater than the circumference of the slotted cylinder whereby the slotted cylinder is disposed radially inward of the images. The images, which can be sequential, could be retained by elongate support members, by an image cylinder, or by any other support. When the platform is rotated, an observer looking through the slots in the slotted cylinder can perceive an animation of the plurality of images within the slotted cylinder. Multiple, separate pluralities of images can be retained, potentially along different circumferences, to produce distinct animations. |
| US09488900B2 |
Projection apparatus including light sources and heat radiating members
A projection apparatus includes: a housing which includes an intake vent formed in one side surface, and an exhaust vent formed in the other side surface; a first light source; a first heat radiating member which includes fins; a heat transfer pipe which connects the first light source and the first heat radiating member; a second light source; a second heat radiating member which includes fins; and a heat transfer pipe which connects the second light source and the second heat radiating member, wherein the first light source, first heat radiating member, first heat transfer pipe, second light source, second heat radiating member and second heat transfer pipe are housed in the housing, and the first heat radiating member and the second heat radiating member are disposed on a gas flow path substantially linearly connecting the intake vent and the exhaust vent. |
| US09488899B2 |
Strobe device and imaging device provided with strobe device
A strobe device is provided with a light-emitting unit rotatably coupled to a strobe body unit detachable from a bracket together with an imaging apparatus, a variable mechanism configured to allow a change in an angle of orientation of the light-emitting unit with respect to the strobe body unit, a driving unit configured to drive the variable mechanism, and a control section configured to control the driving unit. The control section has a control mode to restrain the light-emitting unit from moving to a region in which the imaging apparatus is located when it is detected that the strobe body unit is attached to the bracket. As a result, the strobe device whose the light-emitting unit does not bump against the imaging apparatus can be realized. |
| US09488896B2 |
Direct-coupled driver for Mach-Zehnder optical modulators
An optical modulator device directly-coupled to a driver circuit device. The optical modulator device can include a transmission line electrically coupled to an internal VDD, a first electrode electrically coupled to the transmission line, a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode and the transmission line. A wave guide can be operably coupled to the first and second electrodes, and a driver circuit device can be directly coupled to the transmission line and the first and second electrodes. This optical modulator and the driver circuit device can be configured without back termination. |
| US09488883B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has a plurality of drain signal lines and a plurality of gate signal lines, and a plurality of pixel regions are defined by the drain signal lines and the gate signal lines. Each of the pixel regions includes a first electrode having a plurality of strip-like portions extending in an extension direction of the drain signal lines, the strip-like portions having at least one bent portion so that extension directions of each two parts of the strip-like portions separated by the at least one bent portion are different from each other, and a second electrode formed between the first substrate and the first electrode, and being overlapped with the strip-like portions in plan view. |
| US09488882B2 |
Liquid crystal shutter glasses
Provided is liquid crystal shutter glasses in which light leakage at the time when a liquid crystal shutter is closed is suppressed. The liquid crystal shutter glasses includes a first substrate and a second substrate with a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal material exhibiting a blue phase provided therebetween, a first electrode with a comb shape and a first common electrode with a comb shape which are provided between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and a second electrode with a comb shape and a second common electrode with a comb shape which are provided between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The first electrode overlaps with the second electrode. The first common electrode overlaps with the second common electrode. The first electrode is connected to the second electrode. |
| US09488873B2 |
Substrate and display device
The present disclosure provides a substrate and a display device. The substrate is an array substrate or a color filter substrate of a display panel. The substrate includes at least one spacer-supporting region. The spacer-supporting region includes a recess configured to support a spacer. By the presence of the recess configured to support a spacer in the spacer-supporting region, an upper of the spacer abuts within the recess. When the display panel is squeezed, the upper of the spacer does not move, thereby ensuring a uniform cell gap of the display panel and improving quality of products. |
| US09488870B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
A first organic insulating film is arranged in a circumference area outside an active area on a first substrate. A circumference color filter is arranged in the circumference area on a second substrate. A second organic insulating film covers the circumference color filter. A seal material is arranged between the first and second organic insulating films to attach the first substrate and the second substrate. The seal material extends up to a position in which end portions of the first and second substrates overlap. A first spacer is arranged between the first and second organic insulating films in the circumference area. The first spacer is arranged on an active area side in the seal material. A second spacer is formed between the first and second organic insulating films in a position in which the end portions of the substrates overlap. |