| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09615494B2 |
Substrate conveyance mechanism and component mounting device
A substrate conveyance mechanism includes conveyance units and a clamp mechanism. The conveyance units include a working unit corresponding to a working area for types of substrates having different sizes of length taken as objects, an area length of the working area being variable in accordance with the sizes of length, and a stand-by unit corresponding to a stand-by area for the substrate to be carried-in to the working area. The clamp members include commonly used first clamp members and second clamp members which are attachable and detachable and are selectively used in accordance with the sizes of length of the plurality of types of substrates in addition to the first clamp members. |
| US09615487B2 |
Computer storage array
A computer storage array and ventilation system comprising a vertical air passageway adjacent to a plurality of ventilation apertures defined in a plurality of computer chassis. |
| US09615486B2 |
Thermal interface devices
A thermal interface device having a containment structure and a thermal conductor is provided. Further, the containment structure includes at least one wall, where the containment structure is configured to facilitate passage of heat. Furthermore, the thermal interface device includes a thermal conductor disposed at least in a portion of the containment structure. Moreover, the thermal conductor is configured to reversibly switch between a solid state and a liquid state. Also, the thermal interface device is a re-workable device. |
| US09615485B1 |
Computing system enclosure airflow management
The disclosed technology provides systems and methods for an enclosure system with optimized internal dynamically controllable airflow distribution. The systems include a computing system enclosure, and an electroactive film adhered to a surface of the computing system enclosure and configured to redirect airflow distribution in the computing system enclosure. In another implementation, a method monitoring airflow distribution within a computing system enclosure with a plurality of sensors, and controlling an orientation of a programmable microstructure in an electroactive film adhered to a surface of the computing system enclosure based on results of the monitoring operation. In yet another implementation, the disclosed technology includes bimetallic baffles configured for utilization in a computing system enclosure to redirect airflow distribution within the computing system enclosure. |
| US09615484B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for cooling a mobile device
Method, system and apparatus for cooling a mobile device is provided. The device comprises: a housing comprising one or more apertures; a heat producing device; a cooling apparatus adjacent the heat producing device, the cooling apparatus comprising: an inlet; an outlet; and, a thermal pump configured to: draw air from the inlet to the heat producing device to form heated air, and exhaust the heated air from the outlet; and, one or more carbon nanotubes, a respective entrance of each of the one or more carbon nanotubes located at the outlet of the cooling apparatus, and a respective exit of each of the one or more carbon nanotubes terminating at a respective aperture of the one or more apertures, so that the heated air is vented through the one or more apertures. |
| US09615483B2 |
Techniques and configurations associated with a package load assembly
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward techniques and configurations associated with a package load assembly. In one embodiment, a package load assembly may include a frame configured to form a perimeter around a die area of a package substrate having a first surface configured to be coupled with a surface of the package substrate and a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface. The frame may include deformable members disposed on the second surface, which may be configured to be coupled with a base of a heat sink to distribute force applied between the heat sink and the package substrate, via the frame, and may deform under application of the force, which may allow the base of the heat sink to contact a surface of an integrated heat spreader within the die area of the package substrate. |
| US09615478B2 |
Arrangement for a blade server slide-in module
An arrangement for a blade server slide-in module includes a motherboard with a plug connector, a riser card inserted in the plug connector of the motherboard, a carrier plate, in which there is a first opening, is fixed substantially parallel to the motherboard in the blade server slide-in module, the first opening being aligned with exposed plug contacts of the inserted riser card, and a retaining element having a main body in which there is a continuous, second opening, wherein the retaining element is pushed onto the riser card in a positive locking manner by the second opening and locks with the carrier plate so that the riser card is securely mechanically fixed to the carrier plate and the plug contacts of the riser card are accessible via the second opening. |
| US09615472B1 |
Preload anchoring mechanism with top cap adapted to receive subsystems, controls, indicators, and the like
An apparatus for removably securing an electrical element within a tubular steerer tube within a frame element consists of a canister for housing the electrical element, an expandable sleeve, and an expansion bolt coupling the canister and expandable sleeve to actuate compression of the expandable sleeve thereby securing the assembly within the tubular steerer tube. A preload cap is secured to the assembly to retain a bearing system to permit the steerer tube to rotate relative to the frame. One or more of a light, switch, and connector may be disposed in the preload cap to provide system conditions, controls, charging, communication, and so on. In certain embodiments, requirements for a central extension bolt extending from preload cap to expansion bolt are obviated, providing a relatively uninterrupted volume within the steerer tube in which to house electronics, route wiring, and so on. |
| US09615471B2 |
Component carrier
An apparatus having a component carrier assembly configured for supporting a component. The component carrier assembly having a first mating element and a connector assembly. The connector assembly including a connector communicatively coupled to the component and a second mating element. The first mating element is configured to operably engage with the second mating element to rotationally and slidably couple the component carrier assembly to the connector assembly. |
| US09615470B2 |
Wiring combiner box
A wiring combiner box for combining wires from photovoltaic panels includes a fuse block mounted to a side wall of an enclosure. This construction design allows for combiner boxes to be manufactured in a more narrow enclosure, and also makes it easier to connect the solar panel circuit conductors to the fuse terminal inputs, as the fuse terminal inputs are now more visible. |
| US09615468B2 |
Injection molded control panel with in-molded decorated plastic film
Provided are systems and methods for a control assembly including: a first film that is in-molded that includes decorative graphics, a front surface and a rear surface; and a second film molded to the rear surface of the first film having a printed circuit that includes sensors, control circuits and interconnects and a front and rear surface. |
| US09615467B2 |
Mounting structure for circuit boards in electronic device
A mounting structure for circuit boards in an electronic device is provided. The mounting structure includes a housing, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and an electrical connector. The housing houses parts. The first circuit board is fixed to the housing. The second circuit board is overlapped in at least a portion with the first circuit board and is fixed to the housing. The electrical connector is configured to electronically connect the first circuit board and the second circuit board. |
| US09615462B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor integrated with window panel and fabrication method thereof
Disclosed is a capacitive touch sensor integrated with window panel, comprising: a transparent window panel substrate 311; a non-conductive opaque decorative layer 312 formed on a surface of said substrate along edges of the surface to define a transparent window area W on said substrate; a transparent conductive electrode pattern layer 313 formed over the window area of said substrate and said decorative layer; and a conductive wiring layer 314 formed at an edge of top surface of said transparent conductive electrode pattern layer 313. |
| US09615461B2 |
Wiring module including wiring substrate having border portion separating two side metallic foils and manufacturing method of wiring module
A wiring substrate includes a resin substrate in which first and second through holes are formed, a metallic foil on one surface of the resin substrate coating the through holes and separated into first and second side metallic foils by a border, a first connecting portion formed by a plating film inside the first through hole, a second connecting portion formed by a plating film inside the second through hole, a first slit facing the border and penetrating through the metallic foil and the first connecting portion, a second slit facing the border and penetrating through the metallic foil and the second connecting portion, first and second plating layers on front surfaces of the first and second side metallic foils, bottom surfaces of the first and second connecting portions, and side surfaces inside the first and second slits of the first and second side metallic foils. |
| US09615457B2 |
Electronic entity with coupling integrated between a microcircuit and an antenna and method of fabrication
An electronic entity includes a module formed of a support film carrying, on an internal face, a microcircuit and a first coupling coil, and a body including a cavity in which this module is fixed, the support film having an external surface running at least approximately alongside an upper surface of this body, and containing an antenna and a second coupling coil connected to this antenna and intended for the coupling of the antenna with the microcircuit by electromagnetic coupling with the first coupling coil; this second coupling coil (likewise may be the case for the antenna and the first coupling coil) is formed on a thickness of at most a few microns in a plane situated, with respect to the upper surface of the body, at a distance of less than half the distance with respect to the surface opposite from this upper surface of this body. |
| US09615454B2 |
Transparent conductor, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic device including the transparent conductor
A transparent conductor includes a metallic glass, and a method of manufacturing a transparent conductor includes: preparing a metallic glass or a mixture comprising the metallic glass; and firing the metallic glass or the mixture comprising the metallic glass at a predetermined temperature higher than a glass transition temperature of the metallic glass. |
| US09615452B1 |
Silver filled trench substrate for high power and/or high temperature electronics
A power substrate utilizing silver conductors on ceramic, and the process for making said device. The insulating portion of the substrate is fabricated from a ceramic by placing trenches into the ceramic which can be filled with silver conductors. These conductors can serve the purpose of traces for electrical interconnection, pads for die attachment, as well as thermal conductors for heat pipes and heat spreaders. The conductors can be made on both the top and the bottom of the ceramic. Such substrates may be used for a multitude of applications requiring power substrates for conducting large currents, and are suitable for high efficiency, high temperature, and/or high reliability applications. |
| US09615449B2 |
Foldable display device
A foldable display device having an excellent folding characteristic without image quality deterioration on a folding portion is provided. The foldable display device includes a flexible display panel and a cover window positioned outside the flexible display panel and protecting the flexible display panel from an external impact, wherein the cover window includes a folding region where concave grooves are formed. |
| US09615446B2 |
Low cross-talk differential microstrip lines having slots therein of subwavelength configuration
The present invention discloses a pair of differential microstrip lines with low cross-talk for high-frequency signal transmission. The pair of microstrip lines comprises two microstrip lines. The first microstrip line is used to transmit the first transmission signal. The second microstrip line is parallel to the first microstrip line and used to transmit the second transmission signal. The first transmission signal is the complementary signal of the second transmission signal and has a 180° phase difference from the second transmission signal. Particularly, there are a plurality of slots periodically arranged on the outer sides of the first and the second microstrip lines to form a subwavelength configuration. The subwavelength configuration is to make the periodical arrangement length of these slots shorter than the wavelengths of the first and the second transmission signals. These slots can provide subwavelength confinement for enhancing electromagnetic wave. |
| US09615445B2 |
Flexible circuit board and method for manufacturing same
A flexible circuit board includes two copper clad laminates, a circuit pattern and two bonding layers. Each copper clad laminate includes an insulating base and an outer circuit layer. The circuit pattern is located between the two copper clad laminates. The circuit pattern includes a linear signal line, two grounding lines located at two opposite sides of the linear signal line, and two hollow areas located between the linear signal line and the grounding lines. Each bonding layers is located between the circuit pattern and a corresponding copper clad laminate. Each boding layer defines a slot without adhesive therein. The bonding layers are spaced from the linear signal line by the slots. The slots and the hollow areas cooperatively define an air medium layer enclosing the linear signal line. A method for manufacturing the flexible circuit board is also provided. |
| US09615442B2 |
Power module substrate and power module
A power-module substrate includes first and second sets of circuit-layer metal-plates, a first ceramic substrate, a metal member connecting the first and second sets of circuit-layer metal-plates through a hole formed in the first ceramic substrate, a second ceramic substrate, a heat-radiation-layer metal-plate, and an electric component attached to a top surface of one of the first set of circuit-layer metal-plates above the metal member and the through hole. The power-module substrate is configured to conduct heat from the electric component through the through hole via the metal member, along the second set of circuit-layer metal-plates, and to the heat-radiation-layer metal-plate. |
| US09615441B2 |
Phase-lock loop synchronization between beam orbit and RF drive in synchrocyclotrons
The invention specifies the use of feedback in the radio frequency (RF) drive for a synchrocyclotron, controlling the phase and/or amplitude of the accelerating field as a means to assure optimal acceleration of the beam, to increase the average beam current and to alter the beam orbit in order to allow appropriate extraction as the beam energy is varied. The effect of space charge is reduced by rapid acceleration and extraction of the beam, and the repetition rate of the pulses can be increased. Several means are presented to monitor the phase of the beam in synchrocyclotrons and to adjust the phase and amplitude of the RF to optimize the acceleration of the beam and to adjust the extraction and injection of the beam. Also, the use of a pulsed ion source that matches the acceptance window of the synchrocyclotron is described. |
| US09615435B2 |
Device for linking selective illumination of a light source with input and related methods
Systems, methods, apparatus and computer-readable media (transitory and non-transitory) are described herein for facilitating linking of selective illumination of one or more light sources (106, also referred to as “lighting elements”) to states of one or more inputs (102). In various embodiments a linking computing device (104) may render, e.g., on a display (212) such as an ambient display, a source graphical element (214) that represents an input and a sink graphical element (216) that represents a light source. In various embodiments, the computing device may receive a user-input instruction to alter one of the source and sink graphical elements to be within a predetermined proximity of the other on the display. In various embodiments, the computing device may link selective illumination of the light source to a state of the input while the source and sink graphical elements are within the predetermined proximity of each other on the display. |
| US09615434B2 |
Automatic and decentralized commissioning of replacement lighting units
Lighting units, lighting systems, and methods are described herein for automatic and decentralized commissioning of a replacement lighting unit (140, 150, 250). In various embodiments, a replacement lighting unit may receive, from one or more remote lighting units over one or more communication networks, one or more identifiers associated with the one or more remote lighting units. The replacement lighting unit may also receive, from at least one of the one or more remote lighting units over the one or more communication networks, the lighting operation parameters associated with an inoperative lighting unit. The replacement lighting unit may then selectively energize one or more light sources (258) associated with the replacement lighting unit to emit light having one or more properties indicated in the lighting operation parameters associated with the inoperative lighting unit. |
| US09615433B1 |
Occupancy sensor with a bypass photo sensor
A light with an occupancy sensor has a light fixture with a lamp and a power supply. The light fixture has a plurality of sidewalls defining a light fixture housing. An internal photo main sensor is mounted on a first sidewall of the light fixture. The internal main photo sensor is connected to a light controller and configured to send light sensor data to the light controller. An external bypass photo sensor is optionally mounted on a second sidewall of the light fixture. The external bypass photo sensor is configured to connect to the light controller and bypass the internal main photo sensor when the external bypass photo sensor is installed. The light controller is electrically connected to the external bypass photo sensor at least three contacts of the light sensor namely a first contact, a second contact and a third contact. |
| US09615432B2 |
Multicolor signal arrangement, method for defining operating modes of a multicolor signal arrangement, and system having a multicolor signal arrangement and an RFID transmitting device
A multicolor signal arrangement has a multicolor LED, a microcontroller, and an input interface, the arrangement being configured such that the input interface receives pulse width-modulated control signals. The multicolor LED is operated in a first operating mode when the input interface receives a first control signal, and the multicolor LED is operated in a second operating mode when the input interface receives a second control signal. The multicolor signal arrangement has an RFID device, and the multicolor signal arrangement is configured such that the RFID device receives operating mode definition information, the operating mode definition information is transmitted to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller defines the operating modes dependent on the operating mode definition information. The invention further relates to a method for defining operating modes of such a multicolor signal arrangement and to a system having such a multicolor signal arrangement and an RFID transmission device. |
| US09615431B2 |
Lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle having a daytime running light illuminated at different levels
A lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a daytime running light device, a low-beam, high-beam, or low- and high-beam light device, and a drive device operable to drive an illumination level of the daytime running light device. With the low-beam and/or high-beam light device switched off, the drive device drives the daytime running light device so as to have a first illumination level. With the low-beam and/or high beam light device switched on, the drive device drives the daytime running light device so as to have a second illumination level. With the low-beam and/or high-beam light device switched on and with poor weather conditions, the drive device drives the daytime running light device so as to have a third illumination level. The second illumination level is less than or equal to the first illumination level. The third illumination level is less than the second illumination level. |
| US09615424B2 |
Light source device, lighting device, and luminaire
A control unit of a light source device after activation time is configured to turn on switches respectively connected in series with light sources, in prescribed order. The light source device and a lighting device are configured to transmit characteristics of the light sources, based on a voltage change depending on a pattern of on and off of the switches. |
| US09615423B2 |
Protection circuit and method against interference in lighting systems
A protection circuit for lighting drivers is provided, wherein a lighting driver is coupled to an AC voltage source. The protection circuit comprises a loading circuit, coupled to the AC voltage source and operable to load it with a loading current, and a monitoring and control (M&C) circuit. The M&C circuit is coupled to the AC voltage source for detecting interference pulses thereon and causes the loading circuit to load the AC voltage source with the loading current during a certain loading time starting upon detecting an interference pulse, indiscriminately of the interference pulse polarity. The protection circuit thereby prevents the AC source current from dropping to zero in response to the interference pulse. When the AC voltage source comprises a lighting dimmer, preventing the current from dropping to zero prevents cutout of the lighting dimmer due to an interference pulse that causes a momentary drop of the AC voltage. |
| US09615422B2 |
Auto commissioning and energy saving lighting system
The invention relates to a network of luminaires for an automatic lighting system comprising at least two luminaires (1) and at least one controller, each luminaire comprising a light source (4) and at least two communication ports (3, 6, 9, 12), wherein the communication ports have predetermined configuration and orientation (3, 6, 9, 12), each communication port (3, 6, 9, 12) is adapted to be communicatively connected to a communication port of another luminaire (1) in said network in the direction and orientation of the port (3, 6, 9, 12), and wherein the identification of unused communication ports (3, 6, 9, 12) is communicated to said at least one controller. The invention further relates to a plug (20, 21, 24, 28) adapted to be inserted into unused communication ports (3, 6, 9, 12) in a luminaire of a network of luminaires (1), said plug (20, 21, 24, 28) being adapted to indicate to a controller (7) in said network that the communication port (3, 6, 9, 12) is unused for communication to another luminaire; and to a method of auto-commissioning of a network of luminaires, wherein the method comprises the steps of: identifying unused communication ports (3, 6, 9, 12), communicating identified unused ports to said at least one controller, and control at least one luminaire as a function of the received information related to unused communication ports. |
| US09615421B1 |
LED control circuit
An LED control circuit, comprising: a current source including a positive terminal and a negative terminal for providing a current; an LED, which is disposed on a first current path, including an anode and a cathode where the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the current source; an LED monitor including an input terminal and an output terminal where the input terminal is connected to the anode or the cathode of the LED; and a second current path connected in parallel to the first current path; wherein, when the LED monitor detects that the first current meets a target value, if the source current provided by the power source is greater than the target value, a second current divided from the source current flows through the second current path. |
| US09615420B2 |
LED lighting system
An LED lighting system having at least one LED circuit and at least two circuits or drivers capable of receiving an AC voltage at a first frequency and having an output capable of driving the at least one LED circuit, wherein the output of each circuit or driver capable of driving the at least one LED circuit is provided to the at least one LED circuit through a circuit or sensor capable of permitting only a single output from the at least two circuits or drivers be provided to the at least one LED circuit. |
| US09615418B2 |
Segemented light guide panels in liquid crystal displays
An electronic device (e.g., computing device, all-in-one computing system, stand-alone display, etc.) having a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and a light guide panel (LGP) having a first zone and a second zone physically segmented from each other. The electronic device includes a first light bar associated with the first zone; and a second light bar associated with the second zone. The LGP may include more than two zones. |
| US09615416B2 |
Apparatus for sensing input power source
An apparatus for sensing input power source includes; an input power source; a rectifier for rectifying input power source (Vin) of the input power source into rectified power source (Vr); a dimming interface for sensing the state of the input power source; a first light; and a converter for converting the rectified power source (Vr) into a first power source (V21) and a second power source (V22) which were preset to apply them to the dimming interface and the first light, wherein the dimming interface and the first light are connected with the converter in a feedback type. |
| US09615414B2 |
Power supply device and illumination device
A power supply device includes a power supply input portion, a rectification portion, a smoothing portion, a power conversion portion, a power supply output portion, a signal input portion, a control portion, a circuit substrate, and a case. The circuit substrate is formed in an elongated rectangular plate-like shape. The power supply input portion is mounted on a first end portion of the circuit substrate in a longitudinal direction. The rectification portion, the smoothing portion, the power conversion portion, the control portion, and the power supply output portion are mounted on the circuit substrate in the stated order from the first end portion toward a second end portion in the longitudinal direction. The signal input portion is mounted at a position closer to the second end portion than the rectification portion in the circuit substrate. |
| US09615412B2 |
Multi-sequenced LEDs on two or more wires
The present invention is generally directed to sequencing two or more LEDs on two or more wires; if more than two wires are used, any two pairs of wires can be used as a pair of wires. Each pair of wires can be used to sequence two or more LEDs, and a sequencer can control sequencing of LEDs on multiple wires connected in a group, or in multiple groups of multiple wires. For a given pair of wires, a first group of LEDs is wired opposite a second group of LEDs so that only one group will emit light at one time depending upon the flow of an alternating current. Two groups of LEDs can also be created by using two different semiconductor materials alternately wired to a single anode and cathode pair of a single LED physical package. |
| US09615405B2 |
Heat exchange devices, liquid adhesive systems, and related methods
A heat exchange device for heating liquid adhesive material to an application temperature suitable for an adhesive bonding application includes a body having an inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid adhesive material and an outlet configured to provide the liquid adhesive material to a dispensing device for the adhesive bonding application. A fluid passageway in the body connects the inlet and the outlet. The fluid passageway includes a thin slit section having a length along a fluid flow direction between the inlet and the outlet, the thin slit section further having a first dimension and a second dimension transverse to the fluid flow direction. The first dimension and the length are substantially greater than the second dimension. The heat exchange device further includes a heating element for heating the liquid adhesive material flowing through the thin slit section to the application temperature. |
| US09615401B2 |
Methods and apparatus for updating a device configuration
Methods and apparatus are provided for device configuration (e.g., feature segment loading and system selection). Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to operating a user equipment (UE) in a first radio access network (RAN) with a first set of modem features that supports the first RAN, detecting a second RAN not supported by the first set of modem features, and rebooting the modem software to load a second set of modem features that supports the detected RAN. For certain aspects, the first RAN may be a Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) network and the second RAN may be a Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) network or long term evolution network. This allows features to be loaded into memory (e.g., only) when they are required to support a detected RAN, rather than loading an entire image, thereby conserving DRAM and increasing efficiency. |
| US09615400B2 |
Network apparatus and network sharing method
A network apparatus and a network sharing method are provided. The network apparatus includes a connecting port that can connect to a computer directly. The network apparatus automatically captures wireless network connection information stored in the computer via the connecting port, sets up a wireless network environment, so that the network apparatus acts as an external network card and makes the computer connect to the network via the network apparatus. Meanwhile, the network apparatus acts as a wireless base station and shares the network with other computer. |
| US09615399B2 |
Implanted human body sensor network
The present invention relates to a sensor network, and more particularly, to an implanted sensor network in a human body sensor network in which a plurality of sensor nodes are implanted in the human body to detect biosignals of the human body, wherein the implanted sensor network can prevent the temperature of a sensor node implanted in a human body from rising and thus protect the human body from injury caused thereby. |
| US09615394B2 |
MTC monitoring method
One embodiment of the present specification provides a machine type communication (MTC) monitoring method to be implemented by a network node. The MTC monitoring method comprises the steps of: recognizing a drop of at least one bearer in a target base station by the control of a specific monitoring event when the monitoring event is satisfied according to a movement of an MTC device to be processed through one or a plurality of bearers toward a target base station of an invalid region through a packet data network (PDN) connected with a source base station; transferring, to the MTC device, information for indicating an entry into a valid region or information for indicating an activation of the bearers when detecting the escape of the MTC device from the invalid region and entrance into the valid region; and carrying out a procedure for resetting the dropped bearers. |
| US09615390B2 |
PCRN session architecture for roaming
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a node for creating a virtual IP-CAN session, the method including: receiving, at the network node, a S9 message; creating a S9 session; creating a virtual IP-CAN session associated with the S9 session; persisting the S9 session; and transmitting an answer S9 message. |
| US09615389B2 |
Mobile terminal, access point related content providing server, access point related content acquiring method, mobile terminal program
A content based on location information is provided to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal 10 is communicatively connected to an access point related content providing server that includes a storage unit having an access point related content database 250 in which IP addresses and URLs of contents are associated with each other and are stored. The mobile terminal 10 performs a communication with a wireless access point to access a public network, acquires an IP address of the wireless access point, and transmits the acquired IP address to the access point related content providing server. The mobile terminal 10 receives an URL of a content that is associated with the transmitted IP address or location information identified by the transmitted IP address, and acquires the content designated by the received URL. |
| US09615387B2 |
Connection method and electronic device
A connection method, adapted for an electronic device is provided. The connection method includes the following steps: when the electronic device simultaneously performs a first wireless transmission and a second transmission through a first wireless communication protocol and a second wireless communication protocol respectively, determining a priority order of a first transmission event in the first wireless transmission and a second transmission event in the second wireless transmission; when the priority order of the first transmission event is higher than the priority order of the second transmission event, interrupting the second wireless transmission; when the first transmission event is finished, comparing the priority order of the second transmission event and a third transmission event in the first wireless transmission; when the priority order of the second transmission event is higher than the priority order of the third transmission event, interrupting the first wireless transmission and enabling the second wireless transmission. |
| US09615386B2 |
Random access channel false alarm control
A wireless device includes a preamble detector configured to identify preambles transmitted via a random access channel of a wireless network. The preamble detector includes preamble false alarm logic. The preamble false alarm logic is configured to set a preamble false alarm detection window, and compare, to one another, preambles identified in the false alarm detection window. The preamble false alarm logic is configured to identify, based on the comparison, a largest of the preambles in the false alarm detection window, and reject all but the identified largest of the preambles as false alarm detections. |
| US09615382B2 |
Non-real-time traffic aggregation in relay nodes for increased network capacity
A relay node for aggregating data transfers in a wireless telecommunications network includes a receiver configured to receive uplink signals from multiple terminals, each uplink signal including respective uplink data, a decoder operatively connected to the receiver and configured to decode the uplink signals to obtain the uplink data, a machine-readable storage medium operatively connected to the decoder and configured to store the uplink data, an encoder operatively connected to the machine-readable medium and configured to encode an aggregate uplink signal including the uplink data obtained from the uplink signals, and a transmitter configured to transmit an uplink transmission of the aggregate uplink signal to the base station. |
| US09615379B2 |
Scheduling request transmission method and apparatus for decoupled downlink-uplink
This disclosure provides a Scheduling Request transmission method (10) for decoupled downlink-uplink in heterogeneous network, where the heterogeneous network comprises at least two cells in charge of downlink and uplink transmission separately and connected with any backhaul, the method comprising: determining (11) a positive Data Scheduling Request, D-SR, is to be transmitted in a current D-SR's subframe together with HARQ-ACK/NACK on PUCCH using PUCCH format 1a/1b/3; transmitting (12) a HARQ-ACK/NACK in the current D-SR's subframe on PUCCH together with a negative D-SR using PUCCH format 1/1a/1b or format 3 while transmitting a Scheduling Request, SR, in a next SR's subframe subsequent to the current D-SR's subframe. In this method, the Scheduling Request (SR) of the UEs can be correctly detected in the Pico base station to trigger UL transmission in decoupled UL/DL scenario in various case and any kinds of backhaul can be supported. |
| US09615372B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing receive/transmit transition time of user equipment
In the present application, when the problem of co-channel interference between base stations is eliminated, normal neighboring cell measurement can still be performed on a second base station by delaying receive/transmit transition time of the user equipment. The method includes: receiving, by the user equipment, first indication information sent by a first base station; determining, by the user equipment according to the first indication information, receive/transmit transition time needing to be delayed; determining, by the user equipment according to the receive/transmit transition time needing to be delayed, a downlink time of performing neighboring cell measurement for a second base station, and performing, by the user equipment, neighboring cell measurement for the second base station at the downlink time. The present application is applicable to the field of wireless communications systems. |
| US09615371B1 |
Tracking device power preservation through signal strength reduction
The power consumption of a tracking device can be reduced by managing the transmission power of the tracking device when a mobile device is at the edge of the range of the tracking device. A connection can be established between a tracking device and a mobile device at the edge of a first range of the tracking device. The transmission range of the tracking device can be reduced to sever the connection between the tracking device and the mobile device. After a pre-determined time interval or after a connection with the mobile device is re-established the transmission range of the tracking device can be restored. |
| US09615369B2 |
Avoiding spurious responses with reconfigurable LO dividers
Methods and apparatus including: setting up a plurality of configurations for a plurality of local oscillator (LO) paths of a carrier aggregation (CA) transceiver operating with a plurality of bands; calculating and comparing frequencies for each LO path of the plurality of LO paths and at least one divider ratio of LO dividers for each band of the plurality of bands to identify frequency conflicts; and reconfiguring the LO dividers for the plurality of LO paths and the plurality of bands when the frequency conflicts are identified. |
| US09615367B2 |
Method, device, and communication system for transmission control
A transmission control method may include: determining, by an access device, a distribution of a downlink transmission time slot in a first subframe of a first wireless frame, where the first subframe is a special subframe in a case that the first wireless frame has a first configuration periodicity, or the first subframe is a downlink subframe in a case that the first wireless frame has a second configuration periodicity; generating, by the access device, control information for indicating the determined distribution of the downlink transmission time slot in the first subframe; and sending, by the access device, the first wireless frame to a user terminal, where the control information is carried in a downlink control channel of the first subframe of the first wireless frame, or the control information is carried in a previous subframe of the first subframe of the first wireless frame. |
| US09615366B2 |
Radio resource setting method, base station, radio resource setting system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A radio resource setting method according to the present invention is a method for, when there are a first communication area managed by a pico base station (100) and a second communication area including at least part of the first communication area and managed by a macro base station (200), setting radio resources that the pico base station (100) and macro base station (200) can use for wireless communication with a terminal (300), the radio resource setting method comprising: calculating determination conditions for determining whether or not to set radio resources whose use is limited in the second communication area; calculating a ratio of the radio resources whose use is limited in the second communication area; and setting the radio resources whose use is limited in the second communication area using the determination conditions and the ratio of the radio resources whose use is limited. |
| US09615357B2 |
Wireless communication system, a base station and a method therein
A method is implemented in a base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration. The method includes configuring a first type of user equipment (UE) with a first type of configuration; configuring a second type of UE with a second type of configuration; and receiving from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set. The DL association set includes: a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE. |
| US09615355B2 |
Group resource release method, device and system
Disclosed are a group resource release method, device and system. The method includes: an evolved Node B (eNB) determines, from group cells which belong to the eNB, a target cell which needs to release a group resource; and the eNB sends to the target cell a message for instructing to release the group resource, wherein the message for instructing to release the group resource is used for instructing the target cell to release an air interface resource of the target cell and/or a group resource which is allocated to the target cell by the eNB. It is solved by the embodiment of the disclosure the problems that the release speed is slow and the utilization rate of group call resources in a trunking group call is low, thus effectively improving the utilization rate of the group call resources in the group call. |
| US09615349B2 |
Geographic redundancy determination for time based location information in a wireless radio network
Determining levels of geographic redundancy among radios of a wireless radio network is disclosed. The level of geographic redundancy for a radio can affect the determination of location information for a user equipment (UE) on the wireless radio network. The disclosed subject matter can be employed in conjunction with timed fingerprint location (TFL) technologies to facilitate selection of radios employed in determining time values for TFL location determination. Levels of geographic redundancy can be employed to rank or order radios of a wireless radio network so as to reduce the likelihood of using geographically redundant radios in location determination. Further, rules can be selected to adjust threshold values and equations employed in determining the levels of geographic redundancy. Moreover, rules can be selected to apply boundary conditions to reduce the number of determinations formed for a set of radios of the wireless radio network. |
| US09615345B2 |
Telecommunications system and method
A telecommunications system is arranged to provide a facility for communicating data to and from a mobile node using an internet protocol. The system includes a first home access network, which includes a home gateway node, a second visited access network, which includes a visited serving gateway node, and a wireless access gateway operable to communicate data to and from the mobile node using the internet protocol. The mobile node is operable to communicate a binding update message to the visited serving gateway node of the second visited access network via the wireless access gateway using the internet protocol. The binding update message includes a unique identifier of the mobile node, and a request for an internet protocol address for the mobile node as if the mobile node were attached to the first home access network (home IP address). In one example the unique identifier is an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number or the like. The visited serving gateway node of the second visited access network is operable, in response to the binding update message, to identify from the unique identifier of the mobile node the first home access network of the mobile node and to communicate the request for a home internet protocol address to the home gateway node. The home gateway node of the first home network is responsive to the request to allocate a home internet protocol address to the mobile node.Embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile node with roaming facilities as afforded by a 3GPP network, although the mobile node may have attached to a non-3GPP network, by arranging for the visited serving gateway node to connect to a home network of the mobile node, using for example a GPRS Tunnelling Protocol. |
| US09615344B2 |
Enhanced random access procedure for air-to-ground communications
Methods, systems, and devices are described for establishing a wireless communications link at an aircraft terminal (AT). An AT may determine a timing offset based on the propagation delay between the AT and a ground station, which in some cases may be more than 100 kilometers away. The AT may then transmit an initial access message to the ground station based on the determined timing offset. In some embodiments, the AT may receive an access response message from the ground station that includes a timing alignment value and adjust the timing offset based on this value. The AT may transmit a connection message to the ground station that includes AT location information. This information may be used by the ground station to facilitate beamforming. |
| US09615342B2 |
Method of detecting cell identity and frame number information
A method in a node comprises receiving a signal, and collecting a first set of sequences corresponding to a first piece of cellular information and a second set of sequences corresponding to a second piece of cellular information over multiple frames of the received signal, wherein the second piece of cellular information is encoded based at least in part on the first piece of cellular information. The method further comprises processing the first set of sequences corresponding to the first piece of cellular information to determine the first piece of cellular information, and processing, using the determined first piece of cellular information, the second set of sequences corresponding to the second piece of cellular information to determine the second piece of cellular information simultaneously with the determination of the first piece of cellular information. |
| US09615341B2 |
System and method for transmitting a synchronization signal
A method for device-to-device (D2D) communications includes generating, by a synchronization source, a primary device-to-device synchronization signal that is different from a primary synchronization signal (PSS) sent by an Evolved NodeB (eNodeB) and an existing uplink (UL) signal sent by device-to-device communications devices, and transmitting, by the synchronization source, the primary device-to-device synchronization signal in a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) waveform. |
| US09615339B2 |
Transmit power control in multicarrier communications
A wireless device receives a control packet comprising an uplink grant to transmit a packet on a secondary cell. The wireless device computes transmission power of the packet employing a parameter calculated by accumulation of an initial value and at least one power control value. The accumulation is reset when: a power information element is received by higher layers; or a random access response is received corresponding to a random access preamble transmitted on the secondary cell. |
| US09615336B2 |
Uplink power headroom management for connectivity with logically separate cells
Power headroom management in uplink carrier aggregation for connectivity with logically separate cells of a wireless communications system is performed by a network entity, alone or in combination with another network entity, one or more mobile entities, or both. This may include determining an uplink power allocation across at least two independently controlled cells of a wireless communication network for a mobile entity served by at least two independently controlled cells of a wireless communication network, subject to a total PH constraint for uplink transmissions by the mobile entity. A network entity may then manage PH reporting for determining the uplink power allocation by the uplink serving cells, based on the determined uplink power allocation. Managing the PH reporting may be performed by at least one of: explicit coordination between the at least two independently controlled cells, implicit coordination between the at least two independently controlled cells, or configuring PH reporting from the mobile entity by at least one of the at least two independently controlled cells. |
| US09615334B2 |
Communication power operating method and electronic device supporting the same
An electronic device includes a communication interface configured to establish a communication channel; and a controller configured to adjust an amplification current of a signal outputted through the communication channel corresponding to a measured Adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) based on the communication channel, wherein the controller is configured to adjust a size of the amplification current corresponding to a difference between the measured ACLR and a specified condition. |
| US09615333B2 |
Adaptive battery life extension
According to one embodiment, a first battery number is determined representing a battery condition of a battery of a mobile device using a predictive model, where the predictive model is configured to predict future battery conditions based on a past battery usage of the battery. A second battery number is determined representing the battery condition using a drain model, where the drain model is configured to predict a future battery discharge rate based on a past battery discharge rate. A third battery number is determined representing the battery condition based on a current battery level corresponding to a remaining life of the battery at the point in time. Power management logic performs a power management action based on the battery condition derived from at least one of the first battery number, the second battery number and the third battery number. |
| US09615331B2 |
Power management scheme for portable data collection devices utilizing location and position sensors
A data collection device (DCD) is placed in a first low power mode after the DCD has been in a first predetermined position, and placed in a second low power mode after a first predetermined period of time. In another embodiment the DCD includes a wireless telephone, and a proximity sensor which detects when the DCD is close to a user's face, wherein the telephone is automatically put in a handset mode when the DCD is close to a user's face, and automatically put in a speakerphone mode when the DCD is not close to a user's face. |
| US09615330B2 |
Method for transmitting data in a network
A method for transmitting data from a primary station to a secondary station, includes at the primary station signaling to the secondary station that a data message is to be received, and at the primary station transmitting the data message. The time of transmission of the data message relative to the time of the signaling depends on a state of the secondary station. |
| US09615328B2 |
Method and device for reducing power consumption
A method for reducing power consumption between two devices communicating through a BLUETOOTH protocol is operable to be executed in the devices. A first device can adjust connection state according to current communication state with a second device, to achieve a compromise between power saving and effective transmission abilities. |
| US09615326B2 |
System and method of improving power efficiency in wireless communication system
An apparatus may comprise a signal mapper to map a pre-emphasized signal to sub-carriers symmetrically about DC, and a peak-to-average-power reduction (PAPR) module arranged to receive a pre-emphasized signal and treat the pre-emphasized signal so as to reduce PAPR in a transmit signal sent from the transmitter. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09615324B2 |
Method for setting, in a wireless cellular telecommunication network, the power of the radio signals transferred in cells
A method for setting power of radio signals transferred by a node and/or of the radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by the node. The node: receives, from at least one neighbouring node, at least one parameter value used by the neighbouring node for setting the power of the radio signals transferred by the neighbouring node and/or of the radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by the neighbouring node, determines, at least from the parameter value, a parameter value to be used by the node, sets the power of the radio signals transferred by the node and/or the power correction of the radio signals transferred by mobile terminals served by the node according to the determined parameter value, and transfers at least the determined parameter value to the at least one neighbouring node. |
| US09615323B2 |
Wireless communication system, base station device, move control node, and method of wireless communication
The wireless communication system of the present invention includes a base station (10) and a mobility management node (20). The base station (10) sends at least one information from among location information of the base station (10) and information about the size of a cell of the base station (10), to the mobility management node (20). The mobility management node (20) receives at least one information from among the location information of the base station (10) and the information about the size of the cell of the base station, from the base station (10). |
| US09615321B2 |
Apparatus and methods for facilitating cell reselection for higher priority layers
User Equipments (UEs) can be adapted to enter into a lower RRC state from a higher RRC state, and search for one or more layers of higher priority within a predetermined period of time upon entering into the lower RRC state. According to at least one aspect, this search for one or more layers of higher priority may be performed irrespective of RF quality of a current serving cell. According to at least another aspect, this search for one or more layers of higher priority may be conducted within the predetermined period of time if a wait period has elapsed since the UE camped on the current serving cell. If the wait period has not elapsed since camping on the current serving cell, the search for one or more layers of higher priority may be performed within the predetermined period of time following a duration of the wait period. |
| US09615319B2 |
Policy control for a machine-to-machine group
A method for controlling, by a policy and charging enforcement unit, an access procedure of a mobile entity to a packet switched network via a cellular network, the mobile entity belonging to a group of mobile entities having common policy and charging rules. The method comprises the steps of receiving an attach request message to establish a group session for one of the mobile entities belonging to group, and checking whether a group subscription profile with policy and charging rules is provided in the policy and charging enforcement unit for the group, wherein if the policy and charging rules are provided in the policy and charging enforcement unit, the provided policy and charging rules are applied to the one mobile entity for which the attach request message has been received. |
| US09615317B2 |
Method, device, and system for processing closed subscriber group subscription data request
The present invention relates to a method, a device, and a system for processing a request for closed subscriber group subscription data. A closed subscriber group subscriber server receives a request sent by a mobility management network element. The request includes an identifier of the mobility management network element and an identifier of a user equipment is used for requesting closed subscriber group subscription data of the user equipment. If the closed subscriber group subscription data of the user equipment does not exist, the closed subscriber group subscriber server stores the identifier of the mobility management network element and the identifier of the user equipment. |
| US09615316B2 |
Methods and devices for facilitating modified cell reselection parameters and procedures when access terminals exhibit little or no mobility
Access terminals are adapted to facilitate use of modified cell reselection parameters and/or procedures for access terminals exhibiting low or no mobility. An access terminal may employ one or more mobile thresholds to determine whether to perform cell reselection when the access terminal is mobile, and one or more stationary threshold to determine whether to perform cell reselection when the access terminal is stationary or substantially stationary. Methods operational on access terminals include determining the access terminal to be stationary or substantially stationary, and employing one or more stationary thresholds to determine whether to perform a cell reselection when the access terminal is determined to be at least substantially stationary. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included. |
| US09615314B2 |
Extended access barring
A system and method for authorizing access to a transmission station for a mobile device is disclosed. The mobile device can receive device extended access barring (EAB) configuration information in a broadcast control channel (BCCH) from a transmission station. The mobile device can bar the mobile device configured for EAB and having characteristics identified in the EAB configuration information for barring from accessing the transmission station. Alternatively, a system and method for barring a mobile device from accessing a transmission station is disclosed. The transmission station can receive from the mobile device a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment request. The transmission station can configure a system information block (SIB) with extended access barring (EAB) configuration information. The transmission station can broadcast the SIB with EAB configuration information to the mobile device. |
| US09615313B2 |
Method, device, and system for sending and receiving message for proximity service
A method, a device, and a system for sending and receiving a message for a ProSe. The method includes determining, by a base station, a device identifier list of a ProSe user equipment and a resource parameter that is used by the ProSe user equipment to send a discovery signal; and broadcasting, by the base station, a first indication message, where the first indication message indicates the device identifier list and the resource parameter, so that a first ProSe user equipment performs a ProSe with a second ProSe user equipment. According to the method and the device for sending and receiving a message for a ProSe that are provided by the embodiments, a rate that a ProSe user equipment is sensed can be improved. |
| US09615312B2 |
Method for connection between electronic devices and electronic device thereof
Methods and apparatuses are provided for connecting electronic devices. A first electronic device broadcasts a message including at least one of related service information and connectivity information necessary for accessing a wireless access point (AP) accessed by the first electronic device, by using short-range communication. The first electronic device receives a connection request from at least one second electronic device via the wireless AP. |
| US09615311B2 |
Methods and apparatus for the communication of cellular network information between a wireless local area network and a mobile station
Methods and apparatus for the communication of cellular network information between a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a mobile station are disclosed. In one illustrative example, the mobile station receives a generic container message from the WLAN. The generic container message includes cellular network information associated with one or more available cellular networks previously received by the WLAN. The generic container message is not technology or standard-specific, as it may contain cellular network information from a variety of different cellular networks (e.g. 3GPP, 3GPP2, IETF, etc.). The mobile station decodes the generic container message to identify and store the cellular network information in its memory. Preferably, the cellular network information includes information for identifying the cellular networks so that the mobile station may appropriately select one of the cellular networks for communication. |
| US09615309B2 |
System and method for Wi-Fi downlink-uplink protocol design for uplink interference alignment
Embodiments are provided to enable concurrent uplink transmissions from multiple Wi-Fi stations (STAs) to one or more access points (APs) using Interference Alignment (IA). In an embodiment, the STAs broadcast, to one or more APs, beamforming reports including channel estimation information for downlink. The one or more AP then performs channel estimation using the beamforming reports, and selects at least some of the STAs. The AP also computes beamforming information for IA of uplink transmissions between the selected STAs and sends, to the selected STAs, the beamforming information. The beamforming information is piggy-backed over downlink data packets to the selected STAs. Each selected STA then sends an uplink data frame concurrently with one or more other uplink data frames from one or more other selected STAs to the AP. The uplink data frames are configured for concurrent uplink transmissions according to the beamforming information for IA. |
| US09615307B2 |
System and method for managing prefixes
A method for managing prefixes of a mobile node (MN) includes receiving a servable prefix and a cost associated with the servable prefix from a first router serving the MN, wherein the servable prefix is one of a plurality of prefixes assigned to the MN that is servable by the first router, deciding whether to release the servable prefix through the first router in accordance with the cost associated with the servable prefix, and releasing the servable prefix when the MN has decided to release the servable prefix. |
| US09615306B2 |
Communication apparatus, method for controlling the same, and computer-readable recording medium
Information on one or more networks in which a communication apparatus has participated before and information on one or more external apparatuses to which the communication apparatus has been connected before are held. Information on a first network previously formed by the communication device and information on a second network previously formed by an external access point are held such that the information on the first network and the information on the second network are identifiable. If it is judged that there is not a network corresponding to the held information on the second network, it is determined to use a network based on the held information on the first network. |
| US09615304B2 |
Method for inter-RAT reselection decision based on unbalanced radio conditions and device for executing said method
The invention relates to a wireless communication device (UE) configured to be operating in a wireless cellular network supporting a wireless technology standard. For solving the problem of blockage of the UE in regards with one cellular network the UE makes a comparison of communication conditions in downlink and in uplink in order to detect unbalanced communication conditions between downlink and uplink channels and, in case downlink communication conditions are acceptable, but uplink communication conditions show a degradation, initiate an inter-RAT reselection. |
| US09615301B2 |
Base station handover method and system for communications system
A base station handover method and system for a communication system are provided. The method includes: a serving base station triggering a bi-casting operation according to information reported by a user equipment, adding a communication context of a target base station into a Mobile Management Entity (MME), and the MME notifying a Serving GateWay (SGW) to store two communication routes; the SGW communicating with the serving base station and the target base station after the triggering of bi-casting is completed; and the serving base station interacting with the user equipment, and handing over the user equipment from the serving base station to the target base station. By means of the technical scheme according to the embodiments of the present document, the complexity of base station handover can be reduced, the efficiency of base station handover can be increased, and at the same time the practicability is enhanced. |
| US09615295B2 |
Cell measurement and special function small cell selection method and apparatus for use in a mobile communication system
Disclosed is a method by a base station in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving cell measurement information related to the serving and neighboring cells from at least one terminal served by the base station, receiving status information including load information on serving cells of the small cell base station from the small cell base station, determining a secondary cell group (SCG) of the serving cells of the small cell base station that are capable of serving the terminal based on the cell measurement information and the status information and transmitting information on the SCG to the small cell base station. |
| US09615294B2 |
Dynamic session transfer number for voice call continuity
A method in a wireless device for voice call continuity is disclosed. The wireless device sends a register message to a network node. The wireless device has a first session transfer number. The wireless device receives a registration authorization message. The registration authorization message includes a second session transfer number for voice call continuity, the second session transfer number being dynamically assigned by the network node. The wireless device stores in memory the dynamically assigned second session transfer number. |
| US09615292B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining base stations providing cooperative communication to a mobile station in a communication system
A method of determining member Base Stations (BSs) providing cooperative communication to a Mobile Station (MS) in a communication system. The method includes when a candidate list of the member BSs generated using at least one of strengths of signals received from adjacent BSs and cell loading state information of the adjacent BSs is received from the MS, selecting candidate BSs having a service quality larger than or equal to a threshold from candidate BSs included in the candidate list as targets to receive a member negotiation; and performing a capability negotiation with each of the selected targets to receive the member negotiation to select final member BSs and transmitting information on the determined final member BSs to the MS. |
| US09615291B2 |
High-efficiency station (STA) and method for decoding an HE-PPDU
Embodiments of a system and methods for distinguishing high-efficiency Wi-Fi (HEW) packets from legacy packets are generally described herein. In some embodiments, an access point may select a value for the length field of a legacy signal field (L-SIG) that is non-divisible by three for communicating with HEW stations and may select a value for the length field that is divisible by three for communicating with legacy stations. In some embodiments, the access point may select a phase rotation for application to the BPSK modulation of at least one of the first and second symbols of a subsequent signal field to distinguish a high-throughput (HT) PPDU, a very-high throughput (VHT) PPDU and an HEW PPDU. |
| US09615287B2 |
Dynamic bandwidth scheduling with transport network
Methods and computing systems for allocating an information rate to a particular traffic type of a plurality of traffic types of egress traffic is described. A state of the particular traffic type for a particular time slot of a current time period is determined. This includes determining the information rate such that a loss probability threshold is not exceeded, based on historical data of the particular traffic type. The historical data includes a plurality of observed throughput rates of the particular traffic type during a plurality of previous time periods at which the particular traffic type experienced the state of the particular traffic type. The information rate (e.g., a committed information rate) is allocated to the particular traffic type for the particular time slot. |
| US09615283B1 |
Dynamic management of control channel capacity
Disclosed is a method and system for management of control channel capacity to help reduce control channel congestion over time. As disclosed, a first base station provides a first downlink control channel including a first set of air interface resources and a second base station provides a second downlink control channel including a second set of air interface resources, the first set of air interface resources and the second set of air interface resources being mutually exclusive. Upon making a determination that the first downlink control channel is threshold loaded (i.e., congested), temporary reconfiguration of the wireless communication system is carried out by transferring a portion of the second set of air interface resources from the second downlink control channel to the first downlink control channel such that (i) capacity of the first downlink control channel is increased and (ii) capacity of the second downlink control channel is commensurately decreased. |
| US09615282B2 |
Bandwidth-based configuration of measurement gaps
Method and apparatus for improving the quality of measurements performed on non-serving frequencies and/or the quality of serving cell data reception by intelligently configuring measurement gaps during which a wireless device is to perform those measurements. The intelligent configuration processing entails obtaining information that identifies, for each of a plurality of candidate non-serving frequencies, one or more measurement bandwidths over which one or more corresponding measurements on that non-serving frequency are to be performed. In at least some embodiments, such candidate non-serving frequencies represent frequencies for which the device has requested measurements gaps. The processing further includes selecting a subset of the candidate non-serving frequencies based on the measurement bandwidths. The processing finally includes configuring measurement gaps during which the wireless device is to perform one or more measurements on the selected non-serving frequencies. |
| US09615279B2 |
Enhanced listen-before-talk (LBT) for unlicensed band operation with cell splitting
Techniques of enhanced listen-before-talk (LBT) at an Evolved NodeB (eNB) are discussed. An example apparatus within an eNB implementing such techniques comprises a receiver circuit, processor, and transmitter circuit. The receiver circuit is configured to receive a set of signals over a selected frequency band. The processor is configured to determine a subset of the set via an energy detection metric; determine, for each signal of the subset, whether that signal comprises one of a plurality of Long Term Evolution (LTE) reference signals (RSs); and implement a back-off procedure in response to a determination that at least one signal of the subset does not comprise one of the plurality of LTE RSs. The transmitter is configured to transmit a transmission comprising a first RS of the plurality of LTE RSs in response to a determination that each signal of the subset comprises one of the plurality of LTE RSs. |
| US09615277B2 |
Method for determining position based on network and electronic device thereof
A method for operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes determining, by the electronic device, a position estimation point according to state information of the electronic device. Further, the method includes transmitting a position estimation request message to an Access Point (AP) at the determined position estimation point with a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) connection not being performed, and receiving position information of the electronic device from the AP. |
| US09615276B2 |
Radio terminal, radio communication system, and radio base station
A radio terminal comprises a communication unit, a measurement unit, a measurement unit, and a control unit. The communication unit selects the CDMA or OFDM scheme as a communication scheme to be used in a cell formed by a radio base station and performs radio communication. The measurement unit measures the receiving quality relating to the time difference between the preceding and delayed wave of a received signal in the OFDM scheme and measures the receiving quality of a received signal in the CDMA scheme. When the OFDM scheme is used in an idle state, when the receiving quality relating to the time difference which is obtained by the measurement unit is deteriorated below a threshold value corresponding to a guard interval used in the OFDM scheme, the control unit causes the measurement unit to measure the receiving quality of the received signal in the CDMA scheme. |
| US09615275B2 |
Method and apparatus for computing layer 2 load conditions in a wireless network environment
A method and a system for measuring Layer 2 (L2) load conditions in a wireless network environment are provided. The method of an evolved Node B (eNB) for measuring L2 load conditions in a wireless network environment includes determining total number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocated to the eNB in uplink and downlink and determining number of PRBs which are unavailable in uplink and downlink. The method further includes computing number of PRBs available for use during a time period by subtracting the number of unavailable PRBs from the number of allocated PRBs. Moreover, the method includes reporting the number of PRBs available for use during a time period to an Operation And Maintenance (OAM) entity in the wireless network environment. |
| US09615274B2 |
Plane wave generation within a small volume of space for evaluation of wireless devices
Small anechoic chambers for evaluating a wireless device under test (DUT) are characterized by a set of antennas to which a test signal is applied and for which excitation coefficients are applied such that the test signal approximates a single plane wave or a preselected superposition of plane waves in the near field of the antennas. The test-equipment antennas in the chamber may be as close as one wavelength from the boundary of a test zone in which the DUT is disposed. Hence, the test zone can be in the near field of the test-equipment antennas and the test zone can be less than a wavelength from the chamber walls. Consequently, it is possible to perform tests in a small anechoic chamber that previously required a large anechoic chamber, e.g., advanced spatial channel-model tests and antenna-pattern measurements. |
| US09615267B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting HARQ-ACK feedback information by a user equipment in a wireless communication system
An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest ACKnowledgment (HARQ-ACK) feedback information by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, when Component Carriers (CCs) configured for the UE include a Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) CC and a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) CC. The method includes determining a HARQ-ACK timing and a CC for transmitting the HARQ-ACK feedback information, based on a composition structure of the CCs configured for the UE, and transmitting the HARQ-ACK feedback information on a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) or a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel (PUSCH) of the determined CC, based on the determined HARQ-ACK timing. |
| US09615265B2 |
Network node and method for adjusting antenna parameters in a wireless communications system
A network node and a method performed by a network node for adjusting antenna parameters of one or more antennas in a wireless telecommunications network is provided. First, the network node obtains signal strength values associated with the antennas for a number of user equipments in the wireless telecommunications network. Then, the network node determines an amount of user equipments of the number of user equipments having a signal strength value difference from two antennas that passes a determined threshold for the signal strength value difference, and adjusts at least one antenna parameter of at least one of the two antennas when the determined amount of user equipments passes a determined threshold for the amount of user equipments. |
| US09615262B1 |
Antenna placement determination device
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for an antenna placement determination device. An antenna placement determination device can include a signal sensor located at a first end of an extendible arm, a platform located proximate to a second end of the extendible arm, a drive system connected to the platform, and an actuator connected to the extendible arm. The actuator can be configured to extend and collapse the extendible arm. The signal sensor can be connected to the extendible arm by a joint, and a sensor actuator or sensor motor can rotate the signal sensor about the joint. The drive system can include a drive motor and a drive mechanism that is configured to transport the antenna placement determination device. |
| US09615260B2 |
Adaptive quality of service for wireless networks
A 3GPP LTE protocol enhancement realizes the full benefit of proposed dynamic frequency sharing systems by enhancing current bearer establishment and update provisioning for adaptive Quality of Service (QoS) levels to support Licensed Shared Access (LSA). A User Equipment (UE) comprises a transceiver configured to define an adaptation context, define a default and one or more additional acceptable QoS levels associated with the adaptation context, communicate a request to create or update an adaptive bearer specifying the defined adaptation context and additional acceptable QoS levels, and receive or update spectrum resources for the adaptive bearer. The adaptive bearer may be provisioned according to the communicated request. |
| US09615259B2 |
Pushing secure notifications to mobile computing devices
Techniques are provided for pushing secure notifications to a mobile computing device. For example, a method for pushing secure notifications includes a push service platform receiving a push notification message request from an entity registered with the push service platform, processing the push notification message request to generate a secure push notification message, and sending the secure push notification message to a target mobile computing device through a native third-party push service associated with the target mobile computing device. The secure push notification message includes a message ID (identifier) that corresponds to message content associated with the push notification message request. The method further includes the push service platform receiving a pull message request from the target mobile computing device, the pull message request requesting the message content associated with the push notification message corresponding to the message ID, and sending the requested message content associated with the push notification message to the mobile computing device. |
| US09615258B2 |
Method and apparatus for securing timing packets over untrusted packet transport network
Methods, devices, systems, techniques, and computer program products are provided to secure timing synchronization to network nodes connected over an inherently insecure best effort public network with mechanisms to improve accuracy of timing protocols such as a statistically estimated edge timestamp offset encoded into the timing message to account for network jitter and processing latency variances incurred due to the security packet processing and encryption; to ensure slave network nodes shall only accept timing messages from trusted timing sources; to establish a secure tunnel with a trusted timing source for exchange of timing packets; to provide authentication and security for timing packets over the insecure public network; and to enhance message anonymity with variable payload padding. |
| US09615255B2 |
Wireless communications access security
A computer implemented method for wireless communications access security, the method comprising: measuring at least one parameter during a wireless communication with an active access point, calculating at least one indicator from the measured parameter(s), and determining a threat indication by applying a threat evaluation function on the calculated indicator(s). |
| US09615254B2 |
Wireless power transmitting devices, methods for signaling access information for a wireless communication network and method for authorizing a wireless power receiving device
A wireless power transmitting device is described comprising a power transmitter to wirelessly transmit power to a wireless power receiving device, a controller configured to control the wireless power transfer to the wireless power receiving device via a wireless power transfer control channel of a first wireless communication network between the wireless power transmitting device and the wireless power receiving device and a signaling circuit configured to signal access information for a second wireless communication network via the wireless power transfer control channel. |
| US09615251B2 |
Radio device with two radio units and a method for the transmission of information
A radio device is provided with a first radio unit and a second radio unit, wherein the first radio unit provides a certified functionality which is certified by an authorized certification authority. The second radio unit provides a certified functionality, wherein the functionality of the second radio unit is different from the functionality of the first radio unit, and the functionality of the second radio unit is similarly certified by an authorized certification authority. Furthermore, a method is provided for the transmission of information via the radio device. |
| US09615246B2 |
Dynamic allocation of host IP addresses
The present invention facilitates dynamic allocation of home IP addresses for a mobile node, when it is roaming away from a home network and supported by a foreign network. After the mobile node obtains a care-of address from the foreign network, a stateful or stateless configuration process is used to dynamically allocate a home IP address for the mobile node. In the stateful approach, a binding update message is used to request a home IP address for the mobile node from its home agent. In a stateless embodiment, the mobile node will create a home IP address, which is sent to the home agent for verification via the binding update message. The home agent will receive the home IP address in the binding update message, verify the home IP address, and send acknowledgement of the verification, assuming the home IP address is verified, to the mobile node. |
| US09615245B2 |
Method and device for processing carrier aggregation capability
The present invention relates to a method and device for processing carrier aggregation capability, which method comprises: sending, by user equipment, its own carrier aggregation capability to the network side; acquiring, by network side equipment, the carrier aggregation capability of the user equipment; and configuring, by the network side equipment, aggregated carriers for the user equipment according to the carrier aggregation capability thereof. In the present invention, the sending of the carrier aggregation capability to the network side by the UE enables the network side to acquire the UE's carrier aggregation capability, thus ensuring the normal operation of the carrier aggregation system. |
| US09615234B2 |
Emergency call handling
Technology for initiating emergency calls is disclosed. A minimum set of emergency related data (MSD) associated with the emergency call may be identified at a terminal equipment (TE) of a mobile terminal. An attention (AT) command may be generated that includes the MSD and selected configuration information related to the emergency call. The AT command may be sent from the TE of the mobile terminal to a mobile termination (MT) of the mobile terminal in order to setup the emergency call, wherein the mobile terminal (MT) routes the emergency call to a public safety answering point (PSAP) in a communication network. |
| US09615229B2 |
Method and apparatus for automatically creating message
A method and an apparatus for automatically creating a message in an electronic device are provided. The method includes detecting at least one current situation of a user of the electronic device and automatically creating a message comprising content reflecting the at least one current situation. |
| US09615228B1 |
System and method for identifying SMS messages from multiple originators using a shared shortcode
To enable multiple message originators to share an SMS shortcode, originator identifying codes can be added to outbound SMS messages that prompt recipients to respond with response messages that include the originator identifying codes. The originator identifying codes can be added by a service provider that administers the SMS shortcode. When a response message is received on the SMS shortcode number, the service provider processes the response message content to extract the originator identifying code. The code and, optionally, a recipient ID can be used as a lookup to determine the intended originator that the response message is for. The response message can then be associated by the service provider with the correct originator for subsequent processing. |
| US09615226B2 |
System and method for transmitting an emergency message over an integrated wireless network
An emergency message system provides a system and method for generating and transmitting emergency messages. In one embodiment, the emergency message system employs a transceiver network with a plurality transceivers coupled to monitoring devices residing at a plurality of customer premises. Control room operators receive an emergency message from an identifiable transceiver. The transceiver, identified by an identification code, indicates a location and the nature of the emergency condition so that the control operators may request appropriate emergency assistance. |
| US09615218B2 |
Intelligent formation and management of dynamic talk groups
Embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product that enable intelligent formation and management of dynamic talk groups. Embodiments include a discretionary sharing mechanism based on invitation and acceptance that allows for dynamic publication or sharing of information in real time among agencies responding to an incident, where the agencies may establish secure communications. Additional embodiments include establishing and associating geographic boundaries of incident sites with talk groups, monitoring conditions that trigger warning messages sent to talk group members, and subscriptions to information channels that allow multimedia information to flow into talk groups. |
| US09615212B1 |
Method, device, and system for collecting and reporting minimally necessary real-time personal context
A wireless computing device collects and reports minimally necessary real-time personal context of a user. During a first period of time, collecting and storing one or more first personal context information elements associated with the user but not reporting them via wireless transmission. In response to determining that there is an increased probability of an incident occurring near the user, for a second period of time: continuing to collect the first personal context information elements and reporting them all via wireless transmission, and beginning collecting and storing second personal context information elements not collected during the first period of time but not reporting second personal context information elements via wireless transmission. |
| US09615211B2 |
Server for home appliance network system
A server (3) includes a server communication unit (302) for communicating with a portable terminal (1) and a home appliance (2), a position-determining unit (304) for acquiring information on a position of the terminal (1) during communication, an initial screen storage (305) for storing different position conditions and a collection of screen information defining respective content of initial screens corresponding to the conditions, and an activation unit (306). If position information obtained based on the information on the position acquired through the position-determining unit (304) corresponds to any position condition of the different position conditions, the unit (306) retrieves screen information defining content of an initial screen corresponding to the position condition from the storage (305) to provide the terminal (1) with the information. |
| US09615208B2 |
Dynamically controlling the presentation of a graphic feature based on location information
A system and method of operating a mobile device is described. The mobile device can determine its current location and determine whether a location-based service, which can be requested by a user operating the mobile device, is available for use at the current location. In response to determining that the location-based service is unavailable for use at the current location, the mobile device can cause a graphic icon, that would otherwise be displayed one of one or more home pages on a display of the mobile device, to be hidden so that the graphic icon is not displayed with any of the one or more home pages. The graphic icon can correspond to a service application for use with the location-based service. |
| US09615204B1 |
Techniques for communication within closed groups of mobile devices
A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel. |
| US09615202B2 |
Determining a significant user location for providing location-based services
Systems, methods, and program products for providing services to a user by a mobile device based on the user's daily routine of movement. The mobile device determines whether a location cluster indicates a significant location for the user based on one or more hints that indicate an interest of the user in locations in the cluster. The mobile device can perform adaptive clustering to determine a size of area of the significant location based on how multiple locations converge in the location cluster. The mobile device can provide location-based services for calendar items, including predicting a time of arrival at an estimated location of a calendar item. The mobile device can provide various services related to a location of the mobile device or a significant location of the user through an application programming interface (API). |
| US09615197B2 |
Communication method and device
A method and device are provided to assist and accomplish a communication between two strange communication terminals without Internet connection. The method includes transmitting a broadcast package via Bluetooth, which comprises identity information of a first communication terminal, obtaining communication information sent by a second communication terminal after receiving the broadcast package, and communicated with the first communication terminal by the second communication terminal via Bluetooth, and assisting in completing a communication between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal according to the communication information. The two communication terminal still can communicate with each other without Internet connection, and the position accuracy is improved by communicating with Bluetooth. |
| US09615195B2 |
Media file sharing method and system
A media file sharing method and a media file sharing system are provided. The sharing method comprises: presetting and saving an LAN, a DLNA application and a media file that are default during a sharing process; establishing a sharing pair relationship between a master device and a slave device in the DLNA application; generating an NFC triggering label embedded in the master device according to the LAN, the DLNA application, the media file and the sharing pair relationship; activating the NFC triggering label by the master device through an NFC sensing operation; the master device and the slave device logging into the LAN and the DLNA application that are default according to the NFC triggering label and completing the sharing pairing according to the sharing pair relationship; receiving the media file from the master device by the slave device and completing processing of the media file. |
| US09615194B2 |
Service control method for machine type communications device and related apparatus and system
A service control method for a machine type communications (MTC) device and a related apparatus are provided. The method includes receiving, by an access-network network element, a paging request message from a core-network network element, wherein the paging request message carries device type indication information of a paged user equipment (UE); determining a device type of the UE according to the device type indication information of the UE; and if the UE is an MTC device, performing the following service operations: paging the UE by using a dedicated paging resource allocated to an MTC device, or determining whether the UE is an MTC device allowed to be accessed in a service control policy, and paging the UE if the UE is an MTC device allowed to be accessed in a service control policy, or determining not to page the UE, and sending a paging reject message to the core-network network element. |
| US09615193B1 |
Systems and methods for managing launch activities on a mobile device
A computer-implemented method for managing launch activities on a mobile device may include maintaining a plurality of launch activities associated with an application. Each launch activity in the plurality of launch activities may be associated with a different launch icon. The method may further include identifying a mobile device environment within which the application is being used. The method may also include selecting, from the plurality of launch activities, a launch activity that corresponds to the mobile device environment. The method may additionally include enabling the launch activity that corresponds to the mobile device environment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09615192B2 |
Message link server with plural message delivery triggers
A message link server maintains secure message links with device link agents on each of a plurality of wireless end-user devices. Plural network elements send messages to the message link server, the messages targeted for delivery of message content to specific software components on respective ones of the wireless end-user devices. A message buffering system in the server buffers messages targeted to each device until one of several triggers occur, such that messages that do not have time-critical messaging needs may be buffered until the occurrence of a trigger other than the receipt of that message by the server. |
| US09615189B2 |
Artificial ear apparatus and associated methods for generating a head related audio transfer function
The present invention provides for an apparatus, system, and method for generating a head related audio transfer function in real time. Specifically, the present invention utilizes unique structural components including a tragus structure and an antihelix structure in connection with a microphone in order to communicate the location of a sound in three dimensional space to a user. |
| US09615182B2 |
Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations
Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure. |
| US09615181B2 |
Symmetric magnet arrangement for medical implants
An arrangement is described for a hearing implant system. An implantable housing has an outer surface configured to lie under and parallel to the skin of the implanted patient. An implant magnet arrangement is located within the implantable housing and has multiple local magnetic sections with different independent local magnetic fields that are combined together to form a net magnetic field with at least two-fold symmetry and zero net magnetic dipole moment, wherein the magnetic fields are oriented parallel to the outer surface of the implant housing. |
| US09615172B2 |
Broadband sensor location selection using convex optimization in very large scale arrays
Systems and methods are provided to determine a subset of D microphones in a set of N microphones on a perimeter of a space to monitor a target location. The space is divided into L interference locations. An equation is solved to determine microphone weights for the N microphones by minimizing the maximum gain for signals related to the target location and interference locations, further optimized over an l1 penalty by applying a Lagrange multiplier to an l1 norm of the microphone weights in a manner that determines a set of D non-zero microphones weights and a set of (N-D) microphone weights that are zero or close to zero. Microphone weights are determined for at least 2 different frequencies. |
| US09615171B1 |
Transformation inversion to reduce the effect of room acoustics
Embodiments of systems and methods are described for inverting transformations of signals due to room acoustics. In some implementations, a transformation of a calibration signal from a particular location in a room may be determined. From this transformation, an inverse transformation may be determined and the inverse transformation may be applied to a speech signal received from a similar location. |
| US09615166B2 |
Electronic machine, and automobile and accommodation unit provided with the same
Provided is an electronic machine that is provided with a speaker and that enables a direction of the speaker to be appropriately and arbitrarily changed. The electronic machine includes a speaker unit, housings, and a rotating device. The speaker unit is supported by the housing. The rotating device includes a first rotating device configured to rotate the speaker unit with respect to the housings about a direction intersecting with an axis of the housings serving as a rotational axis, and a second rotating device configured to rotate the speaker unit with respect to the housings about the axis of the housings serving as a rotational axis. |
| US09615161B2 |
Wearable electronic device
A wearable electronic device is provided. The wearable electronic device includes a first part including a first sound output module, a second part including a second sound output module, a third part disposed between the first part and the second part, a flexible first connection unit configured to connect a first end of the first part and a first end of the third part, and a flexible second connection unit configured to connect a first end of the second part and a second end of the third part. |
| US09615158B2 |
Earpiece
An earpiece includes a body having an acoustic driver and an output aperture. A sealing structure extends from a region adjacent the output aperture to hold the output aperture adjacent to the entrance of a user's ear canal. An acoustic nozzle having an acoustic passage conducts sound waves from the acoustic driver to the output aperture. The acoustic passage has a proximal end adjacent the acoustic driver and a distal end adjacent the output aperture. First acoustic impedance is provided at the proximal end of the acoustic nozzle adjacent the acoustic driver. Second acoustic impedance is provided at the distal end of the acoustic nozzle adjacent the output aperture. The volume of the acoustic nozzle and the first and second acoustic impedances are selected to control resonance in the user's ear canal when the sealing structure is engaged with the entrance to the user's ear canal. |
| US09615157B2 |
Microphone
Provided is, in a microphone configured such that a microphone head including a microphone unit is attachably/detachably mounted to a microphone main body, a microphone which enables easy attachment/detachment of the microphone head, and which can perform a mute operation not only after removal of the microphone head but also in attachment/detachment of the microphone head. The microphone includes a mute circuit provided to a side of the microphone main body, and driven by an input of a mute command signal, a first mute control circuit provided to aside of the microphone head, and including a switch that switches disconnection/conduction of a wire, and a second mute control circuit provided to the side of the microphone main body, and electrically connected with the first mute control circuit and generates the mute command signal, in a state where the microphone head is coupled, and in attachment/detachment of the microphone head. |
| US09615156B1 |
Engaging structure for installation of a loudspeaker
An engaging structure is used for installation of a loudspeaker into an installation hole of a partition. The installation hole extends through first and second faces of the partition. The engaging structure includes a receiving portion and a plurality of clamping units. The receiving portion has a receiving hole for receiving the loudspeaker. The clamping units are coupled with the receiving portion and surround the receiving hole. Each clamping unit includes first and second clamping members. The first clamping member includes a first end connected to a first end of the second clamping member, and a second end connected to a first wheel. The first wheel abuts with an inner periphery of the partition. The second clamping member includes a second end connected to a second wheel, and the second wheel abuts with one of the first and second faces of the partition. |
| US09615148B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, and communication method
A communication apparatus includes: a data generating unit that generates write data to be sent to any other communication apparatus at an arbitrary timing; a communication unit that repeatedly sends a read request to the other communication apparatus until the write data is generated and, at the same time, repeatedly receives a read response sent from the other communication apparatus in response to the read request; and a data acquisition unit that acquires read data, which is sent along with the read response by the other communication apparatus, when the read data is generated at an arbitrary timing by the other communication apparatus. |
| US09615147B2 |
Multisensory meter system
A multisensory meter system is disclosed. The system comprises one main unit and a plurality of remote units. Each remote unit has at least a sensor to measure a physical parameter and wirelessly transmit the measured parameter as a signal to the main unit. The main unit and the remote units have an interface that allows at least one the remote units to be attached to the main unit. When attached, the main unit and the remote unit function as a single meter, and the main unit is capable of receiving signals from the other remote units. In one embodiment, the main unit and the remote units form a mesh network to transmit and receive signals, wherein each remote unit receives signals and transmits said signals. The mesh network may also contain relays. The remote units may measure a number of physical parameters such as relative humidity, temperature, vibration, moisture, electrical current, air speed, voltage and rotational speed. The signals may contain a unique identifier or code, and may be broadcast in unique frequencies. |
| US09615145B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing interactive extras
Apparatus and methods are provided to implement a technique for providing supplemental information and interactive features for content, such as a movie. In one implementation, a content provider builds a package of information and interactive features (“interactive extras”) using a defined structure and API (application programming interface). The content provider gives the package of extras to several distributors (or provides access to some or all of the package through a network resource). Each distributor uses the package in the distributor's content distribution platform or system by conforming to the API for the package. In this way, the content provider can provide the same package of extras to multiple distributors that may have incompatible platforms without having to build custom packages for each platform. This allows the content provider to build the package once and also provides a more consistent experience across the distributor services. |
| US09615142B2 |
Second screen trivia function
Systems for, and methods of, displaying video information comprising: a second screen device obtaining current play position data of a video being played on a primary screen device (e.g., obtaining from the primary screen device an identification of a current play position of the video, or obtaining information to generate an acoustic fingerprint of the video); determining a current play position of the video playing on the primary screen device based upon the current play position data (e.g., identification of the current play position or the acoustic fingerprint); downloading information (e.g., video map, subtitles, moral principles, objectionable content, memorable content, performers, geographical maps, shopping, plot point, item, ratings, and trivia information) over a computer communications network into the memory of the second screen device; and displaying information on the second screen device synchronized with the contemporaneously played video on the primary screen device. |
| US09615140B1 |
Method and device for delivery of subtitle synchronized with a media stream
A method and device for synchronizing text with a media production, such as a video, and displaying the text on a portable display device, thereby providing subtitles for the video, is hereby provided. The method is carried out by receiving a sample of UV light from the video display, creating a digital fingerprint that includes time data, associating a text file stored in a database with the video, synchronizing text with the display, and displaying the text to a user with the portable display device. |
| US09615131B2 |
System and method of motion detection on encrypted or scrambled video data streams
Systems and methods of motion detection on encrypted or scrambled video data streams are provided. Some methods can include identifying macroblock size information for an encrypted/scrambled video data stream and using the identified macroblock size information to determine a presence of motion in the encrypted/scrambled video data stream without decrypting and descrambling the encrypted/scrambled video data stream. |
| US09615129B2 |
Method, system, and apparatus for synchronizing multiple devices with each other
A method of synchronizing multiple devices with each other is provided. The method includes generating first interworking information corresponding to a first device, transmitting the generated first interworking information to the first device, receiving second interworking information from a second device and if the first interworking information corresponds to the second interworking information, synchronizing the first device with the second device, wherein the second device is configured to display broadcasting related information generated based on a broadcasting schedule provided by a broadcasting transmission apparatus that transmits broadcasting contents to the first device. |
| US09615128B2 |
Deduplication of scheduled recordings
In embodiments of a method, system, and device for deduplicating recordings of an audiovisual content, while a stream time is at least equal to a recording start time, and while the stream time has not yet reached a recording end time, a next chunk start time is determined and a new current chunk of the plurality of chunks is recorded, repeatedly until the next chunk start time has been reached. Chunks that each have identical chunk start times and identical chunk end times are deduplicated. |
| US09615122B2 |
Methods and apparatus to synchronize second screen content with audio/video programming using closed captioning data
A method for synchronized utilization of an electronic device is provided. The method receives closed captioning data from an audio/video content receiver for a set of audio/video content; retrieves detail for a first event occurring in the set of audio/video content, wherein the first event is indicated by the received closed captioning data; and presents content to a user, using the electronic device, based on the retrieved detail. |
| US09615120B2 |
Systems and methods for associating additional content with broadband content
Systems and methods for associating additional content with broadband content are provided. A pairing between a customer premise device configured to output broadband content and a customer device may be identified by a service provider system. Information associated with content output by the customer premise device may be received by the service provider system from the customer premise device. Based at least in part upon an evaluation of the received information, the service provider system may identify additional content to be communicated to the customer device. The service provider system may then facilitate communication of the additional content to the customer device. |
| US09615118B1 |
System and method for scheduling clips
An example method involves: accessing a first list that includes ordered clip identifiers C1 . . . Cn separated at least into a first block of clip identifiers C1 . . . Cj and a second block of clip identifiers Cj+1 . . . Ck; accessing a second list that includes ordered player identifiers P1 . . . Px; assigning to each clip identifier C1 . . . Cj in order a respective one of the player identifiers P1 . . . Px selected in an ordered and looping fashion starting with one of the player identifiers P1 . . . Px; assigning to each clip identifier Cj+1 . . . Ck in order a respective one of the player identifiers P1 . . . Px selected in an ordered and looping fashion starting with the player identifier P1; and traversing the clip identifiers C1 . . . Ck, and for each traversed clip identifier, causing a player identified by the one of the player identifiers P1 . . . Px assigned to the traversed clip identifier to load a clip identified by the traversed clip identifier. |
| US09615117B2 |
Content recording and storage allocation
Methods and systems for providing content are disclosed. An example method can comprise providing content based on a subscription agreement or other arrangement. An example method can comprise identifying a portion of the content relevant to a user and providing an offer to the user to record the portion of the content. The offer can comprise an offer price and an access condition. An example method can comprise allocating storage and recording the portion of the content. Further, access to the stored portion of the content can be provided in accordance with the access condition. |
| US09615116B2 |
System, method and apparatus for securely distributing content
System, method and apparatus for securely distributing content via an encrypted file wherein a Publisher Key (PK) associated with an authorized publisher enables presentation of the content by the authorized user via a Limited Capability Viewer (LCV), the LCV lacking the capability to forward, print, copy or otherwise disseminate the content to be presented. |
| US09615114B2 |
Portable multi-purpose audience measurement systems, apparatus and methods
Portable multi-purpose audience measurement systems, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include executing media metering software downloaded onto a portable device. Such example methods also include halting execution of the media metering software in response to determining that the portable device is being used for a native purpose. Such example methods further include, in response to determining that the portable device is not being used for a native purpose, continuing execution of the media metering software to monitor a media signal output by a media presentation device separate from the portable device. |
| US09615113B2 |
Video content delivery over wireless access networks with quality of service (QOS) guarantees
A device receives, from a content provider, traffic parameters associated with a video content request received from a fixed user device connected to a wireless access network, and determines, based on the traffic parameters, a trigger for creating a dedicated bearer for the fixed user device in the wireless access network. The device also provides the trigger to the wireless access network, where the wireless access network creates the dedicated bearer for the fixed user device based on the trigger, and the wireless access network assigns quality of service (QoS) parameters, based on the traffic parameters, to video content delivered to the fixed user device. |
| US09615112B2 |
Method, system, player and mobile terminal for online video playback
A method for online video playback includes: loading the first video segment corresponding to the lowest class of bit rates from the version of the lowest class of bit rates at an initial playback; and choosing to load and play a video segment corresponding to an appropriate class of bit rates according to the bit rate corresponding to the current network traffic and the resolution supported by a playing terminal after the video has been playing steadily. The method for online video playback can automatically choose to play videos encoded at an appropriate bit rate according to the current internet speed so that the playback is smooth and uninterrupted. |
| US09615111B2 |
Complexity-adaptive compression of color images using binary arithmetic coding
An improved technique of compressing image data involves separating a prediction error of image data into distinct factors and applying a separate set of context models to each factor. Such factors may take the form of a sign, a bit category, and a relative absolute value of the prediction error. For each factor, the improved technique provides a set of context models and a procedure for selecting a context model from each respective set. The context model for each factor determines a probability distribution of symbols that may represent that factor, which in turn enables compression of the prediction error. Additionally, the symbols that represent certain factors into which the prediction error is separated result from a binary representation whose form—either unary or uniform—depends on the size of the prediction error. |
| US09615109B2 |
Picture coding device, picture coding method, and picture coding program, and picture decoding device, picture decoding method, and picture decoding program
In a picture coding device that partitions differential information between a picture that is a coding target and a picture that is a prediction target into a plurality of sub blocks and codes the partitioned sub blocks in a predetermined sequence, a significant sub block information coding controller and a calculation encoder code significant sub block information that represents whether or not all the values of differential coefficients belonging to the sub block are zero. A significant coefficient information coding controller and the calculation encoder code significant differential coefficient information that represents whether or not the value of the differential coefficient is zero. A differential coefficient value coding controller and the calculation encoder code the value of the differential coefficient. |
| US09615108B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adaptive probability update for non-coded syntax
There is provided an apparatus. The apparatus includes an encoder (100) for encoding picture data for at least a block. The encoder (100) applies a probability update process to at least one of a non-coded symbol and a non-coded syntax associated with the block. |
| US09615106B2 |
Method of decoding video data
Provided is a method derives a reference picture index and a motion vector of a current prediction unit, generates a prediction block of the current prediction unit using the reference picture index and the motion vector, generating a residual block by inverse-scan, inverse-quantization and inverse transform, and generates reconstructed pixels using the prediction block and the residual block. Prediction pixels of the prediction block is generated using an interpolation filter selected based on the motion vector. Accordingly, the coding efficiency of the motion information is improved by including various merge candidates. Also, the computational complexity of an encoder and a decoder is reduced by selecting different filter according to location of the prediction pixels determined by the motion vector. |
| US09615105B2 |
Image decoding apparatus
A method for encoding an intra prediction mode according to the present invention selects an intra prediction mode for a current block, determines the number of valid MPM candidates by checking the validity of MPM candidates of the current block, and if the number of valid MPM candidates is less than a previously set number, adds additional intra prediction modes as MPM candidates. MPM candidates can be adaptively added on the basis of the directionality of valid MPM candidates. Additionally, during the encoding of residual intra prediction modes, residual intra prediction modes are realigned on the basis of the directionality of valid MPM candidates. Accordingly, the present invention allows the information for encoding the intra prediction mode of the current block to be minimized by adding MPM candidates or realigning the residual intra prediction modes on the basis of the directionality of valid MPM candidates. |
| US09615101B2 |
Method and apparatus for signal encoding producing encoded signals of high fidelity at minimal sizes
Methods and apparatus for determining encoding parameters of an encoder or a transcoder which yield an encoded signal of optimal measurable properties are disclosed. For a video signal, the encoding parameters may include quantization granularity, a measure of display resolution, and a frame rate. The measurable properties of an encoded signal may include a fidelity index, a relative size, and a relative flow rate. Reference data records quantifying properties of sample signals encoded according to experimental sets of encoding parameters are used to define parameters of conjectured analytical functions characterizing the encoding or transcoding functions. The analytical functions are then used to generate granular tables of estimated measures of encoded-signal properties. A fast search mechanism relies on the granular tables, together with sorted arrangements of the granular tables, to determine, in real-time, preferred encoding parameters for multimedia data streams received at an encoder or a transcoder. |
| US09615099B2 |
Image coding method, image decoding method, image coding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, and image coding and decoding apparatus
An image coding method of coding an image on a per coding unit basis, the method comprising: applying a frequency transform to luminance data and chrominance data of transform units in the coding unit including predetermined blocks each corresponding to one or more of the transform units; and coding the luminance data and the chrominance data to which the frequency transform has been applied to generate a bitstream in which the luminance data and the chrominance data are grouped on a per predetermined block basis. |
| US09615088B2 |
Video prediction encoding device, video prediction encoding method, video prediction encoding program, video prediction decoding device, video prediction decoding method, and video prediction decoding program
A predicted signal generation unit provided in a video predictive encoding device estimates a zero-th motion vector for derivation of a zero-th predicted signal, selects a zero-th motion vector predictor similar to the zero-th motion vector, and generates zero-th side information containing a zero-th motion vector predictor index to identify the motion vector predictor and a motion vector difference determined from the zero-th motion vector and the zero-th motion vector predictor. The video predictive encoding device selects a motion vector for generation of a first predicted signal having a high correlation with a target region, generates first side information containing a first motion vector predictor index to identify the motion vector as a first motion vector predictor, sets the first motion vector predictor to a first motion vector, and combines the zero-th and first predicted signals to generate a predicted signal of the target region. |
| US09615086B2 |
Method and apparatus for intra prediction
Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for filtering a reference pixel. A method of smoothing a reference pixel may include determining whether or not to perform smoothing on a reference pixel based on the size of a transform block and information about an intra-prediction mode for the transform block and determining a smoothing method by comparing the size of the transform block with the size of a maximum transform block. Accordingly, image coding efficiency can be increased, and picture quality can be improved. |
| US09615085B2 |
Method and system for structural similarity based rate-distortion optimization for perceptual video coding
There is disclosed a system and method for video coding, and more particularly to video coding that uses structural similarity (SSIM) based rate-distortion optimization methods to improve the perceptual quality of decoded video without increasing data rate, or to reduce the data rate of compressed video stream without sacrificing perceived quality of the decoded video. In an embodiment, the video coding system and method may be a SSIM-based rate-distortion optimization approach that involves minimizing a joint cost function defined as the sum of a data rate term and a distortion functions. The distortion function may be defined to be monotonically increasing with the decrease of SSIM and a Lagrange parameter may be utilized to control the trade-off between rate and distortion. The optimal Lagrange parameter may be found by utilizing the ratio between a reduced-reference SSIM model with respect to quantization step, and a data rate model with respect to quantization step. In an embodiment, a group-of-picture (GOP) level quantization parameter (QP) adjustment method may be used in multi-pass encoding to reduce the bit-rate while keeping similar perceptual video quality. In another embodiment, a frame level QP adjustment method may be used in single-pass encoding to achieve constant SSIM quality. In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention may be implemented entirely at the encoder side and may or may not require any change at the decoder, and may be made compatible with existing video coding standards. |
| US09615084B2 |
Method and system for reducing stereoscopic display crosstalk
A three-dimensional (3D) display system is provided for displaying a 3D image including a first view image and a second view image to a viewer. The 3D display system includes an arrangement module, a processing module, and a displaying module. The arrangement module is configured to alternatingly arrange display units of the first view image and display units of the second view image on a display panel. The processing module is configured to obtain an information difference of a display unit of the second view image from the display units of the first view image, and re-calculate a pixel value of the display unit of the second view image. The displaying module is configured to display to the viewer the display unit of the second view image with the re-calculated pixel value via a light separation device. |
| US09615082B2 |
Image sequence enhancement and motion picture project management system and method
The system enables conversion of black and white images to color images and/or two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images based on adding color and/or depth to images using masks for regions in the images, as well as reshaping of masks to cover objects that have moved and changed shape as the objects move in a sequence of images. Also, includes motion picture project management system for reviewers, coordinators and artists. Artists utilize image analysis and image enhancement and computer graphics processing for example to convert two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images or otherwise create or alter motion pictures. Enables the efficient management of projects related to motion pictures to enable enterprises to manage assets, control costs, predict budgets and profit margins, reduce archival storage and otherwise provide displays tailored to specific roles to increase worker efficiency. |
| US09615080B2 |
Object positioning method and device based on object detection results of plural stereo cameras
Disclosed are an object positioning method and an object positioning device based on object detection results of plural stereo cameras. The method comprises a step of obtaining, when each of the plural stereo cameras continuously carries out tracking and detection with respect to each of objects, positional information of the corresponding object; a step of generating, based on the positional information of the corresponding object, a trajectory of the corresponding object; and a step of carrying out a merging process with respect to the trajectories generated corresponding to the plural stereo cameras so as to determine at least one object position. |
| US09615078B2 |
Multi-view video encoding/decoding apparatus and method
A multi-view video encoding/decoding apparatus and method are provided. The multi-view video encoding/decoding apparatus encodes the current block which is to be encoded and which belongs to a frame of a first view point, wherein the encoding is performed in accordance with a first skip mode using the frame of the first view point or a second skip mode using the frame of a second view point, thereby improving encoding efficiency. |
| US09615070B2 |
Video signal processing device and projection-type display device
A black stripe detector is configured to detect a black stripe region of an input video signal in which a part of an effective region is a black stripe region, and to generate black stripe information. A keystone correction processor is configured to implement keystone correction processing for the input video signal, and to generate a keystone-corrected video signal. A black stripe information corrector is configured to correct the black stripe information which indicates a corrected black stripe region owned by the keystone correction video signal, to corrected black stripe information based on keystone correction parameters when the keystone correction processor performs keystone correction processing for the input video signal. A video signal processor is configured to implement predetermined video signal processing for the keystone-corrected video signal by using the keystone-corrected video signal and the corrected black stripe information. |
| US09615063B2 |
Method and apparatus for visual monitoring
A device for visual monitoring comprises a mobile chipset disposed in a housing, at least one eyestalk attached to the housing and communicatively coupled to the mobile chipset, and mounting hardware affixed to the housing, the mounting hardware configured to secure the housing to a stationary structure. In one embodiment, the mobile chipset is configured to execute a set of program instructions in response to the device being connected to external power, including program instructions which, when executed by the mobile chipset, causes the device to take pictures in response to automatically generated triggers, and to automatically upload image data to a packet-based network for display and/or further processing. In a further embodiment, the device is configured to pre-process the image data, such as extracting relevant data for a specific application, before uploading the image data to the packet-based network for further process. In another embodiment, the device is configured to automatically upload image data to a social network site for sharing among authorized users of the cite. |
| US09615057B2 |
Transmission terminal, transmission method, and recording medium storing transmission control program
A transmission terminal that communicates contents data including sound data with a counterpart transmission terminal, detects a delay time indicating a delay in receiving the contents data from the counterpart transmission terminal, and interrupts transmission of the contents data other than the sound data to the counterpart transmission terminal when the delay time exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US09615055B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for incorporating voice or video communication into a television or compatible audio capable visual display
Voice or video communication is incorporated into a television or compatible audio capable visual display by routing a television signal through a communication interface apparatus connected to a voice or video communication network and switching between a call and at least the audio portion of the television signal when a call is detected and the user chooses to answer the call in response to an on-screen menu superimposed on the video portion of the television signal. The communication interface apparatus includes a controller that is configured to allow speed dialing using a wireless remote, as well as making calls from a user-defined contact list or a regional phone directory that is updatable from a remote source via the Internet. |
| US09615054B1 |
Transparent communication devices
Enterprise communication display systems enable life-like images for videoconferencing and entertainment productions. Life-like images appear in a 3D environment where imaged people are visible through the use of specially configured see-through displays. Imaged people can also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground. Methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties and a property management system are shown. The invention further advances the communication and display art by creating novel direct projection see-through screen devices that use extreme short throw projectors to reduce cost and bulk of common throw projectors. Further, numerous unique devices and systems are disclosed of transparent OLED videoconferencing and displays. Further, unique embodiments of aiming a camera through a transparent OLED for eye contact videoconferencing are disclosed. Additionally, an imaged map projected interior environment that produces the rooms ambient light is disclosed. |
| US09615052B2 |
Device configuration using interference
Methods and systems for generating and providing signals to a device, and configuring the device are disclosed. An example method can comprise identifying a device tuned to a first frequency, determining a signal configured to provide interference at the first frequency, and providing the signal to the device such that the device is caused to no longer be tuned to the first frequency. |
| US09615046B2 |
Image conversion apparatus and method reducing number of pixel counts processing
An image conversion apparatus extracts from among pixel rows parallel to an object pixel row, a first pixel row overlapping an aperture shape; and further extracts a second pixel row having the number of pixels successively overlapping the aperture shape equal to or greater than that of the first pixel row. The image conversion apparatus calculates a value of a second pixel in the case of converting an original image, by referring to a storage unit that stores a value of a first pixel in the case of converting the original image. For example, the image conversion apparatus defines an average of the value of the first pixel in the case of converting the original image, a value of a diffusion source pixel (IN[5][2]), and a diffusion source pixel (IN[5][3]) as the value of the second pixel in the case of converting the original image. |
| US09615043B2 |
Solid-state imaging element and camera system
A solid-state imaging element that includes a plurality of semiconductor layers stacked, a plurality of stack-connecting parts for electrically connecting the plurality of semiconductor layers, a pixel array part in which pixel cells that include a photoelectric conversion part and a signal output part are arrayed in a two-dimensional shape, and an output signal line through which signals from the signal output part of the pixel cells are propagated, in which the plurality of semiconductor layers includes at least a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer, and, in the first semiconductor layer, the plurality of pixel cells are arrayed in a two-dimensional shape, the signal output part of a pixel group formed with the plurality of pixel cells shares an output signal line wired from the stack-connecting parts, and the output signal line has a separation part which can separate each output signal line. |
| US09615038B2 |
Methods and apparatus for true high dynamic range imaging
When imaging bright objects, a conventional detector array can saturate, making it difficult to produce an image with a dynamic range that equals the scene's dynamic range. Conversely, a digital focal plane array (DFPA) with one or more m-bit counters can produce an image whose dynamic range is greater than the native dynamic range. In one example, the DFPA acquires a first image over a relatively brief integration period at a relatively low gain setting. The DFPA then acquires a second image over longer integration period and/or a higher gain setting. During this second integration period, counters may roll over, possibly several times, to capture a residue modulus 2m of the number of counts (as opposed to the actual number of counts). A processor in or coupled to the DFPA generates a high-dynamic range image based on the first image and the residues modulus 2m. |
| US09615037B2 |
Method and system for output of dual video stream via a single parallel digital video interface
A method of operating a video camera includes capturing a scene of imaging data using the video camera, wherein the imaging data is characterized by a first bit depth and processing the imaging data to provide display data characterized by a second bit depth less than the first bit depth. The method also includes framing the imaging data and the display data and outputting the framed imaging and display data. |
| US09615036B2 |
Single element radiometric lens
The disclosure describes systems and apparatuses that include a focusable lens, as well as methods for focusing the optical lens. The focusable lens system includes a single element lens having a concave refractive surface characterized by a first radius of curvature and a convex refractive surface characterized by a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. A detector element generates electrical signals representative of infrared rays refracted by the single element lens and incident on the detector element, and an aperture stop is disposed around an optical axis of the optical system and secured in a constant position relative to the detector element, the aperture stop configured to limit a cone angle of rays refracted by the single element lens. They system also includes image processing circuitry configured to generate digital pixilation data based on electrical signals generated by the detector element. |
| US09615034B2 |
Selective brightness control in photography
A computer determines one or more brightness levels associated with a first set of pixels within a light source in an image. The computer determines a brightness effect on a second set of pixels in the image based on the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer receives input to alter at least one of the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer alters one or more brightness levels associated with the second set of pixels in the image based on the received input and the determined brightness effect. |
| US09615031B2 |
Imaging device and scene determination method
An imaging unit is configured to capture images of a subject. A sensor is configured to detect brightness. A first detector is configured to detect whether or not a period during which a predetermined brightness has been detected by the sensor continues for a first period of time. A second detector is configured to detect whether or not a period during which the predetermined brightness has been detected by the sensor continues for a second period of time shorter than the first period of time. A determiner is configured to determine a circumstance where the imaging unit captures images of the subject in a daytime in a specific state where light is temporarily cut off, based on a first detection result by the first detector and a second detection result by the second detector. |
| US09615030B2 |
Luminance source selection in a multi-lens camera
The luminance information of an image captured by a multi-lens camera system can be improved by selecting a luminance information source for each portion of the captured image. Each lens of the camera system can capture an initial image. For each portion of a final image, a corresponding initial image portion can be selected as the luminance information source. The portions of the final image and initial images can be pixels, groups of pixels, or other image portions. The luminance information from the selected initial image portions is combined to form final image luminance information. Chrominance information can also be selected from the initial images to form final image chrominance information, and the final image chrominance information and the final image luminance information can be combined to form a final image. |
| US09615029B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a need for a change in a pixel density requirement due to changing light conditions
There is provided a method for determining a need for a change in a pixel density requirement due to changing light conditions. The pixel density requirement specifies a pixel density which enables identification of an object in images captured by a camera. The method comprises receiving and monitoring (S02) a camera setting which is indicative of a light condition to which the camera is subjected and which affects the quality of images captured by the camera, and determining (S06) that there is a need for a change in the pixel density requirement upon detection (S04) of a change in the camera setting. The camera setting includes at least one of a gain and an exposure time used by the camera when capturing images. |
| US09615025B2 |
Wire suspension mounting approach for reduced optical image stabilization package size
Some embodiments include an optics assembly. In some embodiments, the optics assembly includes an optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is configured to move within the apparatus on one or more axes orthogonal to an optical axis of the optics component. In some embodiments, the optics assembly is suspended by a plurality of wires on a base component of the apparatus, each wire of the plurality of wires being substantially parallel to the optical axis of the optics component. Some embodiments include a base assembly component or substrate having an upper surface plane and a lower surface plane. In some embodiments, one or more terminations are disposed around the plurality of wires. In some embodiments, the terminations are located beyond the upper surface plane of the base assembly component. |
| US09615023B2 |
Front-end event detector and low-power camera system using thereof
The present invention relates to a front-end event detector for detecting the occurrence of an event before a signal process is generated, and a low power camera system maintaining the low-power mode when idle but activated in normal mode only when the occurrence of an event is detected in the front-end event detector. The front-end event detector according to the present invention comprises: an image sensor for obtaining analog image data and converting them into digital image data; a first buffer memory for storing the digital image data; a first comparator, wherein the next digital image data delivered from the image sensor is compared to the digital image data stored in the first buffer memory for generating activation signals when the occurrence of an event is detected and transmitting them to an external device; an image signal processor for image data processing the digital image delivered from the first comparator. |
| US09615019B2 |
Image capturing apparatus and control method for image capturing apparatus with particle filter for main object detection and selecting focus detection area based on priority
Focus detection can be performed preferentially in an area that is likely to include a main object. An image capturing apparatus is configured to detect a main object in an image with a particle filter, divide the image into divided areas respectively corresponding to a plurality of focus detection areas, set a priority to each of the focus detection areas based on a distributed state of particles distributed in each of the divided areas, and select the focus detection area based on the set priority. |
| US09615017B2 |
Focus detection apparatus and method, method of controlling focus detection apparatus, and image capturing apparatus
A focus detection apparatus comprises: an image sensing unit including photoelectric conversion elements for each microlens, with the microlenses being two-dimensionally arranged; a generation unit configured to generate a first signal pair having a first resolution from signals of a first area of the image sensing unit which corresponds to a predetermined focus detection area and generate a second signal pair having a second resolution lower than the first resolution from signals of a second area which corresponds to the predetermined focus detection area and is wider than the first area; a focus detection unit configured to perform phase difference focus detection processing based on at least one of the first and second signal pairs; and a recording image generation unit configured to generate a recording image from a signal output from the image sensing unit. |
| US09615016B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image capturing apparatus, control method and recording medium, where each subject is focused in a reconstructed image
In an image processing apparatus of the present invention, multiple subjects are selected in an image signal, and subject distances for focusing on each of the selected subjects are specified. A subject distance range defined by the specified subject distances is then set. Then, based on the image signal, the image processing apparatus generates a reconstructed image that is focused on each of the subjects that are to be focused on in the set subject distance range. |
| US09615010B2 |
Display system having image capture device and adjustable visible light filter
A display system having a visible light filter that can be enabled and disabled to preferentially filters visible light over near-field infrared light is disclosed. |
| US09615004B2 |
Intrapersonal data communication systems
Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. |
| US09614998B2 |
Mechanism for generating a hybrid halftone using a DMSSA screen
A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a halftone screen using a Direct Multi-bit Search Screen Algorithm (DMSSA) to optimize a halftone pattern at each gray level. |
| US09614997B2 |
Gradation data generation device and method
N is defined to be an integer of 2 or more, and K is a positive integer that satisfies K |
| US09614993B2 |
Lighting device and image reading device
A lighting device includes: a point light source; a light guide body which emits light from the point light source in a linear manner; and a connecting member provided on an end on a side of the point light source of the light guide body, wherein the light guide body includes a plurality of rods and a branching unit which branches an entering light beam, the connecting member includes a hole penetrating the connecting member, and the hole becomes wider toward the light guide body and a side surface of the hole inclines with respect to an extending direction of the rods such that a portion in which the light beam reflected by the side surface to enter the light guide body is concentrated on the reflecting surface and a portion in which the light beam is concentrated on the reflecting surface are not overlapped with other. |
| US09614992B2 |
Function execution apparatus, system, and computer-readable medium therefor
A function execution apparatus including a controller configured to receive an alert from a server, the alert indicating particular information about a function of the function execution apparatus, display a notification about the alert, receive the particular information from the server, in response to receiving a first operation to the notification, receive display information for displaying the particular information from the server, display the particular information in accordance with the display information, receive a second operation while the particular information is displayed, and in response to receiving the second operation, display a specific screen image, the specific screen image including a specific certain image for instructing the function execution apparatus to execute processing indicated by the particular information. |
| US09614990B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method for determining character data from image data based on misrecognition character data and outputting character data in accompaniment to image data
A font recognition section recognizes a font of characters depicted by character image data included in image data upon first character data corresponding to the character image data being acquired through character recognition. A font character recognition section compares the character image data to font character image data depicting characters in the recognized font and acquires second character data corresponding to font character image data when the font character image data matches the character image data. A recognized character determination section determines whether or not the first character data matches the second character data, and when determining that the first character data does not match the second character data, adopts the second character data, instead of the first character data, as recognized character data for the character image data. |
| US09614989B2 |
Scanner with detachable mechanism to release jammed paper
A scanner with a detachable mechanism to release jammed paper includes a base a, a pickup roller, a pickup mechanism and a scanning module. The base includes an accommodating space and a feeding slot connected to the accommodating space. The pickup roller is rotatably disposed in the base and positioned between the accommodating space and the feeding slot. The pickup mechanism is disposed in the base and adjacent to the pickup roller. The scanning module is detachably disposed in the accommodating space. The scanning module forces the pickup mechanism against the pickup roller when the scanning module is placed in the accommodating space. A pressure exerted on the pickup roller by the pickup mechanism is released when the scanning module is removed out of the accommodating space. |
| US09614988B2 |
Formatter cage
A formatter cage is disclosed. The formatter cage includes a three point mounting system for expansion modules. |
| US09614986B2 |
Data output apparatus, method of controlling same and output system
In an image output apparatus for outputting an image supplied from an image supply apparatus, the image supply apparatus and the image output apparatus are connected wirelessly and send and receive data. The state of the wireless connection is determined and the image to be output is changed in accordance with the determined state of the connection. |
| US09614984B2 |
Electronic document generation system and recording medium
An electronic document generation system includes an image forming apparatus that generates a scanned image of an original document, and an external terminal that generates an electronic document based on image data regarding the scanned image received from the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an auxiliary data generation unit that generates auxiliary data to be used in processing for generating the electronic document, and a communication unit that transmits the auxiliary data to the external terminal. The external terminal includes a document generation unit that uses the auxiliary data received from the image forming apparatus to generate the electronic document based on the image data regarding the scanned image in cooperation with an external cooperative device different from the external terminal. The document generation unit generates the electronic document by complementing the result of processing performed on the image data with the auxiliary data. |
| US09614982B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and computer-readable recording medium that receive a process request for performing a predetermined process from an apparatus
A system according to the present invention includes a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and an executing unit. The first communication unit is connected to a first network segment. The second communication unit is connected to a second network segment different from the first network segment, and receives a processing request, which requests to execute predetermined processing, from an apparatus via the second network segment and transmits the received processing request to the first communication unit. The executing unit executes the predetermined processing in response to the processing request received by the first communication unit. |
| US09614981B2 |
Deformable apparatus, method and computer program
An apparatus, method and computer program, the apparatus including at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to: obtain an input signal indicative of a deformation of a housing of the apparatus; and provide, in response to the obtained input signal, an output signal to control further deformation of the housing of the apparatus. |
| US09614979B2 |
System and method for generating charging data for short message delivery
A method encoded in a memory of a specialized network node configured for allowing an SMSC to be informed of the location of the UE originating a short message via an IP-SM-GW and also of the location of the receiving UE when a short message is delivered through an IP-SM-GW. Additionally the disclosed method ensures that charging systems can correlate IP-SM-GW charging requests for a short message with any charging requests generated by the SMSC for the same message. |
| US09614977B1 |
Real-time media control for audio and multimedia conferencing services
A method for controlling media presentation during a teleconference. The method generally includes the steps of coupling a buffer operatively to a host device and a participant device, storing media information associated with the teleconference in the buffer and directing playback of the media information from the buffer to the participant device. The host device is associated with a host of the teleconference and the host thereby enables playback of the stored media information to a participant other than the host. |
| US09614976B2 |
Systems and methods for powering network access devices from customer premises equipment
A communication system has a network access device (NAD) that is designed to deliver Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) along with high-speed data to Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). The NAD is backpowered by the CPE across a subscriber line. When backpower is provided from the CPE, circuitry (referred to as a “POTS signaling element”) within the network access device converts POTS control signaling to digital data for transmission to the CPE. The band vacated by the POTS control signaling is used for the power signal on the subscriber line. In the absence of backpower, components of the network access device are bypassed, thereby providing POTS in the event of a power failure. The NAD receives advance warning of the backpowering so that it can disable the bypassing in order to prevent the power signal from leaking through the NAD to the network. |
| US09614975B2 |
System, method and program product for triggering automatic transmission of emergency data during an emergency
A method, system and program product for automatic distribution of emergency data during an emergency. The method includes loading an emergency planning and coordination program onto a computer system connected to a Voice over IP network and inputting emergency data for a location into the program. The method includes storing the data inputted to a database coupled to the system, and automatically transmitting, responsive to confirming receipt of a communication corresponding to an emergency number stored in the database, pertinent data from the emergency data accessed from the database to another computer system of an emergency service provider for distribution to one or more respective devices used by respective emergency responders available to respond to the emergency situation at the location, wherein the pertinent data transmitted to the respective devices used by the emergency responders available facilitates handling of the emergency situation at the location. |
| US09614974B1 |
Utilizing sip messages to determine the status of a remote terminal in VoIP communication systems
There is a growing problem in correctional facility telecommunications systems in which parties on a voice call may connect inmate callers with restricted parties. Prison communication systems monitor calls to prevent such activity, but in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) environments such systems may fail to detect this activity. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for using SIP messages common in VoIP environments to detect illicit activity initiated by a party on a voice call within a controlled environment. Scenarios are detected in which a called party connects an inmate caller to a restricted party via three-way call conferencing, call forwarding, or other call features. Corrective actions are then taken when such activity is detected, such as call blocking or alerting officials illicit activity is occurring. |
| US09614972B2 |
Method and system for preventing illicit use of a telephony platform
A system and method for preventing illicit use of a telephony platform that includes enrolling a plurality of accounts on a telecommunications platform, wherein an account includes account configuration; at a fraud detection system of the telecommunications platform, receiving account usage data, wherein the usage data includes at least communication configuration data and billing configuration data of account configuration and further includes communication history of the plurality of accounts; calculating fraud scores of a set of fraud rules from the usage data, wherein at least a sub-set of the fraud rules include conditions of usage data patterns between at least two accounts; detecting when the fraud scores of an account satisfy a fraud threshold; and initiating an action response when a fraud score satisfies the fraud threshold. |
| US09614969B2 |
In-call translation
The disclosure pertains to a communication system for effecting a voice or video call between at least a source user speaking a source language and a target user speaking a target language. A translation procedure is performed on call audio of the call to generate an audio translation of the source user's speech in the target language for outputting to the target user. A notification is outputted to the target user to notify the target user of a change in the behavior of the translation procedure, the change relating to the generation of the translation. |
| US09614966B2 |
Method of safeguarding anonymity during a telephone communication and telecommunication system for implementing the method
A method is provided for safeguarding anonymity during a communication with a correspondent, between a caller and a user being called. The communication has an anonymous nature. The method includes the following steps: upon receiving a response from the correspondent to the communication sent by the caller, putting the caller on hold; analysis of the response received from the correspondent, for determining whether the correspondent corresponds to the voicemail of the user being called; and in the case of a positive determination, playing to the caller an anonymous welcome message in which the identity of the user being called is masked. |
| US09614959B2 |
Classifying communications with human-based interactive questions
A method may include receiving a communication that is sent from a source over a network to a user. The method may also include categorizing the communication request. The categorization may include sending a first question communication that includes a first human-based interactive question over the network to the source. The categorization may also include receiving an answer communication over the network from the source and determining whether the answer communication correctly answers the first question communication. In response to determining that the answer communication correctly answers the first question communication, a second question communication that includes a second human-based interactive question may be sent over the network to the source instead of performing a first task with the received communication. |
| US09614955B2 |
Multifunction wireless device
A communication device and system are disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. The device can be restricted to communicating only using an internet protocol so as to restrict the device communication to an internal intranet. Wireless access points may be disposed throughout the environment to route calls and data between the device and a central processing center. By converting a protocol of the communications received from the device to a protocol used by the central processing center, minimal modifications to the central processing center are needed to support a wireless communication infrastructure. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the phone and system in order to prevent improper use. |
| US09614950B1 |
Determining a prioritized list of telephone numbers for a specific user
An application is automatically launched in response to identifying a specific user in the vehicle. Upon launching the application, a historical calling profile is automatically downloaded for the user. The historical calling profile includes individual vehicle call records. The historical calling profile is updated with vehicle call record(s) corresponding to each instance of an outgoing call placed while the user is in the vehicle. A probability of a telephone number being chosen for an outgoing call, within time increments while the user is in the vehicle or in response to a request, is dynamically determined. The probability is dependent upon location data points retrieved from the individual vehicle call records. A list of telephone numbers sorted by the probability is dynamically generated. A most recently generated list of telephone numbers sorted by the probability is caused to be displayed on a vehicle display while the user is in the vehicle. |
| US09614947B2 |
Messaging systems and methods
Apparatus, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture improve reliability and scalability of a messaging system. In some embodiments, the system's configuration data and subscriber information are stored in a central repository of a core node, and replicated to one or more non-core nodes. Data replication may be performed in real-time or near real-time, periodically, sporadically, or otherwise. Nodes may rely on the replicated data to provide the system's subscribers and outside callers with services that do not involve updating of configuration or subscriber data. In this way, the non-core nodes may continue to process calls when the core node is unavailable. For example, the non-core nodes can route calls to the appropriate subscribers without relying on the core. As another example, the non-core nodes can take messages from callers when the core node is unavailable. The messages may be queued for posting and delivery when the core node becomes available. |
| US09614944B2 |
Command queuing for multimedia storage devices
A multi-media device interface (18) couples a multi-media device (16) to a portable electronic device (10). Multi-media and other information can be loaded into the portable electronic device (10) from the multi-media device (16) or stored in the multi-media device (16) from the portable electronic device (10). The multi-media device interface (18) queues commands to the multi-media device (16) from the portable electronic device (10) while the multi-media device (16) completes a previously-issued command. |
| US09614937B2 |
System and method for data transfer, including protocols for use in data transfer
Embodiments of systems and methods for data transfer are presented herein. Specifically, embodiments of such a data transfer methodology may utilize one or more transmission channels for the transmission of the data to be transferred. In addition, a control channel in a different protocol than the transmission channels may be utilized to transmit control information between the sender and recipient. The rate at which data is sent on the transmission channels may be adjusted or the transmission of data on the transmission channel prioritized. |
| US09614932B2 |
Managing and implementing web application data snapshots
Embodiments are directed to locally storing a snapshot of a personal information management web application, efficiently booting a personal information management web application and to managing personal information management web application snapshots. In one scenario, a client computer system determines that various portions of stored content for a personal information management web application have been changed. The client computer system creates a snapshot of certain, specified portions of data that are used for booting the personal information management web application and stores the created snapshot in local storage on the client computer system. As such, the snapshot is available for the next personal information management web application boot-up. |
| US09614929B2 |
Application server with automatic and autonomic application configuration validation
A method and respective system for configuring an application program during its deployment in a network ready to be accessed by a remote client application via a network protocol such as TCP/IP. An application server processes a plurality of application components. The application program is based on an application template comprising the executable code of the application program, which template is configurable at least in part by an end-user by specifying a plurality of user-specific data defining the user-specific attributes adapting the application program to the needs of a specific end-user, for generating a user-specific application runtime instance. |
| US09614927B2 |
Independent actionscript analytics tools and techniques
Tools and techniques are provided to support presentation analytics, such as Flash or Flex analytics, independently of embedded JavaScript web analytics code used in web pages. A presentation analytics engine, which may be implemented in ActionScript, includes code for capturing information about user interaction with a multimedia presentation, code for dynamically generating a string or other data structure reflecting such captured information, and code for sending the data structure to an analytics server without using a getURL( ) call or embedded JavaScript. Functionality is also provided for tracking objects without object-specific code, for dynamically sending such tracking information, and for supporting a visual presentation analytics overlay report illustrating such information. The Flash presentation analytics may use the same visitor ID as standard JavaScript analytics, without synchronizing the two analytics codes. |
| US09614924B2 |
Storage device and method thereof for integrating network attached storage with cloud storage services
A network attached storage device for performing network attached storage operations with cloud storage services. The device comprises at least one network controller for communicating with a plurality of clients over a local area network (LAN) and with a cloud storage service (CSS) over a wide area network (WAN); a plurality of storage devices for locally storing data in the device; a CSS module for at least synchronizing between data locally stored in the plurality of storage devices and data stored in the CSS; and a processor for enabling the plurality of clients to perform file-based operations on the device using a file sharing protocol. |
| US09614923B2 |
Method and device for controlling peripheral devices via a social networking platform
A method and device for transmitting data between a peripheral device and a user device via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection, comprising: at the peripheral device: transmitting data to the user device in a simulated data stream, the transmitting comprising: identifying a first Bluetooth characteristic for writing data, the first Bluetooth characteristic having been exposed by the peripheral device to the user device; dividing a data packet into a sequence of data frames plus zero or one remainder, each data frame having a respective size equal to a predetermined data size of the identified first Bluetooth characteristic; and for each of the sequence of data frames: writing the data frame to a respective value for the identified first Bluetooth characteristic; and pushing the identified first Bluetooth characteristic for reading by the user device. |
| US09614919B1 |
Service delivery through wireless access systems
A communication terminal comprising: a radio interface and a WLAN communication module configured to: generate and send an association request; receive an association response; and establish IP connectivity. The communication terminal also comprises a service selection module configured to select a computer-implemented service to be accessed; and a service execution control module configured to execute software application code implementing the selected computer-implemented service. The WLAN communication module is further configured to: in response to receiving a service selection command from the service selection module, generate an association request comprising a service identifier which identifies the selected service; parse the association response received through the radio interface to detect a link carried in the association response, wherein the link points to a network address of an application server suitable for delivering application data corresponding to the selected computer-implemented service; and initiate data communication with the network address for downloading application data. |
| US09614917B1 |
System and method of providing secure data transfer
A system and method is provided for providing secure accelerated data transfer. The system may transparently provide accelerated data transfer between a client and a remote system. The system may provide a method for determining a mapped domain name for identifying an ingress server. The system may provide a method for determining a tunnel route to an egress server selected for establishing a connection with the remote system. The system may provide a method of exchanging data between the client system and the remote system via the ingress server and the egress server. |
| US09614915B2 |
Seamless peer to peer internet connectivity
A system and methods for seamlessly providing access to a data network via a peer-to-peer connection service is provided. The peer-to-peer connection service is provided to a client device by a host device. The client device scans for available data network connections and recognizes a beacon broadcast by the host device. The beacon contains a unique identifier that indicates that the host device is configured to provide the peer-to-peer connection service. Upon recognizing the unique identifier, the client device transmits authentication credentials to the host device, which in turn transmits the authentication credentials to a server configured to determine whether a social media connection exists between a user account associated with the client device and a user account associated with the host device. If the social media connection exists, then the host device provides access credentials for the client device to access the peer-to-peer connection service. |
| US09614912B2 |
System and method of implementing an object storage infrastructure for cloud-based services
A method for storing objects in an object storage system includes the steps of establishing a network connection with a client over an inter-network, receiving an upload request indicating an object to be uploaded by the client, selecting at least two storage nodes on which the object will be stored, receiving the object from the client via the network connection, and streaming the object to each of the selected storage nodes such that the object is stored on each of the selected storage nodes. The method can also include writing an object record associating the object and the selected storage nodes to a shard of an object database and generating a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). The UUID indicates the shard and the object ID of the object record, such that the object record can be quickly retrieved. Object storage infrastructures are also disclosed. |
| US09614905B2 |
Determination of persona information availability and delivery on peer-to-peer networks
A method of operating a communication system to establish communication sessions between an origination network and a peer-to-peer network comprises receiving session signaling to establish a session between an origination device in the origination network and a destination node in the peer-to-peer network, wherein the session signaling includes a participant identifier associated with the origination device. The method further comprises processing the participant identifier to determine if persona information that identifies an originating participant and an entity associated with the originating participant is available for display by a destination device registered as the destination node on the peer-to-peer network and, if the persona information is available, transferring the persona information for delivery to and display by the destination device to a destination participant. The method further comprises establishing the session over the origination network and the peer-to-peer network and exchanging user communications for the session between the origination device and the destination device. |
| US09614902B2 |
Data processing apparatus using network-on-chip technology and control method therefor
A data processing apparatus which enables power saving in a NoC structure that is not limited in routing. The data processing apparatus has a plurality of data processing modules, which performs data processing, and a plurality of routers, which relays data transmission between the plurality of data processing modules. It is determined whether or not data is stored in a connected data processing module among the plurality of data processing modules, and according to a result of the determination, a power saving instruction or a wakeup interrupt is issued for the connected data processing module. |
| US09614898B1 |
Distributed event engine
A system includes event engine logic distributed across a plurality of devices dispersed over an area of coverage, and logic to process events according to layout information homologized by an event web service from scene captures and location data from the plurality of devices, and logic to partition the homologized layout into areas of coverage and to assign each area of coverage to a device or subgroup of devices in the plurality of devices. |
| US09614897B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for a network based on hierarchical name structure
Provided are communication devices and methods for requesting content in a network based on a hierarchical name structure. A content requester may search for content without the use of the entire content name in the network based on the hierarchical name structure. |
| US09614896B2 |
Displaying user's desired content based on priority during loading process
There are provided a method, a system and a computer program product for customizing a loading message to be displayed during a loading process. The system receives, from a client device used by a user, an event message that indicates a start of the loading process. The system receives, from the client device, one or more content sources. The system selects a content source among the one or more content sources. The system displays content from the selected content source to the user during the loading process. |
| US09614891B1 |
Assembling communications based on captured packets
Techniques are described for analyzing communication data packets captured at a computing device, and identifying subsets of packets that carry data for a connection or a communication involving the computing device. Incoming and outgoing packets may be captured using a packet capture process that executes separately from the services involved in the communications. A subset of the captured packets is determined that correspond to a transport layer connection carrying communications with a remote system. A sequence of packets associated with an application layer communication may be reconstructed by analyzing the subset of packets associated with the connection. The packets associated with the application layer communication or the transport layer connection may be stored in order, and accessed to diagnose communication issues. |
| US09614887B2 |
Distributing data content in private networks
The present invention relates to a method and device for distributing data content in a private network.Thus, in a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for distributing data content in a private network comprising a number of secondary network segments each connected to a main network segment via a virtual private network connection, which private network comprises devices for rendering the data content. The method comprises the step of arranging the devices rendering the data content as peers in a peer-to-peer (P2P) connectivity overlay network within the private network. Further, the method comprises the step of assigning a managing peer in the main network segment responsible to download the data content from a streaming source outside the private network via a gateway and to distribute the data content to at least one further peer in the main network segment. Moreover, the method comprises the step of assigning a managing peer in each secondary network segment responsible to fetch the data content from a peer in the main network segment and to distribute the fetched data content to at least one further peer within the same secondary network segment. |
| US09614882B2 |
System independent remote storing of digital content
A system and a method are disclosed for a content delivery system that enable system-independent, remote storing of digital content on any number of a user's devices. The system and method enable a user to designate a digital content item appearing in a web page for storage, as well as a specific, separate device on which to store the content item. The digital content item is not restricted to being viewed or accessed within the content delivery system, but rather the content delivery system enables remote storing of digital content across multiple different systems, from multiple different content sources, for viewing on multiple different devices for any given user. |
| US09614880B1 |
Methods for real-time notifications in an activity stream
A method includes providing, by a server computer, a shared workspace for facilitating collaborative work by a plurality of users with respect to a plurality of shared-access objects; obtaining real-time activity information describing ongoing actions currently being performed with respect to one or more of the shared-access objects; determining, based at least in part on the real-time activity information, whether a real-time notification rule is satisfied; outputting, for display in an activity stream and in response to determining that the real-time notification rule is satisfied, a real-time notification; and removing, from display in the activity stream, the real-time notification upon determining that the real-time notification rule is no longer satisfied. |
| US09614878B2 |
System and method for providing supplemental information related to media content
A method of providing supplemental information synchronized with a piece of media content being played and related to a current state of the piece of media content being played is provided. The supplemental information may be transmitted to an electronic device in synchronization with the playing of the piece of media content on an audio/visual display interface. The method includes receiving identifying information from the electronic device and/or the audio/visual display interface, storing the identifying information in an active device table, receiving a viewing initiation notification, and transmitting the supplemental information to the electronic device in response to the viewing initiation notification. The electronic device may also transmit a request to begin playing the piece of media content. Transmission of the supplemental information may be paused, stopped, or resumed in synchronization with the piece of media content being played. |
| US09614876B2 |
Provision of IMS services via circuit-switched access
The present invention proposes a solution for providing IMS services to users having circuit-switched controlled terminal being not adapted to provide IMS services to the users. In particular, it is proposed, in order to allow IMS to take the full call and service control, to place a user agent being responsible for the user ported to the IMS in a new node type called Mobile Access Gateway Control Function (MAGCF). This new node combines the logical functionality of a cellular switching center and the logical functionality of IMS. Further it is proposed to enhance a user's register, like HLR, to provide also information about the availability of a MAGCF node and about whether a particular user is enabled to use the MAGCF functionality. |
| US09614874B2 |
Network session management based on contextual information
An access control module in an enterprise computing network receives contextual information of a first active network session at a first network endpoint and contextual information of a second active network session at a second network endpoint. The access control module is configured to evaluate the contextual information of one or more of the first or second network sessions based on one or more network policies to determine a policy action for enforcement on at least one of the first or second network endpoints. |
| US09614865B2 |
Server-assisted anti-malware client
A host-based antimalware client can interface with a server-based antimalware support server. A file is identified at a host device. It is determined whether local reputation data for the file is available at the host device for the file. A query is sent to an antimalware support system relating to the file. Particular reputation data is received from the antimalware support system corresponding to the query. It is determined whether to allow the file to be loaded on the host device based at least in part on the particular reputation data. |
| US09614862B2 |
System and method for webpage analysis
A system and method for classifying a webpage may include generating, by an analysis server, a first representation of a webpage. A system and method may include generating, by a unit installed in a user web browser, a second representation of the webpage and the method may comprise producing a classification of the webpage by relating the first representation to the second representation. |
| US09614861B2 |
Monitoring the life cycle of a computer network connection
Monitoring of a life cycle of a connection of a network client device to a network via monitoring time synchronization traffic flowing between one or more network client devices and a time server in a network is provided. A system for monitoring a life cycle of a connection of a network client device to a network includes a security device operable to identify a true identity of the one or more network client devices, identify a network client device's connections to and disconnections from the network, determine which network client devices have been associated with a particular internet protocol (IP) address, and generate an output of connection and disconnection information associated with a network client device. In some examples, the security device is operable to detect anomalies and malicious patterns in the network. |
| US09614855B2 |
System and method for implementing a secure web application entitlement service
System and method for implementing a secure web application entitlement service are described. One embodiment of the system comprises a plurality of entitlement point records each comprising a unique identifier associated therewith such that each of the enforcement point records can be associated with an enforcement point within an application; an identity service (“IS”) configured to provide a first token for enabling a user to access the application; an access gateway configured to provide a second token, the second token including a list of at least a portion of the unique identifiers; an entitlement server (“ES”) configured to receive an entitlement request from the application, the entitlement request including the second token, the ES further configured to associate the entitlement request with a user-authenticated session in the IS; and a policy decision point (“PDP”) configured to receive the list of at least a portion of the unique identifiers and to render a decision on the entitlement request based at least in part on policy information associated with ones of the enforcement point records identified by the unique identifiers of the list and attribute information from the IS; wherein subsequent to the rendering of a decision by the PDP, the decision is communicated to the application. |
| US09614854B2 |
System and method for maintenance of transitive closure of a graph and user authentication
Disclosed can improve rights list management as well as performance of systems utilizing an access control list. A database server having a transitive closure management module may receive an identification of an entity defined in a database storing a cached transitive closure. The transitive closure management module may incrementally update the cached transitive closure stored in the database by generating a new transitive closure for the entity and determining a delete transitive closure record. The delete transitive closure record may be determined by analyzing the cached transitive closure and the new transitive closure, determining a first transitive closure path for the entity that is not specified in the new transitive closure and that is specified in the cached transitive closure, and selecting as the delete transitive closure record a record specifying the first transitive closure path. The delete transitive closure record can then be deleted from the cached transitive disclosure. |
| US09614852B2 |
Sensor sharing control
A mechanism is provided for sensor sharing control dynamically. One or more sensor use permissions are received from one or more sensor provider terminals. For each sensor use permission, a sensor use permission is recorded in an authorization policy thereby forming a set of authorization policies. A use request is recorded for sensor use request information received from a sensor user terminal in a request policy. A search is performed for any authorization policy in the set of authorization policies that matches the request policy. Responsive to identifying the authorization policy that matches the request policy, a list of sensors included in the sensor use permissions of an authorization policy that matches the request policy is created. The list of sensors is transmitted to the sensor user terminal, where the search is performed again dynamically when the request policy or one of the set of authorization policies is changed. |
| US09614851B1 |
Security management application providing proxy for administrative privileges
Accessing a security enabled application may require certain access privileges that are not readily available or associated with the application at the time a user is seeking access via a login operation. In operation, an access attempt to a security enabled application may include identifying user credentials associated with the access attempt, generating a query based on the user credentials to identify whether the user credentials are associated with a predetermined group membership. A response to the query may be received that includes group information corresponding to the user and the group information may be compared to a set of predetermined rules to determine whether the group information includes privilege rules used to grant access to the access attempt. |
| US09614848B2 |
Providing unique identifiers via a user device
A user device may receive a request for content; provide the request to a first server; receive an instruction based on providing the request for content; and provide a message to a second server based on receiving the instruction. The message may cause the second server to embed a unique identifier (ID) of the user device in the message to form a modified message for transmission to a third server. The modified message may cause the third server to form an object having the unique ID. The user device may receive the object based on providing the message to the second server; provide the object to the first server or to a fourth server; and receive, from the first server or the fourth server, particular content based on providing the object to the first server or the fourth server. The particular content may be based on the unique ID. |
| US09614847B2 |
User authentication
Method and system for user authentication are described. The method comprises receiving an authentication code from an application server seeking authentication of the user. Further, a private key of the user is computed in real time based on a user identity (ID) of the user and a master secret key of the PKG. The method further comprises, ascertaining a verification code based on the private key of the user and a verification timestamp, wherein the verification timestamp indicates a time at which the ascertaining of the verification code was initiated. Further, the authentication code is compared with the verification code. Further, the method comprises authenticating the user based on the comparison. |
| US09614839B2 |
Secure computer architectures, systems, and applications
Secure computer architectures, systems, and applications are provided herein. An exemplary computing system may include a trusted environment having a trusted processor and memory that provides a trusted computing environment that performs computing functions that could expose the computing device to a security risk, and a legacy environment having a secondary processor and memory for providing a legacy computing environment that manages computing functions exposed to unsecure environments. |
| US09614829B1 |
Deauthentication in multi-device user environments
A processing device comprises a processor coupled to a memory and is configured to establish secure communications with a plurality of user devices associated with a particular user, to generate an exclusive authentication token for utilization by each of the plurality of user devices in unlocking of secure functionality associated with that device, to provide the exclusive authentication token to only a subset of the plurality of user devices at a given time, and to force deauthentication of any of the plurality of user devices that do not currently have possession of the exclusive authentication token. These operations in some embodiments are performed by a deauthentication server implemented by the processing device. The processing device implementing the deauthentication server may comprise, for example, a remote server accessible to the plurality of user devices over a network, a smart watch or other wearable device of the user, or a user device. |
| US09614824B2 |
Handling open authentication of an invoked web service in a process
Embodiments relate to methods, systems, and computer program products for handling open authentication (OAuth) of an invoked web service in a process. An aspect includes determining whether an OAuth access token has expired. Another aspect includes initiating an automatic update of the OAuth access token based on determining that the OAuth access token has expired. |
| US09614822B2 |
Node device, communication method and network system
A node device in a network system includes a memory and a processor. The node device is identified with a first value related to a first element and a second value related to a second element. The memory stores a first key corresponding to the first value, a second key corresponding to the second value, first information on a first range of values and second information on a second range of values, at least one of the first key and the second key being shared by at least three or more node devices in the network system. The processor communicates with one of at least three or more node devices indicated by the first value related to the first element and the second value related to the second element using one of the first key and the second key. |
| US09614815B2 |
Authentication apparatus with a bluetooth interface
Methods, apparatus, and systems for securing the interactions of a user with an application using a Bluetooth enabled authentication device are disclosed. |
| US09614813B2 |
Methods and systems to implement fingerprint lookups across remote agents
The present invention provides methods and systems to protect an organization's secure information from unauthorized disclosure. The present system uses protect agents installed across various egress points (e.g., email server, user's computer, etc.) to monitor information disclosed by a user. The present system also provides the use of fingerprint servers to remotely maintain a database of fingerprints associated with the organization's secure data. In one embodiment, the protect agents transmit fingerprints associated with the user's information to the fingerprint server utilizing a local network or the public internet. The protect agents then receive a comparison analysis from the fingerprint servers and execute appropriate security action based on the analysis. In one embodiment, a combination of the local network and public internet is utilized to achieve remote agent lookups. |
| US09614812B2 |
Control methods and systems for improving virtual machine operations
A method for improving the operations and efficiency of virtual machine management. In one embodiment, the method includes storing identification information of a user and a first computer executing software that is related to a virtual machine. Next, a third computer that is already executing software of a target user is identified. And finally, a second computer transmits, to the third computer, broadcast data corresponding to the software of the target user. |
| US09614807B2 |
System and method for analyzing messages in a network or across networks
Systems and methods for analyzing messages in a network or across networks are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, for detecting trends from a set of messages in a network or across networks, identifying, from the set of messages in the network or across networks, commonly or frequently occurring topics, computing statistical attributes for the commonly or frequently occurring topics in the set of messages that indicate respective levels of trendiness, and/or presenting, the commonly or frequently occurring topics as indicators in a user interface, the indicators being actionable to access additional information relating to a selected topic via the action. The messages include messages interacted with by humans or machines and interactions can include, posted a message, shared a message, liked a message, commented on a message, replied to a message, viewed a message, saved or bookmarked a message. |
| US09614805B2 |
Communicating information describing activity of computer system users among computer system users
A computer-implemented method receiving receives information describing a current or future activity from a user of a computing system via a mobile device. The current activity is an activity occurring at a current time when the information is received, while the future activity is an activity occurring at a future time relative to a time when the information is received. The method transmits the information describing the current or future activity to a backend database coupled to the Internet and remote from the mobile device. The information describing the current or future activity is accessible to at least one recipient having access privilege to information associated with the user and describing the current or future activity via the Internet. |
| US09614804B2 |
Managing messages based on expiration dates
Messages can be managed based on expiration dates. For instance, a message having an expiration date can be removed from the recipient's inbox until the expiration date becomes imminent, automatically restored to the inbox when the expiration date becomes imminent, and automatically expired from the inbox (e.g., by deleting the message) after the expiration date has passed. Expirable messages can be identified based on user input and/or automatic extraction of expiration-date information from the message. Visual indicators can be used to distinguish a message whose expiration date is imminent from other messages in the inbox. |
| US09614803B2 |
Management of connections in a messaging environment
A method, system, and/or computer program product manages message connections in a computer infrastructure. A processor connects a client to a messaging component over a connection. Identification information of a destination message queue that the client intends to communicate to the messaging component is provided, and a reference of the destination message queue is received. Based on the received reference, a respective messaging component that has the destination message queue localized is identified. |
| US09614801B2 |
System and method for facilitating email message reply
A system and method for facilitating email messaging combines the convenience of an auto-fill of the recipient fields in a standard email message with a blank canvas for composing a new, quick reply message. By selecting the quick reply feature that can be provided with the message view screen of an email utility, the user is shown a second user interface with a blank compose screen. The email recipients are automatically filled in from the message view screen of the current message. The quick reply message can be transmitted as an email message through the email utility. |
| US09614800B1 |
Threaded datalink message display
A system for communicating between an operator of an aircraft and at least one entity may include a data-link device configured to transmit text messages from the operator of the aircraft to the at least one entity and configured to receive text messages transmitted by the at least one entity to the operator of the aircraft. The data-link device may include an input interface configured to permit the operator of the aircraft to compose the text messages to transmit to the at least one entity and a display module configured to display the text messages transmitted to the at least one entity and the text messages received from the at least one entity. The transmitted text messages and the received text messages may be displayed and chronologically listed in a message thread. |
| US09614798B2 |
Method and an apparatus for distribution of a message
A message distribution apparatus and method for distribution of a message submitted by a user by a terminal connected to a communication network to a previously unknown group of receiving users has an access to a database which stores a semantic network data model with terms linked to each other by semantic relations and/or a social network data model with users linked to each other by social relations; a mapping engine which maps at least one term being associated with the submitted message to terms being associated with users of the social network data model and/or with terms of the semantic data model for generating a group of potential receiving users for the submitted message; and a distribution engine which distributes the submitted message of the submitting user via the communication network to a group of receiving users filtered from the at least one generated group of potential receiving users. |
| US09614796B2 |
Replacing email file attachment with download link
Solutions are provided for authorizing access to and/or sharing of email attachments. An example method may include, by a computing device, detecting an email message with a file attachment. The email message may identify one or more recipients of the file attachment. The file attachment may be stored in a database table. The database table may include at least one permissions entry controlling access by the one or more recipients to the stored file attachment. The file attachment may be replaced in the email message, with a download link to a location in the database table storing the file attachment. The email message may be delivered with the download link to the one or more recipients. |
| US09614787B2 |
Two-stage crossbar distributor and method for operation
An apparatus provides signal links of M with N signal connections. A first stage has first switching matrices, wherein the first switching matrices are designed to establish at least one switchable signal link between each associated first signal connection and an associated second signal connection. A second stage has a second switching matrix with a size of N×M. In a sub-area of the second switching matrix the intersection points X2p,q that comprise switching elements are precise those that for N≧M satisfy the conditions: p−Σλ=1i−1nλ≡q (mod ni); 1≦p−Σλ=1i−1nλ≦ni and 1≦q≦M. |
| US09614784B1 |
Systems and methods for assigning tasks based on usage patterns and resource capacities
Techniques relate to facilitating assignments of tasks to promote efficient resource timetables. A first communication from a client device is received that corresponds to an electronic request to sue a resource to complete a task. A task type of the task and a client corresponding to the electronic request are identified. Usage data corresponding to the task type and client are identified. A task-assignment duration is defined based on the usage data and a buffer time period. An availability in a timetable of a resource that is of a duration that is at least as long as the task-assignment duration is identified. A second communication identifying a start time of the availability is transmitted to the client device. A third communication is received that accepts the start time, and a fourth communication is transmitted to a device controlling use of the resource that identifies the client, task and availability. |
| US09614783B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining source device in contents sharing system
A method for determining a source and a transmission path to provide content includes receiving a message comprising at least one of channel information of a link between a request device which requests content download and a central management device, available resource amount information of a candidate device, channel information of a link between the candidate device and the central management device, and channel information of a link between the request device and one candidate device. The method also includes determining a source device and the transmission path for providing the content to the request device using an available resource amount of the candidate device, a data rate of the link between the request device and the central management device, a data rate of the link between the request device and the candidate device, and a data rate of the link between the candidate device and the central management device. |
| US09614774B2 |
Method for providing a QoS prioritized data traffic
A method for transmitting data packets of a data traffic between a sending device (10, 80) and a receiving device (80, 10) via a VPN client (200) and a VPN server (500) over a network using a secure encapsulation of the data packets, the method comprising the steps of determining a Quality of Service, QoS, parameter for the data packets of said data traffic, selecting, for the data packets, either a first tunnel (91) connecting the VPN client (200) and the VPN server (500) or a second tunnel (92) connecting the VPN client (200) and the VPN server (500) based on determined Quality of Service. |
| US09614771B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for controlling services
A method, an apparatus, and a system control services, where the method includes: receiving, by a PCRF, congestion state information on a cell, resource-related information on the cell, and subscriber-related information on a UE in an activated state in the cell that are sent by an access network device; generating, by the PCRF, a QoS policy and/or a charging policy for the UE in the activated state in the cell according to the congestion state information on the cell, the resource-related information on the cell, and the subscriber-related information on the UE in the activated state in the cell; sending, by the PCRF, the generated QoS policy and/or charging policy to a PCEF, so as to enable the PCEF to execute the QoS policy and/or the charging policy. |
| US09614759B2 |
Systems and methods for providing anycast MAC addressing in an information handling system
An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes systems and methods for providing an anycast MAC addressing capability to a network. The anycast MAC address may be provided by creating and using virtual routing bridges, which in the network topology appear in front of service-providing nodes associated with the anycast MAC address. The physical routing bridges that neighbor the virtual routing bridge in the network are configured so as to provide the routing bridge functions to the virtual routing bridge, including propagating network topology information representing the virtual routing bridge to the rest of the network. |
| US09614756B2 |
VOIP route selection using call metrics
A method includes determining quality-of-service (QoS) metrics for each of a plurality of data streams routed by a node according to a stream-routing ratio that specifies a proportion of total data streams to be routed over each of a plurality of network paths. The method also includes determining a quality score for each of the plurality of network paths based on the QoS metrics. The method further includes modifying the stream-routing ratio based on the quality scores for the plurality of network paths to produce a modified ratio for routing new data streams, the modified ratio being selected to leverage particular ones of the plurality of network paths having high quality scores. The method still further includes applying the modified ratio to the node. |
| US09614754B2 |
Method, device, and system for packet routing in a network
A method for distributed routing of a packet in a network is provided. The network includes a controller, a first server, a second server, and a first switch. The method includes: obtaining identifiers of the two servers in the network and network connection information; determining whether the two servers are in two different subnets of the network and whether the two different subnets are configured on a same router according to the identifiers of the two servers and the network connection information of the two servers; when it is determined that that the two servers are in two different subnets of the network and the two different subnets are configured on a same router, instructing the first switch to modify a packet header of a packet sent by the first server to the second server and forward the modified packet to the second server. |
| US09614753B2 |
Method and device for bidirectional forwarding detection under condition of parameter update
A method and device for Bidirectional Forwarding Detection under a condition of parameter update, wherein a first router establishes a link with a second router; the first router modifies packet sending parameters and/or packet receiving parameters, and sends to the second router a message with an identifier of the modification of this time; the second router returns to the first router a feedback message with an identifier of the modification of this time after receiving the message with the identifier of the modification of this time sent by the first router; the packet sending parameters and/or packet receiving parameters which are modified this time take effect after the first router receives the feedback message with the identifier sent by the second router. |
| US09614751B2 |
Optical path computation based on a reachability matrix
Methods and systems for optical path computation based on a reachability matrix may rely on matrix multiplication to determine a number and respective network locations of regenerators for establishing an end-to-end reachable path in an optical network between a source node and a destination node. The reachability matrix may specify directly reachable optical paths between nodes in the optical network. |
| US09614750B2 |
System of distributing content data over a computer network and method of arranging nodes for distribution of data over a computer network
Described is a method for improving both the bandwidth efficiency and bit rate of data streams flowing through binary tree networks. In an embodiment, the invention provides a method for efficiently utilizing end-consumer computers possessing a variety of upstream bandwidth capabilities to deliver online streaming video in a distributed manner. |
| US09614747B2 |
Network system, controller, and flow control method
A network system is provided. The network system includes a server, a switch connected to a server, and a controller controlling the functions of the server and the switch. The server includes a processor and a network adapter connected to a processor. The network adapter processes packets of each flow in accordance with a filter table. The processor includes a virtual machine and a virtual switch which relays packets transmitted and received by the virtual machine to and from an external entity. The network adapter has an offloading function which exchanges packets with the virtual machine without using the virtual switch. In a tunneling process, the switch exchanges packets with the virtual machine through a tunneling-dedicated port, and the network adapter forwards the packets between the switch and the virtual machine without referring to the filter table. The controller dynamically controls enabling/disenabling of the tunneling process for each flow. |
| US09614743B2 |
Systems and methods to compute carbon footprint of network services with network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN)
A method, through a server, to determine carbon footprint of a network service, in a network, includes determining power consumption and cooling requirements of network devices associated with the network service; determining associated carbon footprint coefficients for power sources associated with each of the network devices; and determining carbon footprint of the network service based on the power consumption, the cooling requirements, and the associated carbon footprint coefficients. |
| US09614741B2 |
Vehicle antenna system and method for determining connectivity status thereof
A vehicle communication system that includes an antenna system for a vehicle and a method of determining a connectivity status of the antenna system. The antenna system includes a test antenna for transmitting a wireless diagnostic signal with a signature waveform and a primary antenna that receives the wireless diagnostic signal and provides a corresponding wired diagnostic signal to a diagnostic circuit. The diagnostic circuit is configured to determine a connectivity status of the antenna system based on the presence or absence of the signature waveform in the wired diagnostic signal received from the primary antenna. It is possible for the diagnostic circuit to include a finite state machine (FSM) for carrying out the connectivity status determination. |
| US09614735B2 |
Bounded-budget monitor deployment in monitoring networks via end-to-end probes
A method, computer storage medium, computer system of performing monitor deployment under budget constraints includes obtaining a network topology and a deployment budget, decomposing the network topology into a plurality of components having a predetermined property, computing a benefit and a cost for identifying each of the components, selecting at least one targeted component based on a ratio of the benefit to the cost for identifying each of the components, and deploying monitors to identify links in the at least one targeted component within a remaining portion of the deployment budget. |
| US09614731B2 |
Scalable provisioning of virtual optical network demands
A method of mapping virtual optical networks (VONs) to a physical network that includes physical links that connect physical nodes. The method includes reading physical network information, VON demands, and technology constraints of the physical network. The method includes determining whether an iteration parameter violates an iterative condition that determines whether to continue processing the VON demands. If not, the method includes determining whether there are unprocessed subgroups of the VON demands. In response to there being unprocessed subgroups, the method includes selecting a subgroup of the VONs. The method includes computing feasible mapping patterns for the subgroup of the VONs. The method includes finding a size of a largest subset of the subgroup that has a feasible mapping and slot assignment solution. The method includes finding a mapping solution of the subset that has a feasible slot assignment and a slot assignment of the mapping solution. |
| US09614727B2 |
N-node systems and methods for link aggregation groups (LAG)
Aspects of the present invention include an n-node link aggregation group (LAG) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the n-node system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices and the core network. The n-node system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. |
| US09614726B2 |
Method and system for deploying maximally redundant trees in a data network
A method and system is disclosed to compute and distribute a generalized almost directed acyclic graph (GADAG). The method includes computing, by a network element, a GADAG for the network, where the GADAG is a graph abstraction of the network, where the plurality of network elements are the vertices of the GADAG and links connecting the plurality of network elements are the directed edges of the GADAG. The method continues with assembling a GADAG descriptor based on the computed GADAG, and distributing the GADAG descriptor to a plurality of network elements, where each of the plurality of network elements utilizes the GADAG descriptor to compute maximally redundant trees for forwarding traffic. The method also includes leveraging layer 2 attributes and features for layer 2 deployments and updating redundant trees upon topology change events such that traffic outage is avoided or minimized. |
| US09614725B2 |
Method and network management system for reconfiguring a data network node
The present invention relates to a method for reconfiguring data network nodes (3, 5, 7) in a data network (1), the method comprising the steps of: storing information comprising: a first set of data (25I-25V) representing a current configuration of the data network nodes (3, 5, 7), and a second set of data (27I-27V) representing a desired configuration of the data network nodes (3, 5, 7); generating, from the first set of data (25I-25V) and the second set of data (27I-27V), an information entity (33, 33I-33V) representing a difference between the current configuration and the desired configuration, and reconfiguring at least one of the data network nodes (3, 5, 7) using the information entity (33, 33I-33V). |
| US09614724B2 |
Session-based device configuration
Techniques for session-based device configuration are described. According to one or more implementations, various settings of a wireless device are configured to optimize device performance while participating in a communication session via a wireless network. The settings, for instance, are configured dynamically and on a per-session basis. |
| US09614723B2 |
Device commissioning
The disclosed subject matter may provide a system and methods for commissioning a device or appliance into a network. A processor may detect the insertion of a removable device into a data receptacle of a first device. The first device may be an appliance or a network controller. Information may be retrieved from or delivered to the removable device. The information may be information specific to the appliance, such as model number, or may be information related to the network controller. For example, information delivered from the network controller to the removable device may include a network address assignment and network protocol to be used by an appliance when the appliance communicates with the network. The removable device may be removed from the first device and inserted into a data receptacle of a second device. |
| US09614722B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a long term evolution network
A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer. |
| US09614720B2 |
Notification technique for network reconfiguration
A technique for informing nodes in a communications network about changes in a state of the communications network using notification packets is described. In that technique, the communications network is reconfigured using a fast reroute protocol responsive to the state change. A method aspect of the technique comprises generating, upon a network state change, a notification packet. Generating the notification packet includes adding a unique identifier to the notification packet. The method further includes propagating the notification packet through the communications network. |
| US09614719B2 |
Method for ensuring reliable communication between security software client and cloud, and security software client
A method for ensuring reliable communication between a security software client and cloud includes detecting whether communication between the security software client and the cloud is abnormal; determining whether network configuration is abnormal if the communication between the security software client and the cloud is abnormal; restoring the network configuration into default network configuration if the network configuration is abnormal, wherein the default network configuration is system configuration used when the communication between the security software client and the cloud is normal; determining whether the communication between the security software client and the cloud is abnormal after the network configuration is restored into the default network configuration; and prompting a user that the communication between the security software client and the cloud is abnormal if the communication between the security software client and the cloud is abnormal after the network configuration is restored into the default network configuration. |
| US09614713B1 |
Transmit amplitude and phase modulation based on two constant-amplitude phasors
Techniques for generating signals based on two constant amplitude phasors are discussed. One example apparatus includes phase calculation circuitry that generates first and second angles from a representation of a complex signal; distributor circuitry that receives the second angle and outputs a positive and a negative version of it; a first signal generator configured that receives the first angle and one of the positive or the negative version and generates a first signal based on the first angle and the one of the positive or the negative version; a second signal generator that receives the first angle and the other of the positive or the negative version and generates a second signal based on the first angle and the other of the positive or the negative version; and a combiner that combines the first and the second signal and generates an output signal equivalent to the complex signal. |
| US09614706B2 |
Method and apparatus for multi-carrier modulation (MCM) packet detection based on phase differences
A method is disclosed for detecting packet at a receiving system in a Multi-Carrier Modulation (MCM) system. The method starts with receiving a signal at the receiving system. Then a deviation value of the signal is computed, where the deviation value is computed at least partially based on phase differences between some number of carriers in the preamble. The deviation value is compared with a threshold to determine whether a packet has been detected from the received signal. In response to the determination that a packet has been detected, a symbol offset is computed optionally, where the symbol offset indicates a number of sample points from a beginning of a symbol. |
| US09614705B2 |
Constant-envelope phase-optimized transmission methods and apparatus
Constant-envelope phase-optimized transmission methods and apparatus are disclosed. An example method includes determining initial values of modulation phases in a first quadrant, the modulation phases associated with binary codes to be transmitted; and optimizing the initial values to second values to enable a product of an objective function to be within a threshold value. |
| US09614704B2 |
Methods and apparatus to perform serial communications
Methods and apparatus to perform serial communications are disclosed. An example serial data transmitter includes: a clock signal generator to generate a digital clock signal; a clock signal controller to enable the clock signal generator; a line break signal generator to, in response to an expiration of a time period, trigger the transmission of a transmission line check frame; a data integrity check generator to generate error detection data corresponding to first data to be transmitted via the transmission port; a signal framer to: generate a first data frame having a preamble, second data, third data, the first data, the error detection data, and fourth data; and generate the transmission line check frame. |
| US09614702B2 |
Technique for crosstalk reduction
A technique for cancelling or reducing crosstalk signals between controlled oscillators in an integrated circuit is provided. The technique involves an arrangement adapted to reduce a crosstalk signal generated by a first controlled oscillator to a second oscillator both comprised in the integrated circuit, wherein both controlled oscillators are configured to output a respective clock signal. The arrangement comprises a detector adapted to detect the crosstalk signal generated by the first controlled oscillator to the second controlled oscillator, a crosstalk cancellation circuit adapted to generate a cancellation signal having an amplitude substantially the same as that of the crosstalk signal and a phase substantially opposite to that of the crosstalk signal, and a cancellation signal injector adapted to introduce the cancellation signal into the second controlled oscillator. |
| US09614700B2 |
Techniques for channel estimation in millimeter-wave communication systems
Disclosed is an apparatus, computer implemented method and method for preforming channel estimation in a millimeter wave wireless communication system which includes receiving complementary sequences at a receiver of the millimeter wave wireless communication system; estimating a channel estimation of a channel among the received complementary sequences; estimating a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation of the channel; detecting a maximum channel response value of the channel estimation; computing a de-noised threshold value from the maximum channel response value and the SNR estimation of the channel; comparing the de-noised threshold value to the channel estimation to detect a last valid tap of a channel impulse response; and zeroing out all the taps after the detected last valid tap of the channel impulse response. |
| US09614695B2 |
Intra-frequency interference cancellation method, apparatus, and system
The present invention provides a method. The method includes: performing coupling to acquire a first reference signal and a second reference signal from a transmit signal transmitted on a same transmit link at a transmit end; performing signal recombination according to the first reference signal and the second reference signal, to obtain a first interference cancellation signal and a second interference cancellation signal; enabling the first interference cancellation signal to pass through a simulated interference channel, and enabling the second interference cancellation signal to pass through the simulated interference channel; and coupling and output, to a same receive link at the local receive end, the first interference cancellation signal and the second interference cancellation signal that have passed through the simulated interference channel, and combining the first interference cancellation signal and the second interference cancellation signal with a signal received by the local receive end. |
| US09614692B2 |
Method and apparatus for minimizing within-die variations in performance parameters of a processor
Described herein are a method and an apparatus for minimizing within-die variations in performance parameters of a processor. The apparatus comprising: a reference generator to generate an adjustable compensated reference signal; a bias generator to generate a bias signal based on the adjustable compensated reference signal; a transmitter coupled with the bias generator to transmit an output signal; and a feedback mechanism to sample the output signal from the transmitter and to provide the sampled output signal to the bias generator. |
| US09614691B2 |
Method and device for detecting an unoccupied transmission channel in a multi-media transmission system
A method and a device for detecting an unoccupied transmission channel in a multi-channel transmission system having a plurality of transmission channels for an audio and/or video transmission, as it is frequently installed in seats of vehicles, trains, airplanes or in auditoriums and conference rooms. When expanding or modifying the transmission system, each receiving module until now had to be uninstalled and appropriately adapted in case of unoccupied transmission channels. This is very labor-intensive and costly. According to the invention, an encoding of the unoccupied transmission channels using an identification is provided, which is detectable by the receiving modules. Upon detection of the identification, the respective transmission channel is automatically blocked for the selection. A complicated disassembly and a corresponding manual adaptation of the receiving modules may therefore be dispensed with. |
| US09614690B2 |
Smart home automation systems and methods
A smart home interaction system is presented. It is built on a multi-modal, multithreaded conversational dialog engine. The system provides a natural language user interface for the control of household devices, appliances or household functionality. The smart home automation agent can receive input from users through sensing devices such as a smart phone, a tablet computer or a laptop computer. Users interact with the system from within the household or from remote locations. The smart home system can receive input from sensors or any other machines with which it is interfaced. The system employs interaction guide rules for processing reaction to both user and sensor input and driving the conversational interactions that result from such input. The system adaptively learns based on both user and sensor input and can learn the preferences and practices of its users. |
| US09614688B2 |
Providing image data to a client display device
Providing display information to a client display device communicating with a plurality of servers is disclosed. Each of the servers provides a pre-assigned partial region of an overall image for display on the client display device. The client display device sends a request to each server via a multicast or broadcast communication channel. The request includes an identification of a plurality of partial regions of an image to be displayed on the client display device. The client display device receives image data from each server that is assigned to generate image data for partial regions identified by the client. Each of such servers asynchronously provides the image data for its pre-assigned partial region by sending the image data over one or more respective data communication channels to the client display device, in accordance with the request sent to each server via the communication channel. |
| US09614687B2 |
Dynamic configuration of a conference system with distributed media agents
A conference controller receives access requests to access a conference session from respective callers. Responsive to the requests, the controller sends a conference identifier (ID) and respective agent discovery information to each of the callers. Each caller discovers an appropriate respective media agent based on the respective agent discovery information and sends a join request including the conference ID to that media agent. In turn, the media agents send requests for configuration information to the controller. Responsive to the requests from the media agents, the controller provides configuration information to the media agents that the media agents use to form a media connection with each other for the conference session through which the callers exchange media packets. |
| US09614686B2 |
Protected premises network apparatus and methods
Apparatus and methods for enabling protected premises networking capabilities. In one embodiment, the premises network is a Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance (MoCA) network, and is secured by a requirement that devices use a password or key to access the network. The password may be given only to authorized devices. Information regarding a device may be utilized to associate the device with a particular premises network, and provide a password to authorized devices. The password is unique to the premises in one variant by being derived from a subscriber account. At least one of the devices requesting access to the premises network may comprise a gateway device. A home network utilizing existing coaxial cable in the premises is created between a plurality of authorized devices each receiving the password. |
| US09614684B2 |
External indexing and search for a secure cloud collaboration system
An end-to-end secure cloud-hosted collaboration service is provided with a hybrid cloud/on-premise index and search capability. This approach includes on-premise indexing and search handling, while relying on the cloud for persistent storage and search of the index. The on-premise indexer receives a copy of an encrypted message from the cloud-hosted collaboration service. The encrypted message has been encrypted with a conversation key. The indexer receives the conversation key from an on-premise key management service, and decrypts the encrypted message with the conversation key. A set of tokens are extracted from the decrypted message, and subsequently encrypted with a secret key, different than the conversation key, to generate a first set of encrypted tokens. The first set of encrypted tokens is transmitted for storage in a search index on the cloud-hosted collaboration service. |
| US09614680B2 |
System and method for signature capture
A method of signature capture for a document uses a portable digital media device with a touch responsive screen on which the signer traces his signature. An URL address is sent to the device and opened in the web browser. The URL address is valid for a limited period of time, and the signature is stored at a webpage associated with the URL address. |
| US09614677B2 |
Secure function evaluation of tree circuits
A first circuit representation of a given function is obtained at a first processing device. The given function comprises at least two computer programming switch statement clauses. A second circuit representation is generated at the first processing device from the first circuit representation wherein the at least two computer programming switch statement clauses are respectively represented by at least two tree circuits that are embedded in the second circuit representation such that the second circuit representation is characterized by a given cost (e.g., a minimum cost). The second circuit representation is encrypted at the first processing device, and sent to a second processing device for secure evaluation of the given function by the second processing device. |
| US09614675B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to encode auxiliary data into text data and methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to obtain encoded data from text data
Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to encode auxiliary data into text data and methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to obtain encoded data from text data are disclosed. An example method includes assigning encoded data units to respective ones of a plurality of groups, the encoded data units including text data, identifying a symbol present in a first one of the encoded data units assigned to a first one of the groups, and outputting auxiliary data embedded in the encoded data units based on the symbol and based on the one of the groups of the first one of the encoded data units. |
| US09614673B2 |
Method of managing keys and electronic device adapted to the same
A method of managing keys and an electronic device adapted to the method are provided. The method includes creating a first key, based on information included in a memory space of a processor, creating a second key, based on at least one item of user information, and creating a third key that was created through at least one encryption process, based on the created first key and the created second key. |
| US09614670B1 |
Systems and methods for encryption and provision of information security using platform services
Systems and methods for securing or encrypting data or other information arising from a user's interaction with software and/or hardware, resulting in transformation of original data into ciphertext. Generally, the ciphertext is generated using context-based keys that depend on the environment in which the original data originated and/or was accessed. The ciphertext can be stored in a user's storage device or in an enterprise database (e.g., at-rest encryption) or shared with other users (e.g., cryptographic communication). The system generally allows for secure federation across organizations, including mechanisms to ensure that the system itself and any other actor with pervasive access to the network cannot compromise the confidentially of the protected data. |
| US09614669B1 |
Secure network communications using hardware security barriers
One embodiment includes hardware-based cybersecurity devices that create a physical barrier (“hardware security barrier”) between a computer's (or other device's) processor and a public or private network. Hardware security barriers typically use immutable hardware in accomplishing cybersecurity activities including generating and distributing cryptographically secure numbers, encryption, decryption, source authentication, and packet integrity verification. This hardware security barrier protects against remote threats and guarantees that all exported and received data are strongly encrypted. A hardware security barrier can be included in any computing or networking device that contains a network interface. One embodiment of a hardware security barrier is implemented as part of a network interface, such as, but not limited to being part of a network interface controller, or as a standalone unit between a communications interface of a host system and a connection to a network. |
| US09614667B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method therefor
A plural number M (M≧2) of block cipher encryption units perform, in a block order, either encryption processing or decryption processing for data of a series of blocks each having a predetermined data size and included in a data unit. The plural number of block cipher encryption units perform either encryption of decryption for the data unit by repeating processing in the block order. Every time processing of a data unit starts, a block cipher encryption unit configured to process the data of the nMth (nM |
| US09614662B2 |
Multi-input wireless receiver based on RF sampling techniques
In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems of a multi-input receiver. In one or more embodiments, a receiver receives a plurality of signals each via a respective one of a plurality of wireless channels. In one or more embodiments, a processing stage of the receiver combines the received plurality of signals into a combined signal for input to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the receiver. In one or more embodiments, the ADC generates, at a predetermined sampling frequency, samples of the combined signal. In one or more embodiments, the receiver recovers from the generated samples at least one signal component corresponding to at least one of the plurality of signals. |
| US09614656B2 |
Providing in-line services through radio access network resources under control of a mobile packet core in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes sending, by a first entity associated with an access network, a first request message including a session identifier associated with a user session to a second entity associated with a core network. The method further includes establishing a first control channel with the second entity in which the first control channel is associated with the session identifier. The first control channel is an in-band channel between the first entity and the second entity. The method further includes receiving policy information associated with the user session from the second entity using the first control channel. The policy information is indicative of one or more policies to be applied in the access network to user data associated with the user session. |
| US09614654B2 |
Adaptive control channel design for balancing data payload size and decoding time
A method of wireless communication includes allocating transport blocks to a control channel region as a function of the size of the transport block. The user equipment (UE) monitors at least two different control regions in a subframe for control information. The monitored control regions do not overlap in time. The UE receives a subframe including control information in at least one of the two different control regions. |
| US09614651B1 |
Coordinating wireless communication with access nodes
When a first throughput between the wireless device and a first access node meets a threshold, an application requirement of an application running on the wireless device is determined. Measurements are received of a first signal level of the communication link between the wireless device and the first access node and a second signal level of a signal from a second access node received at the wireless device. A first data rate is estimated using a first communication scheme between the wireless device and the first and second access nodes, and a second data rate is estimated using a second communication scheme between the wireless device and the first and second access nodes. One of the communication schemes is selected for use by the wireless device and the first and second access nodes based on the estimated first data rate and the estimated second data rate and the application requirement. |
| US09614646B2 |
Method and system for robust message retransmission
Techniques are disclosed for message retransmission. In one embodiment, an agent in a distributed system that receives and/or relays messages from a master node identifies messages that have not been successfully delivered, and adds a stub for each such message to a message queue. The agent then requests retransmission of missing messages in the message queue and sets flags associated with the message stubs to indicate that retransmission requests have been sent. If one (or more) of the messages cannot be retransmitted, the master node sends acknowledgment message(s) notifying the agent of the master node's inability to retransmit the messages. The agent then resets the flags corresponding to those messages to indicate that retransmission request(s) need to be sent again. |
| US09614640B2 |
Method, device and system for detecting a jamming transmitter
A base station in a cellular radio network and user equipment assigned to a cell are linked by an air interface for communication on a respective communication channel in a communication band. The same communication band is common to at least one of the cells and to the user equipment on the respective communication channel of a cell. A jamming transmitter is detected by decoding a cell, by way of successful reading of control information of the cell, detecting a wideband power parameter representative of the communication band, and detecting a channel power parameter representative for a part of the communication band that is a communication channel. A narrowband jamming transmitter is indicated in the case that decoding of the cell failed, the wideband power parameter is not above a first threshold, and the channel power parameter is above a second threshold. |
| US09614639B2 |
Power control of optical signals having different polarizations
Consistent with an aspect of the present disclosure, an optical communication apparatus is provided that transmits a WDM signal including a plurality of optical channels, wherein each channel has a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths. Each of the plurality of optical channels includes optical signals having first (e.g., TE) and second (e.g., TM) polarizations. In one example, each polarized optical signal is modulated in accordance with an identifying tone. The optical channels are combined onto a waveguide, and an optical tap connected or coupled to the waveguide supplies a portion of the WDM signal including a composite of the optical channels to a photodiode. The aggregate power received by the photodiode includes the power associated with each optical channel, and the power of each channel is the sum of the powers of individual polarized optical signals within that channel. The photodiode converts the received WDM portion including the polarized optical signal portions into corresponding electrical signals. A processor circuit demodulates the electrical signals, identifies the tones, and determines a modulation depth for each tone. Based on the modulation depth, a ratio of the optical powers of one polarized optical signal to another can be calculated, and the optical powers of one or both of the polarized optical signals in each channel can be adjusted so that the optical power ratio has a desired value, e.g., a value substantially equal to one. Thus, one tap and one photodiode may be provided to monitor each polarized optical signal within each WDM channel, thereby reducing costs and yielding a simpler system design. |
| US09614638B2 |
Methods and systems for periodic optical filtering to identify tone modulated optical signals
Methods and systems for periodic optical filtering to identify tone modulated optical signals may enable relatively rapid scanning of an optical signal to identify individual optical channels. The optical signal having tone modulated optical channels may be scanned over a free spectral range of a periodic optical filter, such as a comb filter, to generate a filtered signal. Then, center optical frequencies for each of the optical channels in the filtered signal may be determined by demodulation and digital signal processing. |
| US09614625B2 |
Visible light communication system
In a visible light communication system including a transmission device and a receiving device arranged separately in a vertical direction and provided so as to relatively move in a horizontal direction, which transmits data from the transmission device to the receiving device by optical space transmission using visible light, the transmission device includes a first light emitting part outputting visible light, and the first light emitting part has a light source emitting visible light and a correction part correcting the light radiated from the light source so as to uniform a light intensity distribution on a horizontal plane. Even when the transmission device and the receiving device arranged separately in the vertical direction relatively move in a horizontal direction, data can be stably transmitted and received by the optical space transmission using visible light. |
| US09614623B2 |
High bandwidth photodetector current replicator
Methods and systems for replicating high bandwidth current outputs from a photodetector or another current source include using a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) to directly generate a TIA voltage that is linear with optical power at the photodetector. The TIA voltage is used to generate a current that flows to a log amp, which generates a voltage that is linear with the optical power in dB. Additionally, offset cancellation is used at the TIA and at the log amp. |
| US09614621B2 |
Signal generating circuit, optical signal transmitting apparatus, signal receiving circuit, method for establishing optical signal synchronization, and optical signal synchronization system
To enable signal position detection, frequency offset compensation, clock offset compensation, and chromatic dispersion amount estimation in a communication system based on coherent detection using an optical signal, even on a signal having a great offset in an arrival time depending on a frequency due to chromatic dispersion. An optical signal transmitting apparatus generates specific frequency band signals having power concentrated on two or more specific frequencies and transmits a signal including the specific frequency band signals. An optical signal receiving apparatus converts a received signal into a digital signal, detects positions of the specific frequency band signals from the converted digital signal, estimates frequency positions of the detected specific frequency band signals, and detects a frequency offset between an optical signal receiving apparatus and an optical signal transmitting apparatus. Moreover, the optical signal receiving apparatus detects a clock offset between the optical signal receiving apparatus and the optical signal transmitting apparatus from an interval between the estimated frequency positions of the specific frequency band signals. Furthermore, the optical signal receiving apparatus estimates temporal positions of the detected specific frequency band signals and detects a chromatic dispersion amount from a difference between the temporal positions of the specific frequency band signals corresponding to different frequencies. |
| US09614618B2 |
CATV video and data transmission system with hybrid input
Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. |
| US09614600B2 |
Base station apparatus, user terminal, communication system and communication control method
A base station apparatus, a user terminal, a communication system and a communication control method that can support the diversification of communication is provided. In a base station apparatus, downlink measurement object signals are pre-coded using precoding weights that are specific to a user terminal, and transmitted to the user terminal, and, in the user terminal, the downlink measurement object signals are demodulated using the precoding weights that are specific to the user terminal, and measurement processes are performed based on the demodulated downlink measurement object signals. |
| US09614595B2 |
Apparatus for transmitting broadcast signals, apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, method for transmitting broadcast signals and method for receiving broadcast signals
A method and an apparatus for receiving broadcast signals thereof are disclosed. The apparatus for receiving broadcast signals, the apparatus comprises a receiver to receive the broadcast signals, a demodulator to demodulate the received broadcast signals by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) scheme, a frame parser to parse a signal frame from the demodulated broadcast signals, wherein the signal frame includes service data corresponding to each of a plurality of physical paths, a time deinterleaver to time deinterleave service data in each physical path by a TI (Time Interleaving) block, wherein the time deinterleaver further performs inserting at least one virtual FEC block into at least one TI block of the service data, wherein each TI block includes a variable number of FEC blocks of the service data, wherein a number of the at least one virtual FEC block is defined based on a maximum number of FEC blocks of a TI block and a decoder to decode the time deinterleaved service data. |
| US09614592B2 |
Thin chassis near field communication (NFC) antenna integration
Described herein are techniques related one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for integrating a near field communications (NFC) coil antenna in a portable device. For example, the NFC antenna is integrated under a metal chassis of the portable device. The metal chassis and a conductive coating—that is integrated underneath the full metal chassis—are designed to include one or more slots to provide high impedance to Eddy current induced in the conductive coating. |
| US09614584B2 |
Simultaneous launching of multiple signal channels in a dielectric waveguide using different electromagnetic modes
A device is configured for transmitting multiple channels of information through a dielectric waveguide (DWG). The device generates at least a first radio frequency signal (RF) and a second RF signal. The first RF signal is launched into the DWG using a launching structure formed within a multilayer substrate to excite a first transmission mode of the DWG. The second RF signal is launched into the DWG using a launching structure formed within the multilayer substrate to excite a second transmission mode of the DWG, in which the second transmission mode is orthogonal to the first transmission mode. |
| US09614577B2 |
Clock synchronization for line differential protection
A method and arrangement are provided for time synchronization between two geographically separated stationary clocks, such as first and second clocks located respectively at first and second ends of an AC power line. A first representation of an oscillating power line quantity is produced by measuring or recording the power line quantity at the first end of the power line, and time-stamping the first representation by the first clock. A second representation of the same oscillating power line quantity is produced by measuring the power line quantity at the second end of the power line, and time-stamping the second representation by the second clock. The first and second representations are compared to determine a clock offset between the first and second clocks. Based on the comparison, one or both of the first and second clocks are adjusted to reduce the determined clock offset. |
| US09614575B2 |
Direct coupled radio frequency (RF) transceiver front end
A method and apparatus is disclosed to couple a transmission amplifier and a reception amplifier to a shared medium. An output of the transmission amplifier is directly coupled to an input of the reception amplifier to form a common connection. The transmission amplifier and the reception amplifier may receive a first amplifier bias via the common connection. In response to the first amplifier bias, the transmission amplifier provides a first communication signal to the shared medium and the reception amplifier does not provide a second communication signal from the shared medium. Alternatively, the transmission amplifier and the reception may receive a second amplifier bias via the common connection. In response to the second amplifier bias, the reception amplifier provides the second communication signal from the shared medium and the transmission amplifier does not provide the first communication signal to the shared medium. |
| US09614572B2 |
Apparatus and method for extending feature selection in a communication system
A method and apparatus for expanding control switch selectivity in a portable communication system is provided. A rotary control switch is remapped based on the presence of two or more switches in the system thereby increasing the number of user selectable switch features, such as user selectable radio channels. The remapping can occur automatically without the need for hardware changes. The improved user interface can extend channel range selection in a portable communication system having a portable radio and radio accessory. |
| US09614571B2 |
Multi-band isolator assembly
An isolator assembly is configured to provide isolation in each of multiple non-overlapping frequency bands and includes a selection network to select one of the multiple non-overlapping frequency bands for an isolation operation. During the isolation operation, the isolator assembly prevents signal coupling between antennas that are positioned on opposite sides of the isolator assembly. |
| US09614569B2 |
Waterproof casing with exposed display surface
A protective case for housing a mobile device is provided. The protective case comprises a top shell that seals against a top surface of a device and a bottom shell that cradles the bottom of the device. The top shell provides a downward extension along its perimeter that fits within a trench or pocket formed around at least a portion of the perimeter of the bottom shell. An underside of the top shell includes a permanently chemically bonded compressible and waterproof film layer. The waterproof film layer is configured to seal directly against the top surface of the mobile device. |
| US09614566B2 |
Method and apparatus for variable header repetition in a wireless OFDM network with multiple overlapped frequency bands
Method and apparatus for use within a wireless OFDM network that transmits and receives first and second packets each having header bits and utilizing variable header repetition. The header bits in the first packet are communicated on multiple OFDM symbols and repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers in a first frequency band. The header bits in a second packet are communicated on fewer OFDM symbols and in a second frequency band that overlaps with and is wider than the first frequency band. |
| US09614563B2 |
Double down-conversion with multiple independent intermediate frequencies for E-band applications
An apparatus includes a first receiver frequency conversion stage and a second receiver frequency conversion stage. The first receiver frequency conversion stage may be configured to generate at least four first intermediate frequency signals in response to a radio frequency (RF) input signal and respective phases of a first local oscillator signal. The second receiver frequency conversion stage may be configured to generate at least four output signals in response to the at least four first intermediate frequency signals and one or more phases of a second local oscillator signal. Each of the at least four output signals is generated in an independent channel in response to a respective one of the at least four first intermediate frequency signals and a respective one of the one or more phases of the second local oscillator signal. |
| US09614561B2 |
Method and apparatus for mitigating radio frequency interference (RFI) in a portable electronic device while conserving battery power
A method and circuit for mitigating RFI in an electronic device that occurs while the device is in a low power mode utilizes one or more antenna elements in the device to receive RF energy. When the RF energy is sufficiently high that it could affect signal states in the device while in the low power mode, the device transitions from the low power mode to an active mode and begins an RFI mitigation process to ensure signal states and other circuit operations in the device are not changed by the RFI. |
| US09614558B2 |
Apparatus and method for phase unwrapping of a burst signal
A device and method for unwrapping phase samples of a burst signal. The device generates a set of vectors including phase samples. A first mean and a first variance of the vectors is computed, and a set of unwrapped phase samples of the burst signal are computed by rotating phase samples of the vector having a smallest first variance by a first rotation amount. The set of vectors is updated based on a new phase sample and a second mean and a second variance of the updated set of vectors is computed. Differences between unwrapped phase samples and a number of phase samples included in the vector having the smallest computed second variance are computed. A next unwrapped phase sample is generated by rotating the new phase sample by a second rotation amount corresponding to a median value of the computed differences. |
| US09614557B1 |
Apparatus and methods for phase synchronization of local oscillators in a transceiver
A method and apparatus for phase adjustment of a RF transceiver is disclosed. Based on a first local oscillator signal and a second local oscillator signal, a beat signal that indicates the frequency and phase relationship between the first and second local oscillator signals can be generated. Using the beat signal, changing phase relationship between the first and second local oscillator signals can be cumulatively taken account for using phase averaging to allow quick restoration to observation of a previously observed channel. |
| US09614555B2 |
AC coupled transmission circuit and system
According to an embodiment, a transmission circuit is configured to transmit a signal to a reception circuit through a transmitting AC coupling element. The transmitting AC coupling element is AC coupled to a receiving AC coupling element. The transmission circuit includes a drive signal generation circuit and a drive circuit. The drive signal generation circuit is configured to generate a drive signal in synchronization with a transmission signal to be transmitted. The drive circuit is configured to cause, in response to the drive signal, a drive current to flow between both ends of the transmitting AC coupling element in synchronization with a rising edge and a falling edge of the transmission signal during a driving period set in advance. The drive circuit is configured to apply an applied voltage to both of the ends of the transmitting AC coupling element after the driving period. |
| US09614553B2 |
Energy self-sufficient radiofrequency transmitter
The energy self-sufficient radiofrequency transmitter has at least one electromechanical transducer with a rectifier circuit connected downstream and with a voltage converter circuit. A logic circuit configuration is connected to the voltage converter circuit. The logic circuit configuration has a sequence controller a memory in which an identification code is stored. The energy self-sufficient radiofrequency transmitter also has a radiofrequency transmission stage that is connected to the logic circuit configuration and a transmission antenna. |
| US09614552B2 |
Millimeter-wave modulation device
Provided is a lower power and high efficiency millimeter-wave modulation apparatus capable of modulating digital data into transmitting signals in a millimeter frequency band, the millimeter-wave modulation apparatus including; a modulation part, which carries out a modulation of a constant envelope attribute, and to which a first local oscillation signal is fixed according to a rate of input data; a phase shifter adopted to shift a phase of an output of the modulation part; a power amplifier adopted to amplify an output of the phase shifter; and an antenna connected to an output of the power amplifier. |
| US09614551B2 |
Device, system and method of configuring a radio transceiver
A device, system and method of configuring a radio transceiver are described. In particular, there is described an RF front-end for transmitting wireless communication signals, the RF front-end comprising a plurality of elements, and wherein the RF front-end is configured to obtain an RF protection class signal and to selectively apply one or more of the plurality of elements to a transmitted signal based on the obtained RF protection class signal. |
| US09614548B1 |
Systems and methods for hybrid message passing and bit flipping decoding of LDPC codes
Systems and methods are provided for iterative data decoding. Decoding circuitry receives a first message from a variable node at a check node. Decoding circuitry generates a second message based at least in part on the first message. Decoding circuitry transmits the second message to the variable node. Decoding circuitry updates a hard decision value of the variable node based at least in part on the first message and the second message. |
| US09614544B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for decompression using hardware and software
Detailed herein are embodiments of systems, methods, and apparatuses for decompression using hardware and software. For example, in embodiment a hardware apparatus comprises an input buffer to store incoming data from a compressed stream, a selector to select at least one byte stored in the input buffer, a decoder to decode the selected at least one byte and determine if the decoded at least one byte is a literal or a symbol, an overlap condition, a size of a record from the decoded stream, a length value of the data to be retrieved from the decoded stream, and an offset value for the decoded data, and a token format converter to convert the decoded data and data from source and destination offset base registers into a fixed-length token. |
| US09614540B1 |
Asynchronously clocked successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter
The exemplary embodiments relate to an asynchronously clocked successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) configured to provide a digital approximation of a sampled input signal as a result of an asynchronous successive approximation operation. The converter includes a regulation circuit configured to determine whether the asynchronous successive approximation operation was performed within a predefined conversion time and to regulate the SAR ADC such that the conversion time of the asynchronous operation is shifted towards the predefined conversion time. The embodiments further relate to a corresponding method and a corresponding design structure. |
| US09614538B1 |
Analog-to-digital conversion based on signal prediction
Methods and apparatuses are described for performing adaptive analog-to-digital conversion and time-to-delay conversion by using signal prediction to adjust reference voltages of adjustable comparators. |
| US09614536B2 |
Phase locked loop with lock detector
A phase locked loop is disclosed comprising: a phase detector, loop filter and a frequency controlled oscillator. The phase detector is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal. The loop filter is configured to perform a filtering operation on a signal derived from the phase difference and to provide a control signal. The frequency controlled oscillator is configured to receive the control signal and provide an output signal with a frequency that varies according to the control signal. The phase locked loop further comprises a lock detector, including: a phase lock detector configured to receive a first signal from the phase locked loop, and to derive a phase lock signal from the first signal; a frequency lock detector configured to receive a second signal from the phase locked loop, and to derive a frequency lock signal from the second signal. An unlock detector may be provided, configured to determine whether the first signal has changed by a predetermined amount during a predetermined period. |
| US09614534B1 |
Digital delay-locked loop and locking method thereof
The digital delay-locked loop includes: a frequency divider, used to perform frequency division processing on a first clock-signal according to frequency division information, and output a second clock-signal; a signal-selector, used to select the first or second clock-signal as a third clock-signal according to the selection signal output; a delay line, used to delay the third clock-signal according to the delay control signal, and output a fourth clock-signal; a phase detector, used to receive the third and fourth clock-signals, perform phase detection processing, and output a phase detection judgment signal; and a state machine connected with the frequency divider, signal-selector, delay line and phase detector, used to adjust and control the frequency division information, the selection signal and the delay control signal output according to the phase detection judgment signal and a set state logic, to achieve that delay time of the fourth clock-signal relative to the first clock-signal. |
| US09614530B2 |
Fast fall and rise time current mode logic buffer
A current mode logic buffer includes a differential pair of input transistors comprising a first input transistor and a second input transistor, a first output load resistor coupled in series with the first input transistor, a second output load resistor coupled in series with the second input transistor, a first output at a first node between the first output load resistor and the first input transistor, a second output at a second node between the second output load resistor and the second input transistor, a first hold capacitor configured to provide a semi-constant voltage source to the first output via a first low-resistance path, and a second hold capacitor configured to provide a semi-constant voltage source to the second output via a second low-resistance path. |
| US09614528B2 |
Reference buffer circuits including a non-linear feedback factor
In an embodiment, an apparatus may include an amplifier circuit including a first input to receive a signal, a second input to receive a feedback signal, and an output. The apparatus may further include a buffer circuit including an input coupled to the output of the amplifier and including an output coupled to an output node. The apparatus may also include a feedback circuit coupled between the output node and the second input of the amplifier circuit. The feedback circuit may include at least one non-linear resistor configured to define a feedback ratio that changes in response to a voltage at the output node. |
| US09614526B1 |
Power-domain assignment
Example apparatus for power-domain assignment, having: a first bus-to-switch interface; a second bus-to-switch interface; a first power-domain bus, coupled to the first bus-to-switch interface; a second power-domain bus, coupled to the second bus-to-switch interface. A set of I/O signal level shifters, coupled between the first and second power-domain buses; a switch including, a set of IP block power coupling outputs; a set of IP block I/O signal paths; and a selection signal input. The switch is coupled to the first and second bus-to-switch interfaces. Wherein, in response to receiving a first signal on the selection signal input, the switch is configure to couple the first power-domain bus to the set of IP block power coupling outputs; and wherein, in response to receiving a second signal on the selection signal input, the switch is configure to couple the second power-domain bus to the set of IP block power coupling outputs. |
| US09614520B2 |
Semiconductor switch
A semiconductor switch includes a plurality of metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) and a pad. The MOSFETs are connected in series between a first node and a second node. The pad is provided above one or more of MOSFETs in the plurality without being provided above other MOSFETs in the plurality. The pad is connected to the first node. A value of an off capacitance (as determined without inclusion of any parasitic capacitance between the pad and the MOSFET) for each the MOSFETs under the pad is smaller than a value of an off capacitance of each of MOSFETs not under than the pad. |
| US09614518B2 |
Control of reverse-conducting IGBT
Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a reverse-conducting IGBT (RC-IGBT) are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a circuit comprising a series connection of controllable switch components where at least one of the controllable switch components is an RC-IGBT. The circuit is operated by applying a pre-trigger pulse to the gate electrode of the RC-IGBT during reverse conduction of the RC-IGBT at a first time instant, the pre-trigger pulse corresponding to a turn-on gate pulse. Next, a turn-on gate pulse is applied at a second time instant to the other controllable switch component of the series connection for controlling the other controllable switch component to a conductive state such that the pre-trigger pulse and the turn-on gate pulse overlap, and ending the pre-trigger pulse after a delay time at the third time instant. The delay time is the time period when the turn-on gate pulse and the pre-trigger pulse overlap. |
| US09614516B2 |
Devices for shielding a signal line over an active region
A multi-path transistor includes an active region including a channel region and an impurity region. A gate is dielectrically separated from the channel region. A signal line is dielectrically separated from the impurity region. A conductive shield is disposed between, and dielectrically separated from, the signal line and the channel region. In some multi-path transistors, the channel region includes an extension-channel region under the conductive shield and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being in the extension-channel region to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. In other multi-path transistors, the conductive shield is operably coupled to the impurity region and the multi-path transistor includes different conduction paths, at least one of the different conduction paths being under the conductive shield to conduct substantially independent of a voltage on the signal line. |
| US09614515B2 |
Electrical dual control switch device and the method controlling thereof
The present invention disclosed an electrical dual control switch device and the method of controlling thereof. By applying two electrical switches with connection method of conventional mechanical type dual control switch device. The operating status of the electrical switch could be detected by the AC waveform of the power transmission line of the other electrical switch. Therefore, the objection of electrical controlling the loading device will be realized. The loading device could be remotely control and the usage of the power could also effectively calculate. Further the present invention could also protected against overload, work with touch device and sets a timer for automatically shut down the power. |
| US09614513B2 |
Vibration generation apparatus
In a gyro sensor, a TDC detects a magnitude of vibration of a vibrator. A drive circuit (excluding the TDC) determines a duty ratio of a PWM drive signal in accordance with the magnitude of vibration so that the magnitude of vibration becomes a predetermined magnitude and outputs the PWM drive signal having the determined duty ratio. The drive circuit (excluding the TDC) includes a control circuit and a DCO. The control circuit measures time corresponding to the control value by using a gate delay time, generates the PWM drive signal having a pulse width corresponding to the control value and outputs the PWM drive signal. |
| US09614510B2 |
Input path matching in pipelined continuous-time analog-to-digital converters
System and methods for input path matching in pipelined continuous-time Analog-to Digital Converters (ADCs), including pipelined Continuous-Time Delta Sigma Modulator (CTDSM) based ADCs, includes an input delay circuit disposed in a continuous-time input path from an input of an analog input signal to a first summing circuit of the continuous-time ADC. At least one digital delay line is disposed between an output of an earlier stage sub-ADC (of a plurality of pipelined sub-ADCs) and a sub-digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that is coupled to the first summing circuit, and between the earlier stage sub-ADC and a digital noise cancellation filter. The digital delay line(s) is configured to enable calibration of delay of output of the earlier stage sub-ADC provided to the sub-DAC and the digital noise cancellation filter in accordance with process variations of the input delay match circuit to minimize residue output at first summing circuit. |
| US09614506B1 |
Digital pre-compensation for voltage slewing in a power converter
Control logic for producing a digital input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) in a power converter system. The control logic selects from among a plurality of slew rates during a transition of an output voltage in response to a change in the desired setpoint, so that the output voltage transition follows a desired nominal slew rate. In an initial interval of the transition, a steeper slew rate than the nominal slew rate is selected by the control logic for the digital input to the DAC, until the digital input to the DAC exceeds the nominal slew rate by a first parameter value. At that point, a slew clamp is applied to advance the digital input at the nominal slew rate. Upon the digital input approaching the setpoint value to within a second parameter value, a flatter slew rate than nominal is applied. |
| US09614505B1 |
Differential driving circuit including asymmetry compensation circuit
A differential driving circuit according to embodiments of the inventive may include a first driver drives a first pad to a first voltage according to a first driving signal, a second driver drives a second pad to a second voltage according to a second driving signal, a first and second capacitors for receiving a first and second voltage changes of the first and the second pad at one end thereof respectively to transmit the first and the second voltage change to the other end thereof respectively in a transition interval in which voltages of the first and second pads are changed, transition interval voltage adder circuit adds voltages respectively transmitted thereto through the first and second capacitors, and a transition interval asymmetry compensation circuit adjusts a slope of at least one of the first and second driving signals according to the added voltage. |
| US09614504B2 |
Electronic device and clock control method thereof
A user terminal device and a display method thereof are provided. A method for controlling a clock according to an exemplary embodiment includes generating a clock, generating a comparison clock corresponding to a frequency of an external alternating current (AC) power source, counting a number of clock cycles according to the comparison clock, and controlling a generation period of the clock according to the counted number of clock cycles. |
| US09614502B2 |
Accurate sample latch offset compensation scheme
A receiver according to one aspect comprises a latch configured to sample a data signal according to a sampling clock signal, and a plurality of offset-compensation segments, wherein each of the segments is coupled to an internal node of the latch. Each of the segments comprises a compensation transistor, and a step-adjustment transistor coupled in series with the compensation transistor. The receiver further comprises an offset controller configured to selectively turn on one or more of the compensations transistors to reduce an offset voltage of the latch, and a bias circuit configured to apply a bias voltage to a gate of each of one or more of the step-adjustment transistors. |
| US09614500B2 |
Electronic circuit, electronic apparatus, and method for eliminating metastability
An electronic circuit includes a clock control unit having a first input for receiving a first clock signal, a second input for receiving a second clock signal, a first clock output, and a second clock output, a first flip-flop having a first data input, a first clock input connected to the first clock output, and a first output, and a second flip-flop having a second data input, a second clock input connected to the second clock output, and a second data input connected to the first output of the first flip-flop. The clock control unit provides the first clock signal to the first clock input of the first flip-flop through the first clock output and the second clock signal to the clock input of the second flip-flop through the second clock output terminal in a sequential order. |
| US09614497B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for adjusting impedance of output circuit
An impedance adjustment circuit includes a counter circuit outputting a count value thereof as a plurality of first impedance adjustment signals, a mode selection circuit setting a second impedance adjustment signal to be in an active/inactive state irrespective of the count value, and a level fixing circuit fixing a third impedance adjustment signal to be in an active state. A pre-stage circuit generates a plurality of first output control signals, a second output control signal, and a third output control signal in response to the first impedance adjustment signals, the second impedance adjustment signal, and the third impedance adjustment signal, respectively, and a data signal. An output circuit includes a plurality of first transistors, a second transistor, and a third transistor connected in parallel to each other between an output terminal and a first power supply wiring. Control terminals of the first transistors, the second transistor, and the third transistor receive the first output control signals, the second output control signal, and the third output control signal, respectively. |
| US09614496B1 |
Filter circuits with emitter follower transistors and servo loops
Filter circuits with emitter follower transistors and servo loops, and associated methods and apparatuses, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a filter circuit may include: a resistor-capacitor network having an input to receive an input signal; an emitter follower transistor, coupled to the resistor-capacitor network, wherein the filter circuit has an output to provide an output signal from the emitter of the emitter follower transistor; a current source to provide a constant reference current; and a current-buffering servo loop circuit, coupled to the emitter follower transistor and the current source, including a current buffer and a controlled current sink to maintain the collector current and the emitter current of the emitter follower transistor equal to the constant reference current. |
| US09614488B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for processing information, and program
An information processing apparatus includes an audio processing unit that performs a predetermined process for an input audio signal, and a power saving control unit that allows the audio processing unit to transition into a power saving state, depending on the length of a silence section in the audio signal. |
| US09614487B2 |
Wireless communicatoin method and apparatus for reducing reception error by performing automatic gain control (AGC) based on a comparison between the received signal and a reference value
A receiving apparatus includes a variable gain unit to change between a first gain and a smaller second gain, and to amplify a received signal to obtain an amplified signal; a comparator to compare a power of the amplified signal with a reference value; and a controller to set a gain to the first gain while in a standby state, to reset a gain to a third gain between the first and second gains if in a standby state the power of the received signal is larger than the reference value, and then to set a gain to the first gain and return to the standby state if the power is equal to or lower than the reference value, or if not, to a fourth gain between the first and third gains. |
| US09614484B2 |
Systems and methods of RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including control functions to transition an output of a MISO device
Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for control of a multiple-input-single output (MISO) device. For example, the method includes partitioning a waveform constellation space into a plurality of regions, where each region of the plurality of regions is associated with one or more control functions of the MISO device. The method also includes transitioning the MISO device between a plurality of classes of operation based on the one or more control functions. |
| US09614478B2 |
Systems and methods for providing modulation of switchmode RF power amplifiers
Systems and methods are provided for generating an amplitude modulation signal to a switchmode power amplifier. A DC to DC switch is configured to receive a DC input voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. A low dropout regulator is configured to provide the amplitude modulation signal according to a modulation control signal received by the low dropout regulator. A control circuit is configured to establish a nominal operating power level for the power amplifier via the amplitude modulation signal and to maintain a minimum voltage difference between the DC output voltage and the low dropout regulator output. A modulator control circuit is configured to provide the modulation control signal to the low dropout regulator. The modulator control circuit provides the transition from a high amplitude to a low amplitude and a transition from the low amplitude to the high amplitude at configurable first and second slopes, respectively. |
| US09614477B1 |
Envelope tracking supply modulators for multiple power amplifiers
The present disclosure is directed to an envelope tracking supply modulator for multiple PAs. The envelope tracking supply modulator is configured to provide, for each of the multiple PAs, a separate supply voltage that is modulated based on the envelope of the respective RF input signal to the PA. Each of the modulated supply voltages is constructed from a DC component and an alternating current (AC) component. The DC component for each modulated supply voltage is generated by a main switching regulator that is shared by the multiple PAs. In one embodiment, the AC component for each modulated supply voltage is generated by an auxiliary switching regulator that is shared by the multiple PAs and a separate linear regulator for each of the multiple PAs. In another embodiment, the AC component for each modulated supply voltage is generated by a separate buffer. |
| US09614469B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling electric vehicle
An apparatus and method for controlling an electric vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a battery that is configured to charge electrical energy and a motor that is configured to generate a driving torque from electrical energy charged in the battery. A controller is configured to determine a driving range of the vehicle, perform maximum efficiency control in which efficiency of the motor is maximized when the driving range of the vehicle is a main driving range, and perform minimum torque ripple control in which torque ripple of the motor is minimized when the driving range of the vehicle is a supplementary driving range. |
| US09614465B2 |
Electric motor clamping system
An electric motor system having a power supply, an electric motor connected to the power supply, an object driven by the motor having a range of motion and a substantially neutral position within the range of motion, a power sensor configured to sense power from the power supply, a position sensor configured to sense position of the object in at least a portion of the range of motion, an energy storage, a controller connected to the power supply and the energy storage, wherein the controller is configured to brake the motor as a function of the position sensor, the neutral position and the power sensor. |
| US09614463B2 |
Piezoelectric device, piezoelectric actuator, hard disk drive, and inkjet printer apparatus
A piezoelectric device is provided with a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric layer exhibiting a polarizability γ smaller than 1×10−9 (C/(V·m)) in the case where an electric field is applied until polarization is saturated and a circuit having a means to set a minimum value of a drive electric field to become larger than a positive coercive electric field of the above-described piezoelectric layer and a means to set a maximum value of the above-described drive electric field to become smaller than (Pm′(maximum value of polarization)−Pr′(quasi-remanent polarization))/(1×10−9) and, therefore, an object is to drive the piezoelectric element in an electric field range in which maximum piezoelectric characteristics are obtained, improve the characteristics of the piezoelectric device, and enhance the reliability. |
| US09614461B2 |
Bidirectional high frequency variable speed drive for CHP (combined heating and power) and flywheel applications
The present invention provides a bidirectional high frequency speed drive configured to connect to a utility grid and an electrical machine. The bidirectional high frequency variable speed drive comprises a plurality of inductors each configured to connect to respective phase outputs of the electrical machine, a first plurality of power switches connected to the plurality of inductors, a second plurality of power switches connected to the plurality of inductors, and a controller connected to the first and second plurality of power switches. The controller can generate control signals based on an operating status and a predetermined operating status of the electrical machine. The first output of the first plurality of power switches can be interleaved to a second output of the second plurality of power switches. The present invention also provides methods for the bidirectional high frequency speed drive and apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention. |
| US09614457B2 |
Modular thyristor-based rectifier circuits
Power conversion apparatus for controllably converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). An example apparatus includes multiple AC sources, galvanically isolated from one another, and multiple bridge rectifier circuits, including one or more controllable bridge rectifier circuits, where each bridge rectifier circuit has respective AC-side terminals and DC-side terminals and each bridge rectifier circuit is connected to a corresponding one of the AC sources via its AC-side terminals. The DC-side terminals are connected so that the outputs of the bridge rectifier circuits are combined in series. A control circuit is configured to individually control each controllable bridge rectifier circuit to selectively operate in a regulator mode, whereby a non-zero voltage less than or equal to the maximum rectifier voltage is provided, and a bypass mode, whereby the controllable bridge rectifier circuit provides a negligible voltage to its DC-side terminals and draws negligible current from its corresponding AC source. |
| US09614445B2 |
Systems and methods for high precision and/or low loss regulation of output currents of power conversion systems
Systems and methods are provided for signal processing. An example error amplifier for processing a reference signal and an input signal associated with a current of a power conversion system includes a first operational amplifier, a second operational amplifier, a first transistor, a second transistor, a current mirror component, a switch, a first resistor and a second resistor. The first operational amplifier includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal and a first output terminal, the first input terminal being configured to receive a reference signal. The first transistor includes a first transistor terminal, a second transistor terminal and a third transistor terminal, the first transistor terminal being configured to receive a first amplified signal from the first output terminal, the third transistor terminal being coupled to the second input terminal. |
| US09614441B2 |
DC-DC converter and organic light emitting display device including the same
a DC-DC converter, including a conversion unit configured to convert a battery voltage input to an input terminal of the DC-DC converter into a first voltage, and to output the first voltage to an output terminal of the DC-DC converter, a feedback voltage generation unit configured to generate a feedback voltage by dividing the first voltage, an error amplifier (AMP) configured to supply, to a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, an error signal indicating a voltage difference between the feedback voltage and a reference voltage, the PWM control circuit being configured to control the conversion unit, corresponding to the error signal, thereby changing the first voltage, and a reference voltage supply unit configured to supply the reference voltage to the error AMP, and to change the reference voltage. |
| US09614440B2 |
Power supply device and semiconductor integrated circuit device
A power supply device includes a linear regulator including an output stage amplifier, a current sensing circuit, and a switching regulator. The current sensing circuit detects an output current of the linear regulator, and is disposed in parallel with the output stage amplifier, in a configuration corresponding to the output stage amplifier. The switching regulator operates in accordance with an output signal of the current sensing circuit. The linear regulator and the switching regulator operate in collaboration with each other to generate an output voltage at an output node. |
| US09614435B1 |
Power optimization device for energy harvesting apparatus and method thereof
A power optimization device and method thereof for energy harvesting apparatus are disclosed. The power optimization device includes a charge pump, a voltage comparator, an output switch, a counter and a frequency control module. By detecting the voltage outputted from the power optimization device under various operating frequencies to obtain a calculation result and increase or decrease an operating frequency of the charge pump according to the calculation result, so as to dynamically adjust the operating frequency to optimize the power outputted from the power optimization device according to the voltage outputted from the energy harvesting apparatus to an electricity storage unit and energy loss caused by the change of the operating frequency. |
| US09614430B2 |
Inverting apparatus and AC power system using the same
An inverting apparatus and an AC power system are provided. The inverting apparatus includes an inverting circuit, a detection circuit, and a control circuit. The inverting circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts the DC input voltage into an AC output voltage. The detection circuit samples the AC output voltage and compares the sampled AC output voltage respectively with a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage so as to generate a first indication signal and a second indication signal. The control circuit controls the operation of the inverting circuit. The control circuit determines whether the amplitude of the AC output voltage is located within an operating voltage range during each driving cycles according to the first and the second indication signals, and decides whether to enable an overvoltage protection or an undervoltage protection to control the power conversion of the inverting circuit according to the determination results. |
| US09614429B2 |
System for converting AC electrical power to DC electrical power and methods
A system includes a first DC rail and a second DC rail, and a rectifier coupled with the first and second DC rails. A multilevel converter is also coupled with the DC rails and operable to limit input current harmonics to the rectifier. Differences between voltage phase and current phase in AC electrical power supplied to the system are compensated via closed loop control of a voltage output of the multilevel converter. |
| US09614425B2 |
Fast-response horizontal vibration micro motor
A fast-response horizontal vibration micro motor that includes a housing, a cover plate, a vibration assembly and coils. The cover plate is installed on the housing; the vibration assembly is suspended in the installation space; the coils are located at positions a certain distance above the vibration assembly; the vibration assembly can perform reciprocating vibration in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the housing, and also enables the two elastic supporting members located on the two opposite sidewalls to be correspondingly stretched and compressed during vibration; the vibration assembly includes a vibration block, and the vibration block is provided with at least three installation through holes and permanent magnets installed in the installation through holes. The arrangement of the three permanent magnets increases the response speed of the motor, and the arrangement of the two serially-connected coils also increases the response speed of the motor. |
| US09614424B2 |
Linear drive and piston pump arrangement
A linear drive, in particular for a piston pump, includes a first electromagnetic drive device, a second electromagnetic drive device, and a drive piston configured to be moved in an axial direction by the drive devices. The first drive device and the second drive device are each in the form of a reluctance drive device. The reluctance drive devices each have a stator with a stator coil that engages around the drive piston in a circumferential direction. The reluctance drive devices each also have a coil core with a coil receptacle, open in a radial direction toward the drive piston, for the coil winding. A piston pump arrangement includes the linear drive. |
| US09614422B2 |
Electric motor apparatus and method for assembling the same
In an electric motor apparatus including an electric motor (13), a speed-reduction mechanism (14) which transmits motive power of the electric motor (13), a housing (15) which accommodates the speed-reduction mechanism (14) and the electric motor (13), and a yoke (16a) fixed to an outer portion of the housing (15), the housing (15) is provided with a concave portion (21), a holding hole (18a), and an accommodation chamber (15a). A connector unit (25) is moved along the first direction and installed to a concave portion (21). A brush holder (26) is moved along the second direction and installed to the holding hole (18a). The speed-reduction mechanism (14) is moved along the first direction and accommodated in the accommodation chamber (15a). The yoke (16a) is moved along the second direction and fixed to the housing (15). Therefore, no restriction is imposed on the routing of an external connector connected to the connector unit (25). |
| US09614419B2 |
Actuator
An actuator includes a DC motor having two terminals to be fed with DC power, an output gear driven by the DC motor, a potentiometer having an arc resistive element with two ends and an electrically conductive wiper that moves along the resistive element, and two diodes. The wiper rotates with the output gear to provide a signal indicative of the rotational position of the output gear. The anodes of the two diodes are both electrically connected to one end of the resistive element, and the cathodes of the two diodes are electrically connected to the two terminals of the motor respectively. |
| US09614413B2 |
Actuating drive with electric motor and gearing thereof
An actuating drive includes an electric motor and a gearing arranged in a housing which is open on one side and which is closed by a cover. The electric motor is mounted in a recess bulge of the housing which is substantially sealed off from the gearing. The configuration provides a precise positioning of the electric motor relative to a first axle, wherein a first gear of the gearing is assigned to the same and wherein the actuating drive can be manufactured more simply and more cost-effectively than was previously possible. This is achieved in that the electric motor is attached indirectly to the housing by means of an accordingly shaped metal sheet, and is positioned in a predetermined location with no radial or axial play. |
| US09614405B2 |
Wiring structure of stator coil
Electrical insulation properties of winding start ends or terminal ends of insulating coating electric wires of coils wound around polar teeth of a stator core are improved, and creeping and spatial distances for electrical insulation are secured. Wall portions which project toward an interior of a radial direction or an exterior of an axial direction of a stator core and which have electrical insulation properties are formed in an inner peripheral portion of the stator core of a motor, groove portions are formed in the wall portions and winding start ends or terminal ends of insulating coating electric wires of coils are arranged in the groove portions. |
| US09614394B2 |
Vehicle-mounted charging device, and vehicle mounted with same
A vehicle-mounted charging device which begins to charge at an appropriate timing when driving a vehicle. A driver sets the travel distance at which charging begins while charging coil (10) and charging coil (13) are magnetically coupled, then a charge control unit (12) drives a drive circuit (11) once the travel distance of the vehicle becomes equal to or greater than the set value. The drive circuit (11) excites charging coil (10) and supplies power from charging coil (10) by changing the magnetic flux generated by charging coil (10). As a consequence, a portable device (7) begins to be charged. |
| US09614393B2 |
Charging device for biological information measurement device and biological information measurement device charged using same
The present invention has a main body case having a contact face of a biological information measurement device on its surface, and a first non-contact charging portion (7) composed of a charging coil disposed opposite the contact face with the biological information measurement device inside the main body case. In addition, it has a controller (8) that is connected to the first non-contact charging portion (7), and a display section (5) that is connected to the controller (8). Upon completion of the charging of the biological information measurement device via the first non-contact charging portion (7), the controller (8) connected to the display section (5) displays on the display section (5) that the biological information measurement device will be incapable of measurement for a specific length of time. |
| US09614392B2 |
Wireless power transmission apparatus and method
A wireless power transmission apparatus for tracking a charging capacity of each of a plurality of wireless power reception apparatuses in an environment in which the plurality of wireless power reception apparatuses are charged includes a communication unit configured to receive information about either one or both of a charging support power and a requested power from each of the plurality of wireless power reception apparatuses, a controller configured to determine a charging capacity for a wireless power reception apparatus supporting the charging support power among the plurality of wireless power reception apparatuses based on the information about the charging support power, and a power tracker configured to re-track the determined charging capacity based on charging status information received from the plurality of wireless power reception apparatuses. |
| US09614391B2 |
Active charge equilibrium system for lithium battery pack
An active charge equilibrium system for lithium battery pack consists a lithium battery pack composed of connecting multiple cells in series, including a multiplex module, control module and multiple equilibrium control module, which each segment of the cells are connected to the multiplex module in sequence, a voltage signal is converted into a digital signal via the control module to compare the voltages of the cells and select the cell with lower voltage. Further, the control module enables the equilibrium control module corresponding to the cell with the lower voltage to work. A pulse width modulator adjusts the output pulse width according to output current and voltage signal from a signal feedback module for controlling current and voltage to charge the cell. As the voltage of the cell reaches a constant current first and a constant voltage second, the control module turns off said equilibrium control module. |
| US09614388B2 |
Output stage of a charging device, including a transformer, rectifier, converter, capacitor, storage device and a use thereof
An output stage of a charging device includes a first secondary winding of a transformer, a first rectifier which is connected to the first secondary winding, a step-down controller which is connected to the output of the first rectifier, and a first output capacitor. In order to be able to reduce the switching losses in the switch of the step-down controller and to reduce the magnitudes of the inductance, the transformer includes a second secondary winding to which a second rectifier) together with a second output capacitor are connected, wherein the first and second output capacitors are connected in series. |
| US09614386B2 |
Method and apparatus for power switching
Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit. The circuit includes a switch and a switch controller. The switch is between a first node that receives a first power supply and a second node, and is controlled to couple/decouple the second node with the first node to switch on/off a second power supply at the second node. The switch controller is configured to generate a switch control signal to control a charging current flowing through the switch to switch on the second power supply. |
| US09614384B2 |
Stylus charging case
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable charging case that can serve as both a charging base and a protective carrying case for a rechargeable stylus. The portable charging case can enable a quick connect and release of the stylus using magnetic force for magnetic engagement of the stylus to the charging base. The charging base may include a logic board that dynamically changes the polarity of the charge coming in through the charging base charging contacts. Such a dynamic change of polarity can recharge the stylus irrespective of the polarity alignment between the stylus charging terminals and the charging base charging contacts. |
| US09614383B2 |
Self-discharge for high voltage battery packs
A system and method for providing energy management and maintenance of a high energy battery pack through use self-discharge features and processes. A battery pack is configured with self-discharger enabled-components that selectively discharge energy from the battery pack without the battery pack providing operational power. |
| US09614382B2 |
Short-circuit protection device
A short-circuit protection device for limiting a battery current of a battery strand having at least one battery cell and for guiding an output current to a consumer network via a first network terminal and a second network terminal connected to the short-circuit protection device, the short-circuit protection device compring: a first switching element configured to interrupt the battery current to limit the output current; at least one current detection means; a comparison arrangement configured to compare the output current with a predefined target value; at least one inductor arranged series with the switching element; an inductor current regulation arrangement configured to actuate the switching element; and a first bridge device configured to bridge at least one battery cell of the battery strand and limit the predefined target value to a predefined maximum value of a short-circuit current. |
| US09614381B2 |
System for performing recharging and data communication
A system is provided for performing recharging and data communication. The system includes a terminal and a connection device that connects the terminal and an external device, and that selectively provides the terminal with a recharging function, a data communication function, and a recharging and data communication function, according to a type of the connected external device. The terminal determines the type of the connected external device based on a voltage received from the connection device, when the terminal is connected to the connection device, and selectively operates in a recharging mode, a data communication mode, and a recharging and data communication mode based on the type of the connected external device. |
| US09614380B2 |
Hysteretic current mode buck-boost control architecture
A hysteretic current mode buck-boost voltage regulator including a buck-boost voltage converter, a switching controller, a window circuit, a ramp circuit, and a timing circuit. The timing circuit may be additional ramp circuits. The voltage converter is toggled between first and second switching states during a boost mode, is toggled between third and fourth switching states during a buck mode, and is sequentially cycled through each switching state during a buck-boost mode. The ramp circuit develops a ramp voltage that simulates current through the voltage converter, and switching is determined using the ramp voltage compared with window voltages provided by the window circuit. The window voltages establish frequency, and may be adjusted based on the input and output voltages. The timing circuit provides timing indications during the buck-boost mode to ensure that the second and fourth switching states have approximately the same duration to provide symmetry of the ramp signal. |
| US09614376B2 |
Systems, apparatus, and methods for quantifying power losses due to induction heating in wireless power receivers
Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting power losses due to induction heating in wireless power receivers. In one aspect, an apparatus for wireless power transfer comprises a power transfer component configured to transmit wireless power to a wireless power receiver at a power level sufficient to charge or power a load. The apparatus further comprises a communications receiver configured to receive a message from the wireless power receiver, the message comprising a group identifier. The apparatus further comprises a controller circuit operationally coupled to the power transfer component and the communications receiver and configured to determine a power loss value based on the group identifier, the power loss value indicative of power loss due to induction heating presented by one or more wireless power receivers that are members of a group associated with the group identifier. |
| US09614373B2 |
Modular implementation of correlative consumption management systems
Modular consumption management systems provide benefits of adaptability, customization, and progressive investment to electrical utility customers, particularly those with loads and electrical systems capable of curtailment and mitigation. Providing modules based on measurements made and consumption patterns detected in load profiles of individual loads and the site as a whole is described. Control and mitigation capabilities and methods are described in conjunction with identifying correlative modules that will best serve the needs of the site being monitored by a measurement module. Combined measurement and control modules or control and mitigation modules are also described, as well as interchangeable modules that can be put in place when excess consumption patterns at the site change over time. |
| US09614365B2 |
Method and system to prevent bus voltage sagging when an oring-FET in an N+1 redundant power supply configuration is faulty during power up
A system and method for preventing bus voltage sagging when an Oring-FET in an N+1 redundant power supply configuration is faulty during power up. Each redundant power supply includes an Oring-FET and a voltage comparator. The voltage comparator receives and compares an input voltage and an output voltage of the Oring-FET during power up. In the event input voltage is less than the output voltage, the Oring-FET is deemed to be operating properly and provides output to a communicatively coupled system bus in response to the input voltage reaching a predetermined voltage threshold level. In the event the input voltage is approximately equal to the output voltage, the voltage comparator assists in preventing inrush current from flowing from the communicatively coupled system bus and prevents voltage sagging on the communicatively coupled system bus when another redundant power supply configuration is providing power to the communicatively coupled system bus. |
| US09614360B2 |
Lightning protection device and method of producing same
A lightning protection device for placing on a structure for protecting, and including a first coating including at least one layer of conductive paint; and a second coating deposited on the surface coating and including a material that is thermally insulating and electrically conductive. |
| US09614358B2 |
Cable connector and electrical box assembly
A cable connector is provided for coupling to and mounted within the internal cavity of an electrical box for securing an electrical cable passing through an opening in the electrical box. The cable connector includes a body having a first end positioned next to or adjacent the cable opening in the electrical box and a second end spaced from the first end and the cable opening. At least one and typically two retaining members are spring biased from the first end of the body and extend into a cable passage of the body toward the second end. A front wall is provided at the second end of the body with an opening for receiving the wires and forming a stop member to prevent the armor sheathing from passing through the front wall. |
| US09614353B2 |
Spark plug
A spark plug comprises a ground electrode including a chip whose one end has a cylinder shape having a diameter A from 0.8 to 1.2 mm and whose main component is a noble metal, and an electrode base material. In the ground electrode, a portion of the other end of the chip is joined to the electrode base material through a fused portion. The spark plug also comprises a chip-and-base-material interface in which the chip and the electrode base material contact each other and which is surrounded by the fused portion. In a cross section passing through a center axis, a distance between an end point Pa7 located on the chip-and-base-material interface and an end point Pa5 located on an interface between the chip and the fused portion is equal to or greater than 0.7 times the diameter A. |
| US09614352B2 |
Laser element and laser device
The coordinates of an unit configuration region R11 is (X1, Y1), and the coordinates of an unit configuration region Rmn is (Xm, Yn) (m and n are natural numbers). Rotation angles φ with respect to a center of apexes of an isosceles triangle are different according to coordinates, and at least three different rotation angles φ are contained in all of the photonic crystal layer. |
| US09614350B2 |
Semiconductor laser element and near-field light output device using same
A semiconductor laser element is provided with: a substrate formed of a semiconductor; a semiconductor laminated film, which is laminated on the substrate, and which includes an active layer; a first electrode and a second electrode, which are provided on surfaces parallel to the active layer on the side where the semiconductor laminated film is formed on the substrate; and a facet protection film that is provided on both the facets, which are perpendicular to the active layer, and which face each other. In the semiconductor laser element, the facet is used as a fixing surface for the semiconductor laser element, said facet having the facet protection film formed thereon. |
| US09614349B2 |
Method for switching output wavelength of tunable wavelength laser, method for switching wavelength of tunable wavelength laser, and tunable wavelength laser device
A method for switching a wavelength of a tunable wavelength laser, which is provided with a temperature control device for an etalon and a wavelength detecting section for identifying a wavelength of the laser by a front/back ratio of the etalon, the wavelength of the laser being set in a target wavelength on the basis of a detection result of the wavelength detecting section, and the method comprises: driving the laser at a first wavelength; suppressing output of light of the laser in response to a command indicating an optical output at a second wavelength; starting control of the temperature control device towards a second etalon temperature corresponding to the second wavelength; and before the etalon reaches the second etalon temperature, detecting that the etalon reaches a temperature range corresponding to an allowable wavelength range corresponding to the second wavelength, and cancelling the suppression of light in response thereto. |
| US09614344B2 |
Fiber-based output couplers for wavelength beam combining laser systems
In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate optical fibers and partially reflective output couplers or partially reflective interfaces or surfaces utilized to establish external lasing cavities. |
| US09614343B2 |
Device for amplifying a laser pulse having improved temporal contrast
A device for amplifying a multi-wavelength pulsed laser beam is provided, which comprises: a solid amplifying medium with two planer faces, a front face and a reflecting rear face; and a device for cooling the amplifying medium by the rear face. The front face of the amplifying medium is tilted relative to its rear face by a first non-zero tilt and the device further comprises a trapezoidal prism, with an input face and an output face which form between them a second non-zero tilt, the first and second tilts being such that the beams of each wavelength are parallel to one another at the output of the prism. |
| US09614339B2 |
Current diverter ring
The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the current diverter is substantially arc shaped with a plurality of radial channels extending there through. A conductive assembly may be positioned in each radial channel such that a contact portion of the conductive assembly is positioned adjacent a shaft passing through the center of the current diverter ring. The arc-shaped body may be particularly useful during installation over certain existing shafts. |
| US09614337B2 |
Multiple orientation connectors for medical monitoring systems
A connector for coupling a medical sensor to a medical monitor includes a first pin coupled and a second pin each electrically coupled to a first LED and to a second LED, respectively, of an emitter of the medical sensor. The connector includes a third pin electrically coupled to a cathode and a fourth pin electrically coupled to an anode of a detector of the medical sensor. The first pin and the second pin are arranged to have 180 degree symmetry relative to one another, and the third pin and the fourth pin are arranged to have 180 degree symmetry relative to one another. |
| US09614336B2 |
Pop-up desktop receptacle
A desktop receptacle includes: a housing having a top surface with a receptacle opening formed therein; an electrical receptacle including at least one electrical port and pivotally mounted within the housing adjacent to the receptacle opening, the electrical receptacle having a recessed position where the at least one electrical port is below the top surface of the housing and an exposed position where the at least one electrical port is at least partially exposed above the top surface; and a gas spring connected to the electrical receptacle so as to bias the electrical receptacle toward the exposed position. |
| US09614333B2 |
Electrical receptacle connector
An electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a plurality of first receptacle terminals, a plurality of second receptacle terminals, a recess structure, and a passage structure. The insulated housing is received in the receiving cavity. The first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals are respectively disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the insulated housing. The recess structure and the passage structure are formed at the rear of the insulated housing, so that a sealing member can be filled in the recess structure and the passage structure to cover and shields the rear of the insulated housing. |
| US09614332B2 |
Military vest and quick release buckle with electrical connectors
The present invention relates to a buckle system including a male subassembly and female subassembly that are designed to mate with one another. The male subassembly also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that may mate with an electrical connector within the female subassembly, thus completing a circuit for providing power to an electronic device when the subassemblies are mated. The male subassembly is connected to a cable portion that, when pulled with sufficient force, causes the male subassembly and its PCB to disengage the female subassembly and its electrical connector. The PCB and electrical connector may also be connected within standard side-release male and female subassemblies, respectively, for use in standard side-release buckles. |
| US09614325B2 |
Blind-mate integrated connector
The present invention provides a blind-mate integrated connector, including: a first installation plate, a mechanical part, and a second installation plate; a first guiding structure and first connection ends of at least two sub-connectors are installed in the mechanical part; the first installation plate is connected to the mechanical part; the second installation plate is disposed with second connection ends matching the first connection ends of the sub-connectors in the mechanical part, and the second installation plate is further disposed with a second guiding structure matching the first guiding structures. By practicing the present invention, multiple sub-connectors may be flexibly integrated without a need to design a dedicated connector mold, thereby achieving cost savings and shortening a development cycle. |
| US09614321B2 |
Magnetic connector
A magnetic connector has a connector body including a magnet, a plurality of connection terminals that are arranged and fixed on the connector body so as to correspond to a plurality of contact patterns of a connection object, and a plurality of attracted members that are formed of magnetic substance, are arranged and fixed on a support member having a sheet-like shape and flexibility so as to correspond to the plurality of contact patterns of the connection object and are, via the connection object on which the plurality of contact patterns are arranged to face the plurality of connection terminals, attracted toward the connector body due to magnetic force whereby the plurality of contact patterns are pressed against the plurality of connection terminals and thereby connected to the plurality of connection terminals. |
| US09614312B2 |
Terminal and electrical connector
A terminal and an electrical connector are provided. The terminal has a tail, an elastic arm, a contact and a front guiding member. The elastic arm is connected to the tail. The contact is positioned at a distal end of the elastic arm. The contact has a front guiding surface extending forwards and downwards. The front guiding member extends forwards from the elastic arm. The front guiding member has a front guiding portion that extends forwards and downwards. An extending direction of the elastic arm and an extending direction of the front guiding member intersected at an angle. The front guiding portion is positioned in front of the front guiding surface of the contact. |
| US09614311B2 |
Arrangement for electrical contacting and plug type connection comprising such an arrangement and method for joining such an arrangement to a counter-arrangement
The invention relates to an arrangement for electrical contacting and a plug type connection comprising such an arrangement. The invention further relates to a method for joining an arrangement for electrical contacting to a counter-arrangement. An object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for electrical contacting, in which the risk of damage is as small as possible. This object is achieved by an arrangement for electrical contacting which comprises a resiliently redirectable contact arm having a contact face and a counter-element which can be displaced parallel with the contact arm, wherein the counter-element is displaced with respect to a start position (A) in a contact position (K) and the contact arm is thereby resiliently redirected transversely relative to the displacement direction (M) of the counter-element. |
| US09614310B2 |
Standing-type electrical receptacle connector
A standing-type electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a plurality of first receptacle terminals, and a plurality of second receptacle terminals. The insulated housing received in the metallic shell is assembled with the first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals. The first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals are respectively held at two sides of the insulated housing along a width direction of the insulated housing, and the length of each of the body portions of the receptacle terminals gradually increases along the width direction of the insulated housing. The tail portions are extending out of the insulated housing and soldered on a circuit board. Accordingly, the standing-type electrical receptacle connector can be assembled to the circuit board in a standing manner. |
| US09614308B2 |
Board-connecting electric connector
A good mating state can be obtained while reducing interference of transmission signals by a simple configuration. A contact portion is provided at a single location on each of mating recessed portions of signal contact members arranged in a multipolar shape, contact portions are provided at a plurality of locations for a mating recessed portion of an integrated power-source contact member, and signal transmission is carried out through the single-location contact portion provided at the single location for each of the mating recessed portions of the signal contact members. As a result, particularly, interference in high-frequency transmission is reduced to obtain good transmission characteristics, while sufficient mating retention force is configured to be obtained by causing the contact portions at the plurality of locations provided on the mating recessed portion of the power-source contact member to be in a state in which the contact portions are in contact with contact portions of a mating counterpart by the plurality of locations. |
| US09614303B2 |
Plug connector housing
Provided is a plug connector housing for protecting a plug connector. The housing has at least one pre-equipped cable outlet for connecting a threaded cable connection and at least one closure for closing the at least one cable outlet. The at least one cable outlet has a thread which forms a screw channel and the plug connector housing has a predetermined breaking point in the transition region to the closure. Also provided is a method for opening a cable outlet of a plug connector housing. |
| US09614302B2 |
Right angle coaxial cable and connector assembly
Coaxial cable-connector assemblies include: a coaxial cable having: an inner conductor having a termination end including a bore; a dielectric layer that overlies the inner conductor; and an outer conductor that overlies the dielectric layer having a termination end; a right angle coaxial connector including: an inner conductor body with a post configured to mate with the inner conductor body of a mating jack, the inner conductor body further including a receptacle that receives the termination end of the inner conductor such that the post is generally perpendicular to the inner conductor; an outer conductor body configured to mate with the outer conductor body of the mating coaxial cable jack and electrically connected with the termination end of the outer conductor; and an expansion member inserted into the bore of the termination end of the inner conductor sized and configured to radially expand the termination end of the inner conductor. |
| US09614299B2 |
Device for attaching and contacting an electrical component and method for manufacturing the device
A device for attaching and contacting an electrical component, e.g., a sensor device, includes: at least two contact points which are electrically contactable via associated busbars, a contact point of the component being connected to the associated busbar via a respective connecting element, which at its respective free first end forms a mounting for the component and establishes the electrical connection to the contact point of the component in the mounting, and which at its respective second end is held on the busbar and is electrically connected thereto. |
| US09614296B2 |
Conductive terminal for electrically connecting a circuit conductor and another connection terminal
A conductive terminal includes: a connection terminal; a cylindrical body; and a contact piece housed in the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a top plate. A pair of holes is opened through the top plate from both sides of a projection of the contact piece. A jig for applying force to the projection can be inserted into the cylindrical body via the pair of holes. The pair of side plates are provided with a catching unit that catches the contact piece, the projection of which is pressed onto the mounting surface to restrain movement thereof. |
| US09614291B2 |
Two-dimensional antenna array, one-dimensional antenna array and single differential feeding antenna
A two-dimensional antenna array has n rows of 1×m one-dimensional array and each one-dimensional array is composed of multiple single differential feeding antennas. Each single differential feeding antenna has a differential feeding structure and a microstrip antenna stripe. A longitudinal length of the microstrip antenna stripe is no longer than one wavelength in a dielectric medium, so the microstrip antenna stripe is not excited to a high-order mode. An angle of inclination of a main beam aligns with the broadside and a width of the main beam is further concentrated at elevation direction. The differential feeding structure can reduce an even mode to enhance an isolation. The one and two-dimensional antenna array is miniature by using the small single differential feeding antennas. Isolation and gain of a dual-antenna system using the two-dimensional or one-dimensional antenna arrays are further enhanced and increased if more feeding antenna arrays are used. |
| US09614289B2 |
Metamaterial
A cell forming a metamaterial, comprises a patch conductor, a conductor layer arranged in parallel with the patch conductor, and a connection conductor configured to electrically connect the patch conductor and the conductor layer. The connection conductor forms a helical electrical path by a plurality of conductor lines and a plurality of vias which connect the conductor lines to the patch conductor and the conductor layer. |
| US09614286B2 |
Dual-band dipole antenna
A dual-band dipole antenna includes a substrate, grounding area, main radiator, grounding point and a feed-in point. The grounding point may be disposed on the substrate. The main radiator may be disposed on the substrate and in the vicinity of the grounding point; the main radiator may comprises a first radiator and a second radiator, wherein the first radiator may be connected to the second radiator, and there may be a groove between the first radiator and the second radiator; besides the size of the main radiator is disproportional to the size of the grounding area. The grounding point may be disposed on the substrate and connected to the grounding area. The feed-in point may be disposed on the substrate and connected to the main radiator; the grounding point may be in the vicinity of the feed-in point. |
| US09614267B1 |
Broadband RF capacitors for coaxial line
Embodiments of a broadband capacitor in a coaxial line are described. A capacitor may be realized in the center conductor of the coaxial line, and this aspect has two different embodiments. One embodiment forms the capacitor between the flat faces of an interrupted inner conductor structure. A second embodiment forms the capacitor between overlapping fingers of the female inner conductor and the male inner conductor, where the fingers can be realized in different ways. In another embodiment, a capacitor is realized in the outer conductor of the coaxial line, between fingers of a female portion of the outer conductor and a male portion of the outer conductor, where the fingers can be realized in different ways. |
| US09614265B2 |
Variable high frequency filter device and assembly
A tunable filter device that changes a central frequency and a bandwidth is provided. The tunable filter device may include a body forming a cavity together with a cover, a resonator attached to or integrally formed on a lower surface of the cavity, a frequency-tuning element including a head and a shaft, the shaft passed through the cover and inserted in the resonator, and a cam disposed on the head to contact the head, wherein an insertion length of the shaft is controlled by the cam. |
| US09614263B2 |
Thermal management systems for energy storage cells having high charge/discharge currents and methods of making and using thereof
Thermal management systems for high energy density batteries, particularly arrays of such batteries, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The system includes one or more thermal conductive microfibrous media with one or more phase change materials dispersed within the microfibrous media and one or more active cooling structures. Energy storage packs or arrays which contain a plurality of energy storage cells and the thermal management system are also described. Further described are thermal or infrared shielding blankets or barriers comprising one or more thermal conductive microfibrous media comprising one or more phase change materials dispersed within the microfibrous media. |
| US09614258B2 |
Power storage device and power storage system
To provide a power storage device, an operation condition of which is easily analyzed. A secondary battery includes a sensor that is a measurement unit, a microcontroller unit that is a determination unit, and a memory that is a memory unit. With the sensor, conditions of the secondary battery such as the remaining battery power, the voltage, the current, and the temperature are measured. The microcontroller unit performs arithmetic processing of the measurement results and determines the operation condition of the secondary battery. Further, the microcontroller unit stores the measurement result in the memory in accordance with the operation condition of the secondary battery. |
| US09614257B2 |
Secondary battery cell, battery pack, and power consumption device
Provided is a secondary battery cell capable of reliably preventing an integrated circuit provided to the secondary battery cell from being removed from the secondary battery cell.A secondary battery cell (20) includes an integrated circuit (IC chip) (50) that stores identification information (for example, identification number (ID number) given to the integrated circuit itself). The integrated circuit (50) includes a wiring abnormality detection circuit. When the integrated circuit (50) is removed from the secondary battery cell (20), the wiring abnormality detection circuit detects a wiring abnormality. |
| US09614256B2 |
Lithium ion battery, integrated circuit and method of manufacturing a lithium ion battery
A lithium ion battery includes a first substrate having a first main surface, and a lid including a conductive cover element, the lid being attached to the first main surface. A cavity is formed between the first substrate and the lid. The battery further includes an electrolyte disposed in the cavity. An anode of the battery includes a component made of a semiconductor material and is formed at the first substrate, and a cathode of the battery is formed at the lid. |
| US09614255B2 |
Acid/alkaline hybrid resonance battery device with damping function
An acid/alkaline hybrid resonance battery device with damping function is formed of a plurality of similar battery cells connected in either series or parallel. Every battery cell includes an acid rechargeable cell unit and an alkaline rechargeable cell unit, which are electrically connected in parallel. The acid rechargeable cell unit includes at least one acid rechargeable cell, and the alkaline rechargeable cell unit includes at least two serially connected alkaline rechargeable cells. The acid rechargeable cell unit has an electric potential and a capacity close to or equal to those of the alkaline rechargeable cell unit, so that a resonance damping effect is produced between the acid rechargeable cell unit and the alkaline rechargeable cell unit. |
| US09614252B2 |
Lithium secondary battery electrolytic solution and secondary battery including said electrolytic solution
A new electrolytic solution system for lithium secondary batteries. Provided is a lithium secondary battery electrolytic solution containing a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt. The nonaqueous solvent is mixed at an amount of not more than 3 mol with respect to 1 mol of the lithium salt. |
| US09614251B2 |
High-performance rechargeable batteries with nanoparticle active materials, photochemically regenerable active materials, and fast solid-state ion conductors
A high-performance rechargeable battery using ultra-fast ion conductors. In one embodiment the rechargeable battery apparatus includes an enclosure, a first electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a second electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a nanomaterial in the enclosure, and a heat transfer unit. |
| US09614250B2 |
Flexible solid state conductors including polymer mixed with protein
Various embodiments of solid-state conductors containing solid polymer electrolytes, electronic devices incorporating the solid-sate conductors, and associated methods of manufacturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a solid-state conductor includes poly(ethylene oxide) having molecules with a molecular weight of about 200 to about 8×106 gram/mol, and a soy protein product mixed with the poly(ethylene oxide), the soy protein product containing glycinin and β-conglycinin and having a fine-stranded network structure. Individual molecules of the poly(ethylene oxide) are entangled in the fine-stranded network structure of the soy protein product, and the poly(ethylene oxide) is at least 50 % amorphous. |
| US09614249B2 |
Separator for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A separator according to the present disclosure is a separator for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that includes a porous layer that contains cellulose fibers and resin particles. The ratio of the amount of the resin particles to the total amount of the cellulose fibers and the resin particles increases with decreasing distance from one surface of the porous layer. |
| US09614247B2 |
Button cell with winding electrode
A button cell has a winding arranged in the cup-shaped, positive-polarity housing half such that one of the flat end sides points in the direction of the cup base, the circumferential outer side thereof bears against the circumferential cup wall and the outer side together with the cup wall forms a clamping zone in which the first current output conductor is clamped. |
| US09614246B2 |
High-capacity cylindrical lithium ion battery and production method thereof
The invention discloses a high-capacity cylindrical lithium ion battery. Tab-position end face is shaped; a high frequency oscillation and pressure are applied on to make the foil bodies softened in the scope of 0.1-6.5 mm. At the instant of high-frequency oscillation, the rigidity of the foil body is greatly decreased; and the foil bodies are mutually wound and compressed together, so that the weight density of the foil body in unit volume is increased and meanwhile, the rigidity of the compressed foil body at the Tab-position end face is greatly increased, thereby laying a firm foundation for laser welding of the 1 Tab-position end face and a current collector, increasing a laser welding effective area of the Tab-position end face and the current collector, and improving the welding strength. |
| US09614243B2 |
Multilayered structure comprising an enzyme layer
A multilayered structure suitable as an electrode in a power source and a method of producing the same. The structure comprises a conductive laminar layer; and an enzyme layer containing an essentially dry enzyme capable of oxidizing or dehydrogenating carbohydrate material under suitable conditions. Because the enzymatic anode layer and the fuel containing layer are not interacting during the production and since they are kept latent during storage time, the power source will remain stable for extended periods of time, thus increasing the utility of the power source. |
| US09614240B2 |
Cooling system for a fuel cell
The invention relates to a cooling system for a fuel cell (2), comprising a main heat-transfer-fluid circuit including a main circulation pump (6) and a heat exchanger (8) with the exterior, which feed an upstream pipe (12) supplying the fluid to the cells (4) of the fuel cell, said fluid leaving the cells via a downstream pipe (14) in order to return to the main pump. The system is characterised in that a secondary circuit, comprising a secondary circulation device (30) that circulates the fluid in an alternate manner, is connected in parallel with the main circuit to the upstream (12) and downstream (14) pipes and in that one or more controlled valves (10, 16) allow the main circuit and the secondary circuit to operate independently. |
| US09614236B2 |
Method for mitigating cell degradation due to startup and shutdown via cathode re-circulation combined with electrical shorting of stack
A fuel cell system that employs a process for minimizing corrosion in the cathode side of a fuel cell stack in the system by combining cathode re-circulation and stack short-circuiting at system shut-down and start-up. |
| US09614235B2 |
Fuel cell system and method of controlling the system
A fuel cell system is provided in which the concentration increase of discharged fuel gas is inhibited even when abnormality is detected in a discharge unit. A fuel cell system in which a fuel gas discharged from a discharge unit (SV5) is diluted with an oxidizing gas (14) and discharged comprises an abnormality detection unit (205) for detecting an operation abnormality of the discharge unit (SV5), and a change unit (206, 207) for changing the supplied quantity of the oxidizing gas when an abnormality of the discharge unit (SV5) is detected, and the concentration of the diluted (14) and discharged fuel gas is changed and inhibited by changing the supplied quantity of the oxidizing gas. |
| US09614228B2 |
Composite materials
A mixed metal oxide material of tantalumand titanium is provided for use in a fuel cell. The material may comprise between 1 and 20 at. % tantalum. The mixed metal oxide may form the core of a core-shell composite material, used as a catalyst support, in which a catalyst such as platinum forms the shell. The catalyst may be applied as a single monolayer, and is preferably between 6.5 and 9.3 monolayers thick. |
| US09614227B2 |
Fuel cell and method of manufacturing same
The present application relates to a fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same. |
| US09614218B2 |
Composite carbon particle and lithium-ion secondary cell using same
A composite carbon particle for use in a negative electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery, the composite carbon particle including a core particle composed of a carbon material obtained by heating, at not higher than 2500° C., petroleum coke having a Hardgrove grindability index (HGI value) of 30 to 60 (defined by ASTM D409), and a covering layer composed of a carbonaceous material obtained by heating an organic compound at 1000° C. to 2000° C. The composite carbon particle has a 50% particle diameter (D50) of 1 μm to 30 μm in a volume-based cumulative particle size distribution as measured by a laser diffraction method. |
| US09614211B2 |
Lithium ion battery having desirable safety performance
Provided is a lithium ion battery including a battery can, a battery core received in the battery can, electrolyte filled in the battery can, and a battery cover assembled to the battery can. The battery can or the battery cover is provided with a pressure relief valve, and the pressure relief valve is coupled with a mesh cover defining a number of through holes therein. According to the present invention, when thermal runaway occurs to the lithium ion battery, the pressure relief valve breaks timely. Only gases and electrolyte vapor can pass through the mesh cover. Solid particles cannot pass through the mesh cover. Therefore, ignition of the flammable gases, the electrolyte vapor and the high temperature solid particles in the surrounding air afar from the pressure relief valve is avoided and the safety performance of the lithium ion battery can be improved remarkably. |
| US09614206B2 |
Middle or large-sized battery pack case providing improved distribution uniformity in coolant flux
Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, and the battery pack case is further provided with a flow space (‘inlet duct’) extending from the coolant inlet port to the battery module and another flow space (Outlet duct’) extending from the battery module to the coolant outlet port, the inlet duct having a vertical sectional area less than that of the outlet duct. |
| US09614204B2 |
Battery box structure
A battery box structure includes an enclosure which defines a first receiving groove, a first circuit board, a push button elastically disposed between the enclosure and the first circuit board, and a battery holder. At least one pair of conductive terminals is fastened to the first circuit board. A tail end of each of the conductive terminals is arched downward to form a resilient contact portion. The battery holder includes at least one pair of conductive pads. A bottom end of the push button is buckled with a top end of the battery holder. The battery holder is assembled in the first receiving groove. Each of the conductive pads electrically contacts the resilient contact portion. When the push button is pressed rearward, the bottom end of the push button breaks away from the top end of the battery holder. The battery holder is automatically ejected out of the enclosure. |
| US09614203B2 |
Battery pack for electric power tool
A contact diameter, which is formed by a cell holding portion and receiving-partitioning portions, is configured to be smaller than the diameter of a columnar outer peripheral surface of a battery cell. The cell holding portion comes into contact with the columnar outer peripheral surface of the battery cell so as to hold the columnar outer peripheral surface. The contact diameter formed by the cell holding portion and the receiving-partitioning portions increases when the battery cell is held, and the battery cell is pressed when the battery cell is held. A cell holder is provided with the receiving-partitioning portions that guide the battery cells to be inserted and housed. |
| US09614197B2 |
Onboard battery
An onboard battery includes an accommodation case that has a hollow cross section formed with multiple cavities 9a, and at least one battery module that has at least one battery cell and is accommodated in the accommodation case. At least one disposition depression that communicates with one of the multiple cavities and is opened upward is formed in a portion positioned below the at least one battery module in the accommodation case, and at least one heater that heats the at least one battery cell is disposed in the at least one disposition depression so as not to be in contact with the at least one battery cell. |
| US09614192B2 |
Method for forming thin film and method for fabricating organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display using the same
A method for forming a thin film for fabricating an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes forming a plurality of shadow masks on a substrate. The substrate is then bent to form a predetermined curvature in the substrate. A deposition source is placed at a position having an equal angle with respect to central and peripheral portions of the substrate. The method also includes depositing a deposition material from the deposition source on the substrate and the shadow masks to form a thin film. |
| US09614191B2 |
High resolution organic light-emitting diode devices, displays, and related methods
A method of manufacturing an organic-light emitting diode (OLED) display can include providing on a substrate a first electrode associated with a first sub-pixel and a second electrode associated with a second sub-pixel, wherein a gap is formed between the first electrode and the second electrode and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned in a well having boundaries defined by a confinement structure on the substrate. The method can also include depositing in the well with the electrodes positioned therein, active OLED material to form a substantially continuous layer of active OLED material that spans the boundaries of the well such that a surface of the layer of active OLED material that faces away from the substrate has a non-planar topography. The depositing can be via inkjet printing. |
| US09614190B2 |
Flexible display device and manufacturing method thereof
A method for manufacturing a flexible display device includes forming a heat generator on a carrier substrate, forming a flexible substrate on the heat generator, forming a thin film transistor on the flexible substrate, forming a light emitting element connected to the thin film transistor, and separating the flexible substrate from the heat generator by application of heat to the flexible substrate, the application of heat including generation of heat by the heat generator. |
| US09614185B2 |
Display panel, manufacturing method thereof, and display device
The present invention provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device. The display panel comprises a first substrate, a display component provided on the first substrate, and a packaging structure for packaging the display component on the first substrate, wherein the packaging structure includes at least two first water blocking layers and at least one planarization layer that are stacked alternately above the display component, each first water blocking layer includes a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas, and joint lines between the first areas and the second areas in any two first water blocking layers are staggered with each other. |
| US09614179B2 |
Display panel, method of manufacturing the same and display device
The invention discloses a display panel, a method of manufacturing the same and a display device so as to simplify a process of transmitting an electrical signal between a first substrate and a second substrate of the display panel at a lower cost. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other. The first substrate has a concave groove surrounded by a convex section and facing the second substrate. The display panel also includes an electrode layer on the surface of the groove and having at least one first conductive section extending outward from inside of the concave groove to the top end face of the convex section; and at least one second conductive section on the second substrate and electrically connected with the respective first conductive section. |
| US09614177B2 |
OLED package method and OLED package structure
The present invention provides an OLED package method and an OLED package structure. The method comprises steps of: providing a substrate (1) to be packaged, and a package cover plate (2); forming an inorganic protective frame (11) in a round at the edges of the substrate (1); manufacturing an OLED element (12) on the substrate (1) inside the inorganic protective frame (11); pasting a solid glue film (21) on the package cover plate (2); forming an adhesive (22) in a round on the package cover plate (2) corresponding to a location of the inorganic protective frame (11); oppositely attaching the substrate (1) and the package cover plate (2), and the substrate (1) and the package cover plate (2) are affixed together by the solid glue film (21) and the adhesive (22) to accomplish the package to the substrate (1) with the package cover plate (2). |
| US09614170B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element
An organic electroluminescence device includes a pair of electrodes and an organic compound layer interposed therebetween. The organic compound layer includes a plurality of emitting layers at least including a first emitting layer and a second emitting layer. The first emitting layer contains a first host material and a fluorescent first luminescent material. The second emitting layer contains a second luminescent material that is different from the first luminescent material. A difference ΔST(H1) between singlet energy EgS(H1) of the first host material and an energy gap Eg77K(H1) at 77[K] of the first host material satisfies a specific relationship. One of the first luminescent material and the second luminescent material has a main peak wavelength from 400 nm to less than 500 nm and the other of the first luminescent material and the second luminescent material has a main peak wavelength from 500 nm to 700 nm. |
| US09614167B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is an organic light emitting diode display including an organic light emitting display panel configured to display an image, and a lower passivation film attached to a bottom of the organic light emitting diode display panel. The lower passivation film includes a support film that is in contact with the organic light emitting diode display panel, and a stress adjustment layer formed beneath the support film and configured to reduce a bending stress to be induced in the organic light emitting display panel when the organic light emitting display panel and the lower passivation film are bent. |
| US09614164B2 |
Organic compound, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device
A novel substance with which an increase in life and emission efficiency of a light-emitting element can be achieved is provided. A carbazole compound having a structure represented by General Formula (G1) is provided. Note that a substituent which makes the HOMO level and the LUMO level of a compound in which a bond of the substituent is substituted with hydrogen deep and shallow, respectively is used as each of substituents in General Formula (G1) (R1, R2, Ar3, and α3). Further, a substituent which makes the band gap (Bg) and the T1 level of a compound in which a bond of the substituent is substituted with hydrogen wide and high is used as each of the substituents in General Formula (G1) (R1, R2, Ar3, and α3). |
| US09614163B2 |
Light-emitting diode having novel structure and electronic apparatus comprising same
A light-emitting diode includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a light-emitting layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a hole transportable layer disposed between the first electrode and the light-emitting layer; and a blocking layer, which is disposed between the hole transportable layer and the light-emitting layer and includes a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. |
| US09614162B2 |
Light-emitting devices comprising emissive layer
Light-emitting devices comprising an fluorescent emissive layer, and three different phosphorescent emissive layers are described herein. |
| US09614161B2 |
Compound and organic electronic element using same
The present specification relates to an organic electronic device in which a new compound, which can improve the life span, the efficiency, the electrochemical stability and the thermal stability of the organic electronic device, is included in an organic material layer. |
| US09614159B2 |
Benzophenanthrene derivative and organic electroluminescence device employing the same
A fused aromatic ring derivative shown by the following formula (1): wherein Ra and Rb are independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent, p is an integer of 1 to 8 and q is an integer of 1 to 11, when p is 2 or more, plural Ras may be independently the same or different and adjacent Ras may form a ring, when q is 2 or more, plural Rbs may be independently the same or different, L1 is a single bond, or a substituted or unsubstituted divalent linking group, and Ar1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 50 ring carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group having 5 to 50 ring atoms, provided that the substituent of L1, the substituent of Ar1, Ra and Rb contain no substituted or unsubstituted amino group. |
| US09614157B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display having a plurality of data drivers and manufacturing method thereof
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes an OLED display panel having a substrate; a plurality of scan lines formed on the substrate; a plurality of data lines crossing the plurality of scan lines; cover lines covering the data lines; a plurality of switching elements coupled to the plurality of scan lines and the plurality of data lines; and a plurality of organic light emitting diodes coupled to the plurality of switching elements; and upper and lower data drivers respectively located at upper and lower parts of the OLED display panel, wherein the data lines include an upper data line and a lower data line that are separated from each other, and the cover lines include upper and lower cover lines that are separated from each other. |
| US09614155B2 |
Vapor deposition apparatus, vapor deposition method, and method for producing organic electroluminescent element
The vapor deposition apparatus employs scanning vapor deposition, and includes a limiting component including a first plate portion; a second plate portion provided with a space from the first plate portion; and a joint portion combining the first plate portion with the second plate portion, the first plate portion being provided with an first opening, the second plate portion being provided with an second opening that faces the first opening, the vapor deposition apparatus including a first space between the first opening and the second opening, the vapor deposition apparatus including a second space between the first plate portion and the second plate portion, the first space being connected to the second space, the vapor deposition apparatus including a third space that is in the outside of the limiting component, the second space being connected to the third space. |
| US09614154B2 |
Electronic device and method for fabricating the same
An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory includes first lines extending in a first direction; second lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction; insulating patterns interposed between the first and second lines at first intersections of the first and second lines; and variable resistance patterns interposed between the first and the second lines at second intersections of the first and second lines. A central intersection is defined by respective central lines of the first and second lines and corresponds to a coordinate (0, 0). The first intersections are located on first to (n+1)th virtual lines, the (n+1)th virtual line having a polygonal shape in which vertexes correspond to coordinates (−(k−n), 0), (k−n, 0), (0, k−n) and (0, −(k−n)) where k is a natural number and n is an integer in a range of 0 to (k−1). |
| US09614153B2 |
Methods of selectively doping chalcogenide materials and methods of forming semiconductor devices
Methods of selectively forming a metal-doped chalcogenide material comprise exposing a chalcogenide material to a transition metal solution, and incorporating transition metal of the transition solution into the chalcogenide material without substantially incorporating the transition metal into an adjacent material. The chalcogenide material is not silver selenide. Another method comprises forming a chalcogenide material adjacent to and in contact with an insulative material, exposing the chalcogenide material and the insulative material to a transition metal solution, and diffusing transition metal of the transition metal solution into the chalcogenide material while substantially no transition metal diffuses into the insulative material. A method of doping a chalcogenide material of a memory cell with at least one transition metal without using an etch or chemical mechanical planarization process to remove the transition metal from an insulative material of the memory cell is also disclosed, wherein the chalcogenide material is not silver selenide. |
| US09614152B2 |
Phase change material layers
A phase change material layer includes germanium (Ge), antimony (Sb), tellurium (Te) and at least one impurity elements. An atomic concentration of impurity elements ranges from about 0 |
| US09614147B2 |
Hybrid synthetic antiferromagnetic layer for perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes a free layer. The MTJ also includes a barrier layer coupled to the free layer. The MTJ also has a fixed layer, coupled to the barrier layer. The fixed layer includes a first synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) multilayer having a first perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and a first damping constant. The fixed layer also includes a second SAF multilayer having a second perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and a second damping constant lower than the first damping constant. The first SAF multilayer is closer to the barrier layer than the second SAF multilayer. The fixed layer also includes a SAF coupling layer between the first and the second SAF multilayers. |
| US09614146B2 |
Armature-clad MRAM device
A magnetoresistive memory cell includes a magnetoresistive tunnel junction stack and a dielectric encapsulation layer covering sidewall portions of the stack and being opened over a top of the stack. A conductor is formed in contact with a top portion of the stack and covering the encapsulation layer. A magnetic liner encapsulates the conductor and is gapped apart from the encapsulating layer covering the sidewall portions of the stack. |
| US09614144B1 |
OTP MRAM
Techniques for forming OTP memory elements with reduced breakdown voltage are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an OTP MRAM element includes the steps of: creating a substrate having surface topology; and forming the OTP MRAM element on the substrate over the surface topology, wherein the OTP MRAM element comprises a first magnetic metal layer and a second metal magnetic layer separated by a tunnel barrier, and wherein by forming the OTP MRAM element over the surface topology the tunnel barrier has both a first thickness T1 and second thickness T2, wherein T1 is greater than T2. A method of forming a device having both MTP MRAM and OTP MRAM elements is provided, as is an MRAM device. |
| US09614142B2 |
Piezoelectric ceramic composition constituted by Ag-segregated sintered body of zirconate-titanate type perovskite composition
A piezoelectric ceramic composition contains a perovskite composition which is represented by (Pba·Rex){Zrb·Tic, ·(Ni1/3Nb2/3)d·(Zn1/3Nb2/3)e}O3 (wherein Re represents La and/or Nd, and a-e and x satisfy the following conditions 0.95≦a≦1.05, 0≦x≦0.05, 0.35≦b≦0.45, 0.35≦c≦0.45, 0 |
| US09614140B2 |
Piezoelectric ceramic, method for making same, piezoelectric element, liquid discharge head, ultrasonic motor, and dust cleaner
A barium titanate piezoelectric ceramic having good piezoelectric properties and mechanical strength and a piezoelectric element that includes the ceramic are provided. A method for making a piezoelectric ceramic includes forming a compact containing barium titanate particles, sintering the compact, and decreasing the temperature of the compact. The sintering includes (A) increasing the temperature of the compact to a temperature range of a shrinking process of the compact; (B) increasing the temperature of the compact to a temperature range of a liquid phase sintering process of the compact; (C) decreasing the temperature of the compact to the temperature range of the shrinking process of the compact; and (D) retaining the third temperature. |
| US09614139B2 |
Flexible lighting device having unobtrusive conductive layers
A flexible lighting element is provided, comprising: a first substrate; first and second conductive elements over the first substrate; a light-emitting element having first and second contacts that are both on a first surface of the light-emitting element, the first and second contacts being electrically connected to the first and second conductive elements, respectively, and the light-emitting element emitting light from a second surface opposite the first surface; a transparent layer located adjacent to the second surface; and a transparent affixing layer located between the first substrate and the transparent layer, wherein the transparent layer and the transparent affixing layer are both sufficiently transparent to visible light that they will not decrease light transmittance below 70%, and the first and second conductive layers are at least partially transparent to visible light, or are 300 μm or smaller in width, or are concealed by a design feature from a viewing direction. |
| US09614138B2 |
Package, light emitting device, and methods of manufacturing the package and the light emitting device
A package for mounting a light emitting element includes a recess; a pair of lead electrodes exposed at a bottom surface of the recess; a plating layer covering a surface of each of the pair of lead electrodes; and a resin molded body retaining the pair of lead electrodes, and forming an area between the pair of lead electrodes at the bottom surface of the recess and a lateral surface of the recess. At least one of the lead electrodes has a front surface protrusion that is linearly formed along the resin molded body at the bottom surface of the recess and along a periphery of the bottom surface of the recess, and a back surface protrusion that is formed at a position at a back surface opposite to a position of the front surface protrusion, and at least a tip of each of the front surface protrusion and the back surface protrusion is exposed outside the plating layer. |
| US09614136B2 |
Optical substrate, semiconductor light-emitting element and method of manufacturing semiconductor light-emitting element
In an optical substrate (1), a concave-convex structure (12) including a plurality of independent convex portions (131 to 134) and concave portions (14) provided between the convex portions (131 to 134) is provided in a surface. The average interval Pave between the adjacent convex portions (131 to 134) in the concave-convex structure (12) satisfies 50 nm≦Pave≦1500 nm, and the convex portion (133) having a convex portion height hn satisfying 0.6 h≧hn≧0 h for the average convex portion height Have is present with a probability Z satisfying 1/10000≦Z≦1/5. When the optical substrate (1) is used in a semiconductor light-emitting element, dislocations in a semiconductor layer are dispersed to reduce the dislocation density, and thus internal quantum efficiency IQE is improved, and a waveguide mode is removed by light scattering and thus the light the extraction efficiency LEE is increased, with the result that the efficiency of light emission of the semiconductor light-emitting element is enhanced. |
| US09614135B2 |
Method for producing light emitting device
A method for producing a light emitting device includes: spraying a resin mixture onto a light emitting element to deposit the resin mixture on the light emitting element, the resin mixture including a thixotropy imparting agent; and curing the resin mixture to form an outermost layer of a light transmissive member and to have an outermost surface having protrusions and recesses on the outermost layer, light emitted from the light emitting element being capable to transmit to an outside of the light emitting device via the light transmissive member. |
| US09614129B2 |
Light emitting device having surface-modified luminophores
A light-emitting device including a light-emitting diode and a surface-modified luminophore. The surface-modified luminophore includes a luminophore including a manganese activator and a fluorine compound fixed to the luminophore. |
| US09614126B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes a light emitting element, a p-side and an n-side post electrode. The light emitting element includes a semiconductor body having n-type and p-type semiconductor layers and a peripheral portion, a first edge, and a second edge. The light emitting element further includes an n-side electrode and a p-side electrode disposed on an insulating film having n-side openings and a p-side opening. The n-side electrode includes second n-contact portions electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer through the n-side openings. In a plan view, a p-side post electrode and at least one of the second n-contact portions are at the first edge side. An n-side post electrode electrically connected to the second n-contact portions and at least one of the second n-contact portions are at the second edge side. Fewer second n-contact portions are on the first edge side than that on the second edge side. |
| US09614125B2 |
Composite element chip, a semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof, a printing head, and an image forming apparatus
A composite element chip includes a substrate; and a plurality of semiconductor thin-films disposed on the substrate and arranged in a predetermined direction which is a first direction. Each semiconductor thin-film includes an array of a plurality of light emitting portions which are arranged so that adjacent light emitting portions are displaced from each other by a predetermined distance in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of light emitting portions being arranged along an imaginary line. Each semiconductor thin-film has a first end that is parallel to the second direction; and a second end that extends along a pattern in which the plurality of light emitting portions are arranged and is parallel to the imaginary line. A semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof, a printing head, and an image forming apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09614123B2 |
Deep ultraviolet LED and method for manufacturing the same
A deep ultraviolet LED with a design wavelength of λ is provided that includes a reflecting electrode layer, a metal layer, a p-type GaN contact layer, and a p-type AlGaN layer that are sequentially stacked from a side opposite to a substrate, the p-type AlGaN layer being transparent to light with the wavelength of λ; and a photonic crystal periodic structure that penetrates at least the p-type GaN contact layer and the p-type AlGaN layer. The photonic crystal periodic structure has a photonic band gap. |
| US09614121B1 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor light emitting device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor light-emitting device is provided that includes forming a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, forming an active layer by alternately forming a plurality of quantum well layers grown at a first temperature and a plurality of quantum barrier layers grown at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and forming a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. |
| US09614119B2 |
Avalanche photodiode with low breakdown voltage
An Si/Ge SACM avalanche photo-diodes (APD) having low breakdown voltage characteristics includes an absorption region and a multiplication region having various layers of particular thicknesses and doping concentrations. An optical waveguide can guide infrared and/or optical signals or energy into the absorption region. The resulting photo-generated carriers are swept into the i-Si layer and/or multiplication region for avalanche multiplication. The APD has a breakdown bias voltage of well less than 12 V and an operating bandwidth of greater than 10 GHz, and is therefore suitable for use in consumer electronic devices, high speed communication networks, and the like. |
| US09614117B2 |
Solar cell manufacturing method
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell having excellent long-term reliability and high efficiency, said method including: a step (7) for applying a paste-like electrode agent to an antireflection film formed on the light receiving surface side of a semiconductor substrate having at least a pn junction, said electrode agent containing a conductive material; and an electrode firing step (9) having local heat treatment (step (9a)) for applying heat such that at least a part of the conductive material is fired by irradiating merely the electrode agent-applied portion with a laser beam, and whole body heat treatment (step (9b)) for heating the whole semiconductor substrate to a temperature below 800° C. |
| US09614112B2 |
Imaging cell array integrated circuit
A semiconductor device is provided that includes an array of imaging cells realized from a plurality of layers formed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of layers includes at least one modulation doped quantum well structure spaced from at least one quantum dot structure. Each respective imaging cell includes an imaging region spaced from a corresponding charge storage region. The at least one quantum dot structure of the imaging region generates photocurrent arising from absorption of incident electromagnetic radiation. The at least one modulation doped quantum well structure defines a buried channel for lateral transfer of the photocurrent for charge accumulation in the charge storage region and output therefrom. The at least one modulation doped quantum well structure and the at least one quantum dot structure of each imaging cell can be disposed within a resonant cavity that receives the incident electromagnetic radiation or below a structured metal film having a periodic array of holes. |
| US09614110B2 |
Photo detector
Disclosed is a photo detector. The photo detector includes: a conductive substrate; an insulating layer formed on the conductive substrate; a single-layer graphene formed at one part of an upper end of the insulating layer and formed in one layer; a multi-layer graphene formed at the other part of the upper end of the insulating layer and formed in multiple layers; a first electrode formed at an end of the single-layer graphene; and a second electrode formed at an end of the multi-layer graphene. |
| US09614109B2 |
Photodiode and photodiode array
A p− type semiconductor substrate 20 has a first principal surface 20a and a second principal surface 20b opposed to each other and includes a photosensitive region 21. The photosensitive region 21 is composed of an n+ type impurity region 23, a p+ type impurity region 25, and a region to be depleted with application of a bias voltage in the p− type semiconductor substrate 20. An irregular asperity 10 is formed in the second principal surface 20b of the p− type semiconductor substrate 20. An accumulation layer 37 is formed on the second principal surface 20b side of the p− type semiconductor substrate 20 and a region in the accumulation layer 37 opposed to the photosensitive region 21 is optically exposed. |
| US09614108B1 |
Optically-thin chalcogenide solar cells
A photovoltaic device comprises a back reflective coating structure to provide back scattering of light that passes through the photovoltaic device, an absorber structure containing chalcogenide materials, and a top scattering antireflective structure deposited on the top subcell. Illustratively, a multi-junction structure comprises a bottom subcell deposited on the back reflective coating structure, the bottom subcell having a lower band gap, higher index material embedded therein, to provide lateral propagation of light that passes through the photovoltaic device, and a top subcell deposited on the bottom subcell. The multi-junction structure can comprise chalcogenide materials, in which case the top subcell is embedded with an intermediate band gap absorber material. |
| US09614105B2 |
Charge-trap NOR with silicon-rich nitride as a charge trap layer
A charge-trapping NOR (CT-NOR) memory device and methods of fabricating a CT-NOR memory device utilizing silicon-rich nitride (SiRN) in a charge-trapping (CT) layer of the CT-NOR memory device. |
| US09614103B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a first region including an oxide semiconductor containing indium (In), gallium (Ga), and zinc (Zn), a second region and a third region between which the first region is disposed, at least one of the second region and the third region having a higher indium (In) concentration than the first region and containing at least one metal element from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and tin (Sn), an electrode; and an insulating layer disposed between the first region and the electrode. |
| US09614102B2 |
Self-aligned metal oxide TFT with reduced number of masks and with reduced power consumption
A method of fabricating MO TFTs includes positioning opaque gate metal on a transparent substrate to define a gate area. Depositing gate dielectric material overlying the gate metal and a surrounding area, and depositing metal oxide semiconductor material thereon. Depositing etch stop material on the semiconductor material. Positioning photoresist defining an isolation area in the semiconductor material, the etch stop material and the photoresist being selectively removable. Exposing the photoresist from the rear surface of the substrate and removing exposed portions to leave the etch stop material uncovered except for a portion overlying and aligned with the gate metal. Etching uncovered portions of the semiconductor material to isolate the TFT. Using the photoresist, selectively etching the etch stop layer to leave a portion overlying and aligned with the gate metal and defining a channel area in the semiconductor material. Depositing and patterning conductive material to form source and drain areas. |
| US09614101B2 |
Array substrate and method for manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing an array substrate. The method includes forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on a substrate. A semiconductor layer, an organic insulating layer, and a gate electrode layer are sequentially formed to cover the substrate, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the gate electrode layer. The exposed portion of the gate electrode layer, and a portion of the organic insulative layer and a portion of the semiconductor layer thereunder are removed to form a gate electrode. An organic passivation layer is formed on the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. The organic passivation layer has a contact window to expose a portion of the drain electrode. A pixel electrode is formed on the organic passivation layer and the exposed portion of the drain electrode. |
| US09614099B2 |
Semiconductor device and imaging device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer including a first semiconductor portion and a second semiconductor portion being continuous with the first semiconductor portion, a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, an insulating film. The first semiconductor portion includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion provided between the first portion and the second portion. The second semiconductor portion includes a fourth portion separated from the first portion, a fifth portion separated from the second portion, and a sixth portion provided between the forth portion and the fifth portion. The first gate electrode is separated from the third portion. The second gate electrode is separated from the sixth portion. The insulating film is provided at a first position between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor layer and at a second position between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor layer. |
| US09614094B2 |
Semiconductor device including oxide semiconductor layer and method for driving the same
An object is to suppress operation delay caused when a semiconductor device that amplifies and outputs an error between two potentials returns from a standby mode. Electrical connection between an output terminal of a transconductance amplifier and one electrode of a capacitor is controlled by a transistor whose channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer. Consequently, turning off the transistor allows the one electrode of the capacitor to hold charge for a long time even if the transconductance amplifier is in the standby mode. Moreover, when the transconductance amplifier returns from the standby mode, turning on the transistor makes it possible to settle charging and discharging of the capacitor in a short time. As a result, the operation of the semiconductor device can enter into a steady state in a short time. |
| US09614090B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes at least one first gate structure and at least one second gate structure on a semiconductor substrate. The at least one first gate structure has a flat upper surface extending in a first direction and a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The at least one second gate structure has a convex upper surface extending in the first direction and a second width in the second direction, the second width being greater than the first width. |
| US09614089B2 |
Structure and formation method of semiconductor device structure
Structures and formation methods of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate and a protection element over the gate stack. A top of the protection element is wider than a bottom of the protection element. The semiconductor device structure also includes a spacer element over a side surface of the protection element and a sidewall of the gate stack. The semiconductor device structure further includes a conductive contact electrically connected to a conductive feature over the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09614088B2 |
Metal gate structure and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate including a first active region, a second active region and an isolation disposed between the first active region and the second active region; a plurality of gates disposed over the substrate and including a first gate extended over the first active region, the isolation and the second active region, and a second gate over the first active region and the second active region; and an inter-level dielectric (ILD) disposed over the substrate and surrounding the plurality of gates, wherein the second gate is configured not to conduct current flow and includes a first section disposed over the first active region and a second section disposed over the second active region, a portion of the ILD is disposed between the first section and the second section. |
| US09614085B2 |
Semiconductor structure having enlarged regrowth regions and manufacturing method of the same
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including: an insulation region including a top surface; a semiconductor fin protruding from the top surface of the insulation region; a gate over the semiconductor fin; and a regrowth region partially positioned in the semiconductor fin, and the regrowth region forming a source/drain region of the semiconductor structure; wherein a profile of the regrowth region taken along a plane perpendicular to a direction of the semiconductor fin and top surfaces of the insulation region includes a girdle, an upper girdle facet facing away from the insulation region, and a lower girdle facet facing toward the insulation region, and an angle between the upper girdle facet and the girdle is greater than about 54.7 degrees. |
| US09614081B2 |
Semiconductor device including gate electrode for applying tensile stress to silicon substrate, and method of manufacturing the same
A gate insulating film and a gate electrode of non-single crystalline silicon for forming an nMOS transistor are provided on a silicon substrate. Using the gate electrode as a mask, n-type dopants having a relatively large mass number (70 or more) such as As ions or Sb ions are implanted, to form a source/drain region of the nMOS transistor, whereby the gate electrode is amorphized. Subsequently, a silicon oxide film is provided to cover the gate electrode, at a temperature which is less than the one at which recrystallization of the gate electrode occurs. Thereafter, thermal processing is performed at a temperature of about 1000° C., whereby high compressive residual stress is exerted on the gate electrode, and high tensile stress is applied to a channel region under the gate electrode. As a result, carrier mobility of the nMOS transistor is enhanced. |
| US09614080B2 |
Semiconductor device having electrically floating body transistor, semiconductor device having both volatile and non-volatile functionality and method of operating
A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell; a first region in electrical contact with said floating body region; a second region in electrical contact with said floating body region and spaced apart from said first region; and a gate positioned between said first and second regions. The cell may be a multi-level cell. Arrays of memory cells are disclosed for making a memory device. Methods of operating memory cells are also provided. |
| US09614075B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a fin-shaped silicon layer on a silicon substrate, and a first insulating film around the fin-shaped silicon layer. A pillar-shaped silicon layer is on the fin-shaped silicon layer, where a pillar diameter of the pillar-shaped silicon layer is equal to a fin width of the fin-shaped silicon layer, and where the pillar diameter and the fin width parallel to the surface. A first diffusion layer is in an upper portion of the fin-shaped silicon layer and a lower portion of the pillar-shaped silicon layer, and a second diffusion layer is in an upper portion of the pillar-shaped silicon layer. A gate insulating film is around the pillar-shaped silicon layer and a metal gate electrode is around the gate insulating film. A metal gate wiring is connected to the metal gate electrode and a contact is on the second diffusion layer. |
| US09614066B2 |
Semiconductor device provided with an IE type trench IGBT
A switching loss is prevented from being deteriorated by suppressing increase in a gate capacitance due to a cell shrink of an IE type trench gate IGBT. A cell formation region is configured of a linear active cell region, a linear hole collector cell region, and a linear inactive cell region between them. Then, upper surfaces of the third and fourth linear trench gate electrodes which are formed so as to sandwich both sides of the linear hole collector cell region and electrically connected to an emitter electrode are positioned to be lower than upper surfaces of the first and second linear trench gate electrodes which are formed so as to sandwich both sides of the linear active cell region and electrically connected to a gate electrode. |
| US09614065B2 |
Inhomogeneous power semiconductor devices
A power semiconductor device includes a power transistor including a plurality of transistor cells on a semiconductor die. At least some of the transistor cells are inhomogeneous by design so that the number of current filaments in the transistor cells with reduced local current density increases and fewer transient avalanche oscillations occur in the power transistor during operation. |
| US09614062B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing thereof
In a semiconductor device including a transistor using an oxide semiconductor film, stable electric characteristics can be provided and high reliability can be achieved. A structure of the semiconductor device, which achieves high-speed response and high-speed operation, is provided. In a semiconductor device including a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode layer are stacked in order and a sidewall insulating layer is provided on the side surface of the gate electrode layer, the sidewall insulating layer has an oxygen-excess regions, which is formed in such a manner that a first insulating film is formed and then is subjected to oxygen doping treatment, a second insulating is formed over the first insulating film, and a stacked layer of the first insulating film and the second insulating film are etched. |
| US09614061B2 |
Semiconductor device having fin structure that includes dummy fins
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate, a fin-shaped structure on the substrate, and a dummy fin-shaped structure on the substrate and adjacent to the fin-shaped structure. Preferably, the fin-shaped structure includes a gate structure thereon and a first epitaxial layer adjacent to two sides of the gate structure, and the dummy fin-shaped structure includes a second epitaxial layer thereon. A contact plug is disposed on the first epitaxial layer and the second epitaxial layer. In addition, the dummy fin-shaped structure includes a curve, in which the curve is omega shaped. |
| US09614060B2 |
Nanowire transistor with underlayer etch stops
A nanowire device of the present description may be produced with the incorporation of at least one underlayer etch stop formed during the fabrication of at least one nanowire transistor in order to assist in protecting source structures and/or drain structures from damage that may result from fabrication processes. The underlayer etch stop may prevent damage to the source structures and/or drain the structures, when the material used in the fabrication of the source structures and/or the drain structures is susceptible to being etched by the processes used in the removal of the sacrificial materials, i.e. low selectively to the source structure and/or the drain structure materials, such that potential shorting between the transistor gate electrodes and contacts formed for the source structures and/or the drain structures may be prevented. |
| US09614058B2 |
Methods of forming low defect replacement fins for a FinFET semiconductor device and the resulting devices
One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a substrate fin formed in a substrate comprised of a first semiconductor material, wherein at least a sidewall of the substrate fin is positioned substantially in a <100> crystallographic direction of the crystalline structure of the substrate, a replacement fin structure positioned above the substrate fin, wherein the replacement fin structure is comprised of a semiconductor material that is different from the first semiconductor material, and a gate structure positioned around at least a portion of the replacement fin structure. |
| US09614057B2 |
Enriched, high mobility strained fin having bottom dielectric isolation
Embodiments are directed to a method of enriching and electrically isolating a fin of a FinFET. The method includes forming at least one fin. The method further includes forming under a first set of conditions an enriched upper portion of the at least one fin. The method further includes forming under a second set of conditions an electrically isolated region from a lower portion of the at least one fin, wherein forming under the first set of conditions is spaced in time from forming under the second set of conditions. The method further includes controlling the first set of conditions separately from the second set of conditions. |
| US09614053B2 |
Spacers with rectangular profile and methods of forming the same
A method includes forming a spacer layer on a top surface and sidewalls of a patterned feature, wherein the patterned feature is overlying a base layer, A protection layer is formed to contact a top surface and a sidewall surface of the spacer layer. The horizontal portions of the protection layer are removed, wherein vertical portions of the protect layer remain after the removal. The spacer layer is etched to remove horizontal portions of the spacer layer, wherein vertical portions of the spacer layer remain to form parts of spacers. |
| US09614049B2 |
Fin tunnel field effect transistor (FET)
A fin tunnel field effect transistor includes a seed region and a first type region disposed above the seed region. The first type region includes a first doping. The fin tunnel field effect transistor includes a second type region disposed above the first type region. The second type region includes a second doping that is opposite the first doping. The fin tunnel field effect transistor includes a gate insulator disposed above the second type region and a gate electrode disposed above the gate insulator. A method for forming an example fin tunnel field effect transistor is provided. |
| US09614047B2 |
Gate contact with vertical isolation from source-drain
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a gate structure having a first conductive material above a semiconductor substrate, gate spacers on opposing sides of the first conductive material, and a first interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer surrounding the gate spacers and the first conductive material. An upper portion of the first conductive material is recessed. The gate spacers are recessed until a height of the gate spacers is less than a height of the gate structure. An isolation liner is deposited above the gate spacers and the first conductive material. A portion of the isolation liner is removed so that a top surface of the first conductive material is exposed. A second conductive material is deposited in a contact hole created above the first conductive material and the gate spacers to form a gate contact. |
| US09614043B2 |
MOSFET termination trench
A method, in one embodiment, can include forming a core trench and a termination trench in a substrate. The termination trench is wider than the core trench. In addition, a first oxide can be deposited that fills the core trench and lines the sidewalls and bottom of the termination trench. A first polysilicon can be deposited into the termination trench. A second oxide can be deposited above the first polysilicon. A mask can be deposited above the second oxide and the termination trench. The first oxide can be removed from the core trench. A third oxide can be deposited that lines the sidewalls and bottom of the core trench. The first oxide within the termination trench is thicker than the third oxide within the core trench. |
| US09614042B2 |
Heterojunction tunnel field effect transistor fabrication using limited lithography steps
A structure and method for fabricating a vertical heterojunction tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) using limited lithography steps is disclosed. The fabrication of a second conductivity type source/drain region may utilize a single lithography step to form a first-type source/drain region, and a metal contact thereon, adjacent to a gate stack having a first conductivity type source/drain region on an opposite side. |
| US09614039B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of trench gates provided abreast in a semiconductor substrate; an interlayer insulation film having opening from which a part of a front surface of the semiconductor substrate is exposed; and contact plugs provided in the openings. The interlayer insulation film comprises a plurality of first portions, each of which covers a corresponding one of the trench gates, and a plurality of second portions, each of which is provided between adjacent first portions and along a direction intersecting with the first portions. The openings are provided at an area surrounded by the first portions and the second portions, a length of the openings in a direction along the first portions is shorter than a length of the openings in a direction along the second portions intersecting with the first portions. |