| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09686894B2 |
Component mounting method using a tape feeder
A size S1 of each of projections 32b provided on an outer perimeter of a sprocket 32 in a proceeding direction of a tape member 20 at a height where each of the projections 32b is engaged with each of feed holes 22 of the tape member 20 is larger than a diameter D of each of the feed holes 22 of the tape member 20, and a size S2 of each of the projections 32b in a direction perpendicular to the proceeding direction of the tape member 20 at a height where each of the projections 32b is engaged with each of the feed holes 22 of the tape member 20 is smaller than the diameter D of each of the feed holes 22 of the tape member 20. |
| US09686892B2 |
Multi-period master-slave nested ring array electromagnetic shielding optical window having concentric rings
Optical windows based on a multi-period master-slave nested ring array of concentric rings are suited for electromagnetic shielding. A metal grid of the ring array has basic rings, concentric sub-ring pairs, secondary sub-rings, filling rings, concentric modulation ring pairs, and modulation sub-rings. Basic rings and concentric modulation ring pairs form a two-dimensional orthogonal array. External rings of concentric modulation ring pairs are externally tangentially connected to basic rings. Concentric sub-ring pairs and filling rings are arranged within basic rings, secondary sub-rings are arranged within concentric sub-ring pairs, and modulation sub-rings are arranged within concentric modulation ring pairs. Where rings are tangentially connected, wires overlap or metal ensures reliable electrical connections between connected rings, thus all rings are conductive. The metal grid structure significantly reduces non-uniformity of grid high-order diffracted light intensity distribution, causing stray light distribution caused by diffraction to be more uniform and imaging to be less affected. |
| US09686891B2 |
Thermoelectric-enhanced, inlet air cooling for an electronics rack
Thermoelectric-enhanced, rack-level cooling of airflow entering an electronics rack is provided by a cooling apparatus, which includes: an air-to-liquid heat exchanger; a coolant loop coupled to the heat exchanger, the coolant loop including a first loop portion and a second loop portion, where the heat exchanger exhausts heated coolant to the first loop portion and receives cooled coolant from the second loop portion. The cooling apparatus further includes a heat rejection unit and a thermoelectric heat pump(s). The heat rejection unit is coupled to the coolant loop between the first and second loop portions, and provides partially-cooled coolant to the second loop portion. The thermoelectric heat pump is disposed with the first and second loop portions coupled to opposite sides to transfer heat from the partially-cooled coolant within the second loop portion to provide the cooled coolant before entering the air-to-liquid heat exchanger. |
| US09686889B2 |
Field-replaceable bank of immersion-cooled electronic components
A cooled electronic system and cooling method are provided, wherein a field-replaceable bank of electronic components is cooled by an apparatus which includes an enclosure at least partially surrounding and forming a compartment about the electronic components, a fluid disposed within the compartment, and a heat sink associated with the enclosure. The field-replaceable bank extends, in part, through the enclosure to facilitate operative docking of the electronic components into one or more respective receiving sockets of the electronic system. The electronic components of the field-replaceable bank are, at least partially, immersed within the fluid to facilitate immersion-cooling of the components, and the heat sink facilitates rejection of heat from the fluid disposed within the compartment. In one embodiment, multiple thermal conductors project from an inner surface of the enclosure into the compartment to facilitate transfer of heat from the fluid to the heat sink. |
| US09686885B2 |
Enhanced rack design to improve component and cable access
A method and apparatus for implementing enhanced rack design to improve component and cable access in a computer system. A server rack includes a side rack cable access area. An elongated bracket member includes multiple openings for receiving cable ties. The cables ties are used to secure predefined cables. The elongated bracket member is unlatched from an inside wall of the rack. The elongated bracket member together with the secured system cables is pivoted away from customer cables. |
| US09686881B2 |
Server
A server includes a chassis having a base and a cover, a switch mounted on the chassis, and a motherboard. The motherboard includes a control circuit and a power-on pin. The control circuit includes a switch unit, and the switch unit includes a first buffer, a switch chip and a jumper. When the cover is detached from the base, the switch outputs a first signal to the first buffer, and the first buffer outputs the first signal to the switch chip. The switch chip outputs the first signal to the power-on pin, and the server is powered off. When the base is covered by the cover, the switch outputs a third signal to the first buffer and the first buffer outputs the third signal to the switch chip. The switch chip outputs the third signal to the power-on pin, and the server is powered on. |
| US09686878B2 |
Exterior cover
An exterior cover of an electronic device includes a cradle cover to which the electronic device is fitted, a top cover that opens or closes a front face of the electronic device, and a connecting member interconnecting the top cover and the cradle cover. The top cover is configured to be conformally engaged with the cradle cover and to maintain the conformally engaged state. An exterior cover for an electronic device includes a cradle cover to which the electronic device is fitted, a top cover that opens or closes a front face of the electronic device, and a connecting member interconnecting the top cover and the cradle cover, wherein the top cover is configured to be conformally engaged with the cradle cover. |
| US09686872B2 |
Ceramic multilayer substrate
In a ceramic multilayer substrate formed by stacking and firing a plurality of insulating layers, the insulating layer in an uppermost surface layer includes a ceramic layer, a contraction suppression layer stacked on the ceramic layer, and a surface-layer via conductor penetrating through the ceramic layer and the contraction suppression layer and having a tapered shape gradually tapering toward the lower layer side. The surface-layer via conductor has an end surface that is exposed from the contraction suppression layer forming the surface of the ceramic multilayer substrate, and that is directly connected to a terminal of a component mounted to the surface of the ceramic multilayer substrate. A weight ratio of alumina contained in the contraction suppression layer is set higher than a weight ration of alumina contained in the ceramic layer. |
| US09686871B2 |
Soldering device, soldering method, and substrate and electronic component produced by the soldering device or the soldering method
A soldering device comprising: a first treatment part that sets a component having an electrode; a second treatment part separated by an opening-closing unit, the second treatment part sending the component on to a third treatment part; the third treatment part separated by an opening-closing unit, the third treatment part causing the component to contact an organic fatty-acid-containing solution and move horizontally; a fourth treatment part having a unit for moving the component to a space portion and causing molten solder to adhere to the electrode; and a unit for removing excess molten solder; a fifth treatment part for horizontally moving the component moved downward by the fourth treatment part; a sixth treatment part separated by an opening-closing unit, the sixth treatment part sending the component on to a seventh treatment part; and the seventh treatment part separated by an opening-closing unit, the seventh treatment part taking out the component. |
| US09686870B2 |
Method of forming a microelectronic device package
The present disclosure relates to the field of fabricating microelectronic device packages and, more particularly, to microelectronic device packages having bumpless build-up layer (BBUL) designs, wherein at least one secondary device is disposed within the thickness (i.e. the z-direction or z-height) of the microelectronic device of the microelectronic device package. |
| US09686865B2 |
Networking packages based on interposers
A package structure includes a networking unit including a plurality of switches/routers and a plurality of network interface units coupled to the plurality of switches/routers, and an interposer including a plurality of metal connections. The interposer is substantially free from functional elements built therein. A functional element is outside of, and bonded onto, the interposer, wherein the functional element is electrically coupled to the networking unit through the plurality of metal connections. |
| US09686852B2 |
Multi-dimensional integrated circuit structures and methods of forming the same
An embodiment is method comprising attaching a first die and a second die to a first surface of a first interposer using respective ones of first conductive connectors coupled to respective first surfaces of the first die and the second die; attaching a third die and a fourth die to a second surface of the first interposer using respective ones of second conductive connectors, the second surface of the first interposer being opposite the first surface of the interposer; and attaching the first die and the second die to a substrate using respective ones of third conductive connectors coupled to respective second surfaces of the first die and the second die. |
| US09686851B2 |
Radioisotope target assembly
A target assembly to produce radioisotopes for the synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals. The target assembly includes a target vessel with a target chamber adapted to receive a target material. A thin cover sheet of particle-permeable material covers the target chamber. In a bombardment process, a high-energy particle beam generated by a cyclotron or particle accelerator strikes the thin cover sheet, whereby at least some of the particles from the particle beam penetrate to the target chamber so as to interact with the target material, altering the nuclear makeup of some of the atoms in the target material to produce radioisotopes. |
| US09686850B2 |
Transferred-arc plasma torch
A transferred-arc plasma torch comprising a sheath cooled using a cooling fluid and an electrode inserted in said sheath. The electrode is made of a consumable material and the torch comprises means to supply the electrode with this material so as to offset its erosion. |
| US09686849B2 |
Torches and methods of using them
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to a torch that includes a suitable amount of a refractory material. In some embodiments, the torch can include one or more non-refractory materials in combination with a refractory material. In some embodiments, the torch can comprise a refractory material and an optically transparent window. In other embodiments, the torch can comprise a material comprising a melting point higher than the melting point of quartz. |
| US09686847B2 |
Nozzle for a plasma generation device
A nozzle for a plasma generator having a body defining a plasma generating chamber with a gas inlet at one end and a plasma outlet at the opposite end defining the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet. An inner electrode is positioned around an inner wall of the body and an outer earthed electrode is provided around an outer wall of the body. The inner electrode and the outer electrode overlap one another in the flow direction. |
| US09686846B2 |
Extreme UV radiation light source device
An extreme ultraviolet light source device includes a raw material supplying mechanism. The raw material supplying mechanism includes a disk-shaped rotor, a motor for causing the rotor to rotate, a cover-shaped structure surrounding the rotor via a gap, and a first reservoir provided inside the cover-shaped structure for reserving a liquid high temperature plasma raw material. When the rotor rotates, a portion of the surface on the rotor becomes coated with the liquid high temperature plasma raw material. A portion of the cover-shaped structure has an aperture exposing that surface of the rotor which coated with the high temperature plasma raw material. The high temperature plasma raw material is irradiated with an energy beam from an energy beam supply device through the aperture, and generates EUV radiation. |
| US09686845B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus
A target sensor may include: a plurality of sensor elements, each of the plurality of sensor elements being configured to output a sensor signal that varies in accordance with an amount of light received on a light-receiving surface; and a signal generator configured to process the sensor signals from the plurality of sensor elements. The light-receiving surfaces of the plurality of sensor elements may be disposed at different positions in a second direction different from a first direction along which an image of the target illuminated by the illumination light may move. The signal generator may be configured to compare each of the sensor signals from the plurality of sensor elements with a threshold and output the signal indicating detection of a target to the controller in a case where at least one of the sensor signals from the plurality of sensor elements may exceed the threshold. |
| US09686843B2 |
Lighting device
There is provided a wearable or portable lighting device for playing out, together with a plurality of other wearable or portable lighting devices, a predetermined time-varying lighting pattern over a space occupied by said device and the other devices; said device comprising: at least one light source; memory for storing a representation of the time-varying lighting pattern; and at least one controller configured to determine a current location of said device, to receive a timing signal for determining a current stage of the time-varying lighting pattern in synchronization with the other devices, and based on said determination and said timing signal, with reference to the representation in memory, to select a portion of the time-varying lighting pattern corresponding to the current location and stage and to cause the at least one light source to play-out said portion. |
| US09686838B2 |
Self-learning auto-cutoff daylight detection control for light fixtures
A light fixture can include at least one light fixture component comprising at least one light source that emits a first level of fixture light. The light fixture can also include at least one sensor that measures a first total light amount at a first time of a first day, where the first total light amount includes the first level of fixture light and a first natural light amount. The light fixture can further include a controller coupled to the at least one sensor and the at least one light fixture component, where the controller controls and communicates with at least one sensor. The controller can further control the at least one light fixture component based on the first total light amount measured by the at least one sensor at the first time of the first day. |
| US09686835B2 |
Fluorescent lamp-compatible LED lighting device and electric shock protection apparatus therefor
A fluorescent lamp-compatible LED lighting device which is used to a fluorescent lamp apparatus and includes a ballast stabilizer which applies a first discharge voltage when first and second coupling terminals of the fluorescent lamp are all connected to the fluorescent lamp apparatus and also applies second discharge voltage when first coupling terminal or second coupling terminal is connected to the fluorescent lamp apparatus, the fluorescent lamp-compatible LED light device comprising; first and second coupling members electrically connected to sockets of both sides of the fluorescent lamp apparatus, an electric shock protecting device selectively connected to the first coupling member or the second coupling member, a rectifying member for rectifying the outside alternating power source inputted through the first and second coupling members, an LED module having plural LEDs, and a driving member for driving the LED module based on the driving power source supplied from the rectifying member. |
| US09686832B2 |
Handheld device for merging groups of lighting fixtures
A handheld device for merging groups of lighting fixtures is disclosed. The handheld device includes a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of lighting fixtures and control circuitry. In one embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to effect selection of a first lighting fixture or a first switch module that is grouped with a first group of lighting fixtures via the communication interface; identify the first group of lighting fixtures; effect selection of a device-to-be-added that is not initially associated with the first group of lighting fixtures via the communication interface; determine a new group by adding the device-to-be-added to the first group of lighting fixtures; create group assignment information for the new group; and send the group assignment information to each of the first group of lighting fixtures and the device-to-be-added of the new group via the communication interface. |
| US09686828B2 |
LED retrofit lamp with a strike barrier
A LED retrofit lamp for replacement of fluorescent lamp or tube driven by fluorescent ballast is provided. The retrofit lamp is compatible with the fluorescent ballast that requires the presence of a barrier for striking an arc voltage. The present invention provides a strike barrier—a controllable barrier that does not allow current conduction until a threshold voltage is reached. When a current above the threshold voltage passes through the strike barrier, the circuit latches and allows conduction at normal voltage. The present invention also provides a circuit that replicates the cathode heater resistance of a fluorescent lamp to rapid start and programmed start ballast. |
| US09686824B2 |
Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating
Methods, systems, apparatus and machine readable media are disclosed to reduce biological carryover. An example method includes generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing an aspiration and dispense device into the electromagnetic field. The example method also includes inductively heating the aspiration and dispense device with the electromagnetic field to at least one of denature or deactivate at least one of a protein or a biological entity on a surface of the aspiration and dispense device. |
| US09686822B2 |
Glass-melting electrode with cooling device and cooling device for a glass-melting electrode
A glass-melting electrode has a cooling device. The glass-melting electrode has an electrode body with a blind hole, and the cooling device has a cooling tube which can be inserted into the blind hole in order to feed coolant into the blind hole. The cooling device has a flow distributor with at least three outlet openings. The flow distributor is arranged at an end of the cooling tube which has been inserted into the blind hole, such that coolant flows through the flow distributor into the blind hole. |
| US09686810B2 |
Establishing network connectivity for transmitting network traffic to or from machine devices
A machine management system provides a system and method for communicating user data with a device connected to a network. The device may register for service by the network, causing the machine management system to establish a special communications path through the network when it is determined that the device is a machine device. Thereafter, user data transmitted by the machine device (or transmitted to the machine device) may be communicated using the special communications path. In certain embodiments, the special communications path may be established such that existing network elements are not involved in the transmission of communications with the machine devices, thereby minimizing the impact on implementing the system and method on existing network elements, alleviating the burden of serving these machine devices using existing network elements and permitting the implementation of device-specific services for machine devices. |
| US09686807B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication system, and method for setting communication parameters of the communication apparatus
A device capability attribute regarding a setting on communication parameters, and provision attribute information indicative of whether or not a communication terminal is in a state that it can provide communication parameters to another communication terminal are stored in advance. The communication terminal, where the device capability attribute has at least a provision capability of the communication parameters, is selected as a provision device. In a case where there are plural communication terminals where the device capability attribute has a communication parameter provision capability, a communication terminal where the device capability attribute has the communication parameter provision capability only is preferentially selected. In a case where the device capability attributes of respective communication terminals are equal, a communication terminal storing the provision attribute information indicative of the state that it can provide the communication parameters is selected as a provision device. |
| US09686802B2 |
User equipment characteristics
A method of providing an indication of ambient operational characteristics of user equipment to a network control node in a wireless communication network is disclosed. A method of configuring radio resource allocation to user equipment in a wireless communication network in response to an indication of ambient operational characteristics of said user equipment is also disclosed. The method of providing an indication of ambient operational characteristics of user equipment to a network control node in a wireless communication network includes determining how many cell boundaries the user equipment has crossed within a monitoring period; assessing an operational parameter indicative of a relationship between the user equipment and each cell visited during the monitoring period; and communicating an indication of how many cell boundaries have been crossed together with an indication of the operational parameter to the network control node. |
| US09686801B2 |
Method and apparatus for coordinating a radio network controller and node B resource management for high speed downlink packet data service
The architecture of the high-speed shared service provides a Node B yielding various sets of information that answer a set of basic questions that a data service needs. Many potential measurements the Node B can make are provided to the RNC to enable a resource manager to perform certain functions and which can be used to answer the set of basic questions. |
| US09686797B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining power offset parameters
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for determining a power offset parameter. The method for determining the power offset parameter provided in the present invention comprises: obtaining data throughput rate and/or cell resource usage state of a terminal; determining a resource state of the terminal according to the data throughput rate and/or the cell resource usage state and a corresponding threshold; determining power offset parameter configuration corresponding to the resource state according to the determined resource state; and sending the power offset parameter configuration to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the power offset parameter according to the power offset parameter configuration. |
| US09686793B2 |
Network sharing scheme for machine-to-machine (M2M) network
A base station includes an antenna to receive frequency bands that include a first band associated with first signals carrying machine-two-machine (M2M) data and a second band associated with second signals carrying user equipment (UE) data. The base station further includes a baseband unit (BBU) that includes: a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to receive the first signals and the second signals, a digital front end (DFE) configured to generate first symbols based on the first signals and second symbols based on the second signals, a symbol processor configured to convert the first symbols into the M2M data and the second symbols into the UE data, and one or more processors configured to forward the M2M data to a first device and the UE data to a second device that differs from the first device. |
| US09686787B2 |
Pooled transport and control functions in a 3GPP LTE network
Presented are methods and apparatus for decoupling transport and control (T&C) functions from a plurality of eNBs and collecting the T&C functions in a centralized entity for managing the T&C functions for a larger pool of eNBs. An enhanced interface and protocol is defined for allowing the new T&C pool entity to communicate with the eNBs over a shared IP based network. The redistributed functionality provides for optimizing both data compression capabilities and security by compressing data earlier in its transmission path and by encrypting data before it is sent to an eNB. |
| US09686782B2 |
Adapting a number of aggregation levels for control channel elements
Methods and apparatuses are provided for a User Equipment (UE) to receive control information. A downlink bandwidth and a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format to be monitored are identified. An aggregation level is identified based on the identified downlink bandwidth and the identified DCI format. Control information is received based on the identified aggregation level. |
| US09686772B2 |
Methods and apparatus for coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communications
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) communications. Certain aspects relate to methods and apparatus for determining resource mapping and/or rate matching for CoMP operations. |
| US09686770B2 |
Methods to support MBMS service continuity and counting and localized MBMS service
Network-assisted solutions are provided to maintain MBMS service continuity, to provide efficient localized MBMS service, and to achieve intelligent MBMS service management. In a first embodiment, a source eNB acquires MBMS information of neighbor cells and acquires MBMS reception/interest status information of a UE. Based on the acquired information, the source eNB makes handover decision for the UE to handover to a selected target cell and maintain MBMS service continuity. In a second embodiment, location information of a localized MBMS service is provided to a UE. Based on the location information, the UE is able to receive the localized MBMS service with minimum power consumption. In a third embodiment, an MBMS counting procedure is provided for an eNB to count the number of UEs that are receiving or are interested in MBMS service(s). Based on the counting result, the MBMS service(s) can be enabled or disabled accordingly. |
| US09686769B2 |
Systems and methods for user equipment mobility prediction
System and method embodiments for mobility prediction in a wireless network enable the wireless network to determine the location of a wireless device with minimal transmissions from the wireless device. In an embodiment, the method includes negotiating with a mobile device to determine a mobility prediction algorithm and a condition upon which the mobile wireless device will report the actual location of the mobile device, training the mobility prediction algorithm using prior mobile wireless device location and timestamp information, determining a predicted location of the mobile device using the mobility prediction algorithm, and setting an predicted location for the mobile device at a time as the actual location for the mobile device at the time when failing to receive a location report from the mobile wireless device, wherein the mobile device transmits actual location information after the training period only if the condition is met. |
| US09686768B2 |
Utilizing motion detection in estimating variability of positioning related metrics
Systems, apparatus and methods disclosed herein utilize motion detection to estimate variability of positioning related metrics. In some embodiments, a method may comprise obtaining the speeds of a plurality of mobile stations in a set of mobile stations connected to an AP in a wireless network. The frequency of Round Trip Time (RTT) measurements between a mobile station in the plurality of mobile stations and the AP is increased during periods when the speed of the mobile station does not exceed a threshold. An estimate of variability may be obtained for RTT measurements for the AP. |
| US09686766B2 |
Location positioning using M2M ecosystem
Machine-to-machine (M2M) devices are used to enable the automatic collection of fingerprint data without human intervention at various locations in a wireless communication system. A location server receives fingerprint data collected by one or more M2M devices positioned at fixed locations in the wireless communication system, and stores the fingerprint data received for each of the one or more M2M devices in the location database to associate the received fingerprint data with the fixed location of the corresponding M2M device. The collected fingerprint data characterizes the radio environment at the fixed location of the corresponding M2M device, where each M2M device corresponds to one fixed location in a fingerprint grid. |
| US09686764B2 |
Positioning method, device and system in multi-carrier system
Disclosed are a positioning method, device and system in a multi-carrier system, relating to communications technology. When positioning in a multi-carrier system, the embodiments of the present invention respectively perform positioning measurements under a plurality of carriers and position user equipment according to the measurement results of the respectively performed positioning measurements under the plurality of carriers. Since the number of parameters for reference is increased when positioning, the positioning precision is improved. |
| US09686762B2 |
Method and system for multiplexing low frequency clocks to reduce interface count
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and system for multiplexing the low frequency signals from at least one clock transmitter to at least one clock receiver to reduce interface count. The low frequency signals are multiplexed in a CLKMUX logic using selection signals. The selection signals are generated using system frame and system clocks. The multiplexed clock is received by the CLKDEMUX logic through an interface. The interface can be backplane connectors, PCB traces and cables. The CLKDEMUX logic de-multiplexes the received clock and transmits to the SELECT LOGIC for selecting at least one low frequency clock. The SELECT LOGIC selects at least one low frequency clock based on the signals from a processor. The jitter attenuator filters jitter in the low frequency clock and the CLOCK SINK distributes system clocks to rest of system elements. |
| US09686761B2 |
Sample selection for secondary synchronization signal (SSS) detection
Methods and apparatus for selecting samples for secondary synchronization signal (SSS) detection are described. Several alternatives are provided for efficient cell identifier detection. In a first alternative, multiple bursts of a signal received from a cell are sampled with non-uniform spacing between sampling intervals to determine a sequence for cell identification. In a second alternative, samples of a first and a second signal received from a stronger cell are cancelled, and a sequence for detecting a weaker cell is determined by reducing effects of the samples of a third signal received from the weaker cell which do not overlap with the primary synchronization signal (PSS) or SSS of the stronger cell. In a third alternative, a sequence for detecting a weaker cell is determined by reducing effects of any sampled bursts that correspond to a high transmission power portion of a signal from a stronger cell. |
| US09686759B2 |
Systems and methods for uplink transmission power control
A user equipment (UE) for performing uplink transmission power control is described. The UE includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The UE determines that dual connectivity is configured with more than one cell group. The UE also determines if a total transmission power of the cell groups exceeds a maximum allowed transmission power of the UE. The UE further determines if the cell groups are asynchronized and whether look-ahead with processing time reduction is supported by the UE. The UE additionally determines an available transmission power in a subframe of a given cell group. The UE also transmits uplink (UL) channels in a subframe based on the available transmission power of the given cell group. |
| US09686754B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus for in-vehicle transmission power control
An onboard wireless communication apparatus 10 includes an in-vehicle informing processor that transmits information that enables a wireless set 20 to recognize that it is located inside a vehicle 100 to the wireless set 20 which is about to carry out wireless communication with a first wireless communication apparatus 11a serving as a communication partner, and which controls, when the wireless set 20 recognizes that it is located inside the vehicle 100, its transmit power in a manner preventing an excessive receiving power level of a second communication apparatus 11b that is carrying out, besides the first wireless communication apparatus 11a, wireless communication inside the vehicle 100 by a wireless communication technique using the same frequency band as the first wireless communication apparatus 11a. |
| US09686751B2 |
Communication control apparatus, communication control method, terminal apparatus, and information processing apparatus
[Object] To make it possible to perform uplink transmission using appropriate transmission power in the case where a beamforming process is performed.[Solution] There is provided a communication control apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire control information for determining uplink transmission power; and a communication control unit configured to control transmission of the control information to a terminal apparatus. The control information includes adjustment information for adjusting transmission power according to an antenna gain in a case where a beamforming process is performed. |
| US09686749B2 |
Portable terminal and display control method
A mobile phone 10 comprises a display 14 provided with an LED (46) that functions as a backlight, a display driver (42), etc. The display driver has a CABC (Content Adaptive Brightness Control) function to adjust illuminance of the backlight, an image quality of an image to be displayed, etc. based on the image that is displayed on the display 14. If a residual battery quantity of a secondary battery (58) becomes equal to or less that a first threshold value, for example, the CABC function is rendered in an enabled state. Furthermore, if the residual battery quantity becomes equal to or less that a second threshold value, an image parameter such as brightness, contrast, a gamma value, chroma saturation, etc. is changed such that the image that is output to the display driver becomes darker. |
| US09686747B1 |
Regulate current battery usage of a mobile device
Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for charging a battery of a first mobile device from a battery of a second mobile device. In particular embodiments, a request is received identifying an amount of charge to provide from the battery of the second device to the battery of the first device. Accordingly, a determination is made as to whether the amount of charge requested is likely to result in a battery charge of the second device dropping below a threshold value before the battery of the device is recharged based on historical battery charge usage data of the device over a past period of time. If the amount of charge is not likely to result in the battery charge dropping below the threshold value, then the battery of the first device is charged with the amount of charge from the battery of the second device. |
| US09686740B2 |
Systems and methods for intelligent frequency selection in carrier aggregation enabled networks
Systems and methods that enhance radio link performance in a multi-carrier environment. A method may be performed by a UE that includes scanning a plurality of carrier components for a primary cell, determining a first bandwidth of the primary cell, scanning for a secondary cell, determining a second bandwidth of the secondary cell, determining a maximum aggregated bandwidth by combining the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and when the maximum aggregated bandwidth exceeds a bandwidth capability of the UE, performing a cell selection procedure to select one of the primary cell or the secondary cell based on a higher of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth. |
| US09686735B2 |
Set of optimizations applicable to a wireless networks operating in TV white space bands
A server acts as a proxy mechanism for node registration with a database. The node initially registers to participate in a wireless mesh network by transmitting a registration request to the server. The server forwards the request to the database, which validates the request. The server records that the registration request was, in fact, validated by the database. The node is then permitted to participate in the network. If the node becomes decoupled from the network, the node may then transmit a re-registration request to the server. Since the server recorded that the previous registration was validated, the server may then simply validate the re-registration request, without interacting with the database. |
| US09686733B2 |
Communication method in a wireless telecommunications network, associated computer program and wireless communication node
A communication method in a wireless network is provided. The method includes, during the transmission of a data block from a source node to a destination node, the following steps: a node, having stored a set of segments of the block, selects a first adjacent node; determines an appropriate segment size for a transfer to the first adjacent node; reformats at least one segment from the set of segment(s) based on the determined segment size; and sends at least the reformatted segment to the first determined adjacent node; the method being characterized in that the node detects a modification of the links between the node and its adjacent nodes, and following that detection, selects a second adjacent node, stops the transmission to the first adjacent node of the set of segments stored before the detection, determines an updated appropriate segment size for a transfer to the second determined adjacent node, reformats at least one segment from the set of segment(s) not yet transmitted to the first adjacent node based on the updated size and transmits the at least one reformatted segment to the second adjacent node. |
| US09686731B2 |
Method for selectively processing traffic in wireless communication system supporting multiple access network, and apparatus supporting same
Provided is a method for processing traffic by a terminal in a wireless communication system supporting a multiple access network. The method comprises receiving from a first access network traffic routing information, and processing traffic on the first access network based on the traffic routing information. The traffic routing information indicates whether at least one unit of traffic on the first access network can be processed through a second access network. Processing the traffic based on the traffic routing information involves determining whether the traffic can be processed through the second access network, and processing the traffic through the second access network when the traffic can be processed through the second access network. |
| US09686730B2 |
Data forwarding method, device, and communications system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a data forwarding method, device, and communications system, which relate to the field of communications and can achieve accuracy and continuity of data transmission during carrier aggregation for cells between base stations. The method includes: sending, by a primary base station, a first message to a secondary base station, where the first message is used to instruct the secondary base station to perform handover, and the first message includes an identifier of a target base station; confirming, by the primary base station, that the secondary base station forwards data to the target base station; and sending, by the primary base station, a second message to a user equipment, where the second message is used to instruct the user equipment to acquire the data from the target base station. The embodiments of the present invention are used for data forwarding. |
| US09686728B2 |
User terminal and processor for transmitting UE EUTRA capability information
A mobile communication system is a mobile communication system that supports D2D communication that is direct device-to-device communication, and includes a user terminal configured to establish a radio connection with a base station, where the user terminal transmits terminal measurement information indicating information obtained by measurement of the user terminal, to the base station, and a network including the base station instructs the user terminal to start the D2D communication, when it is determined on the basis of the terminal measurement information that interference to the base station does not exceed a permissive amount when the user terminal performs the D2D communication. |
| US09686723B2 |
Processing apparatus, mobile communication system, base station apparatus, method for switching connection of mobile station, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
A processing apparatus operates aiming to realize handover to each mobile station while reducing a failure rate of the handover even when PSC Confusion is generated. More specifically, when a connection of the mobile station is switched from a first base station to a second base station, the processing apparatus determines the second base station by selecting from a plurality of base stations according to connection history information indicating a success or a failure of past switching of the connection from the first base station to at least one of the plurality of base stations. |
| US09686714B2 |
Cell identification collision detection in wireless communications
Detecting local cell identifier collision by a base station may be achieved by receiving, at a first base station from a user device, a dedicated identifier associated with a second base station. The dedicated identifier may include or otherwise map to a user device identifier associated with the second base station and a local cell identifier associated with the second base station. Based on the dedicated identifier, it may be determined, at the first base station, that there is a local cell identifier collision between the first base station and the second base station. |
| US09686710B2 |
Method for obtaining policy information for making traffic detour
The present invention provides a method for obtaining policy information for traffic offload. The method may be performed by user equipment and comprise: receiving, through an Access Point (AP), HotSpot 2.0-related policy information including policy information related to a roaming consortium concluded between Access Point (AP) service providers; checking whether previously received 3GPP-based policy information or configuration information is present; and if there is a conflict, transmitting a policy information request message including the received HotSpot 2.0-related policy information, to a 3GPP-based network node in order to obtain 3GPP-based policy information into which the received HotSpot 2.0-related policy information has been reflected. |
| US09686707B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting and measuring for Home Node-Bs
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to detect and perform measurements with respect to Home Node-Bs (HNB) and Home evolved Node-Bs (H(e)NB) (collectively “HNB”). The methods may include generating and transmitting a request for a measurement configuration that may include gap allocations to detect and measure a primary scrambling code or a physical cell identity of a target HNB for at least one frequency or radio access technology (RAT). The request may be in response to the WTRU entering a HNB cell for which the WTRU has stored fingerprint information and whose closed subscriber group ID is in the WTRU's whitelist. The network may configure the WTRU to measure the requested frequency or RAT in response to the proximity report/request. Methods are described for releasing the measurement configuration. |
| US09686705B2 |
Capture of PSS and SSS with wireless local area network receive chain
An apparatus for capturing a signal of interest, e.g., PSS and/or SSS, captures data transmitted by a WWAN by obtaining access to a WLAN receive chain for a period of time corresponding to a measurement gap. The signal of interest transmitted by the WWAN is captured during the measurement gap using the WLAN receive chain. Access to a WLAN receive chain may be obtained in any one of several ways. For example, access may be obtained by 1) requesting WLAN receive chain access for LTE measurements through a virtual flow, 2) entering into a power save mode, 3) tuning to a non-operating WLAN channel, 4) setting network allocation vector (NAV) at or above a threshold value, or 5) entering a measurement mode during which the WLAN receive chain is prevented from performing WLAN operations. |
| US09686699B2 |
Method and apparatus for estimating available bandwidth for each user equipment in mobile communication system
A method for estimating an available bandwidth for each User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system comprises: a process of receiving estimated bandwidth information for at least one UE from an enhanced node B; a process of checking whether the estimated bandwidth information is received from a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer constituting said enhanced node B, or received through a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer or a Packet Data Control Protocol (PDCP) layer; a process of updating channel quality information using said estimated bandwidth information if it is checked that said estimated bandwidth information is received through the MAC layer; a process of updating an average value weighted with respect to the number of bytes of the bandwidth served by said enhanced node B using the estimated bandwidth information if it is checked that said estimated bandwidth information is received through the RLC or PDCP layer; and a process of calculating the bandwidth currently available by at least one UE using the updated channel quality information or the average value weighted with respect to the number of the bytes of the served bandwidth, and then transmitting the calculated bandwidth to a server. |
| US09686698B2 |
Signal amplifiers that switch to an attenuated or alternate communications path in response to a power interruption
RF signal amplifiers are provided that include an RF input port, a switching device having an input that is coupled to the RF input port, a first output and a second output, a first diplexer having an input that is coupled to both the first output of the switching device and the second output of the switching device, and a first RF output port that is coupled to an output of the first diplexer. These amplifiers further include an attenuator that is coupled between the second output of the switching device and the input of the first diplexer. |
| US09686697B2 |
Network data optimization
A device is configured to obtain base station information for base stations indicating whether data communicated via a respective base station should receive optimization processing. The device may obtain a base station identifier from a base station. The device may determine whether the data communicated via the base station should receive the optimization processing based on the base station information and the base station identifier. The device may receive non-optimized data to be sent to a client device via the base station. The device may selectively cause the optimization processing to be performed on the non-optimized data based on whether the data communicated via the base station should receive the optimization processing. The device may provide optimized data generated by the optimization processing or the non-optimized data to the client device via the base station based on selectively causing the optimization processing to be performed. |
| US09686695B2 |
Methods and apparatus for beam search and tracking in mm-wave access systems
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for operating a user equipment (UE) are provided. The apparatus determines a first coarse set of beamforming paths between the UE and a first millimeter wave base station (mmW-BS), receives on a first set of narrow beamforming paths close to a first beamforming path within the first coarse set of beamforming paths, requests the first mmW-BS to transmit on a second set of narrow beamforming paths close to a second beamforming path within the first coarse set of beamforming paths when a signal quality of the first beamforming path and the first set of narrow beamforming paths are less than a first threshold, and communicates through one of the second beamforming path or a path within the second set of narrow beamforming paths. |
| US09686693B2 |
WI-FI tile transfer
Various technologies described herein pertain to transferring geospatial tiles for Wi-Fi networks. A geospatial tile specifies a geographic region and includes data pertaining to a plurality of Wi-Fi networks having respective geographic coverage areas within the geographic region. A mobile device can receive an indicator that corresponds to a geospatial tile for retrieval by the mobile device. Further, the mobile device can request the geospatial tile from a tile management system based upon the indicator. Upon receiving the geospatial tile from the tile management system, the mobile device stores the geospatial tile in a tile cache. Further, the mobile device can automatically connect to a particular Wi-Fi network from the plurality of Wi-Fi networks utilizing data for the particular Wi-Fi network included in the geospatial tile when the mobile device is positioned within a geographic coverage area of the particular Wi-Fi network. |
| US09686684B2 |
Apparatus and method for communication security in a nationwide wireless network
Systems and methods for security in a nationwide wireless network with geographically dispersed wireless routers are described. The wireless routers have an interface function with an ability to receive telephone calls from an authorized caller. The router, in response and on demand generates a set of bounded random numbers (BRN) as a random seed for use in generation of encryption keys for communication security between the router and a portable wireless device of the caller. |
| US09686682B2 |
Setup of multiple IoT network devices
The present disclosure relates to setup of IoT network devices, and specifically to setup of multiple similar IoT devices at substantially the same time using joint authentication. Embodiments include, for example, receiving, at an existing network device on a network, one or more communications, wherein the one or more communications include an indication that multiple new network devices are associated with the network; receiving an indication that the multiple new network devices have generated a setup access point; establishing a connection with the access point of each of the multiple new network devices; receiving identification information, wherein the identification information includes information identifying each of the multiple new network devices; and transmitting the identification information identifying each of the multiple new network devices, wherein when the identification information is received, the identification information facilitates generating an authentication query to authenticate one or more of the multiple new network devices. |
| US09686681B2 |
Systems and methods for facilitating intra-cell-peer-to-peer communication
Methods and systems for providing efficient communications between two mobile stations served by the same base station or relay station are provided. A base station maintains information identifying which mobile stations it is serving. When a connection is set up between two mobile stations, if they are both being served by the same base station, the base station forwards traffic directly between the two mobile stations without forwarding it on to higher level network entities. |
| US09686678B2 |
Method and apparatus for negotiating security during handover between different radio access technologies
Solution for security negotiation during handover of a user equipment (UE) between different radio access technologies is provided. In the solution, the UE receives non-access stratum (NAS) security information and access stratum (AS) security information which are selected by the target system and then performs security negotiation with the target system according to the received NAS security information and AS security information. As such, the UE may obtain the key parameter information of the NAS and AS selected by a long term evolution (LTE) system and perform security negotiation with the LTE system when the UE hands over from a different system, such as a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), to the LTE system. |
| US09686675B2 |
Systems, methods and devices for deriving subscriber and device identifiers in a communication network
A network monitoring node receives one or more data messages regarding User Equipment (UE) from one or more network interfaces for a communication session in the communication network continuously in real-time, determines a subscriber identification (ID) associated with the UE from the one or more data messages regarding the UE, and determines an equipment identification (ID) associated with the UE from the one or more data messages regarding the UE. The network monitoring node further receives a base-key associated with the UE from the one or more data messages regarding the UE, derives a decryption key from the base-key, decrypts a temporary ID associated with the UE from the one or more data messages regarding the UE based on the decryption key, maps the temporary ID with the subscriber ID for the UE, and the subscriber ID with the equipment ID for the UE, and assigns data messages for all further communication sessions to the UE based on the mapping. The Subscriber ID and Equipment ID are preferably assigned to all further communication sessions for that UE. It updates the mapping when changes to the temporary ID or equipment ID occur. |
| US09686671B2 |
Camel roaming adaptations
The present invention is directed towards a method for facilitating roaming tests for a club network. The method includes simulating a roamer's profile by a signaling gateway and associating with either a club network or a roaming partner network of the club network. The club network and the roaming partner network correspond to a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visited PMN, respectively, in case the roamer is an outbound roamer. In case the roamer is an inbound roamer, the club network corresponds to the VPMN and roaming partner network corresponds to the HPMN. The method further includes performing by the signaling gateway, one or more CAMEL capability tests on the roamer. The roaming subscriber is associated with either the club network or the roaming partner network. |
| US09686666B2 |
Method and arrangement for handling D2D communication
A method in a first wireless device for handling Device to Device, D2D, communication between the first wireless device and a second wireless device is provided. The first wireless device sends a beacon signal to be received by the second wireless device. The beacon signal announces that the first wireless device is available for D2D communication. The beacon signal is sent on a first channel where the first wireless device is interfered. The beacon signal indicates that no response to the beacon signal shall be sent on the first channel. |
| US09686663B2 |
Systems and methods for acquiring and providing information associated with a crisis
Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can determine a geographical area associated with a crisis. A first user within the geographical area can be identified based on locational data associated with the first user. Information about a safety status of the first user can be actively requested or acquired from the first user. The safety status of the first user can be broadcasted, communicated, or provided to at least a second user associated with the first user. |
| US09686660B2 |
Secure mobile information management system and method
Information or items that otherwise might be carried in a person's wallet or purse may be managed and stored on a mobile phone. Embodiments include a software application loaded on a mobile phone and an Internet website through which certain information can be transmitted to the phone by the user, third parties, or both. A user may be alerted to certain information or changes in information that meet certain criteria. The website may provide secure storage for information, filter information, and send encrypted and compressed nuggets or fractions of information to the phone for storage based on topic. E-mails may be searched for information, information may be sent to different parties, and signals may be sent locally to exchange information. Personal information may include account information or travel information, for example. |
| US09686656B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling group affiliation for a user with multiple mobile devices
A communication system is provided for controlling group affiliation in a wireless communication system, wherein a group management server determines, or modifies, a set of one or more group affiliation parameters and group de-affiliation parameters associated with a mobile device based on capabilities of another mobile device and/or a set of one or more group affiliation parameters and group de-affiliation parameters associated with the another mobile device. The mobile devices may be mobile devices of a same user or may be mobile devices of different users. In other embodiments of the present invention, in response to receiving a request to initiate a group call involving a group that includes multiple mobile devices of a same user, the group management server may select only one of the multiple mobile devices to participate in the group call and arrange for only the selected mobile device to participate in the group call. |
| US09686652B2 |
Crowd congestion detection
An approach for crowd congestion detection, the approach determines one or more selected locations. The approach determines a frequency spectrum history of one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a location of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a frequency spectrum of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach determines a crowding measure for the one or more selected locations based, at least in part, on the frequency spectrum history and the frequency spectrum of the one or more users within the one or more selected locations. The approach ranks the one or more selected locations based, at least in part, on the crowding measure. |
| US09686649B2 |
Determination of device location in crowded indoor environments
Methods and apparatus for determining device location in crowded indoor environments. A mobile device is configured to determine its location using a Wi-Fi Time of Flight (ToF)-based location scheme. Once the device determines it location, it may broadcast its location to nearby devices using a low energy location sharing mechanism that employs low energy broadcast signals identifying the location of the device. The low energy broadcast signals may be used by other devices having a similar configuration, as well as devices that don't use the ToF-based location scheme to determine their locations using RSSI measurements and multi-lateration and/or have such capabilities disabled. The location of a device may be updated by fusing location data derived from the ToF-based location scheme with location data received from nearby devices that are broadcasting their locations using the low energy location sharing mechanism. The sharing mechanism reduces the number of ToF sessions, while also reducing power consumption by using the lower energy broadcasts to share location data. |
| US09686648B2 |
Method, a server and a computer program for local discovery
In a method for local discovery a request to make a search for at least one local service is received from at least one device. A search is performed by means of at least one service directory to discover the at least one local service. As a result of the search, information on such local services in proximity of the device is provided to the device. |
| US09686639B2 |
Transmission system using bluetooth low energy technique
A transmission system using the Bluetooth Low Energy is provided. The transmission system includes a broadcast device transmitting broadcast data, and a scanning device receiving the broadcast data and determining whether to execute a response action according to the broadcast data. The response action includes replying with request data to the broadcast device, and the broadcast device determines whether to transmit parameter data to the scanning device according to the request data in order to make the scanning device determine whether to further execute the response action. The parameter data is set according to the request data. |
| US09686634B2 |
Machine-to-machine (M2M) oriented service platform interface apparatus and method
Disclosed are an M2M oriented service platform interface apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: a coordinated service management module, configured to forward service data and a service request, perform management, adaptation, and provision on service data, and perform coordinated management on a service according to a service request of an application server; a context management and provision module, configured to manage and provide context information; a stream transmission and service adaptation module, configured to perform a traffic distribution operation on a service according to a user service type and context information, adapt the service to different M2M terminal equipment and networks, provide service data that a user needs, and perform corresponding service adaptation upon different user demands; and a joint wireless resource management module, configured to perform scheduling and adaptation on a wireless resource carried by an M2M terminal equipment, and perform adaptation and scheduling on the wireless resource according to service context information, context information of the M2M terminal equipment, and a network load, so as to complete transmission and information interaction of a service stream. |
| US09686633B2 |
Low bandwidth machine type communication in a long term evolution network
The present invention provides a method and system for enabling machine type communication in a long term evolution (LTE) network environment. In one embodiment, a Physical (PHY) layer of a LTE protocol stack maps data bits in resource elements of a logical channel to resource elements of a physical channel. The PHY layer identifies the data bits intended for legacy devices but mapped to a first set of resource elements of machine type communication (MTC) devices and the data bits intended for the MTC device but mapped to the second set of resource elements of the legacy devices. Accordingly, the PHY layer remaps the data bits intended for the legacy devices to the second set of resource elements and the data bits intended for the MTC devices to the first set of resource elements prior to transmission. |
| US09686632B2 |
Method and apparatus for accessing virtual smart cards
Various methods are provided for facilitating a software smart card environment consisting of multiple virtual UICCs (vUICC). One example method may comprise determining the location of one or more applications stored on a plurality of vUICCs, wherein the plurality of vUICCs are hosted in a secure environment. The method may also comprise receiving a request from a terminal application to execute an application of the one or more applications stored on the plurality of vUICCs. The method may further comprise determining a vUICC identification relating to the requested application. The method may further comprise causing a logical channel to be established with the requested application on a vUICC using the determined vUICC identification. Similar and related example apparatuses and example computer program products are also provided. |
| US09686625B2 |
Systems and methods for delivery of personalized audio
There is provided a system for delivery of personalized audio including a memory and a processor configures to receive a plurality of audio contents, receive a first playback request from a first user device for playing a first audio content of the plurality of audio contents using the plurality of speakers, obtain a first position of a first user of the first user device with respect to each of the plurality of speakers, and play, using the plurality of speakers and object-based audio, the first audio content of the plurality of audio contents based on the first position of the first user of the first user device with respect to each of the plurality of speakers. |
| US09686623B2 |
Middle ear implant
A hearing actuator (10) for implantation in the middle ear of a user. The actuator comprises transducer means (for example a piezoelectric device) (12) for converting electrical input signals into mechanical vibrations, and attachment means (16) for attaching one end of the transducer means to a first part of the middle ear. The actuator also comprises contacting means (14) which extends from an opposite end of the transducer means such that a longitudinal axis of the contacting means is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the transducer means. The contacting means is for contacting a second part of the middle ear (to which it may be attached), so as to transmit the mechanical vibrations of the transducer means thereto. |
| US09686618B2 |
Ultrasonic transducer
Ultrasonic transducers that are capable of generating increased levels of ultrasound, as well as receiving ultrasonic waves with increased sensitivity. The ultrasonic transducers include a back cover, a protective front cover, a backplate, and a vibrator film layer disposed between the backplate and the protective front cover. The backplate includes a plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof facing the vibrator film layer. Each groove includes upper edges having cross-sectional contours that gradually tend toward the deepest part of the groove to allow a larger area of the backplate to be closer to the vibrator film layer, thereby increasing the resulting electric field, and, consequently, increasing the output power and sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer. |
| US09686612B2 |
Transference of time sensitive data between a wireless communication device and a computer system
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for communicating between two or more drivers respectively controlling and/or managing different channels through which data is transferred between a wireless communication device and a computer system and/or between a controller of the computer system and an application of the computer system. Typically, at least one of the channels is configured to transmit time sensitive data (e.g., such as audio data) while another channel is configured to transmit time insensitive data (e.g., such as call control data). A device driver interface may be configured to provide a medium through which the two or more drivers can communicate. The techniques and/or systems find particular application with respect to Bluetooth headsets used in combination with a computer system comprising a system on chip architecture, but other applications are also contemplated. |
| US09686609B1 |
Low power synchronous data interface
A low power, digital audio interface includes support for variable length coding depending on content of the audio data sent from the interface. A particularized coding system is implemented that uses techniques of silence detection, dynamic scaling, and periodic encoding to reduce sent data to a minimum. Other techniques include variable packet scaling based on an audio sample rate. Differential signaling techniques are also used. The digital audio interface may be used in a headphone interface to drive digital headphones. A detector in the interface may detect whether digital or analog headphones are coupled to a headphone jack and drive the headphone jack accordingly. |
| US09686600B2 |
Audio output device and video/audio output device using the same
An audio output device including a casing, a first speaker component, a second speaker component and a sound-guiding board, and a video/audio output device using the same are disclosed. The first speaker component is a circular speaker, and is disposed at the casing. The first speaker component faces towards a first direction. The second speaker component is disposed at the casing, and faces towards a second direction which is different from the first direction. The sound-guiding board is a square plate body, located above the first speaker component, and is separated at a predetermined distance from the first speaker component. |
| US09686593B2 |
Decoding of closed captions at a media server
Systems and methods of processing closed captions are disclosed. For example, a media server may receive a first video stream and first closed caption data associated with the first video stream. The media server may interpret at least one command included in the first closed caption data to generate interpreted closed caption data. The media server may transmit, to a destination device, a second video stream including second closed caption data that is generated based on the interpreted closed caption data. |
| US09686591B2 |
Television viewer interface system
A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item. |
| US09686578B2 |
Video processing system for demultiplexing received compressed and non-compressed video signals and transmitting demultiplexed signals
The present invention is intended to permit both real-time display of a picture represented by a non-compressed video signal on a television and display of a picture represented by a compressed video signal at any desired time by simultaneously transmitting the compressed video signal and non-compressed video signal via one interface. An STB packetizes a compressed video signal, and multiplexes the compressed video signal and a blanking signal combined with a non-compressed video signal. Thus, both the video signals are transmitted simultaneously. A picture represented by the non-compressed video signal is displayed on a television in real time. The compressed video signal is stored in a storage medium incorporated in the television, read at any user's desired time, and decoded so that a picture represented by the compressed video signal can be viewed at the user's desired time. |
| US09686577B2 |
Time-sensitive content update
In one embodiment, a method includes determining available media content from one or more content sources and providing at least a portion of the available media content for display in a programming guide on a display device of a user. The programming guide includes a plurality of entries each associated with one of the available media content. The method further includes determining that an update action button should be displayed on the display device, providing the update action button for display on the display device when it is determined that the update action button should be displayed, and updating the programming guide in response to a user selection of the update action button. The update action button is operable to cause the social-networking system to update the programming guide. |
| US09686572B2 |
Digital media distribution device
A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network. |
| US09686571B2 |
Techniques to manage a network television schedule
Techniques to selectively provide a video feed to broadcasting equipment are disclosed. A master control switcher may receive video feeds from video servers containing video content. The master control switcher may select one of the video feeds to output. At least one localized switcher may also receive video feeds from the video servers and select one of the video feeds to output. One of the video feeds supplied to the localized switcher(s) is the output from the master control switcher. An air server may receive video feeds from the master control switcher and the at least one localized switcher and out put the video feeds to separate broadcasting equipment. The video feeds may be arranged to reflect a schedule of programming for a local television station. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09686570B2 |
Method for synchronized content playback
It is provided a method for synchronizing content playback at the presentation level, wherein, a first content is presented on a first device and a second content that is the same as or correlated with the first content is presented on a second device. The method comprises steps of receiving status messages from the first device and the second device, wherein the status messages comprise information about playback positions of the first content and the second content currently being playbacked at the presentation level of the first device and the second device; and in response to differences between playback positions of the first content and the second content comprised in the status messages being above a threshold value, performing adjustment to maintain difference of playback positions of the first content and the second content at the presentation level of the first device and the second device below the threshold value. |
| US09686568B2 |
Context initialization in entropy coding
A decoder includes an entropy decoder configured to derive a number of bins of the binarizations from the data stream using binary entropy decoding by selecting a context among different contexts and updating probability states associated with the different contexts, dependent on previously decoded portions of the data stream; a desymbolizer configured to debinarize the binarizations of the syntax elements to obtain integer values of the syntax elements; a reconstructor configured to reconstruct the video based on the integer values of the syntax elements using a quantization parameter, wherein the entropy decoder is configured to distinguish between 126 probability states and to initialize the probability states associated with the different contexts according to a linear equation of the quantization parameter, wherein the entropy decoder is configured to, for each of the different contexts, derive a slope and an offset of the linear equation from first and second four bit parts of a respective 8 bit initialization value. |
| US09686565B2 |
Low-resolution video coding content extraction
A method for extracting low-resolution video from compressed high-resolution video is disclosed. First, a video, comprising high-resolution frames encoded with a predictive coding technique, is input. At least one of the high-resolution frames is a reference frame. The reference frame is down-sampled to produce a first low-resolution frame with a first DC coefficient. Frequency coefficients corresponding to the first low-resolution frame are generated. Then, a second low-resolution frame is generated according to the frequency coefficients and the first low-resolution frame, the second low-resolution frame having a second DC coefficient. A residual error corresponding to the second low-resolution frame is generated. Finally, a third low-resolution frame is generated according to the frequency coefficients, the first low-resolution frame, and the residual error. A third DC coefficient for the third low-resolution frame is determined according to a weighted average of at least the first DC coefficient and the second DC coefficient. |
| US09686563B2 |
Video encoding method, video decoding method, video encoding apparatus, video decoding apparatus, video encoding program, and video decoding program
A video processing system 100 is provided with video encoding device 10 and video decoding device 20. The video encoding device 10 implements backward interframe prediction from a temporally subsequent frame and outputs information indicating that an option to eliminate use of a decoded image of the temporally subsequent frame was chosen. The video decoding device 20 eliminates use of the decoded image of the frame on the basis of this information, in conjunction with input of the information for eliminating use of the decoded image of the temporally subsequent frame. |
| US09686562B2 |
Method and device for encoding/decoding image by inter prediction using random block
A video encoding apparatus, includes: a block partitioning unit to determine a partition form, among candidate partition forms, for partitioning a current block into one or more partition blocks; a prediction unit to generate one or more predicted blocks respectively corresponding to the one or more partition blocks by using a scale factor which indicates a ratio of pixel sampling; a subtractor to generate a residual block of the current block by subtracting the predicted blocks from one or more partition blocks corresponding thereto; a transformer to generate at least one transform block by transforming the residual block; a quantizer to generate at least one quantized transform block by quantizing the at least one transform block; and an encoder to encode, into the bitstream, information on the scale factor, information on the determined partition form and the at least one quantized transform block. |
| US09686556B2 |
Rate-estimation for encoding rate control
System and method for improving operational efficiency of a video encoding pipeline used to encode image data. In embodiments, the video encoding pipeline includes bit-rate statistics generation that is useful for controlling subsequent bit rates and/or determining encoding operational modes. |
| US09686554B2 |
Encoder adaptation
An adaptive control system for a media encoder configured to encode a media data stream in accordance with a set of one or more encode parameters, the system comprising: an input queue for receiving a sequence of data portions representing a media stream; and an adaptation controller configured to form an accumulation parameter indicative of an incidence of accumulation events at the input queue, each accumulation event representing the reception of an incoming data portion into the input queue while a previous data portion in the sequence is in the input queue; the adaptation controller being configured to control the encode parameters of the media encoder in dependence on the accumulation parameter. |
| US09686552B2 |
Adaptive field/frame decoding of B-frame with field/frame index
A moving picture coding method for coding a picture with switching between frame coding and field coding adaptively on a block-by-block basis includes: determining the maximum number of reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, using the maximum number of reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding; and assigning to fields the reference indices for field coding for specifying fields which are to be referred to at the time of field coding, within a range of the determined maximum number thereof, using the reference indices for frame coding for specifying frames which are to be referred to at the time of frame coding. |
| US09686550B2 |
Moving picture coding device, moving picture coding method and moving picture coding program, and moving picture decoding device, moving picture decoding method and moving picture decoding program
A merging motion information candidate list construction unit generates a merging motion information candidate list, which is a list of merging motion information candidates, using a spatial merging motion information candidate and a temporal merging motion information candidate. A second merging motion information candidate supplying unit generates a new merging motion information candidate including, if a reference index indicates an available reference picture, the reference index and, if the reference index does not indicate an available reference picture, a predetermined reference index along with a motion vector having a size and a direction that are preset and adds the new merging motion information candidate to the merging motion information candidate list. A merging motion information selection unit selects one merging motion information candidate from the merging motion information candidate list to which the new merging motion information candidate has been added. |
| US09686546B2 |
Switching between streaming video bitstreams
Improved methods and apparatuses are provided for switching of streaming data bitstreams, such as, for example, used in video streaming and other related applications. Some desired functionalities provided herein include random access, fast forward and fast backward, error-resilience and bandwidth adaptation. The improved methods and apparatuses can be configured to increase coding efficiency of and/or reduce the amount of data needed to encode a switching bitstream. |
| US09686543B2 |
Method for coding and decoding scalable video and apparatus using same
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for interlayer intra-prediction, and the method for interlayer intra-prediction, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: deciding whether to apply an interlayer prediction to an enhancement layer; and performing a prediction on a current block of the enhancement layer based on reference information that is generalized and generated from a reference picture, which is decoded, of a reference layer, when the interlayer prediction is applied. |
| US09686539B1 |
Camera pair calibration using non-standard calibration objects
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for calibrating two cameras (image capture units) using a non-standard, and initially unknown, calibration object are described. More particularly, an iterative approach to determine the structure and pose of an target object in an unconstrained environment are disclosed. The target object may be any of a number of predetermined objects such as a specific three dimensional (3D) shape, a specific type of animal (e.g., dogs), or the face of an arbitrary human. Virtually any object whose structure may be expressed in terms of a relatively low dimensional parametrized model may be used as a target object. The identified object (i.e., its pose and shape) may be used as input to a bundle adjustment operation resulting in camera calibration. |
| US09686533B2 |
3D panel, method for driving 3D panel and electronic device
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide a 3D panel, a method for driving the 3D panel, and an electronic device. The method includes: driving a first group of gate lines row by row and displaying a first image, in scanning a (4k+1)-th frame, k being a natural number; driving a second group of gate lines row by row and displaying a second image, in scanning a (4k+2)-th frame; driving the first group of gate lines row by row and displaying a third image, in scanning a (4k+3)-th frame; driving the second group of gate lines row by row and displaying a fourth image, in scanning a (4k+4)-th frame. Gate lines in the first group of gate lines and those in the second group are arranged alternately. Scanning directions of the (4k+1)-th frame and the (4k+3)-th frame are opposite. Scanning directions of the (4k+2)-th frame and the (4k+4)-th frame are opposite. |
| US09686532B2 |
System and method of acquiring three-dimensional coordinates using multiple coordinate measurement devices
A method is provided of determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object surface with a laser tracker and structured light scanner. The method includes providing the scanner having a body, a pair of cameras, a projector, and a processor. The projector and cameras are positioned in a non-collinear arrangement. The projector is configured to project a first pattern onto the surface. The method also includes providing the tracker which emits a beam of light onto the retroreflector. The tracker receives a reflected beam of light. The first location is measured with the tracker. The first orientation is measured with the tracker. The first surface pattern is projected onto the surface. A pair of images of the surface pattern is acquired with cameras. The processor determines the 3D coordinates of a first plurality of points in the tracker frame of reference based in part on epipolar constraints of the cameras and projector. |
| US09686523B2 |
Method for image processing and an electronic device thereof
A method and an apparatus for image processing in an electronic device are provided. The method for image processing in the electronic device includes obtaining a first image and a second image respectively from a first image sensor and a second image sensor, determining at least one of a first image processing parameter for the first image and a second image processing parameter for the second image as an image processing parameter for the first image and the second image, and displaying at least one of the first image and the second image by considering the image processing parameter for the first image and a second image. |
| US09686517B2 |
Optical system and image compensating method of optical apparatus
An optical system includes an optical apparatus. The optical apparatus is for projecting a first projection image to a plane or detecting a first detected image of the plane. The optical apparatus includes a first image device, and a lens group. The first image device has an image surface having an image center. The lens group is disposed between the first image device and the plane and has a lens axis surface and an optic center. The optic center and the image center form a connection line. The plane has a tangent surface to an intersecting point of the connection line. The lens axis surface, the tangent surface, and an extension surface of the image surface substantially intersect at a straight line. |
| US09686512B2 |
Multi-user interactive virtual environment including broadcast content and enhanced social layer content
A system and method for providing interactive graphical and multi-media connectivity between a plurality of users, especially in the context of shared content. In aspects, the users are placed into common virtual rooms or virtual interactive environments to permit sharing of content and chat between the individuals in a same virtual interactive environment. Participating users can thereby exchange social layer content as an enhanced content layer beyond a common broadcast content they are experiencing together. Other features and associated functions are also described. |
| US09686510B1 |
Selectable interaction elements in a 360-degree video stream
Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing selectable interaction elements in a 360-degree video stream. A selectable interaction element is an element (e.g., user interface element) for which selection of the element initiates the providing of information pertaining to an object with which the element is associated. For instance, the selectable interaction element may be positioned proximate the object in the 360-degree video stream (e.g., a portion of the 360-degree video stream or an entirety of the 360-degree video stream). Examples of a user interface element include but are not limited to text, an icon, and a widget. |
| US09686509B2 |
Supporting patient-centeredness in telehealth communications
A teleconferencing system includes a dominance calculator (24), and a view engine (26). The dominance calculator (24) is configured to compute a dominance score for at least one channel of a plurality of channels of communication based on received video and/or audio from each communication channel. The view engine (26) is configured to send a display overlay including a visual indicator of the computed dominance score to the at least one channel. |
| US09686508B2 |
Shared scene mesh data synchronization
A user device within a communication architecture, the user device comprising: an image capture device configured to determine image data and intrinsic/extrinsic capture device data for the creation of a video channel defining a shared scene; a surface reconstruction entity configured to determine surface reconstruction data associated with the image data from the image capture device; a video channel configured to encode and packetize the image data and intrinsic/extrinsic capture device data; a surface reconstruction channel configured to encode and packetize the surface reconstruction data; a transmitter configured to transmit the video and surface reconstruction channel packets; and a bandwidth controller configured to control the bandwidth allocated to the video channel and the surface reconstruction channel. |
| US09686503B2 |
Camera system, video processing apparatus, and camera apparatus
Disclosed herein is a camera system including, a camera apparatus having, an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section, and a video processing apparatus having a second transmission processing section and a conversion section, wherein the video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section. |
| US09686499B2 |
Photo tagging with biometric metadata generated by smart textiles
A smart camera includes a photo image capturing device, a biometric data retrieval device, a positioning signal receiver, and a tagging device. The photo image capturing device captures a digitized photograph that shows an image of a person. The biometric data retrieval device requests and receives biometric data for the person from a smart textile garment being worn by the person. The positioning signal receiver receives a positioning signal from a positioning device in the smart textile garment, in order to identify a location of the person within the field of view of the photo image capturing device. The tagging device associates the image of the person with the received biometric data for the person, thereby tagging the image of the person with the biometric data. |
| US09686490B2 |
Integrating pixels and methods of operation
A pixel cell includes a first integration capacitor, a second integration capacitor, a photo detector and a transistor. The first integration capacitor includes a first lead operatively coupled to the photo detector. The second integration capacitor includes a first lead. The transistor is operatively coupled between the leads of the first and second integration capacitors for enabling current flow between the photo detector and the second integration capacitor only once a threshold voltage is met on the first integration capacitor. |
| US09686486B2 |
Multi-resolution pixel architecture with shared floating diffusion nodes
An image sensor may include an array of image photodiodes formed in rows and columns. The array of image photodiodes may include a region of photodiodes arranged in three adjacent rows and three adjacent columns of the array. The region of photodiodes may include four non-adjacent photodiodes, each of which generates charge in response to the same color of light. The four non-adjacent photodiodes may be coupled to a shared floating diffusion node. Each of the four non-adjacent photodiodes may transfer generated charge to the shared floating diffusion node. The charges from each of the four non-adjacent photodiodes may be summed at the shared floating diffusion node and read out as a summed signal or may be individually transferred to the shared floating diffusion node and read out individually. |
| US09686484B2 |
Apparatus for acquiring and projecting broadband image capable of implementing visible light optical image and invisible light fluorescence image together
Provided is an apparatus for acquiring and projecting a broadband image. The apparatus includes a probe unit provided with a white light source unit configured to emit white light for acquiring a visible light image to a subject, a fluorescence excitation light source unit configured to emit fluorescence excitation light for acquiring an invisible light fluorescence image, an image acquisition unit configured to receive an invisible light fluorescence image signal for the subject, and an image projection unit configured to project an image onto the subject; and an image processing unit configured to process an image received from the image acquisition unit. This apparatus may simultaneously acquire and display the visible light image and the invisible light fluorescence image. |
| US09686480B2 |
Image generation apparatus, vehicle, control method of image generation apparatus and storage medium that set an adjustment target value of emission light intensity
An image generation apparatus for generating an image includes a light source device; an optical deflection device to deflect laser beam from the light source device to a scanned face and a light detector; a light quantity adjustment device including a member disposable on a light path of the laser beam between the light source device and the optical deflection device; an emission light intensity adjustment unit to adjust emission light intensity of the light source device; and a controller to set a first adjustment target value of emission light intensity and an adjustment target value of light quantity when laser beam is deflected to the scanned face based on target luminance of the image, and a second adjustment target value of emission light intensity when laser beam is deflected to the light detector based on an adjustment target value of light quantity and detection sensitivity of the light detector. |
| US09686474B2 |
Optical filter opacity control for reducing temporal aliasing in motion picture capture
The present invention comprises a system for and method of frequency prefiltering comprising a camera shutter capable of continuously variable illumination during a single exposure of the sensor. The shutter comprises a continuously variable exposure effector which in disposed in an image path, either in front of a lens or between a lens and a sensor. The system for frequency prefiltering further comprises a synchronization cable that synchronizes a drive system with a sensor or with film. The shutter further comprises a postfilter. The postfilter comprises a digital finite impulse response convolutional filter. |
| US09686470B2 |
Scene stability detection
Techniques to detect subject and camera motion in a set of consecutively captured image frames are disclosed. More particularly, techniques disclosed herein temporally track two sets of downscaled images to detect motion. One set may contain higher resolution and the other set lower resolution of the same images. For each set, a coefficient of variation may be computed across the set of images for each sample in the downscaled image to detect motion and generate a change mask. The information in the change mask can be used for various applications, including determining how to capture a next image in the sequence. |
| US09686469B2 |
Automatic digital camera photography mode selection
A digital camera having a plurality of photography modes, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system for imaging a scene onto the image sensor; an image capture control for initiating an image capture operation; a photography mode user interface for selecting between a plurality of photography modes, the photography modes having associated image capture and image processing settings; a power control for turning the digital camera on or off, wherein when the camera is in an off state and the power control is activated with a first activation pattern the digital camera is turned on and set to operate in a default photography mode and when the power control is activated with a second activation pattern the digital camera is turned on and set to operate in a previously selected photography mode. |
| US09686466B1 |
Systems and methods for environment content sharing
Embodiments described herein may help to provide methods for sharing and viewing part of an environment of a computing device, such as a head-mountable device (HMD). An example method involves: (a) determining a still photo panorama of an environment, (b) receiving a video stream of a first portion of the environment from a video camera on a sharing device, (c) determining a registration data stream, where the registration data stream indicates a location and an orientation of the video stream within the still photo panorama of the environment; and (d) transmitting the video stream and the registration data stream to one or more viewing devices. |
| US09686464B2 |
Image pickup apparatus capable of easily generating album, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image pickup apparatus that is capable of generating an album by laying out desired images in desired positions by a simple operation, while confirming a result of the layout by a photographer when shooting an image. A control section displays a through-the lens-image obtained by shooting an object on a display section by inserting the through-the lens-image in a plurality of frames on a template. When it is detected that one of the plurality of frames has been designated, the control section generates an image file by executing image pickup processing, and stores the generated image file in a storage medium in association with the designated frame of the plurality of frames on the template. |
| US09686463B2 |
Systems and methods for continuous auto focus (CAF)
Systems and methods for continuous automatic focus are disclosed. In some aspects, an object to focus on is selected from a field of view of a camera. At least one region of the field of view that includes the object is monitored for change. Regions of the field of view that do not include the object may not be monitored, thus improving efficiency and speed. If a change in the image content of the monitored region(s) occurs, the method may trigger a focus event. If the object moves to different region(s) of the field of view, the method detects the movement and adjusts the regions of the image being monitored to maintain focus on the object. In some aspects, the size of the object is also monitored. If the size of the object changes, a focus event may be triggered, depending on whether the amount of change exceeds predetermined parameters. |
| US09686462B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus
There is provided a solid-state imaging device including two or more photoelectric conversion layers that have photoelectric conversion portions divided on a pixel-by-pixel basis and are laminated. Light, which is incident into a single pixel of a first photoelectric conversion layer close to an optical lens, is received by the photoelectric conversion portions of a plurality of pixels of a second photoelectric conversion layer far from the optical lens. |
| US09686461B2 |
Image capturing device and automatic focusing method thereof
The present invention illustrates an automatic focusing method. Firstly, through multiple cameras of an image capturing device, a scene is captured, such that multiple images generated corresponding to the cameras are obtained. Then, multiple depth maps are generated according to the images. Next, according to the resolutions of single one or multiple objects in the depth maps, the depth information of the single one or multiple objects in the depth maps can be selected to generate a merged depth map. Then, a target focus distance of the single one object or target focus distances of multiple objects are calculated according to the merged depth map. Next, an actual focus distance of the multi-lenses module associated with the cameras is adjusted according to the target focus distance of the single one object or one of the multiple objects. |
| US09686459B2 |
Method for switching cameras
A method for switching cameras is disclosed. The method for switching cameras is used in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first camera disposed at a first surface of the electronic device and a second camera disposed at a second surface of the electronic device different from the first surface. The method for switching cameras includes the following steps. Whether the first camera is covered is sensed when the first camera captures. When the first camera is covered, the first camera is disabled and the second camera is used to photograph. |
| US09686458B2 |
Camera LED flash with variable lens gain
The present invention relates to the field of devices with a possibility of recording light data, the device having a flash and more particular to such devices having a flash (300) which light cone (306) is adaptable. The present invention provides a method for adapting a light cone (306) from a flash (300) of a device using a liquid lens (302) and a device implementing such a method. |
| US09686455B2 |
Component-recognizing apparatus, surface-mounting apparatus, and component-inspecting apparatus
In an apparatus adapted to scan a lower side of an electronic component being suction-held by a suction-holding nozzle, to perform image recognition of suction-held conditions of the electronic component, this invention is intended to perform a transfer operation under a condition that the suction-holding nozzle is arranged closer to an upper surface of a base, wherein the optical path directed downwardly from the suction-holding nozzle is bended in a lateral direction by a first optical path changing member and then further bended in another direction by a second optical path changing member to allow image-sensing means to capture an image of a lower surface of the suction-holding nozzle, and the electronic component being suction-held by the suction-holding nozzle is illuminated along the lateral optical path changed by the first optical path changing member. |
| US09686453B2 |
Tracking camera pivot mechanism
Pivot mechanisms for tracking cameras are disclosed herein. A tracking camera assembly includes a camera head having a housing and a pivot joint disposed within the housing. The pivot joint fitting is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. A cable is in electrical communication with the camera head and is fixedly coupled to the pivot joint fitting and extends away from the camera head. A stand pole is fixedly coupled to the pivot joint fitting and extends away from the camera head. |
| US09686450B2 |
Image capturing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium
An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and being capable of outputting a plurality of image signals read out using different methods for individually reading out the signals of the plurality of pixels and correction signals for correcting the plurality of image signals, a processing unit for processing the correction signals so as to handle the reading methods for the plurality of image signals, and a correction unit for correcting the plurality of image signals using the correction signals processed by the processing unit. |
| US09686449B1 |
Methods and systems for detection of blur artifact in digital video due to high quantization
A method and system for determining blur in digital video due to high quantization adopted during encoding of an image. The image is preprocessed to filter the noise and an edge image is extracted from the preprocessed image. A gradient sign change is determined for each pixel of the edge image. A ringing metric is determined based on the gradient magnitude and the gradient sign change. Further, a blockiness metric is determined based on a block grid periodicity and offset that is determined based on block grid analysis of the edge image. Further, a perceptual blurriness metric is determined using a mean and kurtosis computed based on a gradient histogram analysis of the block grid analysed edge image. A composite blurring metric is determined based on the blockiness metric, the perceptual blurriness metric, and ringing metric. |
| US09686443B2 |
Image reading device and image forming apparatus
An image reading device includes an image sensor, a color reference portion, a test control portion, a standard distribution information storage portion, a type determination portion, and an abnormality notification portion. The image sensor is capable of outputting detection data of an amount of received light from each of a plurality of partial scanning areas, each at an individual channel. The test control portion is configured to cause the image sensor to operate under a plurality of test operation conditions different in resolution, when a document is not present. If a distribution state of the detection data at each channel acquired under each test operation condition does not match any of standard distribution information, the abnormality notification portion notifies an abnormality of another device related to the image sensor. The standard distribution information represents a standard distribution state of data at each channel under each test operation condition. |
| US09686442B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
A multifunction printer captures an image, extracts face data of each person from the captured image, verifies whether each person has been authenticated based on the extracted face data, transmits face data of a person that cannot be verified to have been authenticated to an external apparatus, requests authentication of that person, temporarily stores face data of each authenticated person, collates extracted face data of each person with stored face data, and verifies whether each person has been authenticated. |
| US09686439B2 |
Transmission device, transmission method and program
A transmission device includes: a file processing means for performing processing with respect to a file to be transmitted to a receiving device; and a transmission means for transmitting the file to the receiving device, wherein the file has a data structure storing an original image, one or plural images for transmission different from the original image and attribute information concerning attributes of these images, and the file processing means generates a file having a data structure storing the image for transmission and the attribute information obtained by adding common attributes added to the original image to unique attributes added to the image for transmission. |
| US09686437B2 |
Relay device for image forming apparatus
A relay device includes a first communication portion, a second communication portion, a request message reception portion, a request command transmission portion, a request information reception portion, and a request information transmission portion. The relay device receives a request message from a mobile terminal through a first communication network, transmits a request command corresponding to the request message to the image forming apparatus through a second communication network, and transmits information containing information of an apparatus status received from the image forming apparatus to the mobile terminal. |
| US09686436B2 |
Data recording apparatus and control method thereof
A data recording apparatus in which a recording medium is attachable, comprises a detection unit which detects whether or not an attached recording medium is a predetermined recording medium having a wireless communications function; a determination unit which determines whether or not, when the attached recording medium is the predetermined recording medium, there is a settings information file; and a control unit which generates, when determined that the settings information file is not present, a predetermined settings information file in the predetermined recording medium. The predetermined recording medium has a function of generating a settings information file, and when generating a settings information file in response to an instruction from the external apparatus, the predetermined recording medium is in a write protect state where writing from the data recording apparatus is inhibited. |
| US09686434B2 |
Scanner demonstrator, method of scanner demonstration, and computer program product
Provided are a scanner demonstrator, a method of scanner demonstration, and a computer program product that can easily perform a demonstration having high reproducibility and presence even without a scanner device. The scanner demonstrator outputs image data read by a scanner device in an environment not connected to the scanner device, based on device status information of the scanner device at image reading. |
| US09686433B2 |
MFP for managing information processing request execution priority according to distances and speeds of terminal devices from which information processing requests are received
An information processing device includes: a replacement processing unit that replaces, when a second time as a time until a distance between a second terminal device that has transmitted a second information processing request having a lower priority and the information processing device becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value is shorter than a first time as a time until the distance between a first terminal device that has transmitted a first information processing request having a higher priority and the information processing device becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, priorities for executing first information processing request and the second information processing request such that the second information processing request having the lower priority is processed earlier than the first information processing request having the higher priority. |
| US09686427B2 |
Image reading device having antenna including communication surface disposed along side wall
An image reading device includes a casing, an image reading unit, a mounting board, and an antenna. The casing has a side wall positioned at one end thereof in a first direction. The image reading unit is accommodated in the casing and configured to read an image of an original document by scanning in the first direction. The mounting board is accommodated in the casing and mounts an electronic component that is used when the image reading unit reads the image, the mounting board extending in the first direction. The antenna is accommodated in the casing and configured to receive or transmit a radio signal. The antenna is disposed along and adjacent the side wall. |
| US09686423B2 |
Offloaded data entry for scanned documents
Embodiments described herein provide the capability to offload a data entry activity from a Multi-Function Printer (MFP) to a remote computing device, such as a user's computer, tablet, smartphone, etc. In one embodiment, the MFP generates a scan of a document for a user, and holds the scanned document pending a data entry activity that assigns metadata to the scanned document. The MFP identifies a remote computing device for performing the data entry activity by the user, provides a notification to the remote computing device requesting the metadata for the scanned document, and receives the metadata from the remote computing device. The MFP assigns the metadata to the scanned document, and to release the scanned document to a scan destination. |
| US09686421B1 |
Secured pre-payment for portable communication unit
In a method of payment for service of a portable communication unit, a customer prepays a dealer for said service, the dealer forwards transaction order information about the pre-payment to a prepaid management center (PMC); and the PMC provides a bank the transaction order information. The bank, upon receipt of the transaction order information from the PMC, determines whether there are sufficient funds in the dealer account to cover the transaction. If there is insufficient cash on hand, the dealer is notified and is provided an opportunity to replenish the account so that the transaction may proceed. If there are adequate funds in the dealer account, the bank automatically transfers the amount of the purchase transaction in the SPS account, less the dealer's fee for the purchase. After funds are transferred from the dealer account, the PMC is notified of the transfer, at which time the PMC generates codes and issues the codes to the dealer. The dealer transfers the codes to the user and the user enters the codes into the unit. On a regular basis the bank electronically transfers funds from the SPS account into accounts held by parties entitled to receive the funds. |
| US09686420B2 |
Device, computer-readable medium, and method for retaining services using advanced data collection capabilities
A method for presenting services to a subscriber comprises obtaining, via a first server, subscriber usage data associated with a portable device service from a plurality of databases, and sending the subscriber usage data to a second server. The method further includes processing, via the second server, the subscriber usage data using a predetermined algorithm, determining an actionable category of data based on the processed subscriber usage data, generating content corresponding to a first message based on the actionable category of data, and sending via the third server, the first message to a portable device, wherein the first message request a subscriber input. |
| US09686418B2 |
Method for transmitting message, method for selling message box and computer-readable recording medium having program recorded thereon
Disclosed technology relates to a method for transmitting a message, and more specifically but without limitations, to a method for transmitting a message in which if a shooting gesture is inputted by a user, an image showing that a message box flies to a receiver is implemented as augmented reality and outputted to a screen, and a message is transmitted to the receiver. A method for transmitting a message in a user terminal according to one of the embodiments comprises the steps of: acquiring an image through a camera equipped in the user terminal; receiving a message transmission request from a user; outputting an image showing that a message box flies to the receiver while superimposing the image onto the acquired image according to the message transmission request; and transmitting the message to the receiver. |
| US09686414B1 |
Methods and systems for managing telecommunications and for translating voice messages to text messages
Systems and methods that can be utilized to convert a voice communication received over a telecommunication network to text are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a call processing system coupled to a telecommunications network receives a call from a caller intended for a first party, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. At least a portion of the call signaling information is stored in a computer readable medium. A greeting is played the caller, and a voice communication from the caller is recorded. At least a portion of the voice communication is converted to text, which is analyzed to identify portions that are inferred to be relatively more important to communicate to the first party. A text communication is generated including at least some of the identified portions and including fewer words than the recorded voice communication. At least a portion of the text communication is made available to the first party over a data network. |
| US09686404B1 |
Methods and devices for automatically connecting to a communication service through a password protected network connection
Devices and methods include communication devices and network devices configured to automatically connect to each other over a password protected network connection without a user setting the password for the password protected network connection. The communication devices may communicate over the password protected network connection to the network device and further to a communication service for providing interpretive services for hearing-impaired users, such as text captions, during a call. Predetermined network names and associated passwords may be persistent prior to set up as well as after a hard reset in which other user defined settings may be erased. |
| US09686403B2 |
Communicating availability of a mobile device
Embodiments described herein provide approaches for communicating availability of a mobile device. Specifically, at least one approach includes: determining a current status of a mobile device operated by a receiving user, the current status including an operating state and an operating time zone; and providing the current status of the mobile device to a sender via the sender's mobile device by performing either of the following: annotating a contact list with visual data indicating the operating state and the operating time zone of the mobile device, and generating a graphic indicating the operating state and the operating time zone of the mobile device when the sender initiates communication with the mobile device. Based on the current status, a warning can be communicated to the sender indicating that is inadvisable to continue with the communication, as the receiving user is unlikely to be available and/or willing to respond. |
| US09686402B2 |
Telecommunication call management and monitoring system with voiceprint verification
A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account, and includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system. The system monitors a conversation in the telephone call to detect a presence of a first characteristic in audio of the conversation, and terminates the telephone call if the first characteristic does not match a second characteristic of biometric information of a user or a called party. |
| US09686400B2 |
System and method for driving-aware notification
A system and method for driver-aware notification that collects and analyzes contextual information about the driving environment to free a device owner from having to decide whether or not to answer an incoming message. |
| US09686398B2 |
Prompt based alert by a user device in silent mode
A user device may receive information identifying a prompt and an alert to be provided, when the user device is in a silent mode, based on the prompt. The user device may receive a message including the prompt when the user device is in the silent mode, and may detect the prompt in the body of text associated with the message. The user device may provide the alert based on detecting the prompt in the body of text associated with the message despite the user device being in the silent mode. |
| US09686397B1 |
Acoustic-based communication between devices
A modulation method referred to as Time Shift Keying (TSK) is used to transmit messages between two devices in a highly energy efficient manner. A message represented by an inaudible audio signal is modulated on a transmitting device. The audio signal is comprised of an array of non-zero amplitude delimiter signals with time periods of zero-amplitude transmission between delimiters. The time duration of the zero-amplitude transmission periods is mapped to a symbol, multiple symbols are then assembled into a message. On the transmitting device, the audio signal is broken into pieces or sequences of bits which are mapped to symbols. On the receiving device, the time durations of zero-amplitude transmission are translated to the symbols which are assembled to the message. The delimiter signals have gradually increasing and decreasing amplitudes and have a length such that make them detectable by the receiving device. |
| US09686396B2 |
Method and apparatus for media property of characteristic control in a media system
A method and system for controlling multimedia presentation characteristics among a plurality of devices are disclosed. An electronic device (100) is capable of communication (109) with a peripheral device (102) to play back content (107) on the peripheral device (102). The content (107) has an associated a multimedia presentation characteristic signal, for example an audio signal (108). When the electronic device (101) receives a user input request to adjust a system volume, the device is configured to adjust either the associated audio signal or an output volume level of the peripheral device (102). Once this adjustment reaches a threshold, the device is configured to adjust the other of the associated audio signal or the output volume level of the peripheral device (102). The decision of which control to adjust first and which to adjust second can be user defined. The process can be repeated when more than two devices are included in the system. |
| US09686394B2 |
Portable terminal device
A mobile device that makes it possible to prevent a person other than a user from being aware of information relating to a predetermined communication while also enabling the user to immediately be aware of the information relating to the predetermined communication. The mobile device includes a status determining section (41) for determining, in a case where a communication is received, whether or not the mobile device is being left unattended; and an output control section (42) for outputting predetermined received communication information in a case where the mobile device is not being left unattended, the output control section (42) skipping output of the predetermined received communication information in a case where the mobile device is being left unattended. |
| US09686393B1 |
System, method and computer program product for service call identification
A method, system, and computer program product, include receiving a request for registration from a service provider, the request for registration comprising characteristic information of a service call to be initiated, determining whether the service receiver has authorized the request for registration, and upon the service receiver having authorized the request for registration, registering the characteristic information of the service call for the service receiver to enable the identification of the service call. |
| US09686388B2 |
Projector
The present disclosure describes a projector which has: an image projection portion; an image provision portion that provides a projection image to the image projection portion; a deviation movement detection portion that detects a deviation movement of the image projection portion; and an image process portion that based on detection by the deviation movement detection portion, shifts the image provided by the image provision portion in a direction where the deviation movement is corrected. According to this, even if an image projection function does not include a deviation correction function, it is possible to perform the deviation correction by means of the image process. |
| US09686384B2 |
Electronic device with rotating input unit and method for operating the same
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device includes a first body having a first display on a first surface of the first body and a second body having a second display on a first surface of the second body and an input unit on a second surface of the second body. The first body and the second body are rotatably coupled with each other. |
| US09686381B1 |
Control word decapsulation in a hybrid BGP-VPLS network
In general, techniques are described for decapsulating and forwarding VPLS frames in a hybrid PE router space. In one example, a method includes sending a first control plane message that includes first configuration information to a first PE router, the first control plane message comprising a request that the VPLS frames include a control word when forwarded to the first PE router. The first PE router may receive from a second PE router a second L3 control plane message that includes second configuration information for forwarding VPLS frames to the second PE router, the second L3 control plane message not comprising a request to include the control word when forwarded to the second PE router. The method may include configuring a forwarding plane of the first PE router to process VPLS frames that are received from the second PE router without processing the VPLS frames to remove the control word. |
| US09686380B1 |
Method and apparatus for bypassing internet traffic
A process capable of distributing data is configured to receive a stream of data formatted under a wireless data communication protocol such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”) or Long Term Evolution (“LTE”). After identifying the portion of the IP data from the stream of data in accordance with a predefined IP data identifier, the process separates the IP data from the stream of data. Upon reformatting the IP data into one or more IP packets, the IP packet(s) bypasses at least a portion of circuit network and move directly to an Internet router. |
| US09686374B2 |
System and method for fragment level dynamic content regeneration
A system and method for provisioning dynamically generated content. One embodiment can interface a content delivery system and a content management system at the fragment level. Depending upon how a page is organized, a fragment may refer to a block within the page, a portion of the page, or a content item presented on the page. When a content item is updated and published onto the content management system, one embodiment can operate to track dependencies of managed pages and invalidate/validate fragment(s) affected by the change(s) accordingly. The updated fragment(s) may then be dynamically assembled on-the-fly or on-demand. The updated fragment(s) may or may not be cached. In this way, changes made to a piece of content can be reflected in all pages which utilize this content almost simultaneously with the changes to the content itself. |
| US09686371B2 |
Proxy application with dynamic filter updating
The disclosure describes a proxy server application that supports the dynamic modification of proxy rules implemented by a proxy server. The proxy rules implemented by the proxy server specify network behaviors to be performed at various points during the handling of requests from client applications. A proxy server implements the proxy rules by processing one or more user-generated network traffic filters for managing network traffic. In an embodiment, users generate network traffic filters by creating network traffic filter source code that specify processing steps to be performed by a proxy server relative to network messages the proxy server receives. In an embodiment, user-generated network traffic filters may be added, removed, reordered, or otherwise modified in a proxy server application at runtime in order to respond to current network conditions or to achieve other desired proxy configurations. |
| US09686370B2 |
Wireless access point
A wireless access point may be in the form of a femtocell basestation in a cellular network. In order to establish a connection into the cellular network, an identity token is required for authorization. A remote service, accessible over a Wide Area Network such as the internet, can register with the access point. When a connected user attempts to connect to the remote service, information derived from the identity token is inserted into the data traffic. Where the identity token identifies the access point, the remote service can return location-specific information. Where the identity token identifies the connected user, the remote service can return subscriber-specific information. The access point can insert information derived directly from the identity token, or it can use the identity token to access a service identity registry, and can then insert the service identity into the data traffic. |
| US09686367B2 |
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing predicted likelihood of communication between users
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing predicted likelihood of communication between users are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for providing predicted likelihood of communication between users. The method includes predicting a likelihood that a first user will initiate communication with a second user based on stored information for the first user that indicates the second user, associating the predicted likelihood with status information for the first user, and providing for indicating the status information with the predicted likelihood to the second user. |
| US09686366B2 |
Intelligently detecting the leader of a co-browsing session
Managing a co-browsing session of multiple users where there are multiple roles that each user may have, and each respective user has a role. Software manages a computer system to: (i) monitor the co-browsing session to detect a condition; and (ii) responsive to detection of the condition, change the role(s) of at least one user. The change of role(s) is made automatically and without human intervention. |
| US09686364B2 |
Location aware resource locator
Systems and methods providing a location-aware resource locator model for facilitating communication with networked electronic devices are generally disclosed herein. One embodiment includes a resource locator using a standard Uniform Resource Locator (URL) format, but enabling identification of one or more devices based on logical location information provided in the resource locator. The resource locator may also enable identification of the one or more devices based on logical proximity information (such as a logical term indicating a location property) relative to a dynamic location. Further disclosed embodiments include uses of a hierarchical structure to define logical terms and classes for use with a resource locator, and various location determination and lookup techniques used in connection with accessing an electronic device. |
| US09686358B2 |
Devices and methods for network-coded and caching-aided content distribution
A method for caching in a network includes determining popularities for a plurality of data files based on requests for the plurality of data files. The method includes sending random packets of the plurality of data files to at least one destination based on the popularities. The method may include ranking the plurality of data files from a most popular data file to a least popular data file using the determined popularities. The method may include selecting, for each data file, a number of random packets based on the ranking, wherein the sending sends the selected number of random packets for each data file. |
| US09686356B2 |
Zero-knowledge environment based social networking engine
Methods, systems, and apparatus are described providing social networking engines. Specifically, the present specification relates to a method for implementing software containers implementing social network engines that may be configured to act in a zero-knowledge environment. In such implementations, all information pertaining to the social network engine associated with a user that is stored in the container is solely that of a user unless explicitly shared by the user. In some implementations, the containers may be configured to participate in a publish-and-subscribe network in order to share information. In addition, the containers may be provisioned with controls so that global operators may comply with local privacy rules. |
| US09686354B2 |
Shared data transmitting method, server, and system
A data transmission method, a server and a data transmission system are provided. The data transmission method includes receiving data, storing data, selecting data based on device information, and transmitting the selected data, resulting in a more convenient sharing and utilization of data. |
| US09686349B2 |
Providing extendible network capabilities for managed computer networks
Techniques are described for managing communications between multiple computing nodes, such as for computing nodes that are part of managed virtual computer networks provided on behalf of users or other entities. In some situations, one or more of the computing nodes of a managed virtual computer network is configured to perform actions to extend capabilities of the managed virtual computer network to other computing nodes that are not part of the managed virtual computer network, such as by forwarding communications between computing nodes of the managed virtual computer network and the other external computing nodes so as to enable the other external computing nodes to participate in the managed virtual computer network. In some situations, the computing nodes may include virtual machine nodes hosted on one or more physical computing machines or systems, such as by or on behalf of one or more users. |
| US09686344B2 |
Method for implementing cross-domain jump, browser, and domain name server
A method for implementing cross-domain jump includes: a second domain name server obtaining a cross-domain jump request of jumping from a first domain name to a second domain name sent by a browser, the request including a cross-domain user identifier corresponding to a first identifier of a user in the first domain name; the second domain name server obtaining a second identifier of the user in the second domain name corresponding to the user identifier, and generating a login state of the user in the second domain name according to the second identifier. The second domain name server recognizes identity of the user according to the second identifier, so that user does not need to log in while still maintaining the login state. Therefore, operation convenience of the user is improved. Further, a browser, a first domain name server and a second domain name server are provided. |
| US09686341B1 |
Review trends
Disclosed are various embodiments of a system. The system comprises a server, a memory accessible to the server, and a review trend generator configured to receive a request for a review trend corresponding to at least one item. The review trend generator is further configured to generate a review trend based at least in part upon a plurality of reviews of an item. The system further comprises a review trend encoder configured to encode the generated review trend for rendering on a network page. |
| US09686340B2 |
Data stream classification
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with data stream classification are described. One example method includes identifying packets associated with the data stream. The example method may also include updating a set of characterization data associated with the data stream based on information associated with a packet. The example method may also include assigning a data stream classifier to the data stream by comparing characterization data to identification data upon determining that the set of characterization data indicates that the data stream is able to be classified. The example method may also include providing a signal associated with the data stream classifier. |
| US09686339B2 |
Systems and methods of communicating platform-independent representation of source code
A method includes receiving, at a media player at a computing device, a first portion of a media stream, and initiating playback of the first portion of the media stream. The method also includes receiving a second portion of the media stream during the playback of the first portion of the media stream, the second portion of the media stream including a platform-independent representation of source code. The method further includes compiling the platform-independent representation of the source code to generate a platform-specific component that is executable by the computing device. The method includes executing the platform-specific component at the computing device during execution of the media player at the computing device. |
| US09686337B2 |
Sharing television and video programming through social networking
In particular embodiments, one or more computer systems of a social-networking system determine a first media device of a first user of a social-networking system and determine a second media device of a second user of the social-networking system. The one or more computer systems access a social graph of the social-networking system, update the social graph based on the determined first and second media devices, and stream media from the first media device to the second media device using the updated social graph. The social graph includes nodes and edges connecting the nodes, the nodes including user nodes that are each associated with a particular user of the social-networking system and concept nodes that are each associated with a particular media device. |
| US09686333B2 |
Internet content delivery system which provides synchronized content
An Internet content delivery system provides information to a number of different users. The system attempts to provide the same information to many different users while also providing the illusion to each of the users that they were receiving the content individually. The system attempts to minimize individualized bandwidth allocation by sending the same information to multiple different users while taking into account individualization requests of the multiple different users. An Internet or a playlist creator is also defined which allows a number of different items to be presented at different times depending on the playlist setting of the playlist. |
| US09686332B1 |
Live stream manifests for on demand content
Disclosed are various embodiments for a manifest generation service. A manifest generation service determines a bit rate for an on demand content stream to a client. A manifest is generated indicating a source for content at the determined bit rate. The bit rate is determined and manifests are generated repeatedly to adapt to changes in network conditions during the stream. |
| US09686329B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying webcast rooms
Methods and apparatus for displaying webcast rooms are provided therein. An exemplary method can be implemented by a computer system. A weight corresponding to each webcast room of a plurality of webcast rooms and an anchor-account weight corresponding to an anchor account of the each webcast room of the plurality of webcast rooms can be obtained. The weight corresponding to the each webcast room and the anchor-account weight can be pre-stored. A webcast room to be displayed can be determined from the plurality of webcast rooms, according to the weight corresponding to the each webcast room and the anchor-account weight. The webcast room to be displayed can be displayed. |
| US09686326B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling registration of aggregate end point devices through provisioning
A method and apparatus for enabling registration of an Aggregate End Point (AEP) device that is incapable of supporting a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) registration are disclosed. The method performs a static registration of the AEP device in a plurality of network elements associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network by provisioning. The method then processes an originating call request or a terminating call request associated with the AEP device using the static registration. |
| US09686324B2 |
System and method for establishing communication links between mobile devices
A method of establishing a communication link between a first mobile communication device and a second mobile communication device on a first network or a second network is provided. The method includes processing by a processor from the first mobile communication device, an indication to initiate a link to the second mobile communication device, initiating by the processor, (i) a first link from the first mobile communication device to the second mobile communication device through the first network, and (ii) a second link from the first mobile communication device to the second mobile communication device through the second network, receiving an indication on the first mobile communication device including a selection of the first link or the second link to obtain a selected link, and establishing by the processor, a communication link between the first mobile communication device and the second mobile communication device on the selected link. |
| US09686321B2 |
Method and device for content sharing
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for content sharing, where the method includes: receiving a content share request, establishing a share session with a receiving terminal, and sharing session content, which is played on a first initiating terminal, with the receiving terminal; and receiving a state notification about transferring the played session content from the first initiating terminal to a second initiating terminal, and according to the state notification, ending the share session or continuing to share the session content continuously played on the second initiating terminal. According to the embodiments of the present invention, CoD content watched on the initiating terminal can be shared, and when transfer occurs between display terminals of the content share initiator, a content share AS can perceive the transfer, and continuity of the share session can be ensured. The present invention further relates to a device for content sharing. |
| US09686319B2 |
User-based network onboarding
A request related to an access to a network by a first user device may be received. The user device may be included in a plurality of user devices associated with a first first-level security profile assigned to the user. An application extension to an application executing on the first user device may be accessed in response to the request related to the access. A network connectivity file may be provided to the application extension. The network connectivity file may include network configuration information for the first user device. The network configuration information may be associated with a first second-level security profile assigned to the first user device. Instructions to configure the first user device to access the network based at least in part on the network configuration information in the network connectivity file may be provided. |
| US09686313B2 |
Clickjacking protection
A clickjacking protector in an electronic system helps prevent unwanted clickjacking. The elements clicked on by the click position are evaluated to determine whether any of the elements clicked on by the click position is obscured (including being transparent or partially transparent). A protective action is generated in response to a determination that an element clicked on by the click position is obscured. |
| US09686312B2 |
Verifying network attack detector effectiveness
In one embodiment, a device receives a classifier tracking request from a coordinator device that specifies a classifier verification time period. During the classifier verification time period, the device classifies a set of network traffic that includes traffic observed by the device and attack traffic specified by the coordinator device. The device generates classification results based on the classified set of network traffic and provides the classification results to the coordinator device. |
| US09686311B2 |
Interdicting undesired service
Interdicting an undesired service is disclosed. For example, a malware service is interdicted. The undesired service is identified. A vulnerability of the undesired service is identified from among a hierarchy of vulnerabilities. The undesired service is interdicted according to the vulnerability. For example, a corresponding action of a vulnerability to interdict the undesired service is performed in the order of the hierarchy until the undesired service is interdicted. |
| US09686307B2 |
Method and system for destroying browser-based memory corruption vulnerabilities
Client-less methods and systems destroy/break the predictive layout of, for example, a client computer memory. The methods and systems operate by injecting a library that manipulates the client computer memory during exploitation attempts. |
| US09686304B1 |
Systems and methods for healing infected document files
A computer-implemented method for healing infected document files may include (1) receiving an electronic message directed to a target client computing system, the electronic message including a document file, (2) in response to receiving the electronic message, discovering, by a security program, that the document file is infected with potentially malicious content by, parsing the document file into separate objects and detecting that one of the separate objects is infected with potentially malicious content, (3) healing, by the security program, the infected object by removing the potentially malicious content from the object, (4) reconstructing, by the security program, the document file by reuniting the healed separate object with a remainder of the separate objects in a manner that preserves readability of the document, and (5) providing access to the readable reconstructed document file at the target client computing system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09686303B2 |
Web page vulnerability detection method and apparatus
A Web page vulnerability detection method and apparatus are described, where the method can receive a vulnerability detection task for performing vulnerability detection on a to-be-detected target Web page; acquiring a configuration file corresponding to the vulnerability according to the vulnerability detection task. The vulnerability detection task being is at least used to indicate a vulnerability that needs to be detected, and the configuration file includes a matching condition used to match the to-be-detected target Web page in to-be-detected Web pages and indication information of a test sample used to perform vulnerability detection on the to-be-detected target Web page. The method also detects whether the vulnerability indicated by the configuration file exists on the to-be-detected target Web page by using the configuration file. |
| US09686301B2 |
Method and system for virtual asset assisted extrusion and intrusion detection and threat scoring in a cloud computing environment
An analysis trigger monitoring system is provided in one or more virtual assets. One or more analysis trigger parameters, including security threat patterns, are defined and analysis trigger data is generated. The one or more analysis trigger monitoring systems are used to monitor at least a portion of the message traffic sent to, or sent from, the one or more virtual assets to detect any message including one or more of the one or more analysis trigger parameters. Any detected message is identified as a potential security threat and is assigned a threat score, which is provided to the virtual asset. A copy of at least a portion of any detected message including one or more of the one or more analysis trigger parameters is then transferred to one or more analysis systems for further analysis using a second communication channel. |
| US09686298B2 |
Blocking intrusion attacks at an offending host
A method, apparatus, and program product are provided for protecting a network from intrusions. An offending packet communicated by an offending host coupled to a protected network is detected. In response to the detection, a blocking instruction is returned to the offending host to initiate an intrusion protection operation on the offending host, where the blocking instruction inhibits further transmission of offending packets by the offending host. At the offending host, a blocking instruction is received with a portion of an offending packet. The offending host verifies that the offending packet originated from the host. In response to the verification of the offending packet originating from the host, an intrusion protection operation is initiated on the host thereby inhibiting transmission of a subsequent outbound offending packet by the host. |
| US09686296B1 |
Systems and methods for providing network security monitoring
Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting malicious lateral activity within a computer network. In an embodiment, an agent, implemented on one or more computing devices, subscribes to a plurality of privileged authentication events on a network node within the computer network, provides an alert to a network administrator in response to detection of one of the subscribed privileged authentication events, and initiates live collection of network metadata in response to the detection of the subscribed privileged authentication event. A security monitoring device, implemented on the one or more computing devices, includes an analyzer configured to detect when the network node has connected to the computer network and deploy the agent to the network node in response to the node connecting to the network. The agent may provide the collected network metadata to the analyzer. |
| US09686279B2 |
Method and system for providing GPS location embedded in an IPv6 address using neighbor discovery
A method is disclosed of embedding a GPS location of a host device in an IPv6 address using IPv6 Neighbor Discovery, the method includes sending a neighbor solicitation request having a Global Positioning System (GPS) option from a first host device to an IPv6 server via an IPv6 communication network, the GPS option providing GPS information of the first host device; receiving the neighbor solicitation request having the GPS option on the IPv6 server, the IPv6 server configured to capture the neighbor solicitation request and create an IPv6 address with GPS information for the first host device; sending a neighbor discovery advertisement from the IPv6 server to the first host device; receiving the neighbor discovery advertisement and returning a solicit, request and renew message to the IPv6 server; and returning a reply message to the first host device with the IPv6 address with the GPS information. |
| US09686278B1 |
Method and system for configuring computing devices
A method and system for configuring computing devices. The method includes receiving, by a computing device, a first cache list object from a management service. The method also includes comparing the first cache list object to a second cache list object on the computing device, and based on the comparing, identifying a first object fingerprint that is present in the first cache list object and that is not present in the second cache list object. The method further includes obtaining, from a location that is external to the computing device, a first object corresponding to the first object fingerprint; and updating a configuration of the computing device using the first object. |
| US09686276B2 |
Cookieless management translation and resolving of multiple device identities for multiple networks
The determination of a unique user is discussed in response to receiving a dataset comprising multiple user identifiers (IDs). In some cases the user IDs may be of a different type. User IDs may be compared directly to determine whether they correspond to a unique user. Network transactions and attributes associated with those network transactions may be compared to determine a probability of whether two user IDs correspond to a unique user. Network transactions and attributes associated with those network transactions may also be compared to determine that two user IDs do not correspond to a unique user. |
| US09686272B2 |
Multi factor user authentication on multiple devices
Systems and methods of the present invention provide for a first and second client computer configured to receive and transmit an authentication credential and at least one additional authentication credential respectively. The authentication credentials may be selected from authentication credentials known only to a user, identifying a client computer and/or identifying a characteristic unique to the user. A server computer communicatively coupled to the network may be configured to receive the authentication credentials and verify the identity of the user via a match, in a database, of a first authentication credential, a second authentication credential and a third authentication credential. |
| US09686270B2 |
Authentication systems and methods using a packet telephony device
Packet telephony devices with encryption keys are configured to enable authentication systems and methods for increasing the security of online account access and transactions. The instant disclosure leverages the security in customer equipment hardware such as a terminal adaptor (TA) or router to authenticate a web transaction. A packet telephony device has an encoded encryption key. The encryption key may be used with a display, a user actuable trigger or in a secure connection with a web-enabled device to authenticate a user or a website. |
| US09686262B2 |
Authentication based on previous authentications
A method and system for authenticating a user to a target server. A request is received from a user computer system to authenticate the user for access to a target server at level N of N levels (N≧2). Each record of a stored authentication plan associated with the user has authentication records each having information relating to authentication of the user for access to N−1 target servers at respective levels 1 through N−1. Each record of a received current authentication plan for the user has authentication records each having current information relating to authentication of the user for access to the N−1 target servers at respective levels 1 through N−1. It is determined that there is at least a partial match between the stored and current authentication plans, and in response, the user is authenticated for access to the target server at level N. |
| US09686261B2 |
Entity to authorize delegation of permissions
Systems and methods are described for delegating permissions to enable account access. The systems utilize a delegation profile that can be created within a secured account of at least one user. The delegation profile includes a name, a validation policy that specifies principals which may be external to the account and which are permitted to assume the delegation profile, and an authorization policy that indicates the permitted actions within the account for those principals which are acting within the delegation profile. Once the delegation profile is created, it can be provided to external principals or services. These external principals or services can use the delegation profile to obtain credentials for performing various actions in the account using the credentials of the delegation profile. |
| US09686257B2 |
Authorization server system, control method thereof, and storage medium
In response to reception of a request, an authorization server system identifies authorization based on first authorization information received by a reception unit along with the request. The authorization server system gives at least some of the identified authorization to an application, and issues second authorization information for identifying the given authorization. |
| US09686255B2 |
Systems and methods for an extensible authentication framework
The present disclosure describes systems and methods of an authentication framework to implement varying authentication schemes in a configurable and extendable manner. This authentication framework provides a level of abstraction in which requirements for credential gathering and authentication workflow are independent from the agents or authentication implementation that does the credential gathering and authentication workflow. A higher level of abstraction and a more comprehensive authentication framework allows handling the associated authentication transactions of complex authentication schemes without requiring any specific understanding of their internals. For example, the requirements to gather certain credentials for a particular authentication scheme may be configured and maintained separately from the client-side authentication agent that gathers the credentials. The flexible, configurable and extendable authentication framework supports a wide variety of authentication scheme and supports third party, proprietary and customized authentication schemes. |
| US09686246B2 |
Issuing, presenting and challenging mobile device identification documents
Methods and systems of authenticating electronic identification (ID) documents may provide for receiving a decryption key and an encrypted ID document from a certificate authority server at a mobile device, wherein the encrypted ID document includes a read only document having a photograph of an individual. Additionally, the decryption key may be applied to the encrypted ID document to obtain a decryption result in response to a display request. The decryption result can be output via a display of the mobile device, wherein the encrypted ID document can be sent to a challenge terminal if a challenge request is received. |
| US09686238B1 |
Secure network enrollment
A UE communicates with a network gateway to access a provisioning device via a provisioning network. The provisioning device uses identification data of the UE to authenticate the UE for a primary network, and provides primary network configuration data to the UE. Using the primary network configuration data, the UE communicates with the network gateway to access the primary network. The primary network configuration data can include data to enable the UE to establish communications with one or more private networks accessible via the primary network. |
| US09686231B2 |
Method for acquiring information and network equipment
The application provides a method for providing an internet protocol (IP) address to a terminal device by a network node. The network node receives, from the terminal device, a request for acquiring an IP address in a packet data network (PDN) connection. The request includes a requested IP address version. The network node allocates an IP address for the terminal device in response to the request, and sends the address allocated by the network node and a PDN address capability to the terminal device. The PDN address capability is determined by the network node according to the request, and the PDN address capability indicates that only an assigned version of the allocated IP address is allowed by the network node in the PDN connection. |
| US09686230B2 |
Management of application server-related user data
In onse aspect, there is provided a method for the management of Application Server AS-related user data stored in a Home Subscriber Server HSS. In an embodiment, said method comprises a step of: HSS and at least one Application Server AS, referred to as validating AS, exchanging information for the validation of a management request received at the HSS. |
| US09686225B2 |
Method and system for configuring message tracking in telecom service
The disclosure discloses a method for configuring message tracking in a telecom service, comprising: a service module initiates a registration message to a tracking server, and synchronizes a tracking condition with the tracking server; a monitoring client initiates a registration message to the tracking server, and receives the tracking condition synchronously sent by the tracking server; and the monitoring client performs a configuration on the tracking condition, and sends a synchronization message of configuration information to the corresponding service module through the tracking server to complete the message tracking configuration. The disclosure further discloses a system for configuring message tracking in a telecom service. The method and system construct a general platform for the message tracking, which can integrate the message tracking of various different services. A new service module or a new monitoring client could be added more flexibly. |
| US09686218B2 |
Net-based email filtering
A local gateway device receives email across the internet from a sender of the email and forwards it across the internet to an email filtering system. The email filtering system analyzes the email to determine whether it is spam, phishing or contains a virus and sends it back to the local gateway device along with the filtered determination. The local gateway device forwards the received email and the filtered determination to a local junk store which handles the email appropriately. For example, if the email has been determined to be spam, phishing or containing a virus, the junk store can quarantine the email and if the email has been determined to be non-spun and/or not phishing and/or not containing a virus, the junk store can forward the email to a local mail server for delivery. |
| US09686217B2 |
Method to stop cyber-bullying before it occurs
A method to stop cyber-bullying before it occurs by alerting the user (potential bully) to pause, review and rethink before posting a hurtful messages to the recipient (potential victim(s)) is the essence of this patent. ReThink is designed to be setup as an optional software installed as an extension, plugin or add-on on web browsers and as a customized keyboard or add-on app on mobile platforms (smart phones, cell phones, tablets, phablets, mobile devices) that detects hurtfulness on all text, image or videos posted or shared on the internet in all languages by a user. Upon detection, ReThink alerts the user to rethink the decision before posting message and provides a chance for the user to edit message to make it non-hurtful to recipients. ReThink is backed by a sound scientific research that has found that the ReThink method prevents cyber-bullying over 93% of the time in adolescent users. |
| US09686216B2 |
Server side email content modification to selected email recipients
A method for prohibiting email content propagation that receives, at a server, an email message. At the server, at least one email address associated with the email message which is designated not to receive a content of the email message is identified. At the server, the email message is modified by selectively removing a content of the email message to be conveyed to the at least one email address. The server conveys the modified email message to the at least one email address. The server conveys the email message to one or more recipient email addresses except the at least one email address. Consequently, the server has sent a submitted message to multiple email addresses, while modifying the content sent to a subset of the addresses that received the email message. |
| US09686214B2 |
Status and time-based delivery services for instant messengers
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment and provide a method, system and computer program product for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for unattended status and time-based messaging in an instant messaging (IM) environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a request from an IM user to queue an unattended status and time-based message, retrieving a recovery trigger for the unattended status and time-based message, and assigning the unattended status and time-based message to a message queue. |
| US09686212B2 |
Systems, methods and interfaces for using a messaging program across a multiple applications and communications environment
A method for using a messaging program across a multiple applications and communications environment includes engaging a multiple applications and communications environment. The multiple applications and communications environment comprises at least one primary application and at least one secondary application. The at least one primary application is associated with a primary work product object and the at least one secondary application is associated with a secondary work product object. The primary work product object and the secondary work product object are associated with a work product matter. The method further includes configuring a messaging program to establish a first chat instance within the primary work product object and a second chat instance within the secondary work product object. The first chat instance and the second chat instance are determined by a set of permissions related to the primary work product object. Another method has the at least one primary application being a web application, a file manager application or an email application and the at least one secondary application being a web application, a file manager application or an email application. |
| US09686210B2 |
Controller based fibre channel over ethernet (FCoE) fabric
In one embodiment, a method includes establishing at a Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) Data-Plane Forwarder (FDF), a connection with a controller in communication with a plurality of FDFs, processing at the FDF, control information received from the controller, and forwarding FCoE frames based on the control information. The FDF communicates with the other FDFs in an FCoE fabric and communicates with the controller through a control connection. An apparatus is also disclosed herein. |
| US09686205B2 |
Method for providing a connection of a client to an unmanaged service in a client-server remote access system
Systems and methods for providing a connection of a client to an unmanaged service in a client-server remote access system. An unmanaged service may register at a remote access server and open a communication connection there between remote access server may be configured for providing remote access to the unmanaged service by a client. The remote access server receives keep-alive messages from the unmanaged service over the communication connection, which may serve to indicate that the unmanaged service is operational. The remote access server may a request for a client connection to the unmanaged service, after which, a terminate keep-alive message is communicated to the unmanaged service to terminate the sending of keep-alive messages from the unmanaged service in response to the request for the client connection to the unmanaged service. |
| US09686204B2 |
Capacity management based on backlog information
A device is configured to obtain backlog information from a network device. The backlog information indicates a backlog of a queue included in the network device. The device obtains settings information for the network device. The settings information indicates a setting of the queue. The device determines an adjustment to the setting of the queue based on the backlog information and the settings information. The device provides adjustment information, indicating the adjustment to the setting of the queue, to the network device for the network to adjust the setting of the queue. |
| US09686203B2 |
Flow control credits for priority in lossless ethernet
In one embodiment, a system includes a hardware processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to classify a traffic flow into a traffic class based on at least one criteria related to the traffic flow and request that a credit manager remap flow credits corresponding to a first traffic class to flow credits corresponding to a second traffic class. In another embodiment, a method for providing credit-based flow control includes classifying a traffic flow into a traffic class based on at least one criteria related to the traffic flow, the traffic class being selected from a plurality of traffic classes. The method also includes storing an identifier indicating the traffic class of packets of the traffic flow according to a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier in a three bit VLAN tag portion of a header of one or more of the packets. |
| US09686195B2 |
Relaying apparatus and storage apparatus
A relaying apparatus placed between a control apparatus and a storage device in a storage apparatus includes a first connection unit, a second connection unit and a processor. The first connection unit is connected to a storage device. A detecting unit detects a link-down of the first connection unit. The processor executes a process in which, the address of the storage device that was connected to the first connection unit when the link-down has occurred to the first connection unit matches the address of the storage device connected to the second connection unit when the link-up has occurred to the second connection unit, and an access request is given from the control apparatus with an attached first identifier that identifies the first connection unit, data is forwarded via the second connection unit. |
| US09686193B2 |
Filtering network data transfers
Aspects of this disclosure relate to filtering network data transfers. In some variations, multiple packets may be received. A determination may be made that a portion of the packets have packet header field values corresponding to a packet filtering rule. Responsive to such a determination, an operator specified by the packet filtering rule may be applied to the portion of packets having the packet header field values corresponding to the packet filtering rule. A further determination may be made that one or more of the portion of the packets have one or more application header field values corresponding to one or more application header field criteria specified by the operator. Responsive to such a determination, at least one packet transformation function specified by the operator may be applied to the one or more of the portion of the packets. |
| US09686192B2 |
Network service slotting
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems of packet processing utilize an ordered sequence of packet processing services to process a packet having a destination. The packet is a native, non-proprietary network packet that uses a standard network protocol and standard packet format. The packet processing services include a plurality of physical and/or virtual services. The ordered sequence is determined by applying one or more policy rules. A virtual service insertion platform manages routing of the packet to each service in the ordered sequence of services until all services have processed the packet, then the packet is forwarded to the packet destination. |
| US09686186B2 |
Traffic flow identifiers resistant to traffic analysis
A network device receives packets for one or more traffic flows to be sent into a network. The network device computes a flow identifier for each of the one or more traffic flows based on information contained in one or more headers of the packets for each of the one or more traffic flows and based on at least one value that is changed on an ongoing basis. The packets for each of the one or more traffic flows are encrypted to produce encrypted packets for each of the one or more traffic flows. An encapsulation is added to the encrypted packets for the one or more traffic flows. The flow identifier is included in a field of the encapsulation for a corresponding traffic flow. |
| US09686185B2 |
Generating flows using common match techniques
Some embodiments provide a method for a forwarding element that forwards packets. The method receives a packet and performs a hash lookup operation on one or more hash tables to find a matching rule for a packet. The method consults a common match data set to generate a wildcard mask. The method generates a flow based on the matching rule and the wildcard mask. The flow is used to process other packets that match each bit which is un-wildcarded. |
| US09686182B2 |
Method for implementing fast re-routing (FRR)
A method for providing a protected fast rerouting scheme for traffic conveyed in a network comprising a working path and a first backup path for conveying the traffic in case of a node failure. The method enables conveying traffic when two simultaneous failures occur, a failure of a link and/or of a node, belonging to the working path and the other—a failure occurring at a link and/or a node belonging to the first backup path. Upon detecting occurrence of a link/node failure along the working path, traffic is diverted to the first backup path, and upon detecting a concurrent failure at the downstream link/node at the first backup path, traffic is diverted to a second backup path extending from a node belonging to the first backup path and merges with the working path at a node located downstream of the failure that occurred at the working path. |
| US09686181B2 |
Selective service bypass in service function chaining
In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a failure of a service function at a service node in a service chain, receiving a packet at the service node, and processing the packet at the service node according to a flag associated with the service function and set based on a criticality of the service function. An apparatus is also disclosed herein. |
| US09686179B2 |
Network relay system and switching device
Each of the n port switches set LAG to m links which respectively connect the port switch and m fabric switches. For example, the port switch performs a hashing operation for a frame received at a predetermined port and containing a layer 4 port number of an OSI reference model by using the port number, determines one link based on a result of the hashing operation from among the m links to which the LAG is set, and relays the frame to the one link. |
| US09686178B2 |
Configuring link aggregation groups to perform load balancing in a virtual environment
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems configure a first set of ports of a host device to be included within a link aggregation group (LAG) with a switch coupled to the first set of one or more ports. A second set of one or more ports of a second host device is also included within the LAG. The configuration of the LAG includes the switch performing load balancing between ports within the LAG. The first host device receives, via the LAG, a packet to be processed by a service implemented by each of one or more virtual machines running on the first host device. The first host device receives the packet as a result of the switch selecting a port within the first and second sets of ports based upon the load balancing between uplinks to the ports within the LAG. |
| US09686177B2 |
System and method for efficient delivery of multi-unicast communication traffic
Disclosed is a system and method for the delivery of multi-unicast communication traffic. A multimedia router is adapted to analyze and identify contents which it handles and one or more access nodes are adapted to receive one or more of the identified contents, cache contents based on said identification; and use cached contents as substitutes for redundant traffic, received by the same access node. |
| US09686173B1 |
Unsupervised methodology to unveil content delivery network structures
A method for analyzing a content delivery network. The method includes obtaining network traffic flows corresponding to user nodes accessing contents from a set of servers of the content delivery network, extracting a timing attribute from each network traffic flow associated with a server, where the timing attribute is aggregated into a timing attribute dataset of the server based on all network traffic flows associated with the server, generating a statistical measure of the timing attribute dataset as a portion of a feature vector representing the server, where the feature vector is aggregated into a set of feature vectors representing the set of servers, analyzing the set of feature vectors based on a clustering algorithm to generate a set of clusters, and generating, based on the set of clusters, a representation of server groups in the content delivery network. |
| US09686172B2 |
Method and apparatus of determining policy and charging rules based on network resource utilization information
The present invention provides a solution for determining a QoS policy and/or charging policy based on network resource utilization information in an LTE network. As compared to the current 3GPP policy and charging control architecture, the solution of the present invention determines a QoS policy and/or charging policy based on network resource utilization information in combination with existing input information, thereby making policy and charging control more flexible. |
| US09686166B2 |
Power fluctuation detection and analysis
The network monitoring system collects transmission and/or receive power level information from a plurality of customer premise devices connected to the same distribution node for each of a plurality of network distribution nodes. For an individual network distribution node, the network monitoring system calculates a set of fluctuation parameters including a group power level deviation metric, e.g., a modified standard deviation ratio. The network monitoring system evaluates the generated fluctuation parameters and responds, e.g., outputting a fluctuations report, modifying a data collection profile being used by a set of customer premise devices corresponding to a distribution node, commanding diagnostics to be performed on a portion of the network and/or directing a service technician. The network monitoring system compares generated fluctuation parameters corresponding to different distribution nodes, and uses the results of the comparison to assign priority with regard to the assignment of limited available troubleshooting and repair resources. |
| US09686163B2 |
Determining events by analyzing stored electronic communications
Among other things, an aspect includes a data storage system associated with a provider entity and storing data on behalf of a client entity, the data being accessible from the data storage system by the client entity, a data interface enabling access by the provider entity to the data of the data storage system, and an analysis engine maintained by the provider entity to, at times determined by the analysis engine, access the data using the data interface, analyze the data, and generate results of the analysis for use by the client entity. |
| US09686161B2 |
Consensus loss in distributed control systems
A device may correspond to a physical access controller in a distributed physical access control system. A method, performed by the device in a distributed system, may include detecting that another device in the distributed system has become unavailable; determining that a loss of consensus has occurred in the distributed system based on detecting that the other device has become unavailable; generating a list of available devices in the distributed system; and sending an alarm message to an administrative device, wherein the alarm message indicates the loss of consensus and wherein the alarm message includes the list of available devices. |
| US09686159B2 |
Visual representations of status
An example device in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure is to generate a visual representation of a status of a metric. The visual representation is to be updated according to the granularity during at least a portion of a time period. The visual representation is to depict passage of time along a first dimension, and is to separate the time period into a plurality of time blocks to be depicted as being stacked along a second dimension of the visual representation. |
| US09686156B2 |
Network flow monitoring
A network flow monitoring and analysis system comprises flow labeling agent(s), sensor(s), controller(s), and correlation engines(s). The flow labeling agent(s) label at data packet flow unique and covert label(s). The sensor(s) observe data packet flow for the unique and covert label(s) and generate examination report(s) from the observations. The examination report(s) comprise information such as: location information; time information; target information; path information; and flow information. The controller(s) communicate instructions to the labeling agent(s) and sensor(s), receive event information and manage the correlation engine(s). The correlation engine(s) correlate information from information such as the target information; event information; path information; and flow information. |
| US09686154B2 |
Generating a service-catalog entry from discovered attributes of provisioned virtual machines
A method and associated system of automatically generating an entry of a service catalog of a cloud-computing environment as a function of discovered attributes of a virtual machine provisioned in a non-cloud computing environment. A cloud-management platform of the cloud-computing environment analyzes and compares results of infrastructure-discovery and application-discovery tools that describe a business application or a virtual service provisioned on the virtual machine. The cloud-management platform, or a related service-catalog generating entity, uses these analyzed and compared results to automatically generate a service-catalog entry that represents or describes a cloud business application or service associated with the virtual machine, and enters the automatically generated entry into the service catalog. When a user of the cloud-computing environment requests the cloud business application or service, the cloud-management platform may then offer the business application or service as a function of the automatically generated entry. |
| US09686153B2 |
Placing a virtual edge gateway appliance on a host computing system
Techniques for placing a virtual edge gateway appliance on at least one host computing system are described. In one embodiment, a virtual switch assigned to a tenant for creating virtual networks is identified. Further, at least one host computing system having access to the virtual switch is identified. Furthermore, placing a virtual edge gateway appliance on the at least one identified host computing system is recommended to allow connectivity to networks created using the virtual switch assigned to the tenant. |
| US09686152B2 |
Techniques for tracking resource usage statistics per transaction across multiple layers of protocols
Techniques to track resource usage statistics per transaction across multiple layers of protocols and across multiple threads, processes and/or devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a technique may comprise assigning an activity context to a request at the beginning of a first stage, where the activity context has an initial set of properties. The values of the properties may be assigned to the properties in the initial set during the first stage. The value of a property may be stored on a data store local to the first stage. The activity context may be transferred to a second stage when the request begins the second stage. The transferred activity context may include a property from the initial set of properties. The stored values may be analyzed to determine a resource usage statistic. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09686151B2 |
Method of operating a self organizing network and system thereof
There is provided a method of operating a self-organizing network and system thereof. The method comprises processing data informative of network events with regard to the one or more access points and respectively served clients, thereby periodically associating the clients with the one or more access points; periodically assessing to each access point a value indicative of a privilege level of a given access point, the value being a function of priority values assigned to clients associated with the given access point during an assessing period; and using the assessed values for periodically identifying at least one access point requiring at least one corrective action in consideration of its privilege level. The method can further comprise periodically reassigning at least part of priority values to be used for assessing the values to the one or more access points, wherein reassigning comprises processing data periodically received by the SON system. |
| US09686150B2 |
Monitoring system and method for monitoring the operation of distributed computing components
Certain example embodiments relate to a monitoring system for monitoring the operation of distributed computing components. The monitoring system includes a registry for storing descriptions of the computing components and at least one associated service-level agreement (SLA) specifying at least one performance requirement; a compiler for generating at least one first and second continuous query based on the information stored in the registry; and a complex event processing (CEP) engine for executing the at least one first continuous query on input events indicating actions performed by the computing components and corresponding performance information, and for producing at least one output event indicating a violation of at least one SLA. The CEP engine also executes the at least one second continuous query on input events indicating a violation of at least one SLA, and produces at least one output event indicating a relationship between at least two SLA violations. |
| US09686144B2 |
System administration
A technique for improving system administration involves implementing system administration agent programs on a plurality of devices in an administered network. A deployment agent deploys the system administration agent program or a portion thereof to suitable devices when they are detected. System monitoring agents monitor the administered network to generate data. A reporting engine sends agent reports including the generated data to a system administration server. The system administration server facilitates administration of the administered network in real time. |
| US09686141B2 |
Systems and methods for resource sharing between two resource allocation systems
In various example embodiments, a system and method for managing a server cluster are provided. An example method may include scheduling a first job on a first node, using a first resource manager, establishing a service for a second resource manager on a second node, wherein the service is allocated node resources of the second node, and attempting to schedule a second job on the first node, using the first resource manager. The method may include preempting the service on the second node, using the second resource manager, in response to the attempt to schedule the second job on the first node, and deallocating the node resources of the second node from the service. The method may include advertising, using a node manager of the first resource manager, available node resources of the second node, and scheduling the second job on the second node, using the first resource manager. |
| US09686140B2 |
Intelligent network interconnect
An intelligent network interconnect may include a control channel and a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes may include a first node coupled to a first network and a second node coupled to a second network. Each of the plurality of nodes is coupled to the control channel. The intelligent network interconnect may also include a control device coupled to the control channel. The intelligent network interconnect may be configured to: collect network data from the first node and the second node, wherein the network data includes traffic data of the first network; obtain metrics based on the collected network data; detect an event based on the metrics and the collected network data; and a rule whose condition matches the event; and send a command over the control channel, to one or more of the nodes, to perform an action associated with the rule. |
| US09686135B2 |
Apparatus and methods for maintaining service continuity when transitioning between mobile network operators
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method storing, at an integrated circuit card including at least one processor, parametric information descriptive of operational features of a plurality of software applications, where the plurality of software applications when executed makes use of services provided by equipment of a first network operator. The method can further include detecting, at the integrated circuit card, an event indicating that the plurality of software applications are to utilize services provided by equipment of a second network operator, and causing, from the integrated circuit card, a transmission of the parametric information descriptive of the operational features of the plurality of software applications to the equipment of the second network operator. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09686134B2 |
Method and configuration center server for configuring server cluster
A method for configuring server cluster includes: judging whether a signal processing function is a default exit value; if not, determining a configuration request is received from a server to be configured; obtaining a write lock from a shared memory and configuration information from a database, writing the configuration information in the shared memory, releasing the write lock; if receiving an exit signal between obtaining and releasing the write lock, setting the signal processing function to be the default exit value; obtaining a read lock from the shared memory, reading the configuration information from the shared memory, sending the read configuration information to the server, releasing the read lock, returning to the step of judging whether a signal processing function is a default exit value; if receiving the exit signal between obtaining and releasing the read lock, setting the signal processing function to be the default exit value. |
| US09686131B2 |
System, gateway, and method for automatic setting configuration by learning commands
A system, a gateway, and a method for automatic setting configuration by learning commands are provided. The invention collects communication commands sent in a first network, stores target data accessed by a first device in the first network according to the communication command to an address, and maps the address to an I/O module used to access the target data by a second device. The system and the method can set the configuration of a gateway automatically, and achieve the effect of enhancing the efficiency of gateway configuration setting. |
| US09686130B2 |
Configuration management for nodes in a network
Disclosed are various embodiments for managing configuration changes applied to node devices in a network. Expected and target configuration files for a node are obtained, where the configuration files specify various parameters with corresponding values. A computing device determines a different one of the parameters having different corresponding values between the configuration files. A governing one of the parameters on which the different parameter depends is determined based at least in part upon a parameter reference. The computing device calculates a checksum for the governing parameter based at least in part upon a corresponding value of the governing parameter. Instructions are generated to calculate a checksum for the governing parameter currently configured in the node. The instructions further specify that, in response to the checksums matching, the different parameter in the node should be configured with a corresponding value of the different parameter as specified by the target configuration file. |
| US09686129B2 |
Sharing a java virtual machine
A JAVA virtual machine with multiple tenants is shared by allocating an IP address to each of the tenants, creating a separate virtual network interface for each of the tenants and configuring each separate virtual network interface with the respective separate IP address allocated for each tenant. For each of the tenants, network operations are performed via the virtual network interface created for that tenant, to provide for network isolation of each tenant sharing a JAVA virtual machine. |
| US09686127B2 |
Methods and systems for application performance profiles, link capacity measurement, traffic quarantine and performance controls
A method includes issuing a tuned request on a specified active link having an ingress shaper and an egress shaper to a server utilizing a link capacity to an extent in both a forward path and a return path, determining a link capacity for the active link, monitoring the active link and dropping any traffic traveling via the active link when a limit of at least one of the ingress shaper and the egress shaper is exceeded. |
| US09686126B2 |
Automotive neural network
Network node modules within a vehicle are arranged to form a reconfigurable automotive neural network. Each network node module includes one or more subsystems for performing one or more operations and a local processing module for communicating with the one or more subsystems. A management system enables traffic from the one or more subsystems of a particular network node module to be re-routed to an external processing module upon failure of the local processing module of that particular network node module. |
| US09686119B2 |
System, method and computer program product for scanning portions of data
A scanning system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, portions of data are scanned. Further, access to a scanned portion of the data is allowed during scanning of another portion of the data. |
| US09686116B2 |
Dynamic service information for the access network
A method and an apparatus for providing an access network element in a communication network system with information are disclosed, the information enabling the access network element to perform service based processing on data belonging to an application session. |
| US09686107B2 |
Methods and systems for chip-to-chip communication with reduced simultaneous switching noise
Systems and methods are described for transmitting data over physical channels to provide a high speed, low latency interface such as between a memory controller and memory devices with significantly reduced or eliminated Simultaneous Switching Output noise. Controller-side and memory-side embodiments of such channel interfaces are disclosed which do not require additional pin count or data transfer cycles, have low power utilization, and introduce minimal additional latency. In some embodiments of the invention, three or more voltage levels are used for signaling. |
| US09686105B2 |
Clock and data recovery circuit and frequency detection method thereof
The present disclosure provides a crystal-less clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit and a frequency detection method thereof. The CDR circuit includes a clock generator and a frequency detection module. The clock generator is operable to generate a clock signal. The frequency detection module coupled to the clock generator is configured for outputting a control signal to the clock generator to increase or decrease the frequency of the clock signal according to a data signal received and a transition density. |
| US09686103B2 |
Method for compensating the frequency dependent phase imbalance
A method for compensating the frequency dependent phase imbalance in a receiver is provided. The receiver downconverts an input signal to generate the signal r(t). The signal r(t) has an in-phase component rI(t) and a quadrature component rQ(t). A first test signal with a first carrier frequency is applied as the input signal of the receiver to obtain a first phase imbalance I. A second test signal with a second carrier frequency is applying as the input signal of the receiver to obtain a second phase imbalance. An IQ delay mismatch Δt of the receiver according to the difference of the second and the first phase imbalances and the difference of the second and the first carrier frequencies is obtained. The in-phase component rI(t) and the quadrature component rQ(t) of the signal r(t) corresponding to other input signal is compensated according to the obtained IQ delay mismatch Δt. |
| US09686101B2 |
Stream creation with limited topology information
The discovery of a topology of a network with an unknown topology can enable the selection of a data path within the network, and the establishment of a data stream over the selected data path. Routing tables mapping originating nodes to input ports can be created based on the receipt of discovery messages generated by the originating nodes. A source node can select a data path between the source node and a sink node in order to establish a data stream using the routing tables. Data paths can be selected based on, for instance, routing table bandwidth information, latency information, and/or distance information. Data streams can be established over the selected data path, and each node can release any reserved output bandwidth determined to be unnecessary for the data stream. |
| US09686100B2 |
Packet encapsulation with redirected DMA for software defined networks
A method, system, and computer program product for encapsulating a packet within a virtualized network. The method includes writing one or more first translation control entries (TCEs) from a TCE table of a client system to a TCE table of a host system, and writing one or more second TCEs to the TCE table of the host system. The first TCEs indicate a location within the client system of payload data for the packet, and the second TCEs indicate a location within the host system of at least one of header and footer information to be included with the payload data. |
| US09686098B2 |
Efficient management of ring networks
In general, techniques are described for efficient management of ring networks with a system of two network devices. The first network device of the ring network is designated as an adjacent selective forwarding (ASF) device, and the second network device is designated as a master device. The master device monitors the ring network to determine whether a fault has occurred in the ring network and transmits via a secondary port of the master device a network status message to the ASF device based on the determination of whether the fault has occurred. The ASF device determines a status of the ring network based on the network status message and selectively forwards data traffic to the master network device based on the determination of the status. As a result, the master device more efficiently utilizes network resources by not consuming processor or memory resources to prevent traffic loops. |
| US09686096B2 |
Acoustic manipulation of particles in standing wave fields
A method for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid is disclosed. The method includes flowing the mixture through an acoustophoretic device comprising an acoustic chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The transducer includes a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber. A voltage signal is sent to drive the ultrasonic transducer in a displacement profile that is a superposition of a combination of different mode shapes that are the same order of magnitude to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber such that the second fluid or particulate is continuously trapped in the standing wave, and then agglomerates, aggregates, clumps, or coalesces together, and subsequently rises or settles out of the host fluid due to buoyancy or gravity forces, and exits the acoustic chamber. |
| US09686094B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling devices for smart home service
A method and apparatus for controlling devices for a smart home service are provided. The method includes grouping devices to receive at least one command simultaneously from among devices registered to the smart home service into a group for one mode, generating mode configuration information for each mode including grouped devices for the mode and at least one command for the mode, transmitting the mode configuration information for each mode to the registered devices, selecting one of each mode for which the mode configuration information has been generated, and transmitting a mode activation request for activating the selected mode to the registered devices. |
| US09686089B2 |
Scheduling timing design for a TDD system
Disclosed is a method of transmitting, from an enhanced Node B (eNB), an indication of an uplink/downlink (UL-DL) subframe configuration of a scheduling cell and a scheduled cell in a wireless time-division duplex (TDD) system. Embodiments include identifying the type of the UL-DL subframe configuration of the scheduling cell and determining a UL-DL subframe configuration to use for UL resource allocation of the scheduled cell. Other embodiments include identifying a reference UL-DL subframe configuration to use for UL resource allocation of the scheduled cell. |
| US09686088B2 |
Notification profile configuration based on device orientation
In one embodiment, a user places a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone) facing downward on a table. A process running on the mobile device determines an orientation of the mobile device (i.e., a facing downward orientation), and determines that the mobile device has been in the facing downward orientation for over a threshold period of time (e.g., 3 seconds), then the process automatically selects a “Quiet” notification profile, and turn off the mobile device's display, without additional input from the user. |
| US09686087B2 |
Synchronization of questions and answers in a collaborative messaging environment
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to question and answer management in a collaborative environment, and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for synchronizing questions and answers in an instant messaging session. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of synchronizing questions and answers in an instant messaging session can be provided. The method can include maintaining an instant messaging session between first and second participants, identifying questions and answers in the instant messaging text, matching each of the answers to a corresponding one of the questions, and displaying the matched questions and answers supplementally to the displaying of the chat transcript, ensuring that a participant does not overlook a question where response on their part is required. |
| US09686084B2 |
System and method for performing multi-enforcement point charging
Systems and methods for accomplishing charging operations in a communications network in which a plurality of charging and enforcement (CaE) components operate as enforcement points for a single data communication may include receiving in a server computing device usage records from a first CaE component and a second CaE component, generating correlated usage records by using a common Service Data Flow (SDF) to correlate the one or more usage records received from the first CaE component with the one or more records received from the second CaE component, and using the correlated usage records to determine a charge value that identifies correct charges to be applied. |
| US09686081B2 |
Detecting compromised certificate authority
A computer-implemented method is provided to detect a compromised Certificate Authority (CA). Over time reports are received containing data describing certificate authority certificates captured from messages exchanged between clients and servers. These reports may be received by a central computing entity. Metadata and statistics for certificates contained in the reports are stored. It is determined whether a certificate authority has been compromised based on the metadata and statistics. |
| US09686080B2 |
System and method to provide secure credential
A system and method is illustrated for providing secure credential using a secure credential package stored on a client device and at least one key stored in a corporate network. In embodiments, an access connector receives credentials and a device unique identifier from the client device over a secure link, obtain the at least one key from the corporate network, apply the at least one key to the credentials and the device unique identifier to generate the secure credential package including the encrypted credential and the device unique identifier, send the secure credential package to the client device over the secure link, upon receiving the secure credential package from the client device, retrieve the at least one key via the key manager, decrypting the secure credential package using the at least one key to obtain the credentials, and validate the credentials against a user directory located in the corporate network. |
| US09686078B1 |
Firmware validation from an external channel
The state of firmware for devices on a provisioned host machine can be validated independent of the host CPU(s) or other components exposed to the user. A port that is not fully exposed or accessible to the user can be used to perform a validation process on firmware without accessing a CPU of the host device. The firmware can be scanned and a hashing or similar algorithm can be used to determine validation information, such as hash values, for the firmware, which can be compared to validation information stored in a secure location. If the current and stored validation information do not match, one or more remedial actions can be taken to address the firmware being in an unknown or unintended state. |
| US09686077B2 |
Secure hardware for cross-device trusted applications
Various technologies described herein pertain to a computing device that includes secure hardware (e.g., a TPM, a secure processor of a processing platform, protected memory that includes a software-based TPM, etc.). The secure hardware includes a shared secret, which is shared by the secure hardware and a server computing system. The shared secret is provisioned by the server computing system or a provisioning computing system of a party affiliated with the server computing system. The secure hardware further includes a cryptographic engine that can execute a cryptographic algorithm using the shared secret or a key generated from the shared secret. The cryptographic engine can execute the cryptographic algorithm to perform encryption, decryption, authentication, and/or attestation. |
| US09686076B2 |
Apparatus and methods for storing electronic access clients
Apparatus and methods for storing and controlling access control clients. In one embodiment, transmitting and receiving devices ensure that only one copy of an eSIM is active at any time. Specifically, each transferred eSIM is encrypted for the destination device; the eSIM from the source device is deleted, deactivated, or otherwise rendered unusable. Various aspects of network infrastructure are also described, including electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) appliances, and mobile devices. Various scenarios for transfer of eSIMs are also disclosed. |
| US09686074B2 |
Methods and systems of securely storing documents on a mobile device
A method of encrypting information using a computational tag may include, by a mobile electronic device, detecting a computational tag within a near field communication range of the mobile electronic device, identifying a document to be encrypted by the mobile electronic device, transmitting the document to the computational tag by the mobile electronic device, receiving, from the computational tag, an encrypted document, wherein the encrypted document comprises an encrypted version of the document that was to be encrypted, and storing the encrypted document in a memory of the mobile electronic device. |
| US09686068B2 |
Method, apparatus, and computer program product for signaling allocation of neighbor cells
A method, user equipment, network device, and software product employ indicators from a plurality of respective cells to indicate a difference, if any, regarding allocation in the respective cell as compared to neighbor cells. Mobility measurements are then performed according to the indicators, and also on the basis of configuration of a cell where the measurements are performed. |
| US09686061B2 |
Method and system using relays with aggregated spectrum
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) Advanced technology, also known as 4th Generation (4G) targets to support up to 100 MHz BW. LTE currently supports single carrier bandwidths of up to 20 MHz. The present application describes a multi-carrier approach in which some embodiments of the invention provide a simple solution of aggregating multiple single carrier bandwidths to obtain a wider bandwidth (>20 MHz). Such an approach may extend Long Term Evolution (LTE) bandwidth to greater than that provided by a single carrier, yet maintain full backward compatibility with technologies that predate 4G technology and utilize smaller, single carrier bandwidths. More generally, embodiments of the invention can apply to other communication standards than only LTE. |
| US09686059B2 |
Multi-cell interference management
Multi-cell interference management (MCIM) for interference management among multiple cells in a wireless communication network is provided. In some embodiments, MCIM includes collecting data (e.g., CQI measurements and/or subband usage statistics) from a neighborhood of base stations; determining local and neighborhood system utility metrics; and determining interference managing directives (e.g., that can be communicated to the MAC layer of a base station in the neighborhood of base stations). |
| US09686056B2 |
PHICH transmission in time division duplex systems
A method is provided for communication in a wireless telecommunication system. The method comprises multiplexing, by a network element, at least one symbol of a PHICH onto at least one resource element of a PCFICH. |
| US09686051B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for lossless data transmission in a wireless network
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing lossless transmission of sensor data in a wireless network are provided. In some aspects, a method for transmitting data in a wireless sensor network includes collecting data at a sensor node, attaching a timestamp to the data, buffering the data and the timestamp to a memory device and retransmitting the collected data where the sensor node fails to receive an acknowledgement message from the base station after the data transmission. In some aspects, a system can include a plurality of wireless sensor nodes having synchronized clocks and a base station. Collected sensor data can be associated with a timestamp via the clock prior to transmitting the data to the base station. The data can be buffered at a memory device and retransmitted therefrom to provide lossless data transmission. |
| US09686040B2 |
Adaptive modulation coding method and apparatus
An adaptive modulation coding method includes obtaining an estimated signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and a packet error rate (PER) of a communication link of a user terminal; setting a first adjustment amount of the SINR of the communication link according to the PER of the communication link; calculating an effective SINR of the communication link according to the estimated SINR of the communication link and the first adjustment amount of the SINR of the communication link; and determining a modulation coding scheme of the communication link according to the effective SINR of the communication link. |
| US09686039B2 |
Link adaptation feedback method and transmitting device
Embodiments of the present invention provide a link adaptation feedback method and a transmitting device. The method includes: receiving, by a transmitting device, a link adaptation feedback frame sent by a receiving device, where the link adaptation feedback frame carries space-time block coding type indication information; and determining, by the transmitting device according to the space-time block coding type indication information, information about use of space-time block coding by a data frame related to the link adaptation feedback frame. Through the embodiments of the present invention, and according to the use information, the transmitting device may select the space-time stream, and the MCS used when the transmitting device sends a data frame, thereby improving link performance. |
| US09686037B2 |
User apparatus, base station, interference reducing method and interference reducing control information notification method
A user apparatus in a radio communication system including a plurality of base stations, including: a reception unit configured to receive, from a connecting base station, control information to be used for reducing an interference signal sent from an interference base station for the user apparatus; and an interference reducing unit configured to reduce the interference signal by using the control information to obtain a desired signal sent from the connecting base station, wherein the reception unit receives a part of the control information as a part of downlink control information that is transmitted by a downlink physical layer signaling channel from the connecting base station, and receives the other part of the control information by RRC signaling. |
| US09686034B2 |
Methods of time synchronization in communications networks
A method of providing a path delay asymmetry for time synchronization between a master clock at a first client node and a slave clock at a second client node. The method comprises: mapping a first time protocol signal (TPS) carrying master clock time protocol data (TPD) onto a first signal; determining a forward mapping delay (dmf); mapping a second TPS carrying slave clock TPD onto a second signal; determining a reverse mapping delay (dmr); applying FEC to the first signal, determining a forward FEC delay (dfecf); applying FEC to the second signal; determining a reverse FEC delay (dfecr); providing dmf, dmr, dfecf and dfecr to a calculation element; calculating a path delay asymmetry in dependence on dmf, dmr, dfecf and dfecr; and providing it to a time protocol client at the second client node. |
| US09686033B2 |
System and method for advanced adaptive pseudowire
A system and method for separating clock recovery for a pseudowire communication. An incoming signal is received for a pseudowire communication. The incoming signal is separated into a first signal and a second signal. Packets within the first signal are ordered in a first register. A clock signal is extracted from the second signal in a second register to generate a modified clock signal. A delay is incurred during generating of the modified clock signal. The first signal is communicated utilizing the modified clock signal. |
| US09686032B2 |
Local channels anywhere
A mobile viewing method includes accessing location information indicative of a current location of a mobile device associated with a home market. A current market corresponding to the current location of the mobile device is identified. If the current market differs from the home market, the mobile device is granted access to a retransmission of at least one local channel of the current market. The location information may include GPS information indicative of GPS coordinates of the mobile device. The mobile device may include a mobile viewing application that displays a channel guide indicating local channels available in the current market and national channels. The mobile viewing application may include a summary of the current market and the summary may include weather, news headline, and local advertisement information. |
| US09686028B2 |
Public location individual audio delivery device and method
A public location individual audio delivery device and method allows individual access and control to audio associated with a visual presentation within a public location. The device includes a display located in a public location. A receiver is coupled to the display and receives video for presentation on the display. The receiver receives audio associated to the video. A transmitter is coupled to the display and is communicatively coupled to the receiver. The transmitter transmits the audio associated to the video as an audio signal through a personal access network within the public location. At least one personal audio device is positioned within the public location accessing and receiving the audio signal through the personal access network wherein the audio associated to the video is played on the personal audio device. |
| US09686027B2 |
Validation of a two-way satellite communication system without utilizing a satellite
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for validating a two-way satellite communication system in an aircraft. The two-way satellite communication system may include a network access unit, a modem, and a satellite antenna assembly. A satellite link emulator may be disposed proximate the aircraft. A validation controller may initiate a validation test of the two-way satellite communication system using the satellite link emulator, including receiving, at the satellite link emulator, a transmitted uplink signal from the satellite antenna assembly, and transmitting, using the satellite link emulator, a downlink signal to the satellite antenna assembly in response to the received uplink signal. A pass/fail indication may be determined based on operation of the network access unit, the modem, and the satellite antenna assembly during the validation test. |
| US09686026B1 |
Systems and methods to encode mobile device testing results in machine-readable symbols displayable by a mobile device
A system and method to perform one or more tests related to the service quality and performance capabilities provided by a network, and to display and collect the test results. The tests may be initiated by a mobile device that may transmit testing requests to a network server. The mobile device may also store various information or data related to the testing request. The server collects various data in response to the test request that is used to generate a machine-readable symbol that may be visually rendered on a display of the mobile device. A test and measurement system may be used to capture and decode the machine-readable symbol. The test and measurement system may store the decoded information in one or more servers. |
| US09686025B2 |
Proximate communication with a target device
Systems and methods may use proximate communication to retrieve information pertaining to a target device. In one example, the method may include detecting the target device within a vicinity of a user device, receiving an information request response communication including information pertaining to the target device, and receiving an operation request response communication including information pertaining to a performed operation. |
| US09686019B2 |
Coherent optical receiver, device and method for detecting inter-lane skew in coherent optical receiver
The disclosed coherent optical receiver includes a local light source; a 90-degree hybrid circuit; an optoelectronic converter; an analog-to-digital converter; a skew addition unit; and a FFT operation unit. The 90-degree hybrid circuit makes multiplexed signal light interfere with local light from the local light source, and outputs multiple optical signals separated into a plurality of signal components. The optoelectronic converter detects the optical signal and outputs a detected electrical signal. The analog-to-digital converter digitizes the detected electrical signal and outputs a detected digital signal. The skew addition unit adds to the detected digital signal an additional skew amount whose absolute value is equal to, whose sign is opposite to a skew amount of a difference in propagation delay in each lane connected to each output channel of the 90-degree hybrid circuit. The FFT operation unit performs a fast Fourier transform on the output from the skew addition unit. |
| US09686016B2 |
Optical transmission apparatus, optical transmission system, and control method of optical transmission system
An optical transmission apparatus includes: an optical amplifier configured to amplify an optical signal; an optical power adjustment unit configured to adjust power of the optical signal output from the optical amplifier; and a controller configured to control an adjustment amount of the optical power in the optical power adjustment unit, in accordance with optical power control information obtained based on output optical power information per wavelength indicating output optical power that the optical amplifier is capable of outputting depending on a number of wavelengths included in the optical signal, and requisite signal quality information in a reception node which is to receive the optical signal output from the optical amplifier. |
| US09686012B2 |
LED-lamp, power-line network system, writing method for location information, projector, data processing method and collision avoidance system
An LED lamp acquires its location information from the outside through its power-line communication section and stores the acquired location information in nonvolatile storage device. A communication control section, which establishes visible light communication, uses visible light to transmit, at a predetermined timing, the location information read from a location information storage area in the nonvolatile storage device. An employed writing method for location information includes the steps of causing a server device coupled to a power-line network to provide a database in which the ID the LED lamp is associated with the location information, causing the server device to receive a location information write request transmitted from the LED lamp, searching the database to retrieve the location information associated with the requesting LED lamp, transmitting the retrieved location information to the power-line network, and causing the requesting LED lamp to write the location information into the nonvolatile storage method. |
| US09686011B2 |
Coded light emitting device
The invention relates to an illumination device for embedding data symbols of a data signal into a luminance output of the illumination device. The device includes a LED comprising at least two segments which have a common electrode and are individually controllable. The LED is configured to generate the luminance output in response to a drive signal. The device further includes a controller configured for switching one of the segments on or off in response to the data signal to embed data symbols of the data signal into the light output of the device. One advantage of such an approach is that the proposed device is compatible with conventional LED drivers since no additional electronics for modulating the drive signal are necessary, which enables simple implementation and reduced costs. |
| US09686010B2 |
System and method for providing resilience in communication networks
A system (100) for providing resilience in a communication network capable of providing multiple services to multiple customers. The system (100) includes at least one Optical Line Terminal (OLT) (110), and at least one Passive Optical Network (PON) based architecture (115) operably coupled to the at least one OLT (110). The PON based architecture (115) includes at least one down link mechanism (120) operably coupled to the at least one OLT (110). The down link mechanism (120) is capable of transporting optical signals generated by the OLT (110) downstream to users end via the PON based architecture (115) and includes at least one Free Space Optics (FSO) Link (130) configured to operate in a continuous mode both during up linking and down linking. The down link mechanism (120) provides the resilience in the communication network. |
| US09686009B2 |
Broadband multibeam satellite radio communication system with improved reuse of frequencies on the forward channel, and associated method for reuse
A broadband multibeam satellite radio communication system is configured to cover a geographical service area that is broken down into a plurality of transmission spots that are each made up of a central internal area and a peripheral area. A first polarization state and a second polarization state are respectively allocated to the spots of a first grid G1 and the spots of the second grid G2. One and the same main band BP of frequencies is allocated wholly to each central internal area. The coverage of the quadruple points service area is a pavement of elemental useful surfaces or coverage meshes having the shape of a parallelogram. |
| US09686007B2 |
Wireless communication network using frequency conversion of MIMO signals
Communication network (100) for wireless communication, comprising a base station (1, 16, 26), a wireless terminal (3, 15, 18, 25, 37) and at least one repeater (5, 10, 20, 28, 33) which is connected between the base station (1, 16, 26) and the wireless terminal (3, 15, 18, 25, 37), the base station (1, 16, 26) being configured for transmitting and receiving a communication signal on multiple information channels, the terminal (3, 15, 18, 25, 37) being configured for transmitting and receiving a communication signal on multiple information channels, and the repeater (5, 10, 20, 28, 33) being configured for receiving, passing through and retransmitting communication signals on multiple information channels, and contains a converting device (101, 103, 106, 110, 118) for frequency conversion of at least one information channel passed through, a test receiver (6, 12, 22, 34, 38) being additionally comprised which is configured for determining unused frequency ranges for wireless communication, the test receiver (6, 12, 22, 34, 38) being connected to the converting device (101, 103, 106, 110, 118) of the repeater (5, 10, 20, 28, 33), the converting device (101, 103, 106, 110, 118) being configured for carrying out the frequency conversion in at least one communication direction (UL, DL) to a frequency from the unused frequency ranges, and the repeater (5, 10, 20, 28, 33) being configured for transmitting the communication signal wirelessly with the at least one frequency-converted information channel in the at least one communication direction. |
| US09686003B2 |
Spatial modulation multiple-input-multiple-output (SM-MIMO) system
In an SM-MIMO wireless communication system, multiple transmitting antennae may be utilized to transmit wireless signals that carry signal sequences. A selection of the multiple transmitting antennae may be configured to represent a portion of the signal sequences so that channel state information (CSI) is not required at the receiving end of the SM-MIMO system. |
| US09686002B1 |
MU-MIMO sniffer for a wireless local area network
A wireless communication sniffer including: a packet identification module; a channel modeler; single-channel and multi-channel equalization matrix calculators; and an equalizer. The packet identification module identifies a packet as single-user (SU) or multi-user (MU). The channel modeler models the communication channel for the packet as either a set of single-channel or multi-channel parameters responsive to the SU and MU packet identification. The single-channel equalization matrix calculator calculates a single-channel equalization matrix using the set of single-channel parameters, responsive to an SU identification. The multi-channel equalization matrix calculator calculates a multi-channel equalization matrix using the set of multi-channel parameters, responsive to an MU identification. The equalizer equalizes the received communication packet utilizing the single-channel or multi-channel equalization matrix responsive to the SU or MU packet identification respectively. |
| US09686001B1 |
Beem-steering apparatus for an antenna array
Beam-steering for a 2-dimensional array of an arbitrary number of radiating elements around both possible axes may be accomplished using a limited number of control components. By selectively coupling signal lines to different feed ports of the antenna array's feed network, it is possible to steer the main beam. |
| US09685999B2 |
Method and device for transmitting data unit
A method for transmitting a data unit and a device suing the same is provided. The device generates a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) that includes a first part and a second part. The first and second part are generated with different fast Fourier transform (FFT) size. A phase rotation of the second part is different from a phase rotation of the first part. |
| US09685997B2 |
Systems and methods to enhance spatial diversity in distributed-input distributed-output wireless systems
Systems and methods are described for enhancing the channel spatial diversity in a multiple antenna system (MAS) with multi-user (MU) transmissions (“MU-MAS”), by exploiting channel selectivity indicators. The proposed methods are: i) antenna selection; ii) user selection; iii) transmit power balancing. All three methods, or any combination of those, are shown to provide significant performance gains in DIDO systems in practical propagation scenarios. |
| US09685992B2 |
Circuit panel network and methods thereof
To provide network connectivity in a building using existing electrical wiring and circuitry, a circuit panel network system is provided to interface between a network connection and the electrical circuit. Traditional breakers on the electrical panel that provide overload circuit-protection devices can be replaced with circuit breaker devices that have transceivers and power line communication chipsets in addition to overload circuit-protection devices. A network interface unit that receives broadband network connectivity from a network demarcation point inside or outside the building can wirelessly transfer data to and from the circuit breaker devices, which then distribute the data over the electrical circuits via the power line communication chipsets on the circuit breaker devices. |
| US09685986B2 |
Device cover for accessory attachment
Aspects of the technology relate to a cover (e.g., for a handheld electronic device). The cover may include a cover body configured for securement to a handheld electronic device and comprising an accessory attachment area, wherein the accessory attachment area includes a plurality of receivers, and wherein the accessory attachment area is configured for coupling with an accessory in at least one of a plurality of orientations. In some aspects, each receiver further includes a space recessed into the cover body that is bounded, at least partially, by a recess wall, wherein each receiver includes an engagement surface configured for abutting engagement with a projection associated with an accessory when the projection is disposed in a secured configuration within a respective space. An electrical device cover and various attachment devices are also provided. |
| US09685985B2 |
Antenna device and container box for electric device
Condensation water occurring within a container box (300) is discharged to the outside thereof, thereby keeping the inside of the container box (300) at a low humidity with no condensation water therein. The container box contains an electric circuit (210) therein and is sealed. The container box comprises: a minute discharge aperture (322) formed at a lowermost part of the container box (300); and a discharge valve (330), the discharge valve (330) being a check valve for closing the discharge aperture (322). Only when the an internal pressure of the container box (300) becomes higher than an external pressure thereof by a predetermined value or greater, does the discharge valve (330) opens to discharge the liquid present inside of the container box (300). The discharge valve closes to keep the airtightness of the container box (300) at all other times. |
| US09685984B1 |
Feet for multi-position computing device
Feet for a multi-position computing device are described. In one or more implementations, a multi-position computing device is configured to include a base and a display device connected to the base by a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is operable to position the display device into multiple positions relative to the base including at least an upright position and a laid-down position. An arrangement of feet on the underside of the base is designed to facilitate dynamic movement of the device into the multiple positions. The arrangement of feet includes sliding feet that engage for sliding of the base across a surface when pressure is applied to the hinge mechanism for transitions between positions. The arrangement of feet also includes tacky feet that engage and resist sliding of the base across the surface in the absence of pressure applied to the hinge mechanism. |
| US09685983B2 |
Outdoor unit resonator correction
A system comprises a microwave backhaul outdoor unit having a first resonant circuit, phase error determination circuitry, and phase error compensation circuitry. The first resonant circuit is operable to generate a first signal characterized by a first amount of phase noise and a first amount of temperature stability. The phase error determination circuitry is operable to generate a phase error signal indicative of phase error between the first signal and a second signal, wherein the second signal is characterized by a second amount of phase noise that is greater than the first amount of phase noise, and the second signal is characterized by a second amount of temperature instability that is less than the first amount of temperature instability. The phase error compensation circuitry is operable to adjust the phase of a data signal based on the phase error signal, the adjustment resulting in a phase compensated signal. |
| US09685982B2 |
Mobile wireless communications device with separate in-phase and quadrature power amplification
A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing an antenna, and radio frequency (RF) circuitry. A transceiver is connected to the antenna and a processor is operative with the RF circuitry. The transceiver includes an In-phase and Quadrature (I/Q) Modulation and Power Amplification circuit having an In-phase (I) circuit with a modulator mixer and power amplifier circuit. A Quadrature (Q) circuit includes a modulator mixer and power amplifier circuit. A power combiner receives the separately amplified In-phase and Quadrature signals and sums and outputs the signals as a combined I and Q signal. The I and Q circuits are isolated from the combined I and Q signal to enhance antenna matching and transmitted radiated power (TRP) and reduce harmonic emission from the power amplification circuits. |
| US09685977B1 |
Time series data compressing apparatus
A data compressing apparatus includes a polygonal line approximating circuit receiving first time series and outputs second time series by performing a polygonal line approximation process on the first time series. The polygonal line approximating circuit includes a first multiplier and a second multiplier performing multiplication having a first value calculated based on a difference between a time component of first data and a time component of second data in the time series data as input, and a third multiplier and a fourth multiplier performing multiplication having a second value calculated based on a difference between a sensor component of the first data and a sensor component of the second data as input. |
| US09685975B2 |
Distributed combiner for parallel discrete-to-linear converters
Provided are, among other things, systems, apparatuses methods and techniques for providing a complete output signal from a set of partial signals, which in turn have been generated by parallel processing paths in the time-interleaved and/or frequency-interleaved conversion of discrete signals to linear signals (i.e., discrete-to-linear conversion). One such apparatus includes a distributed network comprising a plurality of ladder networks through which input signals propagate before being combined to form an output signal. |
| US09685971B2 |
Successive comparison A/D conversion circuit
A successive comparison A/D conversion circuit includes: an comparison circuit including a differential amplification circuit which includes a pair of differential input terminals, amplifies a pair of first differential signals input into the pair of differential input terminals, and outputs a pair of second differential signals, and a latch circuit which compares voltages of the second differential signals output from the differential amplification circuit, retains an comparison result, and outputs the retained comparison result; a digital circuit which generates a digital signal corresponding to the first differential signal, based on the comparison result; an arithmetic circuit which generates a reference signal based on the digital signal, generates the first differential signal by subtracting the reference signal from a third differential signal or adding the reference signal to the third differential signal, and outputs the generated first differential signal to the pair of differential input terminals; and a control circuit. |
| US09685967B1 |
Chopper stabilized sigma delta ADC
A ΣΔ ADC includes a forward path, a feedback path, and offset compensation circuitry. The forward path is configured to convert an analog input signal to a digital output signal and includes analog chopper circuitry configured to shift the analog input signal to a chopper frequency to generate a chopped analog signal. The feedback path includes a ΣΔ DAC configured to convert a digital offset compensation signal configured to compensate for offset error in the analog input signal to an analog feedback signal that is subtracted from a forward path signal. The offset compensation circuitry is configured to accumulate a chopped digital signal from the forward path to generate a digital offset error signal; add the digital offset error signal to the digital output signal to generate the digital offset compensation signal; and provide the digital offset compensation signal to the ΣΔ DAC. |
| US09685964B1 |
Fast-locking frequency synthesizer
Methods and digital circuits providing frequency correction to frequency synthesizers are disclosed. An FLL digital circuit is provided that is configured to handle a reference frequency that is dynamic and ranges over a multi-decade range of frequencies. The FLL circuit includes a digital frequency iteration engine that allows for detection of disappearance of a reference frequency. When the digital frequency iteration engine detects that the reference frequency signal is not available, the oscillator generated frequency is not corrected, and the last value of the oscillator generated frequency is held until the reference frequency signal becomes available again. |
| US09685961B2 |
High resolution timing device and radar detection system having the same
A high resolution timing device is provided. The high resolution timing device includes a first and a second clock delay circuits. The first clock delay circuit receives an input reference clock signal to generate a first multiple frequency output clock signal, divide the first multiple frequency output clock signal to generate a first original frequency output clock signal and perform a clock-delaying process thereon according to the first multiple frequency output clock signal to generate first clock-delayed signals. The second clock delay circuit receives one of the first clock-delayed signals to generate a second multiple frequency output clock signal, divide the second multiple frequency output clock signal to generate a second original frequency output clock signal and perform the clock-delaying process thereon according to the second multiple frequency output clock signal to generate second clock-delayed signals. |
| US09685958B2 |
Defense against counterfeiting using antifuses
A locking system for an integrated circuit (IC) chip can include an arrangement of one or more antifuse devices in a signal path of the IC chip. The antifuse devices can be configured to operate in a first state, corresponding to a normally open switch, to inhibit normal operation of the IC chip, and to transition from the first state to a permanent second state, corresponding to a closed switch, in response to a program signal applied to at least one terminal of the IC chip to enable the normal operation of the IC chip. |
| US09685957B2 |
System reset controller replacing individual asynchronous resets
An integrated circuit device comprises a system reset controller. The system reset controller includes a clock signal input, a reset signal input, a clock signal output, and a reset signal output. The system reset controller is arranged to receive distributed clock and reset signal inputs and output modified clock and reset signal outputs such that asynchronous reset inputs in downstream system components can be replaced by logic elements not requiring asynchronous reset inputs with no change in externally-visible behavior except the length of reset sequences as measured by clock pulses. |
| US09685955B2 |
Gate driver circuit and gate driving method for prevention of arm short
A gate driver circuit for prevention of an arm short may include a drive controller configured to a gate drive signal, a drive signal transfer portion configured to amplify the gate drive signal and output the amplified gate drive signal, a variable resistance portion configured to change a time constant of the amplified gate drive signal using an internal resistance and output the amplified gate drive signal having the changed time constant to a gate of a semiconductor device, and a resistance controller configured to compare a first DESAT pin voltage of the drive controller with a first predetermined reference value and control the internal resistance of the variable resistance portion using the comparison result with the first predetermined reference value to perform a first driver circuit protection. |
| US09685948B2 |
Gate driving circuit, driving method for gate driving circuit and display panel using the same
A stage includes a first transistor including an input terminal to which a clock signal is applied and a control terminal connected to a first node; a first capacitor including terminals respectively connected to the first node and an output terminal of the first transistor; a second transistor including an input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first transistor, a control terminal connected to a second node, and an output terminal to which a low voltage is applied; a third transistor including an output terminal connected to the second node, a control terminal connected to the first node, and an input terminal to which the low voltage is applied; and a fourth transistor including an input terminal connected to the first node and an output terminal to which the low voltage is applied, wherein the fourth transistor is switched according to an output signal of a next stage. |
| US09685943B2 |
Switching device having a discharge circuit for improved intermodulation distortion performance
Radio-frequency (RF) switch circuits are disclosed providing improved switching performance. An RF switch system includes at least one field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, each having a respective source, drain, gate, and body. The system includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being between the respective source or the respective drain and the respective gate of the at least one FET, the second path being between the respective source or the respective drain and the respective body of the at least one FET. The coupling circuit may be configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the coupled gate and body. |
| US09685930B2 |
Broad-band filter in branching technology
A reactance filter can be use branching technology. A series circuit contains a first filter element, a second filter element and a third filter element. Each filter element includes a first impedance element that is connected in series with an impedance element of an adjacent element. Each filter element also includes a second element connected to the first impedance element of that filter. The first and/or second impedance element of each filter element comprises a includes a resonator. Each impedance element has a bandwidth that is expressed by its pole zero distance and each filter element comprises a means for setting the bandwidths of the impedance elements. |
| US09685928B2 |
Interference rejection RF filters
RF communications circuitry includes an RF filter structure, which includes a group of resonators, a group of cross-coupling capacitive structures, and a group of egress/ingress capacitive structures, is disclosed. Each of the group of cross-coupling capacitive structures is coupled between two of the group of resonators. A first portion of the group of egress/ingress capacitive structures is coupled between a first connection node and the group of resonators. A second portion of the group of egress/ingress capacitive structures is coupled between a second connection node and the group of resonators. |
| US09685925B1 |
Automatic gain control for received signal strength indication
In some implementations, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit comprises: a pre-divider circuit operable to pre-divide an input signal according to a pre-divider circuit setting and output a pre-divided signal; a pre-amplifier operable to pre-amplify the pre-divided signal and output a pre-amplified signal; a post-divider circuit operable to post-divide the pre-amplified signal according to a post-divider circuit setting; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to generate a digital data stream from the post-divided signal; logic operable to sample the digital data stream; determine a pre-divider circuit setting and a post-divider circuit setting based on the sampled data stream; set the pre-divider circuit and the post-divider circuit based on the determined settings; and generate a received signal strength value based on the pre-divider circuit setting and the post-divider circuit setting. |
| US09685924B2 |
Audio control using auditory event detection
In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic. |
| US09685923B2 |
Communication over a voltage isolation barrier
A transmitter circuit comprises: an input, an encoder circuit, and a transmitter. During operation, the transmitter circuit receives an input signal. The encoder circuit encodes the received input signal into an encoded signal. The encoder circuit produces the encoded signal: i) to indicate changing states of the input signal, and ii) to include a supplemental transient signal with respect to the received input signal. The transmitter transmits the encoded signal from an output of the first circuit over a link to a second circuit such as a receiver circuit. A receiver decodes the encoded signal to reproduce a rendition of the input signal to control remote power supply circuitry. Presence of the supplemental transient signal in the encoded signal indicates to the receiver circuit that the first circuit actively transmits the output signal even though there may not be any change to a current state of the input signal. |
| US09685920B2 |
Reconfigurable operational amplifier
A reconfigurable operational amplifier includes: a first signal input terminal; a second signal input terminal; an output terminal; an operational amplifier having a non-inverting input, an inverting input, and an output; a negative feedback circuit path from the output of the operational amplifier to the inverting input of the operational amplifier; a first input circuit path from the first signal input terminal to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier; a second input circuit path from the second signal input terminal to the inverting input of the operational amplifier; an output circuit path from the output of the operational amplifier to the output terminal; and logic units, wherein one or more of the logic units are provided in at least one of the negative feedback circuit path, the first input circuit path, the second input circuit path, and the output circuit path. |
| US09685918B2 |
Voltage mode power combiner for radio frequency linear power amplifier
A radio frequency (RF) power combining amplifier circuit has a circuit input and a circuit output. A first amplifier is connected to the circuit input and to a first bias input. A first output matching network is connected to an output of the first amplifier and to the circuit output. A second amplifier is connected to the circuit input and to a second bias input. A second output matching network is connected to an output of the second amplifier, and to the circuit output. A voltage level of an input signal applied to the circuit input, together with the respective first bias input and the second bias input, selectively activates the first amplifier and the second amplifier. |
| US09685917B1 |
Vacuum tube high fidelity headphone
A hi-fi headphone device with two speakers, an integrated pentode vacuum tube, and a battery. The battery is electrically connected to direct and bias circuits, to provide proper voltage to the vacuum tube amplifiers, wherein input signal is amplified and output to buffer circuits and impedance is matched between the tube and output speaker terminals. |
| US09685914B2 |
Amplifier circuit
A differential signal is input to a pair of gates of a differential pair, a differential signal generated by a load circuit connected to drains of the differential pair is amplified by a differential amplifier stage, and the amplified differential signal is fed back to a pair of sources of the differential pair via a feedback circuit. It is possible to maintain a high input impedance in the pair of gates of the differential pair while not being influenced by a gain of negative feedback of an amplifier circuit, and it is possible to perform amplification in an input stage by using a pair of a first transistor and a second transistor of the differential pair. Therefore, compared with the related art, it is possible to decrease the number of transistors in the input stage and to reduce a flicker noise. |
| US09685913B2 |
Auto-zero differential amplifier
An autozero amplifier may include a window comparator network to monitor an output offset of a differential amplifier. The autozero amplifier may also include an integrator to receive a signal from a latched window comparator network, and send an adjustment signal back to the differential amplifier to reduce an offset of the differential amplifier. |
| US09685912B2 |
Apparatus and method for high-efficiency envelope amplifier using adjustment of switch current
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for an envelope amplifier using adjustment of a switch current, in order to maximize the efficiency of the envelope amplifier at the entire sections of envelope output power. The apparatus and method can extend the battery lifetime of portable wireless devices such as smart phones or mobile phones or application devices such as notebook computers, which use a battery as a power supply. |
| US09685910B2 |
Transformer based impedance matching network and related power amplifier, ADPLL and transmitter based thereon
A novel and useful transmitter (TX) architecture for ultra-low power (ULP) radios. An all-digital PLL employs a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) having switching current sources to reduce supply voltage and power consumption without sacrificing phase noise and startup margins. It also reduces 1/f noise allowing the ADPLL after settling to reduce its sampling rate or shut it off entirely during direct DCO data modulation. A switching power amplifier integrates its matching network while operating in class-E/F2 to maximally enhance its efficiency. The transmitter has been realized in 28 nm CMOS and satisfies all metal density and other manufacturing rules. It consumes 3.6 mW/5.5 mW while delivering 0 dBm/3 dBm RF power in Bluetooth Low-Energy. |
| US09685907B2 |
Variable gain power amplifiers
A variable-gain power amplifying technique includes generating, with a network of one or more reactive components included in an oscillator, a first oscillating signal, and outputting, via one or more taps included in the network of the reactive components, a second oscillating signal. The second oscillating signal has a magnitude that is proportional to and less than the first oscillating signal. The power amplifying technique further includes selecting one of the first and second oscillating signals to use for generating a power-amplified output signal, and amplifying the selected one of the first and second oscillating signals to generate the power-amplified output signal. |
| US09685905B2 |
Terminal box and solar cell module
A terminal box includes three or more terminal strips to which output lines of a solar cell module are connected and a box body having an accommodating portion for accommodating the three or more terminal strips. The box body includes inlet holes formed in a face of the box body opposing to the solar cell module and configured for allowing insertion of the output lines corresponding respectively to the three or more terminal strips. The three or more terminal strips include at least two first terminal strips of a same polarity and at least one second terminal strip insulated from the first terminal strips and having the opposite polarity to that of the first terminal strips. The two first terminal strips are electrically connected via a connecting portion disposed on a back face side of the second terminal strip disposed between and aside the two first terminal strips. |
| US09685904B2 |
Photovoltaic system with improved DC connections and method of making same
A micro-inverter assembly includes a housing having an opening formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a direct current (DC)-to-alternating current (AC) micro-inverter disposed within the housing at a position adjacent to the opening. The micro-inverter assembly further includes a micro-inverter DC connector electrically coupled to the DC-to-AC micro-inverter and positioned within the opening of the housing, the micro-inverter DC connector having a plurality of exposed electrical contacts. |
| US09685901B2 |
Motor controller with flexible protection modes
A motor controller for use in a motor system includes a mode select circuit, a fault detection circuit, a protection logic circuit, and a motor control circuit. The mode select circuit sets the motor controller in one of an internal protection mode and an external protection mode. The fault detection circuit detects whether the motor system is operating in a normal operation state or a fault state. If the motor system is operating in the fault state, the protection logic circuit outputs a protection signal in the internal protection mode, and keeps the protection signal inactive while activating an external diagnostic signal in the external protection mode. The motor control circuit controls a motor of the motor system in response to a speed control signal when the protection signal is inactive, and in response to the protection signal when the protection signal is active. |
| US09685900B2 |
Low-inductance, high-efficiency induction machine and method of making same
An electric drive system includes an induction machine and a power converter electrically coupled to the induction machine to drive the induction machine. The power converter comprising a plurality of silicon carbide (SiC) switching devices. The electric drive system further includes a controller that is electrically coupled to the power converter and that is programmed to transmit switching signals to the plurality of SiC switching devices at a given switching frequency such that a peak-to-peak current ripple is less than approximately five percent. |
| US09685899B2 |
Inverter for supplying load-adaptive boost voltage
An inverter which supplies a load-adaptive boost voltage and drives an induction motor includes a reference voltage determining unit configured to determine a reference voltage according to a reference frequency on the basis of a predetermined a relationship between a voltage and a frequency, an inverter unit configured to drive the induction motor according to the reference voltage, and an automatic torque boost voltage calculation unit configured to determine an automatic torque boost voltage value according to a magnitude of an output current from the inverter to the induction motor, wherein the reference voltage determining unit adds a preset manual boost voltage value and an automatic torque boost voltage value to the reference voltage and outputs the resultant voltage value as a final reference voltage. |
| US09685891B2 |
Systems and methods for driving a plurality of motors
Systems and methods for driving a plurality of permanent magnet synchronous motors are provided. An embodiment of the system can include a first permanent magnet synchronous motor coupled to a first slip coupling, a second permanent magnet synchronous motor coupled to a second slip coupling, and the first permanent magnet synchronous motor and the second permanent magnet synchronous motor can be electrically connected in parallel on a bus. |
| US09685889B2 |
Piezoelectric device and electronic apparatus
A piezoelectric device includes an insulating substrate, a piezoelectric vibration device that is mounted on a device mounting pad, a metal lid member that seals the piezoelectric vibration device in an airtight manner, an external pad that is arranged outside the insulating substrate, an oscillation circuit, a temperature compensation circuit, and a temperature sensor. The lid member and the temperature sensor or the lid member and the IC component are connected to each other so as to be heat-transferable, and a heat transfer member having thermal conductivity higher than that of the material of the insulating substrate is additionally included. |
| US09685887B2 |
Controlling power conversion systems
Methods and systems for controlling power conversion systems. In one aspect, a power management system includes a first power conversion system coupled to a first energy source and a second power conversion system coupled to a second energy source, and a control system. The control system causes, while the first power conversion system is operating in an active mode and the second power conversion system is operating in a standby mode, the second power conversion system to exit the standby mode, the second power conversion system providing a reactive power flow upon exiting the standby mode. The control system causes the first power conversion system to provide a compensatory reactive power flow to compensate for at least a portion of the reactive power flow from the second power conversion system. |
| US09685883B2 |
Three-level rectifier
A three-level rectifier includes at least one phase bridge arm that includes an upper-half and a lower-half bridge arm circuit modules. The upper-half bridge arm circuit module includes a first diode unit and a second diode unit that are in series connection, and a first power semiconductor switch unit. The lower-half bridge arm circuit module includes a third diode unit and a fourth diode unit that are in series connection, and a second power semiconductor switch unit. These first and second power semiconductor switch units are connected to the neutral point of the capacitor unit; the second diode unit and the third diode unit are connected to the alternating-current terminal; the first diode unit and the fourth diode unit are respectively connected to the positive terminal and negative terminal of the direct-current bus. The two circuit modules are disposed side by side and facing each other. |
| US09685882B2 |
Apparatus and method for wireless power reception
An apparatus and a method for wireless power reception include converting a received wireless power to a wireless power for charging using a synchronous rectifier and a direct current/direct current (DC/DC) converter having a structure providing a high efficiency and low heat generation even when a high charging current is supplied. |
| US09685879B2 |
Power semiconductor module and power conversion device
A power semiconductor module capable of reducing variation of inductance between upper/lower arms and reducing variation of current caused by the variation of inductance. The power semiconductor module includes circuit blocks (upper/lower arms) each of which is configured by connecting self-arc-extinguishing type semiconductor elements in series; first and second positive electrode terminals, first and second negative electrode terminals, and first and second AC terminals. Further, there are first and second wiring patterns that connect the self-arc-extinguishing type semiconductor elements to the DC and AC terminals. The outline of the power semiconductor module has a substantially quadrangular surface. |
| US09685875B2 |
Switching power supply
A switching power supply includes a main switching element that is connected to a primary coil of a transformer and switches a main current ON/OFF, and a secondary switching element connected in parallel to the main switching element and that has a lower power capacity than the main switching element. The switching power supply also includes a control circuit that controls these switching elements. The control circuit includes: a main driver circuit that generates, in accordance with a control signal generated according to an output voltage from a secondary coil of the transformer, a main drive signal for switching the main switching element ON/OFF; a secondary driver circuit that generates a secondary drive signal for switching the secondary switching element ON/OFF according to the control signal; and an enable control circuit that deactivates the main driver circuit when a power consumption of a load is less than a threshold value. |
| US09685874B2 |
Circuit and method for evaluation overload condition in flyback converter
A circuit and a method for evaluating a load condition in a flyback converter are disclosed. A first current source is used for providing a preset current ISUM equal to a sum of the off current value IOFF and the blanking current value ILEB to charge a first capacitor, and a second current source is used for providing a reference current IREF to charge a second capacitor. A comparator receives a voltage applied on the first capacitor at its positive input end and a voltage applied on the second capacitor at its negative input end. The output current transmitted to the load by the flyback converter is varied to the change of the preset current ISUM, as such the load condition is detected by the comparison result generated by the comparator. |
| US09685869B1 |
Half bridge power conversion circuits using GaN devices
GaN-based half bridge power conversion circuits employ control, support and logic functions that are monolithically integrated on the same devices as the power transistors. In some embodiments a low side GaN device communicates through one or more level shift circuits with a high side GaN device. Both the high side and the low side devices may have one or more integrated control, support and logic functions. Some devices employ electro-static discharge circuits and features formed within the GaN-based devices to improve the reliability and performance of the half bridge power conversion circuits. |
| US09685866B2 |
Shunt driver circuit and method for providing an output signal
In an embodiment a shunt driver circuit has a first and a second connection terminal (N1, N2) forming a two-wire interface (N1, N2), the first connection terminal (N1) being prepared to receive a supply power and to provide an output signal (Sout), the second connection terminal (N2) being connected to a reference potential terminal (10), an Operational Transconductance Amplifier, OTA, (11) comprising a first input coupled to the first connection terminal (N1), a second input for receiving a first reference signal (Sref1) and an output (12) for providing a signal (S12) depending on a difference between an input signal on the first input and the first reference signal (Sref1), a capacitor (C1) coupled between the output (12) and the first input of the OTA (11) via the second connection terminal (N2) in a control loop, and a controlled current source (13) coupled between the output (12) of the OTA (11) and the second connection terminal (N2). The controlled current source (13) is controlled to provide an additional current (Ifall) during a transient phase of the output signal (Sout). |
| US09685863B2 |
Fast mode transitions in a power converter
A power conversion system includes, for example, a PFM controller, a PWM controller, and an auxiliary voltage output stage. The PFM controller controls a power output stage in a PFM mode in response to a power stage voltage output generated by the power output stage during a first period of time in which the power output stage is operating in the PFM mode. The PWM controller controls the power output stage in a PWM mode in response to a power stage voltage output generated by the power output stage during a second period of time in which the power output stage is operating in the PWM mode. The auxiliary voltage output stage generates an auxiliary voltage during a third period of time, where the PWM controller controls the auxiliary power output stage using the auxiliary voltage during the third period of time. |
| US09685861B2 |
Digital voltage compensation for power supply integrated circuits
Systems and methods for digital voltage compensation in a power supply integrated circuit are provided. In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a digital voltage code, the digital voltage code corresponding to an output voltage value; setting an output count on a first counter to change from a present first digital count corresponding to a present voltage code value toward a target first digital count corresponding to a new voltage code value; and setting a second count to an offset count value on a second counter when the new voltage code value is received. The method also includes combining the second count with the output count to form a combined count value; and decrementing the second count value from the offset count value to zero when the first counter reaches the target first digital count. |
| US09685860B2 |
Buck-boost converter and method for regulation
A buck-boost converter includes a buck-boost voltage converter circuit, an error controller and a buck-boost mode controller. The buck-boost voltage converter includes switches. The error controller is configured to provide a control signal based on a difference between an output voltage of the buck-boost voltage converter circuit and a reference voltage. The buck-boost mode controller determines switching duty cycles based on the control signal having at least three conditions: when DC is beyond a threshold value, apply one of buck regulation control and boost regulation control, where DC is a value of the control signal; when DC is not beyond and not substantially equal to the threshold value, apply the other of the buck regulation control and the boost regulation control; and when DC is substantially equal to the threshold value, apply buck-boost regulation control. The output voltage is regulated by the switching duty cycles. |
| US09685858B2 |
DC/DC converter, control circuit and control method thereof, and electronic apparatus
A control circuit of a DC/DC converter is disclosed. The control circuit includes a pulse modulator generating a comparison pulse, which is transitioned to an on level when a feedback voltage depending on an output voltage of the converter is lowered to a threshold voltage and then transitioned to an off level; a peak current detector asserting a detection signal when a coil current of the converter reaches a predetermined peak current; a logic part generating a control pulse which is transitioned to an on level when the comparison pulse is transitioned to the on level, and is transitioned to an off level at a time which is later among the time when the comparison pulse is transitioned to the off level and the time when the peak current detection signal is asserted; and a driver switching a switching transistor of the converter based on the control pulse. |
| US09685853B2 |
Absorption circuit for absorbing a power ripple and associated method
The present invention concerns an absorption circuit (9) for absorbing a power ripple intended to be connected in parallel to a piece of electrical equipment powered by a power factor correction circuit (1), said absorption circuit (9) being a step down voltage circuit comprising: —a capacitor (19) mounted in series with an inductor (17) and at least one switch (15, 23), —a control module (25), —means (27) for measuring a first current (I3) intended to power said electrical equipment, the switch (15, 23) being controlled by the control module (25) to vary the charging of the capacitor on the basis of the ripple of the first current (I3) in order to attenuate the power ripple, and said circuit further comprising means (28) for measuring the voltage (Vc) at the terminals of the capacitor (19), and the control module (25) being configured to control a second current (Ic) flowing through the capacitor (19) in such a way that the voltage (Vc) at the terminals of the capacitor (19) remains within a predefined interval. |
| US09685852B2 |
Power converter system having active standby mode and method of controlling the same
A power system having a plurality of operating modes including an active mode and an active standby mode includes a power converter and a controller the power converter is configured to adapt a power supply to a desired output, and the power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switches that receive a gating signal when the power system is in the active mode such that the power converter is in a gating state. The controller controls the power converter in the active mode and the active standby mode, and the controller is configured to: while the power converter is synchronized to the grid, determine whether the power system should enter into the active standby mode in which the power converter is in a non-gating state; when it is determined the power system should enter into the active standby mode, control the power converter to be in a non-gating state such that the power system is in the active standby mode. |
| US09685847B2 |
Linear motor with electromagnetically actuated spring mover
Reluctance-based resonant linear motors and methods of operation are provided. An example linear motor includes a spring having a plurality of coils. The linear motor includes a stator coaxially surrounding at least a portion of the spring. The stator includes a plurality of teeth. The linear motor includes a plurality of windings respectively positioned within a plurality of winding cavities respectively formed by the plurality of teeth. The application of electrical energy to the plurality of windings generates a magnetic field that flows through one or more of the coils of the spring. The flow of the magnetic field through the one or more coils of the spring causes the spring to actuate towards a compressed position. An example method includes periodically applying electrical energy to the plurality of windings such that the spring oscillates at a resonance frequency associated with the linear motor. |
| US09685840B2 |
Motor
A BLDC motor for driving a cross flow fan in an air-conditioning application has an external rotor and an internal stator. The stator is a salient pole stator with insulated pole teeth and conductor coils. The inner diameter of the stator supports a single bearing. An electronic PCBA for control of the BLDC motor is optionally attached to the stator, all of which is encapsulated in a thermoset resin. The rotor comprises permanent magnet component(s) and a rotor frame. The rotor frame includes a stub axle that engages with the bearing element and features to provide torsional or rotational compliance between the rotor magnets and the fan. A level of compliance is provided between the bearing element and the stator to allow for angular misalignment between the rotational axis of the fan and the stator. |
| US09685827B2 |
Polyphasic multi-coil electric device
A polyphasic multi-coil generator includes a drive shaft, at least first and second rotors rigidly mounted on the drive shaft so as to simultaneously synchronously rotate with rotation of the drive shaft, and at least one stator sandwiched between the first and second rotors. A stator array on the stator has an array of electrically conductive coils mounted to the stator in a first angular orientation about the drive shaft. The rotors each have an array of magnets which are circumferentially equally spaced around the rotor and located at the same radially spacing with respect to the centre of the rotor and the drive shaft at a first angular orientation relative to the drive shaft. The arrays of magnets on adjacent rotors are off-set by an angular offset relative to one another. |
| US09685823B2 |
Method for calibrating sensors in a power system
A system that includes a controller configured to receive data corresponding to at least a portion of a power system and one or more sensor measurements from one or more sensors in the power system. The controller may then generate a model of the power system based on at least a portion of the data and at least a portion of the sensor measurements such that the model may include one or more model measurements that correspond to the sensor measurements. After generating the model of the power system, the controller may determine one or more correction factors for the sensor measurements based on at least a portion of the sensor measurements and the model measurements, apply the correction factors to the sensor measurements to generate corrected sensor measurements, and determine one or more properties of the power system based on the corrected sensor measurements. |
| US09685822B2 |
Management apparatus and management method for electrical appliances
A measurement unit measures power supplied from an outlet, a first acquisition unit acquires outlet identification information and power supply information which indicates a value of power supplied within a predetermined period of time, the value being measured by the measurement unit. Additionally, a second acquisition unit acquires appliance identification information and power consumption information which indicates a value of power consumed by the appliance within the predetermined period, a comparison unit compares the power supply information with the power consumption information, and a generation unit generates information indicating an association between the appliance and the outlet using the outlet identification information and the appliance identification information when a concordance rate between the power supply information and the power consumption information exceeds a threshold value according to the comparison result by the comparison unit. |
| US09685821B2 |
Uninterruptable DC power supply providing seamless DC power to load
Provided is an uninterruptible direct current (DC) power supply system, which includes a first connection unit electrically connected to a DC power conversion system which converts prevailing AC power into the DC power, a second connection unit which is electrically connected to the load and supplies the DC power to the load, an auxiliary power supply charged by the DC power, and an uninterruptible control unit which supplies the DC power supplied from the DC power conversion system normally connected to the first connection unit to the load through the second connection unit, charges the auxiliary power supply, and controls power to be continuously supplied to the load while perfectly cutting off electrical connection between the DC power conversion system and the auxiliary power supply when the DC power conversion system is disconnected from the first connection unit, is damaged, or short-circuits. |
| US09685820B2 |
Redundant uninterruptible power supply systems
A system is provided. The system includes a utility, a plurality of uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), a ring bus, at least one load electrically coupled to the plurality of UPSs and the ring bus, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of UPSs, the controller configured to determine a common reference angle while the utility is disconnected from at least one UPS of the plurality of UPSs, calculate a phase angle for each UPS of the plurality of UPSs, wherein the phase angle for each UPS is calculated relative to the common reference angle, and control operation of each UPS based on the respective calculated phase angles. |
| US09685818B2 |
Device for converting luminous energy into electrical energy and storing electrical energy, and a method of making an electrochemical cell
An electrochemical and photovoltaic secondary cell formed by an electrolyte provided between a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode including a layer based on a semi-conductor material configured to convert photons into electrons. |
| US09685815B2 |
Method for performing wireless charging control with aid of admittance detection, and associated apparatus
A method for performing wireless charging control and an associated apparatus are provided, where the method may include: performing current detection and voltage detection to monitor a driving current and a driving voltage within the wireless charging transmitter, respectively, wherein the driving current and the driving voltage are utilized for driving a power output coil of the wireless charging transmitter; generating a set of indexes at least according to the driving current and the driving voltage, wherein the set of indexes may include a power loss index indicating power loss of a wireless charging operation performed by the wireless charging transmitter, and may further include an admittance-related index corresponding to any of a ratio of the driving current to the driving voltage or a reciprocal of the ratio of the driving current to the driving voltage; and performing wireless charging foreign object detection (FOD) according to the set of indexes. |
| US09685814B1 |
Detection of coil coupling in an inductive charging system
An inductive charging system can include a transmitter device and a receiver device. The transmitter device may be adapted to detect when a receiver coil in the receiver device is coupled to a transmitter coil in the transmitter device. For example, the current input into a DC-to-AC converter in the transmitter device can be measured and coil coupling detected when the current equals or exceeds a threshold value. |
| US09685812B2 |
Device for inductive energy transfer
A device for inductive energy transfer between a stationary three-phase primary system and a mobile three-phase secondary system shows a stationary iron core part and two mobile iron core parts (3, 5) which are connected electrically in series are each designed as an equilateral triangle or as a star which spans an equilateral triangle and has limbs (3a, 3b, 3c; 5a, 5b, 5c) of equal length which run at the same angle in relation to one another, and supporting posts (3a′, 3b′, 3c′; 5a′, 5b′, 5c′) which start from the ends of said limbs, and also primary and secondary windings (4, 6) which are arranged at the same distance from one another. The device of simple design has a high degree of efficiency in respect of energy transfer. In the case of energy transfer only in the inoperative state, a stationary iron core part and a mobile iron core part can also be positioned directly one on the other without magnetic rails. |
| US09685809B2 |
Method for controlling battery charging operation and electronic device thereof
A method and apparatus for controlling battery charging in an electronic device are provided. The electronic device may include a charging module, a connector, and one or more processors. Upon detecting charging by a power source, the one or more processors control the charging module to perform the charging of a battery cell by a first charging current through a first port of the connector. The one or more processors detect whether a voltage is applied through a second port of the connector, and if so, the one or more processors control the charging module to perform the charging of the battery cell using a second charging current through the first port and the second port of the connector. |
| US09685808B2 |
USB energy harvesting
In some example embodiments, there may be provided a method, which may include determining, by controller circuitry, whether an energy source provides at least a threshold current; connecting, when the energy source provides at least the threshold current, the energy source to interface circuitry to enable a normal mode of operation at the user equipment; and connecting, when the energy source does not provide at least the threshold current, the energy source to the battery. Related system, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed. |
| US09685807B2 |
Battery control device
Provided is a battery control device that can accurately detect a state of charge even if characteristics relating to the state of charge change as a result of battery degradation. This battery control device is provided with map data describing the correspondence relationship between an open-circuit voltage and a state of charge of the battery and outputs different state-of-charge values for the same open-circuit voltage according to the amount of elapsed time. |
| US09685805B2 |
Assembled electronic apparatus and control method thereof
An assembled electronic apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The assembled electronic apparatus includes a first body and a second body. A second processor shares a partial content of a sensing record generated by a sensing module through a second information sharing module. The first body and the second body are connected with each other through the first connector and the second connector. After being connected with each other, a message is transmitted by one of the first processor and the second processor to another one of the first processor and the second processor, so that a function is executed by the another one of the first processor and the second processor through the corresponding first processor or the corresponding second processor according to the message. The first processor shares a content of the sensing record generated by the sensing module through a first information sharing module. |
| US09685803B2 |
Adaptable consumer electronic device cradle
A consumer electronic device cradle for holding and providing power to any number of consumer electronic devices has a cavity that is large enough to contain a largest anticipated consumer electronic device. The cavity has there within one or more steps and each step defines a sub cavity within the cavity. Each sub cavity within the cavity supports another smaller sized consumer electronic device. A trough is cut or formed in a side surface of the cavity for routing a cable to the consumer electronic device resting in the cavity. In some embodiments, a support wall extends from a surface of the cradle for supporting the consumer electronic device and the trough is also cut or formed through the support wall. |
| US09685801B2 |
Circuit board for secondary battery having current interrupter and battery pack including the same
Disclosed is a circuit board for a secondary battery, which ensures an improved safety according to a temperature of the secondary battery, and a battery pack including the circuit board. The circuit board for a secondary battery, which is connected to at least one of a cathode tab and an anode tab of the secondary battery, includes a tab coupling portion connected to the cathode tab or the anode tab, a charging/discharging path connected to the tab coupling portion to give a path through which a charging current or a discharging current of the secondary battery flows, the charging/discharging path having at least one path cutting portion formed therein, one pair of conductive plates respectively attached to both ends of the path cutting portion, the conductive plates being at least partially bent, and a current interruption module having both ends respectively connected to the one pair of conductive plates, the current interruption module sensing a temperature of the secondary battery and interrupting a current according to the sensed temperature. |
| US09685789B2 |
Current diversion for power-providing systems
Various example embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for diverting current from a Photovoltaic (PV) module. In particular embodiments, the PV module can be part of a series connection (or string) of PV modules. The series connection provides a primary current path through which generated current flows. Current diversion circuit(s) can be used in connection with one or more PV modules. The current diversion circuit detects when the current through the primary current path is less than the desired current level for a corresponding PV module (e.g., the maximum power point). In response to this detection, the current diversion circuit can provide an alternate pathway for current from the corresponding PV module. This results in an overall increase in the current from the PV module and a corresponding increase in efficiency. |
| US09685780B2 |
ESD protection circuit
The disclosure provides an ESD protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit comprises: a clamping unit, a driving unit, a resistance unit, a switch unit, and a capacitance unit. The clamping device is coupled between a first power source and a second power source. The driving unit is coupled between the clamping device and a reference node. The resistance unit is coupled between the first power source and the reference node. The switch unit is coupled to the driving unit via the reference node. The capacitance unit is coupled between the switch unit and the second power source. Under a normal operation condition, the driving unit controls the switch unit to be in an un-conducting status. Under an ESD condition, the driving unit controls the switch unit to be in a conducting status. |
| US09685773B2 |
Guiding device
The invention relates to a guiding device for a line, in particular a power chain (12), which can be turned over in such a way that a section (upper run) (16) of the power chain can be positioned above another section (lower run) (14) of the power chain and the upper run and the lower run are connected to each other by an arched section (18), wherein the guiding device has resting surfaces and lateral guiding surfaces and is provided with retaining elements (22) arranged at distances one another in the direction of travel, to which retaining elements guide rails (24) are attached preferably by means of clip connections, which guide rails bridge the distances between the retaining elements and support the lower run and/or the upper run of the line or power chain. |
| US09685772B2 |
Insulated power line framings
Insulator integrated framings for power lines and kits for assembling same are disclosed. The framings have retaining member assemblies configured to retain power line wires and conductors, separated from power line support structures and other retaining member assemblies by insulators. |
| US09685771B2 |
Space dampers for four-conductors bundles
A space damper for 4-cable bundles of overhead power transmission lines is disclosed, comprising a framework (10) where—from four support arms (20a-20b) depart, at the distal ends of which there are provided clamps for fastening electric cables, said arms (20a-20c) being constrained to the framework (10) through respective dampening hinges (30a-30c), wherein the spacer damper is configured so that the vertical, natural-mode frequencies thereof are higher than the corresponding horizontal, natural-mode frequencies thereof. |
| US09685765B2 |
High quality-factor fano metasurface comprising a single resonator unit cell
A new monolithic resonator metasurface design achieves ultra-high Q-factors while using only one resonator per unit cell. The metasurface relies on breaking the symmetry of otherwise highly symmetric resonators to induce intra-resonator mixing of bright and dark modes (rather than inter-resonator couplings), and is scalable from the near-infrared to radio frequencies and can be easily implemented in dielectric materials. The resulting high-quality-factor Fano metasurface can be used in many sensing, spectral filtering, and modulation applications. |
| US09685759B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device includes a base, a semiconductor laser element, a lid, a support member, a wavelength converting member, a holding member, and a buffer material. The lid has a recess formed in an upper portion of the lid, and a through-hole formed in the bottom of the recess. The support member is disposed in the recess and has a through-hole. A diameter of the through-hole of the support member is smaller than that of the through-hole of the lid. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the support member is different from that of the lid. The wavelength converting member is supported in the through-hole of the support member. The holding member is fixed to the lid and holds the support member. The buffer material is disposed in at least a part of a space between the lateral surfaces of the recess and the support member. |
| US09685758B2 |
Laser system having fault diagnosis function
A laser system having an automatic diagnosis function enabling a plurality of laser diodes to be diagnosed for faults in a short time.The laser system includes a judging part judging the presence of a fault or deterioration of a component of the laser system. The judging part is configured to judge the presence of a fault or deterioration of a component of the laser system based on the results of detection of a first photodetection part and second photodetection part when successively driving a plurality of laser diode module groups included in an individual laser oscillation unit so that the mutual drive times do not overlap simultaneously for at least two laser oscillation units among a plurality of laser oscillation units. |
| US09685757B2 |
System, method and fixture for performing both optical power and wavelength measurements of light emitted from a laser diode
A dual testing system and method is used to perform both optical power and wavelength measurements on laser light emitted from a laser diode, such as a chip-on-submount (COS) laser diode or a laser diode in a bar laser. A testing fixture may be used to facilitate both measurements by simultaneously detecting the light for performing a first test including the optical power measurement(s) and reflecting the light for performing a second test including the wavelength measurement(s). The testing fixture may include an angled photodetector and an optical coupling system such as a collimating lens, a focal lens and an optical waveguide. The testing fixture may be electrically connected to an optical power testing module, such as a light-current-voltage (LIV) testing module, for performing the optical power measurement(s) and may be optically coupled to a wavelength measurement module, such as an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) for performing the wavelength measurement(s). |
| US09685753B2 |
Tunable optical parametric oscillator
A new principle for a tunable optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and a related method are disclosed. An OPO is tuned by setting the temperature of a non-linear element to select a desired signal/idler combination, and narrow-band operation is effected by tuning a birefringent filter in the OPO to a temperature setting at which the filter matches the selected signal/idler combination, wherein broad and stable tunability is obtained by virtue of at least two different temperature settings of the non-linear element being matched to a single common temperature setting of the birefringent filter. |
| US09685752B2 |
Laser assembly
The invention relates to a laser assembly with a converter designed as a fiber laser for generating a converted output laser beam, and having a pumping source that supplies a pump beam to the converter and includes a plurality of laser diodes that generate the pump beam and are formed by emitters mounted on laser bars, the pumping source having beam forming optics for forming the laser beams supplied by the emitters into the pump beam. |
| US09685747B2 |
Electrical connector and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing an electrical connector and an electrical connector manufactured by the same. The method includes: separately stamping a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal has a first welding portion, and the second terminal has a second welding portion; insert-molding the first terminal in a first body and a second body, and insert-molding the second terminal in a third body and a fourth body; assembling and locating the first body and the third body, and assembling and locating the second body and the fourth body; and synchronously bending the first terminal and the second terminal. Relative locations of the first welding portion and the second welding portion are unchanged, which ensures that the first welding portion and the second welding portion are located at predetermined locations, ensures good welding of the electrical connector, and ensures a reliable electrical connection. |
| US09685746B2 |
Plug connector, socket connector, and connector assembly with the plug connector and socket connector
A plug connector includes a case and a securing portion located in the case. The case is configured to receive a coupling end of a socket connector and includes two opposite sidewalls. The securing portion has a plurality of resilient pins configured to electronically couple to the socket connector. An inner surface of each sidewall is configured to abut against a side surface of the coupling end. Each sidewall defines a positioning slot extending outwardly from the inner surface of the sidewall. The positioning slot is configured to engage a positioning block extending from the coupling end. A socket connector matched to the plug connector and a connector assembly including the plug connector and the socket connector are further provided. |
| US09685733B2 |
Magnetic connector assembly
An electrical connector includes an insulative seat, a plurality of terminals fixed to the insulative seat and at least one magnetic element retained in the insulative seat. The insulative seat defines a vertical first mating surface and a mating portion extending forwardly from the first mating surface, the mating portion defines an inclined second mating surface. Each terminal defines a contacting portion disposed in the mating portion and a soldering portion extending outside of the insulative seat. The mating portion defines a shallow recess recessed from the second mating surface, and the contacting portion defines a free end exposed on the shallow recess and locating behind the second mating surface. |
| US09685732B2 |
Apparatus for moving a carrier
An apparatus for moving a carrier includes a housing and a carrier having a retracted closed position and an ejected open position with respect to the housing. The carrier includes a first magnet and a second magnet. A latch is provided having two states and having a third magnet located between the first magnet and the second magnet. In a first state, the carrier is in the retracted closed position due to a magnetic coupling between the first magnet and the third magnet. In a second state, the carrier is in the ejected open position due to a magnetic coupling between the second magnet and the third magnet. |
| US09685731B2 |
Watertight connector
A watertight connector has a one-piece rubber plug (50) on a rear part of a housing (70), and a rear holder (30) to be locked to the housing (70) is behind the rubber plug (50). A receptacle 10 is fit externally to the housing (70) from the front and closely contacts lips (55) of the rubber plug (50). The receptacle (10) includes short side walls (15) facing each other in a first direction and long side walls (14) facing each other in a second direction. The rear holder (30) includes short surfaces (38) at inner sides of the short side walls (15) and long surfaces (37) at inner sides of the long side walls (14). Holder-side escaping portions (43) retracted more backward than front ends of the long surfaces (37) are provided on front ends of the short surfaces (38) of the rear holder (30). |
| US09685730B2 |
Floor power distribution system
A connection arrangement for a floor power distribution system is provided herein. The connection arrangement comprises a hub arrangement including a hub housing and an electrical connector, the hub housing configured to abut a floor. An adapter is configured to engage the hub housing of the hub arrangement and a seal member is positioned between a downwardly facing surface of the adapter and an upwardly facing surface of the hub housing, wherein a vertical downward force exerted on the adapter compresses the seal member to form a substantially watertight seal between the adapter and the hub housing. |
| US09685727B2 |
High speed data contact set with right angle termination insert
A high speed data contact assembly having a linear data contact set and a right-angle termination insert. The linear data contact set has a housing having a hollow body and a termination subassembly. The termination subassembly is inserted in the hollow body of the housing. The termination subassembly has a plurality of pairs of parallel contact beams, the contact beams in each pair being of the same orientation and the pairs of contact beams having alternating orientations, wherein each contact beam has a distal end having a first orientation and a proximal end having a second orientation opposite of the first orientation. The right angle termination insert is adapted for insertion into the proximal end of the linear data contact set. The right angle termination insert has a u-shaped housing and a right-angle contact insert assembly in the U-shaped housing. |
| US09685723B2 |
Card edge connector and card edge connector assembly
A card edge connector comprises an insulating body and a metal strengthening member. The insulating body comprises a card slot and a tower. The tower comprises a first side wall, a second side wall, a first guiding wall and a second guiding wall. A first mounting groove is formed between the first side wall and the first guiding wall, a second mounting groove is formed between the second side wall and the second guiding wall, a guiding groove is formed between the first guiding wall and the second guiding wall. The metal strengthening member comprises a base portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm. The first elastic arm and the second elastic arm extend toward the guiding groove and are respectively adjacent to the first guiding wall and the second guiding wall. |
| US09685722B2 |
Upper plate biasing unit and electrical component socket
The present invention includes a lower plate, an upper plate provided above the lower plate in such a manner that the upper plate is biased so as to be vertically movable, a guide member attached to the upper plate, the guide member guiding vertical movement of the upper plate, and a spring provided below the guide member, the spring biasing the upper plate upward via the guide member. In the lower plate, an insertion hole having a size that allows the spring and the guide member to pass therethrough in a vertical direction is formed. In the insertion hole, a spring holding member that holds the spring is detachably provided. Such configuration enables suppression of warpage of the upper plate caused by a biasing force of the spring and enables work for replacement of the upper plate to be performed easily and quickly. |
| US09685720B1 |
Connector structure for flexible light strip
A connector structure (100) for a flexible light strip (10) includes a cable joint (110) and an insulation body (200). The cable joint (110) includes a housing (120) and a plurality of conductive terminals (130) assembled in the housing (120). Each of the conductive terminals (130) includes a piercing portion (150). The insulation body (200) has a first end (210) and a second end (220) communicating with the first end (210). The flexible light strip (10) is inserted into the first end (210), and the housing (120) is inserted into the second end (220). The piercing portion (150) is parallel to the flexible light strip (10) and correspondingly pierces the flexible light trip (10) to be electrically coupled to the same. Therefore, the connector structure (100) achieves fast assembly and improves efficiency and reliability for connection. |
| US09685719B2 |
Press-fit terminal, connector incorporating same, press-fit continuous press-fit terminal body, and winding body of the continuous press-fit terminal body
A press-fit terminal (10) made of a wire material (11) of a predetermined length, the press-fit terminal includes: a distal section (12) formed at one end thereof to be inserted into a substrate (29); a connecting section (13) formed at the other end thereof to be connected to a complementary terminal; and a press-fit section (14) formed at a distal section side thereof to be press-fitted into a through-hole (30) of the substrate; wherein the press-fit section is formed at the central part thereof a hole (15) vertically elongated along an axis direction of the wire material; the hole is formed with an extending section (14b) extendedly formed toward the inside of the hole along the inner circumferential surface (15a) of the hole; and the extending section is formed at the end thereof with an erected section (14c) in an intersecting direction about the axis direction of the wire material. |
| US09685714B2 |
Radar array antenna
Disclosed is a radar array antenna. The radar array antenna includes: at least one main power feed line electrically coupled to a feed point; a plurality of branch lines branched from the main feed line; and a plurality of patch radiators, each having a square shape, and respectively coupled to the plurality of branch lines. Each of the plurality of branch lines is coupled to one edge of each of the patch radiators. According to the disclosed radar array antenna, the power feed line of the radar array antenna may be minimized in size by using the patch radiator to reduce power losses and realize miniaturization. |
| US09685711B2 |
High dielectric antenna array
A system and method for wirelessly transmitting signals via antenna phased array. In order to decrease the distance between individual antennae in the array, the antennae are submersed in a high dielectric material in addition to being arranged at right angles to one another, both features precluding one or more antennae from coupling. Furthermore, wires are covered in high dielectric material in order to refract RF signals around them, allowing antennae towards the center of the array to successfully transmit signals past other layers. |
| US09685707B2 |
Active electronically scanned array antenna
An antenna is provided and includes a radiator aperture assembly including a plurality of radiator sticks, each radiator stick including a row of radiating elements configured to transmit and receive RF energy and a body having opposite sides, conductive elements coupled to the radiating elements and a plate disposed proximate to the radiator aperture assembly through which the conductive elements extend. Complementary opposite sides of the respective bodies of adjacent radiator sticks and a surface of the plate are configured to form a slot radiator. |
| US09685706B2 |
Full-band antenna system
The disclosure provides a full-band antenna system including a metal backing and a main antenna module. The metal backing includes a header, a middle cover and a lower head. The main antenna module includes a circuit board, a feed part on the circuit board, a ground point and a matching circuit. The circuit board includes a substrate and an earth plate. The feed part and the matching circuit are located on the substrate, and the ground point is on the earth plate. The matching circuit is connected with the feed part, including a variable capacitance. By the variable capacitance of the matching circuit, it is beneficial to adjust the performance of antenna of all range of frequency conveniently and optimize the antenna's radiant efficiency up to the utmost extent. |
| US09685703B2 |
Tunable antenna
A tunable antenna including a first radiating element, a second radiating element, a connection circuit and a switch circuit is provided. The first radiating element includes a coupling portion and a first feeding portion. The second radiating element includes a second feeding portion, a grounding portion and a radiation portion. The grounding portion is electrically connected to a ground plane, and the radiation portion surrounds the coupling portion to form a first coupling gap and the second coupling gap. The connection circuit is electrically connected to the radiation portion and a state of the connection circuit is changed according to a control signal, so as to adjust a length of the resonant path of the radiation portion. A feeding signal is transmitted to the first feeding portion or the second feeding portion by the switch circuit. |
| US09685698B2 |
Multi-tap frequency switchable antenna apparatus, systems and methods
Multi-tap switchable antenna apparatus for use with mobile devices and other applications, and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the multi-tap switchable antenna apparatus includes a main radiator coupled to an antenna feed or source. Galvanically connected to the main radiator is a plurality of switchable antenna radiators which are in turn connected to an nPmT switch. The output of the nPmT switch can be connected to a variety of differing electronic component impedances. By altering the state of the nPmT switch, the operational length of the antenna (and hence, the operational frequency band of the antenna) can be varied. Performance characteristics associated with a given implementation of the multi-tap switchable apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09685697B2 |
Tunable antenna structure and wireless communication device employing same
A tunable antenna structure includes an antenna, a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit. The antenna structure includes a feeding point configured to feed current signal and a grounding point configured to be grounded. The first switch circuit includes a first plurality of loads and a first switch electronically coupled to the feeding point and the first plurality of loads. The first switch is configured to selectively couple one of the first plurality of loads to the feeding point. The second switch circuit includes a second plurality of loads and a second switch electronically coupled to the grounding point and the second plurality of loads. The second switch is configured to selectively couple one of the second plurality of loads to the grounding point. |
| US09685693B2 |
Multi-antenna system for mobile handsets with a predominantly metal back side
A device with a predominantly metal back side is provided. The device comprises: a non-conducting chassis having an interior and an exterior; at least one exterior radiating arm on the exterior of the chassis and a respective microstrip line located on the interior of the chassis, the exterior radiating arm and the microstrip electrically connected through the chassis, the exterior radiating arm and microstrip configured to resonate together in a first frequency range; and, at least one interior radiating arm located, and configured to resonate in one or more second frequency ranges higher than the first frequency range; a ground plane located on the exterior of the chassis, each of the exterior radiating arms and the ground plane being electrically separated from each other on the exterior of the chassis; and, one or more antenna feeds configured to connect to each of the microstrips and interior radiating arms. |
| US09685688B2 |
Directional coupler
A directional coupler includes a main line, a sub line, and a first parasitic element. The main line includes a first main line portion. The sub line includes a first sub line portion electromagnetically coupled with the first main line portion. The first parasitic element receives a first magnetic flux which is generated by the first main line portion when a current flows through the first main line portion and generates a second magnetic flux passing through the first sub line portion due to electromagnetic induction. |
| US09685684B1 |
Electrochemical cell structure including an ionomeric barrier
An apparatus includes an electrochemical half-cell comprising: an electrolyte, an anode; and an ionomeric barrier positioned between the electrolyte and the anode. The anode may comprise a multi-electron vanadium phosphorous alloy, such as VPx, wherein x is 1-5. The electrochemical half-cell is configured to oxidize the vanadium and phosphorous alloy to release electrons. A method of mitigating corrosion in an electrochemical cell includes disposing an ionomeric barrier in a path of electrolyte or ion flow to an anode and mitigating anion accumulation on the surface of the anode. |
| US09685683B2 |
Power storage apparatus
A power storage apparatus includes a plurality of spacers. The plurality of spacers is alternately stacked with the power storage devices. Each of the spacers defines a space through which cooling air flows. The spacers include first spacer and second spacer. The first spacer is a spacer disposed between the end plate and one of the plural power storage devices that is located adjacent to the end plate. The first spacer includes guide member. The guide member is arranged in a circumference of the opening of at least one of the inflow port and the outflow port so as to narrow the opening. |
| US09685677B2 |
Bipolar battery assembly
The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: 1) c) the one or more stacks of battery plates having a plurality of channels passing transversely though the portion of the plates having the cathode and/or the anode deposited thereon; and d) i) one or more seals about the periphery of the channels which prevent the leakage of the liquid elelctrolyte into the channels, and/or posts located in one or more of the channels having on each end an overlapping portion that covers the channel and sealing surface on the outside of the monopolar plates adjacent to the holes for the transverse channels and applies pressure on the sealing surface of the monopolar plates wherein the pressure is sufficient to withstand pressures created during assembly and operation of electrochemical cells created by the stacks of battery plates; 2) c) a membrane comprising a thermoplastic polymer is disposed about the entire periphery of the edges of the stack of plates; 3 wherein the separator is in the form of a sheet having adhered to its periphery a frame; and m4) c) an integrated valve and integrated channel communicating with the valve. |
| US09685672B2 |
Hydrogen generation apparatus, fuel cell system including the same, method of operating hydrogen generation apparatus and method of operating fuel cell system
A hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction; a combustor configured to heat the reformer; an air supply device configured to supply air to the combustor; a fuel supply device configured to supply a fuel to the combustor; a CO detector configured to detect a carbon monoxide concentration in a flue gas discharged from the combustor; and a controller configured to control at least one of the air supply device and the fuel supply device to increase an air ratio in the combustor such that the CO concentration in the flue gas increases, and then test the CO detector for abnormality. |
| US09685667B2 |
Methods for testing anode integrity during fuel cell vehicle operation
A system and methods are provided for testing anode integrity during vehicle operation. In one particular example, the system and methods allow for anode leak tests during vehicle operation by temporarily reducing fuel cell power while supplementing the fuel cell power reduction with battery power to meet operating demands. In this way, an anode leak test can be performed even during highway driving when operating demands may be particularly high. |
| US09685665B2 |
System and method for thermal priority operation of a fuel cell power plant
A thermal priority fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly for generating an electrical power output. The cell stack assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a waste heat recovery loop. The waste heat recovery loop is configured to remove waste heat generated from the electrochemical reaction and is thermally coupled to the cell stack assembly for managing the waste heat of the cell stack assembly and for supplying thermal power to a thermal load demand. The waste heat recovery loop includes a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the coolant outlet conduit and the thermal load demand. A controller is operatively associated with the cell stack assembly and the waste heat recovery loop. The controller controls the operation of the cell stack assembly by adjusting a fuel cell power plant parameter responsive to the thermal load demand. |
| US09685664B2 |
Fuel cell stack
A fuel cell stack includes fuel cells, a reactant gas channel, a reactant gas inlet manifold, a reactant gas outlet manifold, an inlet buffer portion, and an outlet buffer portion. A reactant gas flows through the reactant gas channel along a surface of a separator. The reactant gas flows through the reactant gas inlet manifold and the reactant gas outlet manifold in a stacking direction. The inlet buffer portion connects an inlet of the reactant gas channel to the reactant gas inlet manifold. The inlet buffer portion includes linear inlet guide protrusions. Inlet guide channels are provided between the linear inlet guide protrusions and connect the reactant gas inlet manifold to the reactant gas channel. A pitch between the linear inlet guide protrusions increases in accordance with an increase in a distance from the reactant gas inlet manifold to the linear inlet guide protrusions. |
| US09685663B2 |
Base material for gas diffusion electrode
The base material for a gas diffusion electrode of the present invention comprises a nonwoven fabric containing conductive fibers that contain conductive particles at least in the inside of an organic resin, and is characterized in that a specific apparent Young's modulus of the base material for a gas diffusion electrode is 40 [MPa/(g/cm3)] or more. Since the base material contains conductive fibers that contain conductive particles at least in the inside of an organic resin, it is flexible, and as a result, a polymer electrolyte membrane is not directly damaged. Further, since the specific apparent Young's modulus is 40 [MPa/(g/cm3)] or more, which indicates a high rigidity, and swelling and shrinkage of the polymer electrolyte membrane can be inhibited, cracking of the polymer electrolyte membrane can be avoided. |
| US09685662B2 |
Electrode material, electrode material manufacturing method, electrode, and secondary battery
An electrode material which has excellent tab weldability, realizes reduction of a contact resistance with an active material layer, and has good adhesion with a conductive material disposed in an island shape, is provided. An electrode material 1 includes a substrate 1a including a metal foil and a conductive material 1b containing carbon, wherein the conductive material 1b is disposed in an island shape on the surface of the substrate 1a when observed with a visual field of 300 μm square, and the conductive material is fixed to the surface of the substrate together with a hydrophobic resin and a water-soluble resin. |
| US09685661B2 |
Secondary battery, electronic device, electric power tool, electrical vehicle, and electric power storage system
A secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The anode or the electrolytic solution, or both contain a metal salt including an unsaturated carbon bond. |
| US09685653B2 |
Negative electrode for power storage device, method for forming the same, and power storage device
An object is to suppress electrochemical decomposition of an electrolyte solution and the like at a negative electrode in a lithium ion battery or a lithium ion capacitor; thus, irreversible capacity is reduced, cycle performance is improved, or operating temperature range is extended. A negative electrode for a power storage device including a negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode active material layer which is over the negative electrode current collector and includes a plurality of particles of a negative electrode active material, and a film covering part of the negative electrode active material. The film has an insulating property and lithium ion conductivity. |
| US09685650B2 |
Electric storage device including current interruption device
An electric storage device comprises the current interruption device which includes a deformable plate electrically connected to a first conductive member and a second conductive member to constitute part of a conductive path. The deformable plate deforms to interrupt the conductive path, when a pressure inside the casing rises. The first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the current interruption device are disposed between the terminal attachment wall and the electrode assembly. The first conductive member extends along the terminal attachment wall to connect the tab and the current interruption device. The second conductive member is connected to the current interruption device at a location that is farther from the terminal attachment wall than a connection between the first conductive member and the current interruption device, and extends along the terminal attachment wall to connect the current interruption device and the electrode terminal. |
| US09685648B2 |
Bus bar attachment device and bus bar attachment method
A bus bar attachment device includes a bus bar placing part for placing a bus bar onto a pallet, and a pressing part for causing first and second adjacent surfaces in the bus bar placed by the bus bar supply part to press against first and second adjacent wall surfaces in a bus bar positioning part of the pallet. The bus bar is placed by the bus bar supply part in a position where the first and second surfaces face the first and second wall surfaces in the bus bar positioning part, and the first and second surfaces are pressed the pressing part against the first and second wall surfaces in the bus bar positioning part to set the position of the bus bar relative to a battery. |
| US09685634B2 |
Pixel structure, display device and manufacturing method of pixel structure
A pixel structure, a display device having the pixel structure and a manufacturing method of the pixel structure are disclosed. The pixel structure comprises: a first insulation layer; a luminescent unit disposed on the first insulation layer and comprising a first electrode layer, a luminescent layer and a second electrode layer; a pixel defining layer configured for defining a pixel aperture, in which the luminescent unit is disposed; and a reflective assembly disposed around the pixel defining layer so as to reflect light entering the pixel defining layer from the luminescent layer to exit from an exit surface of the pixel structure. The reflective assembly is provided to reflect the light entering the pixel defining layer from the luminescent layer, so as to exit from the exit surface of the pixel structure. As a result, the light beams entering the pixel defining layer may be converted into effective beams for the pixel structure, thereby improving the display effect and reducing light dissipation. |
| US09685630B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a substrate on which an organic light-emitting element is formed; an organic light-emitting element on a substrate; a first inorganic layer on the organic light-emitting element and made substantially of hydrogenated silicon nitride (SiNx:H); an organic layer on a portion of the first inorganic layer; and a second inorganic layer on and completely covering the organic layer. Edges of the second inorganic layer come in contact with the first inorganic layer. A ratio of a number of oxygen atoms to silicon atoms contained in the first inorganic layer ranges from 0.12 to 0.19, and a ratio of a number of nitrogen atoms to silicon atoms contained in the first inorganic layer ranges from 0.9 to 1.5. The first inorganic layer and the second inorganic layer have substantially the same composition. |
| US09685626B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate; a display unit on the substrate and including a display area and a non-display area outside of the display area; and a thin-film encapsulation layer that seals the display unit, wherein the non-display area includes a dam region located outside of the display area and a plurality of protrusions on at least a part of the display unit outside of the dam region. |
| US09685622B2 |
White organic light emitting device
Discussed is a white organic light emitting device for enhancing emission efficiency and panel efficiency. The white organic light emitting device can include a first emission part between a first electrode and a second electrode and configured to include a first emission layer (EML), a second emission part on the first emission part and configured to include a second EML, and a third emission part on the second emission part and configured to include a third EML. The first to third emission parts have an emission position of emitting layers (EPEL) structure in which the first to third emission parts have a maximum emission range in respective emission areas of the first to third EMLs. |
| US09685621B2 |
Thin film transistor, its manufacturing method, array substrate and display device
The present disclosure provides a thin film transistor (TFT), its manufacturing method, an array substrate and a display device. The method for manufacturing the TFT includes steps of forming patterns of a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode on a base substrate; and forming a pattern of an active layer and a pattern of a passivation layer covering the active layer by a single patterning process. The passivation layer is made of a negative or positive photoresist, and the active layer is insulated from the gate electrode and electrically connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode. |
| US09685619B2 |
Logic circuits with plug and play solid-state molecular chips
A logic circuit for performing a logic operation comprising a plurality of predetermined solid-state molecular chips, each molecular chip having multiple states obtained after application of a corresponding input. After applying predetermined inputs on the molecular chips, reading the states of the molecular chips produces a logical output according to the logic operation. |
| US09685618B2 |
Blue luminescent compounds
There is provided a compound having Formula I In the formula: R1-4 are the same or different and are H, D, alkyl, silyl, aryl, deuterated alkyl, deuterated silyl, deuterated aryl, or an electron-withdrawing group; R5 is H, D, alkyl, aryl, deuterated alkyl, or deuterated aryl; and R6-R9 are the same or different and are H, D, alkyl, silyl, aryl, deuterated alkyl, deuterated silyl, or deuterated aryl. At least one of R1-4 is an electron-withdrawing group. |
| US09685617B2 |
Organic electronuminescent materials and devices
Novel iridium complexes containing phenylpyridine and pyridyl aza-benzo fused ligands are described. These complexes are useful as light emitters when incorporated into OLEDs. |
| US09685615B2 |
Light emitting material, delayed fluorescent emitter, organic light emitting device, and compound
A compound represented by the following general formula is useful as a light emitting material. X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. R1 to R8 represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, provided that at least one of R1 to R8 is a carbazolyl group, etc. |
| US09685608B2 |
Reduced diffusion in metal electrode for two-terminal memory
Providing for two-terminal memory that mitigates diffusion of external material therein is described herein. In some embodiments, a two-terminal memory cell can comprise an electrode layer. The electrode layer can be at least in part permeable to ionically or chemically reactive material, such as oxygen or the like. The two-terminal memory can further comprise a diffusion mitigation material disposed between the electrode layer and external material. This diffusion mitigation material can be selected to mitigate or prevent diffusion of the undesired element(s) or compound(s), to mitigate or avoid exposure of such element(s) or compound(s) to the electrode layer. Accordingly, degradation of the two-terminal memory as a result of contact with the undesired element(s) or compound(s) can be mitigated by various disclosed embodiments. |
| US09685607B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of first wiring lines that extend in a first direction, a plurality of second wiring lines that extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction to cross the first wiring lines, and memory cells, each of which is provided at a portion where the first wiring line crosses the second wiring line. The memory cell includes a variable resistance layer in the space between the wiring lines where the first wiring line crosses the second wiring line, a seam in the variable resistance layer extending in a direction between the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer, and a metal supply layer that comes in contact with the variable resistance layer and the seam. |
| US09685603B2 |
Method for manufacturing niobate-system ferroelectric thin film device
There is provided a method for manufacturing a niobate-system ferroelectric thin film device, including: a lower electrode film formation step of forming a lower electrode film on a substrate; a niobate-system ferroelectric thin film formation step of forming a niobate-system ferroelectric thin film on the lower electrode film; an etch mask formation step of forming a desired etch mask pattern on the niobate-system ferroelectric thin film; and a ferroelectric thin film etching step of forming a desired fine pattern of the niobate-system ferroelectric thin film by wet etching using an etchant including an aqueous alkaline solution of a chelating agent. |
| US09685601B2 |
Method for controlling a piezoelectric device having a piezoelectric element mounted on a substrate
A method for controlling a piezoelectric device including a piezoelectric element attached to a substrate, with the substrate and the piezoelectric element being made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion includes the step of subjecting the piezoelectric element to a predetermined electric voltage in order to cause a predetermined set deformation of the piezoelectric element. The predetermined electric voltage comprises a compensation portion determined according to ambient temperature to cancel a stress generated on the piezoelectric element due to a differential thermal expansion between the piezoelectric element and the substrate. |
| US09685598B2 |
Thermoelectric device
The present invention is directed to a thermoelectric device that includes a plurality of thermoelectric couples positioned between a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein each thermoelectric couple comprises n-type and p-type element assemblies electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel. When the device is used for electrical power generation, the efficiency is increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient, increasing the distance between the n-type and p-type element assemblies, increasing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates, and/or using an insulation plate spaced from the top plate. When the device is used for heating/cooling, the coefficients of performance are increased by using semiconductor materials with a high Seebeck coefficient and/or optimizing the length of the electrical conductors/thermal distance between the top and bottom plates. |
| US09685596B2 |
Package method and package
A package method includes steps of providing a light emitting module, a mold and a molding compound, wherein the light emitting module includes a substrate and at least one light emitting unit disposed on the substrate, the mold has at least one recess, and a side wall of the recess is parallel to a side surface of the light emitting unit; filling the recess with the molding compound; placing the substrate on the mold reversely, so that the light emitting unit is immersed into the recess and the molding compound directly encapsulates the light emitting unit; and heating and pressing the substrate and the mold, so as to solidify the molding compound. |
| US09685594B2 |
LED module and method of preparing the LED module, lighting device
An LED module includes a submount having a face in a thickness direction thereof, an LED chip bonded to the face of the submount with a first bond, and a patterned wiring circuit electrically connected to the LED chip. The first bond transmits light emitted from the LED chip. The submount is a light-transmissive member having light diffusing properties, and a planar size larger than a planar size of the LED chip. The patterned wiring circuit is provided on the face of the submount so as not to overlap the LED chip. The submount is constituted by a plurality of light-transmissive layers which are stacked in the thickness direction and have different optical properties so that a light-transmissive layer of the plurality of light-transmissive layers which is farther from the LED chip is higher in reflectance in a wavelength range of the light emitted from the LED chip. |
| US09685593B2 |
Housing for a semiconductor chip, housing composite, semiconductor component and method of producing a semiconductor component
A housing for a semiconductor chip has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, wherein the front side has a fastening area for the semiconductor chip; the rear side has a mounting area to mount the housing, wherein the mounting area runs obliquely to the fastening area; and the rear side has a resting area running parallel to the fastening area. |
| US09685592B2 |
Miniature surface mount device with large pin pads
One embodiment of the surface mount LED package includes a lead frame and a plastic casing at least partially encasing the lead frame. The lead frame includes a plurality of electrically conductive chip carriers. There is an LED disposed on each one of the plurality of electrically conductive chip carriers. A profile height of the surface mount LED package is less than about 1.0 mm. |
| US09685588B2 |
Light-emitting element having a reflective structure with high efficiency
An optoelectronic element comprises a semiconductor stack comprising an active layer, wherein the semiconductor stack has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a first transparent layer on the second surface; a plurality of cavities in the first transparent layer; and a layer on the first transparent layer, wherein the first transparent layer comprises oxide or diamond-like carbon. |
| US09685584B2 |
Light emitting semiconductor component including an absorptive layer
A radiation-emitting semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body with a semiconductor layer sequence, wherein the semiconductor layer sequence has an active region that generates radiation having a peak wavelength in the near-infrared spectral range and an absorptive region, and the absorption region at least partially absorbs a shortwave radiation component having a cut-off wavelength shorter than the peak wavelength. |
| US09685581B2 |
Manufacturing method of solar cell
A manufacturing method of a solar cell having diffusion layers of different conductivity types on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate and a back surface thereof, respectively, includes a step of forming a diffusion protection mask containing impurities to cover at least a partial region of the semiconductor substrate, and a diffusion step of performing a diffusion step including a thermal step in a state where at least the partial region of the semiconductor substrate is covered with the diffusion protection mask containing impurities, forming a first-impurity diffusion layer in a first region covered with the diffusion protection mask, and forming a second-impurity diffusion layer having a different impurity concentration or a different conductivity type from that of the diffusion protection mask in a second region exposed from the diffusion protection mask. |
| US09685579B2 |
Photovoltaic structure cleaving system
A cleaving system is described. The system can include a holding apparatus to retain a photovoltaic structure at a center section of a cleaving platform. The system can further include a contact apparatus to make contact with the photovoltaic structure and separate it into a plurality of strips. During operation, the system can activate an actuator to move the contact apparatus against the photovoltaic structure, thereby separating the photovoltaic structure into strips. |
| US09685578B2 |
Photocoupler
A photocoupler comprises a light emitting element, a light-sensing element, a transparent inner encapsulant body, an outer covering body, and two conductive frames. An optically reflective surface is formed on the outer covering body directly in contact with the dome encapsulant portion of the transparent inner encapsulant body. A portion of the light emitted by the light emitting element is reflected to the light-sensing element through the optically reflective surface, and the other portion of the light emitted from the light emitting element is directly emitting to the light-sensing element through the dome encapsulant portion. The present invention applies the optically reflective surface to minimize the overlapping area between the two conductive frames, and reduces the capacitance value, and increases the CMRR in a manner that the photocoupler of the present invention is able to meet the standard of electrical characteristics as required. |
| US09685573B2 |
Diode and heat spreader for solar module
Arrangements of diodes and heat spreaders for solar modules are described. For example, a solar module may include a backsheet with a low profile, surface-mount diode disposed above the backsheet. A pair of ribbon interconnects is coupled to the low profile, surface-mount diode and may penetrate the backsheet. |
| US09685572B2 |
Protective sheet for rear surface of solar cell
A solar cell rear surface protection sheet having two or more substrates laminated together by means of an adhesive, the adhesive includes a urethane resin obtained by mixing an acrylic polyol, an isocyanate compound, 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, and tin octylate. The acrylic polyol is obtained by polymerizing polymerizable monomers, which include a hydroxyl group-containing monomer and other monomers. The other monomers include acrylonitrile. The isocyanate compound includes both a xylylene diisocyanate monomer and hexamethylene diisocyanate isocyanurate, and the xylylene diisocyanate monomer is present in an amount of 20 to 40 wt %, and the hexamethylene diisocyanate isocyanurate is present in an amount of 80 to 60 wt %. The equivalent ratio of isocyanate groups of the xylylene diisocyanate monomer and the hexamethylene diisocyanate isocyanurate to hydroxyl groups of the acrylic polyol is 1.0 to 3.0. |
| US09685569B2 |
Method of CIGS absorber formation
A method of forming a CIGS absorber wherein at least one source particle is selected and prepared as a powder or gel; the powder or gel is deposited on a substrate, compressed, and annealed. In some embodiments, a plurality of source particles are prepared as powders and mixed prior to deposition, compression, and annealing. In other embodiments, a plurality of source particles are individually deposited in layers, collectively compressed, and collectively annealed. In yet further embodiments, a plurality of source particles are individually deposited in layers, individually compressed, and collectively annealed. |
| US09685567B2 |
Nanocomposite photodetector
A photodetector includes an anode that is transparent or partially transparent to light, a cathode and an active layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The active layer includes a nanocomposite material that has a polymer blended with nanoparticles or organic electron trapping particles. The photodetector has a low dark current when not illuminated by light and has a high conductivity when illuminated by light, in which the light passes the anode and is absorbed by the active layer. |
| US09685559B2 |
Vertically stacked heterostructures including graphene
A vertically stacked heterostructure device includes: (1) a substrate; and (2) vertically stacked layers disposed over the substrate and including (a) a source electrode including a layer of graphene; (b) a drain electrode; and (c) a semiconducting channel disposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode. During operation of the device, a current is configured to flow between the source electrode and the drain electrode through the semiconducting channel. |
| US09685558B2 |
Flexible electronic device having adhesive function and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a flexible electronic device having an adhesive function, including an adhesive tape that includes a flexible film and an adhesive layer formed on one side of the flexible film, and an electronic device formed on a remaining side of the flexible film of the adhesive tape. Accordingly, the flexible electronic device of the present invention is transferred on a surface of various flexible materials or materials having a curved surface so as to freely adhere and minimize breakage of the electronic device and maintain performance over a long period of time, even if the substrate is modified or repeatedly bent. |
| US09685556B2 |
Thin film transistor and preparation method therefor, array substrate, and display apparatus
A thin film transistor and a preparation method therefor, an array substrate and a display apparatus. The thin film transistor comprises an active layer (4), an etched barrier layer (5) disposed on the active layer (4), and a source and drain (6) disposed on the etched barrier layer (5). The source and drain (6) are disposed on a same layer in a spaced manner. First via holes (7) are formed in the etched barrier layer (5), second via holes (8) are formed in positions in the active layer (4) corresponding to the first via holes (7). The source and drain (6) are connected to the active layer (4) through the first via holes (7) formed in the etched barrier layer (5) and the second via holes (8) formed in the active layer (4). Because two second via holes are formed in the active layer, a design value L1 of the channel region length of the active layer is shortened and a metal oxide semiconductor array substrate with a narrow channel is formed and the charge rate is high, which helps to improve the display effect. |
| US09685555B2 |
High-reliability, low-resistance contacts for nanoscale transistors
Tapered source and drain contacts for use in an epitaxial FinFET prevent short circuits and damage to parts of the FinFET during contact processing, thus improving device reliability. The inventive contacts feature tapered sidewalls and a pedestal where electrical contact is made to fins in the source and drain regions. The pedestal also provides greater contact area to the fins, which are augmented by extensions. Raised isolation regions define a valley around the fins. During source/drain contact formation, the valley is lined with a conformal barrier that also covers the fins themselves. The barrier protects underlying local oxide and adjacent isolation regions against gouging while forming the contact. The valley is filled with an amorphous silicon layer that protects the epitaxial fin material from damage during contact formation. A simple tapered structure is used for the gate contact. |
| US09685551B2 |
Semiconductor device and inverter circuit
A semiconductor device according to embodiments includes a p-type SiC layer having a first plane, a gate electrode, and a gate insulating layer provided between the first plane of the SiC layer and the gate electrode. The gate insulating layer includes a first layer, a second layer, and a first region. The second layer has a higher oxygen density than the first layer. The first region is provided between the first layer and the second layer and includes a first element, the first element being at least one element in the group of N (nitrogen), P (phosphorus), As (arsenic), Sb (antimony), and Bi (bismuth). |
| US09685549B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
A nitride semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a first nitride semiconductor layer (1) located over the substrate; a second nitride semiconductor layer (2) located over the first nitride semiconductor layer (1), having a larger band gap than the first nitride semiconductor layer (1), and having a recess (11) penetrating into the first nitride semiconductor layer (1); and a third nitride semiconductor layer (12) continuously covering the second nitride semiconductor layer (2) and the recess (11), and having a larger band gap than the first nitride semiconductor layer (1); a gate electrode (5) located above a portion of the third nitride semiconductor layer (12) over the recess (11); and a first ohmic electrode (4a) and a second ohmic electrode (4b) located on opposite sides of the gate electrode (5). |
| US09685545B2 |
Isolated III-N semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device with a substrate, a low defect layer formed in a fixed position relative to the substrate, and a barrier layer comprising III-N semiconductor material formed on the low-defect layer and forming an electron gas in the low-defect layer. The device also has a source contact, a drain contact, and a gate contact for receiving a potential, the potential for adjusting a conductive path in the electron gas and between the source contact and the drain contact. Lastly, the device has a one-sided PN junction between the barrier layer and the substrate. |
| US09685544B2 |
Semiconductor device including emitter regions and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a first conductive-type semiconductor layer, a second conductive-type base region that is arranged in the front surface portion of the semiconductor layer, a plurality of trenches that extend from a front surface of the semiconductor layer beyond a bottom portion of the base region with an active region being defined therebetween, a plurality of first conductive-type emitter regions that are arranged in the active region, each connecting the trenches adjacent to each other, a gate electrode that is embedded in the trench, an embedding insulating film that is embedded in the trench on the gate electrode and that has an upper surface in the same height position as the front surface of the semiconductor layer or in a height position lower than the front surface and an emitter electrode that covers the active region and the embedding insulating film and that is electrically connected to the base region and the emitter region. |
| US09685542B2 |
Atomic layer deposition of P-type oxide semiconductor thin films
Provided herein are methods of depositing p-type metal oxide thin films by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Also provided are p-type metal oxide thin films and TFTs including p-type metal oxide channels. In some implementations, the p-type metal oxide thin films have a metal and oxygen vacancy defect density of less than 1019/cm3. The p-type metal oxide thin films may be electrically active throughout the entire thicknesses of the thin films. |
| US09685539B1 |
Nanowire isolation scheme to reduce parasitic capacitance
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a doped silicon layer on a bulk substrate, forming an undoped silicon cap layer on the doped silicon layer, forming a stacked configuration of silicon germanium (SiGe) and silicon layers on the undoped silicon cap layer, wherein the stacked configuration comprises a repeating arrangement of a silicon layer stacked on an SiGe layer, forming a plurality of dummy gates spaced apart from each other on the stacked configuration, the doped silicon layer and the undoped silicon cap layer, forming a spacer layer on each of the plurality of dummy gates, and on the doped silicon layer and the undoped silicon cap layer, selectively etching the doped silicon layer with respect to the undoped silicon layer, and filling the area from where the doped s silicon layer was selectively removed with a dielectric layer. |
| US09685534B2 |
Method for semiconductor device fabrication
Provided is a method of forming a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a substrate; depositing a flowable dielectric material layer over the substrate; performing a wet annealing process and a dry annealing process to the flowable dielectric material layer. The wet annealing process includes a first portion followed by a second portion. The second portion is performed at a temperature above 850 degrees Celsius, and the first portion is performed at a temperature lower than that of the second portion and is performed for longer duration than the second portion. The dry annealing process is performed at a temperature at least 500 degrees Celsius. |
| US09685530B2 |
Replacement metal gate dielectric cap
A method for manufacturing a field effect transistor includes chelating a molecular mask to a replacement metal gate in a field effect transistor. The method may further include forming a patterned dielectric layer on a bulk dielectric material and a gate dielectric barrier in one or more deposition steps. The method may include removing the molecular mask and exposing part of the gate dielectric barrier before depositing a dielectric cap that touches the gate dielectric barrier and the replacement metal gate. |
| US09685526B2 |
Side gate assist in metal gate first process
A method of making a semiconductor device in a gate first process with side gate assists. A first gate may be formed within a gate region. The first gate may include a first gate conductor separated from a semiconductor substrate by a first insulator disposed between the first gate conductor and the semiconductor substrate. A second gate may be formed within the gate region. The second gate may include a second gate conductor separated from a vertical surface of the first gate conductor and the semiconductor substrate by a second insulator. A first electrical contact and a second electrical contact may be formed. The first and second electrical contacts may be disposed on opposite ends of the gate region for respectively connecting the first gate conductor and the second gate conductor to a respective voltage. |
| US09685524B2 |
Narrow semiconductor trench structure
Systems and methods for narrow semiconductor trench structures. In a first method embodiment, a method for forming a narrow trench comprises forming a first layer of insulating material on a substrate and creating a trench through the first layer of insulating material and into the substrate. A second insulating material is formed on the first layer and on exposed portions of the trench and the second insulating material is removed from the first layer of insulating material and the bottom of the trench. The trench is filled with an epitaxial material and the first layer of insulating material is removed. A narrow trench is formed by the removal of remaining portions of the second insulating material. |
| US09685521B2 |
Lowering parasitic capacitance of replacement metal gate processes
The present disclosure provides a method of forming a gate structure of a semiconductor device with reduced gate-contact parasitic capacitance. In a replacement gate scheme, a high-k gate dielectric layer is deposited on a bottom surface and sidewalls of a gate cavity. A metal cap layer and a sacrificial cap layer are deposited sequentially over the high-k gate dielectric layer to form a material stack. After ion implantation in vertical portions of the sacrificial cap layer, at least part of the vertical portions of the material stack is removed. The subsequent removal of a remaining portion of the sacrificial cap layer provides a gate component structure. The vertical portions of the gate component structure do not extend to a top of the gate cavity, thereby significantly reducing gate-contact parasitic capacitance. |
| US09685519B2 |
Semiconductor device having buried channel array
A semiconductor device includes a field regions in a substrate to define active regions, gate trenches including active trenches disposed across the active region and field trenches in the field regions, and word lines that fill the gate trenches and extend in a first direction. The word lines include active gate electrodes occupying the active trenches, and field gate electrodes occupying the field trenches. The bottom surface of each field gate electrode, which is disposed between active regions that are adjacent to each other and have one word line therebetween, is disposed at a higher level than the bottom surfaces of the active gate electrodes. |
| US09685516B2 |
Electronic device having graphene-semiconductor multi-junction and method of manufacturing the electronic device
Example embodiments relate to an electronic device having a graphene-semiconductor multi-junction and a method of manufacturing the electronic device. The electronic device includes a graphene layer having at least one graphene protrusion and a semiconductor layer that covers the graphene layer. A side surface of each of the at least one graphene protrusion may be uneven, may have a multi-edge, and may be a stepped side surface. The graphene layer includes a plurality of nanocrystal graphenes. The graphene layer includes a lower graphene layer having a plurality of nanocrystal graphenes and the at least one graphene protrusion that is formed on the lower graphene layer. The semiconductor layer may include a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) layer. Each of the at least one graphene protrusion may include a plurality of nanocrystal graphenes. |
| US09685514B2 |
III-V compound semiconductor device having dopant layer and method of making the same
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a channel layer of at least one III-V semiconductor compound above the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode above a first portion of the channel layer; a source region and a drain region above a second portion of the channel layer; and a dopant layer comprising at least one dopant contacting the second portion of the channel layer. |
| US09685513B2 |
Semiconductor structure or device integrated with diamond
Semiconductor devices that include a semiconductor structure integrated with one or more diamond material layers. A first diamond material layer is formed on a bottom surface and optionally, the side surfaces of the semiconductor structure. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the semiconductor structure is embedded in the diamond. An electrical device can be formed on a top surface of the semiconductor structure. A second diamond material layer can be formed on the top surface of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure can include a III-nitride material such as GaN, which can be embedded within a the first diamond material layer or encased by the first and/or second diamond material layer. |
| US09685506B2 |
IGBT having an inter-trench superjunction structure
There are disclosed herein implementations of an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) having an inter-trench superjunction structure. Such an IGBT includes a drift region having a first conductivity type situated over a collector having a second conductivity type. The IGBT also includes first and second gate trenches extending through a base having the second conductivity type into the drift region, the first and second gate trenches each being bordered by an emitter diffusion having the first conductivity type. In addition, the IGBT includes an inter-trench superjunction structure situated in the drift region between the first and second gate trenches. The inter-trench superjunction structure includes one or more first conductivity regions having the first conductivity type and two or more second conductivity region having the second conductivity type, the one or more first conductivity regions and the two or more second conductivity regions configured to substantially charge-balance the inter-trench superjunction structure. |
| US09685503B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer that includes a wide bandgap semiconductor and a surface. A trench, including a side wall and a bottom wall, is formed in the semiconductor layer surface, and a Schottky electrode is connected to the surface. Opposite edge portions of the bottom wall of the trench each include a radius of curvature, R, satisfying the expression 0.01 L |
| US09685500B2 |
Circuit system
A semiconductor device with a transistor having favorable electrical characteristics is provided. The semiconductor device has a memory circuit and a circuit that are over the same substrate. The memory circuit includes a capacitor, a first transistor, and a second transistor. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to the capacitor and one of a source and a drain of the second transistor. The circuit includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor that are electrically connected to each other in series. The first transistor and the third transistor each include an active layer including silicon, and the second transistor and the fourth transistor each include an active layer including an oxide semiconductor. |
| US09685499B1 |
Nanosheet capacitor
A capacitive device includes a first electrode comprising a nanosheet stack and a second electrode comprising a nanosheet stack, the second electrode arranged substantially parallel to the first electrode. A first conductive contact is arranged on a basal end of the first electrode, and a second conductive contact is arranged on a basal end of the second electrode. |
| US09685497B2 |
Embedded metal-insulator-metal capacitor
A semiconductor device includes a first metallization layer including a first dielectric layer. A first conductive layer and a first conductive structure are embedded in the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is disposed on the first metallization layer. A second conductive layer is disposed on the second dielectric layer and has a lateral dimension in a lateral direction larger than a lateral dimension of the first conductive layer in the lateral direction. A third dielectric layer is disposed on the second conductive layer. A first contact is disposed in the third dielectric layer and extends through the second conductive structure in a first peripheric region thereof that does not overlap the first conductive layer to contact the first conductive structure. A capacitor structure includes the first conductive layer, the second dielectric layer and the second conductive layer. |
| US09685494B2 |
Organic EL display device
A terminal is formed on a substrate. An anisotropic conductive film is disposed on the terminal. A flexible printed board is connected to the terminal via the anisotropic conductive film. At least one opening is formed in the terminal. An adhesion reinforcing portion as a projection is formed inside the opening. The adhesion reinforcing portion is formed of a material having higher adhesion to the anisotropic conductive film than a material constituting the surface of the terminal, and is adhered to the anisotropic conductive film. |
| US09685489B2 |
OLED pixel structure and OLED display device
The present invention belongs to the technical field of display, and specifically relates to an OLED pixel structure and an OLED display device. The OLED pixel structure comprises a thin film transistor and an OLED device, the thin film transistor being provided with a driving electrode for controlling whether the OLED device emits light or not, wherein the pixel structure comprises a transmission region and a reflection region in which a reflection layer formed by extending the driving electrode is provided. The beneficial advantages are that the OLED pixel structure can effectively improve the utilization of the light source and the utilization of the display panel. |
| US09685485B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device and manufacturing method therefor
An organic EL device includes a substrate and a plurality of organic EL elements disposed on the substrate. Each of the plurality of organic EL elements includes a light-emitting layer containing a light-emitting material. One of the plurality of organic EL elements includes a first film containing the same light-emitting material as the light-emitting layer of another one of the plurality of organic EL elements, the first film being in contact with an upper surface of the light-emitting layer of the one of the plurality of organic EL elements. The one of the plurality of organic EL elements does not include a second film containing the same light-emitting material as the light-emitting layer of another one of the plurality of organic EL elements, the second film being in contact with a lower surface of the light-emitting layer of the one of the plurality of organic EL elements. |
| US09685484B1 |
Reversible resistivity memory with crystalline silicon bit line
Technology is described for reversible resistivity memory having a crystalline silicon bit line. In one aspect, a memory structure comprises a hollow pillar of crystalline silicon inside of reversible resistivity material. The crystalline silicon may serve as a bit line. The memory structure may further comprise conductive material that forms word lines coupled to the outer surface of the reversible resistivity material. A memory cell comprises a portion of the reversible resistivity material between the crystalline silicon and one of the word lines. In one aspect, the hollow pillar of crystalline silicon surrounds a gate oxide, which surrounds a conductive transistor gate. Thus, the hollow pillar of crystalline silicon may function as a channel of a transistor. In one aspect, the crystalline silicon has predominantly a (100) orientation with respect to an inner surface of the reversible resistivity material. In one aspect, the crystalline silicon is a single crystal. |
| US09685483B2 |
Selector-based non-volatile cell fabrication utilizing IC-foundry compatible process
A circuit operable as a non-volatile memory cell, formed in part from a volatile selection device, is provided. The circuit can be fabricated utilizing Integrated Circuit (IC)-Foundry compatible processes to simplify manufacturing, reduce cost and improve yield. For instance, the circuit can comprise a set of transistors fabricated at least in part with front-end-of-line IC processes, and can comprise the volatile selection device and a set of interconnects fabricated at least in part with back-end-of-line IC processes. In further embodiments, the volatile selection device can be a two-terminal, volatile resistive-switching device connected at one end to a gate of an n-well transistor, and connected at a second end to a gate of a p-well transistor. |
| US09685482B2 |
Image sensor with buried-channel drain (BCD) transistors
A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor is provided. The CCD image sensor may include an array of photosensors that transfer charge to multiple vertical CCD shift registers, which then in turn transfer the charge to a horizontal CCD shift register. The horizontal CCD shift register then feeds an output buffer circuit. The output buffer circuit can include a load transistor implemented using a buried-channel drain (BCD) structure. The load transistor may include a gate conductor, a source diffusion region, a drain diffusion region, and a buried-channel drain region that at least partially extends under the gate conductor. The BCD region may be formed before or after the formation of the gate conductor. If desired, the BCD region can also be formed at the source edge. An image sensor configured in this way can exhibit higher source-drain breakdown voltages, enhanced amplifier gain, and reduced amplifier glow. |
| US09685481B2 |
Monolithic visible-infrared focal plane array on silicon
A structure includes a silicon substrate; silicon readout circuitry disposed on a first portion of a top surface of the substrate and a radiation detecting pixel disposed on a second portion of the top surface of the substrate. The pixel has a plurality of radiation detectors connected with the readout circuitry. The plurality of radiation detectors are composed of at least one visible wavelength radiation detector containing germanium and at least one infrared wavelength radiation detector containing a Group III-V semiconductor material. A method includes providing a silicon substrate; forming silicon readout circuitry on a first portion of a top surface of the substrate and forming a radiation detecting pixel, on a second portion of the top surface of the substrate, that has a plurality of radiation detectors formed to contain a visible wavelength detector composed of germanium and an infrared wavelength detector composed of a Group III-V semiconductor material. |
| US09685475B2 |
Back-illuminated integrated imaging device with simplified interconnect routing
A back-illuminated integrated imaging device is formed from a semiconductor substrate including a zone of pixels bounded by capacitive deep trench isolations. A peripheral zone is located outside the zone of pixels. A continuous electrically conductive layer forms, in the zone of pixels, an electrode in a trench for each capacitive deep trench isolation, and forms, in the peripheral zone, a redistribution layer for electrically coupling the electrode to a biasing contact pad. The electrode is located in the trench between a trench dielectric and at least one material for filling the trench. |
| US09685471B2 |
Manufacturing method of thin film transistor substrate
The present invention provides a manufacture method of a thin film transistor substrate. In the same photolithographic process, the via deposing process is implemented to the gate isolation layer and the etching stopper layer is patterned. That is, the photolithographic process is not implemented but the oxide semiconducting pattern is formed directly after the gate isolation layer is formed. After the etching stopper layer is formed, the gate isolation layer and the etching stopper layer are patterned in the same photolithographic process. Comparing with the manufacture method of prior art, one photolithographic process can be eliminated. Meanwhile, the aperture ratio is raised by forming an open at the transparent conducting layer. |
| US09685470B2 |
Manufacturing method of a pixel structure
The present invention provides a pixel structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The pixel structure includes: a transparent substrate (60), a gate line formed on the transparent substrate (60), a thin-film transistor formed on the transparent substrate (60), a data line (68) formed on the transparent substrate (60), a pixel electrode (62) formed on the transparent substrate (60) and the thin-film transistor, a passivation layer (64) formed on the pixel electrode (62), the transparent substrate (60), and the data line (68), and a common electrode (66) formed on the passivation layer (64). The passivation layer (64) includes: a first portion (72) located on the data line (68), a second portion (74) located on the pixel electrode (62), and a third portion (76) located on the transparent substrate (60) and arranged on two opposite sides of the data line (68). The first portion (72) of the passivation layer (64) has a thickness greater than a thickness of the second portion (74). |
| US09685469B2 |
Display with semiconducting oxide and polysilicon transistors
A display may have an array of pixels controlled by display driver circuitry. The pixels may have pixel circuits. In liquid crystal display configurations, each pixel circuit may have an electrode that applies electric fields to an associated portion of a liquid crystal layer. In organic light-emitting diode displays, each pixel circuit may have a drive transistor that applies current to an organic light-emitting diode in the pixel circuit. The pixel circuits and display driver circuitry may have thin-film transistor circuitry that includes transistor such as silicon transistors and semiconducting-oxide transistors. Semiconducting-oxide transistors and silicon transistors may be formed on a common substrate. Semiconducting-oxide transistors may have polysilicon layers with doped regions that serve as gates. Semiconducting-oxide channel regions overlap the gates. Transparent conductive oxide and metal may be used to form source-drain terminals that are coupled to opposing edges of the semiconducting oxide channel regions. |
| US09685467B2 |
Array substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose an array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, a display device, which relates to the display field, and can increase transmittance of the product, and also has improvement effect to defects such as crosstalk, flicker, etc. An embodiment of the present invention provides an array substrate, comprising: a substrate, a data line, a gate line, a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode formed on the substrate, the thin film transistor comprises a gate insulating layer, a part of the gate insulating layer corresponding to a light-transmissive area of a pixel is removed. |
| US09685466B2 |
Thin film transistor, array substrate and display device
The present invention provides a TFT, an array substrate and a display device. The TFT includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a semiconductor layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode are arranged on different layers. The semiconductor layer is in electrical connection to the source electrode and the drain electrode, respectively; wherein, a region on the semiconductor layer which is corresponding to a region between the source electrode and the drain electrode is a channel region. The present invention also provides an array substrate and a display device comprising the on TFT. |
| US09685465B2 |
TFT array substrate
The present invention provides a TFT array substrate, including a display zone having a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, and sub-pixels arranged in an array. For the sub-pixels of the same row, a sub-pixel of an even column and a sub-pixel of an odd column that are respectively located at left and right sides of each of the data lines are collectively and electrically connected to the data line each by a TFT. For the sub-pixels of the same row, each of the sub-pixels of the even columns is electrically connected with the scan line above the row of the sub-pixels and each of the sub-pixels of the odd columns is electrically connected with the scan line below the row of the sub-pixels. The non-display zone includes a plurality of fan-out lines. Each of the fan-out lines corresponds to and is connected with one of the scan lines. Each of the fan-out lines includes a horizontal line segment and a slanted line segment. For a skip of every two or four successively arranged scan lines, the slanted line segments of the two fan-out lines respectively corresponding to and connected with two adjacent, upper and lower scan lines are arranged to intersect each other in a mutually isolated manner so as to change the sequence of driving the two adjacent, upper and lower scan lines. |
| US09685464B2 |
Display substrate and method of manufacturing mother substrate for display substrate
A display substrate includes a pixel portion, a test pad portion and a first electrostatic dispersion line. The pixel portion includes a switching element, a first electrode and a second electrode. The switching element is disposed in a display area of a base substrate. The switching element is electrically connected with a gate line and a data line. The first electrode is disposed adjacent to the switching element. The second electrode is disposed on the first electrode and overlaps the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected with the switching element. The test pad portion is disposed adjacent to the display area. The test pad portion is electrically connected with the pixel portion to apply a test signal. The electrostatic dispersion line extends to an end of the base substrate. The first electrostatic dispersion line and the second electrode are formed from a same layer. |
| US09685458B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display region comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises a light emitting element which includes a pixel electrode, a conductive layer below the pixel electrode and configured to receive a specified electric voltage, and a thin film transistor below the pixel electrode and the conductive layer, wherein the thin film transistor comprises a semiconductor layer which includes a channel region, a gate electrode which is overlapping the channel region, a first electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor layer and the pixel electrode, and a second electrode electrically connectable to a power supply line, wherein the conductive layer includes an overlapped region which overlaps with the channel region, and the first electrode extends so as to cover the gate electrode at the overlapped region. |
| US09685457B2 |
Method including a formation of a transistor and semiconductor structure including a first transistor and a second transistor
A method includes providing a semiconductor-on-insulator structure including a semiconductor substrate, a layer of electrically insulating material over the semiconductor substrate and a layer of semiconductor material over the layer of electrically insulating material. A first transistor is formed. The formation of the first transistor includes forming a dummy gate structure over the layer of semiconductor material, forming a source region of the first transistor and a drain region of the first transistor in portions of the semiconductor substrate adjacent the dummy gate structure, forming an electrically insulating structure annularly enclosing the dummy gate structure and performing a replacement gate process. The replacement gate process includes removing the dummy gate structure and a portion of the layer of semiconductor material below the dummy gate structure, wherein a recess is formed in the electrically insulating structure. The recess is filled with an electrically conductive material. |
| US09685453B2 |
Method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory cell and a field effect transistor
To provide a semiconductor device having mix-loaded therein a nonvolatile memory cell and a field effect transistor at a reduced cost. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes pattering a conductor film by using an additional mask that covers a gate electrode formation region of a memory formation region and exposes a main circuit formation region (field effect transistor formation region) and thereby forming a gate electrode of a nonvolatile memory cell in the memory formation region and then forming an n− type semiconductor region of the nonvolatile memory cell in a semiconductor substrate by ion implantation using the above-mentioned additional mask without changing it to another one. |
| US09685452B2 |
Three-dimensional semiconductor device with vertical and horizontal channels in stack structure having electrodes vertically stacked on the substrate
A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor device includes a stack structure including electrodes vertically stacked on a substrate, a channel structure coupled to the electrodes to constitute a plurality of memory cells three-dimensionally arranged on the substrate, the channel structure including first vertical channels and second vertical channels penetrating the stack structure and a first horizontal channel disposed under the stack structure to laterally connect the first vertical channels and the second vertical channels to each other, a second horizontal channel having a first conductivity type and connected to a sidewall of the first horizontal channel of the channel structure, and conductive plugs having a second conductivity type and disposed on top ends of the second vertical channels. |
| US09685450B2 |
Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same
Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same. The methods may include forming a molding layer on a semiconductor substrate. A storage electrode passing through the molding layer is formed. A part of the storage electrode is exposed by partially etching the molding layer. A sacrificial oxide layer is formed by oxidizing the exposed part of the storage electrode. The partially-etched molding layer and the sacrificial oxide layer are removed. A capacitor dielectric layer is formed on the substrate of which the molding layer and the sacrificial oxide layer are removed. A plate electrode is formed on the capacitor dielectric layers. |
| US09685447B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising transistor including oxide semiconductor
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. The semiconductor device includes a first wiring; a second wiring; a third wiring; a fourth wiring; a first transistor having a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode; and a second transistor having a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode. The first transistor is provided in a substrate including a semiconductor material. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor layer. |
| US09685440B1 |
Forming fins utilizing alternating pattern of spacers
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first pattern of alternating spacers of a first material and a second material on a semiconductor substrate, forming a second pattern of the alternating spacers of the first material and the second material by selectively removing at least a portion of at least one of one or more of the spacers of the first material and one or more of the spacers of the second material to form a remaining pattern of spacers of the first material and the second material on the semiconductor substrate, and transferring the second pattern of the spacers of the first material and the second material to the semiconductor substrate to form two or more fins in the semiconductor substrate by etching the semiconductor substrate selective to the first material and the second material. |
| US09685439B1 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided, including forming a plurality of fins on a semiconductor substrate, and forming source/drain regions on the fins. The source/drain regions have an uneven surface with a mean surface roughness, Ra, of about 10 nm to about 50 nm. A smoothing layer is formed on the source/drain regions filling the uneven surface. An etch stop layer is formed overlying the smoothing layer. A portion of the etch stop layer is removed to expose a portion of the smoothing layer. The exposed smoothing layer is removed, and a contact layer is formed on the source/drain regions. |
| US09685434B2 |
Inter-level dielectric layer in replacement metal gates and resistor fabrication
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include a method of fabricating a semiconductor device including forming a first dummy gate in an active area on a first portion of a semiconductor device, wherein the first dummy gate includes undoped amorphous silicon. A second dummy gate and a third dummy gate are formed on a second portion of the semiconductor device, wherein the second dummy gate and the third dummy gate include undoped amorphous silicon. A filling material is deposited on the semiconductor device, where the filling material is doped amorphous silicon, and a chemical-mechanical polishing process is performed on the filling material. |
| US09685433B2 |
Capacitor device
In some embodiments, a capacitor device includes a metal-oxide-metal (MOM) capacitor array and a varactor array configured overlapping with the MOM capacitor array. The MOM capacitor array includes a first MOM capacitor unit. The first MOM capacitor unit includes a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern in a first metallization layer. The first electrode pattern includes a plurality of first fingers and a first bus interconnecting the plurality of first fingers. The second electrode pattern includes a plurality of second fingers and a second bus interconnecting the plurality of second fingers. The varactor array includes a first varactor unit. The first varactor unit includes a first electrode contacting region and a second electrode contacting region. The first electrode pattern contacts the first electrode contacting region. The second electrode pattern contacts the second electrode contacting region. |
| US09685430B2 |
Embedded package and method thereof
A method of manufacturing an embedded package comprises attaching a plurality of chips on a pre-mold lead frame; forming a first lamination layer on the plurality of chips, the pre-mold lead frame and a plurality of pins; forming a first plurality of vias and a second plurality of vias through the first lamination layer; forming a respective conductive plug of a plurality of conductive plugs by depositing a respective conductive material in each of the first plurality of vias and each of the second plurality of vias; and electrically connecting the plurality of conductive plugs on the electrodes of the plurality of chips to the plurality of conductive plugs on the plurality of pins. |
| US09685429B2 |
Stacked package-on-package memory devices
3D Stacked memory devices with copper pillars electrically connecting the package units are disclosed. A stacked package-on-package memory device includes a base chip package unit having a logic processing chip disposed on a base substrate; and a memory chip stack overlying the base chip unit. The memory chip stack includes a stack of packaged memory units. Each packaged memory unit including a memory chip on an IC substrate. Copper pillars are disposed on the back side of the IC substrate and electrically connected to the base substrate. |
| US09685427B1 |
Package including a plurality of stacked semiconductor devices including a capacitance enhanced through via and method of manufacture
A package can include a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device stacked in a first direction. The first semiconductor device can include a first through via providing a first electrical connection in the first direction between a first side and a second side opposite the first side of the first semiconductor device, and a first circuit that provides a first potential greater than a ground potential at a first circuit output. The first circuit output can be directly connected with wiring layers to the first via at the first side. The second semiconductor device can be electrically connected to the first through via at the second side of the first semiconductor device to receive the first potential. |
| US09685426B2 |
Package-on-package semiconductor device
Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first die coupled to a top surface of the substrate. A second die is coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate. A thermal contact pad couples the second die to the bottom surface of the substrate. The thermal contact pad electrically isolates the first die from the second die. A molding compound resides over the substrate and surrounds the first and second dies and the thermal contact pad. |
| US09685425B2 |
Integrated circuit package
An integrated circuit package may have a package substrate with a surface to which an integrated circuit die is soldered. A first set of contacts on the package substrate may mate with contacts on the integrated circuit die. Solder may be used to connect the integrated circuit die to the first set of contacts. A covering material such as a plastic mold cap may be used to cover the integrated circuit die and the first set of contacts. The mold cap may have a rectangular shape or other footprint. A rectangular ring-shaped border region or a border region of other shapes may surround the mold cap and may be free of mold cap material. A second set of contacts on the package substrate may be formed on the surface in the border region. |
| US09685420B2 |
Localized sealing of interconnect structures in small gaps
An apparatus relates generally to a microelectronic device. In such an apparatus, a first substrate has a first surface with first interconnects located on the first surface, and a second substrate has a second surface spaced apart from the first surface with a gap between the first surface and the second surface. Second interconnects are located on the second surface. Lower surfaces of the first interconnects and upper surfaces of the second interconnects are coupled to one another for electrical conductivity between the first substrate and the second substrate. A conductive collar is around sidewalls of the first and second interconnects, and a dielectric layer is around the conductive collar. |
| US09685418B2 |
High-frequency package
A high-frequency package has: a resin substrate; a high-frequency device mounted on a side of a first surface of the resin substrate; a ground surface conductor of a ground potential formed on a second surface of the resin substrate on an opposite side to the first surface; a transmission line for a high-frequency signal formed in an inner layer of the resin substrate; and a ground via of a ground potential formed within the resin substrate. A through hole is formed in the ground surface conductor. The ground via is placed between the transmission line and the through hole. |
| US09685409B1 |
Top metal contact for vertical transistor structures
A vertical transistor includes a source layer arranged on a substrate; a channel extending vertically from the source layer; a drain arranged on a distal end of the channel that opposes the source layer, the drain including an epitaxial growth; and a drain contact wrapped around exposed areas of the drain and filling a cavity having a liner layer disposed sidewalls of the drain contact. |
| US09685405B2 |
Fuse/resistor utilizing interconnect and vias and method of making
A semiconductor structure comprising a fuse/resistor structure over a functional layer having a substrate. The fuse/resistor structure includes a via, a first interconnect layer, and a second interconnect layer. The via is over the functional layer and has a first end and a second end vertically opposite the first end, wherein the first end is bounded by a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge and the second end is bounded by a third edge and a fourth edge opposite the third edge. The first interconnect layer includes a first metal layer running horizontally and contacting the first end and completely extending from the first edge to the second edge. The second interconnect layer includes a second metal layer running horizontally and contacting the second end of the via and extending past the third edge but reaching less than half way to the fourth edge. |
| US09685404B2 |
Back-end electrically programmable fuse
A BEOL e-fuse is disclosed which reliably blows in the via and can be formed even in the tightest pitch BEOL layers. The BEOL e-fuse can be formed utilizing a line first dual damascene process to create a sub-lithographic via to be the programmable link of the e-fuse. The sub-lithographic via can be patterned using standard lithography and the cross section of the via can be tuned to match the target programming current. |
| US09685398B2 |
Thin semiconductor device packages
In a general aspect, a packaged semiconductor device can include a semiconductor die having at least a first terminal on a first side of the semiconductor die and a second terminal on a second side of the semiconductor die. The device can include a leadframe portion electrically coupled to the first terminal of the semiconductor die and a clip portion electrically coupled to the second terminal of the semiconductor die. The device can include a molding compound. A surface of the leadframe portion and a first surface of the molding compound can define at least a portion of a first surface of the device. A surface of the clip portion and a second surface of the molding compound can define at least a portion of a second surface of the device that is parallel to the first surface of the device. |
| US09685391B2 |
Wiring board and semiconductor package
A wiring board includes a substrate having first and second opposite surfaces, a first adhesive layer on the first surface of the substrate, a thermal diffusion metal pattern on the first adhesive layer, multiple vias vertically extending from the thermal diffusion metal pattern into the substrate through the first adhesive layer with a gap around each of the vias in the substrate and the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on the second surface of the substrate. The thermal diffusion metal pattern is not to be electrically connected to a semiconductor device to be mounted. The second adhesive layer fills in the gap around each of the vias within the substrate and the first adhesive layer. The gap includes a first gap and a second gap in the substrate and the first adhesive layer, respectively. The second gap is greater in lateral size than the first gap. |
| US09685389B1 |
Formation of getter layer for memory device
An embodiment of a memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes a multi-stack dielectric layer over a substrate; a first conductive layer over the multi-stack dielectric layer; a second conductive layer over the first conductive layer; a getter layer over the second conductive layer, wherein the getter layer includes a first layer that is formed of titanium and a second layer overlying the first layer that is formed of tantalum nitride; and an interconnect layer over the getter layer such that the interconnect layer is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer. |
| US09685384B1 |
Devices and methods of forming epi for aggressive gate pitch
Devices and methods of fabricating integrated circuit devices for forming epi for aggressive gate pitch are provided. One method includes: obtaining an intermediate semiconductor device having a substrate, a fin structure, a plurality of stacks; etching the spacer between the plurality of stacks; growing, epitaxially, undoped silicon on a top surface of the fin structure between the plurality of stacks; depositing a liner over the undoped silicon and the plurality of stacks; etching to remove the liner and narrow the spacers, wherein the etching forms a wider portion of the spacer at the base of the stacks; etching between the plurality of stacks to remove the undoped silicon and form recesses in the fin structure; and growing, epitaxially, doped silicon between the plurality of stacks and in the fin structure. Also disclosed is an intermediate device formed by the method. |
| US09685382B1 |
Method for reducing loss of silicon cap layer over SiGe source/drain in a CMOS device
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a PMOS region and an NMOS region. A spacer material layer is deposited. Then, a first photo masking and etch process is used to form first sidewall spacers on the sidewalls of the gate structures in the NMOS region. A sacrificial surface layer is formed. Next, a second photo masking and etch process is used to form second sidewall spacers on the sidewalls of the gate structures in the PMOS region. After the second photoresist layer is removed, with the sacrificial layer masking the NMOS region, stress layers are formed in source/drain regions in the PMOS region, and a cover layer is formed on the stress layers. The method further includes removing the sacrificial material layer, the first sidewall spacers, and the second sidewall spacer. |
| US09685380B2 |
Method to co-integrate SiGe and Si channels for finFET devices
A method for co-integrating finFETs of two semiconductor material types, e.g., Si and SiGe, on a bulk substrate is described. Fins for finFETs may be formed in an epitaxial layer of a first semiconductor type, and covered with an insulator. A portion of the fins may be removed to form voids in the insulator, and the voids may be filled by epitaxially growing a semiconductor material of a second type in the voids. The co-integrated finFETs may be formed at a same device level. |
| US09685379B2 |
Asymmetric high-k dielectric for reducing gate induced drain leakage
An asymmetric high-k dielectric for reduced gate induced drain leakage in high-k MOSFETs and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes performing an implant process on a high-k dielectric sidewall of a gate structure. The method further includes performing an oxygen annealing process to grow an oxide region on a drain side of the gate structure, while inhibiting oxide growth on a source side of the gate structure adjacent to a source region. |
| US09685378B2 |
Method of dividing plate-shaped workpieces
Disclosed herein is a method of dividing rectangular plate-shaped workpieces into individual device chips including a detecting step wherein an annular frame to which a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped workpieces are stuck is held on a chuck table and the positions and angles of the projected dicing lines on each of the plate-shaped workpieces are detected, and a dividing step wherein a laser beam having a wavelength which is absorbable by the plate-shaped workpieces is applied from a laser beam applying unit to the plate-shaped workpieces while the chuck table and the laser beam applying unit are being relatively processing-fed and finely adjusted for each of the plate-shaped workpieces on the basis of the positions and angles detected in the detecting step, thereby dividing the plate-shaped workpieces into a plurality of device chips along the projected dicing lines. |
| US09685375B2 |
Methods of forming through substrate interconnects
A method of forming a through substrate interconnect includes forming a via into a semiconductor substrate. The via extends into semiconductive material of the substrate. A liquid dielectric is applied to line at least an elevationally outermost portion of sidewalls of the via relative a side of the substrate from which the via was initially formed. The liquid dielectric is solidified within the via. Conductive material is formed within the via over the solidified dielectric and a through substrate interconnect is formed with the conductive material. |
| US09685367B2 |
Photomask for forming multiple layer patterns with a single exposure
The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a mask for a lithography exposure process. The mask includes a mask substrate; a first mask material layer patterned to have a first plurality of openings that define a first layer pattern; and a second mask material layer patterned to have a second plurality of openings that define a second layer pattern. |
| US09685363B2 |
Alignment device and substrate processing apparatus
An aligner includes a plurality of substrate rotators and a shaft member. Each substrate rotator includes a holder, a notch detector, an electromagnetic clutch and a driving belt. Each holder sucks the back surface of the substrate under vacuum and horizontally holds the substrate. Each notch detector detects a notch formed at the substrate, and supplies a detection result to the corresponding electromagnetic clutch as a detection signal. One end of the shaft member is connected to a motor. The shaft member is continuously rotated by the motor. Each electromagnetic clutch switches to a connection state in which rotational force of an inner periphery is transmitted to an outer periphery and a disconnection state in which rotational force of the inner periphery is transmitted to the outer periphery according to a detection signal supplied from the notch detector. |
| US09685360B2 |
Transport device
A transport device includes a large-article drive portion that moves each of a pair of large-article supporting portions between a large-article supporting position and a large-article retracted position, and a small-article drive portion that moves each of a pair of small-article supporting portions between a small-article supporting position and a small-article retracted position. The small-article retracted position is set at a height at which the pair of small-article supporting portions are located above a supported portion supported by the pair of large-article supporting portions, and the pair of small-article supporting portions are provided between the pair of large-article supporting portions in a lateral width direction. |