| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09780720B2 |
Transportable hybrid power system
A transportable, deployable power system comprising a hybrid power box containing solar panels, wind turbine(s), fuel cells, fuel reformers, and other energy sources. The system could also include waste water and potable water inlet and outlet ports for water treatment. It will also allow for shelf mounted solar and wind turbine installation for disaster recovery, backup power for telecommunication, military power, Homeland Security power, off grid homes and water and wastewater packaging domestically and internationally. The present invention is ideal for any situation requiring immediate power and/or water treatment, such as remote construction sites or in emergency situations. The hybrid power box can be mounted to a standard shipping truck, train, or ship, and transported over land to the desired location. |
| US09780718B2 |
Portable appliance motor control with speed-based current limitation
A method of controlling a portable appliance includes measuring an input current supplied to a motor of the portable appliance and measuring a rotational speed of a shaft of the motor. The method also includes determining a current limit based on the rotational speed of the shaft using a substantially continuous function which relates a domain of rotational speeds to a range of current limits. The method further includes reducing, when the input current exceeds the current limit, the rotational speed of the shaft incrementally along the substantially continuous function until the input current is approximately equal to the current limit. |
| US09780711B2 |
Method and system for controlling an angualr speed of an induction motor
A system and method controls a rotor angular speed of an induction motor by first sensing an operation condition of the induction motor to produce measured signals, which are transformed by applying a state transformation to an induction motor model to produce a transformed induction motor model. Transformed state estimates of the transformed induction motor model are produced based on the measured signals. An inverse of the state transformation is applied to the transformed state estimates to produce state estimates of the induction motor model, which are then used to determine control input voltages for the induction motor, based on the state estimates, to control the rotor angular speed of the induction motor. |
| US09780710B2 |
Reactive power control for wind turbine generators
Wind farms and methods for operating wind farms are provided. A wind farm includes a plurality of wind turbine generators. A method includes determining an available reactive power value for each of the plurality of wind turbine generators. The method further includes distributing an individual reactive power command to each of the plurality of wind turbine generators. The individual reactive power command is individually tailored to each wind turbine generator of the plurality of wind turbine generators based on the available reactive power value for that wind turbine generator. |
| US09780708B2 |
Control device and method for stepper motor that ensure improved performance of stepper motor during activation period
A control device for a stepper motor drives in a 1-2-phase excitation method in response to an input of a drive signal. The control device includes a control signal generating unit and a drive signal generating unit. The control signal generating unit generates a pulsed control signal. The drive signal generating unit generates the drive signal for rotating by a predetermined step angle every time the control signal is input. The predetermined step angle is a half of a step angle of a 2-phase excitation method. The control signal generating unit configures a higher pulse rate of a first to an n-th (n is an integer equal to or more than 2 and equal to or less than 3) control signals in an activation period of the stepper motor than a pulse rate of the control signals following the n-th control signal. |
| US09780706B2 |
Motor control current zero crossing detector
A driver circuit is provided for driving a load, such as a multi-phase motor. The driver circuit includes a gate driver for providing a control signal to switching elements coupled to the driver circuit. A first switching element is coupled between a high supply voltage and a switching node of the load, and a second switching element is coupled between the switching node and a low supply voltage. To detect zero crossings of a current through the load, a zero crossing detector includes a first counter coupled to the switching node and a second counter coupled to the control signal. The first counter and second counter count in a predetermined direction based on a detected voltage of the switching node and based on a detected voltage of the control signal, respectively. The zero crossing detector generates an output signal based upon the difference between the first and the second counter. |
| US09780704B2 |
Electrical motor system and method of operating the electrical motor system
An electrical motor system comprises a switched reluctance electrical motor comprising a rotor section and a stator section, the rotor section comprising a plurality of rotor teeth and the stator section comprising a plurality of stator teeth, the stator teeth wound with respective coils. Coil driver circuitry is coupled to the coils of the stator teeth and controls an independent phase of electrical power to each coil of the plurality of stator teeth. The coils of the stator teeth each have an inductance which absorbs electrical energy provided to that coil by the coil driver circuitry and subsequently releases at least a portion of the electrical energy back to the coil driver circuitry when that coil is not being actively driven by the coil driver circuitry. The coil driver circuitry comprises an electrical energy store configured to store the portion of the electrical energy released back from the inductance of each coil and the electrical energy provided to each coil of the stator teeth by the coil driver circuitry is augmented by the electrical energy stored in the electrical energy store. |
| US09780703B2 |
Power supply for multiphase motor providing recirculation compensation features and related methods
A power supply may include power generation circuits, each configured to drive a respective winding of a multiphase motor; converter circuits, each configured to generate a digital driving signal for a respective power generation circuit, and a memory configured to store a plurality of fast recirculation compensation values corresponding to combinations of the digital driving signals that would otherwise result in a fast recirculation condition. The power supply may also include a controller coupled to the memory and configured to determine when a given combination of the digital driving signals would otherwise result in a fast recirculation condition, and based upon the determination, substitute at least one corresponding fast recirculation compensation value for the given combination of the digital driving signals. |
| US09780702B2 |
Electric vehicle with improved electric drive system
An apparatus includes at least one energy source and a drive system coupled to the at least one energy source. The drive system converts electrical power received from the at least one energy source and provides converted electrical power for driving at least one load. The drive system includes a first converter, a second converter, and a first switch module coupled to outputs of the first and second converters. When the apparatus is operating under a first mode, the first switch module is switched to assume a first state to allow a first output electrical power provided from the first converter and a second output electrical power provided from the second converter to be combined for driving a first load with the combined output electrical power. |
| US09780700B2 |
Efficient energy recovery in disk drive during power loss
A back electromotive force of a rotating motor is converted into a voltage for a load by driving, in accordance with a duty cycle, at least one switching circuit that couples the back electromotive force to a load through a rectifying circuit. An error signal is generated that is a difference between the load voltage and a reference voltage. The duty cycle is controlled as a function of the error signal to cause the load voltage to approach the reference voltage. |
| US09780691B1 |
AC-DC power conversion apparatus to output boosted DC voltage
A power conversion apparatus comprises a circuit, a detection section and a control section. The control section supplies a pulse signal for enabling the first switch and the second switch to be opened and closed alternately according to a polarity of the alternating voltage power supply so that a sine wave current synchronized with a voltage phase of the alternating voltage power supply flows to the alternating voltage power supply on the basis of the voltages and current obtained from the detection section. |
| US09780685B2 |
Electrical power converter with a converter cell series unit
An electrical power converter includes: AC voltage terminals U, V, and W; DC voltage terminals P and N; a converter cell series unit composed of one or more converter cells connected in series between the AC voltage terminals U, V, and W and the DC voltage terminals P and N, each converter cell including a semiconductor element and a capacitor; and a first inductance connected in series to the converter cell series unit, between, of the DC voltage terminals P and N, a DC voltage terminal at the lowest potential with respect to the ground, and the AC voltage terminals U, V, and W. |
| US09780677B2 |
Electrical circuit for delivering power to consumer electronic devices
An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a primary power circuit and a secondary power circuit. The primary power circuit receives an alternating current (AC) input power signal from an electrical power source and generates an intermediate direct current (DC) power signal. The intermediate DC power signal is generated at a first voltage level that is less than a voltage level of the AC input power signal. The secondary power circuit receives the intermediate DC power signal from the primary power circuit and delivers an output DC power signal to an electronic device. The output DC power signal is delivered at an output voltage level that is less than the first voltage level of the intermediate DC power signal. |
| US09780674B2 |
Electrical circuit for delivering power to consumer electronic devices
An electrical circuit for providing electrical power for use in powering electronic devices, such as monitors, televisions, white goods, data centers, and telecom circuit boards, is described herein. The electrical circuit includes a voltage reduction circuit cell that includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switching circuit, and a hold capacitor. The switching circuit includes a plurality of switching devices that are coupled to the first and the second capacitors for delivering power from an input terminal to an output terminal. The plurality of switching devices includes at least two switching devices that are coupled to ground. The voltage reduction circuit cell also includes a controller for operating the switching circuit in a plurality of operational modes to deliver an output power signal at a desired voltage level. |
| US09780671B2 |
Power coversion apparatus
A power conversion apparatus including a power converter, a first output port, a second output port, a load detection circuit and an output selection circuit is provided. The power converter generates a first and a second output voltages having different voltage specification. The first and the second output ports respectively provide the received output voltages to a back end. The load detection circuit is coupled with the power converter and the second output port and detects a load requirement of a load connected to the second output port to generate a load detection signal. The power converter generates a first switch control signal according to the load detection signal to control the output selection circuit, such that the output selection circuit provides one of the first and the second output voltages in response to the first switch control signal. |
| US09780661B2 |
High efficiency DC-DC converter with active shunt to accommodate high input voltage transients
Switch mode power supplies and integrated circuits are presented to provide a DC output voltage signal using high and low side switches, with a switching control circuit to turn off the high side switch and engage an active shunt circuit to provide a reduced voltage to continue converter operation to accommodate high input voltage transients when the DC input voltage exceeds a threshold voltage without requiring an oversized low side switch for improved efficiency through reduced switching and conduction losses in normal operation. |
| US09780657B2 |
Circuits and methods for controlling a boost switching regulator based on inductor current
The present disclosure pertains to circuits and methods for controlling a boost switching regulator based on inductor current. An input voltage is coupled to a first terminal of an inductor and the second terminal of the inductor is alternately coupled between a reference voltage and a boosted output voltage. The input voltage is further coupled to a first terminal of an integrator circuit, and a second terminal of the integrator circuit may be alternately coupled between the reference voltage and the boosted output voltage, for example, to produce a voltage corresponding to a current in the inductor. The present circuit may be used for voltage control or current control modes, or both, in a boost switching regulator. |
| US09780654B2 |
Analog assisted digital switch regulator
A device includes a digital switch regulator to supply an output voltage and a first current to a load based on a reference voltage. The device also includes an analog circuit to supply a second current to the load in addition to the first current based on a duty cycle of the digital switch regulator. |
| US09780653B2 |
DC-DC converter
A DC-DC converter having a coupling network is provided, in which the coupling network is so configured as to forcibly add a noise source to a feedback output voltage of the DC-DC converter. The coupling network includes one coupling resistor and two coupling capacitors to include the switching voltage of a power switch and inductor output voltage into the output voltage, and transmit the result together with the feedback output voltage to the comparator. Accordingly, it is easier to compare the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, and stably maintain the output voltage of the DC-DC converter operating in constant on-time (COT). |
| US09780648B2 |
Synchronous sensing of inductor current in a buck converter control circuit
A sense resistor is placed in series with an output capacitor of a buck converter. The buck converter operates in a discontinuous mode such that there is a dead time in each switching cycle. A control circuit senses a voltage across the sense resistor and thereby generates a first signal ICS. The control circuit detects an offset voltage in ICS, where the offset voltage is the voltage of ICS during the dead time in a first switching cycle. The control circuit level shifts the entire ICS by the offset voltage, thereby generating a second signal ICLS. ICLS has the same waveform as the waveform of the inductor current. In a second cycle, ICLS is used to determine when to turn off the main switch and when the start of the dead time occurs. ICLS and the offset voltage are used together to determine when to turn the main switch on. |
| US09780645B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing power conversion using an interleaved flyback converter with reactive power control
A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power with reactive power control. The apparatus includes a plurality of flyback circuits, coupled in parallel, and a DC-AC inversion circuit coupled across an output of each flyback circuit of the plurality of flyback circuits. The apparatus also including a reactive power control circuit coupled to an output of one flyback circuit of the plurality of flyback circuits, and across an output of the DC-AC inversion circuit; and a controller operative to coordinate timing of switches in each flyback circuit of the plurality of flyback circuits and the reactive power control circuit to generate AC output power of a desired power factor. |
| US09780638B2 |
Generation of drive current independent of input voltage
Systems and methods to generate drive current in a power supply, independent of the input voltage, are provided. The power supply includes front end circuitry, control circuitry, and drive circuitry. The front end circuitry includes protection circuitry to defend against damage from EMI, voltage spikes, and the like. The control circuitry includes startup circuitry, power factor correction (PFC) circuitry, and output power configuration circuitry. The startup circuitry provides operational voltage to the PFC circuitry, derived from an input voltage, until an internally generated operational voltage becomes available. The PFC circuitry uses the operational voltage to generate output power for the drive circuitry based on the output power configuration circuitry. The drive circuitry includes drive current configuration circuitry to generate a drive current to drive a load, coupled to the power supply, independent of the input voltage. |
| US09780637B2 |
Buck converter with changeable relationship between output voltage and duty cycle, and buck converting apparatus using the same
A buck converter includes: a first input terminal; a second input terminal; a first output terminal; a second output terminal; an internal node; a first inductor, a second inductor and a main switch connected in series between the first input terminal and the internal node; a third inductor connected between the internal node and the first output terminal; a fourth inductor connected between the second input terminal and the second output terminal; a first auxiliary switch connected between the internal node and the second output terminal; and a second auxiliary switch connected between the second input terminal and the first output terminal. |
| US09780635B1 |
Dynamic sharing average current mode control for active-reset and self-driven synchronous rectification for power converters
A circuit for providing dynamic output current sharing using average current mode control for active-reset and self-driven synchronous rectification with pre-bias startup and redundancy capabilities for power converters. The circuit communicates a secondary side feedback signal to a primary side via a bidirectional magnetic communicator that also provides a secondary voltage supply. Pre-bias startup is achieved by detection of the output current direction and controlling the gate signals of synchronous rectifiers. The circuit permits dynamic current sharing via a single-control signal and automatic master converter selection and promotion. |
| US09780634B2 |
Low cost multi-coil linear actuator configured to accommodate a variable number of coils
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for low cost linear actuators that can deliver strokes and forces at different values. The embodiments presented herein have parts and components that may be usable for both multi-coil and single-coil actuator designs. According to one embodiment, a magnet housing may removably or permanently coupled to a coil assembly having any number of coils. According to a further embodiment, an actuator housing may be coupled to a magnet housing having any number of magnets or coils. |
| US09780633B2 |
Kinetic energy harvesting methods and apparatus
A system, method, and apparatus for kinetic energy harvesting are disclosed. An example kinetic energy harvesting apparatus includes first and second magnet housings configured to each have a tubular shape. Each of the first and second magnet housing contains a central magnet and a ferrous shield connected to the respective magnet housings. One of the ferrous shields is located on a first side of the first magnet housing that is opposite of a second side facing the second magnet housing. The other of the ferrous shields is located on a first side of the second magnet housing that is opposite of a second side facing the first magnet housing. |
| US09780632B2 |
Synchronous electric machine with two rotors
A synchronous electric machine includes a stator having a plurality of teeth with first and second active surfaces; first and second stator windings having respective series of first and second coils wound on said teeth; first and second rotors having respective series of first and second permanent magnets with alternate polarities and facing said respective first and second active surfaces; wherein the first coils and the second coils of each stator winding are arranged in pairs, with two coils of each pair offset from each other by a predetermined angle; and wherein, during operation as a motor, two first coils of each pair produce concordant torque contributions on the first rotor and discordant torque contributions on the second rotor and two second coils of each pair produce concordant torque contributions on the second rotor and discordant torque contributions on the first rotor. |
| US09780627B2 |
Electric motor having a stator and a rotor
An electric motor includes a stator, and a rotor which has a rotor shaft. At least one rotor position magnet is disposed on the rotor shaft, and is configured to provide a magnetic signal that can be evaluated, upon a rotation of the rotor shaft, at least for the purpose of determining a respective rotor position of the rotor. At least one carrier is disposed in a rotationally fixed manner on the rotor shaft, and is connected to the at least one rotor position magnet. The carrier includes at least one opening configured to compensate imbalance of the rotor. |
| US09780625B2 |
Cooling stator coils of an electric motor
Performance of an electric motor can be improved if coolant is provided to the coils of the stator. An electric motor is disclosed that has a shaft onto which the rotor is secured. The motor has a stator that is mounted on bearings that are mounted on the shaft. The stator has a plurality of coils. A coolant guide is provided that fills voids between the groups of windings. The coolant guide has a plurality of fingers with the fingers arranged between adjacent pairs of coils. The coolant guide has internal passages to accept pressurized coolant and outlet holes to spray coolant onto the coils. In other embodiments, the fingers guide coolant to reach all coils under the force of gravity. |
| US09780614B2 |
Motor
The present invention relates to a motor. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a skew angle is changed according to a load condition so that noise and vibration can be reduced as compared to a conventional motor. |
| US09780604B1 |
Inductive battery power transfer for powering wireless sensors for construction and agricultural equipment
A wireless sensor assembly that includes a battery pack and a wireless sensor. The battery pack is placed in spaced relation to the wireless sensor and inductively powers the wireless sensor utilizing primary and secondary resonant coils presented within the battery pack and wireless sensor. The wireless sensor additionally has super capacitors therein to continue to operate the wireless sensor during the changing of the battery pack. |
| US09780602B2 |
System for the monitoring and maintenance of remote autonomously powered lighting installations
A system of monitoring and/or maintaining remotely located autonomously powered lights, security systems, parking meters, and the like is operable to receive data signals from a number of the devices, and provide a comparison with other similar devices in the same geographic region to detect a default condition of a particular device, and/or assess whether the defect is environmental or particular to the specific device itself. The system includes memory for storing operating parameters and data, and outputs modified control commands to the devices in response to sensed performance, past performance and/or self-learning algorithms. The system operates to provide for the monitoring and/or control of individual device operating parameters on an individual or regional basis, over preset periods. |
| US09780600B2 |
Method and apparatus for wirelessly recharging batteries
A wireless charging unit for a mobile device unit. The wireless charging unit may include an interface surface for the mobile device unit to be positioned upon, and a power transmitter device configured to transmit power wirelessly to the mobile device unit when the mobile device unit is positioned upon the interface surface to charge the mobile device unit. A switch may be electrically coupled to a power connector plug and configured to disable reception of power by the power connector plug from a power outlet in response to a sensor circuit detecting that the mobile device unit has been removed from the interface surface to a distance. |
| US09780594B2 |
Discharge circuit and power supply device therewith
A discharge circuit has a voltage divider arranged to divide an alternating-current input voltage to produce a divided voltage, a high-pass filter arranged to pass a high-frequency component of the divided voltage to produce a monitoring voltage, a comparator arranged to compare the monitoring voltage with a threshold voltage to produce a comparison signal, a timer arranged to generate a timer signal indicating whether or not the comparison signal has been kept at the same logic level for a mask period, a controller arranged to generate a discharge control signal according to the timer signal, and a discharger arranged to discharge, according to the discharge control signal, an X capacitor connected to a node to which the alternating-current input voltage is applied. |
| US09780585B2 |
Movable device and method of charging the same
An apparatus and method for charging movable devices like carts or trolleys. Each movable device includes a charging unit and a charging connector coupled to the charging unit, including a male plug at one end, a female socket at the other end, and two electrodes interconnected. When the devices are in a queue, the male plug of the connector of a device in the rear is connected to the female socket of the same in the front so that a plurality of movable devices are connected to each other in tandem and charged simultaneously. The method includes connecting the plurality of devices in tandem with the respective connectors so that the devices can be charged simultaneously. A plurality of movable devices can be charged simultaneously and the charging process can be simplified, thereby improving the utilization and safety of the movable devices and reducing the cost of maintenance. |
| US09780577B2 |
Electric power supply control device and electric power supply control method
Provided is an electric power supply control device for an electric power supply apparatus including a plurality of storage batteries and an electric power generator performing charging of the plurality of storage batteries, the electric power supply control device controlling a parallel connection between the plurality of storage batteries. Voltage adjustment by one of a) charging processing by electric power feeding from the electric power generator to the storage battery having the lowest output voltage among the plurality of storage batteries and b) discharging processing by electric power feeding from the storage battery having the highest output voltage among the plurality of storage batteries to a load circuit connected to the storage battery having the highest output voltage is performed. Parallel connection is performed in a case where output voltage difference between the plurality of storage batteries becomes equal to or less than a previously-determined threshold. |
| US09780576B1 |
Resonant inductive coupling extension cord for light emitting diodes
A resonant inductive coupling extension cord and light emitting diode system having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDS) connected to a receiver coil designed to receive a pulsed DC current from a power supply by means of resonant inductive coupling. The power supply generates a pulsed DC current at a frequency of 0.8 KHz or greater, wherein the pulsed DC current is positive relative to ground. The power supply provides the pulsed DC current through a power coil and through the extension cords to the receiver coil. The (LEDs) are powered through resonant inductive coupling up to 160 volts. The light emitting diodes are self-limiting with respect to current. There is no potential for a spark or shock hazard when the extension cords are connected to the power supply, to the LED system or each other or whether the extension cords or LED are cut or broken. |
| US09780575B2 |
System and method for contactless exchange of power
A contactless power transfer system is provided. The contactless power transfer system includes a first power exchanging coil configured to exchange power, a power mating coil operatively coupled to a switching unit, and a controller operatively coupled to the switching unit. The controller is configured to control switching operations of the switching unit to actively control a current in the power mating coil to match an impedance of the first power exchanging coil and enable the exchange of power. |
| US09780574B2 |
Wireless power supplying apparatus
A wireless power supplying apparatus includes: a power-transmitting coil that wirelessly supplies electric power to a power-receiving coil provided in a vehicle; a tire detection unit that detects tires of the vehicle; a moving mechanism that moves the position of the power-transmitting coil; and a control device that controls the moving mechanism on the basis of the detection result of the tire detection unit such that the power-receiving coil and the power-transmitting coil face each other. |
| US09780563B2 |
Power system control system and distributed controller used in same
A distributed controller collects measurement value data of a voltage and a current in an own node and in another node; using the measurement voltage and the current of the own node and the measurement voltage and current of another node as input data, estimates a voltage or a current as a state quantity of the electric power system regarding another node from which the measurement value data cannot be collected, and outputs the estimate values; using the measurement data, the estimate value outputted from the state estimation functional unit and a voltage target value that has been set for each node, outputs the control commands for voltage controllers based on voltage change amounts to be distributed to the voltage control devices of the nodes including the own node. The voltages in the electric power system are controlled by superposition of voltage change amounts by the voltage control devices. |
| US09780560B2 |
DC power supply system and control method
A DC power supply system and a control method, which can continue charging of a storage battery with a constant current even if an assist current is needed due to, for example, overload during charging of the storage battery and can suppress a current output from the storage battery as much as possible. In a power supply system, when a charger operates at a potential of an output voltage smaller than the potential of the output voltage of a rectifier during charging of the storage battery, the output current of the charger is controlled so that a charging current Ie supplied from the charger to the storage battery is kept at a predetermined value, and when a load requires a current larger than the current supplied by the rectifier during charging of the storage battery, the potential of the output voltage of the rectifier is reduced smaller than the potential of the output voltage of the charger by a current drooping operation, and the diode is electrically connected, the output current of the charger is controlled so that the charger outputs the assistant current Ic supplied toward the load while the charging current Ie is kept at a predetermined value. |
| US09780555B2 |
Air conditioner and compressor protection circuit thereof
An air conditioner and a compressor protection circuit thereof are provided. When overcurrent occurs in a phase current of a compressor, an overcurrent level signal is output by a voltage comparison module, and is latched and output to an intelligent power module by a signal latching module, and the intelligent power module shuts off the output of the phase current according to the overcurrent level signal, so as to achieve the overcurrent protection of the compressor; and subsequently, a conventional level signal is output to the signal latching module by the voltage comparison module, the signal latching module keeps outputting the overcurrent level signal, and outputs the conventional level signal until a latching cancel signal output by a signal processing circuit is received, so that the intelligent power module starts the output of the phase current, thereby enabling the compressor to normally operate. |
| US09780553B2 |
Overvoltage protection device with short-circuit function for protecting installations and persons
The invention relates to an overvoltage protection device with a short-circuit function for protecting installations and persons for low-voltage installations, wherein at least one overvoltage protection element and a thermally activatable short-circuit device are arranged in a common housing. The device is designed to be inserted into an NH fuse part, and the common housing is designed with contact blades so as to be spatially analogous to a NH fuse link. |
| US09780550B2 |
Protective device for a photovoltaic system
A protective device for a photovoltaic system includes at least one input for connection to a photovoltaic generator and at least one output for delivery of an electric power supplied from the photovoltaic generator. The protective device includes a detection device for a signal applied via the at least one output, and is configured to provide a low level-limited voltage at the at least one output if an applied signal does not meet a predetermined criteria, and is further configured to connect the at least one output with low resistance to the at least one input via a switching device if the applied signal meets the predetermined criteria. |
| US09780546B2 |
Metallic floor box with non-metallic riser with flange
An in-floor electrical floor-box assembly includes a rectangular metallic housing and a non-metallic riser with integral flange assembly having a rectangular flange that mates with the rectangular housing and an integral cylindrical riser for providing access to the electrical components through a round cover and finish flange. A low-voltage divider assembly separates cables carrying different voltages within the riser to reduce interference between the cables and any one of a variety of sub-plates having different configurations for accommodating a variety of multi-service or single service electrical functionality can be incorporated with the box. |
| US09780542B2 |
Method for installing a pulling head assembly
A workstation and method for the installation of a pulling head assembly onto one or more conductors of a cabling system are provided. The workstation incorporates one or more of: a conductor clamp that holds the conductors of the cabling system in place during the installation of the pulling head assembly; a cutting guide having indicia marks that indicate the lengths to which to cut the conductors in order to achieve a staggered pattern of pulling eyes attached to the conductors in the pulling head assembly; a stripping tool that is used to remove a portion of the insulation from the terminal end of each conductor so that the end of the conductor may be inserted into the pulling eye; and a crimping tool that is used to crimp the pulling eyes onto the terminal ends of each of the conductors. |
| US09780537B2 |
Gasket arrangement for withstanding internal arc in a switchgear enclosure
A switchgear enclosure has a case with a front face that surrounds an opening in the case. A flange extends from the front face and has a first surface adjacent to the opening and a second, opposing surface. At least the second surface is disposed transversely with respect to the front face. A door has a door bracket. A gasket is coupled the door bracket and forms an endless loop sized larger than a size of the opening in the case. The gasket has a seal portion. When the door is closed, the seal portion compresses against the second surface of the flange to provide a seal around the opening, and in the event of an arc in the case causing pressure to be exerted on the door, the gasket moves with the door, with the seal portion sliding along the second surface, maintaining the seal around the opening. |
| US09780531B2 |
Rapidly tunable laser assembly
A laser assembly for generating an output beam includes a first module assembly, a second module assembly, and a module fastener assembly. The second module assembly is selectively movable relative to the first module assembly to selectively adjust a cavity length, and a pivot axis of a grating in the laser. Further, an arm assembly that retains the grating can be adjusted to adjust the cavity length, and to adjust the plane of the grating face. Moreover, the grating is movable relative to the arm assembly to align the grating. |
| US09780530B2 |
Semiconductor integrated optical device, manufacturing method thereof and optical module
Provided is a butt-jointed (BJ) semiconductor integrated optical device having a high manufacturing yield. A semiconductor integrated optical device, which is configured such that, on a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor optical element including an active layer and a second semiconductor optical element including a waveguide layer are butt-jointed to each other with their optical axes being aligned with each other, includes: a semiconductor regrowth layer including at least one of a diffraction grating layer or an etching stop layer, which is formed by one epitaxial growth across an entire surface above the active layer and the waveguide layer; and a cladding layer formed above the semiconductor regrowth layer. |
| US09780526B2 |
Semiconductor-laser-device assembly
A semiconductor-laser-device assembly includes a mode-locked semiconductor-laser-element assembly including a mode-locked semiconductor laser element, and a dispersion compensation optical system, on which laser light emitted from the mode-locked semiconductor laser element is incident and from which the laser light is emitted; and a semiconductor optical amplifier having a layered structure body including a group III-V nitride-based semiconductor layer, the semiconductor optical amplifier configured to amplify the laser light emitted from the mode-locked semiconductor-laser-element assembly. |
| US09780523B2 |
Semiconductor laser device
A semiconductor laser device comprises a base, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a third conductive layer, and a semiconductor laser chip in this order, each of which has a respective emitting-side end portion. The emitting-side end portion of the first conductive layer is in a common plane with the emitting-side end portion of the base. A thickness of the second conductive layer is greater than a thickness of the first conductive layer. The emitting-side end portion of the second conductive layer is disposed inward of the emitting-end portion of the first conductive layer. The emitting-side end portion of the third conductive layer is in a common plane with the emitting-side end portion of the second conductive layer. The emitting-side end portion of the semiconductor laser chip is disposed outward of the emitting-side end portion of the third conductive layer. |
| US09780522B2 |
Scalable diode laser source for optical pumping
The system and method for modifying the output beam parameters of a plurality of laser diode array sources comprises scalable pump sources for use with diode pumped alkali lasers. The present invention optimizes a diode laser pump source by spectrally-narrowing stacks of diode laser array bars using a single external cavity outfitted with a proprietary step-mirror and cylindrical optical elements. The system and method of the present invention multiplies by one-hundred fold the number of stacks that can be narrowed, vastly increasing the attainable power output by utilizing beam-splitters. |
| US09780521B2 |
Widely and rapidly tunable multi-wavelength laser
The present application describes a multi wavelength apparatus. The apparatus includes a pump laser, a first seed laser and a second seed laser. Each of the first and second seed lasers had wavelengths longer than the pump laser. The apparatus also includes a first multiplexer. The apparatus also includes first and second controllers configured to respectively control outputs of the first and second seed lasers. The apparatus also includes a first fiber configured to receive an output of a first multiplexer. The apparatus also includes a second multiplexer configured to receive the output of the first fiber. The apparatus also includes a second fiber configured to receive the output of the second combiner. The second fiber can emit light at either the first seed wavelength or the second seed wavelength. The present application is also directed to a method for controlling an output of a laser apparatus. |
| US09780518B2 |
Picosecond laser apparatus and methods for treating target tissues with same
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying laser energy having desired pulse characteristics, including a sufficiently short duration and/or a sufficiently high energy for the photomechanical treatment of skin pigmentations and pigmented lesions, both naturally-occurring (e.g., birthmarks), as well as artificial (e.g., tattoos). The laser energy may be generated with an apparatus having a resonator with the capability of switching between a modelocked pulse operating mode and an amplification operating mode. The operating modes are carried out through the application of a time-dependent bias voltage, having waveforms as described herein, to an electro-optical device positioned along the optical axis of the resonator. |
| US09780513B2 |
Slip ring assembly and components thereof
The lifetime of sliding contact surface(s) of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy can be enhanced by embedding at least one nano-particle in the layer forming the sliding contact surface(s). |
| US09780512B2 |
Card edge connector
A card edge connector includes an insultive housing, a plurality of conductive terminals retained in the insultive housing and a metal frame retained in the insultive housing. The insultive housing defines two sidewalls extending along a longitudinal direction and two endwalls connected to the longitudinal ends of the sidewalls. The metal frame is integrally formed in the insulative housing and defines an elongated flat portion and a pair of fixing portions extending downwardly from both longitudinal ends of the flat portion, the flat portion is embedded into an upper portion of the insulative housing. |
| US09780510B2 |
Socket contact techniques and configurations
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards socket contact techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include a socket substrate having a first side and a second side disposed opposite to the first side, an opening formed through the socket substrate, an electrical contact disposed in the opening and configured to route electrical signals between the first side and the second side of the socket substrate, the electrical contact having a cantilever portion that extends beyond the first side, wherein the first side and surfaces of the socket substrate in the opening are plated with a metal. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09780508B2 |
Test cable and socket adapter for a test cable
The invention relates to a test cable as well as a socket adapter for a test cable wherein the socket adapter has a plug strip with contact pins arranged at a distance from each other on a base body and having a socket contact section and a printed circuit board contact section and has a contact holding plate connected with the base body with individual through holes delimiting the printed circuit board contact sections from each other, each of which are designed for the fixed receiving of a lug arranged on a lead end. |
| US09780506B2 |
Bus bar unit
In a bus bar unit formed by performing secondary insert molding on a primary molded member, which is formed by performing primary insert molding on a plurality of primary molding bus bars, and a plurality of secondary molding bus bars such that the primary molding bus bars and the secondary molding bus bars are arranged in a bus bar axial direction, each primary molding bus bar includes an insertion hole into which a support pin for supporting another primary molding bus bar during the primary insert molding is inserted in the bus bar axial direction, and a through hole through which an insulating resin can pass during the secondary insert molding is formed in each secondary molding bus bar in a position opposing the insertion hole. |
| US09780505B2 |
Type-C-based USB connector capable of transmitting large current
The present invention provides a Type-C-based USB connector capable of transmitting large current. Since the lower ground terminal and the lower power signal terminal both are of tear structures, and the ground base of the lower ground terminal, the power signal base of the lower power signal terminal, the main body of the lower ground terminal and the main body of the lower power signal terminal are all widened parts, the active areas of the ground terminal and the power signal terminal are larger, which improves the ability and reliability to transmit large current, thus solving the technical problem that the temperature would be much too high when large current are transmitted. With the present invention, it is possible to improve reliability and operation ease of the product for transmitting large current. |
| US09780501B2 |
Power cable connector assembly
A power cable connector assembly includes: an electrical connector including an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing, and an outer case enclosing the insulative housing; a cable electrically connecting with the electrical connector, the cable including a number of core wires connected with corresponding contacts; and a sensor enclosed by the outer case, the sensor including a number of conductive wires connected with corresponding core wire; wherein the insulative housing defines a receiving cavity between two of the contacts, the sensor is inserted into the receiving cavity, and electrical transmission through said core wires is controlled by the sensor. |
| US09780500B2 |
Electrical plug connector
An electrical plug connector includes an insulated housing, a metallic shell, two terminal sets, and a circuit board. The insulated housing includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion extends forwardly from the rear portion, and an inside of the front portion forms a receiving cavity. The metallic shell covers the insulated housing. Each terminal set is composed with a plurality of terminals. Each terminal includes a contact portion, a retaining portion, and a soldering portion. The retaining portion is retained in the insulated housing. The soldering portion extends backwardly from the retaining portion. The soldering portions are arranged as an upper row and a lower row in symmetry, and the soldering portion is of the spring arm type. The circuit board is inserted between the upper row and the lower row of the soldering portions. The upper row and the lower row of the soldering portions clip elastically the circuit board. |
| US09780496B2 |
Electrical connector having improved contact module and method for making same
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a tongue portion, a shielding plate, a first contact assembly and a second contact assembly accommodated to the insulative housing. The first contact assembly and the second contact assembly include a number of first contacts and second contacts respectively. The first contacts include a number of outer contacts and a number of inner contacts. Each first contact includes a head portion. There are an outer secondary belting connecting the head portions of the outer contacts together and an inner secondary belting connecting the head portions of the inside contacts together. The outer secondary belting and the inner secondary belting are separated from each other. |
| US09780493B2 |
Mating contacts for high speed electrical connectors
An electrical interconnection system with high speed, high density electrical connectors. One of the connectors includes a mating contact portion that has multiple contact surface. The mating contact portion has multiple segments, each with a contact surface, such that multiple points of contact to a complementary mating contact portion in a mating connector are provided for mechanical robustness. Such a mating contact may have parallel elongated members on which the mating surface are positioned, providing for the possibility of more than two contact surface per mating contact portion. The mating contact surfaces may be positioned on the elongated members such that the points of contact are at different distances from the distal end of the mating contact portion. |
| US09780492B1 |
Structure of electrical connector
Disclosed is an improved structure of an electrical connector, which includes an upper transmission conductor assembly including an upper grounding terminal assembly and an upper power terminal assembly; and a lower transmission conductor assembly including a lower grounding terminal assembly and a lower power terminal assembly, each of which defines soldering sections, extension sections, and contact sections. The soldering sections have a width between 0.35 mm and 0.45 mm and a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. The extension sections have a width between 0.35 mm and 0.45 mm and a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. The contact sections have a width between 0.285 mm and 0.295 mm and a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. As such, a need for supply of a large electrical current can be satisfied and noise interference can be prevented. |
| US09780491B2 |
Automatic splice having an arm indicator
A cable connector includes a body member having a first opening to receive a cable and a second opening. An indicator is movable between first and second positions. A stop member substantially prevents unintended movement of the indicator from the first position to the second position. The indicator moves past the stop member and through the second opening in the body member when moving from the first position to the second position and is exposed externally of the body member to indicate full insertion of the cable. |
| US09780490B2 |
Cable connector having a metal shell with a metal cage at its rear end enclosed by an outer housing
A cable connector assembly includes a connector and a cable electrically connected thereto. The connector includes a metal shell, a metal cage enclosing a rear end of the metal shell, and an outer housing enclosing the metal cage therein. The connector has a front end for inserting into a mating connector and a rear end. The diametrical dimension of the front end is smaller than the diametrical dimension of the rear end. The outer housing includes a front portion extending forwardly beyond the metal cage to prevent the cable connector mistakenly inserted into an unintended receptacle connector. |
| US09780484B2 |
Magnetic arrangements and labels for connectors
Magnetic connectors that may be readily manufactured and provide a high landed force and labels for magnetic connectors that may protect magnets or magnetic elements in the connectors, provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and improve the magnetic performance of the connectors. In various examples, power and signal paths may be formed using contacts that are separate from magnets or magnetic elements, paths may be formed using magnets or magnetic elements, or paths may be formed using a combination of contacts and magnets and magnetic elements. The magnets may have various arrangements. One or more magnets may be used in conjunction with magnetic elements. The interface surface of these magnets and magnetic elements may have various contours, such as flat, spline, or involute. |
| US09780482B2 |
Method of dry-mating a first connector part and a second connector part and connector assembly
A method of dry-mating a first connector part and a second connector part wherein the first and second connector parts are brought into a first mated state, wherein a seal is engaged between the first and second connector parts. A sealed inner space is formed between the first and second connector parts. The sealed inner space is evacuated through an evacuating port. The evacuation port is arranged such that it is located on an inner sealed side of the engaged seal in the first mated state. Further, the first connector part and the second connector part are brought into a second mated state, wherein a seal is engaged between the first connector part and the second connector part such that the evacuation port is located on an outer side of the engaged seal so that it is no longer in flow communication with the sealed inner space. |
| US09780480B2 |
Plug-and-socket device
In an electrical plug-and-socket device for transferring electrical energy from an external source of current to an electrical load arranged in a body, preferably in a chuck body of a chuck, in particular an electrical drive motor for actuating the clamping jaws of the chuck, consisting of: —a socket possessing at least two accommodation openings, a body and an electrical load arranged therein, each of which is connected to the source of current via an electrical cable and of at least two plugs connected to the load by one electrical cable each, with the plugs arranged in the body and coupled to the particular accommodation openings of the socket during the electrical energy transfer, and in which the plugs can be removed from the accommodation openings following the energy transfer, and automatic plug-and-socket connection should be created. |
| US09780477B1 |
Box terminal with insertion limiter
An electric connector includes a housing that defines an interior space. An electric terminal is located within the interior space in an installed position. The electric terminal includes a terminal body and a plurality of terminal arms extend from the terminal body in an insertion direction on opposed sides of a terminal axis. The electric terminal also includes a wire connection portion that extends from the terminal body. A channel is defined on one of the housing and the electric terminal, and a projection is on the other of the housing and the electric terminal. The projection is located in the channel. |
| US09780471B2 |
Printed circuit board arrangement and method for mounting a product to a main printed circuit board
A printed circuit board arrangement and a method for mounting a product to a main printed circuit board (100) at a substantially perpendicular angle, the printed circuit board arrangement comprises a main printed circuit board (100) comprising an elongated slot (102), and a product (128) comprising a connector portion (130) configured to be inserted into the elongated slot (102). The connector portion (130) is such that the product (128) may be attached at a substantially perpendicular angle to the main printed circuit board (100). The elongated slot (102) comprises a protrusion (104), and the connector portion (130) comprises a spring portion (132) configured to engage with the protrusion (104) when the connector portion (130) is inserted into the elongated slot (102). This results in a force pressing the connector portion (130) of the product (128) to at least one side wall of the elongated slot (102). |
| US09780469B2 |
Card connector enabling the use of various types of cards
A card connector is provided for receiving an inserted card module. The card connector includes a housing including a terminal holding portion for arranging terminals to make contact with electrode pads on the card module. Each terminal includes a base portion held by the terminal holding portion and a cantilevered arm portion extending from the base portion in an inclined direction relative to the transverse direction of the housing. Each arm portion includes a curved portion and a pair of inclined portions. The curved portion has a curved profile with a curved surface positioned so the center of curvature is positioned above. The inclined portions are inclined relative to the extension direction of the arm portion on both sides of the apex portion positioned at the free end. The inclined portions each have a different angle of inclination relative to the extension direction of the arm portion. |
| US09780463B2 |
Surge protection device with at least one surge protection unit
A surge protection device comprises at least one surge protection unit, consisting of a substantially U-shaped socket part and a plug part which can be fixed in the socket part and which receives a surge protector. Insulated electric conductors on or in the socket part are contacted by vampire taps or displacing terminals. The surge protection device also comprises openings or perforations formed in the socket part for receiving conductors. The openings are selectively designed so that the electric conductors are inserted into or through the openings, and the openings are exposed in a socket part region which can be covered by the socket part such that cutting surfaces located on the base of the plug part penetrate the conductor insulation during the plug-in process and directly contact the respective conductor. |
| US09780461B2 |
Crimp terminal
A water stop member of a crimp terminal is affixed to an inner wall surface of an electric wire connecting portion of a terminal fitting before crimping and forms into a first water stop area, a second water stop area, and a third water stop area after the crimping. The first water stop area suppresses entering of water from a space between the outer wall surface of a first barrel piece and the inner wall surface of a second barrel piece in the electric wire connecting portion. The second water stop area suppresses entering of water from the side closer to a terminal connecting portion of the terminal fitting than the distal end position of a core wire. The third water stop area suppresses entering of water from a space between the inner wall surface of a cover crimping portion of the electric wire connecting portion and a cover. |
| US09780456B2 |
Antenna system
An antenna system includes a first dipole antenna element and a second dipole antenna element. The first dipole antenna element includes a first feeding radiation element and a first grounding radiation element. The first feeding radiation element has an extension portion. The first grounding radiation element has an open slot. The extension portion extends into the interior of the open slot. The second dipole antenna element includes a second feeding radiation element and a second grounding radiation element. The first dipole antenna element and the second dipole antenna element are both excited by a signal source. The first dipole antenna element operates in a low-frequency band. The second dipole antenna element operates in a high-frequency band. |
| US09780454B2 |
Pattern antenna
A pattern antenna, with desired antenna characteristics, that is formed in a small area is provided. The pattern antenna includes a substrate, a ground portion formed on a first surface of the substrate, an antenna element portion, a short-circuiting portion, and a connecting portion. The antenna element portion is a conductor pattern including a conductor pattern in which a plurality of bent portions are formed. The conductor pattern is formed on the first surface of the substrate and, and is electrically connected to the grand portion. The short-circuiting portion includes a conductor pattern formed in a second surface, which is a different surface from the first surface. The conductor pattern is formed so as to at least partially overlap with the conductor pattern of the antenna element portion as viewed in planar view. The connecting portion is configured to electrically connect the conductor pattern of the antenna element portion to the conductor pattern of the short-circuiting portion. |
| US09780450B2 |
Antenna device and electronic appliance
An antenna device includes a feeder coil connected to a feeder circuit, a first conductor surface including a first slit that extends in a direction toward an outer edge and a second conductor surface including a second slit that extends in a direction toward an outer edge. The feeder coil is arranged at a position that is superposed with the first slit when viewed in plan, the feeder coil and the first conductor surface are magnetically coupled with each other, the first conductor surface and the second conductor surface are magnetically coupled with each other and the first slit and the second slit are arranged at positions so as to be partially superposed with each other when viewed in plan. At least a portion of the first slit is superposed with a portion of the second conductor surface other than the second slit when viewed in plan, and at least portion of the second slit is superposed with a portion of the first conductor surface other than the first slit when viewed in plan. |
| US09780449B2 |
Phase shift based improved reference input frequency signal injection into a coupled voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) array during local oscillator (LO) signal generation to reduce a phase-steering requirement during beamforming
A method includes injecting a reference input signal into each Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) of a number of VCOs forming a coupled VCO array to reduce a level of injection energy required therefor. The reference input signal is configured to control operating frequency of the coupled VCO array. The method also includes utilizing a phase shift circuit: between individual VCOs of the coupled VCO array and/or in a path of injection of the reference input signal into one or more VCO(s) of the individual VCOs, and mixing outputs of the number of VCOs with signals from antenna elements of an antenna array to introduce differential phase shifts in signal paths coupled to the antenna elements during performing beamforming with the antenna array. Further, the method includes reducing a phase-steering requirement of the coupled VCO array during the beamforming based on the utilization of the phase shift circuit. |
| US09780444B2 |
Antenna having a cable grounding area
An antenna is provided. The antenna includes a feed-in terminal; a radiating portion extended from the feed-in terminal along a first direction to form a first hook portion; a connecting conductor extended from the feed-in terminal to a ground terminal along a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a ground portion extended from the ground terminal and having a cable grounding area, wherein the ground portion and the connecting conductor form a second hook portion opposite to the first hook portion; the cable grounding area has a longitudinal center line; and the first direction and the longitudinal center line form therebetween a specific angle ranging from 49-59 degrees. |
| US09780441B2 |
Antenna and wireless communication device
This disclosure provides an antenna and a wireless communication device that includes the antenna in which a high-order mode can be controlled while maintaining good radiation characteristics in both the fundamental mode and high-order mode. The antenna has a radiation electrode provided on a surface of a dielectric substrate and a branch electrode portion that branches from the radiation electrode portion at a branch point near the feeding port toward a vicinity of a position of the radiation electrode at which a maximum voltage of a high-order mode is generated. |
| US09780436B2 |
Transformable mobile device
A transformable mobile device operating in a notebook mode or a tablet mode is provided. The transformable mobile device includes a base, an upper cover, a hinge, a main antenna, and a ground metal plane. The hinge is connected between the base and the upper cover. The main antenna is disposed in the upper cover. The ground metal plane is disposed in the base, or on an outer surface of the base. The ground metal plane includes a main portion and a float portion. The float portion is completely separate from the main portion. |
| US09780435B2 |
Aerial inventory antenna
The present invention relates to radio frequency identification antennae for automatically reading and locating inventory when moved and rotated by an inventory-scanning robot having three dimensions of position mobility. |
| US09780429B2 |
3D-microstrip branchline coupler
The disclosure is directed to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a three dimensional microstrip branchline coupler and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a plurality of through silicon vias and conductive lines electrically connected to a first end and a second end of respective ones of the plurality of through silicon vias. A first through silicon via of the plurality of through silicon vias forms a first port of a three dimensional (3D) branchline coupler. A second through silicon via of the plurality of through silicon vias forms a second port of the 3D branchline coupler. A third through silicon via of the plurality of through silicon vias forms a third port of the 3D branchline coupler. A fourth through silicon via of the plurality of through silicon vias forms a fourth port of the 3D branchline coupler. |
| US09780426B2 |
Phase shifter, accelerator and method of operating the same
The present disclosure relates to a phase shifter, an accelerator, and an operating method therefor. The phase shifter comprises a rotating part having a first hollow structure, the first hollow structure having a first cavity, a distance between a circumference of the cross section of the first cavity and a rotation center of the rotating part changing periodically and continuously in a peripheral direction, such that when the rotatory part rotates, a phase shift occurs between two adjacent microwave pulses at an outlet of the phase shifter. The operating method comprises transmitting a microwave pulse within the accelerator at a repetitive frequency v Hertz; the driving devices drives the rotating part to rotate at a rotation speed of n RPM, wherein n=15v*m, m is an odd number, 1, 3, 5 . . . , such that when transmitting a microwave pulse each time, the long axis of the oval cross section of the first cavity of the rotatory part is rotated to a horizontal or vertical state. |
| US09780422B2 |
Cabin and battery cooling control for electrified vehicles
A vehicle includes a battery arrangement, a chiller, a coolant circuit configured to direct coolant through the chiller and battery arrangement, a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, valve, and evaporator, and a controller. The controller is programmed to alter a speed of the compressor and a position of the valve based on a pressure and temperature of refrigerant output from the chiller to alter a temperature of the coolant. |
| US09780418B2 |
System and method for battery cell thermal management using carbon-based thermal films
The present disclosure relates to thermal management in battery cells and battery modules. A thermal assembly for a battery cell includes a battery cell having a battery cell packaging and a thermal pouch formed from a continuous carbon-based thermal film. The thermal pouch is configured to contact both the battery cell packaging and one or more thermal management features of a battery module with a first side of the carbon-based thermal film. Accordingly, the first side of the carbon-based thermal film is configured to provide uninterrupted thermal pathways along the first side of the carbon-based thermal film between the battery cell packaging and the one or more thermal management features of the battery module. |
| US09780414B2 |
Method for manufacturing sealed battery
Provided is a method for manufacturing a sealed battery, capable of reducing an erroneous determination rate in a leak testing step. The method including the leak testing step for detecting leak of a detection gas introduced into a battery case, includes: an introducing step for introducing the detection gas into the battery case which is temporarily sealed by covering the battery case; and an adjusting step for adjusting at least one of the pressure inside the battery case temporarily sealed and the pressure outside the battery case so that the pressure inside the battery case into which the detection gas has been introduced is lower than the pressure outside the battery case. |
| US09780412B2 |
Electrode materials for rechargeable zinc cells and batteries produced therefrom
The present disclosure discloses a rechargeable Zn battery based on layered/tunnelled structure vanadium/molybdenum oxides, with/without the presence of neutral/cationic/anionic species and/or water molecules inserted into the interlayers/tunnels, of nano/microparticle morphology as robust materials for high rate and long term reversible Zn2+ ion intercalation storage at the positive electrode, that are coupled with a metallic Zn negative electrode, and an aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode may include electronically conducting additives and one or more binders along with the Zn2+ intercalation material: the negative electrode is Zn metal in any form; the aqueous electrolyte is of pH 1 to 9 and contains a soluble zinc salt in a concentration range from 0.01 to 10 molar. |
| US09780397B2 |
Fuel cell system
There is provided a fuel cell system that generates an electric power by supplying an anode gas and a cathode gas to a fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes: auxiliary machines and a drive motor driven by the generated electric power of the fuel cell; a pressure control unit configured to control a pressure of the cathode gas to be supplied to the fuel cell at a normal target pressure, the normal target pressure being used for ensuring an oxygen partial pressure within the fuel cell in accordance with the generated electric power of the fuel cell; and a warming-up pressure control unit configured to control the pressure of the cathode gas to be supplied to the fuel cell to become a predetermined warm-up acceleration target pressure during warm-up of the fuel cell, the predetermined warm-up acceleration target pressure being higher than the normal target pressure. In a case where there is a request to drive the drive motor during the warm-up of the fuel cell, the warming-up pressure control unit controls the pressure of the cathode gas to be supplied to the fuel cell to a warm-up target pressure between the normal target pressure and the warm-up acceleration target pressure. |
| US09780395B2 |
Fuel cell apparatus and method of operation
A fuel cell apparatus (10) and method (50) of operating a fuel cell are provided. The fuel cell apparatus (10) includes a fuel cell assembly (12) having a first outlet (26) and a first vessel (34) coupled to the first outlet (26) and forming a first dead end. The first vessel (34) is arranged to receive and hold a portion of a first reactant and water when a supply of the first reactant is being fed to the fuel cell assembly (12) and to return the first reactant in the first vessel (34) to the fuel cell assembly (12) via the first outlet (26) when the supply of the first reactant to the fuel cell assembly (12) is cut off. |
| US09780393B2 |
Cooling system and method for use with a fuel cell
A cooling system is provided for use with a fuel cell. The cooling system comprises a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet passage of the fuel cell. The first heat exchanger can be configured to condense at least a portion of a fluid passing through the outlet passage of the fuel cell into liquid water. The cooling system can also comprise a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet passage of the first heat exchanger and an inlet passage of the fuel cell. The second heat exchanger can be configured to cool a fluid passing into the inlet passage of the fuel cell. In addition, the outlet passage of the fuel cell and the inlet passage of the fuel cell can be fluidly connected to a cathode of the fuel cell, and the inlet passage of the fuel cell can be configured to supply water to the cathode. |
| US09780378B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte battery
According to one embodiment, there is provided a nonaqueous electrolyte battery. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode material layer. The negative electrode material layer includes a negative electrode active material capable of absorbing and releasing lithium at a potential of 0.78 V (vs. Li/Li+) or more. A film containing a compound having a propylene glycol backbone is formed on at least a part of a surface of the negative electrode material layer. A content of the compound having the propylene glycol backbone in the film is 2 μmol to 40 μmol per g of a weight of the negative electrode material layer. |
| US09780376B2 |
Conductive agent for battery electrode, electrode containing the same, and battery
Disclosed is a highly reliable secondary battery, as well as an electrode and a conductive agent used therefor, which battery has a long cycle life and is also less likely to be damaged or rupture even when the battery temperature becomes abnormally high. The conductive agent of the battery electrode contains, as the main component, a reaction product between a π-conjugated carbon material and a soluble polyimide, preferably a soluble block copolymerized polyimide. The battery electrode is formed by coating a composition containing this conductive agent and an electrode active substance onto a current collector. The battery comprises this electrode. |
| US09780375B2 |
Conductive agent for battery electrode, electrode containing the same, and battery
Disclosed is a highly reliable secondary battery, as well as an electrode and a conductive agent used therefor, which battery has a long cycle life and is also less likely to be damaged or rupture even when the battery temperature becomes abnormally high. The conductive agent of the battery electrode contains, as the main component, a reaction product between a π-conjugated carbon material and a soluble polyimide, preferably a soluble block copolymerized polyimide. The battery electrode is formed by coating a composition containing this conductive agent and an electrode active substance onto a current collector. The battery comprises this electrode. |
| US09780370B2 |
Lithium manganese-based oxide and cathode active material including the same
Disclosed is a lithium manganese (Mn)-based oxide including Mn as an essential transition metal and having a layered crystal structure, in which the amount of Mn is greater than that of other transition metal(s), the lithium manganese-based oxide exhibits flat level section characteristics in which release of oxygen occurs together with lithium deintercalation during first charging in a high voltage range of 4.4 V or higher, and at least one of a transition metal layer including Mn and an oxygen layer is substituted or doped with a pillar element. |
| US09780364B2 |
Method for producing a composite structure composed of porous carbon and electrochemical active material
In order to provide an inexpensive product composed of a porous carbon provided with electrochemical active material, said product being suitable particularly for use as a cathode or anode material for a secondary battery, a process comprising the following process steps is proposed: (a) producing a template from inorganic material by gas phase deposition, said template comprising a framework of pores and nanoparticles joined to one another, (b) coating the template framework with an electrochemical active material or a precursor thereof, (c) infiltrating the pores of the template with a precursor substance for carbon, (d) carbonizing the precursor substance to form a carbon layer, (f) removing the template. |
| US09780363B2 |
High-capacity positive electrode active material
This disclosure provides a positive electrode active lithium-excess metal oxide with composition LixMyO2 (0.6≦y≦0.85 and 0≦x+y≦2) for a lithium secondary battery with a high reversible capacity that is insensitive with respect to cation-disorder. The material exhibits a high capacity without the requirement of overcharge during the first cycles. |
| US09780360B2 |
Cathode mixture, cathode, solid battery and method for producing cathode mixture, cathode and solid battery
Provided is a cathode mixture which can have both ion conductivity and electron conductivity and with which a solid battery having an excellent output characteristic can be obtained.The cathode mixture includes a plurality of cathode active material particles, a fibrous electroconductive material, a particulate electroconductive material, and a solid electrolyte, wherein setting the total number of the plurality of cathode active material particles as 100%, the number of the cathode active material particles in contact with the fibrous electroconductive material via the particulate electroconductive material is 40% or more. |
| US09780359B2 |
Method of manufacturing electrode for lithium secondary battery and electrode manufactured using the same
Disclosed are a method of manufacturing an electrode for secondary batteries that includes surface-treating a current collector so as to have a morphology wherein a surface roughness Ra of 0.001 μm to 10 μm is formed over the entire surface thereof to enhance adhesion between an electrode active material and the current collector and an electrode for secondary batteries that is manufactured using the method. |
| US09780358B2 |
Battery designs with high capacity anode materials and cathode materials
Improved high energy capacity designs for lithium ion batteries are described that take advantage of the properties of high specific capacity anode active compositions and high specific capacity cathode active compositions. In particular, specific electrode designs provide for achieving very high energy densities. Furthermore, the complex behavior of the active materials is used advantageously in a radical electrode balancing design that significantly reduced wasted electrode capacity in either electrode when cycling under realistic conditions of moderate to high discharge rates and/or over a reduced depth of discharge. |
| US09780355B2 |
Method for preparing self-supporting flexible electrodes
A method for preparing self-supporting flexible electrodes is provided using refined cellulose fibers as binder. The negative or positive self-supporting flexible electrode is obtained by such method. A Li-ion battery is also provided in which at least one electrode is a self-supporting flexible electrode. |
| US09780352B2 |
Energy storage device
An energy storage device includes a positive electrode terminal, a first electrode body and a second electrode body, and a positive electrode current collector electrically connecting the positive electrode terminal and the first and second electrode bodies. The positive electrode current collector includes a terminal connection portion electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal, inner electrode body connection portions connected to the first and second electrode bodies, and a coupling portion extending from an end of the terminal connection portion and coupling the terminal connection portion and the inner electrode body connection portions. The coupling portion has a substantially trapezoidal shape with a width at a connection end with the end of the terminal connection portion being larger than a width at a connection end with the inner electrode body connection portions. |
| US09780344B2 |
Portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin
A portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads. |
| US09780340B2 |
Vertical-type organic light-emitting transistors with reduced leakage current and method for fabricating the same
A vertical-type organic light-emitting transistor for reducing the off-state leakage current to improve the current and on-off ratio includes a gate electrode, a lower semiconductor layer disposed on the gate electrode, a source electrode disposed on the lower semiconductor layer, and a source insulation film disposed on the source electrode and covering top and sides of the source electrode, wherein the lower semiconductor layer is configured such that an electric charge is injected into the lower semiconductor layer from the source electrode when voltage is applied to the gate electrode. |
| US09780336B2 |
Organic light-emitting display panel and display device
An organic light-emitting display panel and a display device are provided; the display panel includes a first substrate (10) and a second substrate (50), and an electroluminescent layer (30) arranged between the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (50), a plurality of Elm layers (20) being each arranged between the electroluminescent layer (30) and the first substrate (10) as well as between the electroluminescent layer (30) and the second substrate (50), wherein at least one of the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (50) is a light exit surface, refractive indexes of the plurality of film layers between the light exit surface and the electroluminescent layer (30) are not greater than that of the light exit surface, and in any two adjacent film layers between the electroluminescent layer (30) and the light exit surface, a refractive index of a film layer which is far away from the light exit surface is not greater than that of a film layer which is close to the light exit surface. |
| US09780335B2 |
Structured lamination transfer films and methods
Lamination transfer films and methods for transferring a structured layer to a receptor substrate. The transfer films include a carrier substrate having a releasable surface, a sacrificial template layer applied to the releasable surface of the carrier substrate and having a non-planar structured surface, and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer is capable of being removed from the backfill layer, such as via pyrolysis, while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer substantially intact. |
| US09780333B1 |
Organic light-emitting diode element and display device
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) element and a display device are provided. The OLED element includes a base substrate and an anode, an organic functional layer and a cathode sequentially stacked on the base substrate. A thermal expansion layer is disposed on at least one of a side of the anode away from the organic functional layer or a side of the cathode away from the organic functional layer and is a transparent thermal expansion layer. |
| US09780332B2 |
Flexible electronic devices
The present disclosure is related to display panels, especially to flexible electronic devices. By means of adding an inorganic membrane with surface roughness between a bonding layer and a PI film, in order to effectively improve the dimensional stability of plastic substrate and the water/oxygen barrier property of flexible substrate during the PI film fabrication and the follow-up process, improving the yield of good products and prolonging the working life thereof. |
| US09780330B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device with separating foil
The invention relates to OLEDs (1) having a substrate (2), a first electrode layer (3), a layer of organic electroluminescence material (4), a second electrode layer (5), a cover layer (6), moisture-absorbing means (9) and a separating foil (10) of resilient material. According to the invention, said foil (10) is positioned between the second electrode layer (5) and the moisture-absorbing means (9). This feature results in a longer mean life-time of the OLED. Advantageously spacer structures (12) (preferably formed as dots) are applied on the separating foil (10) between the foil (10) and the cover (6). This prevents discoloring effects around the rim of the OLED material. |
| US09780328B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a first substrate, a display unit defining an active area on the first substrate and including an insulating layer, a second substrate on the display unit, one or more signal lines outside the active area and on the insulating layer, and a sealant between the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealant bonds the first substrate and the second substrate, and covers at least a portion of the signal lines. |
| US09780327B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device including a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a display unit, which is formed on a surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate and includes at least one organic light-emitting element; a first sealing unit, which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to surround the display unit; a second sealing unit, which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate along the inner edges of the first sealing unit and includes a plurality of dots disposed apart from one another; and a screen, which is formed on a surface of the second substrate opposite a surface facing the first substrate to cover the second sealing unit. |
| US09780324B2 |
Orangic light emitting diodes (OLED)
An OLED includes a first electrode, a second electrode arranged on the first electrode, a light emitting layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a conductive layer arranged within the light emitting layer or being directly contacted with the light emitting layer. In view of the above, by configuring a conductive layer within the OLED, the OLED may be adjusted and balanced by an external voltage such that the OLED may not be limited to the circuit input between two electrodes. In this way, the lighting brightness of the OLED may be adjusted. In addition, the evaporated conductive layer may not damage the light emitting layer, and thus the OLED component of top-emission may be adopted. |
| US09780322B2 |
Organic electroluminescent element
An organic electroluminescent element includes a hole injection layer (HI), a first hole transport layer (HT1), a second hole transport layer (HT2), and a light-emitting layer containing a host compound (H) and a phosphorescence emitting dopant compound (D), which are laminated in this order, between and an anode and a cathode. The phosphorescence emitting dopant compound has a partial structure represented by Formula (1): The “highest occupied molecular orbital” HOMO of the second hole transport layer satisfies the expression: −5.4 |
| US09780318B2 |
Protective display film
A display film includes a transparent polymeric substrate layer and a transparent aliphatic cross-linked polyurethane layer disposed on the transparent polymeric substrate layer. The transparent aliphatic cross-linked polyurethane layer has a glass transition temperature in a range from 11 to 27 degrees Celsius and a Tan Delta peak value in a range from 0.5 to 2.5. The display film has a haze value of 1% or less. |
| US09780314B2 |
Compound for organic electric element, organic electric element comprising the same and electronic device thereof
The present invention provides a novel compound capable of improving light emitting efficiency, stability, and lifespan of the element, an organic element using the same, and an electric device for the same. |
| US09780311B2 |
Compounds for electronic devices
The present invention relates to compounds for use in electronic devices, preferably organic electroluminescent devices. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of these compounds and to electronic devices comprising these compounds, preferably in a function as matrix materials and/or as electron-transport materials. |
| US09780308B2 |
Composition and light emitting device using the same
A composition comprising (1) a first crosslinkable polymer compound having an aromatic conjugated repeating unit and a crosslinkable group and having at least one of a light emitting property and charge transportability, and (2) a second crosslinkable polymer compound having an aromatic conjugated repeating unit and a crosslinkable group at least one of which is different from the aromatic conjugated repeating unit in the first crosslinkable polymer compound and the crosslinkable group in the first crosslinkable polymer compound, and having at least one of a light emitting property and charge transportability, wherein at least one of the first crosslinkable polymer compound and the second crosslinkable polymer compound has a crosslinkable group represented by the following formula (Z-3) or (Z-4): in the formulae, Rc represents a hydrogen atom, or a substituent such as an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group or the like, the plurality of Rc moieties may be the same or different. |
| US09780306B2 |
Multilayer heterostructures for application in OLEDs and photovoltaic devices
This invention relates to a supported polymer heterostructure and methods of manufacture. The heterostructure is suitable for use in a range of applications which require semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic devices and light-emitting diodes. |
| US09780305B2 |
Mask frame assembly for thin film deposition
Provided is a mask frame assembly for thin film deposition. The mask frame assembly includes a mask frame having an opening surrounded by the mask frame; and a support extending across the opening to support a mask on the mask frame. The support includes a support body, a plurality of ribs in the support body, and one or more patterned portions in spaces between the plurality of ribs, the one or more patterned portions having a different thickness than the ribs. |
| US09780302B2 |
Top electrode for device structures in interconnect
Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit device. The integrated circuit device includes a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell, which includes a top electrode and a bottom electrode that are separated by a RRAM dielectric layer. The top electrode of the RRAM cell has a recess in its upper surface. A via is disposed over the RRAM cell and contacts the top electrode within the recess. |
| US09780301B1 |
Method for manufacturing mixed-dimension and void-free MRAM structure
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming an MRAM structure over the substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the MRAM structure; forming a stop layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the stop layer; and removing the second dielectric layer, the stop layer and at least a portion of the first dielectric layer through a planarization operation without exposing a top electrode of the MRAM structure. Associated methods are also disclosed. |
| US09780296B2 |
Ceramic material, method for producing the ceramic material, and electroceramic component comprising the ceramic material
The invention relates to a ceramic material, comprising lead zirconate titanate, which additionally contains K and optionally Cu. The ceramic material can be used in an electroceramic component, for example a piezoelectric actuator. The invention also relates to methods for producing the ceramic material and the electronic component. |
| US09780289B2 |
Multilayer piezoelectric element
The present disclosure relates to a multilayer piezoelectric element which includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers with a thickness of 15 μm to 100 μm each; and internal electrodes interposed between the plurality of piezoelectric layers and laminated to alternately form an anode and a cathode. |
| US09780285B1 |
Superconductor device interconnect structure
A method is provided of forming a superconductor device interconnect structure. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer overlying a substrate, and forming a base electrode in the first dielectric layer with the base electrode having a top surface aligned with the top surface of the first dielectric layer. The method further comprises forming a Josephson junction (JJ) over the base electrode, depositing a second dielectric layer over the JJ, the base electrode and the first dielectric layer, and forming a first contact through the second dielectric layer to the base electrode to electrically couple the first contact to a first end of the JJ, and a second contact through the second dielectric layer to a second end of the JJ. |
| US09780282B2 |
Thermoelectric module and heat conversion device using the same
Provided is a thermoelectric module capable of preventing the leakage of a current generated from a connection portion upon connecting a thermoelectric semiconductor element to an electrode by forming an insulating layer having a low heat conductivity on an external surface of the thermoelectric semiconductor element and improving performance of the thermoelectric element by controlling a heat transfer phenomenon from a heating part to a cooling part. |
| US09780281B2 |
Power generator
A power generator includes layered-polymer piezoelectric element that is arranged on an object to be a heat source and a vibration source, and that generates electric power according to vibration transmitted from the object; a first heat conductor containing a flexible material that is arranged on the object, and that conducts heat from the object. The power generator includes a second heat conductor that is arranged on the first heat conductor and the layered-polymer piezoelectric element, and that conducts heat from the first heat conductor. Furthermore, the power generator includes a thermoelectric element that is arranged on the second heat conductor so as to be layered on the second heat conductor on the layered-polymer piezoelectric element, and that generates electric power according to inner temperature difference between temperature on a heat absorbing side obtained by the second heat conductor and temperature on a heat releasing side. |
| US09780275B2 |
Method for manufacturing light emitting device
A method for manufacturing a light emitting device includes preparing a light emitting element that includes a light transmissive substrate comprising a first main surface, a second main surface, and a side surface having a light transmitting part and a light absorbing part whose optical transmissivity is lower than that of the light transmitting part, and a semiconductor laminate that is provided to the first main surface of the light transmissive substrate, joining the light emitting element to an upper surface of a base body such that the base body is opposite to the side where the semiconductor laminate is provided, providing a support member that covers the side surface of the light emitting element and part of the base body, and removing the light absorbing part by thinning the light transmissive substrate from the second main surface side. |
| US09780274B2 |
Light-emitting apparatus and illumination apparatus
A light-emitting apparatus includes a plurality of light-emitting element columns sealed with a sealing member, each including a plurality of light-emitting elements. In at least one of the plurality of light-emitting element columns, the plurality of light-emitting elements are all positioned or a virtual straight line. At least one of the plurality of light-emitting element columns includes at least one set of a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element that are positioned adjacent to each other. The first light-emitting element is disposed to form a first angle between the virtual straight line and a longitudinal direction of the first light-emitting element. The second light-emitting element is disposed to form a second angle different from the first angle between the virtual straight line and a longitudinal direction of the second light-emitting element. |
| US09780271B2 |
Method for producing optoelectronic semiconductor components, arrangement and optoelectronic semiconductor component
In at least one embodiment of the method, the method is used to produce optoelectronic semiconductor components. A lead frame assemblage includes a plurality of lead frames. The lead frames each includes at least two lead frame parts and the lead frames in the lead frame assemblage are electrically connected to one another by connecting webs. The lead frame assemblage is fitted on an intermediate carrier. At least a portion of the connecting webs is removed and/or interrupted. Additional electrical connecting elements are fitted between adjacent lead frames and/or lead frame parts. A potting body mechanically connects the lead frame parts of the individual lead frames to one another. The resulting structure is singulated to form the semiconductor components. |
| US09780270B2 |
Molded LED light sheet
An initially flat light sheet is formed by printing conductor layers and microscopic LEDs over a flexible substrate to connect the LEDs in parallel. The light sheet is then subjected to a molding process which forms 3-dimensional features in the light sheet, such as bumps of any shape. The features may be designed to create a desired light emission profile, increase light extraction, and/or create graphical images. In one embodiment, an integrated light sheet and touch sensor is formed, where the molded features convey touch positions of the sensor. In one embodiment, a curable resin is applied to the light sheet to fix the molded features. In another embodiment, optical features are molded over the flat light sheet. In another embodiment, each molded portion of the light sheet forms a separate part that is then singulated from the light sheet. |
| US09780264B2 |
Light-emitting element and the manufacturing method of the same
The present application discloses a light-emitting element comprising a semiconductor light-emitting stack emitting a first light which has a first color coordinate, a first wavelength conversion material on the semiconductor light-emitting stack converting the first light to emit a second light, and a second wavelength conversion material on the first wavelength conversion material converting the second light to emit a third light. The first light and the second light are mixed to be a fourth light having a second color coordinate. The third light and the fourth light are mixed to be a fifth light having a third color coordinate, and the second color coordinate locates at the top right of the first color coordinate and the third color coordinate locates at the top right of the second color coordinate. |
| US09780263B2 |
Optoelectronic semiconductor component
An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes a luminescent diode chip including a radiation passage face through which primary electromagnetic radiation leaves the luminescent diode chip when in operation, and a filter element that covers the radiation passage face of the luminescent diode chip at least in places, wherein the filter element prevents passage of some of the primary electromagnetic radiation in the UV range, and the filter element consists of a II-VI compound semiconductor material. |
| US09780259B2 |
Light-emitting device having a patterned substrate and the method thereof
A light-emitting device comprises a textured substrate comprising a plurality of textured structures, wherein the textured structures and the textured substrate are both composed of sapphire; and a light-emitting stack overlaying the textured substrate, comprising a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer, wherein each of the plurality of textured structures comprises a top portion having a first top-view shape, and a bottom portion parallel to the top portion and having a second top-view shape, wherein the first top-view shape comprises a circle or an ellipse, the first top-view shape comprises a first periphery and the second top-view shape comprises a second periphery, the first periphery is enclosed by the second periphery, and various distances are between each of the first periphery and the second periphery. |
| US09780256B2 |
Method and structure of promoting positive efficiency aging and stabilization of quantum dot light-emitting diode
A method for synthesizing a quantum dot light emitting diode by providing a glass substrate. A QD-LED stack is formed upon the glass substrate. This QD-LED stack is diffused with an active reagent. The QD-LED stack is encapsulated with a curable resin. The curable resin is cured with UV light. |
| US09780255B2 |
Nitride semiconductor structure and semiconductor light emitting device including the same
A nitride semiconductor structure and a semiconductor light emitting device are revealed. The semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate disposed with a first type doped semiconductor layer and a second type doped semiconductor layer. A light emitting layer is disposed between the first type doped semiconductor layer and the second type doped semiconductor layer. The second type doped semiconductor layer is doped with a second type dopant at a concentration larger than 5×1019 cm−3 while a thickness of the second type doped semiconductor layer is smaller than 30 nm. Thereby the semiconductor light emitting device provides a better light emitting efficiency. |
| US09780249B2 |
Semiconductor light-receiving device
A semiconductor light-receiving includes: a substrate; a semiconductor light-receiving element that is provided on the substrate and has a first conductivity region and a second conductivity region; a first electrode electrically coupled to the first conductivity region; a second electrode electrically coupled to the second conductivity region; an insulating layer located on the second conductivity region; and a wiring that is located on the insulating layer and is electrically coupled to the first electrode, the wiring being elongated from the first electrode to a peripheral region of the semiconductor light-receiving element, the wiring having a region of first width and a region of second width narrower than the first width, the region of second width of the wiring being located on the second conductivity region. |
| US09780248B2 |
High performance GeSi avalanche photodiode operating beyond Ge bandgap limits
Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) having at least one top stressor layer disposed on a germanium (Ge) absorption layer are described herein. The top stressor layer can increase the tensile strain of the Ge absorption layer, thus extending the absorption of APDs to longer wavelengths beyond 1550 nm. In one embodiment, the top stressor layer has a four-layer structure, including an amorphous silicon (Si) layer disposed on the Ge absorption layer; a first silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer disposed on the amorphous Si layer, a silicon nitride (SiN) layer disposed on the first SiO2 layer, and a second SiO2 layer disposed on the SiN layer. The Ge absorption layer can be further doped by p-type dopants. The doping concentration of p-type dopants is controlled such that a graded doping profile is formed within the Ge absorption layer to decrease the dark currents in APDs. |
| US09780245B2 |
Solar battery module
It is an object of the present invention to easily and inexpensively provide a structure of effectively utilizing a light incident on an invalid area of a solar cell. Moreover, it is another object to improve output characteristics of the solar cell by effectively utilizing the light. The gist of the present invention resides in a solar battery module in which plate-like solar cells are held between a light penetrable sheet member on a light receiving surface side and a sheet member on a back surface side, and internal apertures are filled. with a sealing resin, wherein a light diffusion section for diffusely reflecting a light or a light diffusion section of a white color is arranged in an invalid region of each solar cell. |
| US09780244B2 |
Solar cell module
A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel comprising a lower substrate and a plurality of solar cells on the lower substrate; a protective substrate on the solar cell panel; and a buffer part between the solar cell panel and the protective substrate, wherein the lower substrate includes a first lower substrate supporting the solar cell and a second lower substrate disposed along a lateral side of the buffer part. |
| US09780239B2 |
Nitride UV light sensors on silicon substrates
An ultraviolet light sensor and method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The ultraviolet light sensor includes Group-III Nitride layers adjacent to a silicon wafer with one of the layers at least partially exposed such that a surface thereof can receive UV light to be detected. The Group-III Nitride layers include a p-type layer and an n-type layer, with p/n junctions therebetween forming at least one diode. Conductive contacts are arranged to conduct electrical current through the sensor as a function of ultraviolet light received at the outer Group-III Nitride layer. The Group-III Nitride layers may be formed from, e.g., GaN, InGaN, AlGaN, or InAlN. The sensor may include a buffer layer between one of the Group-III Nitride layers and the silicon wafer. By utilizing silicon as the substrate on which the UV sensor diode is formed, a UV sensor can be produced that is small, efficient, cost-effective, and compatible with other semiconductor circuits and processes. The sensor may be configured to be sensitive to a specific subtype or subband of ultraviolet radiation to be detected by selecting a specific composition of said Group-III Nitride layers. |
| US09780237B2 |
Solar cell and method of fabricating the same
According to the embodiment, there is provided a solar cell including: a back electrode layer; a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer; a buffer layer on the light absorbing layer; and a front electrode layer on the buffer layer, wherein the front electrode layer comprises an intrinsic region and a doping region having a conductive dopant, and a concentration of the conductive dopant is gradually lowered in upward and downward directions from an excess doping region of the doping region. |
| US09780236B2 |
Conductive paste composition and method for manufacturing electrode
Disclosed is a conductive paste composition, including 100 parts by weight of copper powder, 40 to 150 parts by weight of silver powder, 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of carbon powder, 1 to 5 parts by weight of glass powder, and 5 to 15 parts by weight of binder. The conductive paste composition can be applied on a substrate, and then sintered under atmosphere at a high temperature to form an electrode on the substrate. |
| US09780233B2 |
Solar cell module, solar cell module assembly, and solar photovoltaic power generation system
A solar cell module, a solar cell module assembly, and a solar photovoltaic power generation system capable of reducing power loss are provided. A light-concentrating panel configured to collect light which is incident from the outside and a plurality of solar cell elements installed on the light-concentrating panel and configured to receive light which is collected by the light-concentrating panel are provided. Each of the plurality of solar cell elements is provided with a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The plurality of solar cell elements include a first solar cell element and a second solar cell element which are connected to each other in series via connection wiring and a third solar cell element which is not connected to the first solar cell element and the second solar cell element in series. The first solar cell element and the second solar cell element configure a first current path, and the third solar cell element configures a second current path. |
| US09780230B2 |
Semiconductor structure with oxide semiconductor layer
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure, including a base, a patterned oxide semiconductor (OS) layer, two source/drain regions, a protective layer, a gate layer and a gate dielectric layer. The patterned OS layer is disposed on the base. Two source/drain regions are disposed on the patterned OS layer and are separated by a recess. Each source/drain region includes an inner sidewall facing the recess and an outer sidewall opposite to the inner sidewall. The protective layer is disposed on a sidewall of the patterned OS layer but is not on the inner sidewall of the source/drain region. The gate layer is disposed on the patterned OS layer, and the gate dielectric layer is disposed between the gate layer and the patterned OS layer. |
| US09780222B2 |
Semiconductor device
It is an object to provide a transistor having a new multigate structure in which operating characteristics and reliability are improved. In a transistor having a multigate structure, which includes two gate electrodes electrically connected to each other and a semiconductor layer including two channel regions connected in series formed between a source region and a drain region, and a high concentration impurity region is formed between the two channel regions; the channel length of the channel region adjacent to the source region is longer than the channel length of the channel region adjacent to the drain region. |
| US09780221B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate comprising a photoresist layer formed between a first dielectric layer and an amorphous silicon layer
A thin film transistor array substrate includes a pixel electrode layout area, a data electrode layout area, a transparent pixel electrode layer formed in the pixel electrode layout area, a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, an amorphous silicon layer, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer formed in the pixel electrode layout area and the data electrode layout area. The first dielectric layer covers the first metal layer. The amorphous silicon layer, the second metal layer and the second dielectric layer are sequentially formed on the first dielectric layer. The transparent pixel electrode layer is connected to the second metal layer through a via hole formed in the pixel electrode area of the second dielectric layer. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor array and a liquid crystal display including the thin film transistor array substrate also are provided. |
| US09780220B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor transistor. The oxide semiconductor transistor includes a semiconductor layer including an oxide semiconductor, the semiconductor layer including a source region and a source electrode. The source electrode includes a source conductive layer including copper, a first tantalum-containing region provided between the source conductive layer and the source region, the first tantalum-containing region including tantalum, a first low nitrogen composition region provided between the first tantalum-containing region and the source region, the first low nitrogen composition region including Ta1−x1Nx1 (0 |
| US09780217B2 |
Non-planar semiconductor device having self-aligned fin with top blocking layer
Non-planar semiconductor devices having self-aligned fins with top blocking layers and methods of fabricating non-planar semiconductor devices having self-aligned fins with top blocking layers are described. For example, a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin disposed above a semiconductor substrate and having a top surface. An isolation layer is disposed on either side of the semiconductor fin, and recessed below the top surface of the semiconductor fin to provide a protruding portion of the semiconductor fin. The protruding portion has sidewalls and the top surface. A gate blocking layer has a first portion disposed on at least a portion of the top surface of the semiconductor fin, and has a second portion disposed on at least a portion of the sidewalls of the semiconductor fin. The first portion of the gate blocking layer is continuous with, but thicker than, the second portion of the gate blocking layer. A gate stack is disposed on the first and second portions of the gate blocking layer. |
| US09780215B2 |
Method for producing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes a first step of forming a fin-shaped semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate and forming a first insulating film; a second step of forming a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and a first dummy gate; a third step of forming a second dummy gate; a fourth step of forming a fifth insulating film and a sixth insulating film; a fifth step of depositing a first interlayer insulating film, removing the second dummy gate and the first dummy gate, forming a gate insulating film, depositing metal, and performing etch back to form a gate electrode and a gate line; a seventh step of forming a seventh insulating film; and an eighth step of forming insulating film sidewalls, forming a first epitaxially grown layer on the fin-shaped semiconductor layer, and forming a second epitaxially grown layer on the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer. |
| US09780214B2 |
Semiconductor device including Fin- FET and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a first fin structure for a first fin field effect transistor (FET). The first fin structure includes a first base layer protruding from a substrate, a first intermediate layer disposed over the first base layer and a first channel layer disposed over the first intermediate layer. The first fin structure further includes a first protective layer made of a material that prevents an underlying layer from oxidation. The first channel layer is made of SiGe, the first intermediate layer includes a first semiconductor (e.g., SiGe) layer disposed over the first base layer and a second semiconductor layer (e.g., Si) disposed over the first semiconductor layer. The first protective layer covers side walls of the first base layer, side walls of the first semiconductor layer and side walls of the second semiconductor layer. |
| US09780213B2 |
Semiconductor device having a reversed T-shaped profile in the metal gate line-end
A method of fabricating a metal gate structure in a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method comprises removing a dummy poly gate, removing IL oxide and STI using a dry etch process and a wet lateral etch process to form a T-shape void in the semiconductor device, and depositing metal gate material in the T-shape void to form a T-shape structure in a metal gate line-end. A semiconductor device fabricated from a process that included the removal of a dummy poly gate is disclosed. The semiconductor device comprises an OD fin and a metal gate fabricated above a section of the OD fin and adjacent to a side section of the OD fin. The metal gate has a T-shape structure in a metal gate line-end. The T-shape structure was formed by removing IL oxide and STI using a dry and a wet lateral etch process to form a T-shape void. |
| US09780208B1 |
Method and structure of forming self-aligned RMG gate for VFET
An intermediate semiconductor structure in fabrication includes a silicon semiconductor substrate, a hard mask of silicon nitride (SiN) over the substrate and a sacrificial layer of polysilicon or amorphous silicon over the hard mask. The sacrificial layer is patterned into sidewall spacers, each of the sidewall spacers having vertically tapered inner and outer sidewalls providing a rough triangular shape. The rough triangular sidewall spacers are used as a temporary hard mask to pattern the SiN hard mask. |
| US09780207B2 |
Self-aligned high voltage LDMOS
Devices and methods for forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a crystalline-on-insulator substrate having a bulk substrate and a surface substrate separated by a buried insulator layer. The surface substrate is defined with a device region. A transistor having a gate is formed in the device region. A first diffusion region is formed adjacent to a first side of the gate and a second diffusion region is formed adjacent to and displaced away from a second side of the gate. At least a first drift isolation region is formed in the surface substrate adjacent to and underlaps the second side of the gate. A drift well is formed in the surface substrate encompassing the first drift isolation region. A device isolation region surrounding the device region is formed in the surface substrate. The device isolation region includes a second depth which is deeper than a first depth of the first drift isolation region. |
| US09780202B2 |
Trench IGBT with waved floating P-well electron injection
A trench IGBT includes a floating P well and a floating N+ well that extends down into the floating P well. A bottom surface of the floating P well has a novel waved contour so that it has thinner portions and thicker portions. When the IGBT is on, electrons flow from an N+ emitter, vertically through a channel along a trench sidewall, and to an N− type drift layer. Additional electrons flow through the channel but then pass under the trench, through the floating P well to the floating N+ well, and laterally through the floating N+ well. NPN transistors are located at thinner portions of the floating P type well. The NPN transistors inject electrons from the floating N+ type well down into the N− drift layer. The extra electron injection reduces VCE(SAT). The waved contour can be made without adding any masking step to an IGBT manufacturing process. |
| US09780201B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
To improve the electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor, and to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device with a small variation in electrical characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a first insulating film, a first barrier film over the first insulating film, a second insulating film over the first barrier film, and a first transistor including a first oxide semiconductor film over the second insulating film. The amount of hydrogen molecules released from the first insulating film at a given temperature higher than or equal to 400° C., which is measured by thermal desorption spectroscopy, is less than or equal to 130% of the amount of released hydrogen molecules at 300° C. The second insulating film includes a region containing oxygen at a higher proportion than oxygen in the stoichiometric composition. |
| US09780200B2 |
Semiconductor arrangement for a FinFET and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor arrangement and a method for manufacturing the same. An arrangement may include a bulk semiconductor substrate; a fin formed on the substrate; a first FinFET and a second FinFET formed on the substrate. The first FinFET comprises a first gate stack intersecting the fin and a first gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the first gate stack. The second FinFET includes a second gate stack intersecting the fin and a second gate spacer disposed on sidewalls of the second gate stack; a dummy gate spacer formed between the first FinFET and the second FinFET and intersecting the fin; an isolation section self-aligned to a space defined by the dummy gate spacer. The isolation section electrically isolates the first FinFET from the second FinFET; and an insulation layer disposed under and abutting the isolation section. |
| US09780196B2 |
Method of forming a semiconductor device including forming a shield conductor overlying a gate conductor
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed to include a gate structure extending into a semiconductor material that is underlying a first region of semiconductor material. The gate structure includes a conductor and also a gate insulator that has a first portion positioned between the gate conductor and a first portion of the semiconductor material that underlies the gate conductor. The first portion of the semiconductor material is configured to form a channel region of the transistor which underlies the gate conductor. The gate structure may also include a shield conductor overlying the gate conductor and having a shield insulator between the shield conductor and the gate conductor. The shield insulator may also have a second portion positioned between the shield conductor and a second portion of the gate insulator and a third portion overlying the shield conductor. |
| US09780194B1 |
Vertical transistor structure with reduced parasitic gate capacitance
A method of forming a gate spacer in a vertical transistor includes depositing a gate spacer layer on a source layer and a sacrificial gate material on the gate spacer layer; etching a trench through the sacrificial gate material and the gate spacer and forming an epitaxial channel within the trench; removing a portion of the sacrificial gate material to expose a portion of the gate spacer layer and leave the sacrificial gate material arranged on sidewalls of the channel; depositing an ultra-low-k spacer material on the gate spacer layer such that the ultra-low-k spacer material contacts a sidewall of the sacrificial gate material; and removing remaining portions of the sacrificial gate material and replacing the sacrificial gate material with a metal gate. |
| US09780193B2 |
Device with reinforced metal gate spacer and method of fabricating
A semiconductor device with reinforced gate spacers and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device includes low-k dielectric gate spacers adjacent to a gate structure. A high-k dielectric material is disposed over an upper surface of the low-k dielectric gate spacers to prevent unnecessary contact between the gate structure and a self-aligned contact structure. The high-k dielectric material may be disposed, if desired, over an upper surface of the gate structure to provide additional isolation of the gate structure from the self-aligned contact structure. |
| US09780191B2 |
Method of forming spacers for a gate of a transistor
The invention describes a method for forming spacers (152a, 152b) of a field effect transistor gate, comprising a step of forming a protection layer (152) covering the gate of said transistor, at least a step of modifying the protection layer, executed after the step of forming the protection layer, by contacting the protection layer (152) with plasma comprising ions heavier than hydrogen and CxHy where x is the proportion of carbon and y is the proportion of hydrogen to form a modified protection layer (158) and a carbon film (271). The protection layer being nitride (N)-based and/or silicon (Si)-based and/or carbon (C)-based and shows a dielectric constant equal or less than 8. |
| US09780190B2 |
InP-based transistor fabrication
Methods of forming structures that include InP-based materials, such as a transistor operating as an inversion-type, enhancement-mode device. A dielectric layer may be deposited by ALD over a semiconductor layer including In and P. A channel layer may be formed above a buffer layer having a lattice constant similar to a lattice constant of InP, the buffer layer being formed over a substrate having a lattice constant different from a lattice constant of InP. |
| US09780189B2 |
Transistor with contacted deep well region
Various methods and devices that involve body contacted transistors are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises forming a gate on a planar surface of a semiconductor wafer. The gate covers a channel of a first conductivity type that is opposite to a second conductivity type. The method also comprises implanting a body dose of dopants on a source side of the gate using the gate to mask the body dose of dopants. The body dose of dopants spreads underneath the channel to form a deep well. The body dose of dopants has the first conductivity type. The method also comprises implanting, subsequent to implanting the body dose of dopants, a source dose of dopants on the source side of the gate to form a source. The method also comprises forming a source contact that is in contact with the deep well at the planar surface of the semiconductor wafer. |
| US09780187B2 |
Semiconductor device including an IGBT as a power transistor and a method of manufacturing the same
An improvement is achieved in the performance of a semiconductor device. Over the main surface of a semiconductor substrate for the n-type base of an IGBT, an insulating layer is formed. In a trench of the insulating layer, an n-type semiconductor layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate and, on both sides of the semiconductor layer, gate electrodes are formed via gate insulating films. In an upper portion of the semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor region for a p-type base and an n+-type semiconductor region for an n-type emitter are formed. Under the gate electrodes, parts of the insulating layer are present. The side surfaces of the gate electrodes opposite to the side surfaces thereof facing the semiconductor layer via the gate insulating films are adjacent to the insulating layer. |
| US09780185B2 |
Spacer chamfering gate stack scheme
A method of forming a gate structure for a semiconductor device that includes forming first spacers on the sidewalls of replacement gate structures that are present on a fin structure, wherein an upper surface of the first spacers is offset from an upper surface of the replacement gate structure, and forming at least second spacers on the first spacers and the exposed surfaces of the replacement gate structure. The method may further include substituting the replacement gate structure with a functional gate structure having a first width portion in a first space between adjacent first spacers, and a second width portion having a second width in a second space between adjacent second spacers, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. |
| US09780184B2 |
Electronic device with asymmetric gate strain
The use of strained gate electrodes in integrated circuits results in a transistor having improved carrier mobility, improved drive characteristics, and reduced source drain junction leakage. The gate electrode strain can be obtained through non symmetric placement of stress inducing structures as part of the gate electrode. |
| US09780182B2 |
Molybdenum-containing conductive layers for control gate electrodes in a memory structure
A memory film and a semiconductor channel can be formed within each memory opening that extends through a stack including an alternating plurality of insulator layers and sacrificial material layers. After formation of backside recesses through removal of the sacrificial material layers selective to the insulator layers, a metallic barrier material portion can be formed in each backside recess. A molybdenum-containing portion can be formed in each backside recess. Each backside recess can be filled with a molybdenum-containing portion alone, or can be filled with a combination of a molybdenum-containing portion and a metallic material portion including a material other than molybdenum. |
| US09780176B2 |
High reliability field effect power device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention relates to a high reliability field effect power device and a manufacturing method thereof. A method of manufacturing a field effect power device includes sequentially forming a transfer layer, a buffer layer, a barrier layer and a passivation layer on a substrate, patterning the passivation layer by etching a first region of the passivation layer, and forming at least one electrode on the first region of the barrier layer exposed by patterning the passivation layer, wherein the first region is provided to form the at least one electrode, and the passivation layer may include a material having a wider bandgap than the barrier layer to prevent a trapping effect and a leakage current of the field effect power device. |
| US09780174B2 |
Methods for forming semiconductor regions in trenches
A structure includes a semiconductor substrate including a first semiconductor material. A portion of the semiconductor substrate extends between insulation regions in the semiconductor substrate. The portion of the semiconductor substrate has a (111) surface and a bottom surface. The (111) surface is slanted and has a top edge and a bottom edge. The bottom surface is parallel to a top surface of the insulation regions, and is connected to the bottom edge. A semiconductor region overlaps the portion of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor region includes a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material. The top edge and the bottom edge of the (111) surface are at a first depth and a second depth, respectively, relative to a top surface of the semiconductor region. A ratio of the first depth to the second depth is smaller than about 0.6. |
| US09780171B2 |
Fabricating method of lateral-diffused metal oxide semiconductor device
A lateral-diffused metal oxide semiconductor device including a substrate, a second deep well, a gate, a source, a drain and a first dopant region is provided. The substrate includes a first deep well having a first conductive type. The second deep well having a second conductive type is disposed in the first deep well. The gate is disposed on the substrate and the boundary of the first and the second deep well. The source and the drain having a second conductive type are disposed beside the gate and in the first deep well and the second deep well respectively. The first dopant region having a first conductive type is disposed in the second deep well, wherein the first dopant region is separated from the drain. Moreover, a method for fabricating said lateral-diffused metal oxide semiconductor device is also provided. |
| US09780169B2 |
Semiconductor structure having epitaxial layers
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate having a first conductivity region and a second conductivity region defined thereon, a plurality of first fin structures and at least one first gate structure disposed on the substrate and within the first conductivity region, a plurality of second fin structures and at least one second gate structure disposed on the substrate and within the second conductivity region, at least two first crown epitaxial layers disposed within the first conductivity region, a plurality of second epitaxial layers disposed within the second conductivity region, where the shape of the first crown epitaxial layer is different from that of the second epitaxial layer. |
| US09780168B2 |
IGBT with waved floating P-well electron injection
An IGBT includes a floating P well, and a floating N+ well that extends down into the floating P well. A bottom surface of the floating P well has a waved contour so that it has thinner portions and thicker portions. When the device is on, electrons flow laterally from an N+ emitter, and through a first channel region. Some electrons pass downward, but others pass laterally through the floating N+ well to a local bipolar transistor located at a thinner portion of the floating P type well. The transistor injects electrons down into the N− drift layer. Other electrons pass farther through the floating N+ well, through the second channel region, and to an electron injector portion of the N− drift layer. The extra electron injection afforded by the floating well structures reduces VCE(SAT). The waved contour is made without adding any masking step to the IGBT manufacturing process. |
| US09780167B2 |
Method of manufacturing silicon nanowire array
Provided is a method for manufacturing a silicon nanowire array comprising the steps of: positioning plastic particles separated apart from one another in a uniform random pattern on a silicon substrate; forming a catalyst layer between the plastic particles; removing the plastic particles; vertically etching portions of the silicon substrate that contact the catalyst layer; and removing the catalyst layer. The present invention provides a simple and cost-effective process, enables mass-production through large surface area processing, enables the manufacture of nanowire even at a site having limited resources, and enables the structures of nanowire to be individually controlled. |
| US09780166B2 |
Forming multi-stack nanowires using a common release material
A method for forming a multi-stack nanowire device includes forming a common release layer on a substrate, the common release layer comprising a common release material. The method also includes forming a first multi-layer stack on a first portion of the common release layer, the first multi-layer stack comprising at least two layers separated by at least one layer comprising the common release material, and forming a second multi-layer stack on a second portion of the common release layer, the second multi-layer stack comprising at least two layers separated by at least one layer comprising the common release material. The method further includes patterning each of the first multi-layer stack and the second multi-layer stack into one or more fins and forming two or more multi-stack nanowires from the one or more fins by removing the common release material using a common etch process. |
| US09780165B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a plurality of fin-shaped structures thereon; forming a first shallow trench isolation (STI) between the fin-shaped structures and a second STI around the fin-shaped structures; removing part of the fin-shaped structures; and removing part of the first STI so that the top surfaces of the fin-shaped structures are higher than the top surface of the first STI and lower than the top surface of the second STI. |
| US09780164B2 |
Silicon-on-insulator radio frequency device and silicon-on-insulator substrate
A silicon-on-insulator radio frequency device and a silicon-on-insulator substrate are provided. In the silicon-on-insulator radio frequency device, a pit is formed on a surface of a high resistivity silicon plate which is close to a buried oxide layer. The pit may be filled with an insulating material, thereby increasing an equivalent surface resistance of the high resistivity silicon plate; or no insulating material is filled into the pit, that is, the pit remains a vacuum state or is only filled with air, which can increase the equivalent surface resistance of the high resistivity silicon plate as well. In such, an eddy current generated on a surface of the high resistivity silicon plate under the action of a radio frequency signal may be reduced. As a result, loss of the radio frequency signal is reduced and the linearity of the radio frequency signal is improved. |
| US09780159B2 |
Narrow border organic light-emitting diode display
An electronic device may be provided having an organic light-emitting diode display and control circuitry for operating the display. The display may include one or more display layers interposed between the control circuitry and a display layer having thin-film transistors. The electronic device may include a coupling structure interposed between the layer of thin-film transistors and the control circuitry that electrically couples the layer of thin-film transistors to the control circuitry. The coupling structure may include a dielectric member having a conductive via, a flexible printed circuit having a bent portion, or a conductive via formed in an encapsulation layer of the display. The display may include a layer of opaque masking material. The layer of opaque masking material may be formed on an encapsulation layer, an organic emissive layer, a thin-film transistor layer, or a glass layer of the organic light-emitting diode display. |
| US09780157B2 |
Flexible display device with gate-in-panel circuit
There is provided a flexible display having a plurality of innovations configured to allow bending of a portion or portions to reduce apparent border size and/or utilize the side surface of an assembled flexible display. |
| US09780155B2 |
Organic light-emitting display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate, an active layer of a thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a gate insulating layer formed over the active layer, a gate electrode of the thin film transistor formed over the gate insulating layer, an interlayer insulating layer formed over the gate electrode and the first electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed over the interlayer insulating layer, a pixel electrode including a first region in direct contact with an upper surface of the interlayer insulating layer and a second region in direct contact with an upper surface of one of the source electrode and the drain electrode, a pixel defining layer covering the source and drain electrodes and including an opening which exposes the first region of the pixel electrode in an area that does not overlap the thin film transistor. |
| US09780154B2 |
Display device and electronic apparatus with thin connection between driving TFT and light emitting element
A display device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of pixels, in which a pixel includes a light-emitting element, a drive circuit which has a thin film transistor driving the light-emitting element, and a coupling unit which connects the light-emitting element and the drive circuit to each other, the light-emitting element has a configuration in which an organic layer including a light-emitting layer is interposed between a transparent electrode and a reflective electrode, the thin film transistor has a configuration which includes a semiconductor layer, an insulation layer, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer, and the coupling unit includes a metal layer which is thinner than the first electrode and the second electrode of the thin film transistor the metal layer being disposed in one portion of the coupling unit. |
| US09780153B2 |
Organic light emitting diode array substrate, organic light emitting diode display device having the same, and manufacturing method thereof
The present application discloses an organic light emitting diode array substrate comprising a base substrate; a first electrode; a second electrode; and a pixel definition layer. The pixel definition layer comprises a first insulating layer comprising a plurality of first insulating units; a second insulating layer comprising a plurality of second insulating units; and a conductive layer comprising a plurality of interconnected conductive units sandwiched by the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. |
| US09780152B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
An organic EL display device in an embodiment according to the present invention includes a plurality of first electrodes provided corresponding to each of a plurality of pixels above a first substrate, a bank layer provided above the first substrate between adjacent first electrodes to cover an end part of the first electrode, an organic EL layer provided to cover the plurality of first electrodes and the bank layer, a second electrode provided above the organic EL layer, the organic EL layer includes a first region overlapping the bank layer, and a second region overlapping the plurality of the first electrodes, and a first resistance of the first region is larger than a second resistance of the second region. |
| US09780150B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device and manufacturing method thereof
An Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display device and a manufacturing method thereof, the OLED display device including: a substrate; a pixel definition layer located on the substrate, wherein a plurality of pixel units arranged together are defined in the pixel definition layer, at least one of the pixel units comprises at least one first sub pixel, at least one second sub pixel and at least one third sub pixel, and the third sub pixel comprises at least two third secondary sub pixels; a first organic light emitting layer arranged in each of the at least one first sub pixel, a second organic light emitting layer arranged in each of the at least one second sub pixel, and third organic light emitting layers arranged in the at least two third secondary sub pixels of the at least one third sub pixel. |
| US09780145B2 |
Resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure
A resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell comprises a transistor having a gate and a source/drain region, a bottom electrode coplanar with the gate, a resistive material layer over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the resistive material layer, and a conductive material electrically connecting the bottom electrode to the source/drain region. |
| US09780138B2 |
Three level transfer gate
A method and device of driving a radiation sensor pixel is disclosed. The sensor pixel comprises a sensing element capable of charge generation as a response to impinging radiation, a floating diffusion node, a transfer gate between the sensing element and the floating diffusion node, and a charge storage device connected to the floating diffusion node via a switch. The method comprises biasing the transfer gate to three or more bias voltages OFF, ON and an intermediate bias between OFF and ON. During the period in which the transfer gate is biased to the intermediate bias, if the sensor reaches saturation, the overflown charges may be collected and part of them stored in the charge storage device, for further analysis and merging. |
| US09780137B2 |
Mechanisms for forming image-sensor device with epitaxial isolation feature
Embodiments of mechanisms for forming an image-sensor device are provided. The image-sensor device includes a substrate having a front surface and a back surface. The image-sensor device also includes a radiation-sensing region formed in the substrate. The radiation-sensing region is operable to detect incident radiation that enters the substrate through the back surface. The radiation-sensing region further includes an epitaxial isolation feature formed in the substrate and adjacent to the radiation-sensing region. The radiation-sensing region and the epitaxial isolation feature have different doping polarities. |
| US09780136B2 |
Composite wafer semiconductor devices using offset via arrangements and methods of fabricating the same
A device includes a first integrated circuit substrate including a plurality of first metal layers interconnected by first vias and a second integrated circuit substrate on the first integrated circuit substrate and including second metal layers interconnected by second vias. An insulation layer is disposed between the first and second substrates and a connection region is disposed in the insulation layer and electrically connects a first one of the first metal layers to a first one of the second metal layers. The device further includes a bonding pad on the second substrate and a through via extending from the bonding pad and into the second to contact a second one of the second metal layers. The through via is positioned so as to not overlap at least one of the first vias, the second vias and the connection region. Methods of fabricating such device are also described. |
| US09780135B2 |
Image pickup unit and method of manufacturing the same
An image pickup device and a method of the same are described herein. By way of first example, the image pickup device includes a seal member having a first surface, the first surface of the seal member including a concave portion, and an optical device coupled to a second surface of the seal member, the second surface of the seal member being opposite from the first surface of the seal member. By way of a second example, the image pickup device includes a seal member having a first surface, the first surface being a polished surface, and an optical device coupled to a second surface of the seal member, the second surface of the seal member being opposite from the first surface of the seal member. |
| US09780132B2 |
Image sensor and electronic device including the same
This technology provides an image sensor and an electronic device including the same. In an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels, each of the plurality of unit pixels may include a photoelectric conversion element and a pixel lens over the photoelectric conversion element and comprising a plurality of light condensing layers in which a lower layer has a larger area than an upper layer, wherein the pixel lens has a shape changing based on a position of a corresponding unit pixel from a center of the pixel array to an edge of the pixel array. |
| US09780130B2 |
Image sensor and image processing system including the same
An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, which are formed in a semiconductor substrate; a red color filter formed on the first photoelectric conversion element; a cyan color filter formed on the second photoelectric conversion element; and an organic photoelectric conversion layer formed on the red color filter and the cyan color filter, the organic photoelectric conversion layer configured to absorb wavelengths in a green range. |
| US09780126B2 |
Z-inversion type display device and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a Z-inversion type display device comprising a gate line and a data line that intersect with each other to define a pixel area on a substrate, a thin film transistor that includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode that is formed in the pixel area, and is electrically connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor, wherein the drain electrode completely overlaps the gate line such that a drain electrode area is wholly included in a gate line area on a plan view. |
| US09780124B2 |
Display device including pixel comprising first transistor second transistor and light-emitting element
An active matrix display device having a pixel structure in which pixel electrodes, gate wirings and source wirings are suitably arranged in the pixel portions to realize a high numerical aperture without increasing the number of masks or the number of steps. The device comprises a gate electrode and a source wiring on an insulating surface, a first insulating layer on the gate electrode and on the source wiring, a semiconductor layer on the first insulating film, a second insulating layer on the semiconductor film, a gate wiring connected to the gate electrode on the second insulating layer, a connection electrode for connecting the source wiring and the semiconductor layer together, and a pixel electrode connected to the semiconductor layer. |
| US09780123B2 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of first signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines, a plurality of pixel units, a plurality of transmitting lines, and a driving chip. The transmitting lines are disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the second signal lines. The driving chip includes a plurality of first pins, a plurality of second pins, and a driving circuit. The first pins are electrically connected to the first signal lines, and the second pins are electrically connected to the transmitting lines. The first pins and the second pins are disposed alternately and evenly, such that the first signal lines and the transmitting lines do not intersect each other. The transmitting lines are disposed on the substrate evenly. |
| US09780119B2 |
Package cover plate for packaging a curved display panel having at least two curved portions, display panel and display device having the same
The present application discloses a package cover plate for packaging a curved display panel comprising at least two curved portions. |
| US09780118B2 |
Display panel and a manufacturing method thereof
The invention discloses a display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and the display panel comprises a first substrate and a second substrate disposing correspondingly to each other, a pixel array disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and an electrode disposed on a first substrate surface near the second substrate, and a through hole is disposed correspondingly to the second substrate and the electrode to expose part of the electrode by passing through the through hole. By applying the above-described method, the invention can achieve embedding functional components within the display panel, furthermore save a disposing space, increase a screen portion of display panel, and then improve using experiences of users. |
| US09780114B2 |
Semiconductor device with high integration
The present disclosure may provide a semiconductor device having a stable structure and a low manufacturing degree of the difficulty. The device may include conductive layers and insulating layers which are alternately stacked; a plurality of pillars passing through the conductive layers and the insulating layers; and a plurality of deposit inhibiting patterns, each deposit inhibiting pattern being formed along a portion of an interface between a side-wall of each of the pillars and each of the conductive layers and along a portion of an interface between each of the insulating layers and each of the conductive layers. |
| US09780110B2 |
Memory having memory cell string and coupling components
Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a conductive line, a memory cell string including memory cells located in different levels the apparatus, and a select circuit including a select transistor and a coupling component coupled between the conductive line and the memory cell string. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described. |
| US09780109B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an element isolation film, and a fin having side surfaces facing each other in a first direction of an upper surface and a main surface connecting the facing side surfaces and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The device further includes a control gate electrode arranged over the side surface via a gate insulation film and extending in the first direction, and a memory gate electrode arranged over the side surface via another gate insulation film having a charge accumulation layer and extending in the first direction. Furthermore, an overlap length by which the memory gate electrode overlaps with the side surface is smaller than an overlap length by which the control gate electrode overlaps with the side surface in the direction orthogonal to the upper surface. |
| US09780107B2 |
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices containing memory cells over a first region of a semiconductor substrate and gate structures over a second region of the semiconductor substrate recessed from the first region. The methods include forming a metal that is common to both the memory cells and the gate structures. |
| US09780106B2 |
Two-transistor non-volatile memory cell and related program and read methods
A memory device includes an N-channel transistor and a P-channel transistor. A word line is electrically connected to a drain terminal of the N-channel transistor, and a source terminal of the P-channel transistor. A first bit line is electrically connected to a source terminal of the N-channel transistor. A second bit line is electrically connected to a drain terminal of the P-channel transistor. Gate terminals of the N-channel transistor and the P-channel transistor are electrically connected and floating. |
| US09780104B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
An embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate, a memory cell array region including a plurality of conductive layers connected to memory cells arranged in a stacking direction on the semiconductor substrate; a peripheral region including a transistor on the substrate; a plurality of first layers and second layers stacked alternately in the stacking direction, above the transistor; and a plurality of first contacts penetrating the plurality of first and second layers and connected to the transistor. The plurality of first layers and second layers are stacked alternately in the stacking direction, above the transistor disposed in the peripheral region. A plurality of contacts penetrating the plurality of first layers and second layers are connected to the transistor. Moreover, the first layer mainly contains a different material from the second layer. |
| US09780099B1 |
Layout pattern for static random access memory
A layout pattern of a static random access memory includes a pull-up device, a first pull-down device, a second pull-up device, a second pull-down device, a first pass gate device, a second pass gate device, a third pass gate device and a fourth pass gate device disposed on a substrate. A plurality of fin structures is disposed on the substrate, the fin structures including at least one first fin structure and at least one second fin structure. A step-shaped structure is disposed on the substrate, including a first part, a second part and a bridge part. A first extending contact feature crosses over the at least one first fin structure and the at least one second fin structure. |
| US09780096B2 |
Vertical memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
Vertical memory devices, and methods of manufacturing the same, include providing a substrate including a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region, forming a mold structure in the cell array region, forming an opening for a common source line passing through the mold structure and extending in a first direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, forming a first contact plug having an inner sidewall delimiting a recessed region in the opening for the common source line, and forming a common source bit line contact electrically connected to the inner sidewall of the first contact plug. |
| US09780095B2 |
Pattern forming method and semiconductor device manufacturing method using the same
A method for forming patterns includes forming an etch target layer; etching the etch target layer to form a pre-pattern having a line forming portion and a plurality of pad portions; forming a plurality of spacers which extend across the pad portions and the line forming portion; forming, over the spacers, a blocking layer having an opening which blocks the pad portions and exposes the line forming portion; and etching the line forming portion by using the blocking layer and the spacers as a barrier, to form a plurality of line portions. |
| US09780093B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which stored data can be held even when power is not supplied and there is no limit on the number of write operations. The semiconductor device includes a first memory cell including a first transistor and a second transistor, a second memory cell including a third transistor and a fourth transistor, and a driver circuit. The first transistor and the second transistor overlap at least partly with each other. The third transistor and the fourth transistor overlap at least partly with each other. The second memory cell is provided over the first memory cell. The first transistor includes a first semiconductor material. The second transistor, the third transistor, and the fourth transistor include a second semiconductor material. |
| US09780092B2 |
Semiconductor device having a filling conductor comprising a plug portion and a cap portion and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and at least one gate stack. The gate stack is present on the semiconductor substrate, and the gate stack includes at least one work function conductor and a filling conductor. The work function conductor has a recess therein. The filling conductor includes a plug portion and a cap portion. The plug portion is present in the recess of the work function conductor. The cap portion caps the work function conductor. |
| US09780090B2 |
Integrated circuits and devices with interleaved transistor elements, and methods of their fabrication
A monolithic integrated circuit includes first and second pluralities of parallel-connected transistor elements (e.g., transistor fingers). To spread heat in the IC, the first and second pluralities of transistor elements are interleaved with each other and arranged in a first row. The IC also may include third and fourth pluralities of parallel-connected transistor elements arranged in a second row. The transistor elements in the first row may be series and shunt transistors of an RF switch transmit path, and the transistor elements in the second row may be series and shunt transistors of an RF switch receive path. During a transmit mode of operation, the series transistors in the transmit path and the shunt transistors in the receive path are closed. During a receive mode of operation, the shunt transistors in the transmit path and the series transistors in the receive path are closed. |
| US09780089B2 |
Bipolar junction transistor layout
A bipolar junction transistor includes an emitter, a base contact, a collector and a shallow trench isolation. The base contact has two base fingers that form a corner to receive the emitter. The collector has two collector fingers extending along the base fingers of the base contact. The shallow trench isolation is disposed in between the emitter and the base contact and in between the base contact and the collector. |
| US09780085B1 |
Electrostatic discharge protection apparatus
An electronic static discharge protection apparatus provided. A plurality of ESD circuits serially coupled between a pad and a internal circuit, a first stage ESD circuit includes a ESD element directly coupled to the pad, and a last stage ESD circuit includes an inductive element directly coupled to the internal circuit, so as to improve electronic discharge protecting ability of the ESD protection apparatus and increase circuit operation bandwidth without signal loss attenuation. |
| US09780081B2 |
Chip package structure and manufacturing method therefor
A chip package structure can include: a lead frame having a carrier substrate and a first lead around the carrier substrate; a first conductive post arranged on the first lead and electrically coupled with the first lead; a first chip having an active face and an inactive face opposite to the active face and attached to the carrier substrate, and electrode pads on the active face are provided with a first electrical connector; a first plastic package configured to fully encapsulate the first chip, and to partly encapsulate the lead frame, where the first plastic package includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, where the first conductive post and the first electrical connector are exposed on the first surface, and where the first lead is exposed on the second surface, and a second lead being arranged on the first surface. |
| US09780078B2 |
Method for producing optoelectronic semiconductor devices and optoelectronic semiconductor device
The invention relates to a method for producing a plurality of optoelectronic semiconductor components (1), comprising the following steps: a) providing a semiconductor layer sequence (2) having a plurality of semiconductor body regions (200); b) providing a plurality of carrier bodies (3), which each have a first contact structure (31) and a second contact structure (32); c) forming a composite (4) having the semiconductor layer sequence and the carrier bodies in such a way that adjacent carrier bodies are separated from one another by interspaces (35) and each semiconductor body area is electrically conductive connected to the first contact structure and the second contact structure of the associated carrier body; and d) separating the composite into the plurality of semiconductor components, wherein the semiconductor components each have a semiconductor body (20) and a carrier body. The invention further relates to an optoelectronic semiconductor component (1). |
| US09780073B2 |
Using interrupted through-silicon-vias in integrated circuits adapted for stacking
In an integrated circuit (IC) adapted for use in a stack of interconnected ICs, interrupted through-silicon-vias (TSVs) are provided in addition to uninterrupted TSVs. The interrupted TSVs provide signal paths other than common parallel paths between the ICs of the stack. This permits IC identification schemes and other functionalities to be implemented using TSVs, without requiring angular rotation of alternate ICs of the stack. |
| US09780071B2 |
Stacked semiconductor package including reconfigurable package units
A semiconductor package may include a first semiconductor chip having a plurality of first bonding pads arranged at a first pitch on a first active surface. The semiconductor package may include one or more reconfigurable package units each including a second semiconductor chip having a plurality of second bonding pads arranged at a second pitch on a second active surface; a semiconductor chip connector arranged spaced apart from the second semiconductor chip and having a plurality of through vias arranged at the first pitch; a molding layer surrounding side surfaces of the second semiconductor chip and the semiconductor chip connector; and redistribution lines formed over the second semiconductor chip, the semiconductor chip connector, and the molding layer. The semiconductor package may include coupling members interposed between the first bonding pads of the first semiconductor chip and the through vias of the reconfigurable package unit and between the respective through vias of the stacked reconfigurable package units. |
| US09780069B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor chip, an electrode pad made of a metal material containing aluminum and formed on a top surface of the semiconductor chip, an electrode lead disposed at a periphery of the semiconductor chip, a bonding wire having a linearly-extending main body portion and having a pad bond portion and a lead bond portion formed at respective ends of the main body portion and respectively bonded to the electrode pad and the electrode lead, and a resin package sealing the semiconductor chip, the electrode lead, and the bonding wire, the bonding wire is made of copper, and the entire electrode pad and the entire pad bond portion are integrally covered by a water-impermeable film. |
| US09780066B2 |
Thermocompression bonding systems and methods of operating the same
A thermocompression bonding system for bonding semiconductor elements is provided. The thermocompression bonding system includes (1) a bond head assembly including a heater for heating an semiconductor element to be bonded, the bond head assembly including a fluid path configured to receive a cooling fluid; (2) a pressurized cooling fluid source; (3) a booster pump for receiving a pressurized cooling fluid from the pressurized cooling fluid source, and for increasing a pressure of the received pressurized cooling fluid; (4) a pressurized fluid reservoir for receiving pressurized cooling fluid from the booster pump; and (5) a control valve for controlling a supply of pressurized cooling fluid from the pressurized fluid reservoir to the fluid path. |
| US09780063B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming bump structure with insulating buffer layer to reduce stress on semiconductor wafer
A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die with contact pads for electrical interconnect. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer. A bump structure is formed over the contact pads. The bump structure has a buffer layer formed over the insulating layer and contact pad. A portion of the buffer layer is removed to expose the contact pad and an outer portion of the insulating layer. A UBM layer is formed over the buffer layer and contact pad. The UBM layer follows a contour of the buffer layer and contact pad. A ring-shaped conductive pillar is formed over the UBM layer using a patterned photoresist layer filled with electrically conductive material. A conductive barrier layer is formed over the ring-shaped conductive pillar. A bump is formed over the conductive barrier layer. The buffer layer reduces thermal and mechanical stress on the bump and contact pad. |
| US09780057B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming pad layout for flipchip semiconductor die
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a die pad layout. Signal pads in the die pad layout are located primarily near a perimeter of the semiconductor die, and power pads and ground pads are located primarily inboard from the signal pads. The signal pads are arranged in a peripheral row or in a peripheral array generally parallel to an edge of the semiconductor die. Bumps are formed over the signal pads, power pads, and ground pads. The bumps can have a fusible portion and non-fusible portion. Conductive traces with interconnect sites are formed over a substrate. The bumps are wider than the interconnect sites. The bumps are bonded to the interconnect sites so that the bumps cover a top surface and side surfaces of the interconnect sites. An encapsulant is deposited around the bumps between the semiconductor die and substrate. |
| US09780045B2 |
Method for fabrication of an integrated circuit rendering a reverse engineering of the integrated circuit more difficult and corresponding integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes a substrate with several functional blocks formed thereon. At least two identical functional blocks are respectively disposed at two or more different locations on the integrated circuit. Electrically inactive dummy modules in the neighborhoods and/or inside of the functional blocks are provided, wherein at least two different electrically inactive dummy modules are includes in the respective neighborhoods and/or inside of the at least two identical functional blocks. |
| US09780044B2 |
Transient electronic device with ion-exchanged glass treated interposer
A transient electronic device utilizes a glass-based interposer that is treated using ion-exchange processing to increase its fragility, and includes a trigger device operably mounted on a surface thereof. An integrated circuit (IC) die is then bonded to the interposer, and the interposer is mounted to a package structure where it serves, under normal operating conditions, to operably connect the IC die to the package I/O pins/balls. During a transient event (e.g., when unauthorized tampering is detected), a trigger signal is transmitted to the trigger device, causing the trigger device to generate an initial fracture force that is applied onto the glass-based interposer substrate. The interposer is configured such that the initial fracture force propagates through the glass-based interposer substrate with sufficient energy to both entirely powderize the interposer, and to transfer to the IC die, whereby the IC die also powderizes (i.e., visually disappears). |
| US09780043B2 |
Wiring board, semiconductor package, and semiconductor device
A wiring board includes: a first insulating layer which is made of an insulating resin containing a thermosetting resin as a main component; a recess portion formed in an upper surface of the first insulating a layer; a first wiring layer formed in the recess portion and comprising an upper surface exposed from the first insulating layer; a via wiring penetrating the first insulating layer in a thickness direction thereof and comprising an upper end surface exposed from the first insulating layer; a second wiring layer formed on the upper surface of the first insulating layer to contact the upper end surface of the via wiring and the upper surface of the first wiring layer; and a second insulating layer which is made of an insulating resin containing a photosensitive resin as a main component and which is formed on the upper surface of the first insulating layer. |
| US09780041B1 |
Method for making EMI shielding layer on a package
A method for making EMI shielding layer on a package is disclosed to include the steps of: a) disposing a UV curable adhesive which can be thermally released on a light-transmissive substrate; b) placing the package on the UV curable adhesive in such a way that the UV curable adhesive adheres to and cover a surface of the package having solder pads; c) irradiating UV light toward the light-transmissive substrate to cure the UV curable adhesive; d) forming an EMI shielding layer on the package; and e) thermally releasing the UV curable adhesive. |
| US09780032B2 |
Wiring substrate
A wiring substrate includes a first insulation layer, a wiring layer formed on an upper surface of the first insulation layer, a barrier film that covers the upper surface of the first insulation layer, an upper surface of the wiring layer, and side surfaces of the wiring layer, and a second insulation layer that covers an upper surface of the barrier film and side surfaces of the barrier film. The barrier film is an alumina film containing carbon atoms, and the alumina film has a carbon atom content rate that is in the range of 0.2 atomic % to 3.6 atomic %. |
| US09780024B2 |
Semiconductor package and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor package and a method of making a semiconductor package. As non-limiting examples, various aspects of this disclosure provide various semiconductor packages, and methods of making thereof, that comprise a conductive layer that comprises an anchor portion extending through at least one dielectric layer. |
| US09780022B2 |
Substrate structure
A substrate structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The substrate structure comprises a dielectric material layer, a first conductive wiring layer, a second conductive wiring layer, a first conductive pillar layer, and a second conductive pillar layer. The first conductive wiring layer is disposed inside the dielectric material layer. The first conductive pillar layer having a first conductive pillar is disposed inside the dielectric material layer and between the first conductive wiring layer and the second conductive wiring layer. The second conductive pillar layer having a second conductive pillar is disposed on the second conductive wiring layer. The first conductive wiring layer and the second conductive wiring layer are electrically connected by the first conductive pillar layer. The second conductive pillar is a -shape conductive pillar, a -shape conductive pillar, or a -shape conductive pillar. |
| US09780019B2 |
Semiconductor component and method of manufacture
A semiconductor component includes a support having a lead integrally formed thereto. An insulated metal substrate is mounted to a surface of the support and a semiconductor chip is mounted to the insulated metal substrate. A III-N based semiconductor chip is mounted to the insulated metal substrate, where the III-N based semiconductor chip has a gate bond pad, a drain bond pad, and a source bond pad. A silicon based semiconductor chip is mounted to the III-N based semiconductor chip. In accordance with an embodiment the silicon based semiconductor chip includes a device having a gate bond pad, a drain bond pad, and a source bond pad. The drain bond pad of the III-N based semiconductor chip may be bonded to the substrate or to a lead. In accordance with another embodiment, the silicon based semiconductor chip is a diode. |
| US09780018B2 |
Power semiconductor package having reduced form factor and increased current carrying capability
A power semiconductor package is disclosed. The power semiconductor package includes a leadframe having partially etched segments and at least one non-etched segment, a first semiconductor die having a first power transistor and a driver integrated circuit (IC) monolithically formed thereon, a second semiconductor die having a second power transistor, wherein the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die are configured for attachment to the partially etched segments, and wherein the partially etched segments and the at least one non-etched segment enable the first semiconductor die to be coupled to the second semiconductor die by a legless conductive clip. |
| US09780015B2 |
Integrated circuit chip assembled on an interposer
A device includes a chip assembled on an interposer. An electrically-insulating layer coats an upper surface of the interposer around the chip. First metal lines run on the upper surface of the interposer and are arranged between conductive elements of connection to the chip. An end of each first metal line is arranged to extend beyond a projection of the chip on the interposer. A thermally-conductive via connects the end of the first metal line to a heat sink supported at an upper surface of the device. |
| US09780007B2 |
LCR test circuit structure for detecting metal gate defect conditions
A test structure for an integrated circuit device includes a series inductor, capacitor, resistor (LCR) circuit having one or more inductor elements, with each inductor element having at least one unit comprising a first segment formed in a first metal layer, a second segment connecting the first metal layer to a semiconductor substrate beneath the first metal layer, and a third segment formed in the semiconductor substrate; and a capacitor element connected in series with each inductor element, the capacitor element defined by a transistor gate structure including a gate electrode as a first electrode, a gate dielectric layer, and the semiconductor substrate as a second electrode. |
| US09780006B2 |
Method for evaluating SOI substrate
An SOI substrate evaluating method includes: forming a device onto a measuring SOI substrate, and previously determining a relationship between an interface state density and a leakage power upon application of radio-frequency thereon, or converting the interface state density to a resistance followed by previously determining a relationship between the converted resistance and the leakage power; measuring an interface state density of the evaluation target SOI substrate to determine the interface state density or a resistance converted from the interface state density; evaluating a leakage power of the evaluation target SOI substrate from the measured interface state density of the evaluation target SOI substrate on the basis of the determined relationship between the interface state density and the leakage power, or from a resistance converted from the measured interface state density of the evaluation target SOI substrate on the basis of the determined relationship between the resistance and leakage power. |
| US09780005B2 |
Method for evaluating quality of oxide semiconductor thin film and laminated body having protective film on surface of oxide semiconductor thin film, and method for managing quality of oxide semiconductor thin film
Provided is a method for reliably and simply evaluating the quality of an oxide semiconductor thin film and a laminated body having a protective film on the surface of this oxide semiconductor thin film. Also provided is a method for reliably and simply managing the quality of an oxide semiconductor thin film. This method, which is for evaluating the quality of an oxide semiconductor thin film and a laminated body having a protective film on the surface of this oxide semiconductor thin film, has: a first step, wherein an oxide semiconductor thin film is formed on a substrate, after which the electron state of the oxide semiconductor thin film is measured by a contact method or a noncontact method, thereby evaluating defects arising from in-film defects in the oxide semiconductor thin film; and a second step, wherein the oxide semiconductor thin film is processed on the basis of a condition determined on the basis of that evaluation, after which a protective film is formed on the surface of the oxide semiconductor thin film, and then the electron state of the oxide semiconductor thin film is measured by a contact method or a noncontact method, thereby evaluating defects arising from defects at the interface between the oxide semiconductor thin film and the protective film. |
| US09780004B2 |
Methods and apparatus for optimization of inspection speed by generation of stage speed profile and selection of care areas for automated wafer inspection
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for the generation of a stage speed profile and/or the selection of care areas for automated wafer inspection. The stage speed profile generated corresponds to a fastest speed the inspection machine is able to inspect provided a set of care areas. The set of care areas selected correspond to specific regions on the wafer which are to be imaged in detail by the inspection machine. The apparatus and methods herein may also calculate speed of inspection and coverage (and possibly other characteristics of the inspection) for a quantity of cases, and select the best trade-off of coverage versus inspection time using a cost function. Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US09780003B2 |
Bipolar junction transistor formed on fin structures
A method of forming a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) includes forming an elongated collector line, forming an elongated emitter line parallel to the collector line, and forming an elongated base line parallel to the collector line and positioned between the collector line and the base line. The emitter line, the base line, and the collector line are formed over fin structures. |
| US09780001B2 |
Devices having inhomogeneous silicide schottky barrier contacts
A method of fabricating Schottky barrier contacts for an integrated circuit (IC). A substrate including a silicon including surface is provided. A plurality of transistors are formed on the silicon including surface in at least one PMOS region and at least one NMOS region, where the plurality of transistors include at least one exposed p-type surface region and at least one exposed n-type surface region. Pre-silicide cleaning removes oxide from the exposed p-type surface regions and exposed n-type surface regions. A plurality of metals are deposited including Yb and Pt to form at least one metal layer on the substrate. The metal layer is heated to induce formation of an inhomogeneous silicide layer including both Ptsilicide and Ybsilicide on the exposed p-type and exposed n-type surface regions. Unreacted metal of the metal layer is stripped. |
| US09780000B2 |
Method for forming spacers for a transitor gate
A method for forming spacers of a gate of a field-effect transistor is provided, including at least one step of forming a protective layer covering the gate; depositing a layer comprising carbon, said layer being disposed distant from said transistor; modifying the protective layer to form a modified protective layer; forming a protective film on the layer comprising carbon; removing the protective film on surfaces of the protective film that are perpendicular to a main implantation direction; selectively removing the layer comprising carbon; and at least one step of selectively removing the modified protective layer. |
| US09779997B2 |
Semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a dummy gate structure is formed over a substrate. A first insulating layer is formed over the dummy gate structure. The dummy gate structure is removed so as to form a gate space in the first insulating layer. A first conductive layer is formed in the gate space so as to form a reduced gate space. The reduced gate space is filled with a second conductive layer made of a different material from the first conductive layer. The filled first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are recessed so as to form a first gate recess. A third conductive layer is formed over the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer in the first gate recess. After recessing the filled first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the second conductive layer protrudes from the first conductive layer. |
| US09779995B2 |
Highly scaled tunnel FET with tight pitch and method to fabricate same
A structure includes a substrate and a tunnel field effect transistor (TFET). The TFET includes a source region disposed in the substrate having an overlying source contact, the source region containing first semiconductor material having a first doping type; a drain region disposed in the substrate having an overlying drain contact, the drain region containing second semiconductor material having a second, opposite doping type; and a gate structure that overlies a channel region between the source and the drain. The source region and the drain region are asymmetric with respect to one another such that one contains a larger volume of semiconductor material than the other one. A method is disclosed to fabricate a plurality of the TFETs using a plurality of spaced apart mandrels having spacers. A pair of the mandrels and the associated spacers is processed to form four adjacent TFETs without requiring intervening lithographic processes. |
| US09779992B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first via having a first diameter in a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate having a first thickness, after forming a first insulating film on a bottom surface and a side surface of the first via, forming a first through electrode inside the first via a first barrier metal film, after forming the first through electrode, processing the semiconductor substrate from a second main surface on an opposite side of the first main surface to reduce the first thickness of the semiconductor substrate to a second thickness thinner than the first thickness, after processing the semiconductor substrate, forming a third insulating film on the second main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and after forming the third insulating film, sequentially processing the third insulating film and the semiconductor substrate. |
| US09779990B2 |
Integrated antenna on interposer substrate
Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor module comprising a low-cost integrated antenna that uses a conductive backside structure in conjunction with a ground metal layer to form a large ground plane with a small silicon area. In some embodiments, the integrated antenna structure has an excitable element that radiates electromagnetic radiation. An on-chip ground plane, located on a first side of an interposer substrate, is positioned below the excitable element. A compensation ground plane, located on an opposing side of the interposer substrate, is connected to the ground plane by one or more through-silicon vias (TSVs) that extend through the interposer substrate. The on-chip ground plane and the compensation ground collectively act to reflect the electromagnetic radiation generated by the excitable element, so that the compensation ground improves the performance of the on-chip ground plane. |
| US09779988B2 |
Semiconductor devices with inner via
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an inactive area and a pair of active areas separated by the inactive area, a control terminal supported by the semiconductor substrate and extending across the pair of active areas and the inactive area to define a conduction path during operation between a first conduction region in each active area and a second conduction region in each active area, a conduction terminal supported by the semiconductor substrate and extending across the pair of active areas and the inactive area for electrical connection to each first conduction region, and a via extending through the semiconductor substrate, electrically connected to the conduction terminal, and positioned in the inactive area. |
| US09779986B2 |
Plasma treatment method and method of manufacturing electronic component
Provided is a plasma treatment method including: placing a substrate carrier holding a substrate on a stage; adjusting a distance between a cover and the stage to a first distance in which the cover covers a frame without coming into contact with the substrate carrier; performing a plasma treatment on the substrate placed on the stage after the adjusting of the distance; carrying the substrate together with the substrate carrier out from a reaction chamber after the performing of the plasma treatment; and removing an adhered substance adhered to the cover by generating plasma in the inside of the reaction chamber after the carrying of the substrate, in which the distance between the cover and the stage in the removing of the adhered substance is a second distance greater than the first distance. |
| US09779985B2 |
Method for making patterns by self-assembly of block copolymers
A method for making patterns includes forming on a substrate surface a first mask delimiting at least two areas to be metallised; forming an assembly guide above the first mask, the assembly guide delimiting a surface covering two contact areas belonging respectively to the two areas to be metallised; depositing on the surface a block copolymer layer; reorganising the block copolymer layer; eliminating one of the phases of the reorganised block copolymer layer, resulting in a plurality of holes extending into the block copolymer layer above the two contact areas and a portion of the first mask arranged between the two contact areas; widening the holes of the block copolymer layer until a continuous trench is formed above the two contact areas and the portion of the first mask; transferring, through the first mask, the continuous trench onto the surface of the substrate to form patterns corresponding to the contact areas. |
| US09779984B1 |
Method of forming trenches with different depths
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate that includes a gate structure, forming a first trench in the first dielectric layer, forming dielectric spacers along sidewalls of the first trench, removing a portion of the dielectric spacers to expose a portion of the sidewalls, forming a first metal feature in the first trench over the another portion of the dielectric spacers and along the exposed portions of the sidewalls of the first trench, forming a second dielectric layer over the first metal feature and the gate structure and forming a second trench through the second dielectric layer to expose a portion of the first metal feature and a third trench through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the gate structure in the same etching process. |
| US09779979B2 |
Apparatus for liquid treatment of wafer shaped articles
An apparatus for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a spin chuck adapted to hold and spin a wafer-shaped article of a predetermined diameter during a processing operation. A liquid collector surrounds the spin chuck, and comprises a first inner surface. The first inner surface comprises a first conductive material. The collector further comprises a first conductive pathway for grounding the first conductive material. |
| US09779978B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device uses a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus including a turn table allowing placement of at least first and second semiconductor substrates and being capable of moving positions of the first and the second semiconductor substrates by turning, a first film forming chamber, and a second film forming chamber. The first and the second film forming chambers are provided with an opening capable of loading and unloading the first and the second semiconductor substrates by lifting and lowering the first and the second semiconductor substrates placed on the turn table. The method includes transferring the first and the second semiconductor substrates between the first and the second film forming chambers by turning the turn fable and lifting and lowering the first and the second semiconductor substrates placed on the turn table; and forming a stack of films above the first and the second semiconductor substrates. |
| US09779975B2 |
Electrostatic carrier for thin substrate handling
Embodiments provided herein generally relate to an electrostatic chuck (ESC). The ESC may comprise a reduced number of stress initiation points, such as holes through the ESC, which may improve the mechanical integrity of the ESC. Electrodes disposed within the ESC may be connected to electrical contacts and a power source via conductive leads, which may be coupled or formed along a peripheral edge of the ESC. Thus, the need for holes formed in the ESC may be reduced or eliminated. In addition, gas channels may be formed on a top surface, a bottom surface, or both. The gas channels may reduce or eliminate the need for a gas channel formed through the ESC and may facilitate heat transfer between a substrate support, the ESC, and a substrate coupled to the ESC. |
| US09779974B2 |
System and method for reducing temperature transition in an electrostatic chuck
A system for controlling a substrate temperature in a substrate processing system includes a substrate support device, a controller, a temperature sensor, and a thermal control element (TCE). The controller is configured to, during a first period, control the TCE to adjust the temperature of the substrate support device to a temperature value based on a temperature difference between the substrate temperature before the substrate is loaded onto the substrate support device and a desired temperature for the substrate support device. The temperature value is not equal to the desired temperature. The substrate is loaded onto the substrate support device after the first period begins and before the temperature of the substrate support device returns to the desired temperature. The controller is further configured to, during a second period following the first period, control the temperature of the substrate support device to the desired temperature for the substrate support device. |
| US09779969B2 |
Package structure and manufacturing method
A package structure and a manufacturing method are provided. The package structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a first conductive feature over the semiconductor substrate. The package structure also includes a substrate and a second conductive feature over the substrate. The second conductive feature is bonded with the first conductive feature through a bonding structure. The package structure further includes a protection material surrounding the bonding structure, and the protection material is in direct contact with a side surface of the first conductive feature. |
| US09779968B2 |
Method for processing semiconductor substrate and method for manufacturing semiconductor device in which said processing method is used
Provided are a method of processing a semiconductor substrate and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that uses this method of processing. The method of processing the semiconductor substrate includes: a bonding step in which a supporting plate, which is composed primarily of a material that substantially transmits laser light of prescribed wavelength, and a principal surface of a semiconductor substrate, which is composed primarily of a material that substantially transmits the laser light of the prescribed wavelength, are arranged to face each other in a vacuum and then pressed together in the vacuum with an intermediate layer that includes an amorphous silicon layer interposed therebetween; and a separating step in which, after the laser light is radiated from a side of the supporting plate and the intermediate layer absorbs laser energy, the semiconductor substrate and the supporting plate are separated from each other. |
| US09779954B2 |
Method for etching silicon layer and plasma processing apparatus
Disclosed is a method of etching a silicon layer by removing an oxide film formed on a workpiece which includes the silicon layer and a mask provided on the silicon layer. The method includes: (a) forming a denatured region by generating plasma of a first processing gas containing hydrogen, nitrogen, and fluorine within a processing container accommodating the workpiece therein to denature an oxide film formed on a surface of the workpiece; (b1) removing the denatured region by generating plasma of a rare gas within the processing container; and (c) etching the silicon layer by generating plasma of a second processing gas within the processing container. |
| US09779953B2 |
Electromagnetic dipole for plasma density tuning in a substrate processing chamber
Methods and apparatus for plasma-enhanced substrate processing are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for processing a substrate includes: a process chamber having an internal processing volume disposed beneath a dielectric lid of the process chamber; a substrate support disposed in the process chamber; two or more concentric inductive coils disposed above the dielectric lid to inductively couple RF energy into the processing volume above the substrate support; and an electromagnetic dipole disposed proximate a top surface of the dielectric lid between two adjacent concentric inductive coils of the two or more concentric inductive coils. |
| US09779950B2 |
Ruthenium film forming method, film forming apparatus, and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A ruthenium film forming method includes a deposition process of introducing a mixed gas of a ruthenium carbonyl gas and a CO gas into a processing vessel 1 by supplying the CO gas as a carrier gas from a CO gas container 43 configured to contain the CO gas into a film forming source container 41 configured to contain ruthenium carbonyl in a solid state as a film forming source material, and forming ruthenium film by decomposing the ruthenium carbonyl on a wafer W; and a CO gas introduction process of bringing the CO gas into contact with a surface of the wafer W by introducing the CO gas directly into the processing vessel 1 from the CO gas container 43 after stopping the introducing of the mixed gas into the processing vessel 1. The deposition process and the CO gas introduction process are repeated multiple times. |
| US09779949B2 |
Array substrate, display device, and manufacturing method of array substrate
An array substrate is provided, wherein a pixel electrode has the same material as a source/drain and has a thickness less than that of the source/drain, or a common electrode has the same material as a gate and has a thickness less than that of the gate, which guarantees transmittance of the array substrate while reducing the process complexity. A display device and a manufacturing method of the array substrate are also provided. |
| US09779947B2 |
Self-aligned insulated film for high-k metal gate device
An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric over the substrate, a metal gate structure over the semiconductor substrate and the gate dielectric, a dielectric film on the metal gate structure, the dielectric film comprising oxynitride combined with metal from the metal gate, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) on either side of the metal gate structure. |
| US09779945B2 |
Method and apparatus for irradiating a semiconductor material surface by laser energy
An apparatus for irradiating semiconductor material is disclosed having, a laser generating a primary laser beam, an optical system and a means for shaping the primary laser beam, comprising a plurality of apertures for shaping the primary laser beam into a plurality of secondary laser beams. Wherein the shape and/or size of the individual apertures corresponds to that of a common region of a semiconductor material layer to be irradiated. The optical system is adapted for superposing the secondary laser beams to irradiate said common region. Further, the use of such an apparatus in semiconductor device manufacturing is disclosed. |
| US09779934B2 |
Nitride semiconductor free-standing substrate, method of manufacturing the same and nitride semiconductor device
A nitride semiconductor free-standing substrate includes a diameter of not less than 40 mm, a thickness of not less than 100 μm, a dislocation density of not more than 5×106/cm2, an impurity concentration of not more than 4×1019/cm3, and a nanoindentation hardness of not less than 19.0 GPa at a maximum load in a range of not less than 1 mN and not more than 50 mN. |
| US09779931B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor wafers and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
An embodiment of a method of manufacturing semiconductor wafers comprises determining at least one material characteristic for at least two positions of a semiconductor ingot. A notch or a flat is formed in a semiconductor ingot extending along an axial direction. A plurality of markings is formed in the semiconductor ingot. At least some of the plurality of markings at different positions along the axial direction are distinguishable from each other by a characteristic feature set depending on the at least one material characteristic. The semiconductor ingot is then sliced into semiconductor wafers. |
| US09779930B2 |
Multiplexed electrostatic linear ion trap
Systems and methods are provided for performing multiplex electrostatic linear ion trap mass spectrometry. A first beam of ions is received and the first beam is split into N beams of ions using a beam splitter. N is two or more. Ions are received from only one of the N beams of ions at each entrance aperture of N entrance apertures of an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT). Ions from each entrance aperture of the N entrance apertures are trapped in separate linear flight paths using the ELIT, producing N separate linear flight paths. Ion oscillations in the N separate linear flight paths are measured at substantially the same time using the ELIT. The ELIT uses two concentric mirrors with N apertures to trap ions in the N separate linear flight paths. The ELIT uses an image current detector with N apertures to the measure the ion oscillations. |
| US09779927B2 |
Sample preparation and nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Method for loading a sample of a target compound into a nanospray emitter tube for analysis by nanospray ionization mass spectrometry, wherein a cartridge having a fluid container, an inlet and an outlet is mounted onto a nanospray emitter tube on a nanospray emitter mount to form a nanospray emitter tube assembly, the assembly is mounted on a micro-centrifuge tube, a volume of the sample to be analyzed is loaded into the fluid container and the micro-centrifuge tube is spun on a centrifuge to transfer the sample into the nanospray emitter tube. |
| US09779926B2 |
Method and system for formation and withdrawal of a sample from a surface to be analyzed
A method and system for formation and withdrawal of a sample from a surface to be analyzed utilizes a collection instrument having a port through which a liquid solution is conducted onto the surface to be analyzed. The port is positioned adjacent the surface to be analyzed, and the liquid solution is conducted onto the surface through the port so that the liquid solution conducted onto the surface interacts with material comprising the surface. An amount of material is thereafter withdrawn from the surface. Pressure control can be utilized to manipulate the solution balance at the surface to thereby control the withdrawal of the amount of material from the surface. Furthermore, such pressure control can be coordinated with the movement of the surface relative to the port of the collection instrument within the X-Y plane. |
| US09779921B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
An apparatus includes a process chamber, a substrate holder arranged in the process chamber, a first shield provided on the peripheral portion of the substrate holder, and a second shield provided inside the process chamber. The internal space of the process chamber is partitioned into an outer space and a process space to process the substrate, by at least the first shield, the second shield, and the substrate holder. The substrate holder can be driven along a driving direction perpendicular to a substrate holding surface. The length, in a direction parallel to the driving direction, of a minimum gap portion having a minimum size in a direction perpendicular to the driving direction between the first and second shields does not change even if the substrate holder is driven in the driving direction. |
| US09779918B2 |
Substrate treating apparatus and method
Provided is a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes a processing chamber, a substrate supporting unit, a plasma generation unit, a gas supplying unit, an exhaust adjusting unit, or the like. Residual gas and reaction by-products are generated in a chamber after a substrate is treated by using a gas supplied from the gas supplying unit or plasma excited by the plasma generation unit. The gas exhaust adjusting unit adjusts discharge amounts of residual gas and reaction by-products to adjust residence time or pressure of gas, plasma, or the like in the apparatus, thereby controlling a uniformity of the substrate treating process. |
| US09779916B2 |
Radio frequency (RF) ground return arrangements
A radio frequency (RF) ground return arrangement for providing a low impedance RF return path for a RF current within a processing chamber of a plasma processing chamber during processing of a substrate is provided. The RF ground return arrangement includes a set of confinement rings, which is configured to surround a confined chamber volume that is configured for sustaining a plasma for etching the substrate during substrate processing. The RF ground return arrangement also includes a lower electrode support structure. The RF ground return arrangement further includes a RF contact-enabled component, which provides a RF contact between the set of confinement rings and the lower electrode support structure such that the low impedance RF return path facilitates returning the RF current back to an RF source. |
| US09779913B2 |
Charged particle beam drawing apparatus and drawing data generation method
In one embodiment, a charged particle beam drawing apparatus includes a drawing unit that draws a pattern in a drawing area on a substrate and a control processing circuitry that controls the drawing unit via a process including receiving drawing data with a hierarchical correction map input to the control processing circuitry. The drawing data with the hierarchical map includes a plurality of files in which division maps are respectively described in files in units of subframes. Each division map includes dose correction information associated with corresponding one of blocks of the drawing area. The process further includes generating shot data by performing a data conversion process on the drawing data, reading a division map corresponding to a block in the area to be drawn from the hierarchical correction map, calculating a dose, and controlling the drawing unit based on the shot data and the calculated dose. |
| US09779912B2 |
Inspection device and measurement device
A detection circuit for accurately detecting a very small foreign material and an inspection/measurement device using the same are provided. The inspection/measurement device includes: an irradiation section that irradiates a laser beam to a surface of a specimen; and a detection section that detects scattered light from the surface of the specimen and generates a detection signal. The detection section includes: a photon counting sensor that outputs M output signals from photo-detecting elements of N pixels (M and N are natural numbers, and M |
| US09779910B1 |
Utilization of voltage contrast during sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy
Transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) are being utilized more often in failure analysis labs as processing nodes decrease and alternative device structures, such as three dimensional, multi-gate transistors, e.g., FinFETs (Fin Field Effect Transistors), are utilized in IC designs. However, these types of structures may confuse typical TEM sample (or “lamella”) preparation as the resulting lamella may contain multiple potentially faulty structures, making it difficult to identify the actual faulty structure. Passive voltage contrast may be used in a dual beam focused ion beam (FIB) microscope system including a scanning electron microscope (SEM) column by systematically identifying non-faulty structures and milling them from the lamella until the faulty structure is identified. |
| US09779906B2 |
Electron emission device and transistor provided with the same
An electron emission device includes a substrate and an electron emission layer. The electron emission layer is provided above the substrate, and is provided with an opening. The electron emission layer has an edge defining the opening and is configured to emit electrons from the edge when the edge is irradiated with light. |
| US09779898B2 |
Self-powered energy harvesting switch and method for harvesting energy
A switch device (10) and method for generation of energy for operating the switch device (10), wherein the switch device (10) is provided with a drive unit (120) interacting with an actuation device operable by a user, and with a moving device (130) configured to be set in motion by the drive unit (120), and with an energy harvester (132, 140, 140a) for providing energy to the switch device (10) in dependence on a motion of the moving device (130), such that energy for commands or other operations is provided to the switch device (10). The moving device (130) is configured to be repeatedly repositioned in relation to a defined zero position, as long as it has kinetic energy, in order to provide kinetic energy which can be converted in electric energy by the energy harvester (132, 140, 140a). Such an electromechanical device for generating energy can ensure wireless operation of the switch device (10) without the need of batteries or any other kind of power supply. |
| US09779897B2 |
Switch
The switch includes the base, a plurality of the fixed contact terminals, the sliding body, the operation lever, the coil spring, and the cover. From above the base, the fixed contact terminals, the sliding body, the operation lever, and the coil spring are mounted to the base, and the sliding body is pressed against the operation lever to position the operation lever. The cover is mounted to the base from above so as to press the operation lever by the pressing portion of the cover and cause the operation lever to rotate to an initial position. |
| US09779893B2 |
Electronic devices with component mounting structures
Electronic devices are provided that have components. A housing protrusion may be interposed between a display cover layer and display components. A button may have a button member. A support structure for a dome switch in the button may have a screw hole. A housing may have screw holes through which a screw passes. The screw may also pass through the screw hole of the support structure to hold the switch structure near the button member. A clip may have a spring. A metal plate may prevent the clip from becoming worn by the spring. A display may be mounted on a ledge in a device housing. The ledge may have gaps with supports and removed corners. |
| US09779885B2 |
Method of pre-doping a lithium ion capacitor
A method for pre-doping a lithium ion capacitor, including: compressing a lithium ion capacitor of the formula: C/S/A/S/C/S/A/S/C, where: /A/ is an anode coated on both sides with an anode carbon layer, and each anode carbon layer is further coated with lithium composite powder (LCP) layer; C/ is a cathode coated on one side with a layer of an cathode carbon mixture; and S is a separator; and a non-aqueous electrolyte; and conditioning the resulting compressed lithium ion capacitor, for example, at a rate of from C/20 to 4C, and the conditioning redistributes the impregnated lithium as lithium ions in the anode carbon structure. Also disclosed is an carbon coated anode having lithium composite powder (LCP) layer compressed on the carbon coated anode. |
| US09779883B2 |
Partially surface-mediated lithium ion-exchanging cells and method for operating same
A lithium super-battery cell comprising: (a) A cathode comprising a cathode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon, wherein the cathode active material is not a functionalized material and does not bear a functional group; (b) An anode comprising an anode current collector; (c) A porous separator disposed between the two electrodes; (d) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the cathode active material has a specific surface area of no less than 100 m2/g being in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (e) A lithium source implemented at one or both of the two electrodes prior to a first charge or a first discharge cycle of the cell. This new generation of energy storage device exhibits the best properties of both the lithium ion battery and the supercapacitor. |
| US09779880B2 |
Resin composition and dielectric layer and capacitor produced therefrom
The present invention provides a resin composition comprising: 1 to 20 parts by weight of a reinforcing fiber; 0.2 to 5 parts by weight of an anti-settling agent; 20 to 40 parts by weight of an epoxy resin; 0.1 to 3 parts by weight of a curing agent; and 50 to 75 parts by weight of a high dielectric constant filler. The present invention further provides a dielectric layer produced from the resin composition and a capacitor comprising the dielectric layer. In the dielectric layer made from the resin composition provided by the present invention, the fibers can be evenly dispersed and can enhance the mechanical strength of the resin composition, and cooperate with the epoxy resin to bring excellent toughness. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the produced dielectric layer can be remarkably improved, and its fragility can be effectively overcome when the dielectric layer is used in the PCB double-side etching process. |
| US09779875B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body including dielectric layers and first and second internal electrodes disposed to face each other with respective dielectric layers interposed therebetween, and external electrodes disposed on outer surfaces of the ceramic body. Opposite edge portions of at least one or more of the first and second internal electrodes in a width direction of the ceramic body are thicker than a central portion thereof, and a ratio (T2/T1) of a thickness (T2) of the edge portion to a thickness (T1) of the central portion satisfies 1.0 |
| US09779869B2 |
High efficiency on-chip 3D transformer structure
An integrated circuit transformer structure includes at least two conductor groups stacked in parallel in different layers. A first spiral track is formed in the at least two conductor groups, the first spiral track included first turns of a first radius within each of the at least two conductor groups, and second turns of a second radius within each of the at least two conductor groups, the first and second turns being electrically connected. A second spiral track is formed in the at least two conductor groups, the second spiral track including third turns of a third radius within each of the at least two conductor groups and disposed in a same plane between the first and second turns in each of the at least two conductor groups. |
| US09779868B2 |
Compact impedance transformer
A compact impedance transformer is disclosed having a first dielectric substrate, a first planar conductor disposed on a top surface of the first dielectric substrate in a loop, a second planar conductor disposed on a bottom surface of the first dielectric substrate in a second loop, wherein the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor are substantially identical and in stacked alignment. A second dielectric substrate has a third planar conductor disposed on a top surface of the second dielectric substrate in a third loop, and a fourth planar conductor disposed on a bottom surface of the second dielectric substrate in a fourth loop, wherein the third planar conductor and the fourth planar conductor are substantially identical and in stacked alignment. An interconnect structure between terminals of the first planar conductor, the second planar conductor, the third planar conductor, and the fourth planar conductor provide impedance transformations. |
| US09779867B2 |
Electronic component and board having the same
An electronic component includes a body including internal electrodes; an insulating layer disposed on side surfaces of the body and at least one of an upper surface of the body and a lower surface of the body; and an external electrode disposed on an end surface of the body and connected to the internal electrodes. The external electrode extends to at least one of the upper surface of the body, the lower surface of the body, and the side surfaces of the body, and partially overlaps the insulating layer. |
| US09779863B2 |
Removable fluid barrier
A removable fluid barrier comprises a generally planar flexible body fabricated of at least one resilient material and encapsulating a plurality of permanent magnets. The flexible body has an outer face defining a sealing surface of the removable fluid barrier. |
| US09779861B2 |
Soft magnetic metal powder and soft magnetic metal powder core using the same
The present invention relates to a soft magnetic metal powder which contains B and has Fe and Ni as the main components, wherein the content of Ni in the soft magnetic metal powder is 30 to 80 mass %, the total content of Fe and Ni in the soft magnetic metal powder is 90 mass % or more, the content of B inside the metal particle of the soft magnetic metal powder is 10 to 150 ppm, and the particle has a film of boron nitride on the surface. The present invention also relates to a soft magnetic metal powder core prepared by using the soft magnetic metal powder. |
| US09779856B2 |
Arrangement for cooling power cables, power umbilicals and cables
A power cable (C1), or power umbilical, comprising a number of electric high power cables (10) for transfer of large amounts of electric power/energy; filler material (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) in the form of stiff elongate plastic elements; the number of electric high power cables (10) and stiff elongate plastic elements (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) being gathered in a twisted bundle by means of a laying operation; a protective sheath (1) that encompasses the electric cables and the filler material; and at least one longitudinally extending channel (6) is provided for forced flow transportation of a cooling agent through said power cable/umbilical in order to cool down the electric high power cables (10) and their insulation material from a critical temperature value of about 90° C. |
| US09779849B2 |
Aluminum-based conductive material and electric wire and cable using the same
An aluminium-based conductive material used in a driving part of robots or various devices and used, for example, in a wiring that is loaded with cyclic bending, as well as an electric wire and a cable using the same, contains 0.1 to 1.0 mass % of scandium and further contains, as a rest part, aluminium and unavoidable impure substances and is formed of a metal texture 10 having crystal grains 11 with an average grain size of 2 μm or less and aluminium-scandium series nanoprecipitates generated in a grain boundary 12 of the crystal grains 11. Further, it is preferable that the metal texture 10 contains the crystal grains 11 of 1 μm or less at a cross sectional ratio of 15% or more. |
| US09779848B2 |
Flat cable with consistent impedance
A flat cable (100) includes an insulative carrier (20) extending along a front-to-back direction, a set of signal conductors (10) held by the insulative carrier, and a metal grid layer (30) attached to the insulative carrier. The insulative carrier has a top face facing upwardly and a bottom face facing downwardly. The insulative carrier defines a set of receiving passageways (210) disposed along a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The set of signal conductors extend along the front-to-back direction and have different pitches along the transverse direction. The metal grid layer is attached to the top face or the bottom face. The metal grid layer has different densities along the front-to-back direction in order to make the impedance of the flat cable consistent along the front-to-back direction. |
| US09779847B2 |
Spark gap X-ray source
In one embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having a cathode with (1) a pointed end or (2) an elongated blade oriented substantially transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cathode. The pointed end or blade can be pointed towards an anode. In another embodiment, the invention includes an x-ray source having a window with an annular-shape, forming a hollow-ring. A convex portion of a half-ball-shape of an anode can extend into a hollow of the annular-shape of the window. |
| US09779845B2 |
Primary voltaic sources including nanofiber Schottky barrier arrays and methods of forming same
Primary voltaic sources include nanofiber Schottky barrier arrays and a radioactive source including at least one radioactive element configured to emit radioactive particles. The arrays have a semiconductor component and a metallic component joined at a metal-semiconductor junction. The radioactive source is positioned proximate to the arrays such that at least a portion of the radioactive particles impinge on the arrays to produce a flow of electrons across the metal-semiconductor junction. Methods of producing voltaic sources include reacting at least one carbon oxide and a reducing agent in the presence of a substrate comprising a catalyst to form a solid carbon product over the substrate. Material is disposed over at least a portion of the solid carbon product to form a nanofiber Schottky barrier array. A radioactive source is disposed adjacent the nanofiber Schottky barrier array. |
| US09779843B2 |
Radioactive material storage canister
A canister for storing radioactive materials includes a base plate, side wall and a top plate. The top plate includes a top surface with a top edge having a bevel, and with a channel set in from the top edge. The top plate is sealed to the sidewall by a weld formed between the beveled top edge and the top of the side wall. The base plate is sealed to a bottom of the sidewall, so that a sealed vessel is formed. |
| US09779838B2 |
Method of improving error checking and correction performance of memory
A method of improving an error checking and correction performance of a memory includes replacing a defective column including a defective memory cell of the memory cell array with a spare column of a the spare cell array, wherein the memory cell array includes memory cells in a matrix and the spare cell array includes spare memory cells in a matrix to be replaced for defective memory cells; storing check bits of error correction code in at least one memory cell of the defective column; storing defect information regarding a defect of the defective memory cell; determining whether the at least one memory cell storing the check bits is to be used to perform error checking and correction on a memory, based on the defect information; and performing error checking and correction on the memory using a memory cell selected based on a result of determining whether the at least one memory cell storing the check bits is to be used. |
| US09779835B1 |
Magnetic memory device
According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes an element unit and a controller. The element unit includes a magnetic member, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, an intermediate layer, and a non-magnetic layer. The magnetic member includes a first region, a first portion, and a second portion. The first region is provided between the first portion and the second portion, or included in the first portion. The first magnetic layer is apart from the first region in a first direction. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first region and the first magnetic layer. The intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The intermediate layer is non-magnetic. The non-magnetic layer is connected with the first region. The controller is configured to supply a writing current and a shift current to the element unit. |
| US09779828B2 |
Inferring threshold voltage distributions associated with memory cells via interpolation
Apparatuses and methods for inferring threshold voltage distributions associated with memory cells via interpolation are described herein. An example includes determining soft data for a group of memory cells each programmed to one of a number of data states, wherein the soft data comprises a number of different soft data values, determining a quantity of memory cells associated with each of the different soft data values, and inferring at least a portion of a threshold voltage distribution associated with the group of memory cells via an interpolation process using the determined quantities of memory cells associated with each of the different soft data values. |
| US09779823B2 |
Secure erase of non-volatile memory
In a non-volatile memory system, a fast bulk secure erase method for erasing data includes, in response to a secure erase command: applying charge to a portion of non-volatile memory in the non-volatile memory system, and performing an erase operation sufficient to remove charge from the portion of non-volatile memory to below an erase threshold. The applied charge is sufficient to program memory cells in the portion of non-volatile memory to above a pre-erase program threshold. |
| US09779820B1 |
Non-volatile memory and programming method thereof
A non-volatile memory and a programming method thereof are provided. The programming method for the non-volatile memory includes: setting at least one first isolation cell between a first side cell and at least one first pass cell of an inhibited memory string; cutting off the at least one first isolation cell and providing a pre-boosting voltage to a word line of the first side cell and at a first time point; turning on the at least one first isolation cell at a second time point for transporting the pre-boosting potential to channels of the at least one first pass cell and a primary cell at a second time period; and providing a boosting voltage to word lines of the at least one first pass cell during a boosting time period. |
| US09779818B2 |
Adaptation of high-order read thresholds
A method includes storing data in memory cells by programming the memory cells with respective values. The memory cells are read in multiple readout operations that each compares the programmed values to at least first and second read thresholds, while keeping the first read threshold fixed throughout the readout operations and perturbing only the second read threshold between the readout operations. A preferred value for the second read threshold is estimated based on the multiple readout operations. |
| US09779815B2 |
Method for writing in an EEPROM memory and corresponding device
A method can be used for writing in a memory location of the electrically-erasable and programmable memory type. The memory location includes a first memory cell with a first transistor having a first gate dielectric underlying a first floating gate and a second memory cell with a second transistor having a second gate dielectric underlying a second floating gate that is connected to the first floating gate. In a first writing phase, an identical tunnel effect is implemented through the first gate dielectric and the second gate dielectric. In a second writing phase, a voltage across the first gate dielectric but not the second gate dielectric is increased. |
| US09779814B2 |
Non-volatile static random access memory devices and methods of operations
Non-Volatile Static Random Access Memory (NVSRAM) cell devices applying only one single non-volatile element embedded in a conventional Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell are disclosed. The NVSRAM cell devices can be integrated into a compact cell array. The NVSRAM devices of the invention have a read/write speed of a conventional SRAM and non-volatile property of a non-volatile memory cell. The methods of operations for the NVSRAM devices of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US09779813B2 |
Phase change memory array architecture achieving high write/read speed
A memory configured to have data read therefrom is provided. The memory includes a data port including B transmitters disposed in parallel and for transferring data on both rising and falling edges of a clock, a first memory including a first data bus including N lines on which N bits can be transferred, and a second memory including a second data bus including N lines on which N bits can be transferred. The memory includes a data path controller including a data distributor disposed between the first and second memories and being connected to the data port, wherein, on the rising edge, the data distributor distributes a first data segment comprised of B bits from the first data bus to the data port and, on the falling edge, the data distributor distributes a second data segment comprised of B bits from the second data bus to the data port. |
| US09779810B2 |
Adjustable writing circuit
A write pulse driver is provided. The write pulse driver includes a parameter storage, storing a set of parameters specifying characteristics of a write pulse, and driver circuitry configured to generate the write pulse on an output node, the write pulse having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an intermediate segment between the leading edge and the trailing edge, wherein the driver circuitry includes pulse shaping circuits that set shape characteristics of at least one of an amplitude, a duration and a slope of more than one of the leading edge, the trailing edge and the intermediate segment of the write pulse using the set of parameters. |
| US09779807B2 |
Non-volatile memory using bi-directional resistive elements
A memory cell includes a single bi-directional resistive memory element (BRME) having a first terminal directly connected to a first power rail and a second terminal coupled to an internal node; and a first transistor having a control electrode coupled to the internal node, and a first current electrode coupled to a first bitline, and a second current electrode coupled to one of a group consisting of: a read wordline and the first power rail. |
| US09779803B1 |
Memory circuit with write-bypass portion
One example includes a memory circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory array in which contiguous rows of the memory array are organized as a write-bypass portion that comprises a first portion of the rows and a main memory portion that includes a remaining portion of the rows. A given data word is stored in each of a row in the write-bypass portion and another row in the main memory portion during a data write operation in response to word-write signals and bit-write signals associated with each of the respective plurality of contiguous columns. The circuit also includes a control logic configured to store data associated with storage locations of the given data word in each of the row in the write-bypass portion and the other row in the main memory portion to facilitate access of the given data word during a data read operation. |
| US09779802B1 |
Memory apparatus and write failure responsive negative bitline voltage write assist circuit thereof
A write assist circuit includes a write detection circuit, a write detection-aware write driver and a write condition recovery circuit. The write detection circuit receives a detected result signal and a write data, and generates a write detect control signal and generating a selecting signal according to the detection result signal and the write data. The write detection-aware write driver receives the write detect control signal and operates a write detection operation on a selected memory cell according to the write detect control signal, and decides whether to provide a negative voltage to one of a bit line and an inverted bit line of the selected memory cell or not according to the selecting signal. The write condition recovery circuit respectively couples the bit line and the inverted bit line to the write data line and the inverted data line according to a write pass-gate control signal, and provides a pre-charge voltage to the write data line and the inverted data line during the write detection time period according to a recovery signal. |
| US09779793B2 |
Magnetic tunnel junction memory device
A magnetic-assist, spin-torque transfer magnetic tunnel junction device and a method for performing a magnetic-assist, spin-torque-transfer write to the device are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic tunnel junction device includes a first electrode, a pinned layer disposed on the first electrode, a free layer disposed on the pinned layer, and a barrier layer disposed between the pinned layer and the free layer. The device further includes a second electrode electrically coupled to the free layer, the second electrode containing a magnetic assist region. In some embodiments, the magnetic assist region is configured to produce a net magnetic field when supplied with a write current. The net magnetic field is aligned to assist a spin-torque transfer of the write current on the free layer. |
| US09779792B2 |
Register file with read ports clustered by entry
A register file includes a substrate, a plurality of entries, and a plurality of read ports. Each entry includes a corresponding subset of a plurality of memory cells defined on the substrate. Each read port includes a plurality of access elements defined on the substrate. Each access element is associated with a particular common bit position of each of the entries. A plurality of entry access groups are disposed in adjacent columns on the substrate. Each entry access group is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of entries and includes the access elements for all of the read ports for the corresponding entry. |
| US09779789B2 |
Comparison operations in memory
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing comparison operations in memory. An example apparatus can include a first group of memory cells coupled to a first access line and configured to store a plurality of first elements, and a second group of memory cells coupled to a second access line and configured to store a plurality of second elements. The apparatus can include a controller configured to cause the plurality of first elements to be compared with the plurality of second elements by controlling sensing circuitry to perform a number of operations without transferring data via an input/output (I/O) line, and the plurality of first elements and the plurality of second elements can be compared in parallel. |
| US09779786B1 |
Tensor operations and acceleration
A system includes global memory circuitry configured to store input tensors and output tensors. Row data paths are each connected to an output port of the memory circuitry. Column data paths are connected to an input port of the memory circuitry. Processing elements are arranged in rows and columns along the row data paths and column data paths, respectively. The processing elements include local memory circuitry configured to store multiple masks and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive portions of the input tensors from one of the row data paths; receive masks from the local memory circuitry; perform multiple tensor operations on a same received portion of an input tensors by applying a different retrieved mask for each tensor operation; and generate, using results of the multiple tensor operations, an output for a corresponding column data path. |
| US09779782B2 |
Semiconductor device and electronic device
In a configuration including a memory cell that retains multilevel data by controlling the on/off state of a transistor, correct data can be read out even if a potential of data retained by turning off the transistor is changed. The memory cell controls writing or retention of data corresponding to one of a plurality of potentials by controlling an on/off state of the transistor. The write voltage generator circuit outputs a first write voltage of data to be written to the memory cell. The write voltage generator circuit obtains a read voltage of the data by reading the first write voltage written to the memory cell. The write voltage generator circuit generates a second write voltage by correcting a change of the first write voltage caused by turning off the transistor, and outputs the second write voltage to the memory cell. |
| US09779778B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling an application to cooperate with running of a program
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling an application to cooperate with the running of a program. According to the invention, the playing control information of a program and the linking information of an application corresponding to the program are edited into a program playing control file. Through executing said playing control file, guided by the linking information and based on the running control information of the application, the application can download, run or stop to run cooperating with the playing of the optical disc program. The Solution of combining an application and a program into a playing control file will effectively cause the downloading and running of the application to cooperate with the playing of the program so as to ensure normal realization of corresponding functions. |
| US09779775B2 |
Automatic generation of compilation videos from an original video based on metadata associated with the original video
Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for automatically creating compilation videos from an original video based on metadata associated with the original video. For example, a method for creating a compilation video may include determining a relevance score for video frames in an original video; selecting a plurality of relevant video frames from the original video based on the relevance score; selecting a plurality of video clips from the original video based on the relevance scores of the video frames; and creating a compilation video from the plurality of video clips. Each of the plurality of video clips, for example, may include at least one relevant video frame from the plurality of relevant video frames. |
| US09779773B1 |
Contact induced data storage device destruction
A data storage device may be destroyed by suspending a transducing head above a data storage medium prior to inducing contact of the transducing head with a first layer of the data storage medium in response to a signal from a controller. Deflection of the transducing head can then be increased to penetrate to a destroy depth in a second layer of the data storage medium that is maintained while the data storage medium spins. The controller may then issue at least one data read command to access data from the data storage medium and when a data read error is received, the data storage medium and transducing head can be verified as destroyed and incapable of accessing data previously written to the data storage medium. |
| US09779772B1 |
Magnetic tape and magnetic tape device
The magnetic tape has a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and binder on a nonmagnetic support, wherein a timing based servo pattern is present on the magnetic layer, the centerline average surface roughness Ra that is measured on the surface of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 1.8 nm, and the coefficient of friction that is measured on the base portion of the surface of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 0.35. |
| US09779766B1 |
High accuracy tape bearing surface length definition process by closure lapping for tape head fabrication
A method according to one embodiment includes coupling closures to a section having a plurality of rows of transducers formed on a substrate, the closures being coupled to the section on an opposite side of the transducers as the substrate. The section is coupled to a lapping-resistant guide, where the closures protrude beyond a lap-stop end of the guide. The closures are lapped for shortening the closures in a direction toward the transducers, wherein the lapping is terminated after the guide contacts a lapping surface. A method according to another embodiment includes coupling closures to a section having a plurality of rows of transducers formed on a substrate. The closures are lapped for shortening the closures in a direction toward the transducers. An extent of the lapping is determined using an optical and/or a contact technique. |
| US09779765B1 |
Perpendicular magnetic recording writer having improved performance and wide area track erasure reliability
A magnetic writer includes a high magnetic moment write pole layer on a main write pole, the write pole layer including a proximal end recessed from the air bearing surface, and a Wide Area Track Erasure (WATER) reservoir recessed from the proximal end of the write pole layer and transverse to a longitudinal direction of the main write pole. The write pole layer may be conformal in shape to, but have smaller dimensions relative to, the main write pole, such that a distance between their outer surfaces is generally constant in a flare region. The WATER reservoir width, in a cross-track direction, may be greater than or equal to the maximum width of the main write pole. |
| US09779763B1 |
Write signal adjustment
A write signal may be adjusted, or modified, based on one or more read signals acquired, or read from, one or more portions proximate a target portion on a storage medium where the write signal is to be applied. The one or more read signals may be read from the storage medium in response to receiving a write data unit such that the read signals may not need to be buffered or later clock synchronized to the write signal. |
| US09779761B2 |
Dynamically providing to a person feedback pertaining to utterances spoken or sung by the person
Arrangements described herein relate to receiving, in real time, utterances spoken or sung by a first person when the utterances are spoken or sung and comparing, in real time, the detected utterances spoken or sung by the first person to at least a stored sample of utterances spoken or sung by the first person. Based, at least in part, on the comparing the detected utterances spoken or sung by the first person to at least the stored sample of utterances spoken or sung by the first person, a key indicator that indicates at least one characteristic of the detected utterances spoken or sung by the first person can be generated. Feedback indicating the at least one characteristic of the detected utterances spoken or sung by the first person can be communicated to the first person or a second person. |
| US09779760B1 |
Architecture for processing real time event notifications from a speech analytics system
An architecture is provided for handling event notifications generated by a speech analytics module (“SAM”) that recognizes keywords present in the audio of a call between an agent in a contact center and a remote party. In one embodiment, an event handler module receives and forwards the event notifications to various application specific modules (“ASMs”). The forwarding process may vary on the content and/or type of event notification received. Each ASM performs the processing for a particular audio context and may generate call instance data that pertains to the audio context and indicates whether the agent complied with various requirements during the call. The call instance data may be stored in a file for evaluating the agent's performance. The ASM may also perform other actions as appropriate, such as providing visual indicators on the agent's computer desktop or notify the agent's supervisor. |
| US09779758B2 |
Augmenting speech segmentation and recognition using head-mounted vibration and/or motion sensors
Example methods and systems use multiple sensors to determine whether a speaker is speaking. Audio data in an audio-channel speech band detected by a microphone can be received. Vibration data in a vibration-channel speech band representative of vibrations detected by a sensor other than the microphone can be received. The microphone and the sensor can be associated with a head-mountable device (HMD). It is determined whether the audio data is causally related to the vibration data. If the audio data and the vibration data are causally related, an indication can be generated that the audio data contains HMD-wearer speech. Causally related audio and vibration data can be used to increase accuracy of text transcription of the HMD-wearer speech. If the audio data and the vibration data are not causally related, an indication can be generated that the audio data does not contain HMD-wearer speech. |
| US09779757B1 |
Visual indication of an operational state
Architectures and techniques to visually indicate an operational state of an electronic device. In some instances, the electronic device comprises a voice-controlled device configured to interact with a user through voice input and visual output. The voice-controlled device may be positioned in a home environment, such as on a table in a room of the environment. The user may interact with the voice-controlled device through speech and the voice-controlled device may perform operations requested by the speech. As the voice-controlled device enters different operational states while interacting with the user, one or more lights of the voice-controlled device may be illuminated to indicate the different operational states. |
| US09779748B2 |
Complex-valued filter bank with phase shift for high frequency reconstruction or parametric stereo
The document relates to modulated sub-sampled digital filter banks, as well as to methods and systems for the design of such filter banks. In particular, the present document proposes a method and apparatus for the improvement of low delay modulated digital filter banks. The method employs modulation of an asymmetric low-pass prototype filter and a new method for optimizing the coefficients of this filter. Further, a specific design for a 64 channel filter bank using a prototype filter length of 640 coefficients and a system delay of 319 samples is given. The method substantially reduces artifacts due to aliasing emerging from independent modifications of subband signals, for example when using a filter bank as a spectral equalizer. The method is preferably implemented in software, running on a standard PC or a digital signal processor (DSP), but can also be hardcoded on a custom chip. The method offers improvements for various types of digital equalizers, adaptive filters, multiband companders and spectral envelope adjusting filter banks used in high frequency reconstruction (HFR) or parametric stereo systems. |
| US09779744B2 |
Speech decoder with high-band generation and temporal envelope shaping
A linear prediction coefficient of a signal represented in a frequency domain is obtained by performing linear prediction analysis in a frequency direction by using a covariance method or an autocorrelation method. After the filter strength of the obtained linear prediction coefficient is adjusted, filtering may be performed in the frequency direction on the signal by using the adjusted coefficient, whereby the temporal envelope of the signal is shaped. This reduces the occurrence of pre-echo and post-echo and improves the subjective quality of the decoded signal, without significantly increasing the bit rate in a bandwidth extension technique in the frequency domain represented by SBR. |
| US09779741B2 |
Generation of comfort noise
A comfort noise controller for generating CN (Comfort Noise) control parameters is described. A buffer of a predetermined size is configured to store CN parameters for SID (Silence Insertion Descriptor) frames and active hangover frames. A subset selector is configured to determine a CN parameter subset relevant for SID frames based on the age of the stored CN parameters and on residual energies. A comfort noise control parameter extractor (50B) is configured to use the determined CN parameter subset to determine the CN control parameters for a first SID frame following an active signal frame. |
| US09779739B2 |
Residual encoding in an object-based audio system
Lossy compression and transmission of a downmixed composite signal having multiple tracks and objects, including a downmixed signal, is accomplished in a manner that reduces the bit-rate requirement as compared to redundant transmission or lossless compression, while reducing upmix artifacts. A compressed residual signal is generated and transmitted along with a compressed total mix and at least one compressed audio objects. In the reception and upmix aspect the invention decompresses a downmixed signal and other compressed objects, calculates an approximate upmix signal, and corrects specific base signals derived from the upmix, by subtracting a decompressed residual signal. The invention thus allows lossy compression to be used in combination with downmixed audio signals for transmission through a communication channel (or for storage). Upon later reception and upmix, additional base signals are recoverable in capable systems providing multi-object capability (while legacy systems can easily decode a total mix without upmix). |
| US09779735B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting and processing speech signals
Provided are methods, systems, and apparatuses for detecting, processing, and responding to audio signals, including speech signals, within a designated area or space. A platform for multiple media devices connected via a network is configured to process speech, such as voice commands, detected at the media devices, and respond to the detected speech by causing the media devices to simultaneously perform one or more requested actions. The platform is capable of scoring the quality of a speech request, handling speech requests from multiple end points of the platform using a centralized processing approach, a de-centralized processing approach, or a combination thereof, and also manipulating partial processing of speech requests from multiple end points into a coherent whole when necessary. |
| US09779724B2 |
Selecting alternates in speech recognition
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting alternates in speech recognition. In some implementations, data is received that indicates multiple speech recognition hypotheses for an utterance. Based on the multiple speech recognition hypotheses, multiple alternates for a particular portion of a transcription of the utterance are identified. For each of the identified alternates, one or more features scores are determined, the features scores are input to a trained classifier, and an output is received from the classifier. A subset of the identified alternates is selected, based on the classifier outputs, to provide for display. Data indicating the selected subset of the alternates is provided for display. |
| US09779723B2 |
Multi-pass vehicle voice recognition systems and methods
A voice recognition system for a vehicle includes a micro-phone for receiving speech from a user. The system further includes a memory having a partial set of commands or names for voice recognition. The memory further includes a larger set of commands or names for voice recognition. The system further includes processing electronics in communication with the microphone and the memory. The processing electronics are configured to process the received speech to obtain speech data. The processing electronics are further configured to use the obtained speech data to conduct at least two voice recognition passes. In a first pass, the speech data is compared to the partial set. In a second pass, the speech data is compared to the larger set. |
| US09779720B2 |
Control system having active noise and vibration centralized control through digital network
A control system provides centralized active noise control (ANC) and active vibration control (AVC) through a digital network. The control system includes a controller, an audio sub-system, and a vibration sub-system. The audio-sub system includes at least one sound monitoring component and at least one sound outputting component. The vibration sub-system includes at least one vibration monitoring component and at least one vibration actuating component. The controller and the sub-systems are interconnected through the digital network. The controller controls the sub-systems through the digital network to perform the ANC and AVC functions in a holistic approach. |
| US09779715B1 |
Method for making contoured acoustic structures
An existing acoustic honeycomb panel having a radius of curvature is cut into segments that have longitudinal and lateral sides that extend between the edges of the honeycomb. The segments are bonded together along their longitudinal or lateral sides to form a segmented acoustic honeycomb in which the radius of curvature is different from the radius of curvature of the original acoustic honeycomb panel. The shape of the longitudinal or lateral sides of the segments and the thickness of the adhesive bond can be controlled to provide segmented acoustic honeycomb panels that are tightly curved and which are suitable for use in demanding noise damping applications, such as jet engine nacelles. |
| US09779713B2 |
Acoustic metamaterial gate
An acoustic wave gate is provided. The gate includes one or more layers of metamaterial configured to be in a first state and a second state and configured to change from the first state to the second state when electrical and/or magnetic energy is applied thereto. The gate also includes at least one source configured in operational communication with the one or more layers and configured to supply at least one of electrical and magnetic energy to the one or more layers. The one or more layers are configured to (i) prevent the passage of acoustic energy through the one or more layers when in the first state and (ii) permit the passage of acoustic energy through the one or more layers when in the second state, wherein the one or more layers are configured to be stimulated in phase with the acoustic energy. |
| US09779709B2 |
Polyphonic multi-dimensional controller with sensor having force-sensing potentiometers
A polyphonic multi-dimensional controller (PMC) provides for independently expressing multiple concurrently sounding musical notes. The PMC includes rows and columns of force-sensing potentiometers (FSPs) that define an array of single-touch zones (STZs). Using a z-axis switch configuration, touches are detected and the forces associated with the touches are measured. For STZs for which a touch is detected, a fine x position and a fine y position are determined respectively using an x-axis switch configuration and a y-axis switch configuration. By repeatedly scanning the STZs, the x-axis position, the y-axis position, and the z-axis force can be tracked and translated into 3-axis note expression data. The PMC is multi-touch so that the 3-axis note expression data can be polyphonic. |
| US09779708B2 |
Networks of portable electronic devices that collectively generate sound
Systems and methods for collectively generating sound are provided. A sound composition can include multiple component pieces and those component pieces can be divided amongst devices so that the devices can collectively generate the sound composition. For example, each component piece may be assigned to a different device and the each device may provide its assigned component pieces in a synchronized manner so that the overall sound composition is collectively generated. By generating a sound composition in this manner, the network may create new and exciting spatial effects. |
| US09779707B2 |
Thigh drum
A wearable drum adapted to be strapped to a drummer's limb provides a resonance space between the drum head and the limb so that the drum produces a sound that is suitable to be heard by people other than the drummer. |
| US09779706B2 |
Context-dependent piano music transcription with convolutional sparse coding
The present disclosure presents a novel approach to automatic transcription of piano music in a context-dependent setting. Embodiments described herein may employ an efficient algorithm for convolutional sparse coding to approximate a music waveform as a summation of piano note waveforms convolved with associated temporal activations. The piano note waveforms may be pre-recorded for a particular piano that is to be transcribed and may optionally be pre-recorded in the specific environment where the piano performance is to be performed. During transcription, the note waveforms may be fixed and associated temporal activations may be estimated and post-processed to obtain the pitch and onset transcription. Experiments have shown that embodiments of the disclosure significantly outperform state-of-the-art music transcription methods trained in the same context-dependent setting, in both transcription accuracy and time precision, in various scenarios including synthetic, anechoic, noisy, and reverberant environments. |
| US09779705B2 |
Musical sound generator
A musical sound generator is provided including a tube defining a resonant cavity, the tube having a plurality of sound producing chimes configured to produce an audible sound when at least one object impacts on at least one of the chimes; a reservoir configured to hold a number of objects; and a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the objects from the reservoir to an elevated position within the resonant cavity, wherein the objects fall down from the elevated position within the resonant cavity by gravity after being transferred by the transfer mechanism, to strike the plurality of sound producing chimes; and wherein the position of the reservoir is configured to be moved depending on the level of the objects held in the reservoir. |
| US09779702B2 |
Method of controlling head-mounted display system
A method for providing, to a head-mounted display, a virtual space into which a user is immersed includes the step of generating a virtual space into which a user is immersed. A basic sightline of the user is determined. A main image is selected from among a plurality of display objects. The main image is caused to be displayed in the virtual space in such a manner as to be associated with the basic sightline. The virtual space is outputted to the head-mounted display. The basic sightline moves in response to a motion of the head-mounted display in a pitch direction, in a yaw direction, and in a roll direction. The main image is so placed as to be tilted such that the basic sightline forms an angle of smaller than 90° with the main image in a plane including the yaw direction and the roll direction. |
| US09779701B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and imaging apparatus
There is provided at least one image processing apparatus capable of precisely reproducing a large blur similar to a background blur produced by a single-lens reflex camera, while suppressing a circuit scale for filter processing. A two-dimensional filter processing circuit of at least one embodiment of an image processing unit performs the filter processing using first to N-th division filters each having a plurality of filter coefficients (where N is an integer of 2 or more) on an input image to generate first to N-th intermediate images. A combination unit of the at least one embodiment of the image processing unit combines or adds together the first to N-th intermediate images generated by the two-dimensional filter processing circuit to generate an integrated image. Thus, a large blur similar to a background blur produced by the single-lens reflex camera can be precisely reproduced by small-size two-dimensional filter processing. |
| US09779698B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
An information processing method and an electronic device are described. The information processing method is applied to an electronic device having a display unit. The method includes obtaining a parameter value of a pixel of a source icon on the display unit; analyzing an energy distribution of the source icon based on the parameter value, and determining a core area of the source icon; extracting the core area and conducting image processing of the core area to generate a substitution icon of the source icon for displaying, the substitution icon possesses main display information features of the source icon. |
| US09779692B2 |
Display apparatus and method
A display apparatus suitable for use in any of a number of different display applications including, but not limited to, mounting to a dashboard of a motor vehicle. The display apparatus includes a display portion arranged to display an image having a brightness and a contrast, the brightness and/or contrast of the image being a function of viewing angle, the brightness and/or contrast having at least one local maximum along a direction substantially parallel to at least one primary vector, the at least one primary vector not being a vector substantially normal to a plane of the display portion. |
| US09779691B2 |
Display front of screen performance architecture
An information handling system can include a display for displaying an image and a graphics processing unit. The graphics processing unit can select a display color table based on a display type determined based on extended data identification data for the display, receive an input image into a graphics processing unit, perform image contrast and sharpness calculations on the input image, perform a color optimization using the display color table, and provide an output image to the display. |
| US09779690B2 |
Image display device, test device using image display device, and image display method
To provide an image display device and an image display method capable of causing an image displayed on a display device to be visually recognized without degrading the operability of the user. A scroll amount of an image displayed in an image display area is specified according to an operation of scrolling the image displayed in the image display area, the scroll amount is regulated so that the image displayed in the image display area is not out of the image display area if the image displayed in the image display area is scrolled to be out of the image display area when the image displayed in the image display area is scrolled according to the specified scroll amount, and a display mode of at least a portion of a peripheral area of the image display area is changed. |
| US09779688B2 |
Anchoring viewer adaptation during color viewing tasks
Techniques for editing visual content by anchoring visual adaptation are disclosed. At least one anchor pattern is presented on a display surround. The perceptibility of the at least one anchor pattern is dependent on visual adaptation. The visual content is edited during the presentation of the at least one anchor pattern. For specific embodiments, the presentation, whether continuous or periodic, can include illumination, emission, reflection, rear projection, forward projection, or the like. A plurality of the patterns can be disposed around a reference display. |
| US09779687B2 |
Device and method for transmitting and receiving data using HDMI
The present invention discloses a method for transmitting and receiving data of a sink device by using HDMI (High Definition Media Interface). A method for transmitting and receiving data of a source device by using HDMI comprises requesting a sink device to read out EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) when the sink device is connected; receiving from the sink device EDID including decompression capability information of the sink device; transmitting operation parameter information determined on the basis of the EDID, where the operation parameter information includes compression metadata; and transmitting the compressed video data. |
| US09779684B2 |
Gate driver on array circuit and display using the same
A GOA circuit includes GOA circuit units coupled in series. Each GOA circuit unit includes an input control module, an output control module, a pull-down module, and a pull-up holding module. The input control module includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor. Each GOA circuit unit includes ten transistors. Because the GOA circuit unit proposed by the present invention comprises fewer transistors, it is good for being used in displays with a narrow bezel. In addition, the GOA circuit unit comprises an input control module comprising a second transistor and a third transistor controlled by a first gate turn-on signal. A first transistor and the second transistor are connected in series, and the third transistor and a fourth transistor are connected in series, which reduces leakage current. It provides a beneficiary effect that the stability of the GOA circuit unit is improved. |
| US09779681B2 |
Shift register unit, gate driving circuit and display device
The present invention discloses a shift register unit, employed for providing a gate voltage to a nth pixel of a liquid crystal display, and comprising first to third P-type transistors, and gates of the first, second P-type transistors respectively receive gate voltages of n−2th, n−2th pixels, and first end of the first, second P-type transistors respectively receive first and second input signals, and both second ends of the first and second P-type transistors are coupled to a gate of the third P-type transistor; the gate voltages of the n−2th, n−2th pixels are respectively employed to control on-off of the first and second P-type transistors, and to make the first input signal on-off the third P-type transistor; n is a nature number larger than 2; a first end of the third P-type transistor is coupled to a first clock signal or a second clock signal, and a second end is employed as being a voltage output end to be coupled to the nth pixel. The present invention can diminish the dimension of the frame of liquid crystal display. The present invention also provides a gate driving circuit and a liquid crystal display. |
| US09779679B2 |
Semiconductor device
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device which can supply a signal with sufficient amplitude to a scan line while power consumption is kept small. Further, it is an object to provide a semiconductor device which can suppress distortion of a signal supplied to the scan line and shorten a rising time and a falling time while power consumption is kept small. A semiconductor device which includes a plurality of pixels each including a display element and at least one first transistor and a scan line driver circuit supplying a signal for selecting the plurality of pixels to a scan line. A light-transmitting conductive layer is used for a pixel electrode layer of the display element, a gate electrode layer of the first transistor, source and drain electrode layers of the first transistor, and the scan line. The scan line driver circuit includes a second transistor and a capacitor for holding a voltage between a gate electrode layer of the second transistor and a source electrode layer of the second transistor. The source electrode of the second transistor is connected to the scan line. |
| US09779677B2 |
Display apparatus and method of driving the same that compensates temperature variations in the display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel that includes pixels for receiving data voltages in response to gate signals, and dummy pixels, a driver for driving the pixels and the dummy pixels, a kickback voltage detector for detecting a kickback voltage of the dummy pixels, and a timing controller. The timing controller calculates a temperature corresponding to the kickback voltage, compares the calculated temperature with a reference temperature, and controls the driver to compensate a display panel image quality based on a temperature variation that corresponds to a difference between the calculated temperature and the reference temperature. |
| US09779672B2 |
Oil puncture controlled starting system for EFD apparatus and manufacturing method therefor
An oil puncture controlled starting system for an EFD apparatus and manufacturing method therefor, wherein the EFD display structure comprises a base arranged below a lower electrode, and the base is provided with a step, such that a first liquid has a first thickness outside the step and a second thickness on the step, which is less than the first thickness, such a thickness difference renders the first liquid on the step to be punctured by a second liquid firstly when a lower voltage is applied between a upper electrode and the lower electrode, and the first liquid is pushed by the second liquid to move from a first area to a second area. |
| US09779671B2 |
Image display medium driving device, image display apparatus, driving program, and computer-readable medium
A image display medium driving device includes a voltage application unit that applies a voltage between a pair of substrates, at least one of which is transparent, of an image display medium including plural types of particles which are sealed between the pair of substrates, are attached to the substrates, and start to be separated from the substrates at different times when a predetermined voltage is applied and a control unit that controls the voltage application unit such that a time when the voltage is applied between the pair of substrates varies depending on image information. |
| US09779668B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device including data lines, an auxiliary data line, and a compensation data line, a display area including display pixels connected to the data lines, a nondisplay area including auxiliary pixels connected to the auxiliary data line, and compensation pixels connected to the compensation data line, and auxiliary lines connected to the auxiliary pixels and the compensation pixels. |
| US09779667B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method for driving the same
Provided is an organic light emitting display device including: a display panel including data lines, scan lines, and pixels coupled to the data lines and the scan lines; a digital data converter configured to calculate a panel load utilizing digital video data, and to convert the digital video data such that peak luminance of the pixels have a maximum value when the panel load is equal to or less than a limit value; a data driver configured to convert digital conversion data, which has been converted by the digital data converter, into data voltages, and to supply the data voltages to the data lines; and a scan driver configured to provide scan signals to the scan lines. |
| US09779666B2 |
Organic light emitting display and driving method thereof
An organic light emitting display includes a plurality of pixels and a compensation unit. Each of the pixels includes a driving transistor to control an amount of current supplied to a corresponding organic light emitting diode. The compensation unit is coupled to the pixels by data lines and includes at least one sensing unit. The sensing unit extracts threshold voltage information from the pixels corresponding to respective driving transistors. The sensing unit receives noise currents from a plurality of data lines, offset the noise currents, and extracts the threshold voltage information after offset of the noise currents. |
| US09779663B2 |
Organic light emitting display, method for driving the same, and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display, a method for driving the same, and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The organic light emitting display according to an embodiment includes a panel including subpixels each having a compensation circuit including a reference voltage supply transistor, which receives a reference voltage and initializes a node of a gate electrode or a drain electrode of a driving transistor using the reference voltage, a scan driver supplying a scan signal to scan lines of the panel, a data driver supplying a data signal to data lines of the panel, a timing controller that controls the scan driver and the data driver, and a reference voltage compensation unit supplying the reference voltage including a reverse voltage opposite a ripple generated in the reference voltage to the subpixels and cancel the ripple. |
| US09779659B2 |
Pixel architecture and driving method thereof
A pixel architecture includes a LED, a transistor, a data receiving unit, a compensation unit, a first switching unit, a second switching unit, and a capacitor. The transistor is configured to drive the LED. The first switching unit transmits a pixel data signal to the transistor according to a first scan signal. The compensation unit transmits a reference voltage. The first switching unit transmits a supply voltage to the transistor according to a second scan signal. The second switching unit transmits the pixel data signal to the transistor according to the second scan signal or a third scan signal. The capacitor is coupled to the transistor and the data receiving unit. The pixel data signal is transmitted to the capacitor at the time that the compensation unit transmit the reference voltage to the transistor. |
| US09779658B2 |
Pixel circuit, display panel and display device comprising the pixel circuit
The present disclosure discloses a pixel circuit, a display panel comprising the pixel circuit, and a display device comprising the pixel circuit. The pixel circuit comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, and a fifth transistor. The lifetime of the circuit can be prolonged by the pixel circuit with threshold voltage compensation function of the present disclosure. The pixel circuit can not only be used in large sized display device driven through SE mode, but also be used in medium or small sized display device driven through PE mode. |
| US09779654B2 |
Method for image display and display system
A method for image display is provided. The method includes: providing a data signal of an image, and the data signal comprising grayscale values R, G, and B; obtaining brightness values LR, LG, and LB which the grayscale values R, G, and B correspond to; transforming the brightness values LR, LG, and LB into brightness values LR′, LG′, and LB′; obtaining grayscale values R′, G′, and B′ which the brightness values LR′, LG′, and LB′ correspond to; obtaining a minimum value among the grayscale values R, G, and B as a white grayscale value W′; and supplying the red subpixel, the green subpixel, the blue subpixel, and the white subpixel with the grayscale value R′, G′, B′, and white grayscale value W′, respectively so that the image can be shown on the display panel. The present invention also proposes a display system utilizing the method. |
| US09779653B2 |
Data processing device
To provide a highly browsable data processing device, provide a highly portable data processing device, provide a data processing device which consumes low power, or provide a data processing device having high display quality, the data processing device includes a display portion having flexibility, a plurality of driver circuit portions arranged in the periphery of the display portion, a sensor portion discerning an external state of the display portion, an arithmetic portion supplying image data to the driver circuit portions, and a memory portion storing a program executed by the arithmetic portion. A first mode in which the display portion is unfolded or a second mode in which the display portion is folded is sensed by the sensor. Luminance adjustment processing is carried out by the program in accordance with the first mode or the second mode. |
| US09779652B2 |
Display device
A sub-pixel is provided in a display area of an organic EL display device. A bank layer surrounds an outer periphery of the sub-pixel. A contact area is positioned in the display area and is adjacent to the sub-pixel through the bank layer. A pixel electrode is provided in the sub-pixel. A common electrode is disposed across the sub-pixel and the contact area. At least a part of an auxiliary conductive layer is positioned in the contact area. A contact hole is provided in the contact area and electrically connects the common electrode and the auxiliary conductive layer. |
| US09779650B2 |
Display device and driving method of display panel
A display device and a method of driving a display panel. The display device includes a color calculating unit, a color data converting unit, a display and a panel driving unit. The color calculating unit supplies a first, a second, a third, and a fourth color data to the color data converting unit according to an image data. The color data converting unit outputs a first, a second, a third, and a fourth display data to the panel driving unit. A panel driving unit outputs a first, a second, and a third pixel voltages according to a first gamma curve to drive a first, a second, and a third color pixels of the display panel, and outputs a fourth pixel voltage according to a second gamma curve to drive a fourth color pixel of the display panel, wherein the first gamma curve is different from the second gamma curve. |
| US09779649B2 |
Boundary judging method and device, and display driving method and device
A boundary judging method for a 3D display apparatus includes: dividing each of a first picture and a second picture to be displayed into a plurality of theoretical pixel units and determining color components of each of the theoretical pixel units; determining, for each sub-pixel for displaying each of the first and second pictures, a luminance of the each sub-pixel according to a color component, corresponding to a color of the each sub-pixel, of the theoretical pixel units that are covered by a preset sampling region corresponding to the each sub-pixel and that belong to the corresponding picture; and determining, for each of the first and second pictures, a boundary between adjacent two of sub-pixels of each color in the corresponding picture according to a luminance difference between the adjacent two of the sub-pixels of the each color. |
| US09779647B2 |
Display device
A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels respectively displaying a first color, a second color, and a third color; and a signal controller controlling the display panel by processing an input image signal, wherein, in a color weakness mode, at least one color among the first to third colors is displayed with a higher gray than an input gray of the input image signal, and the other colors are displayed with the same gray as the input gray of the input image signal. |
| US09779642B2 |
Puzzle system with dual display faces
A system having at least one support, a housing mounted on the at least one support, a plurality of panels rotatably mounted in the housing and configured to present first and second display faces, each panel having first and second opposing faces that meet at opposing longitudinal first and second edges, the plurality of panels including a first panel having a portion of a first character removed from the first edge of the first panel, a second panel having a remaining portion of the first character removed from the second edge of the second panel, the first and second panels cooperating so that when the first and second panels are rotated with the respective first and second edges adjacent each other, the portion of the first character on the first panel and the remaining portion of the first character on the second panel cooperate to form a visual display of the complete first character, and a mechanism coupled to the plurality of panels and configured to cause the plurality of panels to rotate in unison in the housing and change the display face. |
| US09779637B2 |
Board describing or showing reality in four dimensions, a universal plotter and a scientific measurement and learning tool
The present invention relates to a metal-sheet board or blackboard with magnetic features having two or three movements, which plots and represents reality in four dimensions (horizontal, vertical, depth and time) and which describes reality objectively, in which a T-shaped ruler is moved on a rail along the horizontal or X axis by a digital stepper motor controlled by a driver and software on the computer (horizontal movement). Furthermore, a tool truck surrounding the T-shaped ruler moves along the entire length (vertical movement) or Y axis thereof, actuated by a digital stepper motor controlled by a driver, which is in turn controlled by software on the computer, with these two movements controlled by mathematical speed and acceleration functions. |
| US09779636B2 |
Importing and analyzing external data using a virtual reality welding system
A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training. |
| US09779635B2 |
Importing and analyzing external data using a virtual reality welding system
A real-time virtual reality welding system including a programmable processor-based subsystem, a spatial tracker operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem, at least one mock welding tool capable of being spatially tracked by the spatial tracker, and at least one display device operatively connected to the programmable processor-based subsystem. The system is capable of simulating, in virtual reality space, a weld puddle having real-time molten metal fluidity and heat dissipation characteristics. The system is further capable of importing data into the virtual reality welding system and analyzing the data to characterize a student welder's progress and to provide training. |
| US09779634B2 |
Natural orientation induction tool apparatus and method
An apparatus for training learning disabled subjects, such as autistic children, induces sound waves into a body of a user through two paths, one heard by the ears through air and the other through a liquid or solid in contact with tissues, such as skin and skeleton on the back of a user, below the collar and centered across the vertical axis of the spine. Two transducers produce waves in the audible sound spectrum, repeat persistently, and provide a tone about a location on which the subject may focus attention. A controller and actuator adhered to the skin by an adhesive gel pad against the back of a wearer. The sound, repeating (after a selected delay), decaying, and seeming to originate above and behind the head of a wearer is a waveform becomes a focus; effective to orient a subject, who lacks natural, self-orientation. |
| US09779631B1 |
Facilitating patient communication using branching logic in an outpatient oncology treatment regimen
A method and system facilitate communication with a patient on an outpatient oral oncology regimen. The method and system facilitate creating an initial contact guide to direct a patient interaction occurring at the beginning of the outpatient oral oncology regimen and using the initial contact guide to conduct an initial contact with the patient using the branching logic of the initial contact guide to determine which initial contact guide questions and informational scripts to present based on information provided by the patient. The method and system further facilitate creating a secondary contact guide to conduct a secondary, follow-up contact with the patient using the branching logic of the secondary contact guide to determine which secondary contact guide questions and informational scripts to present based on information provided by the patient. |
| US09779629B2 |
Obstacle advisory system
An obstacle advisory system for a vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to a display, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, the processor configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor configured to sense obstacles around a vehicle, generate obstacle display data based upon the sensor data, the obstacle display data comprising display data for each of a plurality of sectors and for each of a plurality of blocks within each of the plurality of sectors forming a grid surrounding the vehicle, and display the generated obstacle display data on the display. |
| US09779623B2 |
Communication of alerts to vehicles based on vehicle movement
Systems and methods for communicating alerts to vehicles based on vehicle movement are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes determining movement of one or both of first and second vehicles. The method also includes analyzing the determined movement based on a predetermined criteria. Further, the method includes receiving user input for vehicular communication of an alert. The method also includes communicating an alert to the second vehicle based on the analysis in response to receiving the user input. |
| US09779622B2 |
Method and device for assisting a driver when driving a vehicle
A method for supporting a driver driving a vehicle involves monitoring an environment surrounding the vehicle, detecting road users at a crossing or intersection, and emitting indications concerning priority rules to the driver. The indications are emitted to the driver as symbols overlapping the surrounding environment on a display unit or overlapping an image of the surrounding environment. |
| US09779619B2 |
Methods and systems for operating a logical sensor network
Methods and systems for operating a sensor network comprising a plurality of nodes and at least one resource, where a resource can be a sensing device (e.g., a camera or microphone) or other peripheral devices (e.g., a storage or recording system). In at least one embodiment of the present invention, at least one node in a network determines at least one resource available to it and the type of the resource or its capabilities. Based on the type or capabilities of the resource, the node associates with one or more logical node names and acquires instructions for performing at least one function. |
| US09779616B1 |
Synchronized multifocal emergency alert system
The synchronized, multifocal emergency alert system may include a device/emergency kit container, or may be incorporated into a belt, harness, or other personal protective equipment. The system may include a zipper slider, a zipper, access tab, alert device, and non-conductive pull tab. When the non-conductive pull tab is pulled, the alert device is triggered, and the synchronous, multifocal system alerts monitors that an emergency situation has occurred involving traumatic injury and alerting the monitors of the location of the emergency situation. |
| US09779615B2 |
Permitting processing system for a monitoring on demand security system
A premises apparatus is provided. The premises apparatus includes a processor configured to: determine that at least one monitoring service is being requested for activation and determine permit data associated with the at least one monitoring service. The processor is father configured to, if the determined permit data indicates at least one permit is required for the at least one monitoring service: transmit a request for at least one permit that is required for activation of the at least one monitoring service and, after transmitting the request for the at least one permit for activation of the at least one monitoring service, activate the at least one monitoring service. |
| US09779613B2 |
Display and control of pre-determined audio content playback
Embodiments are provided for displaying on a network device graphical display, an indication of an alarm, a media playback system playback zone associated with the alarm, and a control element for deactivating the alarm. The indication may be displayed in response to the network device receiving data indicating that the alarm is going off or is about to go off in the playback zone. A selection of the control element for deactivating the alarm may prompt a controller interface of the media playback system to be displayed on the graphical display, and the alarm may be deactivated via the controller interface. Alternatively, the selection of the control element may cause the alarm to be deactivated without displaying the controller interface. To deactivate the alarm, the network device may send to one or more playback devices in the playback zone, a transmission indicating that the alarm is to be deactivated. |
| US09779610B2 |
Automated loop check for smart junction boxes
A system includes a marshalling cabinet, a plurality of junction boxes, and an interface. The marshalling cabinet is configured to source a voltage in a plurality of cables through junction boxes to a plurality of field devices. Each of the junction boxes is configured to detect the voltage from the marshalling cabinet and transmit a detection message upon detecting the voltage. The interface is configured to receive the detection messages from the respective junction boxes that detect the voltage. |
| US09779607B2 |
Systems to monitor proximity of body portions relative to an environment
Systems are described for monitoring environmental conditions around extremities to aid in preventing damage associated with physical impact. A device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate configured to conform to a skin surface of a body portion; a sensor assembly coupled to the deformable substrate, the sensor assembly including a proximity sensor configured to generate a sense signal associated with a proximity of an environmental object relative to the body portion; circuitry operably coupled to the sensor assembly and configured to receive the sense signal associated with the proximity of an environmental object relative to the body portion; and a reporting device operably coupled to the circuitry and configured to generate a communication signal associated with one or more of the environmental object or the proximity of the environmental object relative to the body portion responsive to instruction by the circuitry. |
| US09779604B2 |
Detector unit and sensing chamber therefor with matter retention member and method for making same
Embodiments disclosed herein provide a detector unit and sensor chamber with matter retention member and method for making the same. In one embodiment, a smoke chamber can include a detection circuitry member having a surface, a particle trapping member mounted to the surface, and a chamber coupled to the detection circuitry member. The chamber can include a planar member, and several baffles extending away from the planar member in the direction towards the detection circuitry member and disposed around a periphery of the planar member, wherein a distal end of each baffle interfaces with the particle trapping member. |
| US09779598B2 |
Security system including less than lethal deterrent
A security system includes a video system for capturing images of an intruder. A deterrent dispensing device dispenses a deterrent substance in a selected direction. An actuator module is communicatively coupled to the video system and is coupled to the deterrent dispensing device. The actuator module receives a video signal from the video system and, in response thereto, controls the deterrent dispensing device to thereby aim the dispensed deterrent substance in a direction of the intruder. |
| US09779597B2 |
Method of operating a security system with deterrent capability for intimidation and neutralization
A method of operating a security system with deterrent capability is implemented through security cameras that are articulated and non-articulated, entry doors, and a control unit. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the security cameras and the entry doors as the control unit is supervised by a trained operator. The security cameras continuously send audio and video data to the control unit so that a threatening target can be identified before he or she can do any destruction. When the threatening target is identified, the entry doors are locked and electrified through the control unit in order to provide an initial defense system for the threatening target. Additional deterrence can be implemented at the threatening target through a less-lethal deterrence unit and non-lethal deterrence units of the articulated security cameras while the non-articulated security cameras provide surveillance of the threatening target to the control unit. |
| US09779596B2 |
Devices and methods for locating accessories of an electronic device
Devices and methods for locating accessories of an electronic device are provided. In one example, a method may include detecting parameters associated with disconnecting an accessory from the electronic device. The electronic device, or an associated device, may store the detected parameters so that the detected parameters are accessible if the accessory becomes lost. The electronic device may receive a request from a user of the electronic device for assistance in locating the accessory. In response to the request for assistance in locating the accessory, the electronic device may provide the stored parameters to the user of the electronic device to aid them in searching for their lost accessory. |
| US09779594B2 |
Estimating vessel intent
A computer implemented method includes receiving maritime vessel automatic identification system (AIS) data from a vessel. The method includes determining that the maritime vessel AIS data includes anomalous data. The method also includes estimating a likelihood of malicious vessel intent based on a comparison of the anomalous data to secondary data. In response to the likelihood of malicious vessel intent satisfying a threshold, the method further includes generating an alert that includes an indication of an inferred intent for the vessel. |
| US09779593B2 |
Systems and methods for positioning a user of a hands-free intercommunication system
A hands-free intercom may include a user-tracking sensor, a directional microphone, a directional sound emitter, a display device, and/or a communication interface. The user-tracking sensor may determine a location of a user so the directional microphone can measure vocal emissions by the user and the directional sound emitter can deliver audio to the user. The hands-free intercom may induce the user to move to a desired location and/or to stay within a connectivity area. The hands-free intercom may also or instead induce the user to face in a desired orientation. The directional sound emitter and/or the display device may induce the user by explicitly indicating the desired location, by adjusting an apparent source of the audio or video, by changing quality of delivered audio or video based on user position, by producing irritating audio or video, and/or the like. |
| US09779588B2 |
Media replenishment management
A method of method of managing media replenishment at a media terminal, the method comprising: receiving a media event from a media terminal; retrieving a next scheduled media replenishment event for that media terminal; evaluating if the next scheduled media replenishment event is scheduled to occur within an acceptable delay period; and initiating an unscheduled replenishment event only if the next scheduled media replenishment event is scheduled to occur after the acceptable delay period. |
| US09779587B2 |
Computer implemented method and computer system for awarding one or more benchmark prizes
A method, computer system, and computer program product to award one or more benchmark prizes in an online card game or hand. In certain embodiments, a controller automatically triggers awarding a first benchmark prize to at least one of one or more players or one or more game observers, based at least in part on an occurrence of a first benchmark event. The awarding occurs without any physical based-dealer taking time to payout the first benchmark prize, and thus, without slowing down the online game or hand that is being played. |
| US09779576B2 |
Methods and systems for magnifying selection windows in roulette games and accessing custom wagering profiles
A method for facilitating placement of wagers in an online game during game play includes displaying a first view of a wagering grid for an online game, with the wagering grid having lines. The method further includes receiving an input that is a gesture representing placement of a wager by a user on the wagering grid, and displaying a second view of the wagering grid that is a pop-up view. The second view, which can be a zoomed view or a magnified view, excludes any other placed wagers to facilitate placement of the wager by the user with respect to the lines of the wagering grid. Once the user has placed the wager, the method includes displaying an updated version of the first view that includes the wager placed by the user. In one example, the online game is a roulette game. |
| US09779574B1 |
Vending machine for retaining and dispensing feminine hygiene products through a novel coin operating apparatus
A vending machine that dispense feminine hygiene products. Specifically, this invention is a coin-operated vending machine that dispenses sanitary napkins and tampons. This invention allows a user to purchase a feminine hygiene product by placing a coin or multiple coins in a slot within the vending machine and pressing a product release button. The product is then dispensed to the consumer. The apparatus also provides a mechanism for retrieving a coin in the event that the vending machine is out of a specific feminine hygiene. |
| US09779573B2 |
Coin processing device
Breakage of electrical components inside is prevented when live wire insertion-and-removal is performed after inhibition of an increase in costs.A coin processing device 1 includes a coin sorting unit 3, a coin housing unit 2, and a harness 4. The coin housing unit has a first connector 21 including a first terminal TH2, a second terminal TL1, and a first ground terminal TG1. The coin sorting unit includes: a second connector 31 coupled to the first connector through the harness, the second connector 31 including the third terminal TH4 to which a high voltage is supplied through the first terminal, a fourth terminal TL2 configured to supply a low voltage to the second terminal, and a second ground terminal TG2 grounded through the first ground terminal; a low-voltage power source circuit 32 configured to generate the low voltage from the high voltage supplied to the third terminal, and configured to output the low voltage from a low-voltage output terminal 32t; and a switch circuit 34. The switch circuit disconnects electrical connection between the low-voltage output terminal and the fourth terminal in a case where a difference between a voltage at the second ground terminal and a voltage at the low-voltage output terminal has been less than a threshold value. |
| US09779572B2 |
Monitoring removal and replacement of tools within an inventory control system
An inventory control system is described that includes a tool storage device including a drawer or a tray providing a pallet, wherein the pallet includes storage locations for objects; a sensing device configured to form an image of the storage locations; and a data processor configured to determine presence or absence of the pallet and presence or absence of objects within the storage locations of the pallet using the information from the image. |
| US09779571B2 |
Method, system, and computer-readable medium relating to internet of things-enabled remote controls
The disclosed technology relates to transforming an ordinary remote control into an IoT device. IoT provides an opportunity to enable and extend traditional technology products in seamless and cost-effective ways. As an example, a remote control for garage door openers is transformed, thereby allowing users of smart phones to remotely activate the garage door openers from anywhere in the world. The transformation virtually eliminates installation and integration difficulties, without losing any functionality. The IoT-powered devices also opens the opportunity of whole world of M2M automation and benefits, such as automatically closing all garage doors after 9 PM or when people are away from the home. This technology further enables the power of smart phones, connected watches, tablets, IoT and M2M devices disruptively, changing how we live and interact with machines. |
| US09779569B2 |
Method for controlling door lock of home network system
Provided is a method for controlling a door lock of a home network system, the method including: generating release information used for locking or unlocking the door lock in an external software module which communicates with a first smart terminal of a user according to a request from the first smart terminal, or in a software installed in the first smart terminal; transmitting the generated release information to the gateway and a second smart terminal of a temporary user; transmitting the received release information to a controller of the door lock; and locking/unlocking the door lock by determining whether release information input by the temporary user are identical to the release information transmitted from the gateway. |
| US09779565B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing operation of a driver's mobile telephone
A motor vehicle controls operation of a mobile electronic device and includes a fingerprint sensor which scans a driver's fingerprint and produces a first electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint. A wireless transceiver receives from the mobile electronic device a first air-borne signal including a second electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint. An electronic processor determines whether the vehicle is in motion, compares the first electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint to the second electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint, and causes the transceiver to transmit a second air-borne signal to the mobile electronic device. The second air-borne signal instructs the mobile electronic device to disable itself. The second air-borne signal is transmitted only if the processor determines that the vehicle is in motion and ascertains as a result of the comparison that the first electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint matches the second electronic representation of the driver's fingerprint. |
| US09779558B2 |
Calibration tool assembly and method of using same
A calibration tool assembly is operatively connected to a control unit of a vehicle. The calibration tool assembly includes a plug on device (POD) that is electrically connected to the control unit of the vehicle. The POD includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a debugger port, which is controlled by the FPGA. The POD is operatively connected to the control unit of the vehicle. The debugger port bidirectionally transmits instructions between the FPGA and the control unit for the vehicle to debug and send instructions to the control unit. The calibration tool assembly also includes a hub, which is removably connected to the FPGA. The hub receives all measurement variable data from the control unit through the FPGA for analysis. |
| US09779555B2 |
Virtual reality system
A virtual reality system is provided. The virtual reality system includes a host device and a head mounted display apparatus to be worn by a user. The head mounted display apparatus includes a first wireless module, a second wireless module, a multimedia module, a multi-sensing module, and a peripheral hub. The multimedia module receives multimedia content from the host device through the first wireless module. The multi-sensing module obtains sensing information regarding the head mounted display apparatus and the user. The peripheral hub receives communication data from the host device through the second wireless module, and provides the sensing information to the host device through the second wireless module. |
| US09779552B2 |
Information processing method and apparatus thereof
An information processing method and an apparatus thereof are provided, which are applicable to a head-mounted device with a display unit. The information processing method includes: determining a virtual vision area for a user in a case that the user wears the head-mounted device; searching an environment space for a first object which is located in the virtual vision area and satisfies a predetermined condition; determining a first display area of the display unit which matches the first object; and outputting first display content in the first display area, such that when the user watches the display unit, the user sees that the first display content is presented on the first object in the virtual vision area. Display effect of the head-mounted device is improved according to the embodiments of the disclosure. |
| US09779551B2 |
Method for generating a content in augmented reality mode
The invention relates to a method for generating content in augmented reality mode for an equipment item (E) situated in the real world, by employing a mobile terminal (1) provided with a screen (11), the method comprising: a step of determining an augmented reality database stored in an augmented reality server (S1), a step of reading, using the mobile terminal, a matrix code (20) or an electronic tag associated with said equipment item (E), said matrix code (20) or said electronic tag respectively coding or comprising an address linked to a content, a step of memorizing said address, a step of generating a graphical interface component (Wx) corresponding to said address allowing access to said content, a step of memorizing the graphical interface component (Wx) in the database (DB) stored in the augmented reality server (S1). |
| US09779546B2 |
Volume dimensioning systems and methods
Systems and methods for volume dimensioning packages are provided. A method of operating a volume dimensioning system may include the receipt of image data of an area at least a first three-dimensional object to be dimensioned from a first point of view as captured using at least one image sensor. The system can determine from the received image data a number of features in three dimensions of the first three-dimensional object. Based at least on part on the determined features of the first three-dimensional object, the system can fit a first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model about the first three-dimensional object. The system can display of an image of the first three-dimensional packaging wireframe model fitted about an image of the first three-dimensional object on a display device. |
| US09779540B2 |
Calibration of virtual reality systems
A virtual reality (VR) console receives slow calibration data from an imaging device and fast calibration data from an inertial measurement unit on a virtual reality headset. Using a model of the VR headset, the VR console identifies model locators corresponding to locators on the VR headset and generates estimated positions for locators included in slow calibration data. The VR console adjusts calibration parameters so a relative distance between estimated positions of the locators and positions of their corresponding model locators is less than a threshold value. From the estimated positions, the VR console generates calibrated positions of a reference point on the VR headset associated with images from the slow calibration data. The VR console determines predicted positions of the reference point from the calibrated positions and adjusts calibration parameters so intermediate estimated positions of the reference point are within a threshold distance of the predicted positions. |
| US09779539B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An information processing apparatus and method provide logic for processing information. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving spatial positions associated with a plurality of images. The method determines displacements of the images in opposing first and second horizontal directions, based on at least the spatial positions. The method then generates, using a processor, first and second composites of the images, based on the determined displacements. |
| US09779538B2 |
Real-time content immersion system
A method may include presenting a scene from linear content on one or more display devices in an immersive environment, and receiving, from a user within the immersive environment, input to change an aspect of the scene. The method may also include accessing 3-D virtual scene information previously used to render the scene, and changing the 3-D virtual scene information according to the changed aspect of the scene. The method may additionally include rending the 3-D virtual scene to incorporate the changed aspect, and presenting the rendered scene in real time in the immersive user environment. |
| US09779537B2 |
Method and apparatus for ray tracing
Provided is a method and apparatus for ray tracing. A traversal unit to process an input ray to be input among a plurality of traversal units may be determined based on age of each of the plurality of traversal units. Age of the determined traversal unit may be determined based on age of each of rays that are processed by the traversal unit. |
| US09779536B2 |
Graphics processing
A graphics processing pipeline (20) comprises first vertex shading circuitry (21) that operates to vertex shade position attributes of vertices of a set of vertices to be processed by the graphics processing pipeline. Tiling circuitry (22) then determines for the vertices that have been subjected to the first vertex shading operation, whether the vertices should be processed further. A second vertex shading circuitry (23) then performs a second vertex shading operation on the vertices that it has been determined should be processed further, to vertex shade the remaining vertex attributes for each vertex that it has been determined should be processed further. |
| US09779535B2 |
Configuring resources used by a graphics processing unit
A resource used by a shader executed by a graphics processing unit is referenced using a “descriptor”. Descriptors are grouped together in memory called a descriptor heap. Applications allocate and store descriptors in descriptor heaps. Applications also create one or more descriptor tables specifying a subrange of a descriptor heap. To bind resources to a shader, descriptors are first loaded into a descriptor heap. When the resources are to be used by a set of executing shaders, descriptor tables are defined on the GPU identifying ranges within the descriptor heap. Shaders, when executing, refer to the currently defined descriptor tables to access the resources made available to them. If the shader is to be executed again with different resources, and if those resources are already in memory and specified in the descriptor heap, then the descriptor tables are changed to specify different ranges of the descriptor heap. |
| US09779534B2 |
Prefixed summed length in graphics processing
In an example, rendering graphics data includes determining, with a graphics processing unit (GPU), a texture offset for a current segment of a plurality of ordered segments of a dashed line, where the texture offset for the current segment of the plurality of ordered segments is based on an accumulation of lengths of segments that precede the current segment in the order, and pixel shading the current segment including applying the texture offset to determine a location of the current segment. |
| US09779529B2 |
Generating multi-image content for online services using a single image
Systems and methods are provided for generating multi-image content for online services using a single image. For example, a processor identifies publishing constraints specified for image categories in a profile of an online service. The processor generates a first image by applying a first publishing constraint to a copy of an input image and generates a second image by applying a second publishing constraint to a selected portion of the first image. The processor presents the first and second images in different preview interfaces. The processor applies manipulation effects to the second image that modify the second image independently of modifications to the first image. The manipulation effect is applied to the second in accordance with the second publishing constraint for the second image. The processor uploads the images with the applied manipulation effects to the online service for presentation in the different image categories. |
| US09779526B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for determining area of a pixel covered by a scalable definition for a character
A method of determining a coverage area of a pixel covered by a scalable path definition for a character, is disclosed. An edge direction for each edge of the scalable path definition intersecting the pixel is received. A fragment area is determined for each of the intersecting edges, each of the fragment areas representing an area of the pixel located to a side of a corresponding edge. The side of the corresponding edge is selected according to a direction of the corresponding edge. The coverage area of the pixel is determined based on a sum of the fragment areas, the sum of the fragment areas having a value greater than a total area of the pixel. |
| US09779522B2 |
Method for processing information and electronic device
A method for processing information and an electronic device are disclosed according to the disclosure, and a display unit of the electronic device is capable of being bended with certain curvature. The method includes: once notification signal for notifying the electronic device that a first plane image needs to be displayed is received, detecting and obtaining current bending state parameters for characterizing a current bending state of the display unit based on the notification signal; acquiring the first plane image from memory; performing image processing on the first plane image according to the current bending state parameters; and transmitting the second image to video memory of the display unit, to make a projected image of the second image on a preset plane is the same as the first plane image when the second image is displayed on the display unit of the curved shape. |
| US09779517B2 |
Method and system for representing and interacting with augmented reality content
Systems and methods for displaying augmented reality (AR) content are disclosed. The AR device may include a display configured to display real-world content overlaid with AR content and at least one sensor configured to provide an output indicative of an orientation, location, or motion of the AR device. The system may also include a processor device configured to: cause the AR content to be shown on the display at an initial location on the display; determine a change in orientation of the AR device based on the output of the at least one sensor; and change a position of the AR content on the display to a second location on the display, wherein the change in position of the AR content from the initial location to the second location is related to the determined change in orientation of the AR device. |
| US09779514B2 |
Display device, display panel driver and driving method of display panel
A display device includes a display panel including a display region and a driver driving each pixel of the display region in response to input image data. The driver calculates area characterization data indicating feature quantities of an image displayed in each of areas defined in the display region for each of the areas, based on the input image data and generates pixel-specific characterization data associated with each pixel by applying filtering to the area characterization data associated with the area in which each pixel is located and with areas adjacent to the area in which each pixel is located. The driver generates output image data associated with each pixel by performing a correction on the input image data associated with each pixel in response to the pixel-specific characterization data associated with each pixel and drives each pixel in response to the output image data associated with each pixel. |
| US09779511B2 |
Method and apparatus for object tracking and 3D display based thereon
An object tracking method is provided. The method includes obtaining current position coordinates of a tracked object for a first time using a tracking algorithm and initializing a filter acting on a time-varying system based on the obtained current position coordinates. The method further includes updating a system state through the filter acting on the time-varying system when the tracking algorithm outputs new current position coordinates of the tracked object with a spatial delay and comparing speed of the tracked object to a compensation determination threshold. Further, the method includes when the speed of the tracked object is greater than the compensation determination threshold, compensating the new current position coordinates of the tracked object with the spatial delay through the filter acting on the time-varying system, and outputting the compensated current position coordinates. |
| US09779509B2 |
Localisation and mapping
A method of detecting the presence of a building in a captured image is provided. The method includes dividing the captured image into a plurality of image regions, detecting a dominant angle of detected edges within each image region, and detecting the presence of a building in an image region if the dominant angle of detected edges within that image region, excluding edges within a first threshold angle of vertical, is within a second threshold angle of horizontal and if the distribution of detected edges within the second threshold angle of horizontal is substantially the same as that of at least one adjacent image region. |
| US09779508B2 |
Real-time three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene from a single camera
A combination of three computational components may provide memory and computational efficiency while producing results with little latency, e.g., output can begin with the second frame of video being processed. Memory usage may be reduced by maintaining key frames of video and pose information for each frame of video. Additionally, only one global volumetric structure may be maintained for the frames of video being processed. To be computationally efficient, only depth information may be computed from each frame. Through fusion of multiple depth maps from different frames into a single volumetric structure, errors may average out over several frames, leading to a final output with high quality. |
| US09779507B2 |
System and method for determining the orientation of a unit dose package
A method and system are provided for determining an orientation of a unit dose package, such as by determining whether the cavity that houses the medication is facing upwards or downwards. As a result of the determination of the orientation of the unit dose package, a method and system may also be provided for selectively picking a unit dose package, thereby enabling automated restocking of singulated unit dose packages by taking into account the orientation of the unit dose packages. |
| US09779503B2 |
Methods for measuring the efficacy of a stain/tissue combination for histological tissue image data
A method measures the efficacy of a stain/tissue combination for histological tissue image data comprising a set of pixels. The measures of efficacy comprise a statistical measure of clustering performance of the different stain/tissue combinations in the Maxwellian Chromaticity plane, and a representative density of the stain/tissue combinations in the density maps. The method captures histological tissue image data using a light absorbent stain; transforms the histological tissue image data to optical density data; projects the optical density data to the Maxwellian Chromaticity plane; identifies at least one reference color using a statistical technique; inverts the reference color to form a color mixing matrix; derives a density map; derives a statistical measure for the clustering performance of the different stain/tissue combinations in the Maxwellian Chromaticity plane; and finds a representative density of the stain/tissue combinations in the density maps. |
| US09779499B2 |
Grading of glandular tissue cancer by detailed image analysis of stained tissue slices
An improved histopathological score is obtained by identifying objects in images of glandular tissue from cancer patients. The objects are identified based on staining by a biomarker. The score predicts that a cancer patient will have a recurrence of cancer of the glandular tissue based on a geometric characteristic of individual identified objects but not on any pattern formed by the identified objects. First objects are generated from the image of glandular tissue which has been stained with a single biomarker that stains epithelial cells. Second objects are then generated using the first objects. A geometric feature of each of the second objects is measured. A shape index is then calculated for each of the second objects based on the geometric feature, and an average shape index is calculated. Based on the average shape index, a score is determined that indicates a level of cancer malignancy of the glandular tissue. |
| US09779494B2 |
Apparatus for dispensing material based on edge detection
A dispensing system for depositing material on an electronic substrate includes a frame, a dispensing unit gantry movably coupled to the frame, a dispensing unit coupled to the dispensing unit gantry, a vision system gantry coupled to the frame, and a vision system coupled to the vision system gantry. A controller is configured to manipulate the vision system with the vision gantry system to move to the position defined by a feature, to acquire an image of at least a portion of a feature, to search for an edge of interest along a center of the image, and to return a value indicating an offset of zero (0), which is interpreted as the location that is exactly as expected, and an offset that reflects where the edge of interest intersected that axis location. |
| US09779493B2 |
Method of detecting unique portion and method of setting address point of measuring apparatus using the same
A method of setting an address point (AP) of a measuring apparatus includes generating an original image using design data, generating a first simplified image by extending sizes of patterns in the original image, searching for at least one vertex in the first simplified image, and setting a predetermined region including the at least one vertex as the AP upon locating the at least one vertex. |
| US09779487B2 |
Methods and systems of local signal equalization
Methods and systems of equalizing spatial frequency signals for images are provided. Images distorted through defocus, motion blur, under-sampling or other reasons may be equalized. Equalized spatial frequency signals may be used to determine correspondence matching between images. Image patches from two or more image signals may be identified and analyzed to determine image patches that contain similar representations of the real scene, with sufficient local details for accurately computing cross-correlation. |
| US09779483B2 |
Measurement and enhancement in a multi-modality medical imaging system
Systems and methods for multi-modality data processing are provided. Some embodiments are particularly directed to enhancing and measuring multi-modality medical data. In one embodiment, a method for enhancing medical data in a medical processing system includes receiving, by the medical processing system, a reference set of medical data. The reference set of medical data may be display on a first user display. A region identifier, which corresponds to a region to be enhanced, is received along with an enhancement selection. A target set of data is identified based on the received region identifier and the received enhancement selection, and the medical processing system performs an enhancement corresponding to the enhancement selection upon the target set of data. The enhanced target set of data may be displayed on a second user display, the second user display being different from the first user display. |
| US09779482B2 |
Image raster rotation
A method allows changing an image raster direction from an application raster direction to a screen raster direction, in-flight while pixel values of an image are transferred successively from an application output memory to a display unit. A single buffer memory array is implemented between the application output memory and the display unit. Two writing orders for cells of the buffer memory array are used in turn, each being combined with a different reading order for the cells. The method can be hardware-implemented, and is adapted for burst-handling of the pixel values. |
| US09779478B1 |
Rendering composite content on a head-mounted display including a high resolution inset
A head-mounted display (HMD) divides an image into a high resolution (HR) inset portion at a first resolution, a peripheral portion, and a transitional portion. The peripheral portion is downsampled to a second resolution that is less than the first resolution. The transitional portion is blended such that there is a smooth change in resolution that corresponds to a change in resolution between a fovea region and a non-fovea region of a retina. An inset region is generated using the HR inset portion and the blended transitional portion, and a background region is generated using the downsampled peripheral portion. The inset region is provided to a HR inset display, and the background region is provided to a peripheral display. An optics block combines the displayed inset region with the displayed background region to generate composite content. |
| US09779476B2 |
Image signal processing method and image signal processor for noise reduction
An image signal processing method includes: receiving an original color filter array (CFA) image and a pixel binned CFA image; computing a specific information of the pixel binned CFA image; and processing the original CFA image according to the specific information. The associated image signal processor includes an input terminal, an operating unit and a processing unit, wherein the input terminal is for receiving an original CFA image and a pixel binned CFA image, the operating unit is for computing a specific information of the pixel binned CFA image, and the processing unit is for processing the original CFA image according to the specific information and utilizing the pixel binned CFA image. |
| US09779474B2 |
System and method for electronic device display privacy
An electronic device and associated method is provided. The electronic device comprises a processor; a display coupled to the processor, the display for displaying an image; a memory coupled to the processor; and a security module saved in the memory. The security module configures the processor to apply obfuscation to the image displayed on the display when a privacy mode is engaged on the electronic device. |
| US09779473B2 |
Memory mapping for a graphics processing unit
An electronic device is described herein. The electronic device may include a page walker module to receive a page request of a graphics processing unit (GPU). The page walker module may detect a page fault associated with the page request. The electronic device may include a controller, at least partially comprising hardware logic. The controller is to monitor execution of the page request having the page fault. The controller determines whether to suspend execution of a work item at the GPU associated with the page request having the page fault, or to continue execution of the work item based on factors associated with the page request. |
| US09779470B2 |
Multi-line image processing with parallel processing units
An image processing system is described herein in which a multi-line processing block has multiple inputs and multiple outputs. In order to provide the multiple outputs the multi-line processing block has multiple processing units operating in parallel on the multiple inputs. The multiple outputs of the multi-line processing block are coupled to corresponding multiple inputs of a subsequent multi-line processing block in the image processing system. |
| US09779468B2 |
Method for chaining media processing
An embodiment of a system may include a plurality of media units, a processor, and circuitry. Each media unit may be configured to execute one or more commands to process a display image. The processor may be configured to store a plurality of media processing commands in a queue. The circuitry may be configured to retrieve a first media processing command from the queue and send the first media processing command to a first media unit. The circuitry may also be configured to retrieve a second media processing from the queue and send the second media processing command to a second media unit in response to receiving an interrupt from the first media unit. The circuitry may then copy data from the first media unit to the second media unit in response to receiving the interrupt from the first media unit. |
| US09779463B2 |
Local management for intermediary graphics rendition
Technologies related to intermediary graphics rendition are generally described. In some examples, one or more devices in a local network may be equipped to serve as real-time graphics rendering intermediary computing devices for clients in the local network. A graphics rendering manager for the local network may collect graphics processing capability information of the devices in a local network, and may select computing device(s) in the local network to serve as intermediary computing device(s). The graphics rendering manager may interact with a system controller at a server or datacenter to direct compositing flow(s) to the selected computing device(s), responsive to system controller requests to initiate intermediary graphics rendering for clients in the local network. |
| US09779462B2 |
Computer-implemented method of manufacturing a computer-readable storage medium for a remote patient management system
A computer-implemented method of manufacturing a computer-readable storage medium for a remote patient management system with instructions for causing the execution of a care plan comprising a coaching plan. The method comprises: displaying a list of psychological determinants, receiving a selection of a group of psychological determinants chosen from the list of psychological determinants, generating a list of behavioral models using the group of psychological determinants, receiving a selection of at least one selected behavioral model from the list of behavioral models, determining a time line for the global structure of the coaching plan using the at least one selected behavioral model, compiling a coaching object file using the time line, linking the coaching object file to a library of multi-media content to resolve unresolved symbolic links of the time line, integrating the coaching plan into the care plan, and writing the care plan to the computer-readable storage medium. |
| US09779457B1 |
Personalized navigation control items for an application
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and computer-readable storage medium for providing personalized navigation control items of an application. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a user, at least one identification element of the user on a page of the application via a mobile computing device. The method includes transmitting, to a financial institution system, the user's identification element. Upon authenticating the user by the financial institution system, the method further includes receiving, at the mobile computing device, information related to personalization of navigation control items associated with a plurality of service sections of the application. The personalization of the navigation control items are generated by applying business rules to user data by the financial institution system. The navigation control items that personalized for the user's convenience and need are displayed on a page of the application on the mobile computing device. |
| US09779456B2 |
Trade order submission for electronic trading
Various systems and methods for trade order processing in an electronic trading environment are provided. The order processing includes initiating a first thread of instructions at a computing device to send a first trade order onto an electronic exchange. However, if one or more trade orders are identified during the process to send the first trade order, then the one or more orders are queued. When the first trade order is sent to the electronic exchange, then a second thread of instructions is initiated at the computing device to send the queued one or more trade orders (substantially together, if there is more than one) on to the electronic exchange. |
| US09779449B2 |
Veracity determination through comparison of a geospatial location of a vehicle with a provided data
A method, apparatus and system related to veracity determination through comparison of a geospatial location data of a vehicle with a provided data are disclosed. In one aspect, the method of a veracity server associates a provided data of an individual with a vehicle using a processor, determines the geospatial location of a vehicle, correlates a relevance of the geospatial location of the vehicle with the provided data, and determines the veracity of the provided data based on the relevance of the geospatial location of the vehicle to the provided data. The method may also comprise the usage of a geospatial circuit in the vehicle in order to transmit geospatial coordinates as well as a plurality of relevant locational information of the vehicle to the veracity server in order to make a correct veracity determination of the provided data. |
| US09779448B2 |
Vendor website GUI for marketing greeting cards
A system stores, in a database, different stock templates and also, for each stock template, a stock image to be displayed with the template. The system receives a user-designated image. The system then displays items simultaneously. Each item incorporates a different one of the stock templates along with the respective template's stock image. The system provides an image selector that is in a first position and capable of being switched by a user to a second position. Each time the user switches the selector to the second position, the system transforms the stock images in the displayed items simultaneously to the user-designated image. Each time the user switches the selector to the first position, the system transforms the stock images in the displayed items simultaneously to the items' respective stock images. |
| US09779447B2 |
Consumer representation rendering with selected merchandise
A rendering constraint is detected for a maximum time between capture of each a plurality of frames of a captured video stream of a consumer and a rendering of each corresponding frame of a consumer representation comprising a rendered three dimensional model rendered to depict a consumer appearance and a movement wearing a particular merchandise item. Processor elements accessible to the at least one computing system are selected that are able to generate the rendered three dimensional model within the time period specified in the rendering constraint. At least one processing task is directed to the selected processor elements to build the consumer representation comprising the three dimensional model and generate a rendering of the three dimensional model wearing the particular merchandise item as the captured video stream is received in real time at the at least one computer system. |
| US09779445B1 |
Procurement systems and methods
Exemplary methods and systems herein provide a central marketplace for a requestor to request a product or service from an internal inventory or external vendor, receive approval for the request, and have the approved request fulfilled. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises method for requesting a product or service comprises presenting, by a computer, a catalog to a graphical user interface of a requestor of a corporate entity, wherein the catalog comprises a product or service selected from a database storing records for an internal inventory of the corporate entity and a plurality of databases affiliated with external vendors that are not a parent, subsidiary, or related to the corporate entity; and receiving, by a computer, a selection from the requestor of a product or service of the catalog. The catalog can be synchronized in real-time or periodically with the external vendors' products and services. |
| US09779441B1 |
Method for relevancy ranking of products in online shopping
Systems and methods for ranking one or more products in online shopping. One or more products are identified based on a search query received from user. The one or more products are ranked based on terms present in the search query. Each of the one or more products has one or more attributes associated with it. An attribute score for each of the one or more products is determined. Further, based on the attribute score, the relevancy of the one or more products is determined. Based on the relevancy, a marginal relevancy score for each of the one or more products is determined. The one or more products are re-ranked based on the marginal relevancy score. The rank of the one or more products can also be modified to optimize revenue generation. |
| US09779439B2 |
Text translation using contextual information related to text objects in translated language
In an example embodiment, a memory stores a database of text objects having textual information pertaining to at least one of a plurality of documents, and contextual information about the documents. A translation module then is configured to translate text from a first user from a first language to a second language, the text pertaining to a first of the plurality of documents. A context ranking module is configured to locate, in the database, a plurality of text objects, in the second language, having text similar to the translated text, and to rank the plurality of text objects having text similar to the translated text based on a comparison of contextual information about the first document and the contextual information stored in the database for documents corresponding to the plurality of text objects having text similar to the translated text. |
| US09779431B1 |
Determining cost variations in a resource provider environment
Customers of shared resources or services can be informed of unusual variations in cost patterns over at least one determined period, in order to prevent those customers from being surprised upon receiving a significantly larger (or smaller) bill than expected. The daily cost (or portions of the daily cost) for a customer can be compared against the previous day's cost to determine a percentage cost variation. This cost variation can be compared against the mean of the percentage daily cost variations over a previous period, such as the last thirty days, to determine whether the variation falls outside a standard deviation (or other such threshold) from the mean. If so, the cost variation can be determined to be unusual, and the customer notified. The variation can be analyzed using daily, weekly, and monthly periods in order to identify unusual accumulations of small variations as well. |
| US09779422B2 |
Revenue share analysis
A revenue share analysis module can determine individual session revenues for content items provided by content providers. The module can also determine total session content revenues for each of the content items according to the determined individual session revenues, and determine respective content values for each of the content items according to the determined total session revenues for each of the content items. It also may determine total session provider revenues for each of the content providers according to the determined total session revenues for each of the content items, and determine respective provider values for each of the content providers according to the determined total session revenues for each of the content providers. Also, it can determine revenue share offers according to the content values and/or the provider values. |
| US09779420B2 |
Systems and methods for observing the movements of passengers on conveying devices
According to the embodiments of the invention, methods and apparatuses are used for observing the movements of passengers on transport conveyors and presenting advertisements thereon. Steps on an escalator or other conveyer employ touch screens and/or detectors which determine the brand & style of a shoe placed on the step. An image-forming module projects advertisements and other media content onto a transparent glass surface that is viewable by the passengers. The media content is selectively displayed based on the brand and/or style of passengers' shoes. Passengers may interact with the media content via the touch screen by carrying out gestures with their feet. Passenger interest in certain ads is detectable and may be used for consumer research purposes. |
| US09779419B2 |
Activating display and performing user authentication in mobile terminal with one-time user input
Disclosed is a mobile terminal including a touch screen display, a power button and an activation button for turning on the touch screen display. Upon detection of one-time pressing of the activation button while the touch screen display is turned off, the terminal is configured to turn on the touch screen display and perform a fingerprint authentication function in addition to turning on the touch screen display. The touch screen display displays a lock screen thereon as it is turned on in response to the detection of one-time pressing, and the lock screen is displayed on the touch screen display when the fingerprint authentication function is being performed. A lock state of the terminal continues when the fingerprint authentication function fails to authenticate a user, and the lock state is released for enabling other functions of the terminal when the fingerprint authentication function authenticates a user. |
| US09779416B2 |
Using fingerprinting to identify a node in a social graph of sharing activity of users of the open web as representing a particular person
A social graph is built which includes interactions, sharing activity, and connections between the users of the open Web and can be used to improve ad targeting and content personalization. Personally identifiable information is not collected. The sharing activity can include receiving first activity information for a sender of a message to a recipient by a collection resource at a Web site, the collection resource adding a link to the message, and receiving second activity information when the recipient accesses the link. The first or second activity information can include a cookie, which can be used to identify a node in a social graph as being representative of a particular person or user. When a match is not found, a fingerprinting approach can be performed using attributes, such as device identifiers; IP addresses; operating systems; browsers types; browser versions; or user navigational, geo-temporal, or behavioral patterns. |
| US09779414B2 |
Method and system for optimum placement of advertisements on a webpage
A method and system for placement of graphical objects on a page to optimize the occurrence of an event associated with such objects. The graphical objects might include, for instance, advertisements on a webpage, and the event would include a user clicking on that ad. The page includes positions for receipt of the object material. Data regarding the past performance of the objects is stored and updated as new data is received. A user requests a page from a server associated with system. The server uses the performance data to derive a prioritized arrangement of the objects on the page. The objects are arranged according to a calculation and returned to the user on the requested page. |
| US09779411B1 |
System and method for ad keyword scoring
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for advertisement keyword scoring. A processing circuit receives a request for an advertisement to be provided to a user during a user session. The advertisement is to be provided alongside other content that is associated with a first plurality of keywords. A processing circuit identifies a plurality of advertisements based on the first plurality of keywords. Each of the plurality of advertisements are associated with a second plurality of keywords. The processing circuit calculates a keyword score for each of the second plurality of keywords for each of the plurality of advertisements. Based on the keyword score, one of the keywords for each of the plurality of the plurality of advertisements is selected. Based on a comparison of the selected keywords, the advertisement to be provided to the user is selected. |
| US09779410B2 |
Network-implemented methods and systems for providing dynamic product pricing
The disclosure relates to network-implemented methods and systems for providing dynamic product pricing to a seller, using a self-updating database. |
| US09779408B2 |
Privacy conscious qualification of opt-in advertiser opportunities
In a system and method for flexibly offering on-line promotions to visitors of a website hosted by a server, when a user signs up with the website, the server collects a plurality of user data from the visitor. If a user's data matches predetermined criteria from an advertiser, then online promotions from this advertiser are included in an opt-in window displayed to the user. In some aspects, a bifurcated client/server scripting approach isolates personally identifiable information until or unless a user opts-into an offer or offers. The server dynamically generates pricing information for each advertiser according to a flexible algorithm. The flexible algorithm depends on the type and quality of user requested by the advertiser. |
| US09779407B2 |
Healthcare fraud preemption
Real-time fraud prevention software-as-a-service (SaaS) products include computer instruction sets to enable a network server to receive medical histories, enrollments, diagnosis, prescription, treatment, follow up, billings, and other data as they occur. The SaaS includes software instruction sets to combine, correlate, categorize, track, normalize, and compare the data sorted by patient, healthcare provider, institution, seasonal, and regional norms. Fraud reveals itself in the ways data points deviate from norms in nonsensical or inexplicable conduct. The individual behaviors of each healthcare provider are independently monitored, characterized, and followed by self-spawning smart agents that can adapt and change their rules as the healthcare providers evolve. Such smart agents will issue flags when their particular surveillance target is acting out of character, outside normal parameters for them. Fraud controls can therefore be much tighter than those that have to accommodate those of a diverse group. |
| US09779405B1 |
Systems and methods for authenticating a user commerce account associated with a merchant of a commerce platform
A method and apparatus for authenticating a user commerce account associated with a merchant of a commerce platform are described. The method may include initiating authentication of the user commerce account associated with the merchant of the commerce platform from a commerce platform user interface of a user device, the user commerce account established for a user of the merchant. The method may also include sending an electronic message to a mobile device associated with the user account at the commerce platform, wherein the electronic message comprises an authentication code, and receiving the authentication code from the commerce platform user interface. Furthermore, the method may include generating an authentication key for the mobile device in response to matching the received authentication code with the sent authentication code and receiving a cookie provided from the commerce platform to the mobile device. |
| US09779404B2 |
Business transactions over portable electronic devices with social media filters
System and methods for conducting wireless mobile business transactions on electronic hand-held device are disclosed. The electronic hand-held device comprises a dedicated communication component, a social media filter, and at least one functional identifier. The dedicated communication component communicates with at least one transceiver when the electronic hand-held device is located within a predetermined proximity of the at least one transceiver. The social media filter filters good or service offerings based on a user's desire. The at least one functional identifier is activatable for at least one good or service by a user when the communication is established between the electronic hand-held device and the at least one transceiver and a business transaction for the at least one good or service is initiated on the application server in a secure, user-authorized manner. The business transaction for the at least one good or service is authenticated by a social media provider. |
| US09779402B2 |
Electronic authentication systems
Methods and devices are provided for use in detecting relay attacks between devices in a communications network. One method includes sending first data by a first device to a second device, and receiving, by the first device, a communication from the second device where the communication comprises second data generated at the second device and a time parameter related to the generation of the second data. The method also includes measuring a total transmission time at the first device between sending the first data and receiving the communication, and determining a further time parameter related to the generation of the second data based at least in part on the measured total transmission time. The method then further includes determining the presence of a relay attack between the first and second devices in dependence on a comparison of the time parameter and the further time parameter. |
| US09779397B2 |
Transactional system and method for a table game
A transactional system and method for a table game is described. The transactional system includes a controller, a printer, a wireless device and a payment gateway. The controller is communicatively coupled to the printer and the combination is associated with the table game. The wireless device is communicatively coupled to the controller and receives at least one transactional input that initiates a transaction from the wireless device. The controller communicates the transactional data to payment gateway and then receives an authorization response from the payment gateway for an approved transaction. The controller communicates the authorization response to the wireless device, which presents a receipt for the approved transaction at the wireless device. The controller also communicates the authorization response to the printer, which generates an indicia of value. The indicia of value is converted to at least one casino chip at the table game. |
| US09779396B2 |
Method of making mobile payments to a recipient lacking a wireless or contactless terminal
The current invention provides a mobile payment method and a number of variations that enable a consumer to pay for a purchase from a merchant. Preferably the consumer may use a mobile device such as a smart phone to complete the transaction. With the current invention, the merchant may be capable of conducting the transaction using only an ordinary point of sale (OPOS) terminal, allowing the merchant and consumer to conduct business in a more convenient manner. The variations of the core method also significantly facilitate possible payment from the consumer to the merchant, enhancing the efficiency of the transactions. |
| US09779394B2 |
Processing analytics data received by sensor devices
One or more devices may receive multiple data records from a sensor device when the sensor device receives an indication from a network device, associated with a service provider network, to provide the multiple data records via the service provider network. Each of the multiple data records may include analytics data collected by the sensor device. The one or more devices may store the multiple data records; receive, from a client device, a data request for one or more of the multiple data records meeting particular criteria; form, based on receiving the data request, processed data including the one or more of the multiple data records meeting the particular criteria; and provide the processed data to the client device. |
| US09779392B1 |
Apparatuses, methods and systems for a publishing and subscribing platform of depositing negotiable instruments
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A PUBLISHING AND SUBSCRIBING PLATFORM OF DEPOSITING NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS (hereinafter “PS-PLATFORM”) provides a negotiable instrument data publish and subscribe framework, whereby financial institutions may exchange negotiable instrument deposit data and/or validation information within the publish and subscribe framework. In one embodiment, the PS-PLATFORM may register a financial institution as a subscriber and provide financial transaction information to the financial institution based on the subscription. |
| US09779390B1 |
Apparatuses, methods and systems for advancement path benchmarking
The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADVANCEMENT PATH BENCHMARKING (“APB”) provides mechanisms allowing advancement seekers to identify, map out, structure and interact with various advancement paths to the seeker's goals. In one embodiment, the seekers are career advancement seekers, and the APB provides mechanisms allowing the seeker to explore various career paths and opportunities. In one embodiment, the APB interacts with a statistical engine, which allows seekers to map their experiences to various advancement states in the statistical engines state structure. By so doing, it allows seeker to explore multiple paths based on various criteria, and allows seekers to plan their career goals. In the process, the APB obtains and tracks information from a number of seekers allowing any one seeker to benchmark attributes of their advancement path against other seekers. In other embodiments, the seekers may be students wishing to advance their academic advancements. In yet other embodiments, the seekers are financial seekers who wish to achieve their financial goals. |
| US09779388B1 |
Disambiguating organization names
A system, method, and apparatus are provided for disambiguating organization names. Selected names that are shared among multiple organizations may or may not be categorized or characterized (e.g., by industry, by size, by reach). As content items are received (e.g., news stories, magazine articles, social media content), occurrences of the selected names are identified. Each item that includes at least one name is processed to determine which of the multiple entities that have the name (if any) is the organization referenced or mentioned in the item. The same model may be applied to disambiguate all names or, depending on the name's categorization, different models or procedures may be applied to disambiguate the name. |
| US09779381B1 |
System and method of simultaneous computation of optimal order point and optimal order quantity
A system is disclosed for simultaneous computation of optimal order point and optimal order quantity. The system includes one or more memory units and on ore more processing units, collectively configured to receive initial inputs, initialize a first, at least second and final locations and the initial inputs and compute a first baseline inventory performance of the first level. The system is further configured to compute at least a second inventory performance of the at least second level and perform optimization iterations by simultaneously determining a change in inventory performance for the first and the at least second level when the re-order point (R) is incremented by a specified R increment value and when the re-order quantity is incremented by a specified Q increment value. The system is further configured to report the reorder point and reorder quantity for the first, the at least second, and the final location. |
| US09779380B2 |
Computer system for routing package deliveries
A shipping system for shipping packages involving the coordinated use of at least a first carrier and a second carrier. The shipping system includes physical delivery facilities for the physical delivery of packages, the physical delivery facilities including at least one transfer location at which the second carrier may take over delivery responsibilities for a package. The shipping system also includes an information system having a shipper computer system configured to record and determine whether the delivery address of a package is an efficient destination for the first carrier. If not an efficient destination, such as a delivery address having a rural zip code, the shipper computer system is configured to label the package for delivery to one of the transfer locations, allowing the first carrier to transfer the selected package to the second carrier for completion of the less efficient portion of the delivery. |
| US09779379B2 |
Container verification through an electrical receptacle and plug associated with a container and a transport vehicle of an intermodal freight transport system
A method and system related to container identification through an electrical receptacle and plug associated with the container of an intermodal freight transport system is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes coupling an electrical power plug of a container and an electrical power receptacle of a transport vehicle. Also, the method includes activating a tracking device of the container through a switch and actuator coupling. Further, the method includes verifying an identity of the container upon coupling the electrical power plug to the electrical power receptacle through an identification tag of the container and an electronic reader. Furthermore, the method may include conserving battery power through deactivating the tracking device of the container when the electrical power plug is de-coupled to the electrical power receptacle. The method may also include delivering an alert message to a driver when an incorrect container is identified. |
| US09779378B1 |
Automatic transmission mobile post office system
A method that includes allowing an installer to install a system at a location, using a biometric reader to collect the installer's biometric identifier upon installation, and using a communications device to notify a central station of the system's installation and transmit the installer's biometric identifier and time of installation to the central station. A method that includes providing a mobile postage system at a location, fixing the mobile postage system to a structure at the location, allowing a service user to secure a secure access panel on the mobile postage system, and allowing users to use the mobile postage system. |
| US09779377B2 |
Customization of event management and incident management policies
A method includes analyzing, by a computer device, data associated with tickets generated in a managed environment. The method also includes generating, by the computer device, a suggested rule change based on the analyzing. The method further includes receiving, by the computer device, an acceptance or denial of the suggested rule change. |
| US09779373B1 |
Item flow visualization for outbound fulfillment
Disclosed are various implementations for generating one or more visualization regions in a user interface indicative of a state of a fulfillment center. A visualization region may be generated comprising one or more visual identifiers, labels, and metrics describing one or more stages in a fulfillment process. In response to a manipulation of a portion of the visualization region, a predefined action may be initiated. |
| US09779362B1 |
Ranking video delivery problems
Systems and methods for determining video infrastructure delivery problems using machine learning are presented. In an aspect, a system includes a reception component configured to receive information regarding videos streamed by the system to devices, wherein the information identifies video playback events at the devices and re-buffer events respectively associated with the video playback events. The system further includes a quality component configured to identify features related to quality of the playback events at the devices based on the information, and an analysis component configured to determine probabilities of occurrence of the re-buffer events based on different combinations of the features, and determine weighted values for each of the features that reflect their contribution to the probabilities of occurrence of the re-buffer events based on the different combinations of the features. |
| US09779361B2 |
Method for learning exemplars for anomaly detection
A method detects anomalies in time series data, by first learning a final set of exemplars by summarizing training time series data using a divide-and-conquer procedure. Then, for each window of testing time series data, a distance to a nearest exemplar in the final set of exemplars is determined, wherein the distance is an anomaly score. Finally, an anomaly is signaled when the anomaly score for a window is greater than a threshold. |
| US09779360B2 |
Quantum processor
A system may include first and second qubits that cross one another and a first coupler having a perimeter that encompasses at least a part of the portions of the first and second qubits, the first coupler being operable to ferromagnetically or anti-ferromagnetically couple the first and the second qubits together. A multi-layered computer chip may include a first plurality N of qubits laid out in a first metal layer, a second plurality M of qubits laid out at least partially in a second metal layer that cross each of the qubits of the first plurality of qubits, and a first plurality N times M of coupling devices that at least partially encompasses an area where a respective pair of the qubits from the first and the second plurality of qubits cross each other. |
| US09779355B1 |
Back propagation gates and storage capacitor for neural networks
Technical solutions are described for implementing a neural network. An example system includes a crosspoint array including a plurality of nodes, each node representing a weight assigned to a neuron of the neural network. The system also includes a capacitor associated with a set of nodes from the plurality of nodes, where the capacitor is configured to store a current value corresponding to a sum of outputs from each respective node from the set of nodes. The system also includes a clocking circuit that initiates a forward pass to propagate the current value stored in the capacitor to a subsequent layer of the neural network. The clocking circuit further initiates a backward pass to propagate the current value stored in the capacitor to a preceding layer of the neural network. The clocking circuit further initiates a weight-update pass to update the weights in the neural network. |
| US09779354B2 |
Learning method and recording medium
Learning method includes performing a first process in which a coarse class classifier configured with a first neural network is made to classify a plurality of images given as a set of images each attached with a label indicating a detailed class into a plurality of coarse classes including a plurality of detailed classes and is then made to learn a first feature that is a feature common in each of the coarse classes, and performing a second process in which a detailed class classifier, configured with a second neural network that is the same in terms of layers other than the final layer as but different in terms of the final layer from the first neural network made to perform the learning in the first process, is made to classify the set of images into detailed classes and learn a second feature of each detailed class. |
| US09779352B1 |
Systems and methods for individual identification and authorization utilizing conformable electronics
An identification device includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly including one or more identity sensors configured to generate identity sense signals associated with at least one physical characteristic of an individual subject; circuitry including a comparison module configured to compare the identity sense signals to reference data indicative of one or more physical characteristics associated with an identity of at least one individual; and an adhesive coupled to a surface of the deformable substrate and configured to adhere the deformable substrate to a skin surface, the adhesive configured to transition from an adhesive state to a non-adhesive state responsive to one or more energy signals from the circuitry responsive to a correspondence between the identity sense signals and the physical characteristics associated with the identity being below a threshold correspondence. |
| US09779349B2 |
Method of producing a transponder and a transponder
In a method of producing a transponder (T1, T2, T3), a substrate (1, 91) is provided. The substrate (9, 91) comprises a first area (2), a second area (3) adjacent to the first area (2), and a first electric contact (8, 98) adjacent to the second area (3). An electric device (50, 80) is placed in or on the first area (2), preferably without touching the first electric contact (8, 98). Subsequently, a conductive glue (12) is applied on the second area (3) and on the first electric contact (8, 98) so that the conductive glue (12) electrically couples the first electric contact (8, 98) with the electric device (50, 80). |
| US09779346B2 |
Time-dependent identification systems, methods, and uses thereof
The present disclosure provides for identification systems and related methods of use. The disclosed identification systems can include a first ink and a second ink, each of which can comprise one or more time-dependent properties. The first and second inks can be disposed in a spatial pattern on a substrate. Illustrative spatial patterns include, but are not limited to, QR codes and other barcodes, text, images, and icons. A time-dependent property of the first ink and a time-dependent property of the second ink can cause a characteristic of the spatial pattern to change over time. For example, the spatial pattern can change from a first state at a first time to a second state at a second time. Evaluation and/or interpretation of the state of the spatial pattern at a second time can provide information about a product. |
| US09779345B2 |
Mobile device with scannable image including dynamic data
A mobile phone is disclosed. The mobile phone may receive a first request to generate an initial scannable image, and a second request to generate modified scannable image. The modified scannable image can include a static portion that corresponds to a static portion of the initial scannable image. The modified scannable image may also include another portion that has a different appearance than a corresponding portion of the initial scannable image. |
| US09779342B2 |
RFID reading method and RFID reader
A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader sequentially carries out inventory rounds with passive RFID sensor tags. Each RFID sensor tag has at least one sensing element arranged to sense a predetermined quantity. The reader reads one value of the predetermined quantity based on a backscattering modulation frequency used by the passive RFID sensor tag during each inventory round and releases the RFID sensor tag prior to reading next value of the predetermined quantity based on a backscattering modulation frequency used by the passive RFID sensor tag during a subsequent inventory round. If the passive RFID sensor comprises two or more sensing elements having different sensor characteristics, the reader reads one of the sensing elements of the passive RFID tag during one inventory round and releases the passive RFID sensor tag prior to reading another one of the sensing elements of the passive RFID sensor tag during a subsequent inventory round. |
| US09779337B2 |
Setting storage device, image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A setting storage device, includes: a storage unit that stores setting information and adjustment information to be associated with each other; and a control unit that in case that first setting information is introduced, compares contents in relation to predefined items of first adjustment information associated with the first setting information with corresponding contents of second adjustment information having been stored in the storage unit and, according to a comparison result, controls whether to store the first setting information to be associated with the second adjustment information stored in the storage unit or to store the first setting information and the first adjustment information associated with the first setting information. |
| US09779335B2 |
Parallel processing page description language data
Methods and apparatus for processing a page description language (“PDL”) data stream are provided. The methods and apparatus divide the PDL data stream to provide a plurality of PDL segments, create associated first and second data files for each of the PDL segments, and assign the first data file or the second data file associated with each of the PDL segments to at least one of a plurality of PDL processors. |
| US09779329B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program
It aims to accurately identify a class concerning classification of an object for each area of an image. A plurality of subsets are created from a plurality of learning images, and an area discriminator for performing area discrimination of the learning images is learned for each subset created. Then, area discrimination of a plurality of learning evaluation images is performed by using the plurality of learned area discriminators. Further, an integrated identifier is learned based on an area discrimination result performed to the plurality of learning evaluation images and scene information previously associated with each of the plurality of learning evaluation images. |
| US09779327B2 |
Cognitive traits avatar for similarity matching
Mechanisms for generating a cognitive traits avatar are provided. The mechanisms analyze a portion of content submitted by a user to extract features of the portion of content. The mechanisms map the extracted features to one or more cognitive traits and select an image corresponding to the one or more cognitive traits. The mechanisms further generate a cognitive traits avatar comprising the selected image and cognitive traits data defining a graphical representation of the one or more cognitive traits for output in association with the selected image. The cognitive traits avatar is output as part of an interaction of the user with another entity, or representation of another entity, via a computing device. |
| US09779322B1 |
Systems and methods for generating stereographic projection content
This disclosure relates to generating stereographic projection content. Stereographic projection content may be generated by obtaining visual information defining visual content. The visual information may be analyzed to determine one or more visual characteristics for the visual content. One or more visual characteristics may indicate a degree of matching visuals within the visual content. One or more visual criteria may be obtained. One or more visual criteria may define a minimum degree of matching visuals within the visual content for a stereographic projection transformation. One or more visual characteristics may be compared with one or more visual criteria to determine whether at least a portion of the visual content is suitable for stereographic projection transformation. Based on one or more visual characteristics satisfying one or more visual criteria, at least the portion of the visual content may be transformed using stereographic projection. |
| US09779320B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method for encoding an image descriptor based on a gradient histogram
A method for encoding an image descriptor (H) based on gradient histograms (hp) into a transformed descriptor (V) having transformed subdescriptors (vp), wherein each gradient histogram (hp) includes a plurality of histogram bins (hi) and each subdescriptor (vp) includes a set of values (vj), wherein the subdescriptors (vp) are generated according to an element utilization order list specifying a subdescriptor index (p) of the set of sub descriptors (vp) and an element index (j) of the set of values (vj). |
| US09779318B1 |
Method and apparatus for verifying vehicle ownership from an image
Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive verification of vehicle ownership in response to the transmission. |
| US09779316B2 |
Scalable and distributed biometric processing
Processing system and method for biometrics identification uses a plurality of biometrics capture devices and one or more network servers to provide cloud based biometric processing services. One or more gateway computers regulate data traffic as between the one or more servers and the biometric capture devices. The components of the system work cooperatively to reduce system bandwidth requirements and reduce a processing load upon various system components. The components are responsive to processing requests which dynamically selectively specify constituent steps in a biometric recognition process which are to be performed by each of the components. |
| US09779314B1 |
Vision-based detection and classification of traffic lights
The present disclosure is directed to an autonomous vehicle having a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes an image processing system. The image processing system receives an image that includes a plurality of image portions. The image processing system also calculates a score for each image portion. The score indicates a level of confidence that a given image portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light. The image processing system further identifies one or more candidate portions from among the plurality of image portions. Additionally, the image processing system determines that a particular candidate portion represents an illuminated component of a traffic light using a classifier. Further, the image processing system provides instructions to control the autonomous vehicle based on the particular candidate portion representing an illuminated component of a traffic light. |
| US09779312B2 |
Environment recognition system
Provided is a system capable of further reducing risk such as a contact between a moving body such as a vehicle and a traffic participant present around the moving body. According to an environment recognition system (1) of the present invention, a database (10) stores each of a plurality of reference symbol strings describing the state of an environmental element constituting each of a plurality of scenes assumed to be around the moving body. A first arithmetic processing element (11) detects a scene around the moving body and generates a symbol string describing the state of the environmental element constituting the detected scene. A second arithmetic processing element (12) evaluates similarity between the symbol string and each of the plurality of reference symbol strings stored in the database (10). |
| US09779309B1 |
Bulk searchable geo-tagging of detected objects in video
An apparatus comprising a sensor, an interface and a processor. The sensor may be configured to generate a video signal based on a targeted view of an environment. The interface may be configured to receive status information of the apparatus at a time of generation of the video signal. The processor may be configured to (i) detect one or more objects in the video signal, (ii) determine a location of the one or more objects relative to the sensor and (iii) generate metadata. The location of the one or more objects may be based on (i) the status information of the apparatus and (ii) a field of view of the sensor. The metadata may correspond to the location of the one or more objects. |
| US09779304B2 |
Feature-based video annotation
A system and methodology provide for annotating videos with entities and associated probabilities of existence of the entities within video frames. A computer-implemented method identifies an entity from a plurality of entities identifying characteristics of video items. The computer-implemented method selects a set of features correlated with the entity based on a value of a feature of a plurality of features, determines a classifier for the entity using the set of features, and determines an aggregation calibration function for the entity based on the set of features. The computer-implemented method selects a video frame from a video item, where the video frame having associated features, and determines a probability of existence of the entity based on the associated features using the classifier and the aggregation calibration function. |
| US09779303B2 |
Content-based characterization of video frame sequences
A system and process for video characterization that facilitates video classification and retrieval, as well as motion detection, applications. This involves characterizing a video sequence with a gray scale image having pixel levels that reflect the intensity of motion associated with a corresponding region in the sequence of video frames. The intensity of motion is defined using any of three characterizing processes. Namely, a perceived motion energy spectrum (PMES) characterizing process that represents object-based motion intensity over the sequence of frames, a spatio-temporal entropy (STE) characterizing process that represents the intensity of motion based on color variation at each pixel location, a motion vector angle entropy (MVAE) characterizing process which represents the intensity of motion based on the variation of motion vector angles. |
| US09779300B2 |
Tiled image based scanning for head position for eye and gaze tracking
An eye tracking method comprising: capturing image data by an image sensor; determining a region of interest as a subarea or disconnected subareas of said sensor which is to be read out from said sensor to perform an eye tracking based on the read out image data; wherein said determining said region of interest comprises: a) initially reading out only a part of the area of said sensor; b) searching the image data of said initially read out part for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position of a subject to be tracked; c) if said search for one or more features has been successful, determining the region of interest based on the location of the successfully searched one or more features, and d) if said search for one or more features has not been successful, reading out a further part of said sensor to perform a search for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position based on said further part. |
| US09779297B2 |
Systems and methods for assessing standards for mobile image quality
Methods are provided for defining and determining a formal and verifiable mobile document image quality and usability (MDIQU) standard, or Standard for short. The Standard ensures that a mobile image can be used in an appropriate mobile document processing application, for example an application for mobile check deposit. In order to quantify the usability, the Standard establishes 5 quality and usability grades. A mobile image is first tested to determine if the quality is sufficient to obtain content from the image by performing multiple different image quality assessment tests. If the image quality is sufficient, one or more document usability computations are made to determine if the document or content in the image is usable by a particular application. A ranking is then assigned to the image based on the results of the tests which is indicative of the quality and usability of the image. |
| US09779296B1 |
Content-based detection and three dimensional geometric reconstruction of objects in image and video data
Systems, computer program products, and techniques for detecting objects depicted in digital image data are disclosed, according to various exemplary embodiments. The inventive concepts uniquely utilize internal features to accomplish object detection, thereby avoiding reliance on detecting object edges and/or transitions between the object and other portions of the digital image data, e.g. background textures or other objects. The inventive concepts thus provide an improvement over conventional object detection since objects may be detected even when edges are obscured or not depicted in the digital image data. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method of detecting an object depicted in a digital image includes: detecting a plurality of identifying features of the object, wherein the plurality of identifying features are located internally with respect to the object; and projecting a location of one or more edges of the object based at least in part on the plurality of identifying features. |
| US09779295B2 |
Systems and methods for note content extraction and management using segmented notes
Techniques for creating and manipulating software notes representative of physical notes are described. A note management system comprises a note recognition module configured to receive image data capturing a note having a plurality of color segments, wherein the note recognition module is further configured to generate a plurality of indicators, each indicator indicative of a color class of a pixel or group of pixels within the image data and based on color values of the pixel or group of pixels; and a note extraction module configured to determine general boundaries of the color segments of the note based on the plurality of indicators and extract content using the general boundaries, the content comprising a plurality of content pieces, each of the content pieces corresponding to one of the color segments of the note. |
| US09779294B2 |
Methods and devices for classifying pictures
Methods and devices are provided for classifying pictures. In the method, the device obtains a picture to be classified. The device determines a class of the picture according to feature information of the picture, in which the class includes a text picture class and a non-text picture class. The device classifies the picture according to the class of each picture. |
| US09779293B2 |
Method and tool for post-mortem analysis of tripped field devices in process industry using optical character recognition and intelligent character recognition
A method includes capturing at least one screenshot of a display screen including an initial screenshot. The method includes removing text from the initial screenshot to generate a base image. The method includes identifying a background of the initial screenshot as a closed region. The method includes, for each of the at least one screenshots: storing a time of capturing the screenshot; identifying text, text color, and text location in the screenshot; identifying each closed region in the screenshot that is different from the background of the initial screenshot, and a region color and region location for each identified closed region in the screenshot; storing the region color and the region location for each identified closed region; and storing the text color and the text location of the identified text. |
| US09779290B2 |
Detecting apparatus, detecting method and computer readable recording medium recording program for detecting state in predetermined area within images
An imaging apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting unit 4d for detecting a state in a detection area T within an image displayed in a display panel 8a, an identifying unit 4b for identifying a subject from the image, an acquiring unit 4c for acquiring information relating to a predetermined subject in the case that the identifying unit 4b identifies the predetermined subject outside the detection area T, and a control unit (the detecting unit 4d) for controlling detection of the state in the detection area T based on the information relating to the predetermined subject acquired by the acquiring unit 4c. |
| US09779287B2 |
Classification and organization of consumer digital images using workflow, and face detection and recognition
Techniques for identifying a person in a target image are described. According to one of the techniques, identifying a person in a target image involves displaying, within a graphical user interface, an image that depicts one or more faces. One or more faces are automatically detected within the image. A user provides input that selects a face of the one or more faces to be a currently-selected face. A set of images are selected from a collection of images, where the set of images includes images that closely match the currently-selected face. Concurrently with display of the currently-selected face, each image in the set of images is displayed. Within the graphical user interface, a control is provided. The control enables a user to select a target image from the set of images. In response to detecting that the user has selected a target image using the control, the currently-selected face is associated with a person to which the target image corresponds. |
| US09779280B2 |
Fingerprint sensor employing an integrated noise rejection structure
A sensor has drive lines and transverse pickup lines to define an electrode pair where each pickup line crosses a drive line. A reference pickup line is arranged parallel to the pickup lines and a compensation drive line is arranged parallel to the drive lines. A signal source provides a first signal to the drive lines and a second signal that is the inverse of the first signal to the compensation drive line. An amplifier has a first input connected to a pickup line, a second input connected to a reference pickup line, and a output indicative of an object in contact with the electrode pair(s). Each impedance between the compensation drive line and a pickup line, between the reference pickup line and a reference drive line, and between the compensation drive line and the reference pickup line is equal to the impedance at the electrode pair when no object is contact with the electrode pair. |
| US09779279B2 |
Fingerprint recognition method, fingerprint recognition device and electronic device
The present disclosure relates to a fingerprint recognition method, a fingerprint recognition device and an electronic device, wherein the fingerprint recognition method comprises: an obtaining step of obtaining a capacitance detection value corresponding to each sensing electrode in a sensing electrode array; a calculation step of calculating a difference value between a first capacitance detection value corresponding to a first sensing electrode and a second capacitance detection value corresponding to a second sensing electrode, wherein the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode are adjacent to each other in the sensing electrode array; a type determination step of determining a fingerprint type detection result of the first sensing electrode and a fingerprint type detection result of the second sensing electrode according to the difference value; and a recognition step of recognizing the fingerprint according to the fingerprint type detection results. |
| US09779278B2 |
Electronic device comprising fingerprint sensor
The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a capacitive fingerprint sensor having a fingerprint sensing surface forming part of an exterior surface of the electronic device; a protective film arranged on the exterior surface of the electronic device comprising the fingerprint sensing surface; wherein the protective film is arranged to at least partially cover the fingerprint sensing surface; and wherein the protective film comprises an electrically conductive pattern covering the fingerprint sensing surface, the electrically conductive pattern being configured to enable verification of a functionality of the fingerprint sensor. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an electronic device comprising a fingerprint sensor, and to a method of verifying a functionality of a fingerprint sensor. |
| US09779273B2 |
Magnetic recording medium processing device and control method of the same
A device comprising a detection mechanism to detect a medium; a pre-head to slide on a magnetic strip formed on the medium to read magnetic data; a shutter that opens and closes in response to the result of the detection mechanism; a card processor to process information recorded on the medium; and a magnetic field generating device which may include a magnetic field generator to generate a magnetic field by a resonance unit; and a drive control circuit to control driving of the magnetic field generator. The drive control circuit may include a power supply, a reference potential circuit, and a resonance drive circuit. |
| US09779271B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for detecting theft of network devices
The disclosed apparatus may include a secure storage device that securely stores an initial geographic location of a network device that facilitates network traffic within a network. This apparatus may also include a processing unit communicatively coupled to the secure storage device. The processing unit may determine a current geographic location of the network device. The policy-enforcement unit may then detect evidence of theft of the network device by (1) comparing the current geographic location of the network device with the initial geographic location of the network device and (2) determining, based at least in part on the comparison, that the current geographic location of the network device does not match the initial geographic location of the network device. Finally, the processing unit may perform at least one security action in response to detecting the evidence of theft of the network device. |
| US09779267B2 |
Computer security method and apparatus
A method of controlling a process on a computer system for backing-up files stored in a primary storage medium, to a secondary storage medium. The method comprises monitoring a file system implemented on the computer system in order to detect write operations made by the file system to said primary storage medium. Upon detection of a write operation, the integrity of a file being written is verified and/or changes in the file identified with respect to a version of the file currently stored in the primary storage medium and which is being replaced. In the event that the integrity of a file being written by the file system is compromised, and/or any identified changes in the file are suspicious, then the file is identified to the back-up process such that automatic back-up of the file is inhibited. |
| US09779261B2 |
Entity security implied by an asset in a repository system
Techniques are described for managing access to a repository system storing information (e.g., metadata) about objects (e.g., an application, a process, or a service) in a computing environment. The repository system can store a data structure (an “entity”) that includes information about an object. An entity can have an association with one or more collections of entities (“assets”) that classify a collection of entities. Access to perform actions (e.g., create, read, update, or delete) an entity can be managed based on an entitlement, which grants a right to access information in the entity and/or at least one asset having an association with the entity. The repository system can manage access to one or more entities based on rights implied by an entitlement to access one or more assets associated with those entities. |
| US09779256B2 |
Iamnotanumber© card system: an image-based technique for the creation and deployment of numberless card systems
IAMNOTANUMBER© Card System is a software system which uses a specially designed encryption/decryption algorithm for the creation of credit and debit cards which are numberless but contain, instead, images based on personal information provided by the card user and information provided by the card issuing organization. These numberless cards require a password supplied by the card user in order to be used at point-of-transaction terminals. The system can also be used to produce drivers' licenses, health insurance cards, social security cards and special identification (ID) cards for organizations which may wish to keep not only their employee identities hidden but the identities of the organizations hidden as well. |
| US09779253B2 |
Methods and systems for sharing risk responses to improve the functioning of mobile communications devices
Methods and systems are provided for sharing security risk information between collections of computing devices, such as mobile communications devices, to improve the functioning of devices associated with the collections. The methods and systems disclosed may share security risk information by identifying a security risk response by a first collection and then providing the security risk response to a second collection when a relationship database profile for the first collection indicates the security response may be shared with the second collection. Methods and systems are also provided for determining whether to allow a request from an originating device where the request may have been initiated by a remote device. |
| US09779250B1 |
Intelligent application wrapper
Disclosed are various embodiments for an application wrapper. Content obtained by an application can be monitored to determine conformation with a content policy for a content rating. Communications can be monitored to determine violations of a privacy agreement. Processes, files, and communications are analyzed to detect malicious activity. The application wrapper may take remedial actions with respect to distribution of the application by an application distribution system. |
| US09779249B2 |
Launching a secure kernel in a multiprocessor system
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes verifying a master processor of a system; validating a trusted agent with the master processor if the master processor is verified; and launching the trusted agent on a plurality of processors of the system if the trusted agent is validated. After execution of such a trusted agent, a secure kernel may then be launched, in certain embodiments. The system may be a multiprocessor server system having a partially or fully connected topology with arbitrary point-to-point interconnects, for example. |
| US09779248B1 |
Protection of secured boot secrets for operating system reboot
Protecting secured boot secrets while starting an operating system. Embodiments include starting a first operating system using a trusted computing base, protecting a portion of the system memory to prevent access to the portion of the system memory by the first operating system, and storing secured boot secrets in the protected portion of the system memory. Based at least on identifying that a second operating system is to be started to replace the first operating system, embodiments include configuring one or more memory data structures, including code of the second operating system, in the protected portion of the system memory. The protected portion of the system memory is unprotected, while mitigating attacks on the portion of system memory, and processor state is set to execute the code of the second operating system. The second operating system starts using the secured boot secrets stored in the portion of the system memory. |
| US09779247B2 |
Boot control systems and methods for vehicles
A hardware security module (HSM) transitions a first signal from a first state to a second state and transitions a second signal from a first state to a second state when a request to change boot code is received. In response to receipt of a boot request, the HSM, when the first signal is in the first state and the second signal is in the first state: does not execute the hash function; and maintains the second signal in the first state. An actuator control module, in response to the receipt of the boot request: executes the boot code when the second signal is in the first state; and does not execute the boot code when the second signal is in the second state. |
| US09779245B2 |
System, method, and device having an encrypted operating system
An encryption system and method for a computing device having an encrypted operating system is disclosed. The encryption system includes a pre-operating system and an encrypted start-up module. The pre-operating system is executed on start-up of the computing device and is configured to receive user inputs for authenticating the user, the pre-operating system authenticating the user in dependence on the user inputs and, upon authentication, block-decrypting the encrypted start-up module into volatile memory for booting of the encrypted operating system on the computing device. |
| US09779239B2 |
Detection of malicious software behavior using signature-based static analysis
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method may include determining a set of entity instances in a software program. Each entity instance may correspond to a program entity through which the software program performs an interaction with an external entity that is external to the software program. The method may also include determining an identity of each external entity. Additionally, the method may include determining a set of data-flow predicates and a set of control-flow predicates that are satisfied by the software program. Further, the method may include comparing the set of data-flow predicates and the set of control-flow predicates with a signature library that includes one or more malicious software signatures. The method may further include determining that the software program is malicious in response to the set of data-flow predicates and the set of control-flow predicates matching one or more malicious software signatures. |
| US09779235B2 |
Cognizant engines: systems and methods for enabling program observability and controlability at instruction level granularity
The present invention is directed to system for and methods of real time observing, monitoring, and detecting anomalies in programs' behavior at instruction level. The hardware assist design in this invention provides fine grained observability, and controllability. Fine grained observability provides unprecedented opportunity for detecting anomaly. Controllability provides a powerful tool for stopping anomaly, repairing the kernel and restoring the state of processing. The performance improvement over pure software approach is estimated to be many orders of magnitudes. This invention is also effective and efficient in detecting mutating computer viruses, where normal, signature based, virus detection is under performing. |