| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US10057047B2 |
Phase synthesis techniques
Phase synthesis techniques (PST) useful in a wide variety of communication systems based on wireless, optical and wireline links, disclose methods and circuits for a programmable synthesis of a waveform from a referencing clock with phase resolution matching a single gate delay. |
| US10057046B1 |
Dynamic calibration for transceivers
The present disclosure relates to a method and system for calibrating transceivers by providing a stored index that was calculated of a race condition count. The race condition is based at least in part to a rat race between a clock signal and an input signal that has been sampled by a random or jitter signal. The stored index corresponds to a relative timing error between the clock signal and the sampled input signal. The stored index is used to scramble subsequent input signals that are thermo-coded signals, thereby eliminating timing errors. |
| US10057045B2 |
Multi-domain connection establishment in computer networking communications
A method, computer program product and computer system achieves full-mesh connectivity between any two domains in a multi-domain computing environment such as an Infiniband or Converged Ethernet environment. A connection between two domains is established using a single connection management identifier, and private payloads in connection management datagrams, to drive full-duplex connectivity over a pair of half-duplex connections. The half-duplex connections are established using one connection request, and one connection ID object. A connection management object interfaces between the two connected domains. The connection management object handles communications across the half-duplex connections while the connected applications operate as if they are communicating over a full-duplex connection. |
| US10057041B2 |
Aperiodic triggering of channel quality information using physical downlink control channel
The invention relates methods for triggering channel quality feedback for at least one of plural component carriers of a communication system available for downlink transmission. The invention suggests a mechanism for triggering channel quality feedback from a terminal where the downlink control signaling overhead for the selection of component carrier(s) to be reported on is minimized. One aspect of the invention is a new interpretation of a predetermined format for dedicated control information comprising a CQI request flag, which is depending on the status of the CQI request flag. In case the CQI request flag is set at least one further bit of the dedicated control information is interpreted as information indicative of the one or more component carriers available for downlink transmission to the terminal and the terminal is providing channel quality feedback on the channel quality experienced on the indicated component carrier or component carriers. |
| US10057040B2 |
Wireless communication system, base station apparatus, user terminal, and channel state information measurement method
The present invention is designed to provide a wireless communication system, a base station apparatus, a user terminal, and a channel state information measurement method that can allow a user terminal to feed back channel quality information that is optimal for a transmission mode from a plurality of transmission points. A wireless communication system according to the present invention provides a base station apparatus having a determining section that determines resource information about resources to allocate the reference signal for measuring desired signals to, and resource for measuring interference signals, and a reporting section that reports the resource information to the user terminal, and the user terminal having a receiving section that receives the reported resource information, a measurement section that measures desired signals and interference signals based on the resource information, and a measurement section that measures the channel state using the measurement results of the measurement section. |
| US10057038B2 |
Method and apparatus for feedback in mobile communication system
A method and apparatus for feedback in a mobile communication system are provided. The method of feedback transmission for a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes receiving control information indicating whether a subframe of an uplink band is allocated for a downlink from a base station (BS), receiving data from the BS in at least three subframes according to the control information, and sending the BS feedback for the data received in the at least three subframes using transmission time interval (TTI) bundling. |
| US10057032B2 |
Method and device for transmitting data for half-duplex device
A method for transmitting data for a half-duplex device in a wireless communication system is provided. The half-duplex device receives first downlink control information from a base station in a first subframe. The half-duplex device transmits uplink data to the base station in a second subframe. The first downlink control information includes a resource through which the uplink data is transmitted and information on the second subframe. |
| US10057030B2 |
Method for estimating frequency offset using quasi-co-located reference signals
The present disclosure discloses a method used in a UE for estimating a frequency offset between a CRS of a serving cell of the UE and a DM-RS of a data transmission to be decoded by the UE, using a set of quasi-co-located reference signals. The method comprises: comparing a number of Resource Blocks, RBs, for the data transmission to a first threshold; selecting one or more quasi-co-located reference signals from the set of quasi-co-located reference signals based on a result of the comparison; and estimating the frequency offset based on the selected one or more quasi-co-located reference signals. The present disclosure also relates to a UE for estimating a frequency offset between a CRS of a serving cell of the UE and a DM-RS of a data transmission to be decoded by the UE, using a set of quasi-co-located reference signals. |
| US10057029B2 |
Pilot time slot allocation for a MIMO system
A cellular multiple-input and multiple-output, MIMO, system (10) comprises a base station (20) having a plurality of antennas (22) and a logic (21) which analyzes pilot signals received from a terminal (11-15) at the plurality of antennas (22) to obtain information about radio channel properties between the terminal (11-15; 100) and the plurality of antennas (22). The base station (20) assigns at least two terminals (11-13) of a plurality of terminals (11-15) to a same pilot time slot. The base station (20) requests at least two terminals (11-13) to transmit pilot signals in the allocated pilot time slot in such a manner that the at least two terminals (11, 12; 11-13) are prevented from transmitting their pilot signals simultaneously. |
| US10057028B2 |
Terminal apparatus, base station apparatus, and communication method
A communication system that includes a terminal apparatus and a base station apparatus. The terminal apparatus transfers terminal capability information to the base station apparatus, whereby the terminal capability information indicating whether the terminal apparatus supports a PDSCH transmission mode with 4 or more CSI reference signal ports. The terminal apparatus reports a channel state information computed from a channel measurement, whereby the channel measurement in the PDSCH transmission mode with 4 or more CSI reference signal ports is based on only CSI-RS. |
| US10057022B2 |
Method for controlling access to an in-vehicle wireless network
Disclosed is a technique for managing access by a portable device to an in-vehicle router system (IVRS). The IVRS determines network access privilege of the portable device located within the vehicle. The portable device determines whether it is connected to a wireless access point (AP) of the IVRS or a rogue network. The portable device transmits a first token to the wireless AP, via a first communication link implementing a first protocol stack, to prompt the wireless AP to reply with a second token. The portable device receives the second token via a second communication link implementing a second protocol stack different than the first protocol stack between the portable device and the IVRS. The portable device determines whether the second token matches the first token. If the second token is determined to match the first token, the portable device authenticates the wireless AP. |
| US10057016B2 |
Method and apparatus for data transmission
An efficient retransmission mechanism for use in consideration of uncertainty of resource availability on unlicensed carriers in a Licensed-Assisted Access scenario. Particularly, there is provided a method for data transmission at a first communications device operable in both a licensed spectrum and an unlicensed spectrum. The method comprises initially transmitting a data block on an unlicensed carrier of the unlicensed spectrum to a second communications device operable in both the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum and retransmitting the data block to the second communications device in response to receiving a negative acknowledgement from the second communications device. The method also comprises abandoning the retransmission under a predetermined condition associated with the unlicensed carrier. Correspondingly, there is also provided an apparatus for data transmission at a communications device operable in both a licensed spectrum and an unlicensed spectrum. |
| US10057014B2 |
System and method for streaming data
In a system and method for streaming data, the system includes: instructions that: encode a data stream at a first bitrate; transmit a plurality of first data blocks to a receiver, each of the first data blocks including: a first source packet corresponding to the encoded data stream; and a first repair packet; and transmit a plurality of second data blocks to the receiver for a first predetermined period of time, each of the second data blocks including: a second source packet corresponding to the encoded data stream; a second repair packet; and a probing packet. |
| US10057002B2 |
Method and apparatus for removing interference and receiving signal in wireless communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. A method for a terminal for removing interference and receiving a signal in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprises the steps of: receiving configuration information for channel status information; and reporting, to a base station, the channel status information, and an indicator of whether the channel status information has been calculated on the basis of network-assisted interference cancellation and suppression (NAICS). |
| US10057000B2 |
Terminal station apparatus, base station apparatus, transmission method and control method
A terminal apparatus is disclosed wherein even in a case of applying SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO at the same time, the inter-sequence interference in a plurality of pilot signals used by the same terminal can be suppressed to a low value, while the inter-sequence interference in pilot signal between terminals can be reduced. In this terminal apparatus: a pilot information deciding unit decides, based on allocation control information, Walsh sequences of the respective ones of first and second stream groups at least one of which includes a plurality of streams; and a pilot signal generating unit forms a transport signal by using the decided Walsh sequences to spread the streams included in the first and second stream groups. During this, Walsh sequences orthogonal to each other are established in the first and second stream groups, and users are allocated on a stream group-by-stream group basis. |
| US10056999B2 |
Time synchronization error compensation method for multi-hop wireless backhaul network based on PTP
The present invention relates to a wireless network communication technology, and in particular to a time synchronization error compensation method for multi-hop wireless backhaul network based on PTP. Based on PTP, the present invention uses an intermediate node to count the timestamps of transceiving the PTP synchronization message Sync and the delay request message Delay_Req, detect and compensate the local forwarding time of synchronization message Sync and the delay request message Delay_Req and the link delay of transmitting the two between nodes based on the linear regression technology, thereby finally implementing asymmetric delay correction of wireless links between the master and slave nodes and completing time synchronization error compensation. The present invention uses the header of the PTP message to transmit the additional time information about the compensation time, the sending time and arrived time of the message and time correction value without modifying the existing PTP, thereby reducing the message overhead, meeting requirements of real-time and high precision of synchronization error compensation, improving the existing time synchronization precision and having strong practicality. |
| US10056997B2 |
Wireless base station, wireless communication terminal, and wireless communication system
A wireless communication system transmits information requested by a wireless communication terminal to the wireless communication terminal moving through a spot wireless area. In a wireless base station, an external information communication control section controls communication with a server. A contents memory stores at least a part of contents received from the server. A wireless communication section communicates with the communication terminal using a predetermined communication method. A control section establishes connection with the communication terminal using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure, or using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure. An access control (restriction) section permits access from the communication terminal to the contents memory and prohibits access to the server when a type of connection is the first connection, and permits access from the communication terminal to the contents memory and to the server in the case of the second connection. |
| US10056995B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring RSRQ of serving cell on basis of DMTC
Provided is a method for a terminal for measuring the reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of a serving cell.The terminal receives a discovery reference signal (DRS) measurement timing configuration (DMTC) from a network, and on the basis of the received DMTC, the terminal can measure the RSRQ of the serving cell. The serving cell may comprise a small cell supporting a DRS, and the small cell may be present on the same frequency as the serving cell. Furthermore, the RSRQ measurement of the serving cell can only be carried out during a non-DMTC period set in accordance with the DMTC. The non-DMTC period is a period during which a DRS is not transmitted from the small cell. |
| US10056994B2 |
Controller, communication system, and radio control method
A controller controlling radio transmission of a plurality of radio devices in a radio communication system in which each of the plurality of radio devices constituting a cluster transmits data with a same frequency and with transmission weights each of the plurality of radio devices to a terminal device belonging to the cluster, the controller includes, an acquisition unit configured to acquire radio propagation characteristics between the terminal device and the each of plurality of radio devices, a determination unit configured to determine radio a plurality of devices constituting the cluster to which the terminal device belongs, based on the acquired radio propagation characteristics, and a control unit configured to determine transmission weights of each of the plurality of radio devices constituting the cluster, based on the radio propagation characteristics of each of the plurality of radio devices constituting the cluster. |
| US10056993B2 |
Angle of arrival using reduced number of receivers
In an ultra-wideband (“UWB”) receiver, a received UWB signal is periodically digitized as a series of ternary samples. During a carrier acquisition mode of operation, the samples are continuously correlated with a predetermined preamble sequence to develop a correlation value. When the value exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating that the preamble sequence is being received, estimates of the channel impulse response (“CIR”) are developed. When a start-of-frame delimiter (“SFD”) is detected, the best CIR estimate is provided to a channel matched filter (“CMF”). During a data recovery mode of operation, the CMF filters channel-injected noise from the sample stream. Both carrier phase errors and data timing errors are continuously detected and corrected during both the carrier acquisition and data recovery modes of operation. The phase of the carrier can be determined by accumulating the correlator output before it is rotated by the carrier correction. By comparing the carrier phases of two receivers separated by a known distance, d, the angle of incidence, θ, of the signal can be determined. One or more receivers may be adapted to use multiple antennae, thus reducing the total number of receivers relative to the total number of antennae. |
| US10056983B2 |
Quantum-assisted load balancing in communication-constrained wide-area physical networks
The availability of entangled quantum signals can improve distributed decision making. In particular, it can improve the efficiency of coordination and the ability to perform load balancing in high-speed wide-area networks, and other communication-constrained network environments. We include an application to high-frequency trading on geographically-separated financial markets, and we discuss load balancing in IT and electrical networks and also a battlefield scenario. |
| US10056979B2 |
Optical transmission device and optical communication system
An optical transmission device as the first optical transmission device includes a light source to output light, an optical transmitter to transmit first information regarding a reception characteristic and power consumption of the first optical transmission device to a second transmission device, an optical receiver to receive second information regarding a reception characteristic and power consumption of the second optical transmission device, an optical branching circuit to branch the light output from the light source into transmission light for the optical transmitter and local light for coherent reception by the optical receiver, and vary power of the transmission light and power of the local light individually, and a processor to control a driving condition of the optical branching circuit, based on the first information and the second information, the power of the transmission light and the power of the local light varying in accordance with the driving condition. |
| US10056976B2 |
Optical signal monitor, optical wavelength multiplexing transmitter, and method for monitoring optical signal
An optical signal monitor, including: a storage that holds a threshold value set for each of determination areas having a bandwidth set in accordance with an average grid of dummy light; a measurement section that sequentially measures an optical intensity of an inputted wavelength-multiplexed optical signal with respect to each of measurement areas obtained by dividing the determination area into areas with a bandwidth sufficiently smaller than a grid width of a monitoring-target optical signal composing the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal, and output measured values; and a section that determines that dummy light corresponding to the determination area needs introducing if each of measured values in the determination area is smaller than a threshold value, and, determines that dummy light corresponding to the determination area does not need introducing if at least one of the measured values in the determination area is equal to or larger than the threshold value. |
| US10056974B2 |
Apparatus and method for low latency, reconfigurable and picosecond resolution time controller
A reconfigurable and timely accurate method of generating, with a low latency, an output signal in response to multiple input signals, wherein said input signals occur at independent times, and wherein the occurrence of several input signals according to predetermined pattern is interpreted as a Super Event and wherein a detected Super Event triggers the production of a specific output signal heralding this Super Event, characterized in that said method comprises a first step of time acquisition of the occurrence of said input signals, a second step of adaptation of the acquisition data flow to the clock of the reconfigurable processing unit, a third step of determining the occurrence of a Super Event by comparing the events pattern to the super event definition, a fourth step identifying the Super Event and generating at least one event/signal corresponding to at least one trigger signal, a fifth step of adaptation of the generation data flow to the asynchronous generation device, a sixth step of applying a predefined delay for the issue of the at least one trigger signal, and an seventh step of outputting at least one output signal representing a trigger signal and sending it to a downstream unit. |
| US10056971B2 |
Fast optical link control adaptation using a channel monitor
An amplifier receives an optical signal including a number of labeled channels via a fiber. The amplifier determines a count of the labeled channels and a spectral distribution of the labeled channels. The amplifier adjusts a parameter of the amplifier based on the count of the labeled channels and the spectral distribution of the labeled channels. The amplifier amplifies the optical signal at an adjusted output gain resulting from adjusting the parameter of the amplifier. |
| US10056970B2 |
Access network for digital telecommunications system and method of digital telecommunications
An access network for terminals of a digital telecommunications system includes base stations adapted for receiving radiofrequency signals emitted by the terminals, each terminal a physical layer processing module adapted to form a radiofrequency signal on the basis of binary data in accordance with a predefined physical layer protocol. Moreover, for at least one base station, termed the “partial station”, an inverse physical layer processing, making it possible to extract binary data from a radiofrequency signal, is distributed between the partial station and a processing server distinct from the partial station, an inverse physical layer processing module being made up of a first inverse processing module, integrated into the partial station, and a second inverse processing module, integrated into the processing server. The invention also relates to a method of digital telecommunications. |
| US10056963B1 |
Portable macro antenna system
Systems and methods for providing temporary cell coverage using lighter than air reflectors. The system can include a balloon or airship (e.g., a blimp) with a reflective lower surface. A ground-based source antenna can be aimed at the balloon to bounce cellular, or other communications, signals off the balloon and then back to the ground. The system can provide additional wireless coverage and bandwidth in remote locations and/or areas of high demand. The coverage area of the system can be adjusted by changing the shape of the bottom surface of the balloon. The coverage area of the system can also be adjusted by changing the height of the balloon above the source antenna. A dedicated source antenna and balloon can also serve as a microwave backhaul antenna system for a temporary cell site, using a balloon with a reflective surface shaped to collimate the radio link in a desired direction. |
| US10056960B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of communicating according to a transmit space-frequency diversity scheme
For example, a wireless station may be configured to modulate a plurality of data bit sequences into a plurality of data blocks in a frequency domain according to a dual carrier modulation, a data bit sequence of the plurality of data bit sequences to be modulated into first and second consecutive symbols in a data block of the plurality of data blocks; to map the plurality of data blocks to a plurality of spatial streams by mapping the first symbol to a first data subcarrier in a first sub-band of a signal band in a first spatial stream of the plurality of spatial streams, and mapping the second symbol to a second data subcarrier in a second sub-band of the signal band in a second spatial stream of the plurality of spatial streams; and to transmit a Multi-In-Multi-Out (MIMO) transmission based on the plurality of spatial streams. |
| US10056959B2 |
Directional direction selection method, apparatus, and system
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a directional direction selection method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: sending L groups of pilots in an omnidirectional direction manner, where the L groups of pilots are received by UE by using L directional directions, and the L groups of pilots are used by the UE to switch to a directional direction with best channel quality in the L directional directions; sending, by a base station, S groups of pilots by using S directional directions respectively; determining, by the base station, an optimal directional direction in the S directional directions according to the channel quality corresponding to the S groups of pilots; and switching, by the base station, to the optimal directional direction in the S directional directions. |
| US10056958B2 |
Method and apparatus for multiuser beamforming in mmWave wireless LAN systems
A method of providing multiple station beam refinement in a mmWave wireless network comprising an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) is provided. The method includes providing an AP configured to selectively transmit wireless signals to a plurality of directional sectors and to selectively receive wireless signals from the plurality of directional sectors. The method further includes operating the AP to at least one of provide simultaneous transmit beam refinement for the plurality of STAs, provide simultaneous receive beam refinement for the plurality of STAs, receive simultaneous transmit beam refinement from the plurality of STAs, and receive simultaneous receive beam refinement from the plurality of STAs. |
| US10056955B2 |
Resource allocation method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide a resource allocation method and apparatus, and relate to the communications field. On the premise of existing DMRS pilot overheads, an orthogonal DMRS design method for up to 24 data streams is implemented by means of new port mapping. The solution includes: determining, according to network configuration information, that a quantity of demodulation reference signal DMRS layers of a base station is N; and if 8 |
| US10056950B2 |
Precoding matrix indicator PMI feedback method
In a 3D MIMO scenario with 16 antenna ports, antenna ports can be extended in different directions because of different configuration manners of the antenna ports. An apparatus and method where different antenna port counting manners are determined in different configurations are provided, so that in different configurations, a matrix whose dimension is 8 and a matrix whose dimension is 2 are determined in a precoding codebook, and a value of a PMI is fed back to indicate a precoding matrix. |
| US10056945B2 |
Processing method for leakage power and electronic device supporting the same
A leakage power processing method of an electronic device including a first conductive pattern that sends and receives a communication signal associated with a communication function, a second conductive pattern that is arranged adjacent to the first conductive pattern and sends and receives a power signal used for charging, and a communication hardware interface electrically connected with the first conductive pattern is provided. The leakage power processing method includes determining, by a processor of an electronic device, whether a specific power signal is induced through the second conductive pattern and forming, by the processor of the electronic device, a closed loop including the first conductive pattern if the specific power signal of a specific magnitude or greater is induced. |
| US10056942B1 |
Guided-wave transmission device and methods for use therewith
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a transmitter that generates a first electromagnetic wave to convey data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and corresponding wavelength. A coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference, wherein the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material via at least one guided-wave mode that can include an asymmetric mode, wherein the at least one carrier frequency is within a microwave or millimeter-wave frequency band and wherein the at least one corresponding wavelength is less than the circumference of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US10056936B2 |
Front end circuit and communication apparatus
A front end circuit includes a circulator having a first port into which a transmission signal is input, a second port into/from which a transmission/reception signal is input/output, and a third port from which a reception signal is output. The impedance of the second port of the circulator is set to a value different from the impedance value of the first port and the third port. With his configuration, the narrowing of a frequency band and the increase in loss, which occur when an impedance matching circuit is additionally provided, are prevented. |
| US10056934B2 |
Dynamically configurable antennas
A dynamically configurable antenna is integrated into a system configured to transmit and receive data. Antenna control software and/or hardware configures the antenna to transmit and receive data with different operating characteristics, depending on the communication needs of the system. The physical structure of the dynamically configurable antenna can be modified in order to perform data communications with specific frequency ranges, directionalities, transmission and/or amplification powers, and other operating characteristics generally associated with wireless RF communication. |
| US10056933B2 |
Electronic device and method for controlling display on basis of information of accessory device and accessory device related thereto
An accessory device of a portable electronic device is provided. The accessory device includes a first cover that is detachably attached to at least a portion of the electronic device, a second cover that is connected to the first cover, at least a portion of the second cover covering at least a portion of a display of the electronic device, and an electronic circuit that is arranged inside the first cover or the second cover. The electronic circuit may include a memory that stores at least some of codes or data that indicate one or more of identification information, a characteristic, a configuration, a structure, and a function that are associated with a protection cover. Various pieces of corresponding information may be output according to the kinds of applied accessories. Therefore, the consumers' product preference can be improved and the reliability of the electronic device can be secured. |
| US10056929B2 |
Radio receiver with local oscillator modulation
An antenna subsystem receives an analog desired signal, noise, and interference via a communication channel. The desired signal includes modulated encoded digital information. A local oscillator (LO) modulation subsystem generates a modulated LO. The LO modulation subsystem generates a modulated LO to maximize the symbol signal-to-noise ratio of the decoded digital information based on a plurality of: the desired signal, the interference and the noise expected in the communication channel, the characteristics of the converter, and the ability of the DSP to remove the Modulated LO from the converted signal. A mixer mixes the received signal and the modulated LO. A converter converts the mixed signal from analog to digital. A digital signal processor (DSP) removes the modulated LO and desired signal modulation, and decodes the desired signal encoded digital information. |
| US10056926B2 |
Method and device for transmitting and receiving inter-cell information for cancelling inter-cell interference
Provided are a method and a device for transmitting and receiving inter-cell information for cancelling inter-cell interference in a wireless communication system. The method for transmitting and receiving inter-cell information may comprise the steps of: taking a PMI set which is a set of PMIs of a signal generating interference to an area partitioned in a predetermined direction and transmitting same to the base station of an adjacent cell transmitting the signal generating interference; and receiving, from the base station of the adjacent cell, PMI information on at least one of the PMIs included in the PMI set. |
| US10056924B2 |
High output power digital-to-analog converter system
The present disclosure discloses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) design which is suitable for providing a high output power high-speed DAC, e.g., in radio frequency applications. The DAC design utilizes a parallel DAC structure, e.g., having 8 parallel DACs and an aggregate current output, to provide a high and programmable current output (in some implementations, up to 512 mA or more). The parallel DAC structure alleviates the design problems which exist in trying to output a high amount of current using a single DAC. The DAC design further utilizes a hybrid structure which integrates the signal chain for a more reliable system. In some embodiments, the hybrid structure uses a CMOS process for the current sources and switches and a GaAs cascode stage for combining the outputs to optimally leverage the advantages of both technologies. The result is a highly efficient DAC (with peak output power programmable up to 29 dBm or more). |
| US10056922B1 |
Radio frequency device modules and methods of formation thereof
A method of operating a radio frequency (RF) module includes filtering, by a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) band-pass filter, an RF signal propagating between an antenna and an interface structure. The antenna is disposed at a first side of a substrate. The interface structure is disposed at a second side of the substrate opposite the first side The SIW band-pass filter is disposed within the substrate between the antenna and the interface structure. The method of operating the RF module further includes transferring, by the interface structure, the RF signal between the SIW band-pass filter and an RF front end circuit. |
| US10056917B2 |
Data compression device and method using floating point format
A data compression device includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog signal into a digital signal including in-phase and quadrature components; and a compressor configured to generate a 28-bit fixed-point digital signal in which bits of the in-phase and quadrature components are alternately arranged, generate an exponent bit string by comparing n most significant bits of a data bit string excluding two sign bits in the 28-bit fixed-point digital signal with preset mapping data, wherein the exponent bit string includes 4 bits, generate a mantissa bit string composed of 14 bits corresponding to up to 14th bit from a bit next to the n most significant bits of the data bit string, and generate a 20-bit floating point digital signal by combining the two sign bits, the exponent bit string, and the mantissa bit string, wherein n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2 and equal to or less than 12. |
| US10056912B1 |
Simultaneous cancellation of multiple spurs from different sources
A circuit for phase locked loop (PLL) multiple spur cancellation includes multiple spur cancellation circuits and a number of multiplexers that are coupled to respective input ports of the spur cancellation circuits. The circuit further includes a number of demultiplexers that are coupled to respective output ports of the spur cancellation circuits. Each spur cancellation circuit can cancel a spur associated with a spur source, and input nodes of the multiplexers and output nodes of the demultiplexers are coupled to different connection points of a PLL circuit. |
| US10056909B1 |
Single-lock delay locked loop with cycle counter and method therefore
Once a delay locked loop has been locked to a clock signal, an omitted clock cycle is injected into the input of the delay locked loop without stopping the operation of the delay locked loop. The omitted cycle is later detected at an output of the delay locked loop, and the delay between the input and output is determined based on the time the omitted cycle requires to propagate through the delay locked loop. Once determined, the number of cycles of delay for the delay locked loop can be used in conjunction with an internal clock signal to launch data and/or data strobes from memory devices and memory controllers such that the proper phase alignment and clock cycle alignment is achieved. |
| US10056906B1 |
Shift operation circuit and shift operation method
A shift operation circuit includes: shift circuits respectively coupled internal buses whose bit numbers partially overlap, each shift circuit receiving one of sets of divided data obtained by dividing input data and one of shift amount signals and outputting the corresponding divided data to a range shifted based on a shift amount represented by the corresponding shift amount signal from a reference bit position in the corresponding internal bus; a shift control circuit configured to output, during a first mode, shift amount signals whose shift amounts are common to the shift circuits, and configured to convert, during a second mode, a shift amount signal for each shift circuit, into a shift amount signal representing a shift range whose bit numbers do not overlap in the internal buses; and a bit selecting circuit configured to select valid divided data from bits whose bit numbers overlap in the internal buses. |
| US10056905B1 |
Nanomaterial-based physically unclonable function device
Techniques are provided for a physically unclonable function (PUF) device. One example PUF device includes, a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) (such as a ROIC for a focal plane array or other imaging application), a nanomaterial-based PUF layer on the ROIC, and a common electrode on the PUF layer. The nanomaterial is randomly distributed throughout the PUF layer. A method of using a PUF device that includes a nanomaterial-based PUF layer coupled to a ROIC, where the nanomaterial is randomly distributed throughout the PUF layer, includes driving the ROIC at a plurality of locations coupled to a corresponding plurality of locations of the PUF layer, sensing the nanomaterial at the locations of the PUF layer, and generating a unique identification key from the sensed locations of the PUF layer. The method can be used, for example, for secure decryption or for identifying or authenticating the PUF device. |
| US10056902B2 |
On-die termination control
A memory control component outputs a memory write command to a memory IC and also outputs write data to be received via data inputs of the memory IC. Prior to reception of the write data within the memory IC, the memory control component asserts a termination control signal that causes the memory IC to apply to the data inputs a first on-die termination impedance during reception of the write data followed by a second on-die termination impedance after the write data has been received. The memory control component deasserts the termination control signal to cause the memory IC to apply no termination impedance to the data inputs. |
| US10056898B2 |
Input stage of chip and method for controlling source driver of chip
An input stage of a chip includes a source driver and a sensing and clamping circuit. The source follower is arranged for receiving an AC-coupled signal to generate an output signal at an output terminal. The sensing and clamping circuit is coupled to the source follower, and is arranged for clamping the output terminal of the source follower at a fixed DC voltage. |
| US10056893B2 |
Molded power module having single in-line leads
A power module has a lead frame, a first power chip, a second power chip, a plurality of single in-line leads, a gate drive and protection integrated circuit (IC), a plurality of bonding wires and a molding encapsulation. The first and second power chips are attached to a top surface of the lead frame. The plurality of single in-line leads has a high voltage power lead, a low voltage power lead and a plurality of signal control leads. The low voltage power lead has a lead portion and an extension portion. The gate drive and protection IC is attached to the extension portion of the low voltage power lead. The molding encapsulation encloses the first and second power chips, the extension portion of the low voltage power lead, the gate drive and protection IC, the plurality of bonding wires and at least a majority portion of the lead frame. |
| US10056889B2 |
Delay line system and switching apparatus with embedded attenuators
Systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing standing wave reflections between delay line modules are described. The delay line modules include semiconductor switches, particularly MOSFET switches fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (“SOI”) and silicon-on-sapphire (“SOS”) substrates and embedded attenuators. According to one aspect, a delay line module includes two switches with delay lines coupled between respective output ports of the switches. Each switch includes MOSFET switches forming conduction paths with selectable high and low impedances. According to another aspect, at least one of the conduction paths includes an attenuator block formed by one or more shunting resistors coupled to one of the MOSFET switches. The output ports of the switches can be selectively coupled to a reference ground via a shunted MOSFET switch. |
| US10056883B2 |
SR latch circuit with single gate delay
An SR latch circuit with single gate delay is provided. The circuit has an enable input and an SR latch. There is first input stage having an input for receiving a set input and having an output for producing a first component of the SR latch circuit output, the first input stage having only one transistor that receives the enable input, the first input stage becoming transparent while enabled, the first input stage having a single gate delay between the input of the first input stage and the output of the first input stage. There is a second input stage having an input for receiving a reset input and having an output for producing a second component of the SR latch circuit output, the second input stage having only one transistor that receives the enable input, the second input stage becoming transparent while enabled, the second input stage having a single gate delay between the input of the second input stage and the output of the second input stage. |
| US10056880B2 |
Apparatus and methods for digital step attenuation
Apparatus and methods for digital step attenuators are provided herein. In certain configurations, a DSA includes a plurality of DSA stages that can be set in an attenuation mode or in a bypass mode using a plurality of switching circuits. A first switching circuit of the plurality of switching circuits includes a field effect transistor (FET) switch, a gate resistor, one or more gate resistor bypass switches, and a pulse generation circuit. The gate resistor is electrically connected between a switch control input and a gate of the FET switch, and a switch control signal can be provided to the switch control input to turn on or off the FET switch. In response to detecting a rising and/or falling edge of the switch control signal, the pulse generation circuit can control the one or more gate resistor bypass switches to bypass the gate resistor. |
| US10056877B2 |
Temperature compensated beam resonator
The invention provides a microelectromechanical resonator device comprising a support structure and a resonator manufactured on a (100) or (110) semiconductor wafer, wherein the resonator is suspended to the support structure and comprises at least one beam being doped to a doping concentration of 1.1*1020 cm−3 or more with an n-type doping agent and is being capable of resonating in a length-extensional, flexural resonance or torsional mode upon suitable actuation. In particular, the doping concentration and angle of the beam are chosen so as to simultaneously produce zero or close to zero second order TCF, and even more preferably zero or close to zero first and second order TCFs, for the resonator in said resonance mode, thus providing a temperature stable resonator. |
| US10056871B2 |
Loop compensation using differential difference amplifier for negative feedback circuits
A loop compensation circuit includes a differential difference amplifier having a first transconductance stage with a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to a voltage reference and the second input terminal is coupled to a feedback node. The amplifier also includes a second transconductance stage having a third input terminal and a fourth input terminal. The third input terminal is coupled to a virtually specified fixed voltage and the fourth input terminal is coupled to a fixed specified voltage. The loop compensation circuit also includes a feedback impedance coupled between an output of the differential difference amplifier and the third input terminal and a second impedance between the third input terminal and the fixed specified voltage. |
| US10056869B2 |
Power amplifier system and associated control circuit and control method
A control circuit of a power amplifier includes a peak detector, a first comparator, a first current source, a second comparator, a second current source and a bias circuit. The peak detector is arranged for detecting an amplitude of an input signal. The first comparator is arranged for comparing the amplitude of the input signal with a first threshold to generate a first comparing result. The first current source is arranged for generating a first current according to the first comparing result The second comparator is arranged for comparing the amplitude of the input signal with a second threshold to generate a second comparing result. The second current source is arranged for generating a second current according to the second comparing result. The bias circuit is arranged for generating a bias voltage according to the first current and the second current to the power amplifier. |
| US10056867B2 |
Sensor control circuit and electronic apparatus
A sensor control circuit comprises a sensor (201), a filtering circuit (202), a buffering circuit (203), and an amplifying circuit (204). An output end of the sensor (201) is connected to an input end of the filtering circuit (202), an output end of the filtering circuit (202) is connected to an input end of the buffering circuit (203), and an output end of the buffering circuit (203) is connected to an input end of the amplifying circuit (204). Because the buffering circuit (203) is disposed between the filtering circuit (202) and the amplifying circuit (204), the sensor circuit has an advantage of full sampling. Further provided is an electronic apparatus using the sensor control circuit. |
| US10056864B2 |
Efficient wideband envelope tracking power amplifier
A wideband envelope tracking power amplifier includes a plurality of low dropout voltage regulators (LDOs) including at least a first LDO and a second LDO. The wideband envelope tracking power amplifier also includes a single-input-multi-output (SIMO) voltage supply to output a plurality of voltage signals at different voltage levels, the voltage levels including a highest voltage level and one or more voltage levels lower than the highest voltage level. The SIMO voltage supply connects a first of the plurality of voltage signals at a first voltage level to the first LDO to form at least a portion of an envelope tracking voltage level signal, and connects a second of the plurality of voltage signals at a second voltage level less than or equal to the first voltage level to the second LDO to form at least another portion of the envelope tracking voltage level signal. |
| US10056857B2 |
Optimized field oriented control strategies for permanent magnet synchronous motors
A motor control system and associated method includes a transform component configured to receive current values associated with a motor being driven by the motor control system, and output rotating coordinate system values representing a flux generating component and a torque generating component of a current space vector. The motor control system and method further includes a control component configured to receive the flux generating component and the torque generating component of the current space vector, and generate motor control signals for driving the motor by performing a Cartesian to polar transform to obtain values associated with a rotating coordinate system followed by an angle addition to convert the rotating coordinate system values to values of a stationary coordinate system. |
| US10056853B2 |
Drive device and control method for drive device
Basic current commands of a d-axis and a q-axis are set based on a torque command of a motor. Subsequently, when the rotation speed of the motor is high, an electric angle compensation amount is set to be larger than that when the rotation speed of the motor is low, and a corrected predicted electric angle is set by adding the electric angle compensation amount to a predicted electric angle predicted from an electric angle based on a rotation position of a rotor of the motor from a rotation position detection sensor. Then, current commands of the d-axis and the q-axis are set by multiplying the basic current commands of the d-axis and the q-axis by a correction coefficient based on the corrected predicted electric angle, and an inverter is controlled using the current commands. |
| US10056850B2 |
Wearable power generating device
A wearable power generating device is provided. The wearable power generating device includes an arcuate-shaped flexible substrate, a first energy generating device, an energy harvesting circuit, and an energy storage device. The first energy generating device generates a first voltage in response to the first energy generating device being in tension or compression or being bent. The energy harvesting circuit receives the first voltage and outputs a DC voltage in response to receiving the first voltage. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the energy harvesting circuit and receives the DC voltage. |
| US10056847B2 |
Hybrid power conversion system and method of determining efficiency using the same
A hybrid power conversion system includes an inverter, a switching controller, and an efficiency measurer. The inverter is connected in series to a first converter and a second converter, and the first and second converters are respectively connected to first and second direct current power supplies. The switching controller controls switching frequencies of one or more switches in the first and second converters and the inverter. The efficiency measurer measures efficiency based on the switching frequencies. The switching controller determines the switching frequencies of the one or more switches as frequencies at which the system has a predetermined efficiency based on the efficiency measured by the efficiency measurer. |
| US10056846B2 |
Apparatus and method for insulation design of high voltage direct current transmission system
Provided is an apparatus for an insulation design. The apparatus for the insulation design, which performs the insulation design of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system includes a contingency state voltage calculation unit, a case analysis performance unit, and a rated insulation level calculation unit. |
| US10056843B2 |
Method and device for supplying energy to a low-voltage load
A method and a device for supplying energy to a low-voltage load using an electronic power supply device. The method involves: a) setting the power supply device to be able to provide an output current to the low-voltage load up to a specified peak current value upon demand; b) monitoring the output current (IL) provided to the low-voltage load by the electronic power supply device to detect an increase of IL over a threshold (IN) which is lower than the peak current value, c) if an increase of IL to an increased output current value higher than IN is detected, detecting the increased IL value and ascertaining an output current pulse duration (tPulse) based on the increased current value; d) providing IL at the level of the increased current value for the duration of the ascertained tPulse; and e) providing the IL at the level of IN after tPulse has expired. |
| US10056842B2 |
Quasi-resonant valley lockout without feedback reference
A method of controlling a power supply includes detecting a transition of the power supply to discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), and locking an operating point of the power supply after detecting the transition. The operating point can be unlocked when a timer expires or when a feedback voltage slope exceeds a threshold. |
| US10056841B2 |
Energy storage arrangement, energy storage system and method for operating an energy storage arrangement
An energy storage arrangement or configuration includes an energy store or storage device which can be connected to an electrical energy supply via a buck converter and a choke device. A boost converter is connected parallel with the energy store and the buck converter. The energy store is configured to be charged to a higher voltage level than the voltage level of the electrical energy supply. An energy storage system having multiple energy storage configurations and a method for operating an energy storage configuration are also provided. |
| US10056840B1 |
Feed-referenced regenerative DC load
A regenerative direct current (DC) load includes an input circuit, an output circuit, a low pass filter circuit, and a current regulating circuit. The input circuit is configured to receive electrical power. The output circuit is configured to provide electrical power. The low pass filter circuit is electrically coupled to the output in series. The current regulating circuit is configured to regulate a current of the electrical power. The current regulating circuit is electrically coupled to the input. The current regulating circuit includes a first switch, and a first control circuit. The first switch is electrically coupled between the input circuit and ground. The first control circuit is configured to sense the current and adjust a cycle duration and/or duty cycle of the first switch based upon the sensed current. |
| US10056838B2 |
Circuit and method for reducing analog buck current control loop sensitivity to supply path resistance
This application relates to a power converter circuit for converting a supply voltage received at an input node and providing, at an output node, a current at the converted supply voltage. The power converter circuit contains a DC-DC converter circuit for generating the current at the output node under control of a control signal, a current sensing circuit for sensing a current indicative of a current at the input node, a voltage adjustment circuit for sensing a voltage indicative of the supply voltage and generating an adjusted voltage on the basis of the sensed voltage and the sensed current, and an error amplifier stage for generating the control signal on the basis of the adjusted voltage and a reference voltage. The application further relates to a method of operating such power converter circuit. |
| US10056835B2 |
Current sense element for current regulated circuit and the like and method therefor
In one form, a circuit having a current sense element includes a current sense element, a target signal generator, and an error signal generator. The current sense element has first and second terminals and is adapted to be coupled in a current path whose current is to be sensed. The target signal generator generates a target signal representative of a condition of the current sense element when the current sense element conducts a target current. The error signal generator has an output for providing an error signal in response to both a current flowing through the current sense element and the target signal. In another form, a current regulated circuit includes a current conducting element such as a solenoid and a current control element coupled in series with the current conducting element and the current sense element. |
| US10056829B2 |
In-vehicle power supply device and vehicle mounted with same
A power supply device includes a boost convertor configured to perform a boost-up operation to boost a voltage supplied from an input terminal, a connection-assist diode connected in parallel to the boost convertor between the input terminal and an output terminal, and a switching element connected in parallel to the boost convertor and the connection-assist diode between the input terminal and the output terminal. A controller instructs the switching element to open and instructs the boost convertor to perform a boost-up operation for boosting the voltage at the input terminal during a boost-up period. The controller instructs the boost convertor to stop the boost-up operation when the boost-up period elapses. The controller then instructs the switching element to close the switching element. The controller then determines a state of the switching element based on a voltage at the output terminal detected. The in-vehicle power supply device can stably and accurately determine whether the switching element operates normally or not. |
| US10056827B2 |
Power converter
One example discloses a switching capacitive power converter, SCPC, including: an energy storage element; a voltage reference controller, and configured to output an adjusted reference voltage based on a received fixed reference voltage; and a charge pumping circuit configured to operate the SCPC at a charge pumping frequency and configured to charge the energy storage element at the charge pumping frequency if an absolute value of the power converter's output voltage is below an absolute value of the adjusted reference voltage; wherein if the charge pumping frequency is within a predetermined frequency exclusion range, the voltage reference controller is configured to set the adjusted reference voltage to a value such that the charge pumping frequency is no longer within the predetermined frequency exclusion range. |
| US10056826B2 |
Direct-current power supply device for controlling at frequency being 3N times frequency of three-phase alternating current and refrigeration-cycle applied device including the same
A direct-current power supply device is a direct-current power supply device that converts a three-phase alternating current to a direct current and supplies the direct current to a load, and includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected in series between output terminals to the load, a charge unit that selectively charges one or both of the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and a control unit that controls the charge unit. The control unit controls an output voltage of the direct-current power supply device by a charging period of the charge unit, and also controls a power factor and a harmonic current of the direct-current power supply device by a charge timing with respect to a reference phase of the three-phase alternating current of the charge unit as a reference. |
| US10056825B2 |
Control apparatus and method in static VAR compensator system
A control apparatus in a static VAR compensator (SVC) system includes a plurality of current supply units for supplying phase currents configuring three-phase current of a power system, a plurality of current sensors for measuring the phase currents, and a controller for determining whether unbalance occurs in the three-phase current based on the phase currents, calculating an error corresponding to the unbalance according to the phase currents if unbalance occurs, and individually controlling at least one of the plurality of current supply units so as to compensate for the error. |
| US10056820B2 |
Harmonic regulator for current source rectification and inversion
A system includes a current source rectifier which has a plurality of switches configured to receive an input current from an AC voltage source and to receive a plurality of control signals. The switches are configured to produce a rectified output current based on the input current and the control signals. The system also includes a rectifier controller configured to receive a current sense signal indicative of the rectified output current and to generate the control signals based at least in part on the current sense signal, where the control signals cause the current source rectifier to attenuate at least one of a plurality of harmonic frequencies in the rectified output current. |
| US10056817B2 |
Fluid ferfereh
In this device, the nozzles that often used in order to make a linear motion, so they can be helpful in rotating the disc if they are placed at the external ring of disc. In addition, in this case, apart from generating electricity from the discharging fluid of the nozzle by ionization method, the kinetic energy of the discharging fluid can be used for rotating the disc as well. |
| US10056813B2 |
Multipole electrical machine
An electromagnetic unit configured for being employed in a stator of an electric machine. The electromagnetic unit is constituted by a unitary solid body, and comprises a neck portion constituted by two end extensions sufficiently spaced apart for receiving therein a portion of a driven component of the electrical machine. The end extensions define therebetween a symmetry axis. The electromagnetic unit further comprises a frame extending from the end extensions and lying on the same or parallel plane as that of the end extensions. The frame has a first frame portion extending to one side of the symmetry axis to an extent W1, and a second frame portion extending to the other side of the symmetry axis to an extent W2 |
| US10056811B2 |
Electric traction drives
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for electric traction drives employing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting traction planets and opposing traction rings. In one embodiment, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device configured to transfer power to or from a traction sun of a CVT. In other embodiments, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device that couples to certain components of a CVT such as a traction ring, a carrier assembly, and a main axle. Various inventive shifting assemblies having shift cams and shift cam cages can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of a CVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a power input apparatus, a speed ratio shifter, a shift cam actuator, a shift nut, and a carrier assembly configured to support the tilting traction planets. |
| US10056805B2 |
Venting generator assemblies
A generator assembly includes a generator shaft defining an interior vent space. A valve assembly is positioned within the vent space configured to selectively allow venting of air through the generator shaft. A radial vent is positioned within the valve assembly configured to prevent oil from flowing through the vent space during operation and release air through the vent space during shutdown. |
| US10056797B2 |
Stator for rotating electric machine
A stator includes an annular stator core having slots arranged in a circumferential direction thereof and a stator coil comprised of phase windings. Each of the phase windings includes in-slot portions, each of which is received in one of the slots of the stator core, and turn portions each of winch is located outside the slots to connect one pair of the in-slot portions. Each of the turn portions includes an apex part that is furthest in the turn portion from an axial end face of the stator core and extends in the circumferential direction of the stator core. There are circumferentially-adjacent pairs of the turn portions over the entire circumferential range of the stator coil. For each of the circumferentially-adjacent pairs of the turn portions, the apex parts of the circumferentially-adjacent pair of the turn portions overlap each other in an axial direction of the stator core. |
| US10056792B2 |
Interior permanent magnet electric machine
An interior permanent magnet electric machine is described, and includes a stator including a plurality of electrical windings and a rotor disposed in a cylindrically-shaped void formed within the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of steel laminations assembled onto a shaft, wherein the shaft defines a longitudinal axis. Each of the steel laminations includes a plurality of poles and each of the poles includes a plurality of slots disposed near an outer periphery. The slots of the steel laminations are longitudinally aligned. A plurality of permanent magnets are disposed in a first subset of the slots, and plurality of packets assembled from anisotropic material are disposed in a second subset of the slots. |
| US10056791B2 |
Self-optimizing power transfer
A method is disclosed for charging a power source of a device. The method is performed by one or more processors. The one or more processors detect that a charging interface of the device and a charging interface of a charging dock are misaligned when the device is placed into contact or operational proximity with the charging dock. The device is automatically caused to move relative to the charging dock to achieve alignment. |
| US10056787B2 |
Rectifier circuit, and contactless power supply device
The rectifier circuit includes: three terminals A, K, VR; voltage comparator including a positive input terminal, a negative input terminal, and a comparative output terminal; current switching unit including source terminal, drain terminal, and control terminal; first switching unit that conducts or cuts off between source terminal and control terminal of the current switching unit; second switching unit that conducts or cuts off between control terminal of the current switching unit and terminal VR; and reference voltage generator that uses terminal A and terminal VR as input terminals, and includes a voltage output terminal. The voltage output terminal of reference voltage generator is connected to the negative input terminal of the voltage comparator, terminal K is connected to the positive input terminal of voltage comparator, and current flow between first switching unit and second switching unit is exclusively allowed or interrupted by a signal output from the comparative output terminal of voltage comparator). |
| US10056785B2 |
Tunable/de-tunable wireless power resonator system and related methods
A wireless power transmission (WPT) system. Implementations may include a power source coupled with a first wireless power transmission (WPT) system and a load coupled with a second WPT system including a sense circuit. The second WPT system, using the sense circuit, may be configured to dynamically tune a resonance of the second WPT system with the first WPT system to a desired resonance frequency value to allow transfer of a desired voltage or a desired power to the load. The desired resonance frequency value may be less than a maximum possible resonance frequency value. The first WPT system may be capable of transmitting more voltage or more power than the second WPT system or the load can receive without inducing damage to the second WPT system or the load. |
| US10056779B2 |
Power source adaptor for charging directly and mobile terminal
The application discloses a power source adaptor for charging directly and a mobile terminal, where the power source adaptor for charging directly is timed to communicate with a mobile terminal which is a charging object, in the UART communication mode to obtain a change in voltage of a battery in the mobile terminal, adjusts dynamically a volt value of charging voltage output by the power source adaptor for charging directly according to the varying voltage of the battery, and charges directly the battery in the mobile terminal using the charging voltage. |
| US10056769B2 |
Lithium-ion battery protector
The present invention discloses a lithium-ion battery protector, comprising a broken-circuit protection switch arranged in a charging loop of a lithium-ion battery pack, wherein the broken-circuit protection switch is adapted to carry out the switching-on or switching-off of the charging loop of the lithium-ion battery pack via the shape change of a shape memory alloy therein at different temperatures. The lithium-ion battery protector uses the memorability, interference resistance, high voltage resistance and passive over-current capacity of the shape memory alloy. |
| US10056768B2 |
Charging cabinet and control method thereof
A charging cabinet and a control method thereof are disclosed. The charging cabinet includes a controller, a power supply, switches, a charging detector, a status detector, and sockets electrically connected to devices. The switches are selectively tuned on to connect a current path between one of the sockets and the power supply. When a current value of the current path is smaller than a preset current value, the charging detector products a first detection signal. The status detector produces a second detection signal after counting up to more than a preset time period, during which the charging cabinet stays at a suspension status. The controller turns on at least part of the switches after counting up to more than an idle time period, during which the switches in the charging cabinet at the suspension status are tuned off according to the first and second detection signals. |
| US10056765B2 |
Electrical energy storage apparatus having a balun for balancing voltages of storage cells
The present invention relates to an electrical energy storage apparatus having a plurality of electrical storage cells connected in series and to an inductive balun for balancing the storage cell voltages, wherein the balun has a balancer transformer having separate single coils for the storage cells and has a respective electric switch for each storage cell. Provision is made in accordance with the invention that the coils of the balancer transformer are connected to a pole of the respective storage cell via a respective at least one inductance and a switch connected to the named inductance, with the switch associated with one respective storage cell being connected via a diode to a pole of a storage cell respective arranged upstream or downstream. |
| US10056757B2 |
Control device, power storage device, battery control system, battery control device, control method, battery control method, and recording medium
A control device for controlling the operation of a supply and demand adjustment device that is connected to a power grid includes: detection means for detecting the state of the supply and demand adjustment device; communication means for transmitting the detection result of the detection means to an external device and receiving from the external device operation control information for controlling the operation of the supply and demand adjustment device; comprehension means for receiving and comprehending an adjustment power amount transmitted by bidirectional communication or one-way communication; and control means for, based on the adjustment power amount and the operation control information, controlling the operation of the supply and demand adjustment device. |
| US10056752B2 |
Rotary electric machine for a vehicle
A rotary electric machine for a vehicle is provided. The rotary electric machine includes a power system circuit which has a power element and is grounded via a first ground terminal and a first connecting line and a control system circuit which controls the power system circuit and is grounded via a second ground terminal and a second connecting line. |
| US10056748B2 |
Electrical box support
A support is provided for mounting an electrical box in an opening formed in a block. The support includes a planar body configured to be coupled to a first side wall of the electrical box. The body includes at least one side edge. The support further includes a flange coupled to the first side edge of the body and extends substantially perpendicular to a plane of the body. The flange is configured to contact an outer surface of the block and to orient an outer edge of the electrical box relative to the block. The support further includes a retention member that is coupled to the body. The retention member has an end. At least a portion of the retention member is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration in which the portion of the retention member is positioned away from the body and contacts the block. |
| US10056747B2 |
Household distribution box for forcible power interruption and forcible power interruption system
A household distribution box comprises a distribution box case; two service lines introduced from a transformer into the distribution box case of a consumer; three main lines installed in the distribution box case and provided with two lines and a second service line; two sub-lines installed in the distribution box case and formed by branching the second service line among the main lines into two lines; a first circuit breaker installed in the distribution box case; a second circuit breaker installed in the distribution box case; and a controller connected to the first circuit breaker. |
| US10056742B1 |
System, method and apparatus for spray-on application of a wire pulling lubricant
A system, method, and apparatus lubricating a wire or cable during manufacturing, wherein the wire is aligned with an entry to a spraying enclosure and passes through a first seal of the spraying enclosure. Lubricant is sprayed onto the wire inside of the spraying enclosure while the unapplied, but sprayed, lubricant is collected at the bottom of the spraying enclosure. The wire passes through a second seal of the spraying enclosure, is aligned, and exits from the spraying enclosure. |
| US10056736B2 |
High-frequency radiation plug
An aim of the present invention is, in a plug for high frequency emission disposed at an end of a casing having an emission antenna, to suppress a high frequency noise emitted from the emission antenna. The present invention is directed to a plug for high frequency emission including a transmission line for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, an emission antenna for emitting the electromagnetic wave supplied via the transmission line, and a casing constituted by a cylindrical shaped conductor, provided with the emission antenna at one end of the casing, and accommodating therein the transmission line extending from the emission antenna toward the other end of the casing. Inside of the casing, a central conductor electrically connected to the emission antenna and an outer conductor spaced apart from and surrounding the central conductor are embedded in an insulator so as to collectively constitute the transmission line, and the outer conductor is disposed in and held in non-contact with the casing. |
| US10056732B2 |
Mechanically isolated optically pumped semiconductor laser
A housing for an optically pumped semiconductor (OPS) laser resonator is terminated at one end thereof by an OPS-chip. The laser resonator is assembled on a platform with the OPS-chip at one end of the platform. The platform is fixedly attached to a baseplate at the OPS-chip end of the platform. The remainder of the platform extends over the baseplate with a gap between the platform and the baseplate. A pump-laser is mounted directly on the baseplate and delivers pump radiation to the OPS-chip. |
| US10056727B2 |
Rotor of a dynamoelectric machine
A rotor of a dynamoelectric machine is provided, the rotor comprising a shaft, an essentially cylindrical armature, an armature coil comprising aluminum coil wires and a drum commutator, which comprises an insulating support body and conductor segments which are attached to said support body and fixed therein by means of armature sections. Said conductor segments each comprise a copper running surface area and a connection area made of aluminum or a metal which can be soldered with aluminum (aluminum-compatible metal) having a soldering tag which greatly projects over the brush running surface. Said coil wires are soldered to the end side to the soldering tag of the respectively associated conductor segments and to be precise, without directly contacting the areas of the running surface. |
| US10056726B2 |
Power supply system
A power supply system 1 comprising: a device part 5 that is connectable to an electrical device for the supply of electrical power thereto, and a socket part 3 separate from said device part 5, the socket part 3 being for direct or indirect connection to a mains electrical socket; wherein the device part 5 and the socket part 3 are configured for electrical connection to one another so that electrical power can be transferred from said socket to said electrical device. |
| US10056724B2 |
Connector assembly having two connector housings coupled to a cover in a sliding manner
A joint connector assembly is disclosed. The joint connector assembly includes a first unit connector housing having a predetermined number of first terminal holes in a predetermined pattern, a second unit connector housing connected to the first unit connector housing and having a predetermined number of second terminal holes in a predetermined pattern, and a sliding cover to allow the first unit connector housing and the second unit connector housing to be coupled to the sliding cover in a sliding manner. |
| US10056723B2 |
Electrical interconnect arrangements
An electrical interconnect arrangement for coupling a contactor with a bus bar includes a post, a bus bar connected electrically to the post, and a joint coupling the bus bar to the post. The joint has two or more interfaces defined between the post and the bus bar to reduce resistive heat generation within the electrical interconnect arrangement. |
| US10056722B1 |
Devices and methods for providing electrical power
Devices and methods are described to provide electrical power. A device of the invention may comprise a particular arrangement of components including (A) a plug assembly including positive and negative prongs, outwardly facing, for interfacing with a female cord end; (B) a first outlet assembly including positive and negative apertures, outwardly facing, for interfacing with a male cord end; and with the plug assembly and first outlet assembly disposed in an interior space of the device at a back of a housing of the device; (C) a second outlet assembly including at least one receptacle for interfacing with a male cord end, the second outlet assembly disposed in the interior space of the device and supported by the at least one vertical wall at a front of a housing of the device, the second outlet having a negative connection and a positive connection; and (D) a circuit breaker. |
| US10056721B2 |
Power supply connection structure device
The present invention relates to a power supply connection structure device, a manufacturing method thereof and a circuit connection method. The device, which is used to connect an electrical appliance to a power supply, includes a live wire and neutral wire connection unit and a control unit, the control unit is switched between an activation state and an idle state, when the control unit is in the idle state, the live wire and neutral wire connection unit is not connected to the power supply; and when the control unit is in the activation state, the control unit connects the live wire and neutral wire connection unit to the power supply, thus, by using the control unit, the power supply connection structure device is safe to use, is waterproof and prevents from electric shock. The control unit may include a push member located in a ground wire plughole and operable to turn on two micro-switches, one for the live terminal, the other one for the neutral terminal. |
| US10056711B1 |
Dustproof socket capable of stabilizing plug
A dustproof socket capable of stabilizing a plug of the present invention comprising a socket body, wherein a mounting cover is fixed on the socket body, and an opening is formed in the mounting cover; the two ends of the inner side of the opening are respectively provided with a sliding groove, and a baffle plate is slidably mounted in each sliding groove; when the baffle plate retracts into the sliding groove, the opening is opened, and when the baffle plate stretches out from the sliding groove, the opening is closed; an elastic reset mechanism is connected between the baffle plate and the mounting cover; the elastic reset mechanism is used for forcing the baffle plate to keep in a state of stretching out from the sliding groove. |
| US10056707B2 |
Electrical contact including corrosion-resistant coating
In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical contact has a mating end and a mounting end. The electrical contact includes an electrically conductive base, and a multi-layered coating disposed on an outer surface of the base at the mating end. The multi-layered coating can include a metallic layer of a noble metal or alloy thereat: a layer of anti-tarnish material disposed on the metallic layer, and a lubricant layer disposed on the layer of anti-tarnish material, the lubricant effective to seal at least some wear regions created in the layer of anti-tarnish material due to micromotion of the mating end in use. |
| US10056705B2 |
Cable connection component for a shielded multi-core cable
A cable connection component for electrical connection of a shielded multi-core cable, having a union nut with an internal thread, a splicing part made of insulating material and having a plurality of notches for separating the wires of the cable, and a shielding element for contacting the shielding of the cable. The splicing part has a cable holder part and a wire guiding part. The cable holder part has a plurality of latching arms facing the wire guiding part, and the wire guiding part has an inwardly projecting latching catch corresponding to the latching arms facing the cable holder part. The shielding element has an annular central section, a plurality of inner spring arms extending from the central section toward the side facing the wire guiding part, and a plurality of outer spring arms extending from the central section toward the side remote form the wire guiding part. |
| US10056703B2 |
Telecommunications plug for high data rate applications
A telecommunications plug includes a housing having an insertion portion sized to be received in a telecommunications jack, and a circuit board at least partially disposed within the housing. The circuit board includes a plurality of contacts exposed through the insertion portion to electrically connect to contact springs of the telecommunications jack and a plurality of wire connections receiving wires of a telecommunications cable. The plug further includes a switching mechanism movable relative to the circuit board and configured to switch between first and second positions, wherein the first and second positions selectably provide capacitive crosstalk between wire pairs within the plug. |
| US10056689B2 |
Electronically steerable parasitic radiator antenna and beam forming apparatus
Provided are an electronically steerable parasitic radiator antenna and a beam forming apparatus. The ESPAR antenna includes: an active patch radiator disposed at the center of one surface of a substrate to radiate a beam corresponding to a signal applied through a feeding line; a plurality of parasitic patch elements disposed to have a predetermined angle in different directions, respectively based on a central position of the active patch radiator to derive the beam radiated by the active patch radiator in a predetermined direction; and a reactance element disposed between the active patch radiator and the plurality of parasitic patch elements to determine a direction of the beam radiated by the active patch radiator. |
| US10056685B2 |
Antenna array self-calibration
A method and apparatus for calibrating an antenna array. The apparatus includes first and second couplers, a calibration transceiver, and a controller. The first coupler operably is connected to a first number of antennas. The second coupler is operably connected to a second number of antennas. The calibration transceiver is operably connected to the first and second couplers via a common path. The controller is configured to perform calibration on at least one or more transmit/receive paths for the second number of antennas based on at least one or more signals received from or transmitted to the first and second couplers via the common path by the calibration transceiver. The first and second numbers of antennas may each include only one antenna, or the first and second numbers of antennas may each be a group of multiple antennas. |
| US10056683B2 |
Dielectric resonator antenna array system
A dielectric resonator antenna array system includes a first array of a plurality of dielectric resonator antennas arranged in a first orientation and that forms a first beam, and a second array of a plurality of dielectric resonator antennas arranged in a second orientation, that is different from the first orientation, and that forms a second beam. Further, a dielectric resonator antenna array system includes a first array of a first type of plurality of dielectric resonator antennas arranged in a predetermined orientation and that forms a first beam, and a second array of a second type of plurality of dielectric resonator antennas arranged in the predetermined orientation and that forms a second beam. |
| US10056681B2 |
Vehicle ubiquitous dedicated short range communication antenna integration
An apparatus comprising a cover and an antenna circuit. The cover may be implemented as a dielectric material having one or more apertures. The antenna circuit may be configured to provide communication signals to/from a vehicle. The cover may be implemented to limit a visibility of the antenna circuit. An arrangement of the apertures of the cover is configured to allow transmission of the communication signals to/from the antenna circuit. The antenna circuit may provide a range of communication coverage in a particular direction for the vehicle. |
| US10056678B2 |
Antenna structure and method for manufacturing the same, and electronic device
An antenna structure includes a sheet metal antenna, a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface which face opposite to each other and having a through hole for inserting the sheet metal antenna from the outer surface to the inner surface, and a sealing portion which seals the through hole while relative positional relation between the sheet metal antenna and the rear-surface-side housing is fixed with the sheet metal antenna passing through the through hole. |
| US10056676B2 |
Antenna device and electronic appliance
An antenna device includes a planar conductor on a side of a display device that is opposite to a display surface side of the display device and a power feeding coil including a spiral-shaped coil conductor with a coil aperture at a center thereof. The planar conductor includes a cutout portion. The coil aperture of the power feeding coil is superposed with the cutout portion of the planar conductor in plan view. A magnetic sheet that is superposed with the coil conductor in plan view is arranged between the display device and the planar conductor and between the display device and the power feeding coil. |
| US10056673B2 |
Device and method for reducing interference with adjacent satellites using a mechanically gimbaled asymmetrical-aperture antenna
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for two-way satellite communication and an asymmetric-aperture antenna for two-way satellite communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a beam pattern for an asymmetric-aperture antenna is offset in a narrow beamwidth direction, and the offset beam pattern is directed by a mechanical gimbal, with the beam pattern offset made to reduce interference with an adjacent satellite. In additional embodiments, operational areas near the equator are identified for a given offset beam pattern, or a beam pattern offset may be adjusted over time to compensate for movement of the asymmetric-aperture antenna when attached to an airplane, boat, or other mobile vehicle. |
| US10056672B2 |
Waveguide including first and second metal plates and having a slotted feed to waveguide transition disposed in the first metallic plate
Embodiments include package structures having integrated waveguides to enable high data rate communication between package components. For example, a package structure includes a package substrate having an integrated waveguide, and first and second integrated circuit chips mounted to the package substrate. The first integrated circuit chip is coupled to the integrated waveguide using a first transmission line to waveguide transition, and the second integrated circuit chip is coupled to the integrated waveguide using a second transmission line to waveguide transition. The first and second integrated circuit chips are configured to communicate by transmitting signals using the integrated waveguide within the package carrier. |
| US10056665B2 |
Resonator assembly and filter
A resonator assembly comprising a resonant member within a conductive resonator cavity is disclosed. The resonant member extends from a first inner surface of the resonator cavity towards an opposing second inner surface. A main portion of the resonant member has a substantially constant first cross sectional area. A cap portion of the resonant member extending from the main portion towards the opposing second inner surface has a progressively increasing cross sectional area increasing from the first cross sectional area adjacent to the main portion to a larger cap cross sectional area at an end of the resonant member, the larger cap cross sectional area being at least 1.i times as large as the first cross sectional area. The resonant member may also have a flared section at the other end giving the resonant member an hour glass type shape. |
| US10056664B2 |
Three dimensional tunable filters with an absolute constant bandwidth and method
A tunable bandpass filter to provide a constant absolute bandwidth across the entire tuning range. The filter comprises of a plurality of tunable resonators, each having an enclosure. A resonating structure extending upwardly from the bottom surface of the enclosure and a tuning screw with a flat head extending downwardly from the top surface of the enclosure, wherein the resonating structure and the flat head of the screw face each other and form a gap. The height of the tuning screw can be adjusted to change the gap between the resonating structure and the flat head. The adjustable gap of the present filter allows for tunable filter operation. |
| US10056656B2 |
Manufacturing method of high purity lithium phosphate from the waste liquid of the exhausted lithium-ion battery
Provided is a method of manufacturing a high-purity lithium phosphate by utilizing a lithium waste liquid of a wasted battery. Lithium phosphate is manufactured and refined by using a minimized amount of sodium hydroxide and by using phosphate, lithium hydroxide, and an optimized pH condition, so that it is possible to manufacture high-purity lithium phosphate from which fine impurities which cannot be removed by cleaning are effective removed. A waste water treatment process of processing waste water as to be immediately discharged is integrated, so that the method is very efficient and environment-friendly. Therefore, since the high-purity lithium phosphate can be manufactured by utilizing a lithium waste liquid discarded in a wasted battery recycling process, the method has an effect in that the method is applied to a wasted battery recycling industry to prevent environmental pollution and facilitate recycling resources. |
| US10056655B2 |
Manufacturing method of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A manufacturing method of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a lithium phosphate dispersion manufacturing step of manufacturing a lithium phosphate dispersion by dispersing lithium phosphate in a solvent without adding a positive-electrode active material; a positive electrode mixture paste manufacturing step of manufacturing a positive electrode mixture paste by mixing the lithium phosphate dispersion with a positive electrode material including the positive-electrode active material; and a step of manufacturing a positive electrode including a positive electrode mixture layer on a surface of a current collector member by applying the positive electrode mixture paste on the surface of the current collector member and drying the positive electrode mixture paste. |
| US10056651B2 |
Low temperature secondary cell with sodium intercalation electrode
The present invention provides a molten sodium secondary cell. In some cases, the secondary cell includes a sodium metal negative electrode, a positive electrode compartment that includes a positive electrode disposed in a molten positive electrolyte comprising Na—FSA (sodium-bis(fluorosulonyl)amide), and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the positive electrolyte. One disclosed example of electrolyte membrane material includes, without limitation, a NaSICON-type membrane. The positive electrode includes a sodium intercalation electrode. Non-limiting examples of the sodium intercalation electrode include NaxMnO2, NaxCrO2, NaxNiO, and NaxFey(PO4)z. The cell is functional at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C., and preferably between about 110° C. and about 130° C. |
| US10056649B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions and electrochemical cells comprising the same
A non-aqueous electrolytic solution for use in a lithium secondary battery has reduced or eliminated flammability and increased capacity retention. The electrolytic solution includes a lithium salt, a carbonate, a substituted phosphazene, a fluorinated solvent such as fluorinated carbonate, fluorinated ether, and fluorinated ester, and an organic phosphate or organic phosphonate such as fluorinated alkyl phosphate, fluorinated aromatic phosphate, fluorinated alkyl phosphonate, or fluorinated aromatic phosphonate. |
| US10056648B2 |
Secondary battery including electrolyte additive
Disclosed is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, which includes a cathode, an anode and a separator interposed therebetween, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode includes lithium titanium oxide (LTO) as an anode active material and the electrolyte contains a phosphate-based compound as an additive. |
| US10056646B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte solution and nonaqueous electrolyte battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte solution includes a lithium salt and a nonaqueous solvent that dissolves the lithium salt. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains from at least 0.01 ppm to not more than 100 ppm of a compound represented by the following general formula (1): R1—CR2OR3—CR22OR3 (1) (in formula (1), R1 and R3 represent an organic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally having a substituent; R2 represents hydrogen or an organic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally having a substituent; and R1 to R3 may each represent the same group or may each represent different groups). |
| US10056643B2 |
Battery
The invention relates to a battery comprising at least a cathode current collector, a cathode, a separator, an electrolyte, an anode and an anode current collector, the cathode being disposed between the cathode current collector and the separator, and the anode being disposed between the separator and the anode current collector, the battery further comprising a sealing gasket disposed on the periphery of the cathode, of the anode and of the separator and connecting the inner peripheral edge of the cathode current collector to the inner peripheral edge of the anode current collector. Said sealing gasket is at least partly made of a viscoelastic elastomeric material. |
| US10056642B2 |
Battery assembly including battery cells wrapped with thermally conductive film
A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of battery cells and a thermally conductive film wrapped around each of the plurality of battery cells. Each thermally conductive film is contiguous with six sides of each of the plurality of battery cells. |
| US10056640B2 |
Bipolar plate for fuel cell, fuel cell and method for producing the bipolar plate
The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell. The bipolar plate has a fuel side, an oxidant side, two individual plates and a coolant cavity arranged between the individual plates. At least one of the individual plates has at least one seal on the outer surface thereof. The individual plates are connected by way of at least one connecting seam. The bipolar plate is considered in that the at least one connecting seam does not intersect with or overlap with the at least one seal. The invention further relates to a fuel cell consisting at least one bipolar plate and to a method for producing the bipolar plate. |
| US10056639B2 |
Aqueous redox flow batteries featuring improved cell design characteristics
Provided are compositions having the formula MnTi(L1)(L2)(L3) wherein L1 is a catecholate, and L2 and L3 are each independently selected from catecholates, ascorbate, citrate, glycolates, a polyol, gluconate, glycinate, hydroxyalkanoates, acetate, formate, benzoates, malate, maleate, phthalates, sarcosinate, salicylate, oxalate, a urea, polyamine, aminophenolates, acetylacetone or lactate; each M is independently Na, Li, or K; n is 0 or an integer from 1-6. Also provided are energy storage systems. |
| US10056637B2 |
Fuel cell having a modular base active area
A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration extending along a z-axis, wherein each fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly interposed between a pair of bipolar plates, and each membrane electrode assembly has a total active area measured in an x-y plane that is generally perpendicular to the z-axis. Each bipolar plate includes a plurality of common passages extending generally parallel to the z-axis. The total active area of each membrane electrode assembly includes a plurality of base active areas arranged co-planar in the x-y plane along an x-axis. |
| US10056636B1 |
Electrolyte compositions for use in a metal-halogen flow battery
A metal-halogen flow battery system includes an electrolyte composition that includes an aqueous solution including a metal halide, a halogen, a metal plating enhancer and at least one of an anti-dendrite agent, and an anti-corrosion agent. |
| US10056634B2 |
Systems and methods for fuel desulfurization
Methods and apparatus are provided for a fuel cell including a fuel desulfurization system. The fuel cell system includes a source of fuel and a fuel desulfurization system fluidly coupled to the source of fuel to receive the fuel in a liquid phase. The fuel desulfurization system includes a vacuum system that depressurizes the fuel to convert at least a portion of the fuel from the liquid phase to a gaseous phase. The fuel cell system also includes a fuel cell stack fluidly coupled to the fuel desulfurization system to receive fuel from the fuel desulfurization system in the gaseous phase. |
| US10056633B2 |
Performance recovery method for fuel cell stack
A method for recovering the performance of a fuel cell stack mounted within a vehicle is provided. A method includes a recovery process of continuously applying a predetermined load using a load device when an air supply is stopped and hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell stack to output current from the fuel cell stack. Further, protons and electrons generated by hydrogen oxidation reaction at an anode are moved to a cathode, to produce hydrogen at the cathode and simultaneously remove oxide on the catalyst surface of the cathode. |
| US10056632B2 |
Method for controlling an electrolysis system taking into account the temperature of the electrolyser modules of the said electrolysis system
The method for controlling an electrolysis system (1) having a plurality of electrolyser modules (2) and designed to cooperate with a system (3) for supplying electric energy which uses an intermittent energy source includes: determining (E1) an available electric power which the electric energy supply system (3) can provide; evaluating (E2) a suitable number Ne of electrolyser modules (2) to be used according to the available electric power; selecting (E3) electrolyser modules (2) to be supplied electrically, taking into account the number evaluated Ne; determining (E4) the temperature of each electrolyser module selected; and electrically supplying (E5) the selected electrolyser modules (2) by the electric energy supply system according to a distribution of the available electric power depending on the temperatures determined (E4) of each of the electrolyser modules selected. |
| US10056629B2 |
Method for adjusting output of fuel cell system
A method for adjusting an output of a fuel cell system is capable of estimating a dry state of a fuel cell vehicle by comparing air flow rates, and adjusting a maximum output applicable to the fuel cell vehicle, thus enabling the fuel cell vehicle to be stably driven. The method for adjusting the output of the fuel cell system includes comparing an air flow rate required for driving and an actually introduced air flow rate to calculate an average air flow rate, and calculating an available output of the vehicle using preset mapping data with respect to the average air flow rate. |
| US10056628B2 |
Method for controlling startup of fuel cell vehicle
A method for controlling startup of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The method includes starting to adjust supply of hydrogen and air to a fuel cell and setting a control voltage of a side of a main bus end of a converter disposed between the main bus end and a high-voltage battery to a predetermined lowest control voltage. An output voltage of the side of the main bus end of the fuel cell and the control voltage of the side of the main bus end of the converter are then compared to adjust an amount of air supply to the fuel cell based on the comparison. |
| US10056625B2 |
Fluid manifold attached by interface to fuel storage for fuel cell system
An electrochemical cell system includes a fluid manifold having a layered structure. The fluid manifold includes at least one conduit layer having a first side and a second side. The at least one conduit later has at least one conduit channel. |
| US10056623B2 |
Expanded graphite sheet and battery using the expanded graphite sheet
An expanded graphite sheet and a battery using the expanded graphite sheet are provided, that can inhibit the expanded graphite sheet from swelling even when the expanded graphite sheet is used for, for example, a positive electrode for an air battery.An expanded graphite sheet includes an expanded graphite and has a surface water contact angle of greater than or equal to 90 degrees and a surface resistivity of less than or equal to 70 mΩ/sq. It is desirable that a polyolefin resin be contained in the expanded graphite sheet in a dispersed state. It is desirable that the polyolefin resin be polypropylene. |
| US10056619B2 |
Fuel cell having a recess in the separator
A membrane electrode assembly with protective film includes a MEA and protective films. The MEA includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the cathode and the anode. The protective films are joined on the outer end of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane electrode assembly has a power generation area and an edge-vicinity area. Recesses for receiving the edge-vicinity area including outer ends of the cathode and the anode are formed in outer portions of a cathode-side separator and an anode-side separator which contact the MEA. |
| US10056618B2 |
Encapsulated sulfur cathodes for rechargeable lithium batteries
A method of forming a sulfur-based cathode material includes: 1) providing a sulfur-based nanostructure; 2) coating the nanostructure with an encapsulating material to form a shell surrounding the nanostructure; and 3) removing a portion of the nanostructure through the shell to form a void within the shell, with a remaining portion of the nanostructure disposed within the shell. |
| US10056617B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes a wound electrode assembly in which a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet and a separator are stacked and wound. The positive electrode sheet is provided with a long positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer is disposed on the positive electrode current collector. The negative electrode sheet is provided with a long negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer is disposed on the negative electrode current collector. The separator is interposed between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. The negative electrode current collector has a first active material layer-free region at one edge of the negative electrode current collector in a winding direction of an axis of the wound electrode assembly. The first active material layer-free region is a region where the negative electrode active material layer is not formed. The positive electrode current collector has a second active material layer-free region at one edge of the positive electrode current collector in a winding direction of an axis of the wound electrode assembly. The second active material layer-free region is a region where the positive electrode active material layer is not formed. The negative electrode current collector and the positive electrode current collector are disposed, with the first active material layer-free region and the second active material layer-free region being projected toward opposite sides in the winding direction of the axis of the wound electrode assembly. A width of the negative electrode active material layer is wider than a width of the positive electrode active material layer and a bacterial cellulose is disposed in at least a surface layer of the negative electrode active material layer that faces the second active material layer-free region. |
| US10056614B2 |
Polyimide binder for power storage device, electrode sheet using same, and power storage device
Provided are a polyimide binder for energy storage device capable of improving properties of an energy storage device in a broad temperature range, and an electrode sheet and an energy storage device using the same. The polyimide binder for energy storage device, which is a polyimide obtained by subjecting an aqueous solution of a polyamic acid composed of a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (I) to an imidization reaction, the polyimide having a tensile elastic modulus of 1.5 GPa or more and 2.7 GPa or less. In the formula, A is a tetravalent group resulting from eliminating a carboxyl group from a specified tetracarboxylic acid, and B is a divalent group resulting from eliminating an amino group from a specified diamine, provided that 55 mol % or more of B in a total amount of the repeating unit is the divalent group resulting from eliminating an amino group from an aliphatic diamine having a molecular weight of 500 or less. |
| US10056612B2 |
Lithium manganate particles for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, process for producing the same, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
This invention provides lithium manganate which has a high output and is excellent in high-temperature stability. This invention relates to lithium manganate particles which are produced by mixing a lithium compound, a manganese compound, a Y compound and an A compound and then calcining the resulting mixture, and have a composition represented by the following chemical formula 1 and an average secondary particle diameter (D50) of 1 to 15 μm, in which Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al and Mg; A is a sintering aid element having a melting point of not higher than 850° C.; x and y satisfy 0.03≤x≤0.15 and 0≤y≤0.20, respectively; z is in the range of 0 to 2.5 mol % based on Mn, wherein the lithium manganate particles have a sulfur content of not more than 100 ppm. Li1+xMn2-x-yYyO4zA (Chemical Formula 1) |
| US10056607B2 |
Active material composite particle and lithium battery
Provided is an active material composite particle with which the reaction resistance of a battery can be reduced. The active material composite particle includes an active material and a lithium niobate layer formed on a surface of the active material, wherein the lithium niobate layer includes nitrogen. |
| US10056604B2 |
Cathode material composite having improved conductivity, cathode and electrochemical device having the same
The present disclosure refers to a cathode material composite having improved conductivity, and a cathode and electrochemical device having the cathode material composite. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a conductive polymer is positioned on the surface of a shell present in the form of a tetragonal structure in the lithium manganese oxide, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity to be highly involved in reaction around 3V, and providing a conductive path to improve the capacity, life and rate characteristics of an electrochemical device. |
| US10056598B2 |
Recessed terminal in module body
The present disclosure includes a group of electrically interconnected battery cells disposed within a housing. The disclosure also includes a major terminal of a battery module configured to be coupled to a load for powering the load. One or more portions of the major terminal are disposed within a recess in a surface of the housing. The present disclosure also includes a bus bar that provides an electrical pathway between the group of electrically interconnected battery cells and the major terminal. The bus bar is disposed within the housing. |
| US10056596B2 |
Battery connector assembly
A battery connector system for connecting battery cells of a battery module includes a carrier assembly having a carrier housing and a plurality of bus bar assemblies held by the carrier housing. The bus bar assemblies are configured to connect corresponding battery terminals of adjacent battery cells. The carrier assembly includes a plurality of cell connecting sections each holding a corresponding bus bar assembly and cover portions associated with the cell connecting sections. The carrier housing has a unitary construction with each of the cell connecting sections and cover portions being integral. |
| US10056593B2 |
Lithium sulfur battery anode structure including carbon coating layer and carbon structure layer immersed with sulfur
An anode structure of a lithium sulfur battery includes a sulfur anode laminated on an aluminum foil, and a carbon coating layer disposed between the sulfur anode and a carbon structure layer in which sulfur is immersed. The sulfur anode includes the sulfur, a conductor, and a binder. The carbon structure layer in which sulfur is immersed is a polyester (PE) separation membrane separated from a counter electrode. A loaded amount of sulfur within the anode structure is dispersed to the sulfur anode and the carbon structure layer in which the sulfur is immersed. |
| US10056587B2 |
Assembled battery
An assembled battery includes a cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells in the same direction, positive electrode-side bus bars respectively connected to positive electrode tabs of the unit cells, and negative electrode-side bus bars respectively connected to negative electrode tabs of the unit cells. A positive electrode-side bus bar connected to a positive electrode tab of a first unit cell of adjacent unit cells in the cell stack, and a negative electrode-side bus bar connected to a negative electrode tab of a second unit cell, are connected to each other on one of the surfaces of the cell stack. |
| US10056585B2 |
Battery holder
The purpose of the present invention is to realize a battery holder, which can suppress occurrence of an instantaneous interruption in outputting direct-current power to the outside due to continuous strong external vibrations or impacts and have good attachability and detachability of battery. The battery holder includes electrode contact portions 13 (14) configured to be electrically connected to a battery BAT to be housed therein, wherein the electrode contact portions include a metal plate 132 (142) attached to a base 131 (141) having elasticity. |
| US10056581B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the secondary battery includes a battery cell including an electrode, a cap cover placed over the battery cell and having an opening that exposes the electrode, and a connection member placed over the cap cover and electrically connected to the electrode. The battery also includes at least one guide accommodating the connection member, wherein the guide protrudes upwardly from the cap cover and extends in a length direction of the connection member. |
| US10056580B2 |
Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly comprising electrodes having coated and uncoated regions, being located on opposite sides of a separator and spirally wound together with the separator; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; an insulating plate on the electrode assembly and having a protruding portion and internal terminal holes; and a cap plate sealing the case and having terminal holes, wherein each of the electrode terminals passes through a respective one of the internal terminal holes to protrude from that terminal hole. |
| US10056578B2 |
Electronic device with secondary battery
In the case where a film, which has lower strength than a metal can, is used as an exterior body of a secondary battery, a current collector provided in a region surrounded by the exterior body, an active material layer provided on a surface of the current collector, or the like might be damaged when force is externally applied to the secondary battery. A secondary battery that is durable even when force is externally applied thereto is provided. A region that is easily partly bent and a region that is not easily partly bent owing to a protective material provided in the region are intentionally formed to obtain the durable secondary battery. |
| US10056576B2 |
Organic light-emitting device and method for producing the organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device and a method for producing an organic light-emitting device are disclosed. In an embodiment, the OLED includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the substrate, at least one first organic functional layer stack disposed on the first electrode, the first organic functional layer stack configured to emit radiation in a first wavelength range, a second electrode disposed on the first organic functional layer stack and a filter layer arranged in a beam path of the first organic functional layer stack, wherein the first wavelength range comprises a low-energy sub-range and a high-energy sub-range and wherein the filter layer comprises an absorption range containing the low-energy or the high-energy sub-range of the first wavelength range. |
| US10056575B2 |
Flexible display apparatus, organic light emitting display apparatus, and mother substrate for flexible display apparatus
A flexible display apparatus, an organic light emitting display apparatus, and a mother substrate for flexible display apparatus that have improved durability and image quality. The flexible display apparatus includes a flexible substrate, a display region that is defined on the flexible substrate and that comprises a pixel unit and a circuit unit, a pad unit that is formed adjacent to the display region, and a deformation prevention unit that is disposed around the display region, that is separated from the pad unit, and that comprises a material having a greater rigidity than that of the flexible substrate. |
| US10056570B2 |
Image pickup device and electronic apparatus
An image pickup device includes: a first electrode film; an organic photoelectric conversion film; a second electrode film; and a metal wiring film electrically connected to the second electrode film, the first electrode film, the organic photoelectric conversion film, and the second electrode film all provided on a substrate in this order, and the metal wiring film coating an entire side of the organic photoelectric conversion film. |
| US10056566B2 |
Organic electroluminescent materials and devices
Novel heteroleptic iridium complexes having the structure of Formula I, are provided. In Formula I, X is selected from the group consisting of NR, BR, and Se; R is selected from hydrogen and alkyl, and each R1, R2, R3, and R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl. The compounds may be used in organic light emitting devices, particularly as emitting dopants, to provide devices having improved efficiency, lifetime, and manufacturing. |
| US10056560B2 |
Compound for organic electronic element, organic electronic element using the same, and an electronic device
Provided is an organic electronic element comprising a hole transport layer containing a compound of Formula (1) and an emitting auxiliary layer containing a compound of Formula (2), capable of improving the light emitting efficiency, stability, and life span of an electronic device using the same. |
| US10056559B2 |
Spirofluorene derivative, material for light-emitting element, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a material having a high Tg and a wide energy gap. The present invention provides a spirofluorene derivative represented by General Formula 1. (In the formula, R1 is any one of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a group represented by General Formula 2. Each of R2 and R3 is either hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be identical or different. R4 is an aryl group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms. Each of R5 and R6 is any one of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms and may be identical or different.) |
| US10056558B2 |
Aromatic amine derivative, material for organic electroluminescent element, and organic electroluminescent element
An aromatic amine derivative is represented by a formula (1) below. In the formula (1), R2 to R5, R7 to R9 and R10 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In the formula (1), R1 and R6 are represented by a formula (2) below, and L1 to L3 are each independently a single bond and the like. In the formula (2), Ar1 is a monovalent residue derived from the ring structure represented by a formula (4) below, X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and at least one of R11 to R18 is an alkyl group. In the formula (1), Ar2 is an aryl group or a monovalent residue derived from the ring structure represented by the formula (4). |
| US10056557B2 |
Organic semiconductor material
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an organic semiconductor material having liquid crystallinity and high electron mobility. The present invention is an organic semiconductor material having at least a charge-transporting molecular unit (A) having a structure of an aromatic fused ring system and a cyclic structural unit (B) bonded to the aforementioned unit via a single bond, wherein the unit (A) and/or the unit (B) has a side chain composed of a unit (C), and wherein the organic semiconductor material exhibits a liquid crystal phase that is different from an N-phase, an SmA-phase or an SmC-phase. |
| US10056555B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element and method for manufacturing the same
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-manufacture organic-inorganic hybrid photoelectric conversion element having high photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent durability. A photoelectric conversion element 1 further comprises a closely packed titanium oxide layer 4, a porous titanium oxide layer 5, an organic-inorganic hybrid crystal layer 6, and a hole transport layer 7 between a first conductive layer 3 and a second conductive layer 8, wherein the hole transport layer 7 comprises a compound with the following structure (I): where R1 to R4 are each the same or different and represent hydrogen atom, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted alkylamino group, substituted or unsubstituted arylamino group, or substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, provided that a case in which all of the R1 to R4 are hydrogen atom is excluded; and m, n, o, and p are each the same or different and represent an integer of 1 to 5, provided that when any of the m, n, o, and p is an integer of 2 or more, the corresponding R groups may each be the same or different. |
| US10056551B2 |
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon polymers and their use as organic semiconductors
The present invention relates to organic copolymers and organic semiconducting compositions comprising these materials, including layers and devices comprising such organic semiconductor compositions. The invention is also concerned with methods of preparing such organic semiconductor compositions and layers and uses thereof. The invention has application in the field of printed electronics and is particularly useful as a semiconducting material for use in formulations for organic thin film transistor (OFET) backplanes for displays, integrated circuits, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), photodetectors, organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells, sensors, memory elements and logic circuits. |
| US10056549B2 |
Compounds for electronic devices
The present invention relates to a compound of the formula (I), to the use of the compound in an electronic device, and to an electronic device comprising a compound of the formula (I). The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) and to a formulation comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I). |
| US10056546B2 |
Metal nitride keyhole or spacer phase change memory cell structures
Non-volatile memory cell having small programming power and a reduced resistance drift are provided. In one embodiment of the present application, a non-volatile memory cell is provided that includes a layer of dielectric material that has a via opening that exposes a surface of a bottom electrode. A metal nitride spacer is located along a bottom portion of each sidewall surface of the layer of dielectric material and in the via opening. A phase change material structure is present in the via opening and contacting a top portion of each sidewall surface of the layer of dielectric material and a topmost surface of each metal nitride spacer. A top electrode is located on a topmost surface of the phase change material structure. |
| US10056545B2 |
Sidewall-type memory cell
A sidewall-type memory cell (e.g., a CBRAM, ReRAM, or PCM cell) may include a bottom electrode, a top electrode layer defining a sidewall, and an electrolyte layer arranged between the bottom and top electrode layers, such that a conductive path is defined between the bottom electrode and a the top electrode sidewall via the electrolyte layer, wherein the bottom electrode layer extends generally horizontally with respect to a horizontal substrate, and the top electrode sidewall extends non-horizontally with respect to the horizontal substrate, such that when a positive bias-voltage is applied to the cell, a conductive path grows in a non-vertical direction (e.g., a generally horizontal direction or other non-vertical direction) between the bottom electrode and the top electrode sidewall. |
| US10056543B2 |
Magnetoresistive random access memory device having magnetic tunnel junction and method of manufacturing the same
In a method of manufacturing an MRAM device, a memory unit including a lower electrode, an MTJ structure and an upper electrode sequentially stacked is formed on a substrate. A protective layer structure including a capping layer, a sacrificial layer and an etch stop layer sequentially stacked is formed on the substrate to cover the memory unit. An insulating interlayer is formed on the protective layer structure. The insulating interlayer is formed to form an opening exposing the protective layer structure. The exposed protective layer structure is partially removed to expose the upper electrode. A wiring is formed on the exposed upper electrode to fill the opening. |
| US10056541B2 |
Metallic glass meshes, actuators, sensors, and methods for constructing the same
Described herein are methods of constructing a part using metallic glass alloys, layer by layer, as well as metallic glass-forming materials designed for use therewith. Metallic glass meshes, metallic glass actuators, three dimensional metallic glass thermal history sensors, and methods of their manufacture are also disclosed. |
| US10056539B2 |
Electrocaloric device
The present disclosure is drawn to electrocaloric devices, methods of making electrocaloric integrated circuits, and methods of thermally cycling integrated circuits. The electrocaloric device can include an electrocaloric material having a solid solution of two or more components of BNT, BKT, BZT, BMgT, or BNiT. The electrocaloric material can have an ergodic transition temperature within a range of 50 C to 300 C. The device can also include electrodes associated with the electrocaloric material, as well as an electrical source to add or reduce electrical field between the electrodes across the electrocaloric material to generate heating or cooling relative to the ergodic transition temperature of the electrocaloric material. |
| US10056536B2 |
Thermoelectric conversion material, thermoelectric conversion element, thermoelectric conversion module, thermoelectric generator, thermoelectric conversion system, and method of manufacturing thermoelectric conversion material
Provided is a thermoelectric conversion material including a plurality of kinds of phases including a first phase and a second phase which have elemental compositions different from each other. The first phase and the second phase have a skutterudite structure. |
| US10056535B2 |
Light emitting device with a light emitting junction formed by stacking semiconductor layers
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a light emitting chip, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The light emitting chip includes a first and a second semiconductor layers. The first semiconductor layer is disposed on the substrate. The second semiconductor layer is stacked on the first semiconductor layer and forms a light emitting junction with the first semiconductor layer. The first electrode connects to the first semiconductor layer and the second electrode connects to the second semiconductor layer. The light emitting device may further include a transparent layer that is disposed on the substrate and surrounds and contacts the lateral of the light emitting chip. A refraction index of the transparent layer is between a refraction index of the light emitting chip and that of a vacuum. The first electrode may penetrate the second semiconductor layer to connect to the first semiconductor. |
| US10056534B2 |
Method for coating conductive substrate with adhesive
Disclosed is a method of coating a conductive substrate with an adhesive, wherein the amounts and positions of conductive and non-conductive adhesives for bonding a plurality of circuit elements to the conductive substrate are set, thus preventing the spread of the adhesive from causing defects, including a poor aesthetic appearance, low electrical conductivity, and short circuits. |
| US10056527B2 |
UV LED package
A UV LED package disclosed herein includes a submount, a UV LED chip adapted to emit UV light at 200 nm to 400 nm, and a package body mounted with the submount. The submount includes a heat dissipating substrate, a first reflective electrode film and a second reflective electrode film separated from each other by an electrode separation gap on the heat dissipating substrate, a first flip-chip bonding pad and a first wire bonding pad disposed on the first reflective electrode film, and a second flip-chip bonding pad and a second wire bonding pad disposed on the second reflective electrode film. The UV LED chip includes a first conductive electrode pad corresponding to the first flip-chip bonding pad and a second conductive electrode pad corresponding to the second flip-chip bonding pad. The UV LED chip is flip-chip bonded to the submount through a first bonding bump interposed between the first flip-chip bonding pad and the first conductive electrode pad and a second bonding bump interposed between the second flip-chip bonding pad and the second conductive electrode pad. The package body includes a first metal body electrically connected to the first wire bonding pad through a first bonding wire and a second metal body separated from the first metal body by an insulating material and electrically connected to the second wire bonding pad through a second bonding wire. |
| US10056524B2 |
Semiconductor light-emitting element
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a light-emitting functional layer including a light emitting layer formed on the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer that is formed on the light-emitting functional layer and of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the first semiconductor layer. The light-emitting layer has: a base layer that has a composition subject to stress strain from the first semiconductor layer and a plurality of base segments formed in a random net shape; and a quantum well structure layer formed by embedding the base layer and composed of at least one quantum well layer and at least one barrier layer. The base layer has a plurality of sub-base layers composed of AlGaN with different Al compositions. |
| US10056521B2 |
Wire network for interconnecting photovoltaic cells
Provided are novel interconnect wire network assemblies and methods of fabricating thereof. An assembly may include conductive portions/individual wires that, in certain embodiments, are substantially parallel to each other. The assembly also includes two or more carrier films (i.e., the front side and back side films) attached to opposite sides of the wires. The films are typically attached along the wire ends. The films are made from electrically insulating materials and at least the front side film is substantially transparent. The front side film is used to attach the wires to a photovoltaic surface of one cell, while the back side film is used for attachment to a substrate surface of another cell. These attachments electrically interconnect the two cells in series. In certain embodiments, one or both carrier films extend beyond two end wires and form insulated portions that allow much closer arrangements of the cells in a module. |
| US10056520B2 |
Photodiode using graphene-silicon quantum dot hybrid structure and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a photodiode, which includes a graphene-silicon quantum dot hybrid structure, having improved optical and electrical characteristics by controlling the sizes of silicon quantum dots and the doping concentration of graphene. The photodiode including the graphene-silicon quantum dot hybrid structure of the present disclosure may be easily manufactured, may be manufactured over a large area, has a wide photodetection band from the ultraviolet light region to the near infrared region, and allows selective absorption energy control. |
| US10056515B2 |
Roof panel having an integrated photovoltaic module
A roof panel having an integrated photovoltaic module is described. The roof panel has at least a substrate and an outer panel, which are laminarily bonded to each other by means of a thermoplastic layer, wherein a photovoltaic layer system is embedded in the thermoplastic layer and the substrate contains at least one polymer. |
| US10056512B2 |
Method of forming chalcogen compound light-absorption layer thin film for solar cell
Disclosed is a method of forming a chalcogen compound thin film suitable for use in a light-absorption layer of a solar cell. The method includes manufacturing a precursor liquid including an Sn precursor material and an S precursor material, applying the precursor liquid to form a precursor film, and heat-treating the precursor film. The Sn precursor material and the S precursor material are liquid materials. The present invention provides a method of forming a chalcogen compound thin film using a liquid precursor material without a sulfurization process, thereby forming a high-quality SnS thin film at low cost using a process which is suitable for mass production. Further, the light-absorption layer is formed using a process which is suitable for mass production, thus enabling the manufacture of a solar cell including the chalcogen compound thin film at low cost. |
| US10056510B2 |
Cone-shaped holes for high efficiency thin film solar cells
A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a plurality of hole shapes formed therein. The plurality of hole shapes each have a hole opening extending from a first surface and narrowing with depth into the substrate. The plurality of hole shapes form a hole pattern on the first surface, and the hole pattern includes flat areas separating the hole shapes on the first surface. A photovoltaic device stack is formed on the first surface and extends into the hole shapes. Methods are also provided. |
| US10056503B2 |
MIS capacitor for finned semiconductor structure
MIS capacitors are formed using a finned semiconductor structure. A highly doped region including the fins is formed within the structure and forms one plate of a MIS capacitor. A metal layer forms a second capacitor plate that is separated from the first plate by a high-k capacitor dielectric layer formed directly on the highly doped fins. Contacts are electrically connected to the capacitor plates. A highly doped implantation layer having a conductivity type opposite to that of the highly doped region provides electrical isolation within the structure. |
| US10056501B2 |
Power diode with improved reverse-recovery immunity
Provided is a device with improved reverse-recovery immunity of a diode element. The device includes: a first conductivity-type drift layer; a second conductivity-type anode region provided in an upper portion of the drift layer; a second conductivity-type extraction region in contact with and surrounding the anode region; and a second conductivity-type field limiting ring region surrounding and separated from the extraction region at the upper portion of the drift layer, wherein the extraction region has a greater depth than the anode region and the field limiting ring region. |
| US10056498B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device including a field effect transistor (FET) device includes a substrate and a channel structure formed of a two-dimensional (2D) material. An interfacial layer is formed on the channel structure. A gate stack including a gate electrode layer and a gate dielectric layer is formed over the interfacial layer. Source and drain contacts are formed over openings in the interfacial layer. The source and drain contacts have a side contact with the interfacial layer and a side contact and a surface contact with the channel structure. |
| US10056496B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing display device
A method of manufacturing a display device is provided. The display device includes a display region divided into a first display region and a second display region by a border region extending in the second direction, a plurality of data lines including a plurality of first data lines arranged in the first display region, and a plurality of second data lines arranged in the second display region. Each of the plurality of first data lines and each of the plurality of second data lines are electrically isolated from each other. The method includes steps of forming a plurality of conductive lines on a substrate extending from a top side to a bottom side of the display region in the first direction, and separating the plurality of conductive lines into the plurality of first data lines and the plurality of second data lines. |
| US10056489B2 |
Replacement metal gate structures
Replacement metal gate structures with improved chamfered workfunction metal and self-aligned contact and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming a replacement metal gate structure in a dielectric material. The replacement metal gate structure is formed with a lower spacer and an upper spacer above the lower spacer. The upper spacer having material is different than material of the lower spacer. The method further includes forming a self-aligned contact adjacent to the replacement metal gate structure by patterning an opening within the dielectric material and filling the opening with contact material. The upper spacer prevents shorting with the contact material. |
| US10056482B2 |
Implementation of long-channel thick-oxide devices in vertical transistor flow
A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure is provided that includes the steps of: forming a structure including a substrate, a counter-doped layer on the substrate, and a heavily doped source contact layer on a side of the counter-doped layer opposite the substrate; and forming an oxide layer on a side of the heavily doped source contact layer opposite the counter-doped layer, wherein the oxide layer has a vertical dimension that is a difference between a length of a long channel thick oxide device and a length of a short channel non-thick oxide device. |
| US10056479B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device has reduced ON resistance (Ron) as well as a reduced electric field emanating from a current path. The semiconductor device includes a fin pattern, a gate electrode intersecting the fin pattern, a source region which has a first conductivity type and is disposed on one side of the gate electrode, a body region which has a second conductivity type, is situated within the fin pattern under the source region, and extends in a loop around the source region, a drain region which has the first conductivity type and is disposed on the other side of the gate electrode, a field dispersion region which has the second conductivity type and is situated within the fin pattern between the gate electrode and the drain region, and a drift region which has the first conductivity type, is situated within the fin pattern under the drain region and the field dispersion region, and extends in a loop around the drain region and the field dispersion region. |
| US10056475B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A first source electrode is formed in contact with a semiconductor layer; a first drain electrode is formed in contact with the semiconductor layer; a second source electrode which extends beyond an end portion of the first source electrode to be in contact with the semiconductor layer is formed; a second drain electrode which extends beyond an end portion of the first drain electrode to be in contact with the semiconductor layer is formed; a first sidewall is formed in contact with a side surface of the second source electrode and the semiconductor layer; a second sidewall is formed in contact with a side surface of the second drain electrode and the semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode is formed to overlap the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the semiconductor layer with a gate insulating layer provided therebetween. |
| US10056472B2 |
Method for forming semiconductor structure with contact over source/drain structure
A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes forming a source/drain structure in a substrate and forming a metal layer over the source/drain structure. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes performing an annealing process such that a portion of the metal layer reacts with the source/drain structure to form a metallic layer on the source/drain structure. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes performing an etching process to remove an unreacted portion of the metal layer on the metallic layer and forming a contact over the metallic layer. In addition, the etching process includes using an etching solvent, and the etching solvent includes (a) a first component, including H2SO4, HCl, HF, H3PO4, or NH4OH and (b) a second component, including propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, acetonitrile, or a combination thereof. |
| US10056471B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a fin-shaped semiconductor layer and a pillar-shaped semiconductor layer on the fin-shaped semiconductor layer. A metal gate line is connected to a metal gate electrode and extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction that of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer. A width of a bottom of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer in a direction parallel to a direction in which the metal gate line extends is equal to a width of a top of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer in the direction parallel to the direction of the metal gate line. A gate insulating film is in contact with an underside of the gate electrode and the gate line and separates the metal gate electrode and the metal gate line from the fin-shaped semiconductor layer and a first insulating film. An outer width of the metal gate electrode is equal to a width of the metal gate line. |
| US10056469B1 |
Gate cut integration and related device
A method for forming gate cuts during RMG processing and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming Si fins over a substrate; forming a STI layer over the substrate and recessed, exposing upper portions of the Si fins; forming polysilicon dummy gate electrodes perpendicular to the Si fins, separated by STI regions, on the upper portions of the Si fins and on the STI layer between the Si fins; forming a hardmask over the polysilicon dummy gate electrodes; etching through the hardmask and polysilicon dummy gate electrodes forming cavities between some of the Si fins; oxidizing polysilicon exposed on sides of the cavities and any residual polysilicon remaining at a bottom of one or more of the cavities; filling the cavities with SiN; removing the polysilicon dummy gate electrodes; and forming RMGs. |
| US10056468B2 |
Source/drain parasitic capacitance reduction in FinFET-based semiconductor structure having tucked fins
A method of reducing parasitic capacitance includes providing a starting semiconductor structure, the starting semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate with fin(s) thereon, the fin(s) having at least two dummy transistors integrated therewith and separated by a dielectric region, the dummy transistors including dummy gates with spacers and gate caps, the fin(s) having ends tucked by the dummy gates. The method further includes removing the dummy gates and gate caps, resulting in gate trenches, protecting area(s) of the structure during fabrication process(es) where source/drain parasitic capacitance may occur, and forming air-gaps at a bottom portion of unprotected gate trenches to reduce parasitic capacitance. The resulting semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate with fin(s) thereon, FinFET(s) integral with the fin(s), the FinFET(s) including a gate electrode, a gate liner lining the gate electrode, and air-gap(s) in gate trench(es) of the FinFET(s), reducing parasitic capacitance by at least about 75 percent as compared to no air-gaps. |
| US10056462B2 |
Metal gate structure and manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer having a surface, and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) defining a metal gate over the surface of the semiconductor layer. The metal gate includes a high-k dielectric layer, a capping layer, and a work function metal layer. A thickness of the capping layer sidewall distal to a corner of the capping layer, is substantially thinner than a thickness which is around center of the capping layer bottom. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a metal gate recess, forming a high-k dielectric layer, forming a first capping layer, forming a second capping layer on the first capping layer, removing or thinning down the first capping layer sidewall, and removing the second capping layer. |
| US10056459B2 |
Semiconductor arrangement
A semiconductor arrangement comprising a substrate having a first trench formed therein, a field plate layer arranged to extend within the first trench and coat the first trench, the field plate layer having a thickness such that it defines a second trench within the first trench, a barrier layer arranged to coat an internal surface of the second trench; and a trench fill material configured to substantially planarize the first and second trenches. |
| US10056457B2 |
Electric field shielding in silicon carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) device cells using channel region extensions
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to semiconductor power devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) power devices. In particular, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to shielding regions in the form of channel region extensions for that reduce the electric field present between the well regions of neighboring device cells of a semiconductor device under reverse bias. The disclosed channel region extensions have the same conductivity-type as the channel region and extend outwardly from the channel region and into the JFET region of a first device cell such that a distance between the channel region extension and a region of a neighboring device cell having the same conductivity type is less than or equal to the parallel JFET width. The disclosed shielding regions enable superior performance relative to a conventional stripe device of comparable dimensions, while still providing similar reliability (e.g., long-term, high-temperature stability at reverse bias). |
| US10056451B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for producing semiconductor device
Hydrogen atoms and crystal defects are introduced into an n− semiconductor substrate by proton implantation. The crystal defects are generated in the n− semiconductor substrate by electron beam irradiation before or after the proton implantation. Then, a heat treatment for generating donors is performed. The amount of crystal defects is appropriately controlled during the heat treatment for generating donors to increase a donor generation rate. In addition, when the heat treatment for generating donors ends, the crystal defects formed by the electron beam irradiation and the proton implantation are recovered and controlled to an appropriate amount of crystal defects. Therefore, for example, it is possible to improve a breakdown voltage and reduce a leakage current. |
| US10056450B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with: a drift layer; a base layer; and a collector layer and a cathode layer. In the semiconductor substrate, when a region operating as an IGBT device is an IGBT region and a region operating as a diode device is a diode region, the IGBT and diode regions are arranged alternately in a repetitive manner; a damaged region is arranged on a surface portion of the diode region in the semiconductor substrate. The IGBT and diode regions are demarcated by a boundary between the collector and cathode layers; and a surface portion of the IGBT region includes: a portion having the damaged region at a boundary side with the diode region; and another portion without the damaged region arranged closer to an inner periphery side relative to the boundary side. |
| US10056448B2 |
Coplanar metal-insulator-metal capacitive structure
A method of fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure on a substrate includes forming a patterned metal layer over the substrate; forming an insulator layer over the patterned metal layer; forming a second metal layer over the insulator layer; removing part of the insulating layer and part of the second metal layer thereby forming a substantially coplanar surface that is formed by the patterned metal layer, the insulator layer, and the second metal layer; removing a portion of the second metal layer and a portion of the patterned metal layer to form a fin from the insulator layer that protrudes beyond the first metal layer and the second metal layer; and forming an inter-metal dielectric layer over the fin. |
| US10056447B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
Embodiments relate to an organic light emitting display device according to the present disclosure including: a plurality of pixels which includes red, white, blue, and green sub-pixels; driving transistor, each of which is disposed in each sub-pixel; and organic light emitting diodes, each of which is disposed corresponding to each sub-pixel, wherein a first step portion, first and second bank layers, and a first step compensation portion are disposed between the white sub-pixel and a sub-pixel adjacent thereto, thereby having an effect of suppressing a short circuit defect and a light leakage defect. In addition, an organic light emitting display device according to the present disclosure includes: red, white, blue, and green sub-pixels; at least one step portion between the sub-pixels; first and second bank layers; and a step compensation portion, thereby having an effect of suppressing a short circuit defect and a light leakage defect. |
| US10056444B2 |
Flexible display device and method of manufacturing the same
A flexible display device includes a substrate, a light emitting layer, a first insulating layer, and a conductive layer. The substrate includes a bent region and a non-bent region. The light emitting layer overlaps the non-bent region. The first insulating layer is disposed on the substrate. The conductive layer is disposed on the first insulating layer. A sidewall of the first insulating layer includes a first tapered surface. The first tapered surface includes at least three curved surface portions continuously arranged with one another. |
| US10056443B2 |
Electronic devices with displays
An electronic device may have a flexible portion that allows the device to be folded. The device may have a flexible display. The flexible display may have edge portions that are joined along a flexible middle portion. The flexible middle portion may overlap a bend axis and may be bent about the bend axis. Flexibility enhancement regions may be formed in a backing layer, polarizer layer, organic-light-emitting display layer, and other display layers to enhance flexibility for the middle portion. The device may have a display with a flexible tail that is bent about a bend axis. Metal trace on the flexible display may include metal trace strips that serve as power lines. Flexibility enhancement regions such as slot-shaped openings or other openings may be formed in the metal trace strips to enhance flexibility. |
| US10056442B2 |
Organic light emitting diode array substrate, method for manufacturing the same and display device
An organic light emitting diode array substrate, a method for manufacturing the same and a display device are provided. The organic light emitting diode array substrate includes a base substrate, a first electrode layer, a first light emitting layer, a second electrode layer, a thin film transistor, a third electrode layer, a second light emitting layer, and a fourth electrode layer. A drain electrode of the thin film transistor is connected to the third electrode layer, the third electrode layer is connected to the second electrode layer, a light emission of the first light emitting layer is controlled by the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, and the light emission of the second light emitting layer is controlled by the third electrode layer and the fourth electrode layer. |
| US10056441B2 |
Method of manufacturing organic light emitting display device having cathode electrode connected with an auxiliary electrode via a gap space between the first and second banks
A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display (OLED) device can include providing an anode electrode and an auxiliary electrode on a substrate; providing a first bank on the auxiliary electrode; providing a second bank between the auxiliary electrode and the anode electrode, in which the second bank is spaced apart from the first bank; providing an organic emitting layer on the anode electrode; and providing a cathode electrode on the organic emitting layer, in which a width of an upper surface of the first bank is larger than a width of a lower surface of the first bank, and the cathode electrode is connected with the auxiliary electrode via a gap space between the first bank and the second bank. |
| US10056440B2 |
Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same
Discussed is an organic light emitting display device that may include an active area and a pad area on a substrate, wherein the active area includes an anode electrode, an organic emitting layer, a cathode electrode, and an auxiliary electrode connected with the cathode electrode and provided in the same layer as the anode electrode, and the pad area includes a signal pad, and a passivation layer for covering a lateral surface of the signal pad, wherein the passivation layer has a contact hole for exposing an upper surface of the signal pad. Also, the signal pad includes a lower signal pad, a central signal pad and an upper signal pad, and the central signal pad is surrounded by the lower signal pad, the upper signal pad and the passivation layer. |
| US10056437B2 |
Stereoscopic imaging apparatus and user terminal
The present invention provides a stereoscopic imaging apparatus (100), including: a display module (130), including a display pixel layer (131) and a first substrate (132), where the display pixel layer (131) includes a pixel array (133), and the first substrate (132) is disposed on the display pixel layer (131); a second substrate (120), disposed opposite to the first substrate (132); and a first lens layer (110), including a lens array (111), where the first lens layer (110) is disposed between the first substrate (132) and the second substrate (120), and the lens array (111) is configured to receive light transmitted by the pixel array (133), and deflect light, which is transmitted by a corresponding pixel in the pixel array (133), to a different projection direction to implement stereoscopic parallax. |
| US10056436B2 |
Organic light emitting display device comprising color filters and method of manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, first electrodes disposed on the substrate; an organic light emitting layer formed on the first electrodes; a second electrode disposed on the organic light emitting layer; and a color filter layer formed on the second electrode. The color filter layer includes a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter. The second color filter and the third color filter are disposed pixel blocks included in the first color filter. |
| US10056429B2 |
Electrode structure of optoelectronic device
An optoelectronic device includes a first optoelectronic unit; a second optoelectronic unit; a third optoelectronic unit formed between the first optoelectronic unit and the second optoelectronic unit; a first electrode formed on and electrically connected to the first optoelectronic unit; a second electrode formed on and electrically connected to the second optoelectronic unit; a first pad electrically insulated from the third optoelectronic unit wherein the first pad is formed on the third optoelectronic unit or disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a plurality of conductor arrangement structures electrically connected to the first optoelectronic unit, the second optoelectronic unit, and the third optoelectronic unit. |
| US10056428B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming curved image sensor region robust against buckling
A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of non-rectangular semiconductor die with an image sensor region. The non-rectangular semiconductor die has a circular, elliptical, and shape with non-linear side edges form factor. The semiconductor wafer is singulated with plasma etching to separate the non-rectangular semiconductor die. A curved surface is formed in the image sensor region of the non-rectangular semiconductor die. The non-rectangular form factor effectively removes a portion of the base substrate material in a peripheral region of the semiconductor die to reduce stress concentration areas and neutralize buckling in the curved surface of the image sensor region. A plurality of openings or perforations can be formed in a peripheral region of a rectangular or non-rectangular semiconductor die to reduce stress concentration areas and neutralize buckling. A second semiconductor die can be formed in an area of the semiconductor wafer between the non-rectangular semiconductor die. |
| US10056426B2 |
Apparatus and method for fabricating a light guiding grid
A light guide grid can include a grid structure having a plurality of intersecting grid lines, each grid line having a width w, and a plurality of openings for photosensor elements between intersecting grid lines. The grid structure has a diagonal grid width between two adjacent ones of the plurality of openings in a diagonal direction. The diagonal grid width has a value exceeding approximately √3 w. An image sensor can include a light guide grid having a grid structure as described above and further include a micro-lens such as a sinking micro-lens and a color filter. A method of fabricating a light guide grid can include forming a grid above at least one photo sensor, the grid having intersecting grid lines of width w and a diagonal grid width in a diagonal direction having a value exceeding approximately √3 w. |
| US10056423B1 |
Multispectral imaging device
A multispectral imaging device, comprising a pixel array, each said pixel comprises at least a first subpixel and a second subpixel, each subpixel comprises at least an infrared light conversion layer; a visible light conversion layer and a color filter layer; said visible light conversion layer is arranged between said infrared light conversion layer and said color filter layer; wherein, infrared conversion efficiency in said first subpixel is larger than infrared conversion efficiency in said second subpixel, and infrared light transmittance of the color filter layer in said first subpixel is larger than infrared light transmittance of the color filter layer in said second subpixel. The multispectral imaging device realizes imaging in multiple wavebands and in an increased dynamic range. |
| US10056419B2 |
Chip package having chip connected to sensing device with redistribution layer in insulator layer
A chip package is provided. The chip package includes a sensing device. The chip package also includes a first conductive structure disposed on the sensing device and electrically connected to the sensing device. The chip package further includes a chip and a second conductive structure disposed on the sensing device. The chip includes an integrated circuit device. The second conductive structure is positioned on the chip and is electrically connected to the integrated circuit device and the first conductive structure. In addition, the chip package includes an insulating layer covering the sensing device and the chip. The insulating layer has a hole. The first conductive structure is positioned under the bottom of the hole. The top surface of the insulating layer is coplanar with the top surface of the second conductive structure. A method for forming the chip package is also provided. |
| US10056418B2 |
Imaging element for generating a pixel signal corresponding to light receiving elements
An imaging element includes: a first substrate; first light receiving elements regularly disposed on the first substrate; first color filters each of which is disposed on a light receiving surface of the first light receiving elements; a second substrate disposed so that light transmitted through the first substrate is emitted thereto; second light receiving elements regularly disposed on the second substrate; second color filters each of which is disposed on a light receiving surface of the second light receiving elements; and a signal processor which generates a pixel signal corresponding to each of the plurality of first light receiving elements using the first signal and the second signal. |
| US10056415B2 |
Germanium-silicon light sensing apparatus
A method for fabricating an image sensor array having a first group of photodiodes for detecting light at visible wavelengths a second group of photodiodes for detecting light at infrared or near-infrared wavelengths, the method including forming a germanium-silicon layer for the second group of photodiodes on a first semiconductor donor wafer; defining a first interconnect layer on the germanium-silicon layer; defining integrated circuitry for controlling pixels of the image sensor array on a semiconductor carrier wafer; defining a second interconnect layer on the semiconductor carrier wafer; bonding the first interconnect layer with the second interconnect layer; defining the pixels of an image sensor array on a second semiconductor donor wafer; defining a third interconnect layer on the image sensor array; and bonding the third interconnect layer with the germanium-silicon layer. |
| US10056414B2 |
Thin film transistor array substrate having black matrix formed in non-display zone and common electrode formed in display zone
A thin film transistor array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided. The array substrate includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel units arranged on the substrate, each of which includes a display zone and a non-display zone including a thin film transistor and a black matrix that are provided on the substrate, wherein the black matrix is disposed between the substrate and the thin film transistor. |
| US10056405B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
In the case where a signal delay is found in a circuit operation in a semiconductor chip, when a repeater for delay reduction is additionally formed as a result of a design change, an increase in the area of the semiconductor chip and an increase in the manufacturing cost of a semiconductor device are prevented. The inverter forming the repeater is formed of transistors formed in the upper portion of stacked wiring layers, not transistors in the vicinity of a main surface of a semiconductor substrate. By thus implementing a design change such that the repeater is added, the number of the wiring layers which need a layout change is reduced. |
| US10056403B2 |
Semiconductor memory
A semiconductor memory includes a memory cell region that includes multiple memory cells stacked above a semiconductor substrate, first and second dummy regions on opposite sides of the memory cell region, each dummy region including multiple dummy cells stacked above the semiconductor substrate, and a wiring that electrically connects dummy cells of the first and second dummy regions that are at a same level above the semiconductor substrate. |
| US10056402B2 |
Semiconductor device
Improvements are achieved in the characteristics of a nonvolatile memory. In plan view, in a first isolation region which is an element isolation region surrounded by a first fin, a second fin, a memory gate electrode, and another memory gate electrode, a protruding portion is provided. In a second isolation region which is the element isolation region overlapping the memory gate electrode in plan view, a second isolation portion is provided to set the protruding portion higher in level than the second isolation portion. In a step of lowering a top surface of the element isolation region located between the first and second fins, a part of the element isolation region located between the first and second fins is covered with a mask film to form the protruding portion. Using the protruding portion, a short circuit between the memory gate electrodes due to a gate residue is prevented. |
| US10056400B2 |
Stacked semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked body, and a first insulating film. The stacked body is provided on the semiconductor substrate. The stacked body includes first films, and second films being conductive. The first films and the second films are stacked alternately. The first insulating film extends in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The second films include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is positioned between the first films. The second portion has a surface contacting the first insulating film in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. |
| US10056397B2 |
Integrated circuit and method for manufacturing thereof
A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes following steps. A substrate including a memory region and a core region is provided. At least two semiconductor word lines, two memory cells in between the two semiconductor word lines, and a semiconductor gate in between the two memory cells are formed in the memory region. A transistor device including a dummy gate is formed in the core region, and a height of the dummy gate is larger than a height of the semiconductor word lines. A protecting layer is formed on the semiconductor word lines, the memory cells, the semiconductor gate and the transistor device. A portion of the protecting layer is removed to expose the dummy gate and followed be removing the dummy gate to form a gate trench in the transistor device. Then a metal gate is formed in the gate trench. |
| US10056396B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
A semiconductor device having good characteristics without variation and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A part of a conductive layer for a floating gate is removed by using a spacer insulating film, a first insulating film, and a second insulating film as a mask. A floating gate having a tip portion is formed from the conductive layer for the floating gate, and a part of an insulating layer for a gate insulating film is exposed from the floating gate. The tip portion of the floating gate is further exposed by selectively removing the second insulating film among the second insulating film, the insulating layer for the gate insulating film, and the spacer insulating film. |
| US10056395B2 |
Method of improving localized wafer shape changes
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit including forming trenches into the surface of a crystalline wafer and the trenches extending along a <100> lattice direction is disclosed. Such wafer can experience less deformation due to less stress induced when the trenches are filled using a spin-on dielectric material. Thus, the overlay issue caused by wafer shape change is resolved. |
| US10056394B1 |
Ferroelectric tunnel junction and method of fabrication thereof
A method for fabricating a ferroelectric tunnel junction, comprising growing a hafnium zirconium oxide film barrier layer by sputtering in the presence of oxygen at a temperature of at most 425° C., on a conductive material as a bottom electrode, and depositing a conductive material as a top electrode. |
| US10056392B2 |
Performing horological functions in commercial transactions using time cells
Mechanisms for controlling a commercial transaction is presented. An article of manufacture has a time cell that is read by an electronic apparatus. In response to a determination of a state of the time cell by the electronic apparatus, usage of the article of manufacture in a commercial transaction is enabled or denied based on the determined state of the time cell. The expiration period of a time cell controls the time period during which the commercial transaction is enabled or is denied to be performed; an unexpired time cell may both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction, and an expired time cell may also both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction. The time cell may be used to restrict the usage period of a coupon, a promotional offer, a pre-paid service, or some other commercial transaction that involves an article of manufacture. |
| US10056391B2 |
Vertically stacked FinFET fuse
A semiconductor structure including a stacked FinFET fuse is provided in which the stacked FinFET fuse includes a plurality of vertically stacked and spaced apart conductive semiconductor fin portions and a doped epitaxial semiconductor material structure located on exposed surfaces of each conductive semiconductor fin portion of the vertical stack. In the FinFET fuse, a topmost surface of a bottom doped epitaxial semiconductor material structure is merged to a bottommost surface of an overlying doped epitaxial semiconductor material structure. |
| US10056390B1 |
FinFET SRAM having discontinuous PMOS fin lines
An IC chip includes a logic circuit cells array and a static random access memory (SRAM) cells array. The logic circuit cells array includes a plurality of logic circuit cells abutted to one another in a first direction. The logic circuit cells array includes one or more continuous first fin lines that each extends across at least three of the abutted logic circuit cells in the first direction. The static random access memory (SRAM) cells array includes a plurality of SRAM cells abutted to one another in the first direction. The SRAM cells array includes discontinuous second fin lines. |
| US10056389B2 |
Cross-coupled thyristor SRAM semiconductor structures and methods of fabrication
A memory cell based upon thyristors for an SRAM integrated circuit can be implemented in different combinations of MOS and bipolar select transistors, or without select transistors, with thyristors in a semiconductor substrate with shallow trench isolation. Standard CMOS process technology can be used to manufacture the SRAM cells. Special circuitry provides lowered power consumption during standby. |
| US10056387B2 |
Compact semiconductor memory device having reduced number of contacts, methods of operating and methods of making
An integrated circuit including a link or string of semiconductor memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a floating body region for storing data. The link or string includes at least one contact configured to electrically connect the memory cells to at least one control line, and the number of contacts in the string or link is the same as or less than the number of memory cells in the string or link. |
| US10056384B2 |
Multi-die fine grain integrated voltage regulation
A semiconductor device package is described that includes a power consuming device (such as an SOC device). The power consuming device may include one or more current consuming elements. A passive device may be coupled to the power consuming device. The passive device may include a plurality of passive elements formed on a semiconductor substrate. The passive elements may be arranged in an array of structures on the semiconductor substrate. The power consuming device and the passive device may be coupled using one or more terminals. The passive device and power consuming device coupling may be configured in such a way that the power consuming device determines functionally the way the passive device elements will be used. |
| US10056382B2 |
Modulating transistor performance
A method of forming an improved field-effect transistor device is provided. The method includes forming a tensile stressor near a first semiconductor fin. The first semiconductor fin is a fin of an n-channel field-effect transistor. The n-channel field-effect transistor is formed on a substrate. The method also includes forming a compressive stressor near a second semiconductor fin. The second semiconductor fin is a fin of a p-channel field effect transistor. The p-channel field-effect transistor is formed on the substrate. The method can also include forming neutral material over the at least one n-channel and p-channel field effect transistor. The method can also include achieving different device performance by configuring a stressor distance to fin and/or by configuring a stressor volume. |
| US10056379B1 |
Low voltage (power) junction FET with all-around junction gate
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a bottom source/drain region on a semiconductor substrate, forming a channel region extending vertically from the bottom source/drain region, growing a top source/drain region from an upper portion of the channel region, and growing a gate region from a lower portion of the channel region under the upper portion, wherein the gate region is on more than one side of the channel region. |
| US10056371B2 |
Memory structure having array-under-periphery structure
A memory structure is provided. The memory structure includes a substrate, an array portion disposed on the substrate, a periphery portion disposed on the array portion, and a plurality of contacts connecting the array portion to the periphery portion. |
| US10056365B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device incudes a cell region and a contact region, the cell region including a functional unit including a gate electrode, a source and a drain electrode, and the contact region including a gate pad. The gate electrode, the gate pad and the source electrode are disposed on a first main surface of a semiconductor substrate, and the drain electrode is disposed on a second main surface of the semiconductor substrate, the second main surface being opposite to the first main surface. A shielding member is disposed between the gate pad and the drain electrode, the shielding member being electrically connected to the source electrode. |
| US10056357B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device includes an LED chip, which includes an n-type semiconductor layer, active layer, and p-type semiconductor layer stacked on a substrate. The LED chip further includes an anode electrode connected to the p-type semiconductor, and a cathode connected to the n-type semiconductor. The anode and cathode electrodes face a case with the LED chip mounted thereon. The case includes a base member including front and rear surfaces, and wirings including a front surface layer having anode and cathode pads formed at the front surface, a rear surface layer having anode and cathode mounting electrodes formed at the rear surface, an anode through wiring connecting the anode pad and the anode mounting electrode and passing through a portion of the base member, and a cathode through wirings connecting the cathode pad and the cathode mounting electrode and passing through a portion of the base member. |
| US10056352B2 |
High density chip-to-chip connection
An apparatus includes at least a first IC die and a second IC die. Bottom surfaces of the first and second IC dice include a first plurality of connection pads and top surfaces of the first and second IC dice include a second plurality of connection pads. The apparatus also includes a layer of non-conductive material covering the top surfaces of the first and second IC dice, a plurality of through-vias, first conductive interconnect between at least a portion of the first plurality of connection pads and at least one through via, and second conductive interconnect on a top surface of the layer of non-conductive material that provides electrical continuity between at least a portion of the second plurality of connection pads and at least one through-via of the plurality of through-vias. |
| US10056351B2 |
Fan-out stacked system in package (SIP) and the methods of making the same
An embodiment package includes a first fan-out tier having a first device die, a molding compound extending along sidewalls of the first device die, and a through intervia (TIV) extending through the molding compound. One or more first fan-out redistribution layers (RDLs) are disposed over the first fan-out tier and bonded to the first device die. A second fan-out tier having a second device die is disposed over the one or more first fan-out RDLs. The one or more first fan-out RDLs electrically connects the first and second device dies. The TIV electrically connects the one or more first fan-out RDLs to one or more second fan-out RDLs. The package further includes a plurality of external connectors at least partially disposed in the one or more second fan-out RDLs. The plurality of external connectors are further disposed on conductive features in the one or more second fan-out RDLs. |
| US10056350B2 |
Fan-out package structure, and manufacturing method thereof
The method of fabricating a fan-out package structure comprises: S1, providing a substrate (1), forming an adhesive layer (2) on the substrate's upper surface; S2, forming a redistribution layer (3) on the adhesive layer's upper surface; S3, bonding one first chip (4) to the redistribution layer's upper surface, and constructing at least two first bump structures (5), wherein the first chip and the first bump structures are all electrically connected to the redistribution layer, and top portions of the first bump structures are taller than a top portion of the first chip; S4, forming a plastic encapsulation layer (6) on the upper surface of the redistribution layer, wherein the plastic encapsulation layer embeds the first chip and exposes upper ends of the first bump structures; and S5, removing the substrate and the adhesive layer, and constructing a second bump structure (7) on a lower surface of the redistribution layer. |
| US10056343B2 |
Packaged semiconductor device with interior polygonal pads
Embodiments of a packaged semiconductor device with interior polygon pads are disclosed. One embodiment includes a semiconductor chip and a package structure defining a rectangular boundary and having a bottom surface that includes interior polygonal pads exposed at the bottom surface of the package structure and located on a centerline of the bottom surface of the package structure and edge polygonal pads exposed at the bottom surface of the package structure, located at an edge of the rectangular boundary, and including one edge polygonal pad in the vicinity of each corner of the rectangular boundary. The interior polygonal pads are configured such that a line running between at least one vertex of each of the interior polygonal pads is parallel to an edge of the rectangular boundary of the package structure. |
| US10056341B2 |
Electronic device with microfilm antenna and related methods
An electronic device may include a first substrate, an electrically conductive feed line on the first substrate, an insulating layer on the first substrate and the electrically conductive feed line, a second substrate on the insulating layer, and an antenna on the second substrate and having nanofilm layers stacked on the second substrate. The antenna is coupled to the feed line through an aperture. |
| US10056339B2 |
Semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first insulation layer, data storage elements, a contact plug, and a first dummy dam. The first insulation layer is on the substrate and includes a pad region and a peripheral region adjacent to the pad region. The data storage elements are on the pad region of the first insulation layer. The contact plug penetrates the first insulation layer on the peripheral region. The first dummy dam penetrates the first insulation layer and is disposed between the data storage elements and the contact plug. |
| US10056337B2 |
Thin 3D die with electromagnetic radiation blocking encapsulation
After forming a first electromagnetic radiation blocking layer over a front side of a device wafer, the device wafer is bonded to a handle substrate from the front side. A semiconductor substrate in the device wafer is thinned from its backside. Trenches are formed extending through the device wafer and the first electromagnetic radiation blocking layer such that the device wafer is singulated into semiconductor dies. A second electromagnetic radiation blocking layer portion is formed on a backside surface of and sidewalls surfaces of each of the semiconductor dies such that each of the semiconductor dies are fully encapsulated by the first and second electromagnetic radiation blocking layer portions. |
| US10056332B2 |
Electronic device with delamination resistant wiring board
This invention provides an electronic device with improved reliability. The electronic device has a wiring board with a back-surface ground pattern formed at the back surface of the board. The back-surface ground pattern is provided with a notch overlapping a region of an upper wiring layer at which a board member is exposed and which is encircled by a wide pattern, the notch permitting the release of water vapor from the region. |
| US10056329B1 |
Programmable buried antifuse
An antifuse is provided that is embedded in a semiconductor substrate. The antifuse has a large contact area, and a reduced breakdown voltage. After blowing the antifuse, the antifuse has a low resistance. The antifuse may have a single breakdown point or multiple breakdown points. The antifuse includes a metal or metal alloy structure that is separated from a doped semiconductor material portion of the semiconductor substrate by an antifuse dielectric material liner. The metal or metal alloy structure and the antifuse dielectric material liner have topmost surfaces that are coplanar with each other as well as being coplanar with a topmost surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US10056328B2 |
Ruthenium metal feature fill for interconnects
A method is provided for at least partially filling a feature in a substrate. The method includes providing a substrate containing a feature, depositing a ruthenium (Ru) metal layer to at least partially fill the feature, and heat-treating the substrate to reflow the Ru metal layer in the feature. |
| US10056323B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a wiring substrate including wiring layers, a semiconductor chip including electrode pads and mounted on the wiring substrate, and a first capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode, and mounted on the wiring substrate. The wiring layers include a first wiring layer including a first terminal pad electrically connected with the first electrode of the first capacitor and a second terminal pad electrically connected with the second electrode of the first capacitor; and a second wiring layer on an inner side by one layer from the first wiring layer of the wiring substrate and including a first conductor pattern having a larger area than each of the first terminal pad and the second terminal pad. The first conductor pattern includes a first opening in a region overlapping with each of the first terminal pad and the second terminal pad in the second wiring layer. |
| US10056322B2 |
Interposers, semiconductor devices, method for manufacturing interposers, and method for manufacturing semiconductor devices
An interposer which can better prevent detachment of a conductive layer pattern due to thermal expansion and thermal contraction. The interposer includes a substrate having a through hole; an insulative resin layer formed on a surface of the substrate and including a conductive via; a wiring layer disposed on the substrate with the insulative resin layer interposed therebetween; an inorganic adhesive layer formed only on a side surface of the through hole; and a through electrode filled in a connection hole which is formed by the inorganic adhesive layer in the through hole so as to penetrate between both surfaces of the substrate, wherein the through electrode is electrically connected to the wiring layer via the conductive via, and a thermal expansion coefficient of the inorganic adhesive layer is larger than a thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate and smaller than a thermal expansion coefficient of the through electrode. |
| US10056318B2 |
Support terminal integral with die pad in semiconductor package
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element circuit, a conductive support and a sealing resin. The conductive support includes a die pad, first terminals spaced in a first direction, second terminals spaced in the first direction and opposite to the first terminals in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a support terminal connected to the die pad. The sealing resin encapsulates portions of the first and second terminals, a portion of the support terminal, the semiconductor element circuit and the die pad. The sealing resin has two first side surfaces spaced apart in the second direction and two second side surfaces spaced apart in the first direction. The first terminals and second terminals are exposed from the first side surfaces, while none of the elements of the conductive support is exposed from the second side surfaces. |
| US10056311B2 |
Electronic circuit module
An electronic circuit module includes a circuit board, electronic components, an embedding layer, and a conductive film. The circuit board has a first principal surface, a second principal surface and a side surface, and includes a pattern conductor and a via conductor. The conductive film is connected to a conduction path to a ground electrode. The side surface includes a first region, a second region having a longer circumferential length than the first region, and a connection region connecting the first region and the second regions. The conductive film is formed on a region including at least part of each of an outer surface of the embedding layer, the first region, and the connection region. The conductive film formed on at least part of the connection region is connected to an exposed portion in the connection region of the via conductor included in the conduction path to the ground electrode. |
| US10056310B2 |
Electrolytic seal
A semiconductor device includes a first bonding surface disposed on a first component of the semiconductor device. A bond material is disposed on the first bonding surface, and a second bonding surface is disposed on a second component of the semiconductor device. The bond material is disposed on the second bonding surface. A first electroplated bond connects the bond material and the first bonding surface, and a second electroplated bond connects the bond material and the second bonding surface. |
| US10056308B2 |
Molded composite enclosure for integrated circuit assembly
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a molded composite enclosure for an integrated circuit (IC) assembly. In one embodiment, an enclosure for an integrated circuit (IC) assembly may include a molded lid structure having a body portion, and a side portion that extends from the body portion and forms a cavity configured to house the IC assembly, wherein the body portion and the side portion share a contiguous interior material comprising a polymer and share a contiguous exterior material comprising a metal, the contiguous interior material having an opening formed in the body portion such that the IC assembly can be thermally coupled with the contiguous exterior material through the opening. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US10056307B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element; a first bonding pad formed on a surface of the semiconductor element; a test pad formed on the surface of the semiconductor element separately from the first bonding pad and configured to be visually distinguishable from the first bonding pad; and a first bonding member connected to the first bonding pad and used for external electrical connection. |
| US10056304B2 |
Automated optical inspection of unit specific patterning
An automated optical inspection (AOI) system can comprise aligning a wafer comprising a plurality of unit specific patterns. A plurality of unique reference standards can be created as a plurality of electrical nets by generating with a computer an electrical net for each of the unit specific patterns, each of the plurality of electrical nets comprising a start point and an end point. An image of each of the plurality of unit specific patterns can be captured with a camera. The image can be processed with the computer to provide a plurality of extracted boundaries of contiguous electrically conductive regions. Defects in the plurality of unit specific patterns, if present, can be detected by comparing each of the extracted boundaries of contiguous electrically conductive regions to a corresponding one of the plurality of unique reference standards. An output of known good die can be created. |
| US10056301B2 |
Transistor and fabrication method thereof
A method for forming a transistor is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate, and forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer has a gate structure recess. The method also includes forming a work function layer on a bottom and sidewalls of the gate structure recess; performing an ion implantation on the work function layer; and forming a gate layer on the work function layer after the ion implantation. |
| US10056297B1 |
Modified plasma dicing process to improve back metal cleaving
A method for improving the cleaving of the back metal along the edges of the die of a semiconductor wafer mounted on a deformable plastic film including the step of depositing a layer of material on metal located on the wafer back side in etched streets. |
| US10056295B2 |
Method for handling a product substrate, a bonded substrate system and a temporary adhesive
A method for handling a product substrate includes bonding a carrier to the product substrate. A layer of a permanent adhesive is applied onto a surface of the carrier. A structured intermediate layer is provided. The applied permanent adhesive bonds the carrier to the product substrate. The structured intermediate layer is arranged between the product substrate and the carrier. A surface of the structured intermediate layer and a surface of the permanent adhesive are in direct contact to a surface of the product substrate. The structured intermediate layer decreases a bonding strength between the product substrate and the carrier. |
| US10056294B2 |
Techniques for adhesive control between a substrate and a die
Semiconductor devices are described that employ techniques configured to control adhesive application between a substrate and a die. In an implementation, a sacrificial layer is provided on a top surface of the die to protect the surface, and bonds pads thereon, from spill-over of the adhesive. The sacrificial layer and spill-over adhesive are subsequently removed from the die and/or chip carrier. In an implementation, the die includes a die attach film (DAF) on a bottom surface of the die for adhering the die to the cavity of the substrate. The die is applied to the cavity with heat and pressure to cause a portion of the die attach film (DAF) to flow from the bottom surface of the die to a sloped surface of the substrate cavity. |
| US10056290B2 |
Self-aligned pattern formation for a semiconductor device
A method of forming a self-aligned pattern of vias in a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer of mandrels, then forming a second layer of mandrels orthogonal to the first layer of mandrels. The layout of the first and second layers of mandrels defines a pattern that can be used to create vias in a semiconductor material. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US10056289B1 |
Fabrication of vertical transport fin field effect transistors with a self-aligned separator and an isolation region with an air gap
A method of forming a vertical transport fin field effect transistor with self-aligned dielectric separators, including, forming a bottom source/drain region on a substrate, forming at least two vertical fins on the bottom source/drain region, forming a protective spacer on the at least two vertical fins, forming a sacrificial liner on the protective spacer, forming an isolation channel in the bottom source/drain region and substrate between two of the at least two vertical fins, forming an insulating plug in the isolation channel, wherein the insulating plug has a pinch-off void within the isolation channel, and forming the dielectric separator on the insulating plug. |
| US10056285B2 |
Semiconductor wafer device and manufacturing method thereof
A method of dies singulation includes providing a carrier, disposing a plurality of dies over a surface of the carrier according to a plurality of scribe lines comprising a plurality of continuous lines along a first direction and a plurality of discontinuous lines along a second direction, cutting the carrier according to the plurality of continuous lines along the first direction, and cutting the carrier according to the plurality of discontinuous lines along the second direction. |
| US10056282B2 |
Method and system of robot fork calibration and wafer pick-and-place
A robot fork calibration method and system is provided. At least three non-linear arranged lower sensors are provided on a bottom surface of the fork to detect distances to a fixed detection point. The fixed detection point and a horizontal plane of the detection point define a reference coordinate system. Spatial coordinates of the lower sensors in the reference coordinate system are calculated and a plane equation as well as a tilted angle of the fork are obtained according to the spatial coordinates. Therefore, the height of the fork can be calibrated according to the Z axis coordinates of the lower sensors and the levelness of the fork can be calibrated according to the tilted angle. |
| US10056275B2 |
Immersion de-taping
Embodiments using immersion de-taping are described. A substrate having a substrate tape attached thereto is provided. The substrate includes electrically conductive connectors attached to the substrate tape. A fluid is provided between the substrate and the substrate tape. While the fluid is between the substrate and the substrate tape, the substrate tape is removed from the substrate. Another embodiment is an apparatus comprising an immersion tank, a substrate chuck, first and second fixed rollers, and a moveable roller. The substrate chuck is configured to secure a substrate and to place the substrate into the immersion tank. The first fixed roller is operable to dispense a clamp tape. The second fixed roller is operable to roll the clamp tape. The moveable roller is operable to extend into the immersion tank and to adhere the clamp tape to a substrate tape on the substrate. |
| US10056274B2 |
System and method for forming a sealed chamber
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system, comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a chuck; a movement system; wherein the first chamber comprises: a first element that has a first surface; a first chamber housing that comprises a second surface; wherein the first surface and the second surface come into proximity with each other at a first interface; a supporting element for supporting the chuck when the chuck is positioned within the first chamber; and a first dynamic seal formed at the first interface and is arranged to seal the first chamber from the movement system; wherein the second chamber comprises: a second chamber housing; a movement system that is arranged to introduce movement between (a) the first chamber housing and (b) the first element and the chuck; and a movement control element for mechanically coupling the first element to the movement system. |
| US10056271B2 |
Metal etch system
Embodiments of systems and methods of etching material from the surface of a wafer are provided. In one representative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a fluid reservoir configured to receive a fluid including an etchant and one or more wafers in a cassette. The apparatus can further comprise a roller member in the fluid reservoir to frictionally engage the one or more wafers and to displace the one or more wafers with respect to a bottom portion of the cassette when the cassette is in the fluid reservoir. The apparatus can further comprise a motor outside the fluid reservoir and magnetically coupled to the roller member such that activation of the motor causes corresponding rotation of the roller member, and thereby rotation of the one or more wafers when the roller member is in frictional engagement with the one or more wafers. |
| US10056266B2 |
Method for manufacturing a resistive device for a memory or logic circuit
A method for manufacturing a resistive device, includes depositing a first electrically conductive layer on a substrate; forming an etching mask on the first conductive layer; etching the first conductive layer through the mask, such as to obtain a plurality of electrically conductive pillars separated from one another; and forming storage elements with variable electrical resistance at the tops of the electrically conductive pillars, such that each storage element is supported by one of the electrically conductive pillars, the step of forming the storage elements including the following operations depositing a first layer by non-collimated cathode sputtering at normal incidence relative to the substrate; and depositing a second layer on the first layer by cathode sputtering, the second layer including a first chemical species sputtered at an oblique incidence. |
| US10056258B2 |
Self-aligned double spacer patterning process
A method includes forming a mask layer over a target layer. A merge cut feature is formed in the mask layer. A first mandrel layer is formed over the mask layer and the merge cut feature. The first mandrel layer is patterned to form first openings therein. First spacers are formed on sidewalls of the first openings. The first openings are filled with a dielectric material to form plugs. The first mandrel layer is patterned to remove portions of the first mandrel layer interposed between adjacent first spacers. The merge cut feature is patterned using the first spacers and the plugs as a combined mask. The plugs are removed. The mask layer is patterned using the first spacers as a mask. The target layer is patterned, using the mask layer and the merge cut feature as a combined mask, to form second openings therein. |
| US10056254B2 |
Methods for removal of selected nanowires in stacked gate all around architecture
A method forms first and second sets of fins. The first set includes a first stack of layer pairs where each layer pair contains a layer of Si having a first thickness and a layer of SiGe having a second thickness. The second set of fins includes a second stack of layer pairs where at least one layer pair contains a layer of Si having the first thickness and a layer of SiGe having a third thickness greater than the second thickness. The method further includes removing the layers of SiGe from the first stack leaving first stacked Si nanowires spaced apart by a first distance and from the second stack leaving second stacked Si nanowires spaced apart by a second distance corresponding to the third thickness. The method further includes forming a first dielectric layer on the first nanowires and a second, thicker dielectric layer on the second nanowires. |
| US10056252B2 |
Process of forming nitride semiconductor layers
A process of forming a semiconductor device by use of a MOCVD technique is disclosed. The semiconductor device, which is made of primarily nitride semiconductor materials, includes a GaN channel layer, an AlGaN barrier layer, and a GaN cap layer on a substrate. The barrier layer and the cap layer are grown under a gradient temperature condition where the upstream side of the substrate with respect to the flow of the MOCVD source gases is at a higher temperature as compared with the temperature at the downstream side of the substrate with respect to the flow of the source gases. |
| US10056248B2 |
Method for measuring overall concentration of oxidizing substances, substrate cleaning method, and substrate cleaning system
To allow online monitoring of the overall concentration of oxidizing substances in electrolyzed sulfuric acid, for example, in a cleaning system, absorbance data having undergone baseline correction in relation to the overall concentration of oxidizing substances by using a standard sample liquid in the form of an electrolyzed sulfuric acid preparation liquid having the same sulfuric acid concentration as the sulfuric acid concentration of the electrolyzed sulfuric acid is prepared, and absorbance is measured over wavelengths ranging from 190 to 290 nm by using a sample liquid in the form of electrolyzed sulfuric acid having a sulfuric acid concentration ranging from 60 to 97% by mass and a liquid temperature ranging from 20 to 70° C. to measure the overall concentration of oxidizing substances in the electrolyzed sulfuric acid on the basis of the data. The overall concentration of oxidizing substances in the electrolyzed sulfuric acid can thus be immediately measured. |
| US10056243B2 |
Apparatus and method for rapid chemical analysis using differential desorption
The present invention is directed to a method and device to generate a chemical signature for a mixture of analytes. The present invention involves using a SPME surface to one or both absorb and adsorb the mixture of analytes. In an embodiment of the invention, the surface is then exposed to different temperature ionizing species chosen with appropriate spatial resolution to desorb a chemical signature for the mixture of analytes. |
| US10056240B2 |
Systems and methods for scaling injection waveform amplitude during ion isolation
This disclosure describes a method of adjusting the amplitude of broadband waveforms for isolation, especially during injection to a multipole trapping device. Isolation during injection to a trapping device is known to be an effective way of accumulating a desired population of ions while rejecting unwanted species. The waveform amplitude required to eject unwanted species varies as a function of isolation time, but using automated gain control, the time required to accumulate a given population of ions may vary over several orders of magnitude. Thus, when the injection times are very long, precursor ions of interest are resonated for a long time and may be inadvertently ejected from the trap, using conventional methods. By setting the waveform amplitude lower for longer accumulation times, good isolation efficiency can be maintained for the precursor, while still rejecting unwanted ions. |
| US10056237B2 |
Low pressure arc plasma immersion coating vapor deposition and ion treatment
A coating system includes a vacuum chamber and a coating assembly. The coating assembly includes a vapor source, a substrate holder, a remote anode electrically coupled to the cathode target, and a cathode chamber assembly. The cathode chamber assembly includes a cathode target, an optional primary anode and a shield which isolates the cathode target from the vacuum chamber. The shield defines an opening for transmitting an electron emission current of a remote arc discharge from the cathode target to the remote anode that streams along the target face long dimension. A primary power supply is connected between the cathode target and the primary anode while a secondary power supply is connected between the cathode target and the remote anode. Characteristically, a linear remote anode dimension and a vapor source short dimension are parallel to a dimension in which an arc spot is steered along the cathode target. |
| US10056232B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus and plasma ignition method
A charged particle beam apparatus according to this invention includes: a gas introduction chamber, into which raw gas is introduced; a plasma generation chamber connected to the gas introduction chamber; a coil that is wound along an outer circumference of the plasma generation chamber and to which high-frequency power is applied; an electrode arranged at a boundary between the gas introduction chamber and the plasma generation chamber and having a plurality of through-holes formed therein; a plasma electrode that is provided apart from the electrode; a detection unit for detecting whether or not the plasma has been ignited in the plasma generation chamber; and a controller that controls, based on the result of detection by the detection unit, a voltage to be supplied to the plasma electrode in association with a predetermined pressure for supplying the raw gas. |
| US10056231B2 |
TCCT match circuit for plasma etch chambers
A match circuit includes the following: a power input circuit coupled to an RF source; an inner coil input circuit coupled between the power input circuit and an input terminal of an inner coil, the inner coil input circuit including an inductor and a capacitor coupled in series to the inductor, the inductor connecting to the power input circuit, and the capacitor connecting to the input terminal of the inner coil, a first node being defined between the power input circuit and the inner coil input circuit; an inner coil output circuit coupled between an output terminal of the inner coil and ground, the inner coil output circuit defining a direct pass-through connection to ground; an outer coil input circuit coupled between the first node and an input terminal of an outer coil; and an outer coil output circuit coupled between an output terminal of the outer coil and ground. |
| US10056230B2 |
Power supply system, plasma processing apparatus and power supply control method
A power supply system includes a high frequency power supply which supplies a high frequency power; a DC power supply which supplies a first negative DC voltage or a second negative DC voltage having an absolute value larger than that of the first DC voltage; and a control unit which performs a power supply control process of repeating a supply and a stop of the supply of the high frequency power alternately; stopping supplies of the first and second DC voltages for a first period, which is a time period from a beginning of the supply of the high frequency power within a period during which the high frequency power is being supplied; supplying the first DC voltage for a second period except the first period within the period; and supplying the second DC voltage for a period during which the supply of the high frequency power is stopped. |
| US10056229B2 |
Charged-particle beam exposure method and charged-particle beam correction method
A charged-particle beam exposure method includes providing a sample that has patterns having shot densities different from each other, using the sample to obtain pattern drift values correlated with the shot densities, and irradiating the sample with a charged-particle beam to perform an exposure process on the sample. The irradiating of the sample with the charged-particle beam is carried out while a deflection voltage, which is applied to the charged-particle beam to deflect the charged-particle beam, is corrected based on the pattern drift value corresponding to a shot density of a pattern to be formed on the sample. |
| US10056227B2 |
Focused ion beam apparatus
A focused ion beam apparatus includes a sample tray on which a sample is placed, and a focused ion beam column for irradiating the sample with a focused ion beam to obtain a micro sample-piece. A sample chamber contains therein the sample tray and the focused ion beam column. A side-entry-type carrier is inserted into and removed from the sample chamber, with a front end side of the carrier holding the sample-piece. A sample-piece moving unit moves the sample-piece between the sample tray and the carrier. The sample tray is movable along at least x, y, and z axes, and an end of the sample tray is provided with a carrier engagement part releasably engageable with the carrier so that movement of the sample tray is accompanied by corresponding movement of the carrier. |
| US10056226B2 |
Charged particle beam apparatus and vibration damper for charged particle beam apparatus
There is proposed a column supporting structure that includes a viscoelastic sheet, a supporting plate which holds the viscoelastic sheet, and a fixation portion which connects the supporting plate to each lens barrel. The viscoelastic sheet is disposed to extend in a plane perpendicular to one lens barrel or the other lens barrel. |
| US10056224B2 |
Method and system for edge-of-wafer inspection and review
An electron-optical system for inspecting or reviewing an edge portion of a sample includes an electron beam source configured to generate one or more electron beams, a sample stage configured to secure the sample and an electron-optical column including a set of electron-optical elements configured to direct at least a portion of the one or more electron beams onto an edge portion of the sample. The system also includes a sample position reference device disposed about the sample and a guard ring device disposed between the edge of the sample and the sample position reference device to compensate for one or more fringe fields. One or more characteristics of the guard ring device are adjustable. The system also includes a detector assembly configured to detect electrons emanating from the surface of the sample. |
| US10056221B2 |
Apparatus for generating charged particles
Disclosed is an apparatus for generating charged particles. The apparatus comprises a light source that emits a laser, a target layer that receives the laser to generate charged particles, and a focusing structure that is between the light source and the target source and focuses the laser. The focusing structure comprises solid layers and pore sections alternately and repeatedly disposed along a first direction parallel to a top surface of the target layer. Each of the pore sections comprises a porous layer. |
| US10056220B2 |
Manufacturing method of high-pressure discharge lamp and sealed part structure for high-pressure discharge lamp
A method of manufacturing a high-pressure discharge lamp, comprising the steps of: inserting a mount into an interior of a glass tube having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of an end part of a sealed container; radially constricting the glass tube at a first position located away from a metallic foil toward a tip of an electrode; sealing the mount by a region of the glass tube that ranges from the first position to at least the other end of the metallic foil; protruding the electrode out of the glass tube located away from the first position toward the tip of the electrode to form a glass-tube air-tightly sealed mount; inserting the sealed mount into the end part of the sealed container; and radially constricting the end part of the sealed container to sealing the glass tube of the sealed mount by the end part. |
| US10056216B2 |
Ground fault trip assembly
A trip bar cam unit for a trip bar is provided. The trip bar cam unit includes a trip bar cam unit body, a cam lever, and a keyed protrusion. The trip bar cam unit body defines an axis of rotation. The cam lever extends generally radially from the trip bar cam unit body. The keyed protrusion corresponds to a trip bar axial bore. |
| US10056214B2 |
Heater apparatus, circuit interrupter, and related method
A heater apparatus is structured for use in a circuit interrupter having a thermal trip and includes a conductive device having a terminal and a heater that are co-formed with one another. The terminal includes a base and a support. The conductive device is formed from an individual metallic plate that is bent to form a number of plate elements. The base includes at least one plate element, and the heater includes at least another plate element, with the base and the heater being co-formed. A compression element is threadably receivable on the terminal and is structured to compressively retain an electrical conductor between the compression element and the base. |
| US10056208B2 |
Quick arc-breaking circuit-breaker
The invention discloses a quick arc-breaking circuit-breaker, comprising two electrode contacts for switching on and switching off a circuit, and a plurality of partition plates arranged between the two electrode contacts and configured in such a way that, when the two electrode contacts are separated, the partition plates are inserted at the fastest speed between the two electrode contacts, to quickly break the arc and stop burning. As the partition plates of the quick arc-breaking circuit-breaker are inserted between the two electrode contacts from different directions, the breaking and insulating speed is accelerated, the isolation and sealing effects between the two electrode contacts are enhanced, and the insulation and arc extinguishing effects of the circuit-breaker are thus improved. The circuit-breaker of the invention has a simple structure and a low manufacturing cost. |
| US10056207B2 |
Keypad with replaceable key labels
A key able to accept a label for a keypad used in controlling electrically operated devices, wherein the key structure accepts and secures an interchangeable label, and which forms an impermeable barrier to the electrical contacts of a programmable circuit board. |
| US10056203B2 |
Multimeter with protection mechanism of charge switching
A multimeter has a protection mechanism of charging. A measuring body includes a shell and a knob-turning set, and the shell has a charging socket. A control module is disposed in the shell and includes a circuit board and a connector electrically connected with the circuit board. The connector is disposed corresponding to the charging socket, and the circuit board is electrically connected with the knob-turning set and selectively actuated through a rotation of the knob-turning set. A charging unit is disposed in the shell and electrically connected with the connector. A stopper moves with the knob-turning set together. An external plug is inserted with the connector via the charging socket, and the stopper is actuated so that the knob-turning set will not to be rotated. Thus, it ensures the multimeter cannot perform a measurement when it is charging for avoiding danger. |
| US10056202B2 |
Push button switch
A push button switch includes a housing made up of a base and a cover, a first plunger mounted on the cover so as to be pushed down, a movable contacting piece configured to be driven by a push-down operation on the first plunger, a movable contact provided in the movable contacting piece, and a fixed contact disposed so as to come into and out of contact with the movable contact. Specifically, the movable contacting piece includes a movable contact piece provided with the movable contact, and an operation tongue piece disposed on at least one side of the movable contact piece and coupled with the movable contact piece so as to rotate integrally. The operation tongue piece is operated by the operation body of the first plunger to bring the movable contact into and out of contact with the fixed contact. |
| US10056197B2 |
Electrode-gel electrolyte assembly comprising a porous carbon material and obtained by radical polymerisation
A process for producing an electrode-gel electrolyte assembly based on porous carbonaceous material comprising radical-trapping sites comprises: a step of forming a bond between the radical-trapping sites of the carbonaceous material and functionalizing molecules, a step of preparing a solution comprising at least one monofunctional monomer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, an ionically conductive electrolyte and a radical initiator, a step of impregnating the solution of the monomers into the pores of the carbonaceous material, and a step of in situ radical polymerization of the monomers. |
| US10056196B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element module
A photoelectric conversion element module 200 includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 100 and 100, each including a first electrode 10 and a second electrode 20 facing each other, and a conductive member 9 electrically connecting the photoelectric conversion elements 100 to each other. Each of the photoelectric conversion elements 100 is arranged in a planar shape so that a direction from each first electrode 10 to each second electrode 20 is the same. The conductive member 9 is connected to a surface of the first electrode 10 which is opposite to the second electrode 20 in at least one photoelectric conversion element 100 and is connected to a surface of the second electrode 20 which is facing the first electrode 10 in at least one different photoelectric conversion element 100, at a position at which the second electrode 20 does not overlap the first electrode 10. |
| US10056195B2 |
Electrolytic Capacitor
An apparatus is disclosed which includes an electrolytic capacitive element with multiple capacitor sections. |
| US10056191B2 |
Multilayer ceramic capacitor
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes: a pair of external electrodes; a first internal electrode that is coupled to one of the pair of external electrodes; a dielectric layer that is stacked on the first internal electrode and contains BaTiO3 and Ni; and a second internal electrode that is stacked on the dielectric layer, contains Ni, and is coupled to another one of the pair of external electrodes, wherein Ni concentrations obtained by analyzing five regions with a transmission electron microscope are within a range from 0.015 to 0.045, the five regions being obtained by dividing a region from a location 50 nm away from the first internal electrode of the dielectric layer to a location 50 nm away from the second internal electrode of the dielectric layer in a stacking direction between the first internal electrode and the second internal electrode equally into five. |
| US10056188B2 |
Producing method of R-T-B-based sintered magnet
The present invention provides a producing method of R-T-B-based sintered magnets in which, the recovery chamber 40 includes inert gas introducing means 42, evacuating means 43, a carry-in port, a discharge port 40a, and a recovery container 60. The recovery step includes a carrying-in step of conveying a processing container 50 into the recovery chamber 40, a discharging step of discharging coarsely pulverized powder in the processing container 50 into the recovery chamber 40, a gas introducing step of introducing inert gas into the recovery chamber 40, and an alloy accommodating step of recovering the coarsely pulverized powder into the recovery container 60. Addition of pulverization aid is carried out in the alloy accommodating step. A remaining amount of coarsely pulverized powder in the recovery chamber 40, an oxygen-containing amount of the R-T-B-based sintered magnet is reduced, and magnetic properties are enhanced. |
| US10056181B2 |
Stacked coil element and method for manufacturing the same
A stacked coil element includes a stack including a plurality of insulating layers and a coil conductor structure with a winding axis in a thickness direction, and conductor patterns defining a portion of a coil provided on the insulating layers and electrically connected in the thickness direction. The stack includes a coil inner hole on an inner peripheral side of the coil conductor structure, the coil inner hole penetrating in the direction of the winding axis or having the direction of the winding axis as a depth direction. In at least one of the plurality of insulating layers, an end surface of the conductor pattern on the coil inner hole side is in the same plane as an end surface of the insulating layer on the coil inner hole side. |
| US10056180B2 |
Seal structure for electromagnetic lead wire
A seal structure for an electromagnet lead wire includes an annular yoke including an annular groove, a wiring hole configured to pass a lead wire of an exciting coil, an insulating resin configured to seal the exciting coil, and a seal member arranged in the hole. The wiring hole includes a though hole of a case, and a concave portion of the yoke. The insulating resin includes a projecting portion whose distal end face is located in the concave portion. The seal member includes a columnar portion inserted into the though hole, and a flange portion located in the concave portion. The flange portion is sandwiched and compressed between the device inner surface of the case and the distal end face of the insulating resin. |
| US10056177B2 |
Method for producing rare-earth magnet
The present invention is a method capable of producing a rare-earth magnet with excellent magnetization and coercivity. The method includes producing a sintered body including a main phase and grain boundary phase and represented by (R11-xR2x)aTMbBcMd (where R1 represents one or more rare-earth elements including Y, R2 represents a rare-earth element different than R1, TM represents transition metal including at least one of Fe, Ni, or Co, B represents boron, M represents at least one of Ti, Ga, Zn, Si, Al, etc., 0.01≤x≤1, 12≤a≤20, b=100−a−c−d, 5≤c≤20, and 0≤d≤3 (all at %)); applying hot deformation processing to the sintered body to produce a precursor of the magnet; and diffusing/infiltrating melt of a R3-M modifying alloy (rare-earth element where R3 includes R1 and R2) into the grain boundary phase of the precursor. |
| US10056176B2 |
Over-current protection device
An over-current protection device comprises a PTC device and a heating element operable to heat the PTC device. The PTC device contains crystalline polymer and metal or ceramic conductive filler dispersed therein. The PTC device has a resistivity less than 0.1 Ω·cm. The over-current protection device has the relation: It (heating) |
| US10056173B2 |
Apparatus for extruding a coating around an electric conductor
Apparatus for the production of an electric conductor provided with at least a layer of coating plastic material. The apparatus comprises: a head for the extrusion of an electric conductor; at least a main extruder having a first supply duct; at least an auxiliary extruder having a second supply duct; and a device for the selection and the diversion of the flows of coating plastic material. The selection and diversion device is provided, in turn, with at least a device for the exclusion of the auxiliary extruder; with a bypass duct between the first duct and the second duct; and with a flow-regulating diverter valve arranged in the intersection point between the first supply duct and a bypass duct connecting the first duct to the second duct. |
| US10056172B2 |
Method for producing a coaxial cable
The invention relates to a method for producing a stranded inner conductor (1), and to a coaxial cable (9). In a first step, a stranded inner conductor (2) is provided, which consists of several wires (3) twisted together. Then the stranded inner conductor (1) is rotary swaged by means of a rotary swaging device (10). In a further step, the rotary swaged stranded inner conductor (3) is enclosed with a dielectric (4). In a further step, the dielectric (4) is enclosed with an outer conductor (5) and a cable sheath (6). |
| US10056155B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing testing of a far memory subsystem within two-level memory (2LM) stacked die subsystems
A stacked semiconductor package includes a functional silicon die, and a test controller having signature accumulation logic embedded therein. A fabric to route transactions is between the test controller and a far memory controller of the functional silicon die. The far memory controller includes a physical memory interface having no physical memory attached. A Two Level Memory (2LM) controller is included having logic to modify received transactions to indicate a cache miss forcing all received transactions to be routed to the far memory controller via the fabric. An auto response mechanism is included to observe the transactions on the fabric and route responses and completions issued in reply to the transactions back to an agent having initiated the transactions. |
| US10056152B2 |
Methods of reading data in nonvolatile memory devices and nonvolatile memory devices
In a method of reading data in a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged at intersections of a plurality of word-lines and a plurality of bit-lines, a read request on a first word-line of the plurality of word-lines is received, a read operation is performed on a second word-line adjacent to the first word-line and a read operation is performed on the first word-line based on data read from memory cells of the second word-line. The read operation on the first word-line is performed by adjusting a level of recover read voltage applied to the first word-line during the read operation of the first word-line based on at least one of a program state of the data read from memory cells of the second word-line and an operating parameter of the nonvolatile memory device. |
| US10056149B2 |
Semiconductor memory column decoder device and method
Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines. |
| US10056144B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and its operation program
According to one embodiment, an operation program of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a first step for determining whether data has been sufficiently written to all of a plurality of addresses to which data is to be written; and a second step for writing data to an address to which data has not been sufficiently written among the plurality of addresses to which data is to be written and not writing data to an address to which data has been sufficiently written. The first step and the second step are repeated a predetermined number of times. |
| US10056128B2 |
Semiconductor storage device
A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory area; a first selection circuit which selectively connects one of first lines to one of first bit lines of the first memory area, the first lines and the first bit lines extending in a first direction; a second memory area; a second selection circuit which selectively connects one of the first lines to one of second bit lines of the second memory area, the second bit lines extending in the first direction; and a third selection circuit which selectively connects one of the first lines to a global bit line and is arranged between the first selection circuit and the second selection circuit, and configured to select the first selection circuit and the second selection circuit. The first memory area, the first selection circuit, the third selection circuit, the second selection circuit, and the second memory area are aligned in this order in the first direction. |
| US10056127B2 |
Supply-switched dual cell memory bitcell
In one embodiment, a bit state in a supply-switched dual cell memory bitcell in accordance with the present description, may be read by coupling a supply line to a common node of the bitcell to drive complementary currents through complementary resistance state storage cells for a pair of complementary bit line signal lines of the bitcell. The bit state of the bitcell may be read by sensing complementary bit state signals on the pair of first and second complementary bit line signal lines. In one embodiment, each resistance state storage cell has a resistance state ferromagnetic device such as a magnetic-tunneling junction (MTJ). In one embodiment, a supply-switched dual cell memory bitcell in accordance with the present description may lack a source or select line (SL) signal line. Other aspects are described herein. |
| US10056125B2 |
Data storage device and operating method thereof
A data storage device includes a memory device suitable for storing and outputting data in synchronization with a strobe signal; and a controller suitable for delaying the strobe signal based on each of different test delay values, testing capture of the data by using a delayed strobe signal, and determining a delay value of the strobe signal based on a test result. |
| US10056124B2 |
Memory control device for repeating data during a preamble signal or a postamble signal and memory control method
A memory control device, which includes a signal generating circuit, a data writing circuit and a repeating circuit. The repeating circuit is coupled to the data writing circuit. The signal generating circuit is configured to generate a data strobe signal and send the data strobe signal to a memory. The data strobe signal comprises a preamble signal. The data writing circuit is configured to write a series of data to the memory according to the data strobe signal. The repeating circuit is configured to repeat a first data of the series of data in a period of the preamble signal. |
| US10056122B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for performing compare operations using sensing circuitry
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing compare and/or report operations using sensing circuitry. An example method can include charging an input/output (IO) line of a memory array to a voltage. The method can include determining whether data stored in the memory array matches a compare value. The determination of whether data stored matches a compare value can include activating a number of access lines of the memory array. The determination can include sensing a number of memory cells coupled to the number of access lines. The determination can include sensing whether the voltage of the IO line changes in response to activation of selected decode lines corresponding to the number of memory cells. |
| US10056120B2 |
Interconnection for memory electrodes
Row and/or column electrode lines for a memory device are staggered such that gaps are formed between terminated lines. Vertical interconnection to central points along adjacent lines that are not terminated are made in the gap, and vertical interconnection through can additionally be made through the gap without contacting the lines of that level. |
| US10056119B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a connector, a volatile semiconductor memory element, multiple nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements, and a controller. A wiring pattern includes a signal line that is formed between the connector and the controller and that connects the connector to the controller. On the opposite side of the controller to the signal line, the multiple nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the substrate. |
| US10056115B2 |
Automatic generation of video and directional audio from spherical content
A spherical content capture system captures spherical video and audio content. In one embodiment, captured metadata or video/audio processing is used to identify content relevant to a particular user based on time and location information. The platform can then generate an output video from one or more shared spherical content files relevant to the user. The output video may include a non-spherical reduced field of view such as those commonly associated with conventional camera systems. Particularly, relevant sub-frames having a reduced field of view may be extracted from each frame of spherical video to generate an output video that tracks a particular individual or object of interest. For each sub-frame, a corresponding portion of an audio track is generated that includes a directional audio signal having a directionality based on the selected sub-frame. |
| US10056112B2 |
Annotating media content for automatic content understanding
A system for annotating frames in a media stream 114 includes a pattern recognition system (PRS) 108 to generate PRS output metadata for a frame; an archive 106 for storing ground truth metadata (GTM); a device to merge the GTM and PRS output metadata and thereby generate proposed annotation data (PAD) 110; and a user interface 109 for use by the human annotator HA 118. The user interface 104 includes an editor 111 and an input device 107 used by the HA 118 to approve GTM for the frame. An optimization system 105 receives the approved GTM and metadata output by the PRS 108, and adjusts input parameters for the PRS to minimize a distance metric corresponding to a difference between the GTM and PRS output metadata. |
| US10056110B2 |
Method and apparatus for rearrangement of media data using visual representations of the same
A method and an apparatus for rearrangement of media data using visual representations of the media data are described. A displaying unit displays visual representations of media data items in a temporal order according to temporal metadata of the media data items. An operation unit changes the position of the visual representation of a first media data item upon receipt of a user input. Automatically, the position of the visual representations of some other media data items are changed corresponding to the position change of the visual representation of the first media data item. |
| US10056094B2 |
Method and apparatus for speech behavior visualization and gamification
In some example embodiments, a system is provided for real-time analysis of audio signals. First digital audio signals are retrieved from memory. First computed streamed signal information corresponding to each of the first digital audio signals is generated by computing first metrics data for the first digital audio signals, the first computed streamed signal information including the first metrics data. The computed first streamed signal information is stored in the memory. The first computed streamed signal information is transmitted to one or more computing devices. Transmitting the first computed streamed signal information to the one or more computing devices causes the first computed streamed signal information to be displayed at the one or more computing devices. |
| US10056093B2 |
Encoding device, decoding device, and communication system for extending voice band
A first encoding unit generates a first encoded signal by encoding a component within a first band in a voice signal. A frequency shifting unit shifts the frequency of a component within a second band in the voice signal, the second band having a frequency higher than that of the first band, to the frequency of a component within the first band. A second encoding unit generates a second encoded signal by encoding the component whose frequency has been shifted in the frequency shifting unit. An output unit outputs both the first encoded signal generated in the first encoding unit and the second encoded signal generated in the second encoding unit. |
| US10056090B2 |
Speech/audio signal processing method and coding apparatus
The present disclosure provides a speech/audio signal processing method based on wideband switching and a coding apparatus. The method includes: if a first wideband speech/audio signal is a harmonic signal, adjusting a determining condition for determining that a second wideband speech/audio signal is a harmonic signal, to obtain a first determining condition, where the first wideband speech/audio signal is a signal before wideband switching, and the second wideband speech/audio signal is a signal after the wideband switching; and determining, according to the first determining condition, whether the second wideband speech/audio signal is a harmonic signal. In the case of wideband switching, signal types of speech/audio signals remain as consistent as possible before and after the switching, so that continuity of the speech/audio signal decoded by a decoder device is ensured as much as possible, further improving speech communication service quality. |
| US10056086B2 |
Spatial audio resource management utilizing minimum resource working sets
The present disclosure enables applications of a computing system to coordinate object-based audio resources by the use of a minimum resource working set. The minimum resource working set encourages an application to be fair in its requirements since specifying a large number will most likely result in the application receiving zero resources, or losing all of its resources to another application. A working set, which can include a minimum and a maximum working set, also provides a useful metric for the spatial audio resource manager to use when balancing demand. In addition, a minimum working set provides a performance metric for resource balancing since it exposes what the minimum functional requirement is from the maxim requested resource claim. |
| US10056085B2 |
Speech recognition on board of an aircraft
A method of performing speech recognition on board an aircraft, a computer program for executing the method, as well as a speech recognition unit for performing speech recognition on board an aircraft. The method comprises receiving a speech signal spoken by a user; performing speaker recognition on the speech signal to identify the user from the speech signal; selecting a speech recognition user profile which is associated with the identified user; and performing speech recognition on the speech signal using the selected user profile. |
| US10056084B2 |
Tamper-resistant element for use in speaker recognition
A tamper-resistant element for use in speaker recognition, the tamper-resistant element being adapted for storing data representing speaker information based on speaker recognition enrollment data and for checking whether information based on a speaker recognition testing signal matches the speaker information, characterized in that the tamper-resistant element is also adapted for carrying out a data integrity check, a system comprising such a tamper-resistant element and method for speaker recognition. |
| US10056083B2 |
Method and system for processing multimedia content to dynamically generate text transcript
The disclosed embodiments illustrate method and system of processing multimedia content to generate a text transcript. The method includes segmenting each of a set of text frames to determine spatial regions. The method further includes extracting one or more keywords from each of the determined spatial regions. The method further includes determining the first set of keywords from the extracted one or more keywords based on filtering of one or more off-topic keywords from the extracted one or more keywords. The method further includes extracting a second set of keywords based on the determined first set of keywords. The method further includes generating a graph between each of a first set of keywords and one or more of a second set of keywords. The method further includes dynamically generating the text transcript of audio content in the multimedia content based on the generated graph. |
| US10056080B2 |
Identifying contacts using speech recognition
A system receives candidate strings from a speech recognition engine. Where the speech recognition indicates success, the candidate string may be reported or otherwise used. Otherwise, candidate strings may be processed by comparing collapsed forms of the candidate strings to collapsed forms of a user's contacts. The collapsed form may replace contiguous consonants with a 1 and contiguous vowels with a 0. If a candidate string has a collapsed form matching a contact's collapsed form, that contact may be used. Where multiple candidate strings match the collapsed forms of multiple contacts, the contacts may be filtered according to textual similarity to the candidate strings, proximity to a typical usage location for the contacts, and a typical usage time for the contacts. |
| US10056076B2 |
Covariance matrix estimation with structural-based priors for speech processing
According to some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computerized method for speech processing using a Gaussian Mixture Model. The method comprises the action of receiving by hardware processor(s) two or more covariance values representing relationships between distributions of speech coefficient values that represent two or more audible input speech signals recorded by a microphone. The method comprises the action of computing two or more eigenvectors and eignevalues using a principle component analysis of the covariance values and transforming the speech coefficient values using the eigenvectors and computing two or more second covariance values from the transformed speech coefficient values. The method comprises the action of modifying some of the second covariance values according to the eignevalues, the covariance values, and two or more indices of the speech coefficient values. The second covariance values to the speech processor comprising the Gaussian Mixture Model. |
| US10056073B2 |
Method and apparatus to synthesize voice based on facial structures
A method, performed by a user equipment device, for text-to-speech conversion entails sending to an articulatory model server exterior facial structural information of a person, receiving from the articulatory model server at least a portion of a predefined articulatory model that corresponds to the exterior facial structural information, the predefined articulatory model representing a voice of a modeled person who is different from the person, and generating, based at least partly on the predefined articulatory model, speech from text stored in a memory of the user equipment device. Furthermore, a method of configuring text-to-speech conversion for a user equipment device entails determining at least a portion of an articulatory model that corresponds to exterior facial structural information based on a comparison of the exterior facial structural information to exterior facial structural information stored in a database of articulatory models. |
| US10056065B2 |
Adaptive modeling of secondary path in an active noise control system
The technology described herein can be embodied in a computer implemented method that includes detecting, by one or more processing devices, onset of an unstable condition in an active noise control system. The method also includes obtaining, responsive to detecting the onset of the unstable condition, updated filter coefficients for a system-identification filter configured to represent a transfer function of a secondary path of the active noise control system. The updated filter coefficients are generated using a set of multiple subband adaptive filters, wherein filter coefficients of each subband adaptive filter in the set are configured to adapt to changes in a corresponding portion of a frequency range associated with potential unstable conditions in the active noise control system. The method also includes programming the system identification filter with the updated coefficients to affect operation of the active noise control system. |
| US10056056B2 |
Display device
According to an aspect, a display device includes: an image display unit in which pixels are arranged, each of the pixels including a fourth sub-pixel and surrounding sub-pixels arranged around the fourth sub-pixel, the fourth sub-pixels of the respective pixels being arranged in a two-dimensional matrix and displaying a white color component as a fourth color, each of the pixels sharing at least one of the surrounding sub-pixels with an adjacent pixel adjacent to the pixel; and a signal processing unit that, based on a first input video signal for a specific pixel and a second input video signal for an adjacent pixel adjacent to the specific pixel, generates an output signal for the surrounding sub-pixels belonging to the specific pixel and outputs the generated output signal to the image display unit. |
| US10056051B2 |
Display apparatus and method of driving the same
A display apparatus includes a gamma controller configured to determine whether the target pixel unit is driven in both time division method and space division method based on a plurality of comparison values and a reference condition, and an output controller configured to generate normal gamma-data of the target pixel unit using a normal gamma curve if the plurality of comparison values satisfy the reference condition and to generate high gamma-data and low gamma-data of the target pixel unit using a high gamma curve and a low gamma curve in both time division method and space division method if the plurality of comparison values do not satisfy the reference condition. |
| US10056049B2 |
Display apparatus and method of operating the same
A display apparatus includes a timing controller and a display panel. The timing controller generates output image data based on input image data and generates a polarity control signal by analyzing the input image data. The display panel displays a plurality of frame images based on the output image data during a plurality of frames and operates based on an inversion driving scheme in which a polarity pattern of the plurality of frame images is changed based on the polarity control signal per N frames, where N is a natural number. The number N is variable based on the polarity control signal. |
| US10056048B2 |
Double-sided display device
Disclosed is a double-sided display device which comprises a display panel that has a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and displays an image; a blank means that blanks out some pixels on one surface of the display panel with an arbitrary pattern to prevent an image which the pixels display from being shown and blanks out other pixels, except for the pixels blanked out with the arbitrary pattern, on the other surface of the display panel; and a conversion unit that makes a conversion such that the left and right sides of the image displayed through the pixels blanked out by the blank means and the image displayed through the pixels which are not blanked out are reversed with respect to the one surface of the display panel, and provides the converted images to the display panel. |
| US10056045B2 |
Redundant control system for LCD
In an exemplary embodiment, each horizontal and vertical conductor of a TFT array may be in electrical contact with a first and second control system. Initially, the entire display is driven by the first control system. When/if a failure occurs in the first control system, it is powered down and the second control system maintains operation of the entire display. Each control system may contain a set of source/gate drivers, display interface board, and power supply. A reversionary button may allow the user to manually switch between control systems. Alternatively, failure may be detected by the display interface boards or a graphics processor. |
| US10056040B2 |
Display apparatus and display method
A display apparatus includes: display pixels arranged in rows and columns, each display pixel being disposed at the intersection of one of gate signal lines arranged in rows and one of source signal lines arranged in columns; a gate driver IC capable of selecting the gate signal lines based on a designated order; a source driver IC that outputs a voltage signal to the source signal lines; and a TCON. The display pixels each include an organic EL element, a capacitor into which the voltage signal is written, a capacitor capable of receiving an electric charge in the capacitor, and a driving transistor that supplies a driving current corresponding to the magnitude of the electric charge in the capacitor to the organic EL element. The TCON sorts the order of writing to the rows so as to reduce the difference in the voltage signal between successive rows. |
| US10056038B2 |
Organic light emitting display panel, driving method thereof and organic light emitting display apparatus
The present disclosure discloses an organic light emitting display panel, a driving method thereof, and an organic light emitting display apparatus. The organic light emitting display panel includes a plurality of pixel driving circuits, comprising: a driving module including a driving transistor and a first capacitor; an initialization module for initializing potentials of a gate and a first electrode of the driving transistor at least under the control of a first scanning signal terminal; a data writing module for transmitting a signal of a data signal terminal to a second electrode plate of a first capacitor under the control of the first or a second scanning signal terminal; a light emitting control module for transmitting a potential signal of the first electrode of the driving transistor to the second electrode plate of the first capacitor and driving an organic light emitting diode to emit light. |
| US10056036B2 |
Method of manufacturing connection structure connecting cathode electrode to auxiliary cathode electrode and organic light-emitting diode display device using the same
An organic light-emitting diode display device having an organic light-emitting diode having an anode electrode, an organic emission layer, and a cathode electrode is provided. The organic light-emitting diode display device includes a low potential source line configured to supply a low potential source voltage; and at least one auxiliary cathode electrode configured to connect the low potential source line to the cathode electrode. The at least one auxiliary cathode electrode includes a first electrode layer connected to the low potential source line, and a second electrode layer connected to the first electrode layer at a plurality of first positions and connected to the cathode electrode at a plurality of second positions different from the plurality of first positions. |
| US10056035B2 |
Pixel circuit and driving method thereof
A pixel circuit includes a first capacitor, an input unit, a driving unit, a first compensation unit, an organic light-emitting diode, a switch unit, a second compensation unit and a reset unit. The input unit is electrically connected to the first capacitor and the second compensation unit. The second compensation unit is electrically connected to the organic light-emitting diode. The first compensation unit is electrically connected to the first capacitor, the driving unit, the switch unit and the reset unit. The driving unit is electrically connected to the switch unit and the reset unit. The switch unit is electrically connected to the organic light-emitting diode. The pixel circuit is configured to generate a corresponding driving current according to a turn-on voltage of the organic light-emitting diode. A driving method of a pixel circuit is also provided. |
| US10056032B2 |
Organic light-emitting display having sensing transistor
An organic light-emitting display includes: a display panel including first and second pixels, each having an organic light-emitting diode; and a data driver including a first operational amplifier having a non-inverting terminal coupled to a reference voltage terminal and an inverting terminal coupled to the first pixel, and a second operational amplifier having a non-inverting terminal coupled to the reference voltage terminal and an inverting terminal coupled to the second pixel. The first pixel includes a sensing transistor, a first driving transistor, and a first switch transistor. The second pixel includes a second driving transistor and a second switch transistor. |
| US10056031B2 |
Data driver and display device using the same
Provided is a data driver for a display panel. The data driver includes an auxiliary power generating unit and an auxiliary power output unit. The auxiliary power generating unit may generate an auxiliary power. The auxiliary power output unit may supply the auxiliary power to the display panel when the display panel is driven in a power saving mode under the control of the auxiliary power generating unit. The auxiliary power output unit may include a first transistor configured to output the auxiliary power output from the auxiliary power generating unit, a diode configured to output the auxiliary power output from the first transistor, and a second transistor connected to the diode in parallel and configured to output the auxiliary power together with the diode. |
| US10056030B2 |
Pixel circuit structure and method for driving the same
A pixel structure includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the sub-pixels includes a first light-emitting diode (LED) and a second LED. The first LED is configured to emit a first color light. The second LED is configured to emit a second color light. Each of the first LED and the second LED includes an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first LED and the anode of the second LED are coupled to a same signal line. The cathode of the first LED and the cathode of the second LED are coupled to different signal lines. |
| US10056029B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display having photodiodes
Systems, methods, and devices are provided in which photodetectors disposed throughout a display are used to control the display brightness. The photodetectors are to be used for ambient light sensing, proximity sensing, or to compensate for aging OLEDs. In some embodiments, photodiodes are fabricated with OLEDs during the TFT fabrication process. In some embodiments, the photodetectors may be disposed throughout the display in zones containing OLEDs. The photodetectors are used to control the display brightness and color for the OLEDs in areas around each photodetector based on ambient light, aging, and/or nearby objects. A controller makes driving strength adjustments to the OLEDs in each zone independent of other zones. Photodetectors disposed throughout the display may improve proximity sensing and provide additional functionality to the device. |
| US10056028B2 |
Display unit and electronic apparatus
A display unit includes a plurality of pixels and a drive circuit. The plurality of pixels each includes a light emitting device, a transistor, and a capacitor. The drive circuit writes an image signal into each of the pixels and thereby performs display drive. The pixels as a whole are dividable into a plurality of pixel groups. The drive circuit performs intermittent stopping of the display drive for the respective pixel groups independently of each other in a still image display period based on the image signal. |
| US10056024B2 |
Display device
A display device is disclosed, which may supply gate signals to allow pulse widths of gate signals supplied to adjacent gate lines to be overlapped with each other and at the same time minimize cost increase caused by increase of the number of line memories. The display device comprises a display panel, a gate driver and a timing controller. The display panel includes gate lines, data lines and pixels provided at crossing areas between the gate lines and the data lines. The gate driver supplies gate signals to the gate lines. The timing controller supplies a start signal and gate clock signals for controlling an operation timing of the gate driver to the gate driver. One frame period includes an active period for supplying the gate signals to the gate lines and a vertical blank period for not supplying the gate signals to the gate lines, and the start signal is supplied within the vertical blank period. |
| US10056023B2 |
Display device and method of repairing the same
A display device and a method of repairing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the display device includes an OLED, a repair line electrically connected to a first dummy pixel and a second dummy pixel, and a repair modulation circuit electrically connected to the first and second dummy pixels. The first dummy pixel includes a first dummy pixel driving circuit configured to output a driving current corresponding to a data voltage of a selected pixel of the OLED to the repair line, when the selected pixel becomes defective, based on a first light emission control signal. The repair modulation circuit includes a capacitor configured to be initialized before the driving current is output from the first dummy pixel driving circuit. The capacitor of the repair modulation circuit is configured to be charged with the driving current when the driving current is output from the first dummy pixel driving circuit. |
| US10056020B2 |
Waveguide display with two-dimensional scanner
A waveguide display includes a light source, a conditioning lens assembly, a scanning mirror assembly, and a controller. The light source includes a plurality of source elements that are configured to emit image light in accordance with scanning instructions. The conditioning lens assembly transmits conditioned light based in part on the image light. The scanning mirror assembly scans the conditioned image light to particular locations as scanned image light in accordance with scanning instructions. The output waveguide includes an input area and an output area, receives the scanned image light emitted from the scanning mirror assembly at the input area, and outputs the expanded image light from a portion of the output area based in part on a direction of the expanded light output from the scanning mirror assembly. The controller generates the scanning instructions and provides the scanning instructions to the light source and the scanning mirror assembly. |
| US10056011B2 |
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. |
| US10056010B2 |
Systems and methods for a weld training system
A weld training system is provided. The weld training system includes a welding torch configured to perform a welding procedure and a mobile device coupled to the welding torch. The mobile device is configured to detect, via one or more sensors, dynamic position or orientation information of the welding torch during the welding procedure to determine one or more operating parameters of the welding procedure. The mobile device is also configured to display a welding environment based at least in part on the one or more operating parameters. |
| US10056006B1 |
Pre-license development tool
Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a tool for use by drivers and/or coaches throughout the pre-license stage of obtaining a driver's license. A pre-license program may control a computing device to collect drive data while a driver is driving a vehicle. This drive data may be used to detect a drive event. Then, the computing device may present coaching information associated with the detected drive event. The coaching information may provide a passenger, such as a coach or parent, with real-time advice for instructing the driver how to improve his/her driving skills. Moreover, the drive data collected may be used to prepare reports providing feedback to the drivers and coaches. Further, the pre-license program may determine an expected track for a driver to follow to prepare for a driver's license test and may indicate whether the driver is on or off the track. |
| US10056003B2 |
Methods and systems for self-assessment of individual imagination and ideation
A method for assessing imagination includes providing, to each of a plurality of assessment subjects, at a first time, a first assessment prompt. The method includes receiving, from each of the assessment subjects, a first response to the first assessment prompt. The method includes safeguarding each of the received first responses. The method includes providing, to each of the assessment subjects, at a second time subsequent to the first time, a second assessment prompt. The method includes receiving, from each of the assessment subjects, a second response to the second assessment prompt. The method includes safeguarding each of the second responses. The method includes receiving, from each of the assessment subjects, a self-evaluation of the first response and the second response. The method includes analyzing the received responses and self-evaluations. The method includes generating a recommendation for a modification to a resource available to the plurality of assessment subjects. |
| US10056002B2 |
Technologies for students evaluating teachers
A technology is provided. The technology enables availing a plurality of educational standards to a plurality of students. The standards are for a plurality of lessons to be at least partially taught via a plurality of teachers to the students. The technology further enables receiving a plurality of ratings from the students. The ratings rating the teachers based at least in part on the students perceptions of the teachers at least partially teaching the lessons according to the standards. The technology also enables extracting a meaning from the ratings. |
| US10056001B1 |
Three-dimensional representations of objects detected by an unmanned aerial vehicle
Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting objects within a distance of an aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), and developing a three-dimensional model or representation of those objects. Rather than attempting to use stereo imagery to determine distances and/or depth of objects, the described implementations utilize range-gating, also known as time-gating, and the known position of the aerial vehicle to develop a three-dimensional representation of objects. For example, when the aerial vehicle is at a first position it may use range-gating to detect an object at a defined distance from the vehicle. The aerial vehicle may then alter its position again and use range-gating to detect an object that is the defined distance from the vehicle at the new position. This may be done at several different positions and the resulting information and aerial vehicle position information combined to form a three-dimensional representation of those objects. |
| US10055998B1 |
Ground-based identification of wake turbulence encounters
A ground-based server is configured for identifying encounters of aircraft with wake turbulences generated by at least one other generating aircraft. The ground-based server is configured for: collecting avionics data for an in-flight aircraft and traffic data for one or more other aircraft in flight at a first flight time of the in-flight aircraft; determining that the in-flight aircraft was near a wake turbulence estimated, using the traffic data, to be generated by another aircraft; determining that the in-flight aircraft experienced at the first flight time a severe impact; determining that the in-flight aircraft experienced at the first flight time at least one of: one or more uncommanded forces and moments, and a wind signature indicative of wake turbulence; and in response, generating a report of a wake turbulence encounter for the in-flight aircraft at the first flight time. |
| US10055996B2 |
Method and system for scheduling a driver service provider for one or more third parties
This disclosure generally relates to a method and system for providing a ride for a third party rider at the request of a user ride requestor. In one embodiment, a driver device may be used to receive a ride request from one or more server computing devices for a third party rider. The driver device may receive information identifying the third party rider, including a password. Further, the driver device may transmit real time ride status information to the ride requestor directly or indirectly via the one or more server computing devices. |
| US10055995B2 |
System for preemptively navigating drivers to an event created through a social network system
In one embodiment an event likely to be attended by a plurality of users of a taxi service is identified. A location of the event is determined and an end time of the event is estimated. Prior to the end time of the event, a plurality of drivers associated with the taxi service are directed to drive to the location of the event to transport passengers from the location of the event. |
| US10055994B2 |
Parking assistance device
A parking assistance device includes: a route determination unit that determines a route from an initial position of a vehicle to a target parking position when assisting the vehicle to be parked in a parking area, and includes, a first generation unit generating a first circumference tangent to a line passing though the initial position and extending along a forward direction of the vehicle, and a second generation unit generating a second circumference having a tangent line passing through a rear position of the vehicle at a rear direction of the target parking position in the forward direction and extending along the forward direction, and having a radius of minimum turning of the vehicle, a part of the first circumference functions as a part of the route, and a part of a third circumference functions as the route subsequent to the first circumference. |
| US10055993B2 |
Systems and methods for control of mobile platform safety systems
A control system and method of controlling a mobile platform safety system is provided. User input including a modification to a predefined alert response associated with the mobile platform safety system is received, the modification being associated with a geographic location. The pre-defined response, the user modification, and global positioning system (GPS) data are processed to generate therefrom a location specific personalized alert response for the mobile platform safety system. |
| US10055991B1 |
Wireless transmission system to determine parking lot occupancy
A wireless transmission system includes a server in communication with one or more receiving devices. The server generates a query to a user associated with a receiving device regarding a parking-space preference. The server receive the parking-space preference along with the unique identifier and a receiving device identifier from the receiving device. The server determines a current location associated with the receiving device based on the received unique identifier, and generate an instruction to receive attributes associated with one or more parking spaces corresponding to the parking-space preferences. The server upon transmitting the instructions to the database, receive one or more parking spaces corresponding to the parking-space preferences. The server generates a graphical user interface to display instructions to reach parking spaces corresponding to the parking-space preferences in relation to the current location of the receiving device, and then transmits the graphical user interface to the receiving device. |
| US10055990B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for providing available parking spaces
A computer-implemented system and method for providing available parking spaces is provided. Parking spaces are each associated with a hold time during which that parking space is held for a reserved vehicle. Shorter hold times are assigned to parking spaces associated with desirable parking variables and longer hold times are assigned to parking spaces with less desirable parking variables. A request for parking is received from a user. The hold time for each available parking space is applied to an arrival time of the user. One of the available parking spaces with the hold time greater than the user arrival time is identified. Prior to departure of the user from the available parking space, a time delay is introduced during which the available parking space occupied by the user is made available to drivers that physically approach the space upon departure of the user, and is not available for reservation. |
| US10055988B2 |
Monitoring vehicle usage
A method for monitoring vehicle usage is described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a vehicle event and detecting a query from a mobile device. The query includes a Wi-Fi probe request or Bluetooth inquiry. The method includes identifying a mobile device identifier from the query and associating the mobile device identifier with the vehicle event. |
| US10055984B1 |
Unmanned aerial vehicle system and method of use
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system includes a command center having a computing device an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a body, the UAV to communicate wirelessly with the command center via a network, the UAV having a control system with a power source, a geospatial tracking device, and a multi-channel communication portal; a camera secured to the body and in communication with the control system; and one or more equipment attachment sites; site assessment tools to attach to or within the one or more equipment attachment sites, each of the site assessment tools to record a data associated with an emergency site, such as weather conditions, road conditions, traffic, visibility, radiation, and chemical exposure; the UAV is to receive commands from the command center to deploy to the emergency site; and the UAV is to receive the data and transmit the data to the command center via the multi-channel communication portal. |
| US10055982B1 |
Determining corrective actions based upon broadcast of telematics data originating from another vehicle
A mobile device configured to receive telematics data from another vehicle when the mobile device is traveling in a moving vehicle and take corrective action when a travel event exists may be provided. The mobile device may receive telematics data associated with an originating vehicle, analyze the telematics data, and determine or identify that a travel event associated with the originating vehicle exists and, when the travel event is determined to exist, determine whether the travel event is relevant to the moving vehicle or a route that the moving vehicle is presently traveling, and if so, direct corrective action such that safer vehicle travel for the moving vehicle is facilitated based upon the telematics data that is collected by the originating vehicle. An insurance provider may collect an insured's usage of the vehicle safety functionality to calculate, update, and/or adjust insurance premiums, rates, discounts, points, or programs. |
| US10055981B2 |
Traffic speed modeling
A method and apparatus for traffic modeling comprising: receiving by a server, traffic data generated by one or more devices configured to record data indicating speeds of vehicles traveling a road segment. The server separates, with a processor, the traffic data into zero speed data and non-zero speed data. The server determines, with the processor, a zero speed data characteristic value of the zero speed data. The server determines, with the processor, at least one non-zero speed data characteristic value of the non-zero speed data. The server generates, with the processor, a representative traffic value for the road segment as a function of the zero speed characteristic value and the non-zero speed characteristic value. |
| US10055974B2 |
Recognizing alarm fatigue in a clinical setting
A notification system operating in a healthcare setting maintains information in alarm messages received from each of a plurality of call points and in messages received from clinicians, and operates on this information to determine whether a clinician is currently suffering from alarm fatigue or is at risk of suffering from alarm fatigue at some future time. |
| US10055973B2 |
Infrared detector
A motion sensor has at least two tiers of monitored volumes that are offset from each other. Electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared light, is directed from the monitored volumes onto at least two sets of detector elements having separate outputs on a pyroelectric substrate of an infrared detector. As a warm object, such as a human or an animal, moves through the monitored volumes, the warmth from the object causes the voltage on the outputs of the infrared detector to change. The resultant waveforms are compared and if the two waveforms have a phase relationship corresponding to a critical phase angle that is based on the pitch of the monitored volumes and the offset between the tiers of monitored volumes, an animal-immune motion indication is generated. |
| US10055972B2 |
System and method for providing centralized management and distribution of information to remote users
The invention includes systems, methods, and software applications for centrally maintaining information and automatically distributing relevant portions of the information to remote users. In one embodiment, a central server stores the information, which is maintained on the central server. Periodically, or each time the server information is updated, the server identifies the portion of the information that is relevant to each user and downloads the relevant portion of information to each user, for example to a mobile device such as a Blackberry™. The invention may be used to maintain and timely distribute information related to emergency response procedures, sales or servicing schedules, and delivery schedules, among other things. |
| US10055971B2 |
Safety communicator—convergence of body vitals and toxic gas parameters into smartphone app to enhance safety monitoring
Embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for communication between one or more personal protection equipment (PPE) devices, a mobile device, and a central monitoring station. Personnel may wear PPE devices for detection and communication. These portable devices may communicate wirelessly, over a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, via Bluetooth, or another wireless connection. Systems may include a smartphone application operable to receive and combine information from each of the PPE devices. The application may also display the information to the user. In some embodiments, the application may transfer the data to a cloud storage network via a cellular network. Additionally, the application may communicate the combined data from all of the PPE devices to the central monitoring station. |
| US10055969B2 |
Proximity monitoring devices and methods
Disclosed herein is a small form factor device comprising: a power source, a force sensor, a wireless communications module, and a processor. The processor is configured to implement a proximity monitoring process involving periodically operating the wireless communications module to transmit advertisements. The processor is also configured to determine whether device stationary criteria are satisfied based on force signals received from the force sensor and, if the device stationary criteria are satisfied: cause the wireless communications module to transmit a device stationary message; and cause the small form factor device to enter a power saving mode in which the proximity monitoring process is suspended. |
| US10055967B1 |
Attentiveness alert system for pedestrians
An alert may be initiated for a pedestrian when the pedestrian approaches nearby crowd activity (e.g., parade, protest, concert, etc.). Crowd activity may be indicated by real time crowd data, and/or by accessing means such as popular social media posts, local news, and/or local event calendars. The alert may be generated when a pedestrian comes within a certain threshold distance of the crowd activity (e.g., as determined by a mobile device GPS). A pedestrian who may be inattentive in some way (e.g., looking down at a mobile device) may become attentive to the nearby crowd activity, and may choose to take an alternative route. In additional or alternative embodiments, the alert may be initiated when the pedestrian approaches a nearby safety concern (e.g., fire, crime, etc.). Safety concerns may be indicated by accessing local news, popular social media posts, and/or public safety communications. |
| US10055966B2 |
System and method for determination and remediation of energy diversion in a smart grid network
An apparatus, system and method are provided for detecting purposeful energy diversion in a smart grid network. A transformer monitoring device is configured to measure the amount of electricity supplied by a transformer to a plurality of structures and electric meters are configured to measure electricity usage at each of the plurality of structures. The electric meters transmit signaling containing information regarding measured electricity usage to the transformer monitoring device and the transformer monitoring device transmits signaling to a cloud-based server containing information regarding the amount of electricity supplied by the transformer to the plurality of structures and the measured electricity usage. The cloud-based server is configured to determine based on the received signaling if energy diversion is occurring in the smart grid network. |
| US10055965B2 |
Detector-to-detector alerts
An alert system and method includes at least first and second detectors that each includes environmental condition detection circuitry, data processing circuitry, and wireless communication circuitry. The first and second detectors are respectively carried by first and second users. The first and second detectors detect environmental conditions in a vicinity of the respective detectors and communicate detection data to the respective data processing circuitry. In response to detection of a hazardous environmental condition by the first detector, the first detector provides an alert notification to the first user and communicates the alert to the second detector via wireless communication, and in response to receipt of an alert from the first detector, the second detector transmits the alert to another detector or device via wireless communication. A communicated or transmitted alert may include an incrementing indicator of a number of hops or levels of transmission of the alert. |
| US10055963B1 |
On-duty/off-duty work alternation planning based on sensed physiological and activity parameters
A system and method for alerting an on-duty operator of the need to transfer operational control to an off-duty operator includes processing first and second physiological and activity data from the on-duty operator and the off-duty operator, respectively. The processor compares the fatigue state of the on-duty operator to a predetermined fatigue state threshold, and the rest state of the off-duty operator to a predetermined rest state threshold. The processor will generate an alert signal indicating that the on-duty operator should transfer operational control to the off-duty operator when (i) the fatigue state of the on-duty operator exceeds the predetermined fatigue state threshold or (ii) the rest state of the off-duty operator exceeds the predetermined rest state threshold. |
| US10055962B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing an emergency notification for an allergic reaction
A method and an apparatus for providing a notification of a usage of a medical injector are disclosed. For example, the method determines location information of the medical injector. The method then detects the usage of the medical injector, and records a time of the usage of the medical injector. The method then sends the notification comprising the time at which the usage of the medical injector is detected and the location information of the medical injector. |
| US10055958B2 |
Occupancy based lighting control technology and its application thereof
This disclosure relates to a method of detecting an occupancy state of a living space for controlling lighting apparatus. The method comprises using a motion sensor to send wave signal and detect echoed signal reflected from a moving human body and using a control circuitry operated with a software program to analyze the echoed signal for establishing a numerical value account. In referring to preset parameters, the software program judges the echoed signal by analyzing time duration and frequency pattern of the echoed signal as an incoming motion, an outgoing motion or a local random motion, such that the numerical value account is accordingly updated to represent actual occupant number for activating the controller circuitry to turn on or turn off the lighting apparatus. |
| US10055957B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for a hybrid article surveillance tag
A hybrid tag. The hybrid tag includes an RFID component, an acousto-magnetic component, and a flexible container. The RFID component includes an RFID antenna and an integrated circuit connected to the RFID antenna. The acousto-magnetic component includes an amorphous metal and a magnetic metal disposed on the amorphous metal. The flexible container covers the RFID component and the acousto-magnetic component. |
| US10055955B2 |
Networked communications and early warning system
A networked communications system comprising one or more integrated satellite based devices each for broadband digital signaling, one or more customized segment addressable cable assembly for terrestrial signaling in operable communication with the integrated satellite based device and a command console, the command console further comprising interconnectivity with public data or voice network signals through digital bridging; and a remote relay station in operable communication with the command console and the customized segment addressable cable assembly. Each detector includes a UWB receiver, processor and voice synthesis circuit, further embedded with a media access control address scheme for identity of each detector. |
| US10055954B2 |
Merchandise security system including retractable alarming power cord
A merchandise security system for an electronic item of merchandise is provided. In one example, the merchandise security system includes a continuous alarming power cord comprising at least one electrical conductor. The alarming power cord has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the electronic item of merchandise and a second end. The merchandise security system also includes a reel for receiving the second end of the alarming power cord and adapted for storing at least a portion of the alarming power cord thereon. In addition, the merchandise security system includes monitoring circuitry in electrical communication with the alarming power cord and configured to detect an interruption in an electrical signal provided to the alarming power cord. |
| US10055952B2 |
Conducting and guiding individuals safely
Systems and methods are provided which utilize data collection to determine whether an event requiring routing of individuals through a structure has occurred and thereafter controlling the operation of guidance devices to conduct and guide individuals safely through and out of the structure. |
| US10055950B2 |
Sound to haptic effect conversion system using waveform
A haptic conversion system is provided that intercepts frames of audio data, such as a digital audio signal, converts the frames into a haptic signal, and plays the created haptic signal through an actuator to produce haptic effects. The haptic signal is based on a maximum value of each audio data frame, which defines a magnitude of the haptic signal. The haptic signal is applied to the actuator configured to receive the haptic signal, where the actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the one or more haptic effects. |
| US10055949B2 |
Adjustable haptic wearables
This disclosure relates to wearable articles, including wearable suits, etc., for providing haptic feedback to a user. The wearable articles suitably include adjustable interaction elements that can be fluidly connected to a liquid or gas supply, and can also include a haptic actuator. The wearable articles are useful in combination with various devices, including gaming systems and virtual or augmented reality systems. |
| US10055948B2 |
Apparel with ultrasonic position sensing and haptic feedback for activities
An article of apparel, a system, and methods include a fabric configured to conform to a body of a wearer. A plurality of ultrasonic positioning sensors are secured with respect to the fabric at a first set of predetermined locations, each of the ultrasonic positioning sensors configured to emit a sound wave configured to be detected by other ones of the plurality of ultrasonic positioning sensors and output an electronic signal indicative of having emitted or detected a sound wave. A plurality of feedback devices secured with respect to the fabric at a second set of predetermined locations, each of the feedback devices configured to output a feedback signal configured to be detectable by the wearer of the article of apparel. |
| US10055945B2 |
Customer controlled account, system, and process
Access devices like credit cards and/or check cards have enhanced security features that allow a customer to control circumstances under which their account is accessed. Fraudsters may try to access the account without the knowledge of the consumer set controls, the system takes remedial action with reduced instances of false positives. An account is established for an account holder through a central entity, e.g. an issuer. At least one user is associated with the access device that is established for one or more transactions. Use of the access devices is defined by a set of rules defined by the central entity and are controllable by the customer, including comprising any of the account holder and the user of the account. The customer inputs, controls, and/or updates parameters associated with the customer-controllable rules. Subsequent authorization of the access devices is controlled based on the customer input and other controls. |
| US10055941B2 |
High integrity golf wagering system
A system and method for providing a high integrity golf wagering game. The system includes a driving range with hitting bays where players hit balls at targets. Individual balls are associated with a particular player and are tracked from the tee in a hitting bay to a target. If a player hits a ball into a target, a wagering game is offered that awards prizes to a player depending on the outcome of the game. The game itself may take many different forms including a slot type game. The system and method include variants for randomization of game results or results based in whole or in part on a player's skill in hitting targets. |
| US10055939B2 |
Gaming device method and apparatus employing modified payouts
The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.” |
| US10055938B2 |
Crowd based bonus and promotional system and method
A bonus and/or promotion system, such as for a casino or other retail location, includes one or more sensors for detecting the presence of one or more persons at a location and a bonus or promotion generator configured to generate and output bonuses or promotions based upon detected levels of persons in an area. The bonus or promotion generator may provide an output to existing audio and/or visual display devices of the location for announcing bonuses or promotions. |
| US10055937B2 |
System having kiosks which issue tickets having a gaming machine feature trigger
A system for a casino having gaming machines comprises at least one kiosk and a back-end server. The kiosk is configured to perform one or more financial transaction for a player, such as to access funds from a player's bank account via a credit or debit card, or to cash-out a value ticket. The kiosk is also configured to, at one or more times, disburse a feature ticket readable by a gaming device and having at least one feature triggering indicia operable to initiate at least one game feature in a wagering game at the gaming device. The back-end server is configured to validate a feature ticket presented to a gaming machine and to facilitate generation of the ticket which is disbursed by the kiosk. |
| US10055934B2 |
Multi-player, multi-touch gaming table and method of using the same
A touch screen player interface includes a fiber optic plate, high-resolution infrared camera and projector. The fiber optic plate acts as a display surface for the output of the projector as well as a fingerprint and/or item scanner. Individual fiber optic plates acting as individual player interfaces or a single fiber optic plate configured to support multiple player interfaces are conceivable. The touchscreen provides an interactive gaming system capable of identifying and authenticating players during common touch interactions. The touch screen interface may be integrated into virtual gaming systems such as virtual roulette, poker and craps systems. Live, human-managed gaming tables may also incorporate the touch screen player interface described herein. |
| US10055933B2 |
Gaming machine mounting apparatus and system for supporting an overhead display
A system and apparatus for mounting an overhead display device to gaming machines. The system and apparatus featuring mounting elements securable to a display device at a selected distance and mounting hardpoints on one or a plurality of gaming machines. The hardpoints having a recess with a size and shape corresponding to that of the mounting elements. Wherein the display is securable to gaming machines in an overhead configuration when the mounting elements are secured to hardpoints and where the distance between the mounting elements corresponds to the distance between the hardpoints to which they are respectively secured. |
| US10055931B2 |
Gaming system and method
Gaming system and method for online gaming on at least one gaming machine. The method includes providing and streaming a video of the gaming machine, which is to be remotely played by a user, displaying the video at a client station of the user, receiving from the client station input data including data indicative of the user's interaction with controls of the gaming machine which appearing in the video, and activating the gaming machine based on the input data. In certain embodiment of the invention the input data is indicative of one or more regions of the video at which controls of the gaming machine appear and with which the user interacted. Accordingly the activation of the gaming machine based on that input data is based on mapping data associating regions of the video with controls of the gaming machine which appearing at these regions of the video, and includes processing the input data by using the mapping data to thereby map the one or more regions of the video with which the user had interacted to respective controls of the gaming machine that appear in those regions. Accordingly operational instructions are determined for operating the gaming machine based on the user interactions with the regions of the video at which controls of the gaming machine appear. |
| US10055930B2 |
Gaming system and method for placing and redeeming sports bets
The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for placing one or more sports bets at an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) and for redeeming any winnings for one or more placed sports bet at an EGM. |
| US10055927B2 |
Analytics based climate control in vending machines
A climate-controlled vending machine is monitored using data analytics. The climate-controlled vending machine includes a primary storage unit for storing two or more items. A first slot of an item is determined to be available within a secondary storage unit of the climate-controlled vending machine. The secondary storage unit is a climate-controlled unit. A first item, of the two or more items within the primary storage unit, is transferred to the first slot of the secondary storage unit. The first item within the first slot of the secondary storage unit is altered to a first condition. A selection from a first user is received. In response to the reception of the selection of the first item, the first item is dispensed to the user from a dispensary unit, wherein the item is being of the first condition. The first slot is replenished with a replacement item from the primary storage. |
| US10055926B2 |
Architecture for access management
Disclosed are techniques that use devices with corresponding identity wallet applications that execute on an electronic processor device of the devices, and which identity wallets store identity information and encrypt the stored identity information. A distributed ledger system, and a broker system that interfaces to the wallet and the distributed ledger are used for various information exchange cases pertaining to access to facilities. In particular, disclosed is a registration process to register an identity wallet with a facility. |
| US10055922B2 |
Banknote position detection device
An apparatus for detecting a banknote location is provided, which includes a first, second and third photoelectric sensors installed respectively at the entrance, exit and inside of a banknote passage. The first photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting end, a light-receiving end, a first reflecting mirror and a second reflecting mirror, for detecting whether a banknote reaches the entrance. The second photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting end, a light-receiving end, a third reflecting mirror and a fourth reflecting mirror, for detecting whether a banknote reaches the exit. The third photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting end, a light-receiving end, an upper reflecting mirror group and a lower reflecting mirror group, for detecting whether a banknote is inside the passage. |
| US10055921B2 |
Coin processing apparatus
A coin processing apparatus houses received coins for each denomination of the coins and dispenses the housed coins in accordance with a coin output instruction. The coin processing apparatus includes: a conveyance unit that conveys the coins that are received and stored in an input section upwards one by one along a predetermined conveyance path, allows authenticity and a denomination of each coin to be checked by a checking section while the coin is conveyed, sorts the coins checked to be true coins by denomination, and dispenses the coin checked to be a false coin; and a coin output suspending unit that receives the coin dispensed from the conveyance unit, outputs the received coin from a dispensing outlet when a coin output command is given, and feeds the received coin to the input section when a feeding command is given. |
| US10055920B2 |
Method to facilitate communication between a lock and a key
Method to facilitate communication, between a lock and a key, with at least one of the lock and the key being equipped with an emitter for emitting radio frequency signals and at least the other one of the lock and the key being equipped with a receiver for receiving this radio frequency signal, comprising the steps of: a) receiving the radio frequency signal from the emitter; b) recovering a bit stream encoded in the radio frequency signal; and d) transmitting the bit stream to a server for the bit stream to be transmitted from the server to an electronic device for transmitting a second radio frequency signal to the receiver, wherein the second radio frequency signal encodes the bit stream. |
| US10055917B2 |
User proximity detection for activating vehicle convenience functions
A convenience controller activates a small zone high precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low precision approach region around a vehicle (with low current utilization). A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to proximity to the approach region. If the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode. |
| US10055908B2 |
Real-time driver reward display system and method
A method and system for improved driver reward display functionality. A driver reward is calculated based on inputs, such as freight fuel, fuel economy, and % idle. The driver reward system configures and displays a primary driver reward image for various menu selections. The primary driver reward image is configured to indicate whether the driver reward is at full penalty, partial penalty, neutral, partial bonus, or full bonus. The image is displayed in one color if above an expected value and another color if below the expected level. Images that indicate to the operator of the vehicle the impact of each input on the overall driver reward or whether each input is improving or worsening may be displayed. A secondary driver reward image may also be displayed to indicate a specific bonus or penalty in miles per hour and speed limit. |
| US10055906B1 |
System and method to detect emissions OBD false failures
A system and method to rapidly perform emissions measurements of in-use vehicles being driven by the general public for comparison with vehicle inspection OBD emission fault code testing results for determining if the inspection results indicate that false failures are being generated for a particular vehicle group, such as based on make and model, engine size, engine combustion management technology and/or pollution control technology, or determining if the inspection results correlate with increased in-use emissions. The system may access or integrate with a database of vehicle inspection OBD emission fault code testing results that may be analyzed to evaluate the existence of higher than normal or expected OBD failure rates for emissions related items. The system and method require no recruitment testing of in-use vehicles with potentially detectable connections, but instead incorporate a vehicle emissions remote sensing device that does not require mechanical or electrical connection to the vehicle. |
| US10055901B2 |
Method and apparatus for remotely communicating vehicle information to the cloud
The present invention relates generally to the communication of vehicle data, diagnostics and related information with a network remote from the vehicle, and more particularly to communications and storage of vehicle data in the cloud. In one or more preferred embodiments, vehicle information is securely gathered from a vehicle, processed in accordance with instructions and a profile set remotely, and stored at a remote data store, where remote access to such information can be accommodated through applications, smartphones and other remote devices. |
| US10055899B2 |
Method for checking toll transactions and components therefor
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method for checking toll transactions, produced from position notifications of a mobile phone connected via a mobile network to a transaction server, with the aid of a network of distributed toll beacons, which can communicate via short-range radio with on-board units of passing vehicles and are connected to the transaction server. To this end, a interoperable multi-functional OBU is created that is formed from a GNSS- and NFC-enabled mobile phone on the one hand and an NFC- and DSRC-enabled OBU on the other hand, which exchange data concerning a session identifier (SID) via their common NFC interface, which session identifier forms a link between the infrastructureless and the infrastructure-bound billing functions of the multi-functional OBU. The disclosed subject matter also relates to a toll beacon and a transaction server for same. |
| US10055898B1 |
Multi-video registration for video synthesis
Multi-video registration for video synthesis is described. In example implementations, at least one computing device synthesizes multiple videos to create merged images using an automated mechanism to register the multiple videos. The computing device obtains multiple videos with each video including a sequence of multiple frames. Using multiple camera poses determined in a three-dimensional scene reconstruction, respective frames of respective ones of the multiple videos are linked to produce linked frames. The computing device aligns the linked frames to produce aligned frames using point guidance that is based on the multiple spatial points identified in the 3D scene reconstruction. For example, pixels in each of the linked frames that correspond to a same spatial point of the three-dimensional scene reconstruction can be used to align the linked frames at a pixel level. Based on the aligned frames, the computing device creates at least one merged image to synthesize the multiple videos. |
| US10055895B2 |
Local augmented reality persistent sticker objects
Systems and methods for local augmented reality (AR) tracking of an AR object are disclosed. In one example embodiment a device captures a series of video image frames. A user input is received at the device associating a first portion of a first image of the video image frames with an AR sticker object and a target. A first target template is generated to track the target across frames of the video image frames. In some embodiments, global tracking based on a determination that the target is outside a boundary area is used. The global tracking comprises using a global tracking template for tracking movement in the video image frames captured following the determination that the target is outside the boundary area. When the global tracking determines that the target is within the boundary area, local tracking is resumed along with presentation of the AR sticker object on an output display of the device. |
| US10055889B2 |
Automatic focus improvement for augmented reality displays
An augmented reality system provides improved focus of real and virtual objects. A see-through display device includes a variable focus lens a user looks through. A focal region adjustment unit automatically focuses the variable focus lens in a current user focal region. A microdisplay assembly attached to the see-through display device generates a virtual object for display in the user's current focal region by adjusting its focal region. The variable focus lens may also be adjusted to provide one or more zoom features. Visual enhancement of an object may also be provided to improve a user's perception of an object. |
| US10055888B2 |
Producing and consuming metadata within multi-dimensional data
A computing system and method for producing and consuming metadata within multi-dimensional data is provided. The computing system comprising a see-through display, a sensor system, and a processor configured to: in a recording phase, generate an annotation at a location in a three dimensional environment, receive, via the sensor system, a stream of telemetry data recording movement of a first user in the three dimensional environment, receive a message to be recorded from the first user, and store, in memory as annotation data for the annotation, the stream of telemetry data and the message, and in a playback phase, display a visual indicator of the annotation at the location, receive a selection of the visual indicator by a second user, display a simulacrum superimposed onto the three dimensional environment and animated according to the telemetry data, and present the message via the animated simulacrum. |
| US10055884B2 |
Three-dimensional fluid micromodels
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a three-dimensional fabricator. An image processing module acquires an image of a rock sample having a network of pores, a transformation module transforms the image into a binary matrix and determine a set of statistical moments of the binary matrix, a layer generation module generates a first representation of a first stochastic layer based on the set and emulative of the rock sample and generates a second representation of a second stochastic layer based on the set and emulative of the rock sample. An arrangement module arranges the first representation and the second representation as adjacent layers of a three-dimensional model emulative of the rock sample, and provides the first representation and the second representation to the 3D fabricator for fabrication as a physical three-dimensional fluid micromodel emulative of the rock sample. |
| US10055881B2 |
Video imaging to assess specularity
A method for virtual, three-dimensional modeling of a subject using a depth-imaging camera operatively coupled to a modeling computer. A brightness image and a coordinate depth image of the subject acquired from each of a plurality of inequivalent vantage points are received from the depth-imaging camera. An angle-dependent reflectance is determined based on the brightness and coordinate depth images acquired from each of the vantage points. |
| US10055874B2 |
Lip synchronization between rigs
In some embodiments a method of transferring facial expressions from a subject to a computer-generated character is provided where the method includes receiving positional information from a motion capture session of the subject representing a performance having facial expressions to be transferred to the computer-generated character, receiving a first animation model that represents the subject, and receiving a second animation model that represents the computer-generated character. Each of the first and second animation models can include a plurality of adjustable controls that define geometries of the model and that can be adjusted to present different facial expressions on the model, and where the first and second animation models are designed so that setting the same values for the same set of adjustable controls in each model generates a similar facial poses on the models. The method further includes determining a solution, including values for at least some of the plurality of controls, that matches the first animation model to the positional information to reproduce the facial expressions from the performance to the first animation model, retargeting the facial expressions from the performance to the second animation model using the solution; and thereafter, synchronizing lip movement of the second animation model with lip movement from the first animation model. |
| US10055871B2 |
Applying an image overlay to an image based on relationship of the people identified in the image
Applying an image overlay to an image is provided. A relationship type and a relationship strength between two or more people identified in a first image is determined based on profile data corresponding to each of the two or more people and a set of data elements determined to be common to the profile data corresponding to each of the two or more people. An image overlay is selected to apply to the first image based on the relationship type and the relationship strength between the two or more people and the set of data elements determined to be common to the profile data corresponding to each of the two or more people. The image overlay is applied to the first image generating a second image that includes the first image and the applied image overlay. |
| US10055870B2 |
Method and system for displaying an augmented reality to an operator of a medical imaging apparatus
In a method for automatically supporting an operator in working through an execution sequence protocol with a number of sequence steps, with which a person under examination is being examined in a medical imaging facility, the execution sequence protocol to be carried out for the person under examination is determined, and image data are acquired that show a field of vision of at least a part of the environment of the medical imaging facility and the person under examination, as seen by the operator. A next sequence step of the execution sequence protocol is determined that is to be carried out by the operator. Visual information is created that will inform the operator about the operating step to be carried out, and the visual information is project at a viewing facility for displaying an augmented reality to the operator, in which the field of vision is presented augmented by the visual information. |
| US10055868B2 |
Method of rendering a mosaic design
A vector based mosaic design system has a graphical processing module, a display module, a plugin application module and memory, and it operates to receive an original input image and mosaic design information from an artist. The plugin module has logical instructions that operate on the information received from the artist to determine the position of curves that are offset from a mosaic design region boundary or feature curve, and the plugin also operates to determine the positions and dimensions of tiles in courses that are defined by the positions of feature curves and curves that are offset from them. |
| US10055864B2 |
Data visualization system and method
A data visualization system comprising: a data retrieval module arranged to retrieve data from a data storage module in communication with the data visualization system, wherein the retrieved data includes data sets for representation in a tree map; a tree map generation module arranged to generate a tree map based on the retrieved data, wherein the tree map generation module is further arranged to: i) sort the retrieved data sets according to the size of the data sets; ii) define an area for generating multiple rectangles, each rectangle representing one of the data sets, wherein the area is defined to allow the data sets to be spatially arranged within the area; iii) accumulate data points for data within the data sets to generate a rectangle that has dimensions that fall within pre-defined parameters; iv) generate a rectangle for each data set; and v) orientate the rectangle such that its orientation is only changed if the rectangle does not fit in the available area. |
| US10055862B2 |
Geocoding personal information
A computer-implemented method for generating geocoded user information is disclosed. The method comprises searching user data across multiple different data corpuses for entries having location-related information and determining locations for the location-related information. The method further comprises generating a map showing a current location of a mobile device along with representations of the entries having location-related information, at the determined locations, for entries from the multiple different data corpuses. |
| US10055861B2 |
System and method for performing tomographic image acquisition and reconstruction
Systems and methods for tomographic reconstruction of an image include systems and methods for producing images from k-space data. A k-space data set of an imaged object is acquired using know k-space data acquisition systems and methods. A portion of the k-space data set is sampled so as to collect some portion of the k-space data. An image is then reconstructed from the collected portion of the k-space data set according to a convex optimization model. |
| US10055855B2 |
Time-of-flight camera system and method to improve measurement quality of weak field-of-view signal regions
A time-of-flight camera system is described. The time-of-flight camera system includes an illuminator to illuminate a region within the time-of-flight camera system's field of view. The time-of-flight camera system includes an image sensor to receive optical signals from the illumination for determining depth profile information within the field of view using time-of-flight measurement techniques. The image sensor has circuitry to determine one or more regions within the field of view where a received optical signal from the illuminating was weak. The illuminator is also to re-illuminate the one or more regions with stronger light than the one or more regions received during the illuminating. Each of the one or more regions being smaller than the region. The image sensor is also to receive optical signals from the re-illumination for determining depth profile information within the one or more regions. |
| US10055854B2 |
Time-of-flight camera system and method to improve measurement quality of weak field-of-view signal regions
A time-of-flight camera system is described. The time-of-flight camera system includes an illuminator to illuminate a region within the time-of-flight camera system's field of view. The time-of-flight camera system includes an image sensor to receive optical signals from the illumination for determining depth profile information within the field of view using time-of-flight measurement techniques. The image sensor has circuitry to determine one or more regions within the field of view where a received optical signal from the illuminating was weak. The illuminator is also to re-illuminate the one or more regions with stronger light than the one or more regions received during the illuminating. Each of the one or more regions being smaller than the region. The image sensor is also to receive optical signals from the re-illumination for determining depth profile information within the one or more regions. |
| US10055853B1 |
Subject identification and tracking using image recognition
Systems and techniques are provided for tracking multi joint subjects in real space having a plurality of cameras. The field of view of each camera overlaps with at least one other camera. The plurality of cameras produce respective sequences of images of corresponding fields of view in the real space. A processing system is coupled to the plurality of cameras. In one embodiment, the processing system comprises image recognition engines receiving sequence of images from the plurality of cameras and generating corresponding arrays of joint data structures. A tracking engine is configured to receive the arrays of joint data structures and generate candidate joints having coordinates in the real space. The processing system includes the logic to identify sets of candidate joints having coordinates in the real space as multi-joint subjects in the real space. |
| US10055852B2 |
Image processing system and method for detection of objects in motion
Various aspects of a system and a method are provided for detection of objects in motion are disclosed herein. In accordance with an embodiment, the system includes an electronic device, which is configured to compute a first sensor offset for a current frame based on a first motion vector and a second motion vector. A validation of the first motion vector is determined based on the second motion vector and one or more criteria. An object in motion from the current frame is extracted based on the first sensor offset of the current frame and the determined validation of the first motion vector. |
| US10055851B2 |
Determining dimension of target object in an image using reference object
Systems and methods for determining dimensions of an object using a digital image. In particular, systems and methods for determining an actual dimension of a target object using a digital image of that object along with a reference object are disclosed. The digital image may be of a mirrored reflection of the reference object and the target object. |
| US10055850B2 |
Salient features tracking apparatus and methods using visual initialization
Apparatus and methods for detecting and utilizing saliency in digital images. In one implementation, salient objects may be detected based on analysis of pixel characteristics. Least frequently occurring pixel values may be deemed as salient. Pixel values in an image may be compared to a reference. Color distance may be determined based on a difference between reference color and pixel color. Individual image channels may be scaled when determining saliency in a multi-channel image. Areas of high saliency may be analyzed to determine object position, shape, and/or color. Multiple saliency maps may be additively or multiplicative combined in order to improve detection performance (e.g., reduce number of false positives). Methodologies described herein may enable robust tracking of objects utilizing fewer determination resources. Efficient implementation of the methods described below may allow them to be used for example on board a robot (or autonomous vehicle) or a mobile determining platform. |
| US10055847B2 |
Method for increasing reliability in monitoring systems
A method for detecting an object crossing event at a predetermined first line in a scene captured by a motion video camera is disclosed. The method comprises determining from images of the scene captured by the motion video camera if an object image crosses the predetermined first line, calculating a size value relating to the size of the object image crossing the predetermined first line, setting a line distance value to a value calculated from the distance between a contact point of the object with the predetermined first line and a nearby point on a predetermined second line, and generating an object crossing event signal if a relation between the calculated size value and the line distance is within a predetermined range. |
| US10055842B2 |
Entropy-based radiogenomic descriptions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for molecular characterization of breast cancer
Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments distinguish disease phenotypes and mutational status using co-occurrence of local anisotropic gradient orientations (CoLIAGe) and Laws features. One example apparatus includes a set of circuits that acquires a radiologic image (e.g., MRI image) of a region of tissue demonstrating breast cancer, computes a gradient orientation for a pixel in the MRI image, computes a significant orientation for the pixel based on the gradient orientation, constructs a feature vector that captures a discretized entropy distribution for the image based on the significant orientation, extracts a set of texture features from the MRI image, and classifies the phenotype of the breast cancer based on the feature vector and the set of texture features. Embodiments of example apparatus may generate and display a heatmap of entropy values for the image. Example methods and apparatus may operate substantially in real-time, or may operate in two, three, or more dimensions. |
| US10055840B2 |
Medical image analysis for identifying biomarker-positive tumor cells
A method for identifying biomarker-positive tumor cells is disclosed. The method includes, for example, reading a first digital image and a second digital image into memory, the first and second digital image depicting the same area of a first slide; identifying a plurality of nuclei and positional information of said nuclei by analyzing the light intensities in the first digital image; identifying cell membranes which comprise the biomarker by analyzing the light intensities in the second digital image and by analyzing the positional information of the identified nuclei; and identifying biomarker-positive tumor cells in said area, wherein a biomarker-positive tumor cell is a combination of one identified nucleus and one identified cell membrane that surrounds the identified nucleus. |
| US10055839B2 |
Leveraging on local and global textures of brain tissues for robust automatic brain tumor detection
A method for performing cellular classification includes generating a plurality of local dense Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) features based on a set of input images and converting the plurality of local dense SIFT features into a multi-dimensional code using a feature coding process. A first classification component is used to generate first output confidence values based on the multi-dimensional code and a plurality of global Local Binary Pattern Histogram (LBP-H) features are generated based on the set of input images. A second classification component is used to generate second output confidence values based on the plurality of LBP-H features and the first output confidence values and the second output confidence values are merged. Each of the set of input images may then be classified as one of a plurality of cell types using the merged output confidence values. |
| US10055834B2 |
Pattern inspection apparatus, pattern imaging apparatus, and pattern imaging method
A pattern inspection apparatus includes a first stage to mount an inspection target object, located at the position displaced from the gravity center of the first stage, first and second two-dimensional scales on the first stage and opposite each other with respect to the gravity center, a second stage under a region overlapping with the gravity center of the first stage and not overlapping with the target object, to support and move the first stage, a calculation processing circuitry to calculate the position of the inspection target object, using position information measured by the first and second two-dimensional scales, a sensor to capture an optical image of a pattern on the inspection target object in the state where the first stage on which the inspection target object is mounted is moving, and a comparison unit to compare, for each pixel, the optical image with a corresponding reference image. |
| US10055827B2 |
Digital image filters and related methods for image contrast enhancement
Digital image filters and related methods for image contrast enhancement are disclosed. According to one aspect of the method, an invariant brightness level is initially determined. For each pixel of an input image, the invariant brightness level is subtracted from the input brightness of the pixel. The resulting value is multiplied with a contrast adjustment constant. After that, the invariant brightness level is added. Further aspects of the method can involve histogram equalization. |
| US10055825B2 |
System and method for fast digital signal dynamic range reduction using adaptive histogram compaction and stabilization
Embodiments are directed to systems and methods to intelligently reduce the dynamic range of a signal. Using a histogram analysis of the signal, significant and insignificant portions of the original dynamic range can be identified. Compaction can then be focused on the insignificant portions of the dynamic range, resulting in significant dynamic range reduction with less signal loss. By compacting the little used portions of the original signal, the dynamic range of the rest of the signal can be largely maintained which results in little loss to signal fidelity, and thus mitigates saturation, quantization, signal mutual suppression, and other issues observed in prior art methods. |
| US10055824B2 |
Image correction device, image correction method and storage medium
This invention discloses an image-correcting device that allows stable identification of a target object in a taken image even if the intensity of illumination is uneven across the areas of a space being imaged. The image-correcting device has a reference-luminance-correction-parameter computation unit and a correction unit. The reference-luminance-correction-parameter computation unit computes a reference luminance-correction parameter on the basis of the following: luminance information for the region of a reference image, which is an image taken of a reference object moving through the space being imaged, in which the reference object is displayed; and coordinate information indicating the position of the region. On the basis of the reference-luminance-correction parameter, the correction unit corrects the abovementioned taken image, which is an image taken of the aforementioned space and contains a correction target. |
| US10055817B2 |
Systems and methods for determining pupillary distance and scale
A computer-implemented method for scaling an object is described. A distance of an object from the computing device is measured via a processor of a computing device in conjunction with a rangefinder. An image of the object is captured via the processor. A database of pixel densities is queried, via the processor, for a pixel density at the measured distance of the object from the computing device. A depiction of the object is scaled based on determining a distance of a detected feature of the object. |
| US10055816B2 |
Target-less auto-alignment of image sensors in a multi-camera system
A pair of cameras having an overlapping field of view is aligned based on images captured by image sensors of the pair of cameras. A pixel shift is identified between the images. Based on the identified pixel shift, a calibration is applied to one or both of the pair of cameras. To determine the pixel shift, the camera applies correlation methods including edge matching. Calibrating the pair of cameras may include adjusting a read window on an image sensor. The pixel shift can also be used to determine a time lag, which can be used to synchronize subsequent image captures. |
| US10055810B2 |
Cache architecture for efficiently accessing texture data using buffers
A texture cache architecture facilitates access of compressed texture data in non-power of two formats, such as the Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC) codec. In one implementation, the texture cache architecture includes a controller, a first buffer, a second buffer, and a texture decompressor. A first buffer stores one or more blocks of compressed texel data fetched, in response to a first request, from a first texture cache, where the one or more blocks of compressed texel data including at least requested texel data. The second buffer stores decompressed one or more blocks of compressed texel data and provides the decompressed requested texel data as output to a second texture cache. The one or more blocks of compressed texel data stored by the first buffer includes second texel data in addition to the requested texel data. |
| US10055801B2 |
Systems and methods for generating structured data based on scanned documents
A system and method for efficiently and securely converting physical documents, including handwritten reports, into structured data stored in databases is disclosed. The method includes extraction by a processor of electronic images or text from scanned physical documents and transmission of the extracted data by the processor to other devices for evaluation by data entry technicians. A candidate set of potential responses to a field may be provided to a data entry technician to enable the data entry technician to evaluate the extracted data. The candidate set may be generated based on responses extracted physical documents having the same author. Entries from different data fields of documents may be provided to different data entry technicians to reduce the amount of information provided to a data entry technician, thereby reducing security risks for documents containing confidential material. |
| US10055799B2 |
Allowing a user to view network contacts of other users when visiting an environment of a different organization
A method, system and computer program product for allowing a user to view network contacts of other users when visiting an environment of a different organization. A visitor requests to view a profile of a user while the visitor is visiting the environment or tenant space of a different organization. The organization of the visitor is obtained. Furthermore, the organization and network contacts of the user whose profile is requested to be viewed are obtained in response to validating the visitor's organization. The requested profile is then displayed to the visitor containing the accessible network contacts (if any) of the user based on whether the user and the visitor belong to the same organization. |
| US10055798B2 |
Kiosk for recycling electronic devices
A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction. |
| US10055796B1 |
Systems and methods for alerting a driver to vehicle collision risks
Methods and systems for displaying a user interface that warns a driver that a vehicle is located within or is near a geographical area (and/or intersection) associated with a higher than average risk of animal-vehicle and/or vehicle-vehicle collisions are provided. According to certain aspects, an electronic device may access a database that identifies a plurality of high risk areas, including areas associated with prior vehicle accidents. The electronic device may display a virtual road map, as well as an icon indicating the vehicle's current location and a plurality of visual indications of high-risk areas. When the electronic device detects that the current location of the vehicle is within and/or approaching a high-risk area, the electronic device may then warn the driver about the higher than average risk of experiencing a vehicle collision. |
| US10055794B1 |
Determining autonomous vehicle technology performance for insurance pricing and offering
Methods and systems for evaluating the effectiveness of autonomous operation features of autonomous vehicles are provided. According to certain aspects, information regarding autonomous operation features associated with a vehicle may be determined and used to determine a likelihood of an accident for the vehicle. Determining the likelihood of an accident may include determining risk factors for the features related to the ability of the features to make control decisions that successfully avoid accidents. This may include reference to test data or actual loss data associated with the features, as well as usage data regarding expected use of the features during vehicle operation. Effectiveness of the features may be evaluated relative to location or operating conditions, as well as types and severity of accidents. The determined effectiveness of the features of a vehicle may further be used to determine or adjust aspects of an insurance policy associated with the vehicle. |
| US10055793B1 |
Systems and methods for managing insurance for devices located within a property based on insurance-related events
Methods and systems for processing insurance policies associated with properties may be provided. A property may be populated with a plurality of smart devices or devices that are connected to a central controller, such as via wired or wireless communication. The plurality of devices may be covered by an insurance policy, such as a homeowners, renters, or personal articles insurance policy. The central controller may detect an insurance-related event and may retrieve sensor data and pricing information from one or more of the devices. The central controller may assess damage to the devices and may generate a proposed insurance claim based upon damage to the identified devices. Additionally, the central controller may facilitate a processing of the proposed insurance claim with a customer and an insurance provider. The smart devices may be, or be attached to, appliances, electronics, computers, televisions, jewelry, vehicles, furniture, or other equipment or personal belongings. |
| US10055790B2 |
System and method for coalescing market data at a client device
A client device coalesces data received from an exchange, and provides a client application such as a graphical user interface with the opportunity to process fewer, but up-to-date, data updates from an exchange when a large volume of prices becomes available. Accordingly, the trader can be assured of receiving updated information that are fed to the client applications at a rate that is cohesive with that client device's processing speed. |
| US10055787B2 |
Systems and methods for linking orders in electronic trading systems
Systems and methods for linking orders in electronic trading systems are provided. These systems and methods enable a trader to select two or more items that are to be linked and specify linking parameters for those items. Any desired set of items may be linked, and the linking parameters may include price adjustments, order sequencing instructions, automatic/manual execution controls, execution delays commands, and update frequency limits. Upon detecting a bid or offer for a linked item, the systems and methods may then determine a size and a price for each linked item based upon the size and the price of the bid or offer for the first linked item. In this way, the sizes and the prices for the other linked items may be propagated from the size and the price for the first item. Once the size and the price for each item is determined, the systems and methods may submit orders for the items in accordance with the linking parameters. In the case where orders for linked items may only be submitted in designated lot sizes, the systems and methods may round the sizes of the orders to the designated lot sizes, and then submit remainder orders to make up for the rounding. |
| US10055783B1 |
Identifying objects in video
Systems and methods for identifying products in video are disclosed. A video containing at least one object is received, and video frames are extracted from the video for analysis. At least one object is extracted from one or more of the video frames to determine whether it corresponds to a product. Hyperlinks can be generated and embedded in a user interface to allow a user to purchase the product and/or retrieve additional information about the product. |
| US10055779B1 |
Interacting with a persistent virtual shopping cart
In some examples, a buyer device is configured to present a first graphic user interface (GUI) including information about items available from a first merchant site. The first GUI may further include a virtual control for adding a selected item to a persistent virtual cart maintained by a service provider. The buyer device may be navigated to a second merchant site to present a second GUI that may receive a selection to cause a second item from the second merchant site to be added to the persistent virtual cart. The buyer device may present a cart GUI for accessing the persistent virtual cart. The cart GUI may be used to send an instruction for ordering the items associated with the cart, causing the service provider to send an order for the first item to the first merchant and an order for the second item to the second merchant. |
| US10055763B2 |
Classifying user intent based on location information electronically communicated from a mobile device
A method, system, and computer program product for classifying user intent based on spatial information relayed via a mobile device. Embodiments commence upon receiving a location beacon identification value originating from a location beacon, which location beacon identification value is then relayed to the server from the mobile device. The server determines a set of one or more rules based at least in part on the location beacon identification value, and then transmits at least a portion of a set of one or more rules to the mobile device, (e.g., using a mobile device carrier's infrastructure). The rules comprise triggers, and when a trigger fires, user categorization is determined and user intent is predicted. The user categorization and/or predicted user intent is used to select an advertising message. |
| US10055762B2 |
Deep application crawling
The deep application crawling technique described herein crawls one or more applications, commonly referred to as “apps”, in order to extract information inside of them. This can involve crawling and extracting static data that are embedded within apps or resource files that are associated with the apps. The technique can also crawl and extract dynamic data that apps download from the Internet or display to the user on demand, in order to extract data. This extracted static and/or data can then be used by another application or an engine to perform various functions. For example, the technique can use the extracted data to provide search results in response to a user query entered into a search engine. Alternately, the extracted static and/or dynamic data can be used by an advertisement engine to select application-specific advertisements. Or the data can be used by a recommendation engine to make recommendations for goods/services. |
| US10055758B2 |
Provision of anonymous context information and generation of targeted content
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards selective disclosure of user or computing environment attributes to facilitate generation and/or provision of targeted content. In various embodiments, a likelihood that disclosure of an attribute of a user or of a computing environment associated with the user will enable identification of the user may be determined based on an associated population count of users or computing environments sharing the same attribute. In various embodiments, the attribute may be selectively disclosed to a content provider configured to provide targeted content, or a recommendation may be selectively provided to the user as to whether the user should disclose the attribute to the content provider, based on the determination and a risk tolerance associated with the user. In various embodiments, a dimension authority may track and make available population counts of users or computing environments having various attributes. |
| US10055755B2 |
Targeting content based on receipt of partial terms
Methods, systems, and computer program products target content to users based on receipt of partial terms. One or more terms associated with a campaign are identified, the campaign having an associated content item that is presented to users responsive to requests for content. A campaign sponsor is presented with an option to target the content item to users based on receipt of a partial form of one of the one or more terms. A selection of a designation of the partial form of the term is received from the content sponsor for use in targeting. The content item is optionally presented in a search suggestion control along with search completions in response to receipt of the partial form of the term in a search control. |
| US10055754B2 |
Systems and methods for tracking application installs that distinguish new users from existing users without directly accessing user account records
In some embodiments, a tracking system is provided for providing credit to advertisers for application installs and in-application events. The tracking system may be configured to use user account information from a content provider system to determine whether a user of a newly installed application is a new user of the content provider system or an existing user of the content provider system, and to update tracking information accordingly. The tracking system may also use the user account information from the content provider system to link actions on multiple computing devices for the purposes of attributing a given application install to one or more advertising providers. |
| US10055753B2 |
Systems and methods for instant generation of human understandable audience insights
Systems and methods for generating human readable natural language summary for campaign audience are provided. The system includes a memory storing a database including audience segments and tags related to the audience segments. A computer server is in communication with the memory and the database, the computer server programmed to: obtain campaign delivery feed data related to a plurality of campaigns from at least one advertiser in a preset time period; obtain audience feed data including tag information from a data provider; cluster the tag information to find term frequencies for each term in the tag information; identify human understandable terms from the clustered tag information by removing noisy terms; and generate a human understandable report using the human understandable terms in a timely fashion. |
| US10055741B2 |
Method and apparatus of matching an object to be displayed
A method and an apparatus of matching an object to be displayed are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of search keywords and released product information and grouping each of the plurality of search keywords with the released product information to form a plurality of search keyword and released product information pairs, with each search keyword and released product information pair comprising a respective search keyword and the released product information; determining and matching a plurality of features for the plurality of search keyword and released product information pairs according to a constructed first decision tree; and determining respective correlation classes of the plurality of search keyword and released product information pairs based at least in part on a result of determining and matching of the plurality of features. The disclosed method and apparatus are able to accurately and conveniently determine a matching degree between a search keyword and released product information. |
| US10055739B2 |
System and method for pricing and exchanging content
A system and method for pricing and exchanging content is provided, which includes a data plane formed by a peer-to-peer content sharing network or a central server allowing for client-server content transfers, and a control plane formed by a central server in communication with the data plane via the Internet. The data plane allows for the storage of digital content provided by users and the transfer of content therebetween, and the control plane provides a virtual market in which such content is sold between users using virtual currency that can be exchanged for real currency. |
| US10055737B2 |
Multi-point authentication for payment transactions
Authentication includes determining that a cardholder payment account is associated with a mobile device. Authentication includes receiving an indication of physical possession of a payment card. Authentication includes receiving a purchase request for an authorization of an exchange of funds from the cardholder account to the merchant. Authentication includes receiving a randomized transaction identifier to the request for the authorization of the exchange. Authentication includes transmitting to the mobile device, information associated with the request. Authentication includes transmitting to the mobile device, a request for confirmation of the authorization from the cardholder from the account of the cardholder to the merchant. Authentication includes receiving an indication, facilitated by the cardholder, that the exchange is authorized. Authentication includes authorizing the exchange of from the payment account of the cardholder to the merchant. |
| US10055736B2 |
Dynamic authentication through user information and intent
There are provided systems and methods for dynamic authentication through user information and intent. A user may wish to purchase an item that they view on a merchant marketplace using a computer of mobile phone. The merchant for the merchant marketplace may register the user's intent to purchase the item by receiving the user's actions while browsing the marketplace. The user may further provide user information with the merchant, such as a biometric reading, identifier, or other information. When the user then arrives at a merchant location to purchase the item and complete a transaction using a payment instrument, the merchant may process the user's intent and information to determine how confident the merchant is that the user is entitled to utilize the payment method. Such confidence rating may correspond to whether the merchant believes the transaction is fraudulent or if the user is misrepresenting their identity. |
| US10055734B2 |
Systems and methods for processing customer purchase transactions using biometric data
A system and method is provided for processing customer purchase transactions using biometric data. Consistent with disclosed embodiments, a processing entity receives biometric data of a customer, wherein the biometric data is unique to the customer. The processing entity may additionally receive transaction data, the transaction data reflecting the price of a purchase transaction by the customer. The processing entity may compare the received biometric data to stored biometric data associated with customers of a financial service provider and identify common biometric data. Additionally, the processing entity may correlate the common biometric data to a customer account associated with the financial service provider, compare the customer account associated with the financial service provider with the transaction data, and verify the customer account associated with the financial service provider contains adequate funds. Furthermore, the processing entity may authorize the purchase transaction. |
| US10055733B2 |
Biometric chain of provenance
The present disclosure is directed towards methods and systems for ensuring integrity of biometric data for one or more transactions. A mobile biometric device may acquire biometric information of an individual. A ranging module of a transaction device may determine that a distance between the mobile biometric device and a physical location of a first transaction with the individual is within a predefined value. The transaction device may link, responsive to the determination, the acquired biometric information to the first transaction if the biometric information is acquired within a specific time limit from the distance determination. The transaction device may link the acquired biometric information to a universal biometric record of the individual. A biometric integrity engine may compare information from the first transaction and a second transaction for inconsistency or fraud. |
| US10055731B2 |
Method and device for securing an information interaction process
An electronic device with one or more processors, memory, and a display detects a user interaction with a user interface of a first application and, in response to detecting the user interaction with the user interface of the first application, determines whether one or more security parameters are satisfied, where a first security parameter is satisfied when a network access point being used by the electronic device satisfies predefined criteria. In accordance with a determination that the one or more security parameters are satisfied, the device: displays a security keyboard on the display corresponding to a second application different from the first application; and receives user information input via the security keyboard by a user of the electronic device. The device transmits the user information to a target terminal. |
| US10055730B2 |
Method, terminal, server, device, and system of verification control
Method and device of facilitating online interactions using dynamic barcodes are disclosed. The method includes: a server receiving, from a first device, an interaction set-up request including information for an online interaction awaiting execution; in response to the interaction set-up request, generating an initial barcode in accordance with the interaction set-up request, wherein the initial barcode is configured to initiate subsequent execution of the online interaction when the initial barcode is scanned by a scanning device before expiration of the initial barcode; sending the initial barcode to the first device, wherein the first device is configured to cause the initial barcode to be displayed on a display device; and after sending the initial barcode, sending an updated barcode to the first device in accordance with predetermined barcode expiration criteria. |
| US10055727B2 |
Cloud-based systems and methods for providing consumer financial data
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing cloud-based access to consumer financial information. A cloud-based platform may receive a notification from a server, the notification comprising a request to access consumer data associated with a financial services account. After confirming authorization by both the associated financial services account provider and the consumer, the platform may configure a software object identifying the server and at least a portion of the consumer data that the server is authorized to access. After presentation of the configured software object by the third party server, the platform may verify the configured software object, and provide to the server access to the authorized consumer data. The server may then utilize the provided consumer data to perform a mobile service for the consumer. |
| US10055726B2 |
Systems and methods for management of mobile banking resources
Systems and methods for the management of mobile banking resources are disclosed. In one embodiment, a self-propelled, mobile transaction resource may include an unmanned, self-propelled, mobile platform; a user interface for interfacing with a user for conducting a transaction; at least one controller that controls the movement of the mobile platform and the user interface; a communications interface for the at least one controller that communicates with a server; and a plurality of sensors that capture at least one characteristic of the user. |
| US10055724B2 |
Sales processing apparatus, sales processing method and sales processing system
In accordance with an embodiment, a sales processing apparatus includes a first generation unit, a second generation unit, a display control unit and a printer control unit. The first generation unit configured to generate a paper surface image of a valuable instrument visibly including all the right code necessary for exercising the right, the paper surface is relating to the right obtained by customer paying a consideration. The second generation unit configured to generate a preview image invisibly including the right code. The display control unit configured to control a display device to display the preview image. The printer control unit configured to control a printer to print the paper surface image on a printing medium in response to a request for issuing a valuable instrument of the surface representing by the preview image displayed by the display device. |
| US10055723B2 |
Multi-point authentication for payment transactions
Authentication includes receiving an indication of physical possession of a payment card by a merchant and receiving a purchase request for an authorization of an exchange from the payment account of the cardholder to the merchant. Authentication includes assigning a randomized transaction identifier to the request for the authorization of the exchange. The method also includes transmitting the request for the authorization of the exchange from the payment account of the cardholder to the merchant and receiving the assigned randomized transaction identifier and a randomized authentication identifier associated with the randomized transaction identifier from a payment association, the payment association determining whether the request for the authorization of the exchange is valid. Authentication includes transmitting a copy of the randomized authentication identifier to the mobile device and receiving validation that the transmitted copy of the randomized authentication identifier from the mobile device matches the randomized authentication identifier. |
| US10055720B2 |
Virtual currency system
A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby. |
| US10055718B2 |
Purchase confirmation data extraction with missing data replacement
A server system automatically extracts sets of purchase transaction related data values for target purchase-related field types from purchase transaction records. The server system automatically flags respective ones of the sets of purchase transaction related data values with one or more respective incomplete purchase transaction related data values for one or more of the target purchase-related field types, and stores the flagged sets of purchase transaction related data values and ones of the other sets of purchase transaction related data values determined to be complete in a data storage system. For each of respective ones of the flagged sets of purchase transaction related data values, the server system unobtrusively recovers missing purchase transaction related information from one or more side channels based on one or more query terms and one or more query result selection criteria determined at least in part from the extracted purchase transaction related data values. |
| US10055716B2 |
System for providing goods and services based on accrued but unpaid earnings
A system for interfacing predetermined services to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system. Also included are a plurality of physical system resource interfaces for interfacing with available physical system resources. The physical system resources allow a user to gain access to the predetermined desired services. The system further includes a data store for storing configuration information for enabling the operating system to interface with the available physical system resources through the physical system resource interface associated therewith. A communication resource for interfacing with the operating system allows communication of the operating system with a central office for downloading configuration information to selectively enable ones of the available physical system resources to interface with the operating system through associated ones of the physical system resource interfaces in accordance with the configuration information and the predetermined service selected by a user. A plurality of configurations are stored in the data store, and each is associated with a predetermined service and one or more of the available physical system resources. Each physical system resource interface is uniquely associated with a defined one of the physical system resources. |
| US10055706B2 |
Electric vehicle charging station adapted for the delivery of goods and services
The present application provides a solar canopy station having a processor. The processor receives requests for delivery of goods or services and transmits the delivery request to a provider along with information regarding the processor location. The provider provides the requested goods or services. The station also is provided with a mechanism to couple the solar canopy to a battery, which may be a vehicle battery such as an electric car or electric scooter. The solar canopy would provide electrical energy either directly to the battery or through a power conditioner and, optionally, a storage facility. The solar canopy, storage facility, or power conditioner may be provided to power equipment associated with providing services such as, for example, power refrigeration units or freezer units to allow delivery of perishable and frozen goods. |
| US10055704B2 |
Workflow provision with workflow discovery, creation and reconstruction by analysis of communications
Discovering workflows in communications exchanged between a sender and at least one recipient. A communication is received and analyzed to detect workflow. The analyzing of the communication detects the sender and the at least one recipient from the communication; analyzes the communication to extract questions and corresponding responses; stores the questions and responses in a repository; generates a link to the questions and responses in the repository, and generating a user interface for the link to the questions and responses in the repository. A communication is then sent to the at least one recipient with a link to the questions and responses in the repository, extracted from the communication, replacing the questions and responses present in the communication. |
| US10055701B1 |
Survey insight reporting system and method
In one embodiment, the invention can be a method of displaying survey results. The method can include, for each of a plurality of survey items, receiving survey responses from survey respondents, wherein each response is chosen from response options, the response options corresponding to an ordinal scale; and each respondent is associated with a collection of respondent segments. The method can further include, for each response to each item by each survey respondent, determining a calibrated score, the calibrated score based on a probability that a person having the collection of respondent segments associated with the survey respondent would provide the response to the item or any of the response options to the item that are lower on the ordinal scale. |
| US10055699B2 |
System for supermarket energy management
The present invention relates to the field of supermarket refrigeration & HVAC control. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for concurrent and remote management of multiple supermarket refrigeration systems located at one or more retail sites. Embodiments may include at least one on-site computer, at least one central server, at least one user computer, one or more communication network, and one or more on-site refrigeration control systems. In embodiments, the on-site computer communicates with the on-site refrigeration control system(s), which may be the same or different, and multiple on-site computers and/or different store locations may be used. The on-site computer is capable of translating data received from these various refrigeration control systems into a single system-friendly generic format and the translated data is stored on the on-site computer. This data is intermittently copied and stored on a central server. Meanwhile, data and more particularly data updates are sent from the refrigeration control system to the on-site computer for storage. At a desired interval, for example every five minutes, the central server detects whether the information on the on-site computer is different from the information on the server. When there has been an update, the server downloads the current information in bulk from the on-site computer. The information on the server is then accessed by one or more users to manage the refrigeration control systems, optionally remotely. In contrast with other existing refrigeration control management systems, systems and methods of the present invention can be used with multiple legacy refrigeration control systems, including old and new versions of a system from one particular OEM provider, and/or different models from one particular OEM provider, and/or different versions or models from several different OEM providers. These systems and methods provide for compatibility between different control systems, which does not currently exist. Benefits of the inventive systems and methods include being capable of delivering information to a user, in response to a user query, faster than systems in which the user computer communicates with and obtains data stored on the legacy system itself. |
| US10055697B2 |
System and method for allocating slots to a plurality of products in a warehouse
Disclosed is a system for allocating slots to a plurality of products in order to facilitate optimization of space in a warehouse that includes a rating assigning module for assigning a slot priority rating and a product priority rating. The slot priority rating is assigned to each slot whereas the product priority rating is assigned to each product of a plurality of products to be placed in the plurality of slots present in the warehouse. A metadata retrieving module for retrieving metadata from a tag associated to a product of the plurality of products. In one aspect, the metadata indicates the product priority rating being assigned to the product. A slot determination module for determining a slot from the plurality of slots in order to place the product. A slot allocation module for allocating the slot, as determined, for placing the product thereby facilitating the optimization of space in the warehouse. |
| US10055693B2 |
Life experience memorialization with observational linkage via user recognition
Disclosed herein are example embodiments for life experience memorialization with observational linkage via user recognition. For certain example embodiments, at least one machine may include: (a) at least one first component including at least a first set of voltages coupled to at least one light-perturbing unit of at least one display, the first set of voltages corresponding to at least one media item; (b) at least one second component including at least a second set of voltages coupled to at least one sensor, the second set of voltages representative of at least one user; or (c) at least one third component including at least a third set of voltages having one or more voltage levels that are responsive at least to: (i) a first set of voltages of at least one first component and (ii) a second set of voltages of at least one second component. However, claimed subject matter is not limited to any particular described embodiments, implementations, examples, or so forth. |
| US10055692B1 |
Parallel processing of reduction and broadcast operations on large datasets of non-scalar data
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including instructions encoded on storage media, for performing reduction of gradient vectors and similarly structured data that are generated in parallel, for example, on nodes organized in a mesh or torus topology defined by connections in at least two dimension between the nodes. The methods provide parallel computation and communication between nodes in the topology. |
| US10055690B2 |
Quantum leakage suppression method
A method of reducing quantum leakage in a qubit device which includes receiving a set of energy level values for a multi-level system which includes first and second working levels |0>, |1> which provide a qubit, and at least one other level |2>, and performing an iteration of determining quantum leakage from at least one of the first and second working levels to the at least one other level for a quantum operation A for at least one pulse wherein each pulse has a respective pulse duration, determining whether the quantum leakage is greater than or equal to a threshold value; and, based on the quantum leakage being greater than or equal to the threshold value, changing the duration of at least one of the at least one pulse. |
| US10055686B2 |
Dimensionally reduction of linguistics information
A deep structured semantic module (DSSM) is described herein which uses a model that is discriminatively trained based on click-through data, e.g., such that a conditional likelihood of clicked documents, given respective queries, is maximized, and a condition likelihood of non-clicked documents, given the queries, is reduced. In operation, after training is complete, the DSSM maps an input item into an output item expressed in a semantic space, using the trained model. To facilitate training and runtime operation, a dimensionality-reduction module (DRM) can reduce the dimensionality of the input item that is fed to the DSSM. A search engine may use the above-summarized functionality to convert a query and a plurality of documents into the common semantic space, and then determine the similarity between the query and documents in the semantic space. The search engine may then rank the documents based, at least in part, on the similarity measures. |
| US10055685B1 |
Machine learning architecture for lifelong learning
Some embodiments described herein cover a machine learning architecture with a separated perception subsystem and application subsystem. These subsystems can be co-trained. In one example embodiment, a data item is received and information from the data item is processed by a first node to generate a first feature vector comprising a plurality of features, each of the plurality of features having a similarity value representing a similarity to one of a plurality of centroids. The first node selects a subset of the features from the first feature vector, the subset containing one or more features that have highest similarity values. The first node generates a second feature vector from the first feature vector by replacing similarity values of features in the first feature vector that are not in the subset with zeros. A second node then processes the second feature vector to determine an output. |
| US10055683B2 |
Group information storing and recognizing apparatus
A plurality of synapse determination circuits are provided on a one-to-one basis for a plurality of gate electrodes of a multi-input gate electrode in a neuron element. With respect to first image regions where “1” is repeatedly inputted in correspondence with group information, the synapse determination circuits corresponding to the first image regions are excitatory synapses. With respect to second image regions where “0” is repeatedly inputted in correspondence with the group information, the synapse determination circuits corresponding to the second image regions are inhibitory synapses. |
| US10055681B2 |
Mapping actions and objects to tasks
Techniques for mapping actions and objects to tasks may include identifying a task to be performed by a virtual assistant for an action and/or object. The task may be identified based on a task map of the virtual assistant. In some examples, the task may be identified based on contextual information of a user, such as a conversation history, content output history, user preferences, and so on. The techniques may also include customizing a task map for a particular context, such as a particular user, industry, platform, device type, and so on. The customization may include assigning an action, object, and/or variable value to a particular task. |
| US10055677B2 |
Printing apparatus, sheet-processing apparatus, control methods thereof, storage medium, and printing system
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet, a binding unit capable of executing a binding process for a sheet bundle provided from the image forming unit and a sheet bundle inserted by a manual operation of a user, a detection unit to detect the inserted sheet bundle, an operation unit to input a user instruction for binding the sheet bundle, and a control unit to control, when the user instruction is not inputted via the operation unit before a limited period elapses since the detection unit has detected the sheet bundle, the binding unit to execute the binding process for the inserted sheet bundle in response to the elapsing of the limited period after the detection unit has detected the sheet bundle, when the user instruction is inputted via the operation unit before the limited period elapses since the detection unit has detected the sheet bundle, the binding unit to execute the binding process for the sheet bundle before the limited period is elapsed. |
| US10055674B2 |
Confidence estimation for optical flow
A confidence map for optical flow gradients is constructed calculating a set of gradients for each pixel of an image, filtering said gradients and extracting confidence values from said gradients using a plurality of decision tree classifiers. A confidence map is then generated from said confidence values. |
| US10055666B2 |
Real-time, semi-automatic method for target tracking window initialization in thermal imagery
A real-time, semi-automatic method for discriminant track initialization in thermal imagery is very critical for tracking since it determines what to track for the tracker. Therefore, any insignificant or false information may result in redundant features or deceptive appearance that can cause premature track losses. To achieve long-term tracking, a real-time, semi-automatic track initialization methodology for IR images is proposed which takes a single image coordinate as input, then generates target bounding box for the most salient segment. The present invention is designed for real-time applications in which erroneous user input is unavoidable. Therefore, error compensation capability of present invention both introduces many practical advantageous together with performance boost. Low computational cost and requirement of only a point coordinate as input in the vicinity of the target make this approach preferable in real-time tracking applications. |
| US10055665B2 |
ROI setting technique for imaging test of living body
In imaging analysis of a living body, a Region Of Interest (ROI) is set on the basis of the state of radiopharmaceutical accumulation. An example for setting an ROI includes: performing first transformation for anatomically standardizing, with the use of a positive template, a nuclear medicine image acquired by applying a radiopharmaceutical to a subject; performing second transformation for anatomically standardizing, with the use of a negative template, the nuclear medicine image; calculating a degree of similarity between a first anatomical standardization image acquired by the first transformation and the positive template; calculating a degree of similarity between a second anatomical standardization image acquired by the second transformation and the negative template; and applying, to an ROI template, inverse transformation of the first transformation or the second transformation, whichever has the higher of the calculated degrees of similarity, in order to set the ROI. |
| US10055661B2 |
Skin texture-based authentication
Various systems and methods for implementing skin texture-based authentication are described herein. A system comprises a capture module to obtain at a wearable device worn by a user, an input representation of the user's skin; an analysis module to identify a set of features in the input representation; and an authentication module to authenticate the user based on the set of features. |
| US10055656B2 |
Traffic signal detection device and traffic signal detection method
A traffic signal detection device includes a narrow-angle camera, a wide-angle camera having an angle of view wider than the narrow-angle camera, and a traffic signal detector configured to detect a traffic signal from at least any of a narrow-angle image captured by the narrow-angle camera and a wide-angle image captured by the wide-angle camera. The traffic signal detector selects, as a detection result, any of a traffic signal detected from the narrow-angle image and a traffic signal detected from the wide-angle image, on the basis of a deceleration start region in which a vehicle should start deceleration, the deceleration start region calculated from a position of a traffic signal with respect to the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle in order to stop the vehicle at a stop position with respect to the traffic signal. |
| US10055651B2 |
Vehicle vision system with enhanced lane tracking
A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view forward of the vehicle. A control includes an image processor that is operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to processing by the image processor of image data captured by the camera, the image processor is operable to determine lane markings demarcating the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. Responsive to processing by the image processor of captured image data and responsive to at least one of (i) a map input and (ii) a location input, the control estimates a path of travel for the vehicle to maintain the vehicle in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling in situations where the lane markings demarcating the lane in which the vehicle is traveling are not readily determinable. |
| US10055649B2 |
Image enhancements for vehicle imaging systems
Systems and methods are provided, having sensing unit(s) configured to capture images of a surrounding of a vehicle, and a processing unit connected to a database which is configured to store imaging data relating to the surrounding of the vehicle together with metadata relating to capturing parameters of the stored imaging data. The processing unit enhances the captured images with stored imaging data according to a correspondence of metadata with vehicle situations, for example, according to a relation between capturing parameters of different sensing units. Sensing unit(s) may be gated infrared to indicate specified reflectivity parameters of regions in the captured images. Sensing unit(s) may comprise a controller applying changing patterned filters to the pixel array to enhance visibility and other image features. Multiple sensing units with gateable infrared sensors may communicate using modulated illumination spots. |
| US10055641B2 |
Causation of rendering of information indicative of a printed document interaction attribute
A method comprising receipt of visual information from a camera module, determination that the visual information comprises visual information indicative of a printed document that is being read by a user, determination of a printed document identifier that identifies the printed document based, at least in part, on the visual information, determination that the printed document identifier corresponds with a historical printed document record, retrieval of at least one printed document interaction attribute associated with the printed document identifier from the historical printed document record, and causation of rendering of information indicative of the printed document interaction attribute is disclosed. |
| US10055637B2 |
Optical sensor with substrate light filter
An optical biometric sensor is disclosed. The optical biometric sensor includes a filter layer having a top surface and a bottom surface. The filter layer includes a light filter including a blocking material forming an array of apertures; a substrate including an electrical interconnect comprising a set of electrical conductors. The biometric sensor further includes an optical sensor including an array of sensing elements mounted to the bottom surface of the substrate, wherein sensing elements in the array of sensing elements sensors are aligned with the array of apertures and electrically connected to the electrical interconnect. |
| US10055635B2 |
Array substrate, method for driving same, display panel and display apparatus
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an array substrate, a method for driving the array substrate, a display panel and a display apparatus. The array substrate comprises: a plurality of repetition units each comprising a plurality of sub-pixels, one of the plurality of sub-pixels having a palm print recognition unit, each sub-pixel having a display unit connected to a first scan line and a data line and configured to be turned on or off under control of the first scan line, a data signal being inputted to the display unit from the data line while the display unit is on; and a touch control electrode connected to a touch control electrode line and configured to identify a touch control position. The palm print recognition unit is connected to a second scan line, a control voltage terminal and a read signal line, and configured to collect a palm print signal based on the touch control position identified by the touch control electrode under control of the control voltage terminal, and to output the collected palm print signal to the reach signal line under control of the second scan line. |
| US10055629B2 |
Fingerprint sensor and touch device including the same
A fingerprint sensor includes a piezoelectric substrate, and an electrode on the piezoelectric substrate. The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode on at least one of one surface of the piezoelectric substrate and an opposite surface opposite to the one surface. The electrode includes a node area in which the first electrode crosses the second electrode, and the node area transmits and receives a signal by an object that makes contact with the node area or approaches the node area in a direction of the piezoelectric substrate. The fingerprint sensor includes a substrate including a first area to a fourth area. At least one of first and second electrodes is provided in the first area to the third area, and a chip connected with the first and second electrodes is provided in the fourth area. |
| US10055617B2 |
Kinematic asset management
A system for managing kinematic assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises an electronic identification device associated with an asset. The system further comprises a container comprising a reader disposed within the container for receiving a unique identification of the identification device. The container further comprises a reader node for maintaining an inventory record comprising the asset and for generating a report when the asset is not detected by said reader. The report further comprises a location of the container when said report is generated. The system further comprises a kinematic asset management platform comprising an asset registry for storing data conveyed by the report and a reports engine for generating a second report conveying the location of said container when the report is generated. |
| US10055616B2 |
Securing internet of things (IOT) RF (radio frequency) location tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network
RF tags using source addresses to locate stations on a Wi-Fi network are secured. An RF location server receives a pseudo source address of an RF (radio frequency) tag from a station. The station obtains the pseudo source address while being within radio range of the RF tag and the station receiving a beacon frame from the RF tag. A source address for the RF tag is looked-up utilizing the pseudo source address, and a specific location for the RF tag is looked-up utilizing the source address. Some embodiments store the locations in association with the pseudo address. Either way, the specific location of the station is identified based on the source address of the RF tag. An action is determined in response to at least the specific location of the station. Information related to the action is sent to the station for output to a user of the station. For example, a location-based offer or service can be provided in real-time with a consumer's presence to relevant products or services. |
| US10055612B2 |
Authentication using optically sensed relative position
Systems and methods to safeguard data and hardware may include a memory configured to store a first image and sensitive data, and an optical sensor configured to capture a second image. A sensor signal comprising the captured second image may be generated. A controller having access to the memory may be configured to receive the sensor signal. The controller may be further configured to compare the stored first image to the captured second image, and based on the comparison, to determine whether the sensitive data is accessed. |
| US10055609B2 |
NFC-based authorization of access to data from a third party device
A third party device is authorized to access data associated with a user account at a service provider, wherein the third party device and a user device are in data communication with the service provider, and are both NFC-enabled. The method comprises obtaining a request token generated by the service provider, transmitting the request token from the third party device to the user device via NFC, authorizing the request token at the user device, transmitting the authorized request token from the user device to the third party device via NFC, and obtaining an access token generated by the service provider, corresponding to the authorized request token, wherein the access token allows the third party device to access data associated with the user account at the service provider. |
| US10055601B1 |
Method and system for securing data
A first access key, which is provided by a key server for decrypting a file and the encrypted file is published on a public network by a first user. Every time the secured file is accessed by a second user, the first access key is provided by the key server to decipher the file. The first user can control access to the file by deleting the first access key on the key server, thus denying the second user access to the access key preventing de-encryption of the secured file. |
| US10055600B2 |
Analysis and specification creation for web documents
Described herein is a method for rendering specification creation, including identifying, within one or more contents, labels as sensitive labels when data associated with the label are determined sensitive based on one or more user-defined policy rules, wherein the identifying considers structural locations of labels determined as sensitive and the data associated with the sensitive label; configuring rendering specifications for data associated with the identified sensitive labels; and associating the configured rendering specifications with the sensitive labels of the data determined as sensitive, for execution in real time. |
| US10055599B2 |
Processing method for making electronic documents secure
Disclosed are systems and processing methods that may be performed by first, second, and third processor units to give access to an item of sensitive text data from a secure electronic document. In various implementations, the systems and methods may perform operations that include obtaining the secure electronic document; triggering the display of the secure document on a first terminal; selecting at least one marker contained in the secure document; determining secure data; and on the basis of said secure data, determining the item of sensitive text data. In various implementations, the third unit may trigger the display of the item of sensitive text data, and the second and third processor units may be distinct from the first unit and may execute an operating system that is independent of the operating system of the first processor unit. |
| US10055598B2 |
Content and service aggregation, management and presentation system
Techniques for facilitating discovery and usage of digital content and services include accessing a stored rights profile of a user and determining access privileges of the user to content items or services provided by various sources. Based on the access privileges of the user, multiple access options are determined to a content item or to a service available to the user. The multiple access options include access options for accessing the content item or the service from different sources. The access options are presented to a user and a selection of an access option is received from the user. Stored business rules for the source are accessed, which identify a consumption mode specified by the source for enabling users to consume content items or services provided by the source. The user is enabled to perceive the content item or receive the service in accordance with the consumption mode. |
| US10055595B2 |
Secure credentials control method
Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided to secure access to an account of a user. The account may have a system administrator. The user may have a credential for accessing the secure data on the account. The methods, apparatus, and systems involve setting a universal reset credential associated with the account, denying the system administrator of the account permission to change the first credential of the access feature, and permitting the system administrator to reset the access feature from the first credential to the universal reset credential. |
| US10055594B2 |
Virtual service provider zones
A service proxy services as an application programming interface proxy to a service, which may involve data storage. When a request to store data is received by the service proxy, the service proxy encrypts the data and stores the data in encrypted form at the service. Similarly, when a request to retrieve data is received by the service proxy, the service proxy obtains encrypted data from the service and decrypts the data. The data may be encrypted using a key that is kept inaccessible to the service. |
| US10055588B2 |
Event-based apparatus and method for securing BIOS in a trusted computing system during execution
An apparatus is provided for protecting a basic input/output system (BIOS) in a computing system. The apparatus includes a BIOS read only memory (ROM), an event detector, and a tamper detector. The BIOS ROM has BIOS contents that are stored as plaintext, and an encrypted message digest, where the encrypted message digest comprises an encrypted version of a first message digest that corresponds to the BIOS contents, and where and the encrypted version is generated via a symmetric key algorithm and a key. The event detector is configured to generate a BIOS check interrupt that interrupts normal operation of the computing system upon the occurrence of an event, where the event includes one or more occurrences of a power glitch exceeding a specified threshold within a specified time period. The tamper detector is operatively coupled to the BIOS ROM and is configured to access the BIOS contents and the encrypted message digest upon assertion of the BIOS check interrupt, and is configured to direct a microprocessor to generate a second message digest corresponding to the BIOS contents and a decrypted message digest corresponding to the encrypted message digest using the symmetric key algorithm and the key, and is configured to compare the second message digest with the decrypted message digest, and configured to preclude the operation of the microprocessor if the second message digest and the decrypted message digest are not equal. The microprocessor includes a dedicated crypto/hash unit disposed within execution logic, where the crypto/hash unit generates the second message digest and the decrypted message digest, and where the key is exclusively accessed by the crypto/hash unit. The microprocessor further has a random number generator disposed within the execution logic, where the random number generator generates a random number at completion of a current BIOS check, which is employed by the event detector to randomly set a number of occurrences of the event that are to occur before a following BIOS check. |
| US10055586B1 |
Systems and methods for determining the trustworthiness of files within organizations
The disclosed computer-implemented method for determining the trustworthiness of files within organizations may include (1) identifying a file on a computing device within multiple computing devices managed by an organization, (2) in response to identifying the file, identifying at least one additional computing device within the multiple computing devices that is potentially associated with the file, (3) distributing at least a portion of the file to a user of the additional computing device with a request to receive an indication of the trustworthiness of the file, and then (4) receiving, from the additional computing device, a response that indicates the trustworthiness of the file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US10055585B2 |
Hardware and software execution profiling
Technologies for assembling an execution profile of an event are disclosed. The technologies may include monitoring the event for a branch instruction, generating a callback to a security module upon execution of the branch instruction, filtering the callback according to a plurality of event identifiers, and validating a code segment associated with the branch instruction, the code segment including code executed before the branch instruction and code executed after the branch instruction. |
| US10055584B2 |
Method and device for obtaining virus signatures
A method and a device for obtaining virus signatures in the field of computer security have been disclosed. The method includes: obtaining text strings contained in each virus sample within a virus sample set; selecting text strings for use as virus signatures candidate according to a first frequency at which each text string occurs in a non-virus sample set and a second frequency at which each text string occurs in the virus sample set; calculating an information entropy of the virus signatures candidate according to a quantity of virus samples containing the virus signatures candidate and a quantity of non-virus samples containing the virus signatures candidate; and selecting virus signatures from the virus signatures candidate according to the information entropy. The present disclosure may timely identify the latest virus signatures and ensure that the obtained virus signatures are optimal signatures and may identify a wide range of virus variants. |
| US10055581B2 |
Locating a wireless communication attack
A technique for locating a wireless communication attack includes monitoring of Bluetooth® communications activity by a Bluetooth® capable communication device. Any monitored communication activity is analyzed against parameters that are predefined to detect a communication attempt by a suspected criminal device to an illicit device. If the communication attempt by the suspected criminal device is detected by the analysis, a communication to the criminal device is controlled so as to delay completion of the communication to the criminal device in order to provide time to locate the criminal device. |
| US10055569B2 |
Location specific image based authentication
Embodiments are described for logging in to a location-specific user account on a host system. An example method includes sending, by a user device, as part of a login request, an authentication image. The method further includes receiving an authentication response from the host system based on determining whether the login request is sent from an authorized login-location, which is based on a comparison of the authentication image with a reference image captured at the authorized login-location. The method further includes, in response to the authentication image matching the reference image within a predetermined threshold range, receiving access to the user account based on the authentication response. |
| US10055568B1 |
Encryption authorization dongle having volatile memory
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and device for accessing encrypted data. A communication link may be established between an authorization dongle and a secure device having encrypted data stored thereon. A communication link may also be established between the authorization dongle and a secure server. An encryption key associated with the encrypted data may be received from the secure server. The encryption key may be stored in volatile memory on the authorization dongle. An indication that a user is attempting to access the encrypted data may be received. The encryption key may be transmitted from the authorization dongle to the secure device in response to the user attempting to access the encrypted data. |
| US10055562B2 |
Techniques for identifying a change in users
Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for detecting an input comprising an object contacting a surface of an apparatus, determining object characteristics based on the detected input and selecting a user profile based on the determined object characteristics. |
| US10055561B2 |
Identity risk score generation and implementation
Embodiments are directed to providing an identity risk score as part of an authentication assertion, applying operating heuristics to determine an operating application's validity and to providing identity risk scores to requesting third parties. In one scenario, an authentication server receives from a cloud service portal various user credentials from a user. The user credentials identify a user to the authentication server. The authentication server verifies the user's identity using the received credentials and generates an identity risk score based on one or more identity factors. The identity factors indicate a likelihood that the user is a valid user. The authentication server encapsulates the generated identity risk score in an authentication assertion and sends the authentication assertion that includes the generated identity risk score to the cloud service portal. |
| US10055557B2 |
User device and operating method thereof
An apparatus and security method are provided. The apparatus includes at least one communication interface and a controller. The controller is configured to discover, using the at least one communication interface, an external electronic device available for a communication connection with the apparatus, the discovering including receiving information from the external electronic device, adjust a security level for the apparatus based at least in part on the information, and control at least part of the apparatus using the adjusted security level. |
| US10055550B2 |
Remote management of therapy programming
The disclosure is directed to techniques for remote management of information relating to therapy delivered to a patient by an implantable medical device (IMD). A remote monitoring system for therapy programming includes an IMD that delivers therapy, e.g., neurostimulation, drug therapy, or both, to a patient, an external programming device associated with the IMD, such as a patient programmer, and a remote networking device that receives usage information from the external programming device. The external programming device communicates with the IMD via local, wireless communication, and the remote networking device receives usage information from the external programming device via a network. The usage information includes information that relates to use of therapy by the patient, use of features of the external programming device and the IMD, or use of navigation patterns of a user interface of the external programming device. |
| US10055547B2 |
Intermediate check points in medical care lines for automatically identifying care deficiencies
A quality of medical care can be estimated based on factors such as a mortality rate or complications rate. However, by this point, poor care may have already reached its consequence. In some embodiments, characteristics pertaining to a care experience are analyzed to identify those predictive of a health result. The identified characteristics may include ones that depend on care factors, such that they are not, alone, easy to manipulate. Those characteristics can then be monitored, and unsatisfactory characteristics can be addressed. |
| US10055541B2 |
Visualization and navigation of knowledge domains
A system stores visual content, and displays the visual content on a display unit in an undistorted, overview projection. The system receives input from a user to focus on a topic in the undistorted, overview projection, and transforms the undistorted, overview projection into a focused display showing the topic selected by the user and content related to the topic selected by the user in a continuous sequence of increasingly distorted projections. In the focused display, the content that is not related to the topic selected by the user does not move on the focused display, and the content that is related to the topic selected by the user moves towards the topic selected by the user on the focused display. |
| US10055539B2 |
Systems and methods for using paired-end data in directed acyclic structure
Methods of analyzing a transcriptome that involves obtaining at least one pair of paired-end reads from a transcriptome from an organism, finding an alignment with an optimal score between a first read of the pair and a node in a directed acyclic data structure (the data structure has nodes representing RNA sequences such as exons or transcripts and edges connecting pairs of nodes), identifying candidate paths that include the node connected to a downstream node by a path having a length substantially similar to an insert length of the pair of paired-end reads, and aligning the paired-end rends to the candidate paths to determine an optimal-scoring alignment. |
| US10055537B2 |
Simulation methods and systems for an aircraft
A method is provided for performing a simulation on an aircraft. The method includes: receiving, at an onboard maintenance computer (OMC) a simulation script that includes one or more steps for adjusting at least one parameter of the aircraft; processing, by the OMC, the simulation script to determine simulation data; and sending the simulation data from the OMC to one or more signal producer member systems of the aircraft to adjust the at least one parameter of the aircraft. |
| US10055536B2 |
Systems and methods for forming and utilizing bending maps for object design
Systems and methods for designing digital representations of 3-D objects and manufacturing such objects are disclosed herein. In some aspects, the systems and methods described relate to bending maps that define regions on a physical object that can be bent or manipulated in order to design the 3-D object. |
| US10055533B2 |
Visualization of analysis process parameters for layout-based checks
Techniques and mechanisms for marking the parameters of a circuit analysis process for visual identification are disclosed. The visually-identified parameters can then be employed with the results of the circuit analysis to debug the layout design. |
| US10055531B2 |
Layout checking method for advanced double patterning photolithography with multiple spacing criteria
In some embodiments, in a method performed by at least one processor, spaces among a plurality of layout segments is analyzed by the at least one processor to determine at least one first-type conflicted edge according to a first predetermined length. Spaces among the plurality of layout segments is analyzed by the at least one processor to determine a plurality of potential conflicted edges according to a second predetermined length different from the first predetermined length. At least one second-type conflicted edge is determined by the at least one processor according to the plurality of potential conflicted edges. If at least one odd-vertex loop is formed in the plurality of layout segments is checked by the at least one processor according to the at least one first-type conflicted edge and the at least one second-type conflicted edge to determine if a violation occurs in the plurality of layout segments. |
| US10055529B1 |
Methods, systems, and computer program product for implementing a floorplan with virtual hierarchies and figure groups for an electronic design
Disclosed are methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing a floorplan with virtual hierarchies and figure groups for an electronic design. These techniques identify a plurality of layout circuit component designs in a layout and identify or create a figure group at a virtual hierarchy for the plurality of layout circuit component designs. The figure group can be modified into a modified figure group in response to a request for a modification of the figure group. At least one layout circuit component design of the plurality of layout circuit component designs can then be reinstalled into the modified figure group to fulfill the request for modification of the figure group. |
| US10055526B1 |
Regional design-dependent voltage control and clocking
An integrated circuit include multiple regions, wherein at least one region includes a control circuit. The control circuit receives a target voltage value to supply to the region that enables the region to operate at a target speed. The control circuit also receives a first criticality value of a first path of a design programmed in the region. The first criticality value is based on a first propagation time of the first path and a first allowable time to traverse the first path while enabling the region to operate at the target speed. The control circuit further instructs a power regulator to supply voltage to the region based at least in part on the target voltage value and the first criticality value. The integrated circuit also includes the power regulator communicatively coupled to the at least one region. The power regulator supplies power to the at least one region. |