| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09055454B2 |
Medium access control for wireless systems
A method for execution by a mobile station (MS) in a mobile communications network, the method comprising: receiving a first MS identifier from the network during a ranging operation involving the MS; using the first MS identifier to extract the contents of at least one message received from the network during said ranging operation; using a second MS identifier, different from the first MS identifier, to extract the contents of at least one message received from the network after said ranging operation is complete. Also, a method for execution by the base station, comprising: outputting a first message destined for the MS, the first message including a first identifier for use by the MS during a ranging operation; determining that said ranging operation is complete; outputting a second message destined for the MS, the second message including a second identifier for use by the MS in subsequent communication with the network. |
| US09055452B2 |
Network node, user equipment and methods therein
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a network node (12,14) for signalling Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request, HARQ, configuration for a common enhanced dedicated channel configuration in a radio communications network (1). The network node (12,14) is comprised in the radio communications network (1) and serves a user equipment (10). The network node (12,14) determines a state of a HARQ process of a transmission time interval out of a number of HARQ processes for a common enhanced dedicated channel configuration. The state is defining whether the HARQ process is active or inactive. The network node (12,14) signals the HARQ configuration for the common enhanced dedicated channel configuration by broadcasting a value representing the state of the HARQ process. |
| US09055451B2 |
Indoor position determination method and system based on WLAN signal strength
An indoor position determination method and system based on WLAN signal strength using remote monitoring and cell space environmental attenuation is provided. The indoor position determination method includes a remote monitoring step of collecting information about signal strength from a neighboring AP and generating an AP signal strength table, a position information requesting step of receiving identification information and signal strength of a detected AP from a mobile terminal, and a cell determination step of comparing a signal strength pattern of each AP received from the mobile terminal with a neighboring AP signal strength pattern of each AP with reference to the AP signal strength table and determining a cell having an AP with a most similar pattern as a cell where the mobile terminal is presently located. |
| US09055449B2 |
Explicit and implicit hybrid beamforming channel sounding
A channel sounding scheme is presented herein that relies on a combination of a first channel sounding procedure and a second channel sounding procedure. The first channel sounding technique is one that involves an exchange of dedicated channel sounding related signals to determine channel conditions between the first wireless communication device and the particular second wireless communication device. The second channel sounding technique is one in which channel conditions are implicitly discovered from any signals transmitted by the particular second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device. A first wireless communication device computes updates to steering matrix information used for beamforming one or more signal streams to a particular second wireless communication device based on a combination of the first channel sounding technique and the second channel sounding technique. |
| US09055448B2 |
Cooperative beamforming apparatus and method in wireless communication system
A cooperative beamforming apparatus and method in a wireless communication system supporting channel sensitive scheduling based on feedback information is provided. A beamforming method in a wireless communication system according to the present invention includes transmitting, at a mobile station, a channel condition information of a channel of a serving base station to the serving base station and a channel condition information of a channel of a neighbor base station; and forming, at the serving base station, a beam based on the channel condition information to transmit a signal and, at the neighbor base station, a beam to transmit a signal. |
| US09055446B2 |
Method for managing heterogeneous base stations in a wireless network
A method and devices are provided to enable operation while experiencing reduced interference of at least two base stations in a wireless network wherein at least one of base stations is deployed in a femto deployment configuration and at least one of the others is deployed in a different deployment category. The method comprises preventing the usage of at least one radio resource selected from among sub-carriers comprised within a radio channel and/or time-domain resource, from one of the at least two base stations. |
| US09055443B2 |
Mobile device-type locking
A device-type locking procedure is disclosed, where a trusted execution environment (TEE) of a user device retrieves a telecommunication service plan type identifier stored on an identification module of the user device. The TEE of the user device then initiates a service authentication procedure for a telecommunication service provider of the user device, based on the received plan type identifier and in conjunction with an optional service plan provisioning process. A service plan indicated by the plan type identifier is subsequently compared to a designated user device service plan via the TEE. Based on the comparison results, a determination is then made as to whether the user device should be locked or unlocked, depending on the device's current operating state. |
| US09055439B2 |
System and method for handset operation in a wireless communication network
An application programming Interface (API) is downloaded to wireless user equipment (UE). The API enables the UE to automatically detect the presence of an access point (AP) in a venue and to transmit identification information to the access point to authenticate the UE. The AP may be one of a plurality of APs in a single venue with the identification/authentication occurring whenever the UE comes within range of any of the APs in the venue. A plurality of venues may be coupled to a Cloud network with the authentication information stored on the Cloud network. In this manner, whenever the UE enters any of the venues, the UE is automatically authenticated when it comes within range of any AP within any of the venues. The venue may use the API to provide advertising, coupons, web links, images, audio, video, streaming video, and the like to the UE. The venue may direct the UE to a website or provide a link to the website. |
| US09055438B2 |
Exchanging data based upon device proximity and credentials
Illustrated is a system and method to transmit a credential to a proximate first device, the first device validating the credential. The system and method also includes transmitting data to the first device. The system and method also includes transmitting the credential to a proximate second device, the second device validating the credential and to receive the data from the first device. |
| US09055436B2 |
Transmitting device, receiving device, wireless communication system and method for controlling wireless communication system
A transmitting device, a receiving device, a wireless communication system and a method for controlling the wireless communication system are used for creating a secure wireless communication network of a limited area. The transmitting device comprises: one or more transmitters configured to transmit wireless signals, and create the limited area by a coverage scope of the wireless signals; a cryptography key generating unit configured to generate a cryptography key for the wireless signals; a cryptography key encoding unit configured to encode the cryptography key to a cryptography key frame; and a cryptography key scheduling unit configured to schedule the cryptography key frame so as to control the transmitter to transmit the wireless signals including the cryptography key frame. |
| US09055435B2 |
Method and apparatus for security mechanism for proximity-based access requests
An approach is provided for providing security mechanism for proximity-based interactions among devices. At least one first device (e.g., a memory tag) may determine a request for interaction between the at least one first device and at least one second device (e.g., a mobile phone), wherein at least the at least one first device is associated with at least one first antenna and at least one second antenna. The at least one first device may determine a first signal received by the at least one first antenna and a second signal received by the at least one second antenna. Further, the at least one first device may determine one or more differences in one or more characteristics of the first signal and the second signal. Furthermore, the at least one first device may process and/or facilitate a processing of the one or more differences to determine whether to allow the interaction. |
| US09055431B2 |
Determining usage predictions and detecting anomalous user activity through traffic patterns
A system for selecting and monitoring data plans for telecommunications systems, and methods of determining, learning and estimating usage patterns in-order to predict usage and tie this to cost and the overlaying of plan selection for cost optimization. Further, additional methods are applied to determine anomalous user behaviors and raise security and data leakage related events. |
| US09055430B2 |
Rapid local address assignment for wireless communication networks
A wireless client device includes a receiver and a connection module. The receiver is configured to receive, on a wireless medium of a wireless network, a management frame that is periodically transmitted on the wireless medium. The management frame includes an address assignment indication that indicates which address assignment types are employed by the wireless network. The connection module is configured to, in response to the address assignment indication indicating that a dynamic address assignment type is employed by the wireless network, configure a network-layer address for the wireless client device according to a dynamic address assignment protocol. The connection module is configured to, in response to the address assignment indication indicating that the dynamic address assignment type is not employed by the wireless network, configure the network-layer address for the wireless client device according to a link-local address assignment protocol. |
| US09055423B1 |
Virtual telephone extension
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for routing communications. A plurality of communication devices are coupled to a communications network. Each communication device has a device identifier. A user-programmable database associates each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier. A call-routing switch arrangement is coupled to the communication network through a portal communication device having a portal identifier. A user designates a destination user identifier when making a communication. The call-routing switches the call, directing the call to a destination device identifier responsive to the user-programmable database association between the destination user identifier and a device identifier. According to certain aspects, communications are directed to users and are routed to associated equipment, a user identifier serving as a virtual extension number. Users remotely program the database to direct their calls to communication devices at various geographic, voice mail and e-mail destinations. |
| US09055421B2 |
Messaging interface based on caller of an incoming call
In one embodiment, a method includes displaying by a mobile computing device of a first user a notification of an incoming call. The notification identifies a second user associated with a source of the incoming call. The method further includes detecting by the mobile computing device user input provided during the display of the notification of the incoming call. In response to the user input, one or more previous communications between the first and second users is determined by the mobile computing device. The method further includes displaying by the mobile computing device the one or more previous communications. |
| US09055420B2 |
Mediation and presentation of communications
A computer receives a plurality of records each relevant to a relationship between a first person and a second person. The computer determines a communication score of a communication from the first person to the second person, wherein the score is based on at least one of the plurality of records. The computer compares the communication score to an established mediation threshold. Responsive to determining that the communication score violates the established mediation threshold, the computer passes the communication to a user device of the second person. Further, the computer prioritizes the plurality of records according to a set of priorities, and presents the plurality of records to the first person or to the second person. |
| US09055417B2 |
Notification infrastructure for sending device-specific wireless notifications
A data store is monitored for a change in the data store. A notification communication is generated upon detecting that the change has occurred. The notification communication is formatted based on a wireless device associated with the data store. The notification communication is sent to the wireless device associated with the data store. |
| US09055415B2 |
Urgency notification delivery channel
In one embodiment, a first computing device communicating with a second computing device through a communications channel transmits an out-of-band message indicative of the urgency of the communication through a notification channel. In particular embodiments, a server acts as a proxy for relaying the out-of-band message from the first device to the second device. The second device calculates an implicit urgency score based on the communication characteristics, and combines the implicit score with the explicit urgency indicator to determine whether a call is urgent. In particular embodiments, communication handling may be affected by the determination of urgency. |
| US09055411B2 |
Method and system for selecting PCEF and PCRF in a wireless communication system
A method for selecting a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) and a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), for monitoring members in a monitored group is provided. The method includes allocating a same group Identity (ID) for members in a monitored group, selecting a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW)/PCEF or a PCEF for a member corresponding to the first user to access the network in the monitored group according to the group ID of the member, selecting a PCRF for the member, saving at least one of a corresponding relationship between the group ID and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the PGW/PCEF, and a corresponding relationship between the group ID and an IP address of the PCEF, and saving at least a corresponding relationship between the group ID and an IP address of the PCRF. |
| US09055408B2 |
System and method for determining geolocation of wireless access point or wireless device
In order to determine the location of wireless network devices without inherent location capabilities, a wireless network device such as an access point can receive geolocation information from transient data sources such as mobile devices requiring network access from the access point. The access point stores geolocation records including location coordinates received from the transient data sources. The geolocation records can be processed to determine the position and movement of the access point. The geolocation records and/or location information can be passed to other transient clients that do not have inherent location capability. |
| US09055402B2 |
Sending location information from within a communication application
A method in a wireless communications device for transmitting current location information representing a current location of the wireless communications device. The method entails, from within a communication application executing on a processor of the wireless communications device, causing the wireless communications device to obtain the current location information representing the current location of the wireless communications device, including the current location information in a communication generated from within the communication application, and transmitting the communication that includes the current location information. The method optionally entails a further step of performing a reverse look-up of GPS coordinates representing the current location to determine address information for including in the communication. Location information, such as maps or URLs to maps can be sent directly from an e-mail application or instant messenger without having to separately launch a mapping application. |
| US09055398B2 |
Centralized data store for providing all place-related data to applications on a mobile device
A method of managing place data for a mobile device, the method comprising storing place data for the mobile device in a centralized place data store, the centralized place data store storing location data for each of a plurality of places defined by the mobile device, and in response to place data requests from a plurality of applications executing on the mobile device, providing the place data from the centralized place data store to the plurality of applications. |
| US09055388B2 |
Portable terminal and method for discovering wireless devices thereof
A portable terminal and a method for discovering wirelessly connectable devices are provided. The method includes requesting discovery of wirelessly connectable devices, discovering peripheral devices that are wirelessly connectable in at least one of a plurality of wireless communication schemes supported by the portable terminal, and displaying a list of the discovered devices. The method may discover and display peripheral devices capable of establishing a wireless communication connection in at least one of various wireless communication schemes supported by the portable terminal at one time to improve the convenience for a user. In addition, the method may display connectable wireless communication schemes together with a list of discovered devices to more easily establish a wireless communication connection in a desired scheme of the user. |
| US09055387B1 |
Method and system for self-regulating content download
A method, system and mobile application for self-regulating content downloads to mobile communication devices is disclosed herein. The invention determines if a network connection to a mobile communication device is a WiFi connection or a cellular connection. The invention utilizes the performance characteristics and the type of network identified to select the quality and the quantity of DLC to download onto the mobile communication device from the content server. |
| US09055386B2 |
Endpoint-hosted hypervisor management
A client hypervisor comprises a virtual agent that runs outside of a system OS and that allows device management independent of the OS and user. The virtual agent is tied to a device and not a specific instance of the OS. Such client hypervisors expose new functionality to ease managing systems. Some of these capabilities come from the persistence and privileges outside the OS. In some embodiments of the invention, this new management functionality is exposed to allow device management via new virtualization concepts, such as multiple VMs per system, VM replacement, snapshot/rollback, etc. |
| US09055383B2 |
Multi channel bass management
A multi-channel audio system including first combining circuitry, for combining a first spectral band of a first plurality channels to provide a first bass audio signal stream; second combining circuitry, for combining the first spectral band of a second plurality channels to provide a second bass audio signal stream; and third combining circuitry, for combining a second spectral band, the second spectral band including lower frequencies than the first spectral band, of the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels to provide a third bass audio signal stream. |
| US09055378B2 |
Micromachined ultrasonic transducer switch for hearing assistance devices
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for micromachined ultrasonic transducer switches for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a housing, hearing assistance electronics within the housing, and a micromachined ultrasonic transducer connected to the hearing assistance electronics. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is configured to switch upon detection of proximity or touch by the wearer. In various embodiments, the micromachined ultrasonic transducer includes one ultrasonic transmitter and one ultrasonic receiver. The micromachined ultrasonic transducer is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments. |
| US09055371B2 |
Controllable playback system offering hierarchical playback options
A first apparatus performs the following: determining, using at least two microphone signals corresponding to left and right microphone signals and using at least one further microphone signal, directional information of the left and right microphone signals; outputting a first signal corresponding to the left microphone signal; outputting a second signal corresponding to the right microphone signal; and outputting a third signal corresponding to the determined directional information. Another apparatus performs the following: performing at least one of the following: outputting first and second signals as stereo output signals; or converting the first and second signals to mid and side signals, and converting, using directional information for the first and second signals, the mid and side signals to at least one of binaural signals or multi-channel signals, and outputting the corresponding binaural signals or multi-channel signals. Additional apparatus, program products, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09055364B1 |
Earset having an automatic rewinding unit of ball/wire spring type
An earset has an automatic rewinding unit of a ball/wire spring type. In the earset, an earphone cable extends from a wheel by a desired length if a user pulls the earphone cable, and the drawn earphone cable is rewound back into the wheel if the user pulls the earphone cable slightly. |
| US09055359B2 |
Electroacoustic transducing device
An electroacoustic transducing device such as a small speaker or receiver used in a portable telephone or the like. A yoke-integral frame is formed by a simple process, and the number of components and production steps for producing the electroacoustic transducing device are reduced, thereby improving productivity. The transducing device having: a magnetic circuit having a yoke, a magnet, and a pole piece; a vibration system having a diaphragm and a voice coil; and a frame which holds the magnetic circuit and the vibration system. The voice coil is placed in a magnetic gap, and the frame is formed by performing a pressing process on one sheet-like metal material into a bottomed tubular shape, and at least two places of the bottom plate being cut and raised to form a bottom frame-like yoke portion, thereby being formed into a yoke-integral type. |
| US09055357B2 |
Multi-directional and omnidirectional hybrid microphone for hearing assistance devices
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for an directional microphone arrays for hearing assistance devices. In various embodiments, the present subject matter provides a microphone array system for receiving sounds including a first directional microphone, a second directional microphone and an omnidirectional microphone. The first directional microphone has a first directional axis in a first direction, and the second directional microphone has a second directional axis that is collinear with the first direction and pointing in the same direction as the first direction. The omnidirectional microphone has a sound sampling position that is a disposed between the first directional microphone and the second directional microphone, and the omnidirectional microphone sound sampling position is on or about the first directional axis. Weighted outputs of the first directional microphone, second directional microphone, and omnidirectional microphone are processed to provide a second order directional microphone system, according to various embodiments. |
| US09055355B2 |
Method for transmitting mini-messages and associated device
To reduce the call cost for user messages of a few tens of bytes through a mobile telephone network (3), and to avoid having to set up a call channel as is necessary for transmitting data of several thousands of bytes, spare fields in signaling messages are used to convey the user messages, a call then taking place via signaling messages, and without a dedicated call channel being set up. |
| US09055347B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing electronic program guides
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to provide a media processor with a description of available channels, receive from the media processor a request for EPG data and a selection of channels from the available channels where the selection of channels is based on a user's input at the media processor in response to a presentation of the description of the available channels at a display device operably connected to the media processor, and provide to the media processor the requested EPG data representing programming for the selection of channels without programming for remaining channels from the available channels that were not selected, where the media processor presents an EPG based on the provided EPG data, and where a portion of the EPG data is obtained by the controller from a first service provider network that is different from a second service provider network in which the server operates. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09055344B2 |
Systems and methods for automated extraction of closed captions in real time or near real-time and tagging of streaming data for advertisements
System and methods for finding and accessing desired audio content from audio content sources, including means and methods for extracting captions from a broadcast; aggregating the captions in a database; indexing the database content; searching the captions for a mention of at least one target; analyzing the results for desired content; indexing into the database to extract the desired content; thereby providing a method for quickly finding and accessing desired audio and video content from a large number of sources. |
| US09055342B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing device 11 causes a display 14 to display a program guide in which program information broadcast in one channel is placed in a region having a date axis and a time axis. When a moving operation of the cursor in the time axis direction on the program guide, which particularly is a moving operation from a broadcasting program on a certain date to another broadcasting program on a next date, is accepted, the broadcasting program on the next date is displayed at a position on the date axis at which the broadcasting program on the certain date is displayed, without moving the cursor in the date axis direction. |
| US09055341B2 |
Combination of recorded program index and EPG
A television system has a television viewing mode and a guide mode. The guide mode includes an electronic program guide (EPG), which provides the viewer program information for tuned programs, and a tape index guide (TIG), which provides information for programs recorded on a video cassette. In both guides, real time images of a program are displayed in a PIP window on the television screen and guide information is displayed in the background. In both guides, the viewer may switch between a currently telecast program or a recorded program. The viewer may access either guide from the television mode and vice versa. In the guide mode, the viewer may independently switch the guide information and the type of program, i.e., tuned or recorded, in the PIP window. |
| US09055335B2 |
Systems and methods for addressing a media database using distance associative hashing
A system, method and computer program utilize a distance associative hashing algorithmic means to provide a highly efficient means to rapidly address a large database. The indexing means can be readily subdivided into a plurality of independently-addressable segments where each such segment can address a portion of related data of the database where the sub-divided indexes of said portions reside entirely in the main memory of each of a multiplicity of server means. The resulting cluster of server means, each hosting an addressable sector of a larger database of searchable audio or video information, provides a significant improvement in the latency and scalability of an Automatic Content Recognition system, among other uses. |
| US09055334B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data
Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first media data and audience identification data, the audience identification data being collected by prompting audience members in the monitored household to self-identify using a meter while the audience members are exposed to first media provided by a first media system. Audience member behavior is developed data based on the first media data and the audience identification data. The meter is deactivated after the audience member behavior data has been developed. Second media data is collected after the audience member behavior data has been developed without collecting audience identification data, the collecting of the second program identification data occurring while the audience members are exposed to second media. The audience members associated with the second media data are identified based on the audience member behavior data. |
| US09055329B2 |
System and method in a broadband receiver for efficiently receiving and processing signals
A system and method in a broadband receiver (e.g., a satellite television receiver) for efficiently receiving and processing signals, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. |
| US09055328B2 |
Network-based service to provide on-demand video summaries of television programs
A network-based device allows customers to receive television programming and to view summaries of the programming. A method of providing the summaries comprises: dividing a received program into program segments each identified by index marks, summarizing each program segment into summary segments identified by similar index marks, generating metadata files for delimiting a beginning and an end of summary segments and program segments, storing the summary segments and accessing the summary segments to supply the summary segments in lieu of program segments upon demand. |
| US09055323B2 |
Touchscreen remote with audible alert, voice prompting, and backlight activation buttons
Disclosed is a touchscreen remote control device and system having means of locating the remote if misplaced, wherein the remote includes an imbedded receiver, television control emitter, a signal generator and a touchscreen interface. A corresponding television or electronic device includes three modes of locating the remote, including an audible tone alert, a voice messaging alert and a means of activating the backlight of the remote touchscreen for low light visualization. The remote is a structure that includes a touchscreen for control purposes and for interfacing with the television, wherein the remote includes rechargeable batteries and a speaker for transmitting the audible locating signal upon request. |
| US09055316B2 |
Method and system for inserting digital video effects into a video stream at a multiplexing device after routing
A system and apparatus for generating an output signal includes a receiving system 160 generating a plurality of signals having a first format, an encoder 182 encodes the plurality of signals into a plurality of transport streams and a multiplexer 210. A local area network 130 routes the plurality of transport streams to the multiplexer 210. The multiplexer 210 combines the transport streams to form a combined signal and inserts a digital video effect into the combined signal. A modulator 214 modulates the combined signal to form a modulated signal. A system 202 forms the output signal from the modulated signal. |
| US09055315B2 |
System and method for providing integrated media
Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server. The media server updates the foregoing information in accordance with the interaction between the media server, the users of media presentation systems, and the media providers. |
| US09055312B2 |
System and method for interactive synchronized video watching
The present invention provides techniques for digital video distribution that provides for joint video content watching amongst a group of watchers using multiple mini browsing windows (MBWs), such that the watchers can simultaneously interact with each other in a video conferencing-like setting (i.e., seeing selected watchers' videos in MBWs and hearing their voices) while they view together specific video content in a synchronized way. The MBWs can be displayed as overlays on the main video window being watched on full screen. |
| US09055310B2 |
Differentiated PSIP table update interval technology
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT. |
| US09055304B2 |
Reduced resolution pixel interpolation
An offset can be applied to intermediate values obtained while performing an interpolation filtering operation such that applying the offset reduces the bitdepth of the intermediate value. The intermediate value can be stored with the reduced bitdepth, and when retrieved, the offset can be added back such that future calculation can be performed using the intermediate value with the original bitdepth. |
| US09055303B2 |
Video encoding method and decoding method, apparatuses therefor, programs therefor, and storage media for recording the programs
A video encoding method, in which a video signal consisting of two or more signal elements is targeted to be encoded, includes a step of setting a downsampling ratio is set for a specific signal element in a frame, in accordance with the characteristics in the frame; and a step of generating a target video signal to be encoded, by subjecting the specific signal element in the frame to downsampling in accordance with the set downsampling ratio. The frame may be divided into partial areas in accordance with localized characteristics in the frame; and a downsampling ratio for a specific signal element in these partial areas may be set in accordance with the characteristics in each partial area. |
| US09055300B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding image with reference to a plurality of frames
An image encoder generates a reference frame by modifying a previously encoded frame and encodes a current block of a current frame based on a group including the previously encoded frame and the reference frame, wherein in the encoding of the current block, a reference to a first frame included in the group is considered to be the same as a reference to any other frame included in the group. |
| US09055299B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding video by using deblocking filtering, and method and apparatus for decoding video by using deblocking filtering
A method and apparatus for encoding video by using deblocking filtering, and a method and apparatus for decoding video by using deblocking filtering are provided. The method of encoding video includes: splitting a picture into a maximum coding unit; determining coding units of coded depths and encoding modes for the coding units of the maximum coding unit by prediction encoding the coding units of the maximum coding unit based on at least one prediction unit and transforming the coding units based on at least one transformation unit, wherein the maximum coding unit is hierarchically split into the coding units as a depth deepens, and the coded depths are depths where the maximum coding unit is encoded in the coding units; and performing deblocking filtering on video data being inversely transformed into a spatial domain in the coding units, in consideration of the encoding modes. |
| US09055296B2 |
Processing rasterized data
Devices, methods, and other embodiments associated with processing rasterized data are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes translation logic for converting lines of rasterized pixel data of a compressed image to a plurality of two-dimensional data blocks. The lines of rasterized pixel data are stored in consecutive memory locations. Each data block is stored in a consecutive memory location. The apparatus includes decompression logic for at least partially decompressing the compressed image based, at least in part, on the two-dimensional data blocks. |
| US09055295B2 |
Transcoding queue management
A network node includes a media resources server having a plurality of coded media items for processing media item requests, a statistics database for storing media item requests received by the media resources server, and a transcoding queue manager for monitoring the media requests in the statistics database and for selectively initiating coding requests to a transcoder based on the monitored media requests and for providing the coded requests to the media resources server. |
| US09055294B2 |
Method and device for encoding an image using a prediction mask decoding method and device and corresponding signals and computer programs
A method is provided for encoding at least one image, divided into macroblocks, one macroblock including a set of blocks de pixels. The method includes, for at least one current macroblock of a current image, at least two iterations of the following steps: allocation of a priority level for encoding to at least one pixel of the current macroblock, selection of a pixel with the highest priority level called the priority pixel, prediction of a set of pixels including the priority pixel and a step of encoding a remainder from prediction for a region made up of predicted pixels of the macroblock, called the predicted region, the encoding step being used as and when the predicted region meets a predetermined encoding criterion. |
| US09055293B2 |
Prediction of an image by compensation during forward movement
A method is provided for predicting an image by compensation during forward movement from at least one reference image. For at least one block of a reference image, referred to as a reference block, the prediction method includes the following steps: determining at least one piece of movement information, representing a movement between said reference block and a matching block in the image to be predicted; determining at least one enlarged block, including the reference block and at least one point of a block adjacent to said reference block in the reference image; and determining a prediction value for at least one point of the image to be predicted from the at least one enlarged block and from the movement information determined for the reference block. |
| US09055291B2 |
Method and system for generating a transform size syntax element for video decoding
In a video processing system, a method and system for generating a transform size syntax element for video decoding are provided. For high profile mode video decoding operations, the transform sizes may be selected based on the prediction macroblock type and the contents of the macroblock. A set of rules may be utilized to select from a 4×4 or an 8×8 transform size during the encoding operation. Dynamic selection of transform size may be performed on intra-predicted macroblocks, inter-predicted macroblocks, and/or direct mode inter-predicted macroblocks. The encoding operation may generate a transform size syntax element to indicate the transform size that may be used in reconstructing the encoded macroblock. The transform size syntax element may be transmitted to a decoder as part of the encoded video information bit stream. |
| US09055290B2 |
Coding the position of a last significant coefficient within a video block based on a scanning order for the block in video coding
In one example, an apparatus is disclosed for coding coefficients associated with a block of video data during a video coding process, wherein the apparatus includes a video coder configured to code x- and y-coordinates that indicate a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to a scanning order associated with the block when the scanning order comprises a first scanning order, and code interchanged x- and y-coordinates that indicate the position of the last non-zero coefficient within the block according to the scanning order when the scanning order comprises a second scanning order, wherein the second scanning order is different than the first scanning order. |
| US09055286B2 |
Autostereoscopic display method and system
A method is disclosed for a stereoscopic display system. The display system has a display panel containing an array of display units and a plurality of stereoscopic devices coupled to the display panel to affect three-dimensional (3D) display. The method includes receiving a 3D image to be displayed on the array of display units. The method also includes determining original display values for the display units and determining a coupling relationship between the display units and the stereoscopic devices. Further, the method includes determining a crosstalk condition based on the coupling relationship, and adjusting the original display values of display units based on the coupling relationship, the crosstalk condition, and the original display values of both the left display units and the right display units such that the crosstalk condition is cancelled. The method also includes displaying the 3D image using the adjusted display values of the display units. |
| US09055281B2 |
Source device and sink device and method of transmitting and receiving multimedia service and related data
A source device and a sink device and a method of transmitting and receiving a multimedia service therebetween. A method of transmitting a multimedia service from a source device includes: generating uncompressed media data from media provided in the multimedia service; determining reproduction information of the media for a sink device and three-dimensional (3D) video reproduction information of 3D video for the sink device to reproduce the 3D video; and generating media auxiliary data including at least one of the reproduction information and the 3D video reproduction information and outputting the media auxiliary data and the uncompressed media data through the display interface. |
| US09055280B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting digital broadcasting stream using linking information about multi-view video stream, and method and apparatus for receiving the same
A digital broadcasting stream transmitting method and a digital broadcasting stream receiving method and apparatus for providing three-dimensional (3D) video services are provided. The transmitting method including: generating a plurality of elementary streams (ESs) for a plurality of pieces of video information including at least one of information about a base-view video of a 3D video, information about an additional-view video corresponding to the base-view video, and a two-dimensional (2D) video having a different view from views of the 3D video; multiplexing the plurality of ESs with link information for identifying at least one piece of video information linked with the plurality of pieces of video information, to generate at least one transport stream (TS); and transmitting the generated at least one TS via at least one channel. |
| US09055276B2 |
Camera having processing customized for identified persons
A digital camera system that implements a method for providing image processing customized according to an identified person. The method includes: capturing an input digital image of a scene; identifying at least one particular person in the input digital image by analyzing signals received from an electronic device associated with the particular person; retrieving image processing preferences, wherein the retrieved image processing preferences are associated with one of the identified particular persons; processing the input digital image to form a modified digital image according to retrieved image processing preferences; and storing the modified digital image in a storage memory. |
| US09055275B2 |
Image information playback unit, image information playback device and synchronization control method
Each of image information playback units (11, 21) detects that image display has started, on the basis of a change in digital video data (VDa, VDb), and generates a frame number (FNa, FNb) (103, 203). One of the image information playback units (11) combines frame signals that output frame synchronization signals (FSa) (104). The other image information playback unit (21) separates the frame synchronization signals (FSa) and generates a frame number (SFNa) (205). The generated frame number (SFNa) and the frame number (FNb) generated in the second image information playback unit (21) are compared, and on the basis of the comparison results the frequency of the decoding reference clock signal is controlled (206). When images are displayed by a plurality of display units (15, 25) connected to the image information playback units (11, 21), the images can be synchronized with a simple structure. |
| US09055274B2 |
Altering presentation of received content based on use of closed captioning elements as reference locations
A content receiver receives an captioning element and positional information regarding segments of a content instance. The captioning element corresponds to a component of captioning data included in content that can be utilized with the positional information to locate where the segments stop and/or start. The content receiver analyzes the content based on the captioning element and the positional information and alters how the content will be presented. Such alteration may involve skipping and/or deleting segments, starting/stopping presentation of content other than at the beginning and/or end of the content, altering recording timers, and/or replacing segments with alternative segments. In some implementations, the content may be recorded as part of recording multiple content instances received via at least one broadcast from a content provider wherein the multiple content instances are all included in a same frequency band of the broadcast and are all encoded utilizing a same control word. |
| US09055273B2 |
System and method for internet access to a personal television service
A communication system and a family of methods for remote access to personal television service are disclosed. A remote personal TV service center provides centralized program guide information. A user may access the personal TV service center through a digital video recorder which is connected to the personal TV service center via telephone modem or a network server. A user may access the personal TV service center through a remote computer terminal or a personal digital assistant which is connected to a computer network. The user selects program events and programs the digital video recorder by using a graphical user interface installed in the front panel of the digital video recorder, or using a similar GUI incorporated into the Web pages presented to remote users by a Web server. The media stream stored in one digital video recorder may be transferred to another digital video recorder. |
| US09055272B2 |
Moving image reproduction apparatus, information processing apparatus, and moving image reproduction method
A moving image reproduction apparatus is provided with a reproduction unit that decodes pictures included in a chunk of a video stream and displays the decoded pictures and a control unit that gives an instruction to start the reproduction process. When a reproduction target is switched to a second video stream that corresponds to a second bit rate during the reproduction of a first video stream that corresponds to a first bit rate, the reproduction unit continues to reproduce a chunk of the first video stream that is being reproduced. The control unit instructs, when pictures included in a chunk of the second video stream overlap with pictures included in the chunk that is being reproduced, the reproduction unit to hide the overlapping pictures in a reproduction process performed on the chunk of the second video stream. |
| US09055271B2 |
System and methods providing sports event related media to internet-enabled devices synchronized with a live broadcast of the sports event
An electronic device can be synchronized with a broadcast of a live sporting event to obtain supplemental sports data over a data network from a server storing data associated with the live sporting event. Supplemental sports data is obtained from the server for display on the electronic device following a triggering activity associated with the broadcast of the live sporting event. Supplemental sports data can be transmitted for rendering on a display associated with the electronic device. Supplemental sports data can include display of an instant replay video of a sports athlete combined with audio of a pre-recorded statement by the sports athlete associated with the instant replay video, an announcement of a score change for a sporting event monitored by the electronic device, and a display of a football widget providing updates on football game status (possession, ball location, current score) monitored by the electronic device. |
| US09055270B2 |
Television camera
A first video signal having a first frame rate optionally settable is generated by an image pickup device, and the first video signal is memorized in a memory and outputted from the memory. A write control device controls the write of the first video signal with respect to the memory, and a read control device controls the read of the video signal with respect to the memory. The write control device writes respective first frame data constituting the first video signal in the memory in each cycle determined by the first frame rate of the first video signal. The read control device reads the first frame data as a second video signal. The second video signal is formed from sequentially arranging the first frame data in a partially duplicating manner in a standard video signal having a standard frame rate based on a determined arrangement rule. The predetermined arrangement rule is an arrangement rule employed when respective frame data constituting a video signal having a second frame rate equal to or lower than the standard frame rate are arranged in a duplicating manner in the standard video signal. In the foregoing manner, an time elongation/contraction effect on an image can be speedily and inexpensively obtained. |
| US09055265B2 |
Accessibility improvement for hearing impaired
A television audio device has a multiple channel television audio system having provisions for providing multiple channel audio to a speaker system and multiple channel audio for receipt by a multiple channel headphone system. A switch is configured to detect operation of the multiple channel headphone system. A processor is selectively programmable to configure the multiple channel television audio system to provide a monaural audio signal to all channels of the multiple channel headphone system when the multiple channel headphone system is detected to be in operation. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. |
| US09055262B2 |
Image forming apparatus for determining amount of transparent toner on target pixel based on dispersion of the target pixel, method of forming image, and computer-readable recording medium thereof
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with a colored toner and a transparent toner based on image data of a read document, including a dispersion calculation unit that calculates a dispersion of a target pixel and a group of pixels including the target pixel and peripheral pixels of the target pixel; an applying area determining unit that determines whether to apply the transparent toner on the target pixel based on the dispersion of the target pixel; and an amount determining unit that determines an amount of the transparent toner to be applied on the target pixel for which the transparent toner is determined to be applied based on the dispersion of the target pixel. |
| US09055255B2 |
Live television application on top of live feed
An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television. |
| US09055253B2 |
Method, apparatus, and medium acquiring band-area height on the basis of transfer amount and transfer unit of partial image data of the band area
When processing image data by referring to at least one of reference image data and correction data, an image is processed in a unit of band area by dividing image data of a target image in a plurality of band areas. In this case, the minimum transfer unit of the image data is set. The minimum transfer unit of at least one of the reference image data and the correction data is obtained to process the image data in the minimum transfer unit. The transfer rate of the image data is determined so that the image data to be buffered fits in a capacity of a buffer available in image processing. The height of the band area to be created by division is determined based on the ratio of the transfer rate of the image data to the minimum transfer unit of the image data. |
| US09055251B2 |
Image processing based on automatic image-type detection
Methods and systems divide an image into image blocks, determine a number of high-variation blocks within valid image blocks, determine a page variance measure by dividing the number of high-variation blocks by the total number of valid image blocks, and classify the image as comprising a halftone and/or text image if the page variance measure exceeds a halftone threshold. Such methods and systems classify the image as being a continuous tone image if the page variance measure does not exceed the halftone threshold and a text index is below a text index threshold, and classify the image as being a continuous tone and text image if the page variance measure does not exceed the halftone threshold and the text index is not below the text index threshold. Further, such methods and systems select an image processing mode based on such image classifications. |
| US09055249B2 |
CMOS image sensor with built in correction for column failure
A system for correcting a column line failure in an imager includes a pixel selection circuit configured to receive three adjacent pixel output signals, P(n−1), P(n) and P(n+1), respectively, from three adjacent column lines, (n−1)th column line, nth column line and (n+1)th column line. The (n−1)th column line is disposed left of an nth column line, and the (n+1)th column line is disposed right of the nth column line. A generator for generating a bit pattern is also included for indicating a column line failure in the three adjacent column lines. The pixel selection circuit is configured to provide a pixel output signal from one of the three adjacent column lines, based on the bit pattern. |
| US09055247B2 |
Imaging device and camera system including sense circuits to make binary decision
An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels, each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results. |
| US09055241B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device, image pickup device, and signal reading method including an averaging circuit for averaging accumulated signals
A solid-state image pickup device in which a first substrate and a second substrate including circuit elements forming pixels and disposed therein are electrically connected by a connection unit, may include an averaging circuit that averages signals accumulated in signal accumulation circuits respectively included in the two or more pixels that are pixels included in the same group and are averaging targets, and an output circuit that outputs the averaged signals from the pixels. The pixels may be classified into a plurality of groups and each group may include the plurality of pixels. The pixels may include photoelectric conversion elements disposed in the first substrate, and the signal accumulation circuits that are disposed in the second substrate and accumulate signals that are generated by the photoelectric conversion elements and are input via the connection unit. |
| US09055235B2 |
Video output apparatus and video input determination method
A video output apparatus outputs one of image information items received from external storage units. The video output apparatus includes input interfaces, an image information acquisition unit that acquires the image information items from the external storage units through the input interfaces, an output object management unit that manages one of the image information items as an output object among the image information items, an image information presence determination unit that sends a notification of presence or absence of image information to the output object management unit for each of the input interfaces based on whether image acquisition information for acquiring image information has been acquired, and an output unit that outputs an image information item acquired through one of the input interfaces associated with the notification of the presence of image information received from the image information presence determination unit. |
| US09055232B2 |
Image processing apparatus capable of adding soft focus effects, image processing method, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus which is capable of adding the same soft focus effects to images different in image size irrespective of the types of image scenes. A soft focus processing section acquires an input image. Then, the soft focus processing section acquires a shooting condition for the input image. Further, the soft focus processing section generates a plurality of blurred images different in degree of blur from the input image. The input image and at least one of the blurred images are synthesized. In doing this, a synthesis ratio between the images to be synthesized is set based on the shooting condition for the input image. |
| US09055231B2 |
Multiple exposure high dynamic range image capture
Techniques for creating a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image within a consumer grade digital camera from a series of images of a scene captured at different exposure levels, and displaying the HDR image on the camera's built-in display, are provided. The approach employs mixing images of the series to incorporate both scene shadow and highlight details, and the removing of “ghost” image artifacts appearing in the mixed HDR image resulting from movement in the scene over the time the series images are captured. The low computational resource utilization of the present invention's image mixing and ghost removal processing operations, along with the present invention's ability to commence image mixing and ghost removal prior to the acquisition of all series images, can significantly reduce the time required to generate and display a tone mapped HDR image. |
| US09055230B2 |
Fast gating photosurface
An embodiment of the invention provides a camera comprising a photosurface having a substrate comprising photopixels and associated storage pixels and a controller that controls the photosurface to image a scene by maintaining a bias between the photopixels and their respective storage pixels at all times during an exposure period of the photosurface so that photocharge, substantially upon its generation in a photopixel by light from the scene incident on the photopixel moves towards the photopixel's storage pixel. |
| US09055225B2 |
Display device and display system for performing a phase adjustment for a packet
Provided is a display device that processes images in a set cycle, creates image data for each frame or field and that has: a receiver that receives transmitted data from an imaging device that encodes image data as packets, creates transmission data and transmits said transmission data; a display processing unit that generates a display signal for display from the transmitted data; a measuring unit that measures the reception timing of specific packets among the transmitted data; a determination unit that determines the reception state of the specific packets and, based on the results of this determination, determines whether or not to use the received timing; and a processing unit that uses the reception timing and phase regulates the display signal if the determination unit determines to use the reception timing. |
| US09055222B2 |
Electronic device and method for image stabilization
An electronic device and methods for image stabilization for use in an electronic device are provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving a plurality of motion data, at least a portion of the plurality of motion data corresponding to a first image frame, determining a motion value corresponding to the first image frame according to the portion of motion data, determining a display offset between the first image frame to a reference image frame according to the motion value and providing a portion of the first image frame for display according to the display offset. The reference image frame is displayed prior to the first image frame and is stored in a storage unit. |
| US09055220B1 |
Enabling the integration of a three hundred and sixty degree panoramic camera within a mobile device case
A user activation of an image capture function of a mobile device is received. The image capture function is for a surround image mode. Two or more camera lenses of a mobile device case are approximately concurrently activated. Responsive to activating the lenses, a front-side image from a first camera lens and a rear-side image from a second camera lens are optically captured. Content from the front-side image and content from the rear-side are recorded in a non-transitory storage medium of the mobile device within a single file for a surround mode image. |
| US09055218B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for combining the multi-viewpoint image data
An image processing apparatus that generates composite image data using multi-viewpoint image data obtained by capturing images from a plurality of viewpoints may include a filter processing unit configured to perform filter processing on the multi-viewpoint image data based on distance information indicative of a distance to a subject and a generation unit configured to generate composite image data by combining the multi-viewpoint image data on which the filter processing has been performed. |
| US09055217B2 |
Image compositing apparatus, image compositing method and program recording device
A moving region information calculation unit calculates moving region information from a global motion vector and a local motion vector. An image correction unit generates a corrected reference image obtained by correcting a reference image based on the global motion vector and a corrected reference image obtained by correcting the reference image based on the local motion vector. A composition unit composites a base image with the corrected reference images with composition ratios determined based on the moving region information. The composition ratio of the corrected reference image corrected based on the global motion vector is higher than the composition ratio of the corrected reference image corrected based on the local motion vector in a region having the moving region information indicative of a moving region. |
| US09055212B2 |
Imaging system, image processing method, and image processing program recording medium using framing information to capture image actually intended by user
Acquired is a photographed image with a framing intended by a photographer. There is provided an imaging system including an operation detection unit for detecting a photographing operation by a photographer; an imaging unit for acquiring a through image prior to the photographing operation and acquiring an actually photographed image with a photographing field angle wider than a photographing field angle set by the photographer when the photographing operation is performed; a framing information acquiring unit for acquiring framing information created based on the through image when the photographing operation is performed, and related to framing in time of the photographing operation or immediately before the photographing information; and a trimming unit for trimming the actually photographed image acquired by the imaging unit based on the framing information. |
| US09055211B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and an amplification element for amplifying and outputting a signal generated at the photoelectric conversion element, a load transistor for controlling an electric current flowing at the amplification element, and a potential control element for suppressing potential fluctuation in a first main electrode region of the load transistor which is an output side of the amplification element. |
| US09055203B2 |
Image forming apparatus and storage method of print data
Generally, in accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a communication section, a storage section, an operation section, an image forming section, and a controller. The communication section receives print data. The storage section stores print data in a print data area. The operation section receives an operation input. The image forming section forms, if the operation section receives a printing instruction of print data, an image on a sheet based on the print data. The controller moves the print data which are not printed even a given period has passed since the print data is received by the communication section from a print data area to other storage area. |
| US09055202B1 |
Doorbell communication systems and methods
Doorbells can detect visitors using a visitor detection system that includes a camera assembly, a motion detector assembly, or an infrared detector assembly. The visitor detection system can have a first sensor configured to detect a first indication suggestive of a visitor and a second sensor configured to detect a second indication suggestive of a visitor. A wall can separate the first sensor from the second sensor to divide the field of view of the visitor detection system such that the first sensor is configured to detect the first indication within a first portion of the field of view and the second sensor is configured to detect the second indication within a second portion of the field of view. |
| US09055200B1 |
Content delivery based on a light positioning system
Systems an methods are provided that disclose providing a positioning service for devices based on light received from one or more light sources. This light based positioning service uses light information transmitted by each light source to determine the position of the device. The positioning information can include three dimension position information in a building that can then be used to deliver services and information to a mobile device. The content delivered to a mobile device can include multimedia, text, audio, and/or pictorial information. The positioning information along with other location or positioning information can be used in providing augmented reality or location aware services. The light sources can be independent beacons that broadcast information in visible light at a rate that is undetectable by the human eye. Content can be retrieved from a server over a communications connection. |
| US09055197B2 |
Intelligent peer-to-peer system and method for collaborative suggestions and propagation of media
In a network-based system for recommending media content items based on user preferences, clients contact a server on a periodic basis, independent of the user. In addition to client-server interaction, clients also interact with one another in peer-to-peer fashion. Peers query one another and evaluate their similarity to each other in an interactive comparison of user preferences. When two clients are sufficiently similar, the interaction culminates in the originating client downloading content listings from the targeted peer to generate suggestions for their user. If the two clients are dissimilar, the query may be terminated, or the targeted peer may route the query to a second targeted peer. In addition to the lists of preferences, the originating client may download actual content items from the targeted peers. |
| US09055192B1 |
Individual participant control of conference data
A conference call system with a plurality of endpoints, a participant control server, a conference bridge and a switch is described. A first endpoint transmits conference data to the participant control server. The participant control server transmits the conference data to the other endpoints. In response to requests from the endpoint, the participant control server transmits recorded conference data for video, audio and web sessions that are individually controllable to pause, fast-forward and rewind the conference data. The participant control server establishes secondary connections for the endpoints including a ghost hold and a sidebar. |
| US09055191B1 |
Synchronous communication
A method and computing system for providing, using one or more computing devices, a synchronous communication session for a plurality of users. A first video stream associated with the synchronous communication session is provided to a first imaging device associated with the synchronous communication session. A level of interest of the plurality of users in the first video stream provided to the first imaging device is determined. In response to a low level of interest of the plurality of users, a second video stream associated with the synchronous communication session is provided to the first imaging device associated with the synchronous communication session. |
| US09055190B2 |
Arrangement of multiple audiovisual streams
Techniques for multi-user videoconferencing are described herein. The techniques may include receiving two or more audiovisual streams from a remote site, wherein the two or more audiovisual streams are associated with video images to be rendered at a display of a local computing device. The techniques may include rendering the video images associated with the audiovisual streams at the local display in an arrangement such that a part of one of the video images associated with the audiovisual streams is relatively more opaque than a part of a video image associated with the other audiovisual stream, wherein the arrangement of video images associated with the audiovisual streams is based on cues, the cues comprising video signals indicating activity existing within an audiovisual stream. |
| US09055183B1 |
Method and apparatus for detection of patterns and edges with un-calibrated devices
Methods of determining a known location of a sensor head in a scanner without the use of contact sensors are described. Upon initialization of a scanner, the sensor head is moved rapidly to quickly detect a known pattern at a known location in the scanner. As the scan head is moved, windows moving along lines of pixels detected by the sensor head are used to perform pixel averaging to detect the known pattern in the scanner. Parameters associated with the windows custom fit the windows to the known pattern to facilitate rapid detection of the known pattern and determine a known location of the scan head to facilitate calibration of the scanner. |
| US09055182B2 |
Image coding apparatus, image coding method, and program
An image coding apparatus for coding RAW data of an image of a Bayer array separates the RAW data respectively into separate planes of data of a plurality of color components constituting the Bayer array, determines a coding method for coding each plane from a plurality of coding methods, generates a coding parameter on the basis of the determined coding method, and codes each plane on the basis of the generated coding parameter, wherein when a coding-target plane is a plane to be coded later among the plurality of planes of the same color, a coding parameter for coding the plane to be coded later is generated by using a result of the coding of the plane to be coded earlier among the plurality of planes of the same color. |
| US09055178B2 |
Single-shot high dynamic range imaging
A method for generating a high dynamic range image. An image is captured using a Bayer pattern color filter array to generate raw pixel sensor data for the image. The pixel sensor data is separated into highpass (ZiHP) and lowpass (ZiLP) components. The color components of ZiHP are pooled to yield an achromatic highpass data set {circumflex over (X)}iHP. Saturated pixels in the ZiLP components are corrected by borrowing across spectrums to yield the low pass data set {circumflex over (X)}iLP, and the high dynamic range image is computed as {circumflex over (X)}={circumflex over (X)}iLP+{circumflex over (X)}iHP 1. A camera system incorporating this method is also provided. |
| US09055177B2 |
Content aware video resizing
In accordance with some embodiments, jitter accompanying video resizing, can be reduced or even eliminated by analyzing the content that is to be depicted and resizing based on the nature of the content being depicted. As a result, dominant objects in one frame can be handled in a way that reduces or eliminates video jitter or sliding. |
| US09055175B2 |
Image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
Provided is an image reading apparatus including a light source that irradiates an original document that passes through a reading position with light, a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the original document, a background member that is inclined at an angle where a difference between an incident angle of the light from the light source and a reflection angle of the light to the light receiving unit is smaller than a difference therebetween on the original document present at the reading position, with the original document at the reading position interposed between the background member and the light source, and a foreign substance detecting section that detects, when the original document is not present at the reading position, a foreign substance present at the reading position. |
| US09055172B2 |
Communication apparatus, method for controlling the same, storage medium, and printing apparatus
A communication apparatus includes a first communication unit for executing direct wireless communication between an external apparatus and the communication apparatus in which one of the external apparatus and the communication apparatus serves as an access point, and a second communication unit for executing communication between the external apparatus and the communication apparatus in a different way from the communication by the first communication unit. If it is determined that the communication which the communication apparatus is executing is the communication by the second communication unit, a selection screen is displayed so as to enable a user to select a desired service, and if it is determined that the communication which the communication apparatus is executing is the communication by the first communication unit, the selection screen is displayed so as to prevent the user from selecting the specific service. |
| US09055171B2 |
Electronic device, imaging device, image reproduction method, image reproduction program, recording medium with image reproduction program recorded thereupon, and image reproduction device
An electronic device includes: a communication unit that performs communication with an external device; and a control unit that issues a command to the external device via the communication unit, on the basis of at least one of capacity of the external device, and capacity of the electronic device. |
| US09055170B2 |
Image forming system, image forming device, and non-transitory computer readable medium with user correlated priority order for utilizing image forming devices
Provided is an image forming system including plural image forming devices, a first storage unit that stores user information and device information, an updating unit that updates the device information, and a transmitting device that transmits image data to an image forming device, each image forming device including a second storage unit that stores the image data, a receiving unit that receives an input of the user information, a first acquiring unit that acquires image data from an image forming device, an image forming unit that forms an image, a counter unit that measures frequency in which image data is acquired by another image forming device and stores the user information, the device information, and the measured frequency in the second storage unit in a correlated manner, and a transmitting unit that transmits the user information and the device information to the updating unit. |
| US09055168B2 |
Communication apparatus and storage medium storing instructions executable on mobile terminal
A first communicating section communicates with a mobile terminal through first non-contact communication protocol having a first communication range. A mobile terminal has a telephone function via a telephone network. A second communicating section communicates with the mobile terminal through second non-contact communication protocol having a second communication range greater than the first communication range. A public-line communicating section transmits data via the telephone network. When executed by a processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform: acquiring destination information from the mobile terminal via the first communicating section, the destination information being associated with a counterpart apparatus connected to the telephone network; acquiring subject data from the mobile terminal via the second communicating section, the subject data being a subject of transmission to the destination information; and controlling the public-line communicating section to transmit transmission data corresponding to the subject data to the counterpart apparatus at the destination information. |
| US09055166B2 |
Customized hardware selection for a mobile phone
A method of customizing hardware by an end user for a mobile phone is provided. The method includes receiving from an end-user a selection of a mobile phone shell from a set of mobile phone shells, sending to the end-user a subset of interchangeable hardware components having different functions, and receiving from the end-user a selection of at least one hardware component from the subset of interchangeable hardware components. The subset of interchangeable hardware components is generated based on a compatibility between the selected mobile phone shell and the set of available interchangeable hardware components. |
| US09055162B2 |
Method of transmitting and receiving data, display device and mobile terminal using the same
A method of facilitating communications between a mobile terminal and a display device includes determining an orientation of a mobile terminal with respect to a display device that is physically distinct of the mobile terminal, and determining a manner in which wireless content data is to be communicated between the display device and the mobile terminal. The method includes wirelessly transmitting the content data between the display device and the mobile terminal based on the determined manner. The determined manner of the communication can be based on determining whether the mobile terminal faces a display screen of the display device for wirelessly transmitting the content data from the mobile terminal to the display device or determining whether the mobile terminal faces away from the display screen of the display device for wirelessly transmitting the content data from the display device to the mobile terminal. |
| US09055159B2 |
Mobile communication device and method for selectively turning on an additional wireless transceiver
A mobile communication device includes a main wireless transceiver unit for sending and receiving wireless signals, an additional wireless transceiver unit for sending and receiving wireless signals, a motion detection unit, connected to a processing unit and arranged to send a motion signal to a processing unit, and the processing unit, arranged to receive the motion signal and to determine therefrom a parameter representative of a velocity of the mobile communication device, wherein the processing unit is arranged and constructed to turn on the additional wireless transceiver unit when the parameter exceeds a first threshold value. Furthermore, the processing unit is arranged and constructed to turn off the additional wireless transceiver unit when the parameter representative of a velocity remains below a second threshold value for a predetermined period of time. |
| US09055155B2 |
Collaborative conference experience improvement
An example computing device creates a resource module that acquires resource information relating to resources of the computing device and acquire quality of experience information corresponding to a quality of audio, and creates a roster module that displays a participant list including resource information relating to resources of a plurality of other computing devices connected to the teleconference and display quality of experience information corresponding to a quality of audio a user of each of the plurality of other computing devices experiences when connected to the teleconference. The device also creates a policy module configured to evaluate the resource information and quality of experience information acquired by the client resource module against rules of a teleconference policy and implement actions based on a determination that the computing device is non-compliant with one or more of the rules of the teleconference policy to control quality of audio during the teleconference. |
| US09055154B2 |
Mobile communication device with subscriber identity module
In one embodiment, a method of directing calls on a mobile communication device comprises receiving a call signal at the mobile communication device from a short-range enabled communication device operably connected with the mobile communication device, accessing subscriber identity module data of the short-range enabled communication device, preparing an outgoing call signal using the accessed subscriber identity module data of the short-range enabled communication device, establishing a communication session between the short-range enabled communication device and a network, and transmitting the outgoing call signal to the network. |
| US09055153B2 |
Mobile communication device with subscriber identity module
In one embodiment, a method of directing calls on a mobile communication device comprises receiving a call at the mobile communication device; determining that the received call is directed to subscriber identity information associated with a short-range enabled communication device; selecting on which of the mobile communication device and the short-range enabled device to answer the call; and directing the call to the selected device. |
| US09055150B2 |
Skills based routing in a standards based contact center using a presence server and expertise specific watchers
The present invention discloses a presence management system for a contact center including a presence server, a data store, and one or more watchers. The presence server can accept, manage, and distribute presence information using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based messages in conformance with an open standard, such as an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) based standard. The data store can be communicatively linked to the presence server and can be configured to store the presence information. The stored presence information can include presence information for multiple contact center agents, wherein for each agent the stored presence information includes an element for expertise of the associated agent. The watchers can subscribe to the presence information managed by the presence server. Each of the watchers can correspond to a unique expertise. The watcher associated with an expertise can watch presence information for all of the contact center agents having that expertise. |
| US09055146B2 |
Social network based call management
Illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method, an apparatus in the form of a data processing system and a computer program product for social network based call management. In one illustrative embodiment, the computer implemented method comprises receiving an incoming call from a caller for a subscriber, and obtains preferences for the subscriber, wherein the preferences describe a caller relationship to the subscriber. Using a location provided in the preferences for the subscriber, the computer implemented method locates attributes for the caller. The computer implemented method processes the call in accordance with the attributes and the preferences. |
| US09055143B2 |
Mobile terminal
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a case defining a body of the mobile terminal, a circuit board located in the body, an electronic device located in the body, a mounting portion formed at the case so as to mount the electronic device to the case, and a connection terminal provided at the circuit board, the connection terminal providing an elastic contact between the circuit board and the electronic device, the electronic device being electrically connected to the circuit board via the connection terminal. |
| US09055141B2 |
Distinctive ringing
A Family Branch Exchange (FBX) overcomes limitations of conventional residential telephone technology to inexpensively provide more useful and advanced residential telephone services. For example, a method of providing distinctive ringing comprises receiving, at a service provider system connected to a telephone network and optionally to a data network, a call from a calling party to a user of the service provider system, playing, from the service provider system to the calling party, a message indicating a plurality of choices from which to select, receiving, at the service provider system, the calling party's selection, and transmitting, from the service provider system, a message indicating a ring tone or ring type to be used based on the calling party's selection. |
| US09055140B2 |
Contact center queue priority management method and system
A system and method for providing hold queue prioritizing for a contact center includes an automated system and a contact receiver/director for connecting contacts to the automated system. A contact identifier obtains identifying information from each of the contacts connected to the system. A hold queue is coupled to the contact receiver/director for storing contact records associated with contacts connected to the automated system. A contact status identifier determines a connection status of each of the contacts in the hold queue and stores the connection status in the respective contact record for each contact. A contact-back identifier identifies a received contact-back by matching the contact identifying information associated with a contact to a contact record in the hold queue. The contact receiver/director selects a contact record with a “connected” connection status and connects the caller in the hold queue associated with the selected contact record to an available agent. |
| US09055139B1 |
Display protocol interception in the network for services and network-based multimedia support for VDI
An apparatus and related method are provided for improving the performance of virtual desktop services. A network device is deployed in a network to intercept packets of a control session initiated by a client with a connection broker to obtain data from a host. The network device initiates a new control session to the connection broker on behalf of the client. The network device receives host information from the connection broker, replaces address information of the network device for the host information in a control session message and sends the control session message to the client. The network device establishes a data session with the client, initiates a data session with the host on behalf of the client and relays data between the data session with the host and the data session with the client such that the network device is transparent to the client and the host. |
| US09055138B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and computer readable medium
The invention relates to a node detection apparatus and a method utilizing the same. The node detection apparatus may include a first and second acquisition section that acquires identification information peculiar to a communication device in accordance with a first or second communication protocol. The node detection apparatus may include an identification section that identifies the communication device that complies with both of the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol based on the identification information acquired by the first acquisition section and the identification information acquired by the second acquisition section. |
| US09055136B2 |
Controlling streaming delay in networks
Techniques are provided for reducing delay during streaming transmissions. For example, a method may include receiving a stream of data segments. The method may include establishing a first group of segments based on the data segments, and generating a first table of information. The method may include transmitting the first table and the first group of segments, and establishing a second group of segments based on the data segments, the second group of segments including a partial overlap of data segments included in the first group of segments. The method may include generating a second table of information, and transmitting the second table and a collection of segments that includes data segments from the second group that were not part of the first group. |
| US09055133B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating content selection
An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates selection of content for play out pursuant to a media service at a device having media player functionality. A set of content streams are identified together with exemplars. Representations of the selected set are displayed at a display element, providing for selection of content therefrom. An indication of selection of content is detected and used in subsequent set identification and display. |
| US09055130B1 |
Initiating media presentation prior to receiving seek index data
Systems and methods for initiating presentation of media content prior to receiving seek index data associated with the media content. In particular, if necessary, the seek index data can be received after playback and/or presentation of the media content begins. Thus, delays associated with obtaining or otherwise processing seek index data can be reduced or postponed or in cases of adaptive streaming, higher quality presentation of the media content can be achieved. |
| US09055128B2 |
Information processing device
An information processing device is configured to start a download module at a predefined date and time. A transmitter unit is configured to transmit authentication information to an authentication server. A determination unit is configured to determine a file to be downloaded after an authentication process by the authentication server. A download execution unit is configured to download the determined file from a file provider server. |
| US09055127B2 |
Method for designating of hosting control for a conference call
A conference calling system and method for designating of hosting control from a server device. In a conference call session, one of the client devices may be designated as a host device, wherein that host device is permitted to implement hosting functions. In some instances, the required host device may not be available for the scheduled conference call, but may be available prior to the conference call. The host device may provide hosting control commands to the server device prior to the conference call. Such hosting control commands may include such commands as delegating of hosting control functions in relation to the designated host device. This may allow the presently designated host device to end communications with the server device prior to starting a conference call, while having the server device implement the specific hosting control commands. |
| US09055121B2 |
Social processing member offering fixed and intelligent services
A social networking system offers a variety of fixed and intelligent services and social device resources participating as members in a social network (SNET) group. Such members may include, for example, social billing and payment services, digital assistants and artificial intelligence functions, robotic control and training services, media content storage and playback services, data backup services, services that support distributed processes such as distributed research projects, networking elements such as network attached storage (NAS), firewalls, proxies, etc. In various embodiments, such services and resources may become available upon being selectively docked or otherwise associated (e.g., through docking of a supporting device) with a SNET group by a human member or third party via a docked user device. Selection of available services may be supported through a visual menu provided by a member device or support service. |
| US09055120B1 |
Device capability filtering
A computer-implemented method may include identifying first capability information for a computer device. The first capability information may be provided by the computing device. The method may further include augmenting the first capability information to produce second capability information that reflects capabilities of the computing device that were not reported by the computing device, comparing the second device capability information to application requirements that define device characteristics required or preferred for one or more applications in an online application marketplace that is accessible to the computing device, and providing one or more representations of applications filtered by the comparing of the second device capability information to the device requirements. The one or more representations may be provided for presentation by the computing device. |
| US09055112B2 |
Dynamically allocating network addresses
Network addresses are dynamically allocated to devices based on demand. A first network address allocation is initially assigned to a subdivision of a network including multiple computing devices. A router for the subdivision is configured to implement the first network address allocation. Data indicating a reconfiguration of the computing devices is obtained. A second network address allocation is subsequently assigned to the subdivision of the network based at least in part on the reconfiguration of the computing devices. The router for the subdivision is reconfigured to implement the second network address allocation. |
| US09055103B2 |
Method of creating mashup application
Provided is a method of creating a mashup application in a host device in communication with a peer device by sharing remote services. The method includes discovering a second device that uses a middleware remote service sharing mechanism within a network, wherein a mashup framework of a first device performs the discovering; analyzing functionalities of the first device and the second device, and determining one of the first device and the second device as a host device and the other of the first device and the second device as the peer device; transmitting a list of available mashup combinations to the host device, wherein the peer device performs the transmitting; and selecting a mashup combination that is to be formed from the list, wherein the host device performs the selecting. |
| US09055099B2 |
Method of preventing TCP-based denial-of-service attacks on mobile devices
Provided is a method of preventing a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)-based Denial of Service (DoS) attack on a mobile device. The method efficiently prevents a DoS attack on a mobile device, which wirelessly and constantly transmits TCP packets to the mobile device using a TCP protocol and thereby exhausts resources of a wireless network and also battery power of the mobile device depending on a battery. An attack conventionally made in a wired network by abusing TCP-based three-way handshaking is more severe in the wireless network of mobile devices. To prevent such an attack on a mobile device, the method capable of checking three-way handshaking and each transition operation makes the mobile device check whether or not a received TCP packet is valid. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently prevent a DoS attack from exhausting wireless resources and battery power of the mobile device. |
| US09055095B2 |
DOS detection and mitigation in a load balancer
A load balancer that is able to detect and mitigate a Denial of Service (DOS) attack. The load balancer is placed in the flow path of network data packets that are destined for one or more tenant addresses. The load balancer analyzes performance parameters regarding the network data packets that are destined for the one or more tenant addresses and are received at the load balancer. The performance parameters describe network data packet flow to the tenant addresses. The load balancer detects, based on the analysis of the performance parameters, that one or more of the tenant addresses are being subjected to a DOS attack. The load balancer performs a mitigation operation to isolate the one or more tenant addresses being subjected to the DOS attack. |
| US09055094B2 |
Target-based SMB and DCE/RPC processing for an intrusion detection system or intrusion prevention system
A method performed in a processor of an intrusion detection/prevention system (IDS/IPS) checks for valid packets in an SMB named pipe in a communication network. In a processor configured as an IDS/IPS, a packet in a transmission is received and a kind of application of a target of the packet is determined. Also, the data in the packet is inspected by the IDS/IPS as part of the SMB named pipe on only one of a condition that: (a) the FID in an SMB command header of the packet is valid (i) for segments/fragments in the SMB named pipe and (ii) for the determined kind of application of the target of the packet, as indicated by a reassembly table, and (b) the determined kind of application of the target of the packet does not check the FID, as indicated by the reassembly table. |
| US09055093B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for detecting at least one of security threats and undesirable computer files
Method, system and computer program product for detecting at least one of security threats and undesirable computer files are provided. A first method includes receiving a data stream which represents outbound, application layer messages from a first computer process to at least one second computer process. The computer processes are implemented on one or more computers. The method further includes monitoring the data stream to detect a security threat based on a whitelist having entries which contain metadata. The whitelist describes legitimate application layer messages based on a set of heuristics. The method still further includes generating a signal if a security threat is detected. A second method includes comparing a set of computer files with a whitelist which characterizes all legitimate computer files. The whitelist contains one or more entries. Each of the entries describe a plurality of legitimate computer files. |
| US09055091B2 |
Adaptive timing of distributed device response to maximize channel capacity utilization
Embodiments of systems and methods for providing access to a server by remote devices are shown. In some embodiments, the system includes a scheduling module, a connection module, and/or a timer module. The scheduling module may compute a timer period and timer offset for each remote device on the server to facilitate evenly distributing connections by remote devices and avoid exceeding the maximum bandwidth of the communication channel. The connection module may initiate a connection from each remote device to the server to retrieve the timer period and timer offset. The timer module on each remote device may be controlled by the timer period and timer offset, and trigger the initiation of the connection module. A remote device's status may be offline if the initiation of the connection falls outside a tolerance window corresponding to the timer period and timer offset. |
| US09055090B2 |
Network based device security and controls
Protection against security attacks involves monitoring network traffic for a computing device security attack and determining whether there is a security event, using one or more network based security tools. Next, it is determined whether an event pattern involving two or more security events meets a predetermined criteria. Upon determining that there is a security attack, corrective action is tailored, based on the type of the computing device, the operating system of the computing device, the type of security attack, and/or the available protection tools. A course of action is performed depending on whether an account of the computing device includes a security protection service. If there is a security protection service, a message is sent over a secure link to the computing device. This message includes the corrective action to cure the computing device from the security attack. |
| US09055088B2 |
Managing a communication session with improved session establishment
System, method and program product for managing sessions. A request to open a session with a destination server is received. A determination is made whether an operational request is received concurrently with the open request or within a predetermined time thereafter. If so, the requested session is opened. If not, the requested session is not opened. The method can be performed by a proxy server. To initiate the session, the operational request should be received concurrently with the open request or within a predetermined time thereafter. The destination server is responsible for processing the operational request. To open the session with the destination server from the proxy server, an open request and the operational request are sent from the proxy server to the destination server. An inbound socket of the proxy server associated with the session is spliced to an outbound socket of the proxy server associated with the session. Consequently, subsequent requests in this session are automatically passed from the inbound socket to the outbound socket. The outbound socket is used for the session with the destination server. |
| US09055085B2 |
Dynamic generation of media content assets for a content delivery network
Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software for using a network to efficiently distributing media content assets from a virtually unlimited content library and/or other storage to a plurality of client devices, as well as bi-directional local content sharing between head ends, and dynamic distribution and generation of media content assets within the network. |
| US09055081B2 |
Mobile gateways in pool for session resilience
Embodiments of the invention include a method for providing UE session resilience performed in a first PDN-GW that is coupled to a second PDN-GW, which are both in a PDN-GW pool. The method provides UE session resilience by allowing the first PDN-GW to provide connectivity for UE sessions previously serviced by the second PDN-GW after the second PDN-GW becomes non-operational. The first PDN-GW recognizes that the second PDN-GW failed and then activates a plurality of standby UE sessions. Each standby UE session is a backup UE session corresponding to a previously active UE session serviced on the second PDN-GW. Each standby UE session is associated with a UE device and a network resource identifier of an APN slice. The first PDN-GW transmits a message to a SGW that is servicing the UE sessions that indicates that the SGW should direct traffic previously bound for the second PDN-GW to the first PDN-GW. |
| US09055080B2 |
Systems and methods for service isolation
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods of streaming an application from a remote location to a local machine system, and using local machine system resources in executing that application. In various embodiments, services needed by a streamed application may be started with high local system privileges in their own isolation environment. These service may be started, stopped, and otherwise managed by a Service Control Manager. In order for an application to both access services that operate at high local system privileges and the network so that it can access remotely stored, streaming, information; a streaming application may rely on privileges of the user when accessing network information rather than the higher privileges of the services running in isolation. |
| US09055079B2 |
Method and apparatus for growing next generation network using modular design
A method and system for growing a next generation network (NGN) using a modular design are disclosed. For example, the method defines a growth core module to support a specific number of subscribers, wherein the growth core module is assigned a module identifier (ID). The method upgrades existing network entities that will be impacted by an installation of the growth core module in the existing IMS network, and installs the growth core module in the IMS network. |
| US09055064B2 |
Systems and methods for a VPN ICA proxy on a multi-core system
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for sharing licenses across resources via a multi-core intermediary device. A device intermediary to a plurality of clients and a server may grant a license for a virtual private network (VPN) session established by a first core of a plurality of cores of the device with a client. A second core of the plurality of cores may receive a first request from the client to establish an application connection between an application and a server via the VPN session. The second core may send a second request to the first core to share the license of the VPN session responsive to determining that the first core owns the VPN session. The second core may establish the application connection responsive to receiving from the first core a response accepting the second request to share the license of the VPN session. |
| US09055063B2 |
Managing shared content with a content management system
Embodiments are provided for managing shared content with a content management system. In some embodiments, a request is received for a history of content shares for an authenticated account, at least one content share is retrieved for the authenticated account, the at least one content share having at least one shared item and at least one recipient identifier, information on the at least one content share on a user interface is displayed, and a request is received to modify the at least one content share and updating the at least one content share in response to the request. |
| US09055054B2 |
Session management technique
A system for managing sessions between a client and multiple servers includes: a receiver for receiving, as a proxy for each of the servers, a request from the client to any of the servers; a determination unit for determining, upon receipt of the request from the client to any of the servers, whether sessions established between the client and the multiple servers are maintained; a disconnection unit for disconnecting, on condition that a session between the client and any of the multiple servers is already disconnected, the sessions established between the client and the servers different from the disconnected server; and a forward unit for forwarding, on condition that the sessions established between the client and all of the multiple servers are maintained, the received request to the destination server for the request. |
| US09055053B2 |
Method and apparatus for token-based combining of risk ratings
According to one embodiment, an apparatus may store a plurality of tokens. The plurality of tokens may include a plurality of risk tokens. Each risk token may represent a risk rating. The risk rating may be a numerical value indicating a risk associated with granting a particular user access to a particular resource. The apparatus may identify a set of related risk tokens in the plurality of risk tokens, and generate a composite risk token that represents an arithmetic combination of the risk ratings represented by the set of related risk tokens. The apparatus may then use the composite risk token to facilitate the making of an access decision. |
| US09055046B2 |
Safe output protocol for files to multiple destinations with integrity check
Protocol is provided for safe transfer of files from between nodes of a communication system. The protocol includes a handshake operation between a source (local or initiating) node sending one or more files and a remote (responding) node receiving the files to ensure that control of the file remains with the source node until the file is successfully transferred. The protocol is provided by a file transfer manager that controls the transfer process through a series of file moves that include moving the file into a directory associated with the file transfer manager, from which the file is sent and moving the file out of that directory after the remote node acknowledges a safe copy operation of the file. Files are maintained in the sending directory and under control of the source node at least for a configurable amount of time until the file is safely transferred. Files can be retrieved by the remote node after they have been transmitted for a configurable amount of time, after which they will be deleted from the local node. |
| US09055042B2 |
Providing network communications satisfying application requirements using virtualization
A method of providing network communications includes receiving, at a second device via a virtual network connection associated with virtual dispersive routing (VDR) software that virtualizes network capabilities of the second device, a packet communicated from a first device over a connection path comprising a plurality of other devices, the packet including a header and a payload, the payload including data appended thereto by one or more devices of the plurality of devices; and determining, at the second device by the VDR software, whether the connection path satisfies one or more requirements of an application running on the second device, the determination being based at least in part on the data appended to the payload by the one or more devices of the plurality of other devices. |
| US09055041B2 |
Device certificate based appliance configuration
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to configuring a computing appliance and provide a method, system and computer program product for device certificate based virtual appliance configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, a virtual appliance secure configuration method can be provided. The method can include mounting non-volatile storage to the virtual appliance, retrieving a device certificate from the mounted storage and extracting a signature from the device certificate, activating the virtual appliance in a network domain and acquiring an adapter address and unique identifier for the virtual appliance, and authenticating the signature with the adapter address and unique identifier to ensure a unique active instance of the virtual appliance. |
| US09055036B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting a user datagram protocol message that is larger than a defined size
A first device initiates a handshake message exchange with a second device according to a security protocol. The first device determines that an application datagram is to be transmitted according to a first transport protocol that limits a size of a datagram based on a defined size. The first device also determines that an application datagram size is larger than the defined size. The first device fragments the application datagram if the application datagram size is larger than the defined size and secures the application datagram with the security protocol. The first device also encapsulates the application datagram fragments in handshake messages, wherein an encapsulated application datagram fragment is transmitted from the first device to the second device in a first security protocol record. The first device may also transmit, to the second device, another application datagram secured with the security protocol. |
| US09055035B2 |
Medical device with secure data transmission
Secure transmission of electronic data via a data communication link is provided between a device and an additional device with independent transmission channels, wherein at least one of the devices is a medical device. Secure transmission comprises the following steps or means: providing a password in the device, receiving the password in the a additional device separate from the data communication link, selecting one of the independent transmission channels, encrypting the channel identification of the selected independent transmission channel using the received password in the additional device, transmitting the encrypted channel identification from the additional device to the device via the data communication link and decrypting the encrypted channel identification in the device, providing a session key in the device and the additional device and transmitting encrypted electronic data between the device and the additional device via the independent transmission channel. |
| US09055034B2 |
Backward looking robust header compression receiver
Robust Header Compression (ROHC) offers a way to compress packet header information for more efficient transmission of data. The compression is achieved through various confidence modes set up by the transmitter and the receiver. The Initialization and Refresh state (IR) is the first state of the compressor. This provides a complete, uncompressed context of the data that is being transmitted. In typically operation, the ROHC compressor will periodically transmit IR packets providing context information allowing the ROHC decompressor to decompress one or more packets following the IR packet. However, under certain conditions such as decompressor start-up, it is possible for the decompressor to miss an IR packet. Exemplary methods and apparatus are described in which a decompressor uses a later-received IR packet to decompress earlier packets for which the decompressor had not received context information. |
| US09055030B2 |
Monitoring and using telemetry data
Aspects of the disclosure relate to monitoring and using telemetry information in various ways. For example, a system that monitors telemetry information may include a user that gathers telemetry information of a device and transmits the information to a monitored room. A manager may join a monitored room and monitor the monitored room for particular types of telemetry information. In one example, a manager may determine whether a downstream device is experiencing a network problem, such as a low bitrate. A manager may also transmit commands to the player via the monitored room, which causes the downstream device to operate in accordance with the transmitted command. In one example, a manager may transmit a command that causes a player to decode a particular service. |
| US09055022B2 |
On board vehicle networking module
The present disclosure describes a microprocessor executable social networking module operable to enable on board processing modules of different privately owned vehicles to wirelessly connect to exchange vehicle-related information. |
| US09055021B2 |
Methods and apparatus to monitor impressions of social media messages
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to monitor impressions of social media messages. An example method includes receiving at a server a first request for first media, the first request addressed to a first uniform resource locator (URL), and the first request corresponding to a first social media message to be presented with the first media. The method also includes receiving at the server a second request for the first media, the second request addressed to a second URL different from the first URL, and the second request corresponding to a second social media message to be presented with the first media. The method also includes crediting the first social media message with a first impression based on the first request being addressed to the first URL, and crediting the second social media message with a second impression based on the second request being addressed to the second URL. |
| US09055019B1 |
Method and apparatus for message multicasting
A method and system for message multicasting which provides a programmable persistent header in a message to allow one message to be read by multiple target consumers and to ensure that the message passing mechanism does not delete the message until all target consumers have received it. The persistent header may have information about all target consumers and their priority to consume the message. A message parser may obtain from the persistent header identities of target consumers and the order in which they consume the message and allow target consumers to consume the message following the order. The message parser may have a counter which counts the number of consumers that have consumed the message, and keep the message in the queue until all target consumers have consumed the message. |
| US09055018B2 |
Related message detection and indication
A method, a computer program product, and a computer system for managing requests to send messages are presented. Header information associated with a set of incoming messages on a server data processing system is retrieved in response to receiving a request to send a drafted message from a client data processing system to the server data processing system. The header information is searched to determine whether an incoming message in the set of incoming messages is related to the drafted message. An indication that the incoming message is related to the drafted message is presented at the client data processing system in response to determining that the incoming message is related to the drafted message. |
| US09055017B2 |
Selective communication of messages
A message originator may generate messaging data for selective communication by a messaging provider via an interface generated by a browser software application. The user may also interact with various content providers such that event data is generated based on the user interaction with each content provider. The messaging provider can then obtain the messaging data and the event data to determine a target set of messages to be published. Additionally, the messaging provider can select a set of message recipients to receive, or otherwise access, the target set of messages based on filtering criteria submitted by the message originator, content provider, service provider, and/or message recipients. Credit may be allocated based on activity associated with the communicated messages. The messaging provider may also facilitate additional interaction between the message originator and the message recipients including the initiation of additional communication channels. |
| US09055013B2 |
Integration of voice chat services
A communication system provides a user with the ability to redirect telephone calls to a voice chat account and vice versa. In one example, a voice chat gateway may receive communication requests and determine whether communications directed to a first party is to be redirected. If so, the voice chat gateway may reroute the communication request to an appropriate destination. For instance, a user may request that all communications such as telephone calls be rerouted as a voice chat to the user's voice chat account. Alternatively, a user may request that all communications including voice chats be redirected to a telephone number. Users may further be allowed to call a voice chat account through a telephone network and initiate a voice chat with a telephone number through a data network. |
| US09055010B2 |
Refreshing blocked media packets for a streaming media session over a wireless network in a stall condition
A method for refreshing blocked media packets for a streaming media session over a wireless network in a stall condition is disclosed. The method can include a wireless communication device maintaining a buffer at an application layer. The buffer can contain at least a portion of media packets provided to a baseband layer by the application layer for transmission. Media packets provided to the baseband layer can be queued in a baseband queue prior to transmission. The method can further include the wireless communication device generating at least one new media packet for the streaming media session during the stall condition; flushing at least a portion of the media packets queued in the baseband queue; and replenishing the baseband queue by providing the baseband layer with at least a portion of the media packets contained in the buffer and at least one new media packet. |
| US09055009B2 |
Hybrid arrival-occupancy based congestion management
A method for hybrid arrival-occupancy based congestion management includes increasing a recent arrivals counter associated with a data flow from one or more sources in response to receiving a data packet from one of the sources and storing the data packet in a buffer including multiple storage units. The method includes determining if a buffer is congested, randomly selecting an occupied unit of the buffer and determining the source of the packet stored in the occupied unit of the buffer, generating a congestion notification message, sending the congestion notification message to the source of the packet stored in the occupied unit of the buffer if the recent arrivals counter exceeds a threshold value and decreasing the recent arrivals counter associated with the source of the packet stored in the occupied unit of the buffer and discarding the congestion notification message if the recent arrivals counter has a zero value. |
| US09055008B1 |
Device and process for efficient multicasting
A method and apparatus for allocating pointers in a network switch managing a multicast transmission includes receiving a frame in the switch and assigning pointers in an ingress module to buffer the frame, forwarding pointers along with a header including an egress variable indicative of a number of transmissions in the multicast transmission to an egress module for transmission of the frame, forwarding the egress variable after transmission of the frame to a multicast module, monitoring the transmission of the frame based upon the egress variable, and returning pointers to a free list responsive to the monitoring step and a value of the egress variable. |
| US09055006B2 |
Techniques for traffic diversion in software defined networks for mitigating denial of service attacks
A method for mitigating of denial of service (DoS) attacks in a software defined network (SDN). The method comprises receiving a DoS attack indication performed against at least one destination server; programming each network element in the SDN to forward a packet based on a diversion value designated in a packet diversion field, upon reception of the DoS attack indication; instructing at least one peer network element in the SDN to mark a diversion field in each packet in the incoming traffic addressed to the destination server to allow diversion of the packet to a security server; and instructing edge network elements in the SDN to unmark the diversion field of each packet output by the security server, wherein each network element in the SDN is programmed to forward the unmarked packets processed by the security server to the at least one destination server. |
| US09055003B2 |
Regulating network bandwidth in a virtualized environment
In a method for regulating network bandwidth in a virtualized computer environment, a computer having a hypervisor program receives a request from a first virtual client to transmit data. In response, the computer transfers the data from a memory of the first virtual client to a memory of a virtual server. The computer receives an error notification from a shared virtual network adapter of the virtual server, indicative of insufficient network bandwidth available to transmit the data. In response, the computer notifies the first virtual client that insufficient network bandwidth is available to transmit the data. |
| US09055001B2 |
Border gateway protocol extended community attribute for layer-2 and layer-3 virtual private networks
Described are a network, computer program product, and method of distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) having fully meshed provider edge (PE) routers through Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) tunnels. A PE router is configured to participate in a VPN and to run a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) as an auto-discovery process for finding one or more other PE routers participating in the VPN. The VPN is associated with a PBB tunnel. A service instance identifier (I-SID) is assigned to the VPN. The PE router advertises membership in the VPN by including the I-SID assigned to the VPN in a BGP message issued during the auto-discovery process. |
| US09055000B1 |
Distributed network subnet
In general, techniques for facilitating a distributed network (L3) subnet by which multiple independent control planes of network devices connected to physically separate L2 networks provide L2 reachability to/from a single L3 subnet. In some examples, a shared L2 network physically situated to connect a plurality of physically separate L2 networks “stitches” the L2 networks together within the respective, independent control planes of switches such that the control planes bridge L2 traffic for a single bridge domain for the separate L2 networks to the shared L2 network and visa-versa. Each of the independent control planes may be configured with a virtual IRB instance associated with the bridge domain and with a common network subnet. Each of the virtual IRBs provides a functionally similar routing interface for the single bridge domain for the separate L2 networks and allows the shared network subnet to be distributed among the independent control planes. |
| US09054998B2 |
System and method for maintaining packet order in an ordered data stream
A source processor can divide each packet of a data stream into multiple segments prior to communication of the packet, allowing a packet to be transmitted in smaller chunks. The source processor can process the segments for two or more packets for a given data stream concurrently, and provide appropriate context information in each segments header to facilitate in order transmission and reception of the packets represented by the individual segments. Similarly, a destination processor can receive the packet segments packets for an ordered data stream from a source processor, and can assign different contexts, based upon the context information in each segments header. When a last segment is received for a particular packet, the context for the particular packet is closed, and a descriptor for the packet is sent to a queue. The order in which the last segments of the packets are transmitted maintains order amongst the packets. |
| US09054992B2 |
Quality of service policy sets
Disclosed are systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for receiving client quality of service values associated with a first client. Client metrics of a volume in a storage system are determined for the first client. The client metrics reflect usage of the storage system by the first client. A client load value based is determined upon the client metrics. A quality of service management policy for the first client is determined from a plurality of quality of service management policies based upon the client load value. Each quality of service management policy comprises a formula based on a quality of service parameter. A client target performance value is determined based upon the formula of the quality of service management policy and the received client quality of service values. Performance of the storage system is adjusted for the first client based upon the client target performance value. |
| US09054987B2 |
Single instruction processing of network packets
Executing a single instruction/multiple data (SIMD) instruction of a program to process a vector of data wherein each element of the packet vector corresponds to a different received packet. |
| US09054983B2 |
Centralized control and management planes for different independent switching domains
A network includes a first switching domain having a distributed fabric comprised of interconnected standalone switches. The standalone switches communicate with each other in accordance with a packet-based distributed fabric protocol. A second switching domain has a plurality of cell-based switches in communication with a cell-based switch fabric. The cell-based switches communicate with each other through the cell-based switch fabric in accordance with a cell-based distributed fabric protocol. One of the cell-based switches is coupled by a communication link to one of the standalone switches of the first switching domain. The second switching domain includes a server device coupled to one of the cell-based switches. The server device is configured with logic to process control packets for the standalone switches in accordance with the packet-based distributed fabric protocol and control packets for the cell-based switches in accordance with a protocol that is different from the packet-based distributed fabric protocol. |
| US09054981B2 |
System and methods for identifying and remedying traffic imbalances and inequities between networks
Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and methods for balancing network loads across distinct provider networks. In one implementation, a virtual network representative of at least a first provider network is established having at least one interconnection point where network traffic is exchanged between the first provider network and a second provider network and having at least one provider edge port and at least one potential interconnection point. A measurement of a bandwidth between the at least one provider edge port and the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A measurement of a distance between the at least one provider edge port and a geographically closest of the at least one potential interconnection point or the at least one interconnection point is obtained. A network load indication for the first provider network as a function of the bandwidth measurement and the distance measurement is obtained. |
| US09054980B2 |
System and method for local packet transport services within distributed routers
A system and method for routing packets within a router having a plurality of loosely-coupled route processors, including a first route processor, and a line card operably coupled to the plurality of distributed-route-processors. Each route processor includes an internal forwarding information base (IFIB). Each IFIB includes information that is used to route packets addressed to elements within the router. |
| US09054976B2 |
Network configuration system based on location and configuration method thereof
A network configuration system based on location of the device transmits a transient network configuration via a server to a node to set the network configuration thereof. Link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) information produced at the node is used to search for a default network management table in order to obtain the actual network configuration. The network configuration of the node is then updated according to the actual network configuration. The corresponding configuration method is also proposed. The mechanism helps improve the convenience in setting the network configuration. |
| US09054975B2 |
Virtualization and replay-based system for network debugging
A method and system of analyzing a network to identify a network defect allows user selection of traffic subset to be recorded. After recording the selected traffic subset of the network traffic during network operation, the recorded traffic is then replayed at least in part to the network to replicate, and thus assist in identifying, the network defect. |
| US09054971B2 |
Policy management of multiple security domains
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for centralized policy management of multiple security domains in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. A policy enforcement point component in the data processing system receives an access request. The policy enforcement point component is managed by a plurality of security domains. The policy enforcement point component queries a policy broker component in the data processing system. The policy broker component determines an access decision that complies with policies of the plurality of security domains. It does so by orchestrating a workflow that involves the policy decision, administration, and information components of those domains. The policy broker component returns the access decision to the policy enforcement point component. |
| US09054967B1 |
Timestamping packets in a network
Techniques are presented herein to facilitate latency measurements in a networking environment. A first network device receives a packet for transport within a network domain that comprises a plurality of network devices. The plurality of network devices have a common time reference, that is, they are time synchronized. The first network device generates timestamp information indicating time of arrival of the packet at the first network device. The first network device inserts into the packet a tag that comprises at least a first subfield and a second subfield. The first subfield comprising a type indicator to signify to other network devices in the network domain that the tag includes timestamp information, and the second subfield includes the timestamp information. The first network device sends the packet from to into the network domain to another network device. Other network devices which receive that packet can make latency measurements. |
| US09054954B2 |
Determining false alarms in an IT application
An example of the present invention provides a method and system for automatically suppressing false alarms in an IT system, such as an IT application. The method includes consolidating abnormal metrics into a single anomaly. A size of the anomaly relative to the IT application is determined, as well as a distribution of the anomaly in the IT application. A false alarm is determined based on the size and the distribution of the anomaly. |
| US09054949B2 |
Updating zone information in a distributed switch of data forwarders
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for updating zone information in a distributed switch of data forwarders. For each data forwarder, a sequence number is maintained for zone distribution messages sent to the data forwarder. A change to the ports in the network is detected comprising at least one of an allocation or deallocation of at least one port in the network. The sequence number for each data forwarder is incremented in response to detecting the change. For each data forwarder, a zone distribution message is generated indicating the at least one port allocated and/or deallocated, port information indicating each port in the network that may communicate with each other port, and the sequence number for the data forwarder. The generated zone distribution message is transmitted for each data forwarder to the data forwarder for which the zone distribution message was added. |
| US09054945B1 |
Configuring storage access control
Described are techniques for configuring storage access control. A set of inputs including a first identifier of an initiator port and a device set devices in a data storage system is received. Responsive to receiving the set of inputs, an allowable path set is automatically defined for the initiator in accordance with an initiator-level of granularity. Each device in the device set is accessible by the initiator over each path in the allowable path set. The allowable path set includes paths between the initiator port and each target port of the data storage system. A set of target ports is either specified using a wildcard indicator denoting all target ports of the data storage system, or the set of target ports is otherwise determined implicitly as all target ports of the data storage system. |
| US09054943B2 |
Systems and methods for mixed mode handling of IPv6 and IPv4 traffic by a virtual server
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for mixed-mode load balancing by a virtual server in a network supporting a plurality of internet protocols. In various embodiments, a mixed-mode virtual server receives service requests based on two or more internet layer protocols. The mixed-mode virtual server is configured to detect an IP address type of the client issuing the service request, and identify the internet protocol of the service request based on the detected IP address type. The mixed-mode virtual server can then forward the request to a server supporting the identified internet protocol. In this manner, the mixed-mode virtual server can bind load balance servers supporting a plurality of internet protocols. |
| US09054940B2 |
System and method for linearizing power amplifiers
A power encoder includes an amplitude-phase splitter for splitting an input signal into an envelope signal and a phase modulated signal, and a pre-distortion unit for distorting the envelope signal using a look-up table (LUT) to produce a distorted envelope signal. The power encoder also includes a digital converter for combining the distorted envelope signal with the phase modulated signal to produce a distorted input signal, a pulse width modulator (PWM) for modulating the distorted input signal according to the transformation function to produce a modulated signal, and a switch mode power amplifier for amplifying the modulated signal. The look-up table stores a non-linear mapping of a transformation function and a relationship between the distorted input signal and the modulated signal is non-linear. |
| US09054935B1 |
OFDM-based acoustic communications system
Disclosed is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based acoustic communications system. At an acoustic transmitting end, original data is modulated through channel coding into an acoustic signal of a data frame formed by multiple OFDM symbols and the acoustic signal is transmitted through a loudspeaker; at an acoustic receiving end, after a microphone receives the acoustic signal, and the acoustic signal is restored to the original data through demodulation and channel decoding. In a communication process, symbol synchronization is implemented through pilot information, and data frame synchronization is implemented in a manner of inserting baker codes, thereby simplifying processing, having a low bit error rate, improving acoustic communication efficiency, promoting development of acoustic communication, and having a good application prospect. |
| US09054932B2 |
Wireless reception system and method for estimating channel effect thereof
A wireless reception system includes a reception module, a preliminary estimation module, an equalization module and a selection module. The reception module receives a reference signal and at least one input signal transmitted via a multipath environment. The reference signal is associated with a known signal unaffected by the multipath environment. The preliminary estimation module generates a plurality of candidate channel effects according to the at least one input signal. The equalization module performs equalization on the reference signal according to the candidate channel effects to generate a plurality of equalization results. From the equalization results, the selection module selects an optimal equalization result that is most similar to the known signal, and selects the candidate channel effect corresponding to the optimal equalization result to represent the multipath environment. |
| US09054929B2 |
Constructing very high throughput signal (VHT-SIG) fields for reduced peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR)
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for constructing a VHT-SIG field of a transmission preamble in a manner that may reduce peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the transmission. |
| US09054928B1 |
Crest factor reduction
A system for crest factor reduction (CFR) includes a peak detector configured to receive an input signal (xk); a running maximum filter configured to generate a scaling factor based on a window gain (Gk) and a filter length, wherein the window gain (Gk) is based on the input signal (xk) and a threshold value (T); a window CFR gain filter configured to generate a gain correction (Fk) based on the scaling factor and the filter length; a delay configured to delay the input signal (xk) to generate a delayed input signal; a multiplier configured to multiply the gain correction (Fk) by the delayed input signal to obtain a peak correction value; and an adder configured to determine an output signal (yk) based on the peak correction value and the delayed input signal. |
| US09054927B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for use in an interleaver suitable for multiple operating modes
A data processing apparatus maps input symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbol. The data processor includes an interleaver memory which reads-in the predetermined number of data symbols for mapping onto the OFDM sub-carrier signals. The interleaver memory reads-out the data symbols on to the OFDM sub-carriers to effect the mapping, the read-out being in a different order than the read-in, the order being determined from a set of addresses, with the effect that the data symbols are interleaved on to the sub-carrier signals. The set of addresses are generated from an address generator which comprises a linear feedback shift register and a permutation circuit. |
| US09054925B1 |
Parallel digital-to-time converter architecture
This document discusses, among other things, digital-to-time converters (DTCs) and more particularly to parallel implementations of DTCs. In an example, an apparatus can include a first digital-to-time converter (DTC) configured to receive reference frequency information and first phase information of a polar transmitter and to provide a first portion of phase modulation information, a second DTC configured to receive second phase information of the polar transmitter and to provide a second portion of phase modulation information, and a combiner configured to receive the first portion and the second portion and to provide a phase modulated signal. |
| US09054922B2 |
Discovering security devices located on a call path and extending bindings at those discovered security devices
In one embodiment, an endpoint elicits a pattern of STUN responses to identify security devices located on a call path. The endpoint then uses address information from the identified security devices to establish an efficient media flow with a remote endpoint. The endpoint can optimize the number of network devices and network paths that process the endpoint's keepalive message. Additionally, the endpoint may request custom inactivity timeouts with each of the identified security devices for reducing bandwidth consumed by keepalive traffic. |
| US09054919B2 |
Device pinning capability for enterprise cloud service and storage accounts
Device pinning capabilities for cloud-based services and/or storage accounts are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for authorizing synchronization of a synchronization client on a device with content associated with an account in the cloud-based service, responsive to determining that the device is on a list of devices that are authorized, and synchronizing the synchronization client on the device with the content associated with the account such that the content is also locally available for access on the device. The list of devices can be specific to and associated with devices for a user in the account and can be limited to an allowable number of devices for the account or a user associated with the account. |
| US09054912B2 |
Communication application for conducting conversations including multiple media types in either a real-time mode or a time-shifted mode
Computer code is configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The computer code is configured to (i) progressively store the incoming and outgoing messages of a conversation on a communication device, (ii) display the message history of the conversation on the communication device, (iii) provide rendering options on the communication device, (iv) selectively transition participation in the conversation between a real-time mode and a time-shifted mode and (v) designate an interrupt mode for the conversation. |
| US09054910B1 |
Apparatus and method for providing status information telecommunication
A method and apparatus provide terminal status information by a telecommunication terminal as audio information by generating terminal status information by a telecommunication terminal; establishing a direct connection by a monitor computer to the telecommunication terminal via a direct link to the telecommunication terminal; transmitting the generated terminal status information to the monitor computer by the telecommunication terminal via the direct link; converting the generated terminal status information to audio terminal status information by the monitor computer; and presenting the audio terminal status information to a user of the telecommunication terminal. In addition, the method and apparatus establish a firewall by the telecommunication terminal to prevent the monitor computer from communicating on a network to which the telecommunication terminal is connected whereby the monitor computer is also denied access to other devices connected to the network. |
| US09054905B2 |
Method and apparatus for timing synchronization at sub-sampled rate for sub-sampled wideband systems
A method of timing synchronization in sub-band based ultra wideband systems, includes obtaining a coarse estimate of an offset in a time domain at a sub-sampled rate, and obtaining a fine estimate of the offset in an analog domain. The method further includes correcting a timing in the analog domain by transforming the fine estimate to an equivalent phase for the correcting. |
| US09054901B2 |
Simplified blind signal detector
A method for detecting a presence of an RF signal begins by forming with at least one computer processor a sample correlation matrix A from a sample of a radio frequency channel. Thereafter, the at least one computer processor determines a trace tr(A) of the sample correlation matrix and a determinant det(A) of the sample correlation matrix. The at least one processor then selectively determines a presence or absence of a signal on the radio frequency channel based exclusively on the trace, the determinant and a threshold value T. The invention also includes a cognitive radio which includes a radio receiver configured to detect an RF signal and at least one computer processing device for performing the above-described method. |
| US09054900B2 |
Network connection device and method
A network connection device includes: one or more network devices; a network switching control section configured to determine a second network as a candidate network to which connection is subsequently switched from a first network to which a network device is currently connecting; a network relation state determination section configured to determine whether or not the network device is used for forming a PAN; a disconnection-caused disadvantage determination section configured to determine whether or not a disadvantage to a user will be caused by switching connection to the second network, based on the result of the determination by the network relation state determination section; and a switching acceptability determination section configured to prohibit switching connection to the second network when the result of the determination is that a disadvantage to the user will be caused. |
| US09054899B2 |
Urban mobile network system
A mobile network comprising a central unit (102) for communicating with a first network (104); at least one intermediate base station (106) for communication with the central unit (102) over the first network (104) and for transmitting data to a second network; at least one mobile unit (112) for receiving data from the base station over the second network, a memory for storing the data, a display and a processor running an application to display at least a portion of the stored data; and at least one geolocation marker (116) external to the mobile unit for generating a signal including position information indication a relative position, wherein the signal is received by the mobile unit when it is proximate to the base station wherein the central unit broadcasts at least one portion of the data to the mobile unit through the intermediate base station; and wherein the application running on the processor displays a portion of the stored data associated with the relative position. |
| US09054898B2 |
Processing electronic messages according to sender classification
A computer-implemented method of sorting electronic messages can include identifying at least one recipient of an electronic message and retrieving a classification scheme of the recipient. An identifier can be included within the electronic message. The identifier can specify a tag selected from the classification scheme of the recipient. The electronic message, including the identifier specifying the selected tag, can be sent. |
| US09054885B2 |
Campus audio-visual control and communication system
A method and system for distributing audio, visual, data, annunciator and other information within an educational facility utilizes a bit-wise addressing scheme to route UDP message packets to individual classrooms. The audio/video network system includes a central processor that controls a plurality of audio/video sources (e.g., DVD players, cable TV receivers, etc.). Output from audio/video sources is encoded by audio/video encoders for transmission via a local area network. Classroom control hubs within each classroom recognize data packets addressed with the bit-wise addressing scheme and in combination with a video decoder, recover the encoded audio/video signal for presentation within the classroom, such as by a video projector and classroom speakers. Transmitting audio/video information in UDP packets addressed with the bit-wise addressing scheme enables near simultaneous presentation of audio and video programs throughout the educational facility. The system can also manage traditional school bells and public address functions. |
| US09054884B2 |
Proximity initiated co-browsing sessions
Methods and systems of conducting co-browsing sessions may provide for detecting a proximity event between a first device and a second device, and initiating a co-browsing session between the first device and the second device based on the proximity event. In one example, the proximity event is a physical bump between the first and second devices. |
| US09054882B2 |
System and method for associating an end user for billing in a network environment
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more packets of a communication session from one or more interfaces, such that the interface is a subscriber interface or a network interface. The method further includes associating the communication session to an end user with a source Internet Protocol (IP) address of the packet if the packet is received from the subscriber interface or to an end user with a destination IP address of the packet if the packet is received from the network interface. |
| US09054881B2 |
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and interrogator for supporting normal mode and secure mode, and operation method thereof
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and an interrogator that support a normal mode and a secure mode, and operating methods thereof are provided. The RFID tag may notify the interrogator of whether a current operating mode of the RFID tag is the normal mode or the secure mode, may perform different inventory processes based on the current operating mode, and may perform an authentication of the interrogator. Here, the RFID tag and the interrogator may also perform a mutual authentication. |
| US09054878B2 |
System and method for security authentication of power system
A method for security authentication of a power system includes transmitting, by at least one power system, a signal for requesting performing authentication on at least one remote control server or an external terminal with which the power system is to perform communication, to an authentication server, receiving, by the power system, an authentication certificate generated by the authentication server, and perform authentication on the remote control server or the external terminal by using the authentication certificate, and when authentication is completed by the authentication server, performing communication, by the power system, with the authentication-completed remote control server or the external terminal through an open-type communication network. |
| US09054877B2 |
Data expansion using an approximate method
A method for computation is described, the method including configuring a processor to expand input seed values into respective output data values using an approximated expansion process such that the output data values are not guaranteed to satisfy a required output data criterion, selecting a seed value so that an output data value generated by the processor by application of the approximated expansion process to the selected seed value will yield an output data value that satisfies the required output data criterion, and storing the selected seed value in a non-volatile memory to be accessed by the processor. Related apparatus and systems are also described. |
| US09054876B1 |
Fast efficient vocabulary computation with hashed vocabularies applying hash functions to cluster centroids that determines most frequently used cluster centroid IDs
The disclosed embodiments describe a method, an apparatus, an application specific integrated circuit, and a server that provides a fast and efficient look up for data analysis. The apparatus and server may be configured to obtain data segments from a plurality of input devices. The data segments may be individual unique subsets of the entire data set obtained by a plurality input devices. A hash function may be applied to an aggregated set of the data segments. A result of the hash function may be stored in a data structure. A codebook may be generated from the hash function results. |
| US09054874B2 |
System and method for data authentication among processors
The invention discloses system and method for data authentication among processors. The method comprises: generating a first key, by a first processor, according to a first identification data and a first algorithm; generating a first digest, by the first processor, according to data to be transmitted, the first identification data and a second algorithm; generating a digital signature, by the first processor, according to the first key, the first digest and a third algorithm; and transmitting the data and the digital signature from the first processor to a second processor. |
| US09054872B2 |
Secure lookup
A method for secure data transformation and lookup is executed by a computer system. A data value to create an encrypted value is encrypted by the computer system. A hash value based on the encrypted value is generated by the computer system. A modulo operation is performed by the computer system on the hash value to create a modulo value. A transformed value from a lookup table is retrieved by the computer system by using the modulo value as an index for the look up table. The transformed value is provided by the computer system. |
| US09054865B2 |
Cryptographic system and methodology for securing software cryptography
A cryptosystem having a secure Cryptographic Virtual Machine (CVM) protected by a Tamper-Proof Virtual Layer (TPVL) for performing cryptography in software is described. The CVM and TPVL allow software applications to store and process cryptographic keys and data in a secure and tamper-proof manner, without requiring the use of a Hardware Security Module (HSM). |
| US09054862B2 |
Access control key management in a virtual world
Access control key management in a virtual world that includes generating a key for access to a virtual space, a service, an event, or an item in a virtual world, assigning one or more parameters to the key, providing the key to an avatar in the virtual world, and accessing the virtual space, the service, or the item by the avatar using the key in accordance with the one or more parameters. The one or more parameters may include a type parameter, a frequency parameter, a duration parameter, or a value parameter. The avatar may be denied access if the duration parameter has expired and may be allowed access while the duration parameter has not expired. The one or more parameters may be determined responsive to rules associated with the virtual space, the service, the event or the item. |
| US09054860B1 |
Digital verified identification system and method
A digital verified identification system and method are presented for verifying and/or authenticating the identification of an entity associated with an electronic file, such as, for example the digital signatory thereof. In particular, the system and method include a module generating assembly structured to receive at least one verification data element, and at least one digital identification module structured to be associated with at least one entity. The digital identification module is capable of being disposed or embedded within at least one electronic file. Further, the digital identification module includes at least one primary component structured to at least partially associate the digital identification module with the entity, and one or more metadata components. |
| US09054859B1 |
FPGA configuration bitstream encryption using modified key
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that prevent detection and erasure of a configuration bitstream or other data for an FPGA or other device. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention masks a user key in order to prevent its detection. In a specific embodiment, the user key is masked by software that performs a function on it a first number of times. The result is used to encrypt a configuration bitstream. The user key is also provided to an FPGA or other device, where the function is performed a second number of times and the result stored. When the device is configured, the result is retrieved, the function is performed on it the first number of times less the second number of times and then it is used to decrypt the configuration bitstream. A further embodiment uses a one-time programmable fuse (OTP) array to prevent erasure or modification. |
| US09054853B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for signaling resource partition
Signaling resource partition of a component carrier in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The number of primary resource blocks and the number of extension resource blocks of the component carrier is encoded and signaled to a UE, so the UE can obtain the resource partition of the component carrier. |
| US09054852B2 |
Method and device for transmitting/receiving channel state information in coordinated multipoint communication system
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, disclosed are a method and a device for transmitting channel state information in a coordinated multipoint communication system. The method for transmitting channel state information from a terminal to multiple base stations, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprise the steps of: transmitting the CSI including long-term broadband PMI and short-term sub-band PMI to a first base station; transmitting the CSI including the long-term broadband PMI and not including the short-term sub-band PMI to a second base station; and transmitting the CSI including the short-term sub-band PMI to the second base station, when a request for the short-term sub-band PMI transmission to the second base station is received. |
| US09054848B2 |
Electronic apparatus and encryption method thereof
An electronic apparatus includes a secure unit to store public key information, an input unit to receive user authentication information and a data searching word, a user authenticating unit to perform user authentication with the inputted user authentication information, an encryption generating unit to generate a searching word encryption to use in data search, and a control unit to control generating the searching word encryption using the previously-stored public key information, the inputted user authentication information, and the data searching word. |
| US09054847B2 |
Uplink resource allocation to control intercell interference in a wireless communication system
Embodiments of the present invention exploit the reciprocity of radio channels in TDD, and longer-term correlation between average uplink and downlink path losses in FDD wireless communication systems to enable distributed schedulers in an enhanced uplink system to allocate uplink transmission resources while preemptively managing intercell interference levels. Each cell's base station transmits a downlink reference signal at a known transmission power level. A mobile station monitors the received signal strength of the downlink reference signals from multiple base stations. The transmitted and received signal strength levels can be used by the mobile station to estimate the amount of intercell interference that the mobile station's uplink transmissions cause, and the mobile station's uplink transmission parameters are adjusted accordingly. In further embodiments, the received reference signal power levels, or values derived therefrom, are transmitted by the mobile station to its serving base station, where a scheduling algorithm uses the information to adjust one or more transmission parameters relating to a grant of uplink transmission resources to the UE, thereby controlling the intercell interference generated by the mobile station's uplink transmissions. |
| US09054838B1 |
Synchronization recovery system
A synchronization recovery system is a digitized signal input derived from an analog front-end of a digital receiver and having a relatively wide bandwidth. An analysis channelizer decomposes the digitized signal input into time domain analysis channels each having a relatively narrow bandwidth. A synthesis channelizer recomposes the analysis channels so as to generate a digitized output signal. A multiplier array is disposed between the analysis channelizer and the synthesis channelizer so as to define a timing recovery vector responsive to a phase shift for retarding and advancing a timing clock. A phase locked loop is responsive to the synthesis channelizer digitized output signal so as to modify the timing recovery vector, which applies the phase shift to the time series output for each of the synthesis channelizer channels. |
| US09054835B2 |
Apparatus and method for establishing uplink synchronization in a wireless communication system
Uplink synchronization establishment in a base station which operates a plurality of component carriers according to one embodiment of the present description, is performed in that the base station is connected to a user equipment, sets component carrier aggregation information, generates an uplink timing groups in the set component carrier aggregation, and transmits information on the thus-generated uplink timing groups to the user equipment. |
| US09054834B2 |
Selection of transport format in wireless communication systems
Disclosed herein is a first network node and a method in a first network node for selecting a transport format among a plurality of available transport formats for communicating information with a second network node via a wireless link, which transport formats are such that a first transport format has a first maximum capacity and all the other transport formats have a higher maximum capacity in an increasing order. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a quality indicator, which quality indicator indicates the current channel quality of the wireless link; determining a throughput indicator, which throughput indicator indicates the throughput format being available at the obtained quality indicator; calculating a switching value based on the quality indicator and the throughput indicator; switching to the second transport format when the quality indicator indicates that the switching value is reached or exceeded with respect to the second transport format; sending a notification to the second node, which notification indicates the switch to the second transport format. |
| US09054830B2 |
Passive optical network system
A system for providing bi-directional RF services over a point-to-multipoint Passive Optical Network (PON). A system that can transport upstream RF signals generated by devices such as a set top box or a cable modem, through a passive Optical Network while simultaneously supporting downstream RF video and bi-directional base-band services on the PON. |
| US09054829B2 |
Spectrum aware rate selection procedure for optical channels in flexible WDM networks
A spectrum-aware rate selection includes finding a set of channels based on spectrum availability information such that the total required spectrum for a requested data rate of a traffic demand is minimized. |
| US09054828B2 |
Method and system for managing optical distribution network
A method for generating optical paths in a photonic network is provided. A model of a photonic network is used to store relationship information that describes the relationships between photonic network elements, as well as configuration information about the elements of the photonic network. A path manager receives a request to generate one or more paths based on an input port and one or more output ports. Using the information stored in the photonic network model, the path manager generates one or more candidate paths. |
| US09054824B2 |
Inter-frame gap controller, traffic transmitter, transmission apparatus and inter-frame gap control method
An inter-frame gap controller 12 includes an inter-frame gap length determiner 13 that determines the length of inter-frame gap based on traffic volume of Ethernet frames which are converted to synchronous frames and transmitted over synchronous network 4, and a gap inserter 14 that inserts the inter-frame gap of the length determined by the inter-frame gap length determiner 13 between Ethernet frames which are converted from the synchronous frames. |
| US09054817B2 |
Apparatus and method for selecting geographical area information at a weather band, or other, radio device
Apparatus, and an associated method, for a weather band radio that annunciates anomaly conditions. The radio has a set-up mode permitting a user to enter a home geographical area and also associated areas within a selected proximity to the home geographical area. When a National Weather Service SAME message is received at the radio that identifies the home geographical area or any of the associated geographical areas, the radio generates an alert. |
| US09054813B2 |
Optical transceiver with isolated modulator contacts and/or inputs
A multi-channel optical transmitter generally includes a first light source configured to emit light of a first wavelength, a second light source configured to emit light of a second wavelength, a first modulator configured to modulate the light of the first wavelength, and a second modulator configured to modulate the light of the second wavelength. The first modulator has a first anode and a first cathode, and the second modulator has a second anode and a second cathode electrically isolated from the first anode and the first cathode. The modulators (and optionally the light sources) are on a common substrate. A method of transmitting optical signals generally includes modulating light emitted from a first light source using a first modulator, and modulating light emitted from a second light source using a second modulator, where the first modulator receives a first modulation signal, and the second modulator receives a second modulation signal electrically isolated from the first modulation signal. |
| US09054812B2 |
Optical module
An optical module includes: a first circuit board on which a connector socket is mounted, an optical transceiver module that is electrically connected to the first circuit board via the connector socket; a heat sink; and a heat dissipating sheet. The optical transceiver module includes: a second circuit board on which an E/O converter, a drive circuit for the E/O converter, an O/E converter, and a current-to-voltage conversion circuit for the O/E converter are mounted; and an optical waveguide that guides an optical signal generated by the E/O converter to an output end of the optical transceiver module, and that guides an input optical signal to the O/E converter. The heat sink is thermally coupled to the E/O converter, the drive circuit, the O/E converter, and the current-to-voltage conversion circuit via the heat dissipating sheet, and presses the optical transceiver module onto the first circuit board. |
| US09054809B2 |
Radio frequency optical module and optical transmission apparatus including the same
Provided is a transistor outline (TO)-CAN type optical module and an optical transmission apparatus including the same. The optical module includes a stem, a thermo-electric cooler (TEC) on the stem, a first sub-mount on the TEC, an optical element on the first sub-mount, a plurality of electrode lead wirings inserted from an outside to an inside of the stem and disposed adjacent to the TEC and the optical element, a second sub-mount between the electrode lead wirings and the optical element, radio frequency (RF) transmission lines on the second sub-mount, a plurality of bonding wires connecting the RF transmission lines and the optical element, and the RF transmission lines and the electrode lead wirings, and an impedance matching unit disposed around the RF transmission lines and the electrode lead wirings, and controlling impedances of the RF transmission lines and the electrode lead wires. |
| US09054806B2 |
Transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link
A data transport system for transporting data and auxiliary signals over an optical link comprises a transmitter, a receiver and an optical link. The transmitter and receiver are coupled to a first end of the optical link. The optical link includes a number of optical channels. A controller is coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a first state when data are detected at an input of the transmitter. Data are transported via the data transport system in the first state. The controller controls the transmitter and the receiver to operate in a second state when the data are detected as absent at the input of the transmitter. Data are prevented from being transported via the data transport system in the second state. |
| US09054803B1 |
Content delivery based on a light positioning system
Systems an methods are provided that disclose providing a positioning service for devices based on light received from one or more light sources. This light based positioning service uses light information transmitted by each light source to determine the position of the device. The positioning information can include three dimension position information in a building that can then be used to deliver services and information to a mobile device. The content delivered to a mobile device can include multimedia, text, audio, and/or pictorial information. The positioning information along with other location or positioning information can be used in providing augmented reality or location aware services. The light sources can be independent beacons that broadcast information in visible light at a rate that is undetectable by the human eye. Content can be retrieved from a server over a communications connection. |
| US09054800B2 |
Staging a mobile device with visible light communication
A system configures a mobile device. The system includes a visible light communication (VLC) transmitter and a mobile device. The VLC transmitter is configured to emit a visible light signal corresponding to staging profile data, the staging profile data including configuration data. The mobile device includes a VLC receiver configured to receive the visible light signal, the visible light signal being converted to generate the staging profile data, the staging profile data automatically configuring the mobile device for communicating with a communication network as a function of the configuration data. |
| US09054796B2 |
Dual optical electrical conversion module
In an embodiment, a dual optical-electrical conversion (DOEC) module is described that includes an optical host interface, an optical network interface, and an integrated circuit. The optical host interface includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The optical network interface includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver. The integrated circuit conditions electrical signals communicated between the optical host interface and optical network interface. Optical signals received at and transmitted by the optical host interface may have different parameter requirements than optical signals received at and transmitted by the optical network interface, such as different wavelength parameters and/or fiber link length parameters. |
| US09054794B2 |
Detecting faults affecting communications links
A modem or associated computing or testing device is configured to detect the presence of one or more faults that affect DSL communications, and upon their detection, generate, for example, an indication, communication or message that recommends corrective action. In this context, a fault is generally caused by one or more unfiltered devices, impulsive noises, malfunctioning modems, or other factor that does not affect measured attenuation or measured noise, but does affect the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the link. In addition to being able to generate a message guiding a user through corrective action, the system can estimate the rate impact of the detected fault. |
| US09054792B2 |
Electronic device capable of eliminating wireless signal interference
An electronic device eliminating wireless signal interference includes a first radio unit, a second radio unit, and a quadrature coupler. The first radio unit includes a first antenna and a first transceiver. The first transceiver is configured to output first wireless signals via a first port. The second radio unit operates on a same frequency of the first radio unit, and includes a second antenna and a second transceiver. The second transceiver is configured to output second wireless signals via a second port. The quadrature coupler is connected to the first and the second ports, configured to separate the first wireless signals from the second wireless signals, and further to cause a first radiation field pattern of the first wireless signals to be orthogonal with a second radiation field pattern of the second wireless signals. |
| US09054791B2 |
Methods and apparatus for partial interference reduction within wireless networks
Methods and apparatus that enable one or more wireless networks to minimize inter-cellular interference (ICI) at a receiver. In one embodiment, the network comprises an OFDM-based cellular network, and the method comprises utilizing a priori knowledge of non-data portions of signals from multiple base stations in order to schedule transmissions. In one variant, these non-data portions comprise pilot tones; the pilot tones can be scheduled onto various time-frequency resources of the network so as to minimize ICI. The mobility context of the receiver can also be used as a basis for dynamically adjusting the pilot tone density. In another variant, precoding (e.g., Tomlinson-Harashima precoding) can be applied to “shape” the non-data portions of the transmitted signals so as to mitigate ICI. In yet other variants, frame preambles and learning sequences are used as the basis for invoking selective transmission time shifts across the potentially interfering base stations so as to minimize ICI. |
| US09054790B2 |
Receiver for use in an ultra-wideband communication system
In an ultra-wideband (“UWB”) receiver, a received UWB signal is periodically digitized as a series of ternary samples. 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”) substantially to filter channel-injected noise. |
| US09054787B2 |
Method and apparatus for alignment in neighboring networks
A method includes detecting, at a first timing with reference to a periodic signal that is common to a first domain and a second domain, a first signal indicative of the first domain. The first signal is used by the first domain to signal presence of the first domain and a time used by the first domain for inter domain communication with other domains. Further, the method includes comparing, the first timing to a second timing with reference to the periodic signal. The second domain uses a second signal at the second timing to signal presence of the second domain and a time used by the second domain for inter domain communication with other domains. Then, the method includes aligning the first signal and the second signal to enable inter domain communication between the first domain and the second domain. |
| US09054784B2 |
Signal switching apparatus
A signal switching apparatus includes a switch circuit having a common terminal and first to third terminals, and enabling two terminals among the first to third terminals to be simultaneously connected to the common terminal while enabling the first to third terminals to be individually attachable/detachable to/from the common terminal, and an amplification circuit of which an input terminal is connected to the first terminal, and an output terminal is connected to the second terminal. Here, gain in the output terminal being an output point, with respect to a signal level in the common terminal being an input point, is switched to a first gain when only the first terminal is connected to the common terminal, a second gain when only the second terminal is connected to the common terminal, and a third gain when the first and second terminals are simultaneously connected to the common terminal. |
| US09054782B2 |
Methods for canceling interfering wireless signals in cable customer premises equipment devices and outside plant
A noise reduction device for use with a cable signal distributed by an outside plant of a cable system. The device includes an antenna and a signal processing system. The outside plant receives an interfering radio frequency (“RF”) signal generated by one or more external wireless signal sources and combines the interfering RF signal with the cable signal to produce a noisy cable signal. The antenna receives the interfering RF signal as a copy signal. The signal processing system modifies the copy signal to produce a processed copy signal, and combines the noisy cable signal and the processed copy signal to produce a combined signal. The signal processing system also monitors error rate values of the combined signal, and adjusts the copy signal such that the copy signal at least partially cancels the interfering RF signal in the combined signal thereby reducing the error rate values of the combined signal. |
| US09054780B2 |
Radiation power level control system and method for a wireless communication device based on a tracked radiation history
A radiation power level control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining that a current transmission event involving the wireless UE device is commenced outside a time duration from a last transmission event. If so, responsive to the determining, the method involves disregarding or resetting a power data history associated with the wireless UE device in computing a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value for the wireless UE device during the current transmission event. Otherwise, at least a portion of the power data history may be used in computing the SAR values. |
| US09054776B2 |
Signal transmission and reception system, installation method of the system, and plant applied with the system
A signal transmission and reception system includes a transmitter adapted to transmit a signal by radio, and a receiver adapted to wirelessly receive the signal from the transmitter and transmit the signal to a monitoring and control device of a plant through a transmission cable connecting the receiver to the monitoring and control device, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are provided in the plant, and wherein the receiver is attached to a cable tray used to lay a cable other than the transmission cable. |
| US09054769B2 |
Pre-processing unit for a signal processor
A pre-processing unit for a signal processor includes a pre-processing element. The pre-processing element is configured to receive data to be processed by the signal processor, to pre-process the receive data and to output the pre-processed data. The data is pre-processed based on a control signal describing an undesired signal characteristic of a supply voltage for the signal processor in order to compensate an influence of the signal characteristic of the supply voltage on the processing of the data. |
| US09054768B2 |
Interference reduction of multiple signals
The present invention reduces the degradation in performance of one or more radio signals that are co-transmitted with a first radio signal from the same transmitting antenna in the same frequency channel and received by the same antenna due to multipath or other shared interference, where the one or more radio signals can be separated from the first radio signal. All received signals are coupled to the same adaptive array or adaptive filter to reduce multipath or other shared interference of the first radio signal, which reduces multipath and other shared interference in the other radio signals before they are separated and processed by their respective receivers, or the individual radio signals are separated before the first signal enters the adaptive array and coupled to a slave weighting network slaved to the weights of the adaptive array of the first signal to reduce interference in all the signals. |
| US09054766B2 |
Wireless communication using beam forming and diversity
A method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting real-time data streams is described. To ensure continuous data flow, fast diversity and slow diversity can be used. Fast diversity chooses a receive antenna based on received signal parameters, such as signal strength, during the transmission header and prior to information transfer. Slow diversity stores received signal parameters from previous packets, associates the parameters with a selected antenna, and uses the parameter history to denote a “default” antenna. Additionally, receive and/or transmit beam forming can be used to maintain continuous communication between stations. Beam forming, which combines antenna signals to maximize performance, is possible when at least two transmit/receive signal processing chains are available. |
| US09054765B2 |
Systems and methods for suppressing interference in a wireless communication system
Systems and methods are provided for suppressing interference from a received data signal. A characteristic of a channel is estimated, the channel being configured for transmission of data between a transmitting device and a receiving device having two or more receive antennas. A spatial correlation of interference is determined for the two or more receive antennas based on the channel characteristic. The received data signal is filtered based on the spatial correlation. |
| US09054764B2 |
Sensor array beamformer post-processor
A novel beamforming post-processor technique with enhanced noise suppression capability. The present beamforming post-processor technique is a non-linear post-processing technique for sensor arrays (e.g., microphone arrays) which improves the directivity and signal separation capabilities. The technique works in so-called instantaneous direction of arrival space, estimates the probability for sound coming from a given incident angle or look-up direction and applies a time-varying, gain based, spatio-temporal filter for suppressing sounds coming from directions other than the sound source direction, resulting in minimal artifacts and musical noise. |
| US09054763B2 |
Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
A bias of reception qualities between spatial streams to a plurality of terminal devices is suppressed in a multiuser MIMO transmission. A wireless communication device according to the invention is one for performing a spatial multiplexing transmission to the plurality of terminal devices, that includes an additional data area setting section that allocates, as an additional data area, a part of a resource allocation area to which no data addressed to each terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices is allocated among resource allocation areas for the spatial multiplexing transmission which are allocated to each terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices, an additional data generator that generates additional data corresponding to the additional data area allocated by the additional data area setting section, and a transmitter that transmits the data which is addressed to each of the plurality of terminal devices and the additional data. |
| US09054762B2 |
Transmitter diversity with a passive mixer network
A transmitter circuit with a passive mixer network includes a first outbound signal path configured to carry a first outbound signal. The transmitter circuit includes a second outbound signal path configured to carry a second outbound signal. The transmitter circuit includes N passive mixers coupled to the first and second outbound signal paths and configured to up-convert the first and second outbound signals from a first frequency to a second frequency based on a clock cycle, where N is a positive even integer. The first and second outbound signals are passed through the N passive mixers during each phase of 2*N phases in the clock cycle. The transmitter circuit also includes N radio frequency signal paths coupled to an output of respective ones of the N passive mixers and configured to receive the first and second outbound signals in the second frequency during each phase of the clock cycle. |
| US09054761B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting reference signal in multiple antenna system
A method and an apparatus for transmitting a reference signal in a multiple antenna system are provided. The method includes transmitting a first reference signal based on a first sequence through a first antenna group, and transmitting a second reference signal based on a second sequence through a second antenna group, wherein the first reference signal and the second reference signal are transmitted through a same radio resource. |
| US09054760B2 |
Wireless data transmission including assist signals
Methods, systems and apparatuses for dynamic spectrum access by both primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for communicating over a channel may include obtaining, at a secondary transmitter, first and second signals intended for a primary receiver and secondary receivers, respectively; generating, at the secondary transmitter, an assist signal based, at least in part, on the obtained first signal; generating, at the secondary transmitter, a data signal based, at least in part, on the obtained second signal; determining, at the secondary transmitter, a power split ratio between the data signal and the assist signal based, at least in part, on any of a power and a signal-to-noise ratio of the first signal; and generating, at the secondary transmitter, a third signal comprising (i) the data signal and (ii) the assist signal in accordance with power split ratio. |
| US09054759B2 |
VSWR measurement circuit, radio communication apparatus, VSWR measurement method, and recording medium having VSWR measurement program stored thereon
In this VSWR measurement circuit, a power measurement unit measures the power level of a reflected signal which is included in a feedback signal which has been extracted at a second CPL which has been deployed at a position connecting to an antenna end via a cable. To this end, the VSWR measurement circuit is provided with a main signal component removal circuit, wherein the main signal which has been extracted from the prestage of a digital pre-distortion circuit, and a signal in which the feedback signal that had been extracted at the second CPL has been converted to a digital signal at an A/D CONV, are provided as inputs, the main signal component included in the feedback signal is removed, and only the reflected signal is extracted so as to be output to the power measurement unit. |
| US09054752B2 |
High rate RF link technology utilizing near-maximum likelihood MIMO signal processing
A high rate radio frequency (RF) link system and method for spatially multiplexing data transmission is presented. The system can comprise a common communications point characterized by a first collection of antennas having independent channels interconnected with a known latency connection to a central process location, such as with optical fiber; and a second similarly configured collective endpoint or set of endpoints wherein multi-path between the first collection and the second collection is negligible. Signal decorrelation between independent channels is achieved through a combination of spatial separation and signal processing. In one aspect, decorrelation is performed using near-maximum likelihood Multiple-Input Multiple-Output signal processing. |
| US09054748B2 |
Reconfigurable wideband receiver
One embodiment of the present invention provides a receiver for wireless communication. The receiver includes a demodulator and at least one filtering mechanism coupled to the demodulator, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the filtering mechanism. The filtering mechanism can be configured to function as a low-pass filter (LPF) or a band-pass filter (BPF), thereby enabling the receiver to function as a direct-conversion receiver or a low-intermediate frequency (low-IF) receiver. |
| US09054743B2 |
Auto-pairing wireless audio/visual system
A method of auto-pairing a receiver/transmitter system for use with a vehicle having an operator portion and a transporting portion, the method including the steps of initiating, searching and sending. The initiating step initiates the transmitter into a pairing mode by way of an electrical power sequencing of the transmitter. The searching step searches for the transmitter to be in the pairing mode by the receiver. The sending step sends a signal to the transmitter that the transmitter is paired to the receiver upon the receiver finding the transmitter to be in the pairing mode in the searching step. |
| US09054742B2 |
Error and erasure decoding apparatus and method
A codeword may have errors and erasures. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a syndrome calculator configured to generate partial syndromes of the codeword, an erasure locator configured to generate an erasure locator polynomial, and a syndrome modifier configured to generate modified partial syndromes based at least in part on the partial syndromes and the erasure locator polynomial. The apparatus may further include an error locator configured to generate an error locator polynomial using the modified partial syndromes, for error and erasure decoding of the codeword. |
| US09054740B1 |
Low density parity check decoding with early termination based on nonzero-circulant flags
A method includes receiving a codeword over a communications channel and initializing a test codeword to be equal to the codeword received over the communications channel. The method includes performing, for each row of a low-density parity check (LDPC) matrix, an LDPC processing operation on the test codeword. The method includes, once the LDPC processing operations have been performed for all of the rows of the LDPC matrix, repeating the LDPC processing operations. The method includes monitoring progress of the LDPC processing operations. The method includes selectively generating a termination signal in response to the test codeword being a valid codeword according to the LDPC matrix. The method includes terminating the LDPC processing operations in response to generation of the termination signal. |
| US09054738B2 |
Quantizer with sigma-delta modulator, analog-to-digital converter including the same and quantization method using the same
The present invention provides a quantizer with a sigma-delta modulator, an analog-to-digital converter including the same and a quantization method using the same capable of obtaining a high signal-to-noise ratio with a relatively small number of comparators. The quantizer, the analog-to-digital converter and the quantization method of the present invention reduces quantization errors and increases noise shaping order. |
| US09054733B2 |
Quantization noise coupling delta sigma ADC with a delay in the main DAC feedback
A delta-sigma modulator has a first summing point subtracting a first feedback signal from an input signal and forwarding a result to a transfer function, a second summing point adding an output signal from said transfer function to the input signal and subtracting a second feedback signal, a first integrator receiving an output signal from the second summing point, a quantizer receiving an output signal from the integrator and generating an output bitstream, and a digital-to-analog converter receiving the bitstream, wherein the first and second feedback signal are the output signal from said digital-to-analog converter delayed by a one sample delay. |
| US09054727B2 |
Analog-to-digital converter system and method
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system and method. The ADC system in accord with one embodiment includes a sampling digital-to-analog converter configured to sample a combination of an analog signal value and an analog dither value, and a control circuit comprising a mismatch-shaping encoder. The control circuit is configured to sequentially apply a plurality of digital codes to the sampling digital-to-analog converter during an analog-to-digital conversion operation to derive a digital code representing the combination of the analog signal value and the analog dither value. Several embodiments are presented. |
| US09054724B2 |
Diagnostic circuit for monitoring an analog-digital converter circuit
Described is monitoring of an analog-digital conversion of a measured value of at least one of a pressure gauge, a level gauge and a flowmeter. Different measured values can be provided for the analog-digital converter by means of a first microcontroller, wherein these measured values are subsequently transmitted from this first area into a second area by means of a unidirectional coupler. These values are acquired by a second microcontroller in the second area and compared with reference values that are stored in the second area or at another location. This diagnostic circuit may make it possible to detect drifts of resistances and of reference voltages, as well as a faulty analog-digital converter or a program execution error of the first microcontroller. |
| US09054720B2 |
System, apparatus and method to improve analog-to-digital converter output
According to various embodiments, a system, an apparatus and a method are presented that relate to determining and correcting signal imbalances between output samples of an analog-to-digital (A-D) converter array (that may be implemented as part of a wideband ADC). A statistic module and correction module are associated with the A-D converter array. The statistic module is configured to receive digital samples from the plurality of A-D converters, and generate a statistical sample value for each A-D converter using a set of digital samples received therefrom. The correction module is configured to, for at least one of the plurality of A-D converters, determine an offset value by comparing the statistical sample value for the at least one of the plurality of A-D converters with a reference value, and apply the offset value to a digital sample from that at least one A-D converter to generate a corrected digital sample. |
| US09054718B2 |
Operating a transceiver
In one embodiment, a transceiver may set a first receive frequency of a first channel of the transceiver and a second receive frequency of a second channel of the transceiver. The transceiver may receive, during a first time interval, a first radio frequency (RF) signal on the first channel. The transceiver may determine that a first measured value indicative of a first detectable received RF signal on the first channel exceeds a first predetermined threshold, and in response, receive a first data frame on the first channel. The transceiver may receive, during a second time interval, a second RF signal on the second channel. The transceiver determine that a second measured value indicative of a second detectable received RF signal on the second channel exceeds the first predetermined threshold, and in response, receive a second data frame on the second channel. |
| US09054715B2 |
Delay locked loop and semiconductor apparatus
A delay locked loop includes: a variable delay unit configured to delay a reference clock signal in response to a delay code and generate a delay locked loop clock signal; a delay model unit configured to delay the delay locked loop clock signal by a modeled delay value and output delayed delay locked loop clock signal as a feedback clock signal; a calculation code generation unit configured to convert a phase of the reference clock signal and a phase of the feedback clock signal into a first code and a second code, respectively, and perform a calculation on the first and second codes so as to generate a calculation code; and a delay code generation unit configured to control the delay code in response to the calculation code. |
| US09054710B2 |
Touch keyboard with improved structure
A touch keyboard with an improved structure is disclosed. The touch keyboard includes a keyboard casing and an inductive circuit layer. The keyboard casing has a front surface and a rear surface; the front surface has a keyboard key assembly composed of a plurality of touch keyboard keys. The touch keyboard keys are integrally formed with the keyboard casing and projected from the front surface of the keyboard casing. The inductive circuit layer is formed on the rear surface of the keyboard casing and is used to detect touching and sliding operations from the user. The touch keyboard keys are projected from the front surface of the keyboard casing so as to identify positions of the touch keyboard keys without fixing user's eyes on the keyboard and increase touching feeling. |
| US09054709B2 |
Touch-sensitive rotary switch
A touch-sensitive rotary switch is configured to be touched along a rotary path, thereby turning on or off, or adjusting stepwise the magnitude of power supplied from, an external power source. The rotary switch includes a housing whose top portion has a sensing surface. A touch control circuit board is provided in the housing and topped with a touch control circuit layer whose peripheral region is divided into multiple sensing areas in which plural first light-emitting elements are annularly arranged. The sensing areas can be sequentially triggered by touching the sensing surface along its peripheral region, so as for the corresponding portion of the touch control circuit layer to control light emission of the first light-emitting elements corresponding to the triggered sensing areas and to output a coded signal according to the triggered sensing areas in order to control the power supplied from the external power source. |
| US09054707B2 |
Systems, circuits, devices, and methods with bidirectional bipolar transistors
Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low. |
| US09054700B2 |
Apparatus and methods of driving signal for reducing the leakage current
Apparatus and methods for driving a signal are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a pre-driver circuit and a driver circuit. The pre-driver circuit includes a step-down transistor and the driver circuit includes a pull-down transistor configured to be coupled to a reference voltage. In a first mode, the step-down transistor is configured to reduce a voltage provided to the pull-down transistor to less than a supply voltage, and in a second mode, the step-down transistor configured to provide the voltage of the supply voltage to the pull-down transistor. The pre-driver circuit of the example signal driver circuit may further include a step-up transistor configured to increase a voltage provided to a pull-up transistor of the driver circuit to greater than the reference voltage, and in the second mode, the step-up transistor configured to provide the voltage of the reference voltage to the pull-up transistor. |
| US09054695B2 |
Technique to realize high voltage IO driver in a low voltage BiCMOS process
An IO circuit capable of high voltage signaling in a low voltage BiCMOS process. The IO circuit includes a voltage rail generator circuit that receives a reference voltage and generates a voltage rail supply. A BJT (bi-polar junction transistor) buffer circuit is coupled to the voltage rail generator circuit and a pad. The BJT buffer circuit includes a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit receives the voltage rail supply. The pull-down circuit is coupled to the pull-up circuit. The pad is coupled to the pull-up circuit and the pull-down circuit. |
| US09054694B2 |
Circuit arrangements and methods of operating the same
In various embodiments, a circuit arrangement may be provided. The circuit arrangement may include a level shifting stage configured to be coupled to a first reference voltage, the level shifting stage having an output node. The circuit arrangement may further include a first input electrode in electrical connection with the level shifting stage. The circuit arrangement may also include a second input electrode in electrical connection with the level shifting stage. The circuit arrangement may further include a load having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the level shifting stage and the second end for coupling to a second reference voltage. In addition, the circuit arrangement may include a bypass circuit element connected in parallel to the load. The bypass circuit element may be configured to allow current to flow through upon application of an external voltage for bypassing the load. |
| US09054693B2 |
Data driver and method of driving the same
A data driver capable of generating pre-emphasis voltages is provided. The data driver includes a pre-emphasis unit for comparing previous input data signals with current input data signals to generate pre-emphasis data signals, a first register unit for storing the current input data signals from the pre-emphasis unit and for supplying the previous input data signals to the pre-emphasis unit, and a second register unit for storing the pre-emphasis data signals. |
| US09054690B2 |
Chopped oscillator
Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a relaxation oscillator with improved performance against phase noise error. The phase noise error may be reduced from sources whose power is greater at lower frequencies. To reduce the noise error, the relaxation oscillator may include chopping in the charging current driver; chopping in the trigger level generator; and/or chopping in the currents that feed the cells. A chopped amplifier may be provided to perform chopping of the input signals. |
| US09054689B2 |
Phase comparison circuit and data receiving unit
A phase comparison circuit includes: a first flip-flop configured to receive a data signal and a clock signal; a second flip-flop configured to receive an output signal of the first flip-flop and a signal that is an inversion of logic of the clock signal; a delay circuit configured to give delay time to the data signal, in which the delay time is equal to or longer than signal delay time from a clock terminal of the first flip-flop to a Q output terminal of the first flip-flop; a first exclusive OR circuit configured to receive an output signal of the delay circuit and the output signal of the first flip-flop; and a second exclusive OR circuit configured to receive the output signal of the first flip-flop and an output signal of the second flip-flop. |
| US09054687B2 |
VCO with linear gain over a very wide tuning range
An oscillating circuit with linear gain is presented. The oscillating circuit may include a relaxation oscillator and a current compensation block. The relaxation oscillator includes a capacitor, a pair of resistors operative to deliver a first current to the capacitor, and a first current source adapted to generate the first current having a first predefined level. The current compensation block includes a second current source, and a pair of cross-coupled transistors coupled to the second current source and adapted to steer a current exceeding the first predefined level in the relaxation oscillator away from the capacitor and to the second current source. The proposed oscillating circuit generates an output signal which has a linear gain over a wide tuning range. |
| US09054686B1 |
Delay path selection for digital control oscillator
Among other things, one or more techniques or systems for delay path selection are provided. A digitally controlled oscillator comprises an arrangement of inverters, such as tri-state inverters, that are selectively utilized to provide a process, voltage, temperature (PVT) condition output used to generate a frequency output for the digitally controlled oscillator. Delay path interpolation is used to generate a relatively high resolution range of PVT condition outputs, which results in a reduction of frequency gain (KDOC) between PVT condition outputs for improved performance of the digitally controlled oscillator. |
| US09054685B2 |
Programmable bus signal hold time without system clock
A circuit is disclosed that provides a programmable hold time for a bus signal without running a system clock and without a frequency requirement between the system clock and a bus clock. |
| US09054684B1 |
Single event upset enhanced architecture
A circuit block within an integrated circuit includes a multiplexor (225, 625) configured to pass either a first signal or a second signal, wherein the first signal is independent of the second signal. The circuit block further includes a first flip-flop (210, 610) configured to receive an output of the multiplexor and a second flip-flop (215, 615) configured to receive the second signal. In a first mode of operation, the multiplexor passes the first signal to the first flip-flop. Further, the first flip flop and the second flip-flop operate independently of one another. In a second mode of operation, the multiplexor passes the second signal to the first flip-flop. Further, the first flip-flop and the second flip-flop both receive the second signal. |
| US09054682B2 |
Wide bandwidth resonant global clock distribution
A wide bandwidth resonant clock distribution comprises a clock grid configured to distribute a clock signal to a plurality of components of an integrated circuit, a tunable sector buffer configured to receive the clock signal and provide an output to the clock grid, at least one inductor, at least one tunable resistance switch, and a capacitor network. The tunable sector buffer is programmable to set latency and slew rate of the clock signal. The inductor, tunable resistance switch, and capacitor network are connected between the clock grid and a reference voltage. The at least one tunable resistance switch is programmable to dynamically switch the at least one inductor in or out of the clock distribution to effect at least one resonant mode of operation or a non-resonant mode of operation based on a frequency of the clock signal. |
| US09054678B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
A novel semiconductor device and a driving method thereof are provided. In the semiconductor device, a (volatile) node which holds data that is rewritten by arithmetic processing as appropriate and a node in which the data is stored are electrically connected through a source and a drain of a transistor whose channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer. The off-state current value of the transistor is extremely low. Therefore, electric charge scarcely leaks through the transistor from the latter node, and thus data can be held in the latter node even in a period during which supply of power source voltage is stopped. In the semiconductor device, a means of setting the potential of the latter node to a predetermined potential is provided. Specifically, a means of supplying a potential corresponding to “1” or “0” that is data stored in the latter node from the former node is provided. |
| US09054675B2 |
Apparatuses and methods for adjusting a minimum forward path delay of a signal path
Apparatuses and methods related to adjusting a minimum forward path delay of a signal path are disclosed. One such signal path includes a signal path having a minimum forward path delay, wherein the signal path is configured to adjust the minimum forward path delay based at least in part on a selected latency and a propagation delay of the minimum forward path delay. An example method includes reducing a forward path delay of a command path by at least one clock cycle of a clock signal to provide a command according to a selected latency responsive to a count value representative of a minimum forward path delay of the command path being greater than a maximum count value for the selected latency. |
| US09054670B2 |
Cross-coupled bandpass filter
A cross-coupled bandpass filter includes first, second and third resonators such that a positive mutual inductance is generated between the first and third resonators and mutual inductance generated between the first and second resonators and mutual inductance generated between the second and third resonators have the same polarity, thereby generating a transmission zero in a high frequency rejection band. |
| US09054668B2 |
Broadband absorptive-loading filter
In one embodiment, front end circuitry for an electronic appliance, the front end circuitry comprising: a first port configured to conduct signals from a signal source, the signals comprising a first signal and a second signal; a first filter coupled to the first port, the first filter configured to filter the first signal according to a first frequency band and output the filtered first signal for further processing; a second filter coupled to the first port and arranged in parallel with the first filter, the second filter configured to absorb the second signal according to a second frequency band that is a stopband for the first filter; and an impedance load coupled between an output of the second filter and ground. |
| US09054665B2 |
Method and apparatus for removing acoustic incident signal
A method of removing a signal from among received signals, the method including: filtering the received signals; detecting a time band of the filtered received signals where an energy value of the filtered received signals exceeds a reference energy value; and applying a gain value to one or more received signals, from among the received signals, in the detected time band. |
| US09054659B2 |
Apparatus and method for thermal interfacing
An apparatus (20) for use as an amplifier has a transistor (26) for providing signal amplification, a heat pipe or circulated fluid heat sink (22) and a thermal interface device (24) for providing mechanical and thermal connection between the transistor (26) and the heat sink (22). In use, to facilitate efficient transfer of heat/thermal energy from the transistor (26) to the heat sink (22), the plate (24) is provided between the heat sink (22) and the transistor (26). The plate (24) connects the heat sink (22) to the transistor (26) and provides a thermal conduit therebetween. |
| US09054657B2 |
Reducing a settling time after a slew condition in an amplifier
In an amplifier, a first stage receives a differential input voltage, which is formed by first and second input voltages, and outputs a first differential current in response thereto on first and second lines having respective first and second line voltages. A second stage receives the first and second line voltages and outputs a second differential current in response thereto on third and fourth lines having respective third and fourth line voltages. A third stage receives the third and fourth line voltages and outputs an output voltage in response thereto. A slew boost circuit detects a slew condition, in which a threshold difference arises between the first and second input voltages, and outputs a slew current in response thereto for maintaining a slew rate of the output voltage during the slew condition. The first stage includes circuits for reducing a variable difference between the first and second line voltages. |
| US09054656B2 |
Output coupling capacitor free audio power amplifier dynamically configured for speakers and headphones with excellent click and pop performance
First and second channel bridge amplifiers are dynamically configured to drive either speakers or headphones. The first channel bridge amplifier includes a first amplifier driving one end of a first speaker through a mechanical switch in a headphone-jack, and a second amplifier driving another end of the first speaker. The second channel bridge amplifier includes third and fourth amplifiers driving respective ends of a second speaker. An amplifier control circuit dynamically detects the insertion or removal of a plug in the jack and configures the amplifiers accordingly. When a plug is inserted into the jack, the mechanical switch disconnects the first speaker from the first amplifier, and the fourth amplifier is tri-stated disconnect the second speaker. The first and third amplifiers are configured to drive the first and second channels of the headphones, while the third amplifier drives the headphone common point (shield ring) as a virtual ground connection. |
| US09054653B2 |
On-die harmonics filtering for radio frequency power amplifiers
A power amplifier architecture for connecting a radio frequency (RF) transceiver to an antenna. An input matching circuit is connected to its input port, and an output matching circuit is connected to its output port. An amplifier circuit includes at least one amplifier active device with a first terminal connected to the input matching segment and a second terminal connected to the output matching segment. A first harmonic feedback circuit is connected across the amplifier active device. Voltage components of emissions of one or more harmonic frequencies of a carrier fundamental frequency generated by the amplifier active device is fed back with opposite phase to the first terminal of the amplifier active device. A negative feedback is defined at a level correlated with a gain level of the amplifier active device at the harmonic frequencies of the carrier fundamental frequency. Negative feedback is minimized at the carrier fundamental frequency. |
| US09054649B2 |
Crossover performance of power amplifier
There is provided an amplifier arrangement comprising: a main amplifier connected to receive an input signal and generate an amplified version of the input signal; an additional amplifier, having a smaller geometry than the main amplifier, connected to receive the input signal and generate an amplified version thereof; and wherein the outputs of the main amplifier and the additional amplifier are combined to provide an amplified output. |
| US09054646B2 |
Integrated amplifier for driving acoustic transducers
The invention relates to an electronic integrated amplifier for driving an acoustic transducer. The amplifier comprises two differential input terminals to receive an input signal and a first and a second output terminal to provide an output signal to the transducer. In addition, the amplifier comprises an operational amplifier having an input end including differential inputs and an output end operatively associated with the first and second output terminals. A pair of input resistors connect the two differential input terminals to two intermediate terminals, respectively. A pair of feedback resistors connect the first and second output terminals to the two intermediate terminals, respectively. The integrated amplifier also comprises means for high-pass filtering the input signal. Such filtering means is characterized in that it comprises an input element interposed between said intermediate terminals and the input end of the operational amplifier, and a feedback element connected between the input end and the output end of the same operational amplifier. |
| US09054643B2 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating an envelope tracking system
A method of calibrating an envelope tracking system for a supply voltage for a power amplifier module within a radio frequency (RF) transmitter module of a wireless communication unit. The method includes, within at least one signal processing module of the wireless communication unit, determining combinations of the power amplifier supply voltage and power amplifier input power that provide a power amplifier output power equal to a target output power, obtaining battery current indications for the determined combinations of the power amplifier supply voltage and power amplifier input power, selecting a combination of the power amplifier supply voltage and power amplifier input power that provide a power amplifier output power equal to a target output power based at least partly on the obtained battery current indications therefore, and calibrating the envelope tracking system using the selected combination of the power amplifier supply voltage and power amplifier input power. |
| US09054642B2 |
Systems and methods to provide compensated feedback phase information
A communication system includes a polar conversion component, a polar modulator, an RF front-end component, a feedback receiver, a delay compensation component, and an adder. The polar conversion component is configured to provide an amplitude signal and a phase signal. The polar modulator is configured to receive amplitude signal and the phase signal and to provide the phase modulated local oscillator signal and an RF output signal. The RF front-end component is configured to receive the RF output signal and to provide a coupled output signal. The feedback receiver is configured to receive the phase modulated local oscillator signal and the coupled output signal and to generate an uncompensated feedback phase information signal. The delay compensation component is configured to receive the phase signal and the uncompensated feedback phase information signal and to generate a compensation signal. The adder is configured to add the compensation signal to the uncompensated feedback phase information signal to generate a compensated feedback phase information signal. |
| US09054637B1 |
Amplitude limiting circuit for a crystal oscillator
An amplitude limiting circuit for a crystal oscillator circuit includes a current source configured to supply drive current to the crystal oscillator circuit and a current sensing circuit configured to sense operating current in an inverting transistor of the crystal oscillator circuit. The current comparison circuit functions to compare the sensed operating current to at least a reference current and generate an output signal. A current control circuit generates a control signal for controlling operation of the current source in response to the output signal. |
| US09054635B2 |
Crystal oscillator with reduced acceleration sensitivity
A crystal oscillator having a plurality of quartz crystals that are manufactured so that the directional orientation of the acceleration sensitivity vector is essentially the same for each crystal. This enables convenient mounting of the crystals to a circuit assembly with consistent alignment of the acceleration vectors. The crystals are aligned with the acceleration vectors in an essentially anti-parallel relationship and can be coupled to the oscillator circuit in either a series or parallel arrangement. Mounting the crystals in this manner substantially cancels the acceleration sensitivity of the composite resonator and oscillator, rendering it less sensitive to vibrational forces and shock events. |
| US09054633B2 |
Bias current circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit
A bias current circuit controls an oscillator that generates an oscillation signal of a frequency corresponding to an input current. The circuit includes a part that detects fluctuation of a control current for variably controlling the frequency of the oscillation signal and a part that generates an input current in which a fluctuation component of the control current is canceled using a current for cancelling the detected fluctuation of the control current. |
| US09054622B2 |
Method of controlling a current of a motor and control device of a motor
The present invention is a control device of a motor, for drawing out a capacity of the motor as much as possible so as to achieve a high-speed high-output performance thereof while securing a stability, including: a converter unit configured to rectify and smooth an AC voltage, and to output a DC main circuit voltage; an inverter unit configured to pass a current for driving the motor, with the use of the main circuit voltage; a current detector configured to detect an armature current passing through the motor; a position detector disposed on the motor, the position detector being configured to detect a motor speed; and a current control unit configured to control, upon reception of a q-axis current command (Iqr), the armature current passing through the motor, by outputting a signal for driving the inverter unit, with the use of data from the current detector and data from the position detector. |
| US09054618B2 |
Safety circuit and emergency power supply for gate control circuit
A power supply circuit can be used to provide an alternating-current supply voltage to an electric motor. The power supply circuit is supplied by line power. The power supply circuit includes a inverter including at least one pair of transistor for generating a corresponding phase of the plurality of power supply phases. The inverter includes a transistor control circuit for switching the low-side transistor to its conducting state and the high-side transistor to its non-conducting state in case an excess voltage is detected at the input of the inverter. |
| US09054617B2 |
Control device of permanent magnet synchronous motor for preventing irreversible demagnetization of permanent magnet and control system including the same
A maximum current value determination unit determines the maximum current value of a permanent magnet synchronous motor in order to prevent irreversible demagnetization of a permanent magnet of the permanent magnet synchronous motor from occurring due to transient current occurring at the time of short-circuiting of three phases, based on one of a set of irreversible demagnetization causing current value corresponding to permanent magnet temperature and the transient current occurring at the time of the short-circuiting of three phases, and a set of irreversible demagnetization causing magnetic field intensity corresponding to the permanent magnet temperature and demagnetization field intensity of the permanent magnet of the permanent magnet synchronous motor occurring at the time of the short-circuiting of three phases. A current control unit controls the current of the permanent magnet synchronous motor so that the current value of the permanent magnet synchronous motor is less than the maximum current value. |
| US09054615B2 |
Method and apparatus for control of a synchronous permanent magnet motor, particularly over a long cable in a well
A synchronous permanent magnet motor is controlled independently of position sensing means by determining the system parameters including the motor impedance and back-emf and the cable impedance and supplying power according to a predefined voltage:frequency ratio which is determined based on said system parameters to provide a desired rate of acceleration determined by the supply voltage. |
| US09054609B2 |
Container with touch control arrangement
A touch control arrangement is arranged for a container having a foldable cover being folded between an opened position and a closed position via an actuation unit. The touch control arrangement includes a power source and a touch actuator electrically linked to the power source, wherein the touch actuator is located out of the storage cavity of the container body and is arranged in such a manner that when the touch actuator is activated by a presence of a touch, the actuation unit is actuated to move the foldable cover from the closed position to the opened position. |
| US09054607B2 |
Motor drive device, magnetic disk storage device, and electronic device
A motor drive device has a spindle motor driver adapted to drive a spindle motor. the spindle motor driver includes lower side NMOSFETs, one for each phase, which connect and disconnect terminals, one for each phase, of the spindle motor to and from a ground terminal; a controller adapted to generate a switch control signal and a brake control signal; lower side pre-drivers, one for each phase, connected between an application terminal of an internal power supply voltage and the ground terminal and adapted to generate lower side gate signals, one for each phase, in accordance with the switch control signal to output the lower side gate signals to the lower side NMOSFETs, one for each phase; and a brake unit adapted to pull up to the internal power supply voltage all the lower side gate signals, one for each phase, in accordance with the brake control signal. |
| US09054605B2 |
Haptic module using piezoelectric element
Disclosed is a haptic module using a piezoelectric element. The haptic module comprises a base, a vibration member which is mounted on the upper portion of the base so as to be vertically movable, a piezoelectric element which couples to the vibration member, a power portion for applying power to the piezoelectric element, and a panel member which is mounted to the upper portion of the vibration member. According to the present invention, vertical movement of the vibration member effectively sends force to the panel member by means of the piezoelectric element to facilitate the vertical movement and enhance driving force, and thereby enhances the feeling of vibration or clicking of the panel member. |
| US09054587B2 |
Non-isolated AC-to-DC converter having a low charging current initial power up mode
In a steady state operation mode, a charging circuit of a non-isolated AC-to-DC converter decouples an output voltage VO node from a VR node when the rectifier output signal VR on the VR node is greater than a first predetermined voltage VP and, 2) supplies a charging current from the VR node and onto the VO node when VR is less than VP provided that an output voltage VO on the VO node is less than a second predetermined voltage VO(MAX) and provided that VR is greater than VO. In an initial power up operation mode, the maximum limit value of the charging current is smaller than it is during steady state operation. Due to the reduced charging currents employed during initial power up operation, less noise is injected back to the AC source and EMI filters are not required between the rectifier of the converter and the AC source. |
| US09054585B2 |
Low drop diode equivalent circuit
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a low drop diode equivalent circuit. Piezoelectric device based vibration energy harvesting requires a rectifier for conversion of input ac to usable dc form. Power loss due to diode drop in rectifier is a significant fraction of the already low levels of harvested power. The low-drop-diode equivalent can replace the rectifier diodes and minimize power loss. The diode equivalent mimics a diode using linear region operated MOSFET. The diode equivalent is powered directly from input signal and requires no additional power supply for its control. Power used by the control circuit is kept at a value which gives an overall output power improvement. The diode equivalent replaces the four diodes in a full wave bridge rectifier, which is the basic full-wave rectifier and is a part of the more advanced rectifiers like switch-only and bias-flip rectifiers. |
| US09054584B2 |
Load detection for a low power mode in an AC-DC adapter
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to AC-DC adapters, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of employing a load detector to detect a load condition of the AC-DC adapters based on transient variation of a DC output voltage; and therefore, enable the AC-DC adapters to switch from a low power mode to a normal power mode. At the low power mode, a DC output voltage is generated at a target voltage by the AC-DC adapter, and subsequently drops at a decay rate dependent on load condition. The load detector is electrically coupled to monitor the output voltage and measure the decay time between two threshold voltages. An enable instruction is provided to configure the AC-DC adapter to the normal power mode as soon as the decay time is lower than the threshold decay time or the variation of consecutive decay times reaches a certain threshold. |
| US09054583B2 |
Power-supply apparatus
A power-supply apparatus according to an aspect includes an inductor, a transistor that supplies, in an on-state, a current to the input side of the inductor, a second transistor that becomes, when the first transistor is in an off-state, an on-state and thereby brings the input side of the inductor to a predetermined potential, a signal generation unit that generates voltage signals corresponding to a current flowing to the inductor, an amplifier that outputs a current according to the voltage signals, a converter that converts the current output from the amplifier into a voltage signal, and a control unit that controls the transistors based on a first feedback signal corresponding to the voltage on the output side of the inductor and the voltage signal, which is used as a second feedback signal. |
| US09054578B2 |
Hybrid driver including a turbo mode
A hybrid output driver includes a voltage mode main driver and a current mode emphasis driver that provides an adjustable differential output voltage swing. The current mode emphasis driver provides: push-pull swing control currents in response to a cursor data value, push-pull precursor currents in response to a precursor data value, and push-pull postcursor currents in response to a postcursor data value. In a normal operating mode, the swing control currents oppose voltages imposed by the voltage mode main driver on the differential output terminals. In a turbo operating mode, the swing control currents enhance voltages imposed by the voltage mode main driver on the differential output terminals. |
| US09054576B2 |
High efficiency DC/DC converter with high conversion ratio
A high efficiency DC/DC converter with high conversion ratio is provided. The DC/DC converter includes a power switch for selectively switching an electrical connection between one side of a power supply and anodes of a first diode and a second diode, a first capacitive element whose one side is connected to a cathode of the first diode, a second capacitive element whose one side is connected to a cathode of the second diode, a first-first switch for selectively switching an electrical connection between the other side of the first capacitive element and the other side of the power supply, and a second-first switch for selectively switching an electrical connection between the other side of the first capacitive element and one side of the second capacitive element. |
| US09054568B2 |
Permanent magnet rotating electric machine
A permanent magnet rotating electric machine includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes: a permanent magnet forming a single pole within a rotor core of the rotor, the permanent magnet being divided into two divided permanent magnets; a connecting portion assuming an electrical steel sheet disposed between the two divided permanent magnets; and magnet insertion holes in which the permanent magnets are inserted. In the rotor, the magnet insertion holes are shaped to include: air gaps at both end portions in a width direction of the permanent magnet, each air gap being formed between a surface of the permanent magnet extending perpendicularly to the magnetization direction and a surface of the electrical steel sheet facing the surface of the permanent magnet; a shoulder portion disposed on the facing surface; and another air gap extending toward a rotor outside diameter side and the magnetic pole center side. |
| US09054567B2 |
High power density SRMs
A power converter having a first switch and a first unidirectional current device that conducts current unidirectionally. The first switch and first unidirectional current device are interconnected such that when interconnected with a dc voltage supply, battery, and first phase winding of an electrical machine: (1) a first operational state exists in which a conductive state of the first switch causes the dc voltage supply to conduct current through the first switch and first phase winding, so as to store energy within the first phase winding and (2) a second operational state exists in which a non-conductive state of the first switch causes the first phase winding to discharge its stored energy by conducting current through the first unidirectional current device and battery, so as to store energy in the battery. |
| US09054566B2 |
Electric machine—evaporative cooling
An electric machine comprises a rotor, preferably having permanent magnets, although other field generation means are available, and a stator. The stator has coils wound on stator bars for interaction with the magnetic field of the rotor across an air gap defined between them. The rotor comprises a housing of a chamber containing refrigerant. The rotor housing has heat dissipating fins accessible by the open environment whereby air movement relative to the housing caused at least by rotation of the rotor absorbs heat from the fins. The machine may be an axial flux machine, the coils being wound on bars that are disposed circumferentially spaced around a fixed axle of the machine forming a rotational axis of the rotor. The machine may be a wheel motor for a vehicle, wherein the wheel is mounted directly on the rotor housing. |
| US09054565B2 |
Electric machine cooling system and method
Embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module including a housing. In some embodiments, the housing can include a sleeve member coupled to at least one end cap. The housing can include an inner wall at least partially defining a machine cavity, a coolant sump, and at least one coolant channel positioned between the inner wall and an outer wall of the housing. In some embodiments, the coolant channel can be in fluid communication with the coolant sump. In some embodiments, an electric machine can be positioned in the machine cavity. The electric machine can comprise a stator assembly including stator end turns and a rotor assembly. In some embodiments, a coolant jacket can be at least partially defined by the housing and can be positioned so that to at least partially circumscribe a portion of the stator assembly. |
| US09054563B2 |
Motor for electric power steering device
A motor for an electric power steering device, includes: a housing side bearing which is placed on the output side of a shaft of a rotor placed in a frame, and is supported by a housing connected to the frame; and a frame side bearing which is placed on the opposite output side of the shaft of the rotor, and is composed of an outer ring and an inner ring supported by the frame. The motor is controlled by an electronic control unit which is coaxially placed with the rotor, the motor including: a bearing box which supports the frame side bearing, and is formed with a closed end section between the closed end section and the side of the frame side bearing; an axial elastic body which is placed on the closed end section of the bearing box, and applies a preload in an axial direction to the outer ring of the frame side bearing; and a radial elastic body which is placed on the outer circumferential side of the outer ring of the frame side bearing, and applies a preload in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. |
| US09054560B2 |
Power generating apparatus
A wind power generator includes: an input rotor provided so as to be rotatable together with an output shaft of a speed increaser; an output rotor provided so as to be rotatable together with a drive shaft of a generator; and a one-way clutch arranged between the input and output rotors. The one-way clutch connects the input rotor to the output rotor such that the input rotor and the output rotor are rotatable together with each other when a rotation speed of the input rotor exceeds a rotation speed of the output rotor, and that disconnects the input rotor from the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor falls below the rotation speed of the output rotor. The one-way clutch has a rotation speed limiter that disconnects the input rotor from the output rotor when the rotation speed of the output shaft exceeds a predetermined value. |
| US09054557B2 |
Voltage balancing of symmetric HVDC monopole transmission lines after earth faults
A voltage balancing unit for a symmetric monopole high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line interconnecting two voltage source converters (VSCs), the transmission line including first arresters having a first switching impulse protective level (SIPL) is provided. The voltage balancing unit includes a pair of second arresters having a second SIPL which is less than the first SIPL, and a switching device being arranged for temporarily connecting, in the event of a voltage unbalance on the transmission line, the first arresters between either pole and ground. A voltage unbalance on the transmission line may be removed by temporarily connecting second arresters, with a significantly lower SIPL than the first arresters, for limiting the pole voltage to a level close to the normal voltage. Further, a method of voltage balancing is provided. Voltage unbalances may arise as a consequence of lightning induced earth faults. |
| US09054555B1 |
Methods and systems for charging a rechargeable battery device on a marine vessel
Systems and methods for charging a rechargeable battery device on a marine vessel utilize a rechargeable battery device, a charger charging the battery device, and a control circuit. The control circuit calculates an amount of current that is available to charge the battery device based upon an amount of current that is available from the shore power source and an amount of current that is being drawn from the shore power source by devices other than a voltage charger and limits the amount of current being drawn by the voltage charger to charge the battery device to an amount that is equal to or less than the calculated amount of current that is available to charge the battery device. The control circuit can repeatedly calculate the amount of current that is available to charge the battery device and limit the amount of current being drawn by a voltage charger to charge the battery device to thereby actively adjust an amount of charge applied to the battery device. |
| US09054550B2 |
Automobile charging apparatus
There are provided a control device, a power-supply cord, and a charging cable to be connected to an automobile, wherein the control device includes an electric-leakage detection portion for detecting an electric leakage in the charging cable or the automobile, a connection detection portion for detecting the charging cable being connected to the automobile, and a power-supply interruption portion for controlling supply of electricity from the power-supply cord to the charging cable, and, further, the control device has a function of activating the electric-leakage detection portion in a predetermined case, in a state where the automobile charging apparatus is supplied with a commercial power supply. |
| US09054549B2 |
Circuit topology for regulating power from low capacity battery cells
A power circuit includes a voltage limited charge circuit and a linear regulator to supply high current pulses to a load while maintaining a regulated output and not discharging the battery below a predetermined level. The voltage limited charge circuit includes a low impedance transistor and an operational amplifier that are together configured as an active loop. The transistor functions as a switch, and the operational amplifier provides an adjustable control voltage that adjusts the impedance of the transistor according to current battery voltage and a minimum threshold voltage. Adjusting the impedance of the transistor enables the storage capacitor to charge very fast when the battery impedance is low, or very slow when the battery impedance is high. |
| US09054548B2 |
Contactless power feeding system
The contactless power feeding system includes a power transmitting device including an AC power source, a power transmitting element transmitting an AC power and a first microprocessor generating a transmission signal, and a power receiving device including a power receiving element receiving the AC power, a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, a voltage conversion circuit, a second microprocessor generating a response signal in accordance with the transmission signal, a charge control circuit changing a charging rate for a power storage device in accordance with the response signal and the power storage device whose charging is controlled by the charge control circuit. Then, a resistance value of the power storage device changes, an impedance changes, and a modulation signal is generated. The generated modulation signal is transmitted from the power receiving device to the power transmitting device and is processed by the first microprocessor. |
| US09054547B2 |
Communication method and apparatus in wireless recharging system
A method of performing communication between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver, which includes performing load detection by detecting wireless power provided by the wireless power transmitter being applied to the wireless power receiver; setting up a common channel having a predetermined first frequency for establishing a connection with the wireless power receiver, which is performed by the wireless power transmitter; establishing the connection with the wireless power receiver using the common channel; determining, from among available channels, a selection channel having an optimal condition for communicating with the wireless power receiver and a predetermined second frequency through use of the common channel; and performing data transmission and reception with the wireless power receiver through the selection channel. |
| US09054542B2 |
Coil configurations for inductive power transfer
An inductive power supply system in which the receiving unit includes a secondary coil and a plurality of resonating circuits with different characteristics. Each of the resonating circuits may include a resonating coil and a resonating capacitor. The resonating coils may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil so that energy may be transferred from one or more of the resonating coils to said receiving unit. The plurality of resonating circuits are configured to provide improved power transfer efficiency or performance at different distances between the primary coil and secondary coil. The present invention may also provide a method for tuning the wireless power system including the general steps of measuring an operating characteristic in the primary unit, measuring an operating characteristic in the receiver unit and tuning one or more of the components in the primary unit and the secondary unit based on a comparison of the two measurements. |
| US09054539B2 |
Arrangement and process for housing electric vehicle supply equipment
The invention is directed to arrangement and process for housing a battery charger. The battery charger housing arrangement includes a battery charger configured to provide power to charge a vehicle battery, a reinforcement structure configured to hold the battery charger, and a housing configured to cover the reinforcement structure and the battery charger. The housing forms a waterproof covering to protect the battery charger from the environment, a charge cable extends from the housing and is configured to connect to and charge a vehicle, and a window is arranged in the housing so that a user can operate the battery charger. The reinforcement structure is configured to structurally locate the housing in a stable non-movable location. |
| US09054535B2 |
Methods and systems for charging an energy storage device
A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine. |
| US09054530B2 |
Pulsed interrupter and method of operation
Some embodiments provide interrupter systems comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; a piston movably located at a first position and electrically coupled with the first and second electrodes establishing a closed state, the piston comprises an electrical conductor that couples with the first and second electrodes providing a conductive path; an electromagnetic launcher configured to, when activated, induce a magnetic field pulse causing the piston to move away from the electrical coupling with the first and second electrodes establishing an open circuit between the first and second electrodes; and a piston control system comprising a piston arresting system configured to control a deceleration of the piston following the movement of the piston induced by the electromagnetic launcher such that the piston is not in electrical contact with at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode when in the open state. |
| US09054529B2 |
Battery protection circuit and method thereof
The present disclosure discloses a battery protection circuit and a method thereof for protecting a battery pack. The battery protection circuit comprises a hardware protection circuit, a software protection circuit and a current detecting circuit. When the battery pack is not in the active status, the hardware protection circuit is used to execute a protective operation; and when the battery pack is in the active status, the software protection circuit is used to execute the protective operation. Furthermore, the hardware protection circuit is electrically connected to the software protection circuit to detect a status of the software protection circuit. When the battery pack is in the active status, the software protection circuit is used to execute the protective operation, and when the software protection circuit is in an abnormal status, the hardware protection circuit is used instead to execute the protective operation. |
| US09054528B2 |
Event system and timekeeping for battery management and protection system
Operating a battery management and protection system includes generating a set of events each of which has a respective frequency F/n1, F/n2 . . . F/nm, where ni are integers. One or more of the events are provided to one or more modules in the system. The events, which are generated and provided to the modules independently of a central processing unit, trigger performance of respective actions by the modules. |
| US09054527B1 |
Short circuits and power limit protection circuits
In one embodiment, a method includes: detecting one of a short-to-ground condition and a short-to-supply condition at an output node; after a delay, selectively activating a feedback control transistor according to the detecting; detecting a first current passing through a first transistor using a second transistor sized to be smaller than the first transistor; mirroring the detected current using a plurality of transistors to form a feedback current; and providing the feedback current to a gate electrode of the first transistor according to the selectively activating the feedback control transistor. |
| US09054526B2 |
Method for operating a converter and a switching cell and a converter
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for operating a converter, wherein the converter includes a plurality of bridge branches having one or more switching cells connected in series. Each bridge branch connects one of a plurality of inputs to one of a plurality of outputs of the converter. The method includes monitoring each of the switching cells in order to determine a fault. If a fault is identified in one of the switching cells, triggering one of the triggering elements for short-circuiting switching cell connections if the fault identified in the switching cell is not followed by identification of a fault in a further one of the switching cells within a predetermined period of time. |
| US09054525B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an over-current protection threshold
Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting an over-current protection threshold (514) are disclosed. A dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) receives a first trigger to switch to a high discharge current mode. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) starts a high-current timer (210) and increases the over-current protection threshold (514) in response to receiving the trigger. The dynamic over-current protection circuit (104) decreases the over-current protection threshold (514) and starts a hold-off timer (212) in response to an expiration of the high current timer (210). The hold-off timer (212) prevents a second trigger from causing a switch to the high discharge current mode until the hold-off timer expires. |
| US09054524B2 |
Bi-directional bipolar junction transistor for high voltage electrostatic discharge protection
A bi-directional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device may include a substrate, an N+ doped buried layer, an N-type well region and two P-type well regions. The N+ doped buried layer may be disposed proximate to the substrate. The N-type well region may encompass the two P-type well regions such that a portion of the N-type well region is interposed between the two P-type well regions. The P-type well regions may be disposed proximate to the N+ doped buried layer and comprise one or more N+ doped plates and one or more P+ doped plates. |
| US09054518B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display unit including a thin film transistor (TFT) and a display device. The display device is electrically connected to the TFT and displays an image. A circuit unit is disposed at a side of the display unit and includes a driving device or a signal line unit. The circuit unit includes a damage inducing unit electrically coupled to a conductor in the circuit unit. The damage inducing unit forcibly discharges an electrostatic discharge (ESD) introduced into the circuit unit, thus preventing damage to the driving device or the signal line unit due to the ESD. |
| US09054516B2 |
Circuit breaker trip notification systems and methods
The present invention provides circuit breaker notification to users. The invention includes systems, apparatus, and methods to monitor a position of an operating handle of a circuit breaker; sense a change in the position of the circuit breaker operating handle to a tripped position; generate a first signal representative of an identifier of the circuit breaker with the operating handle in the tripped position; transmit the first signal to a communications device; and provide notification of a trip event within the identified circuit breaker to a user via the communications device. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed. |
| US09054514B2 |
Reduced let through voltage transient protection or suppression circuit
A low let-through voltage surge suppression or protection circuit for protecting hardware or equipment from electrical surges. During operation when no surge condition is present, the circuit allows propagation of signals from a source to a load along a signal path. When a surge is present, the circuit senses and diverts the surge away from the signal path, utilizing common mode and/or differential mode surge protection. An electronic filter is connected in parallel with surge suppression circuit elements for reducing the let through voltage that would otherwise propagate and require a higher power surge suppression circuit element to mitigate. Cascading multiple electronic filters in parallel with surge suppression circuit elements further reduces voltage let through. |
| US09054510B2 |
Utility meter socket and conduit and method of installation
A system may include a load-side conduit including a plurality of punch-outs for passing utility wires to a building. The system may also include a utility box having an opening to receive the load-side conduit. The utility box receives utility wires from a utility-side conduit. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit may include a plurality of mounting flanges for suspending the load-side conduit from the utility box. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a mounting strap, attached to the load-side conduit, for mounting the load-side conduit onto a building. In one embodiment, the load-side conduit includes a body and a cover. The body may include locking flanges and the cover may include hooks to engage the locking flanges to secure the cover to the body. |
| US09054508B2 |
Electrical junction box
An electrical junction box includes a frame, a bus bar and a relay to be mounted to the frame, a junction terminal interconnecting a plate-like terminal portion of the bus bar and a plate-like terminal portion of the relay. The junction terminal includes a tubular portion having a pair of opposing walls and a spring portion arranged in the tubular portion such that the plate-like terminal portion of the bus bar inserted into the tubular portion from one side is sandwiched between the spring portion and one opposing wall and the plate-like terminal portion of the electronic component inserted into the tubular portion from the other side is sandwiched between the spring portion and the other opposing wall. The frame includes a receiving portion allowing the junction terminal to enter only when it is in correct position and an engagement portion holding the junction terminal inserted into the receiving portion. |
| US09054507B2 |
Communications cable with fabric sleeve
A communications cable (11) is provided with a pliant sleeve (12, 21, 31) to allow it to be more easily inserted into a conduit. One form of the sleeve (12) has hook (14) and loop (15) connected to each other so that the sleeve (12) can engage the cable (11). Another form of the sleeve (21) is spring-loaded to engage the cable (11). In a third form of the sleeve (31) has an adhesive (33) which attaches the sleeve (31) to the cable (11). |
| US09054502B1 |
Ceramic for ignition device insulator with low relative permittivity
A ceramic insulator for surrounding an electrode of an ignition device, such as a corona igniter or spark plug, is provided. The insulator is formed of a ceramic material including alumina in an amount of 28 to 38 wt. %, silica in an amount of 57 to 67 wt. %, and calcium oxide in an amount of 3 to 7 wt. %, based on the total weight of the ceramic material. The ceramic insulator is typically formed by firing a mixture of Kaolin, calcium carbonate, and silica, wherein the calcium carbonate acts as a flux during firing. The ceramic material has a relative permittivity of about 5.5 to 6.5 and thus improves the electrical efficiency of the ignition device. The ceramic material is also capable of withstanding temperatures of 900 to 1000° C. and has excellent thermal shock resistance, making it suitable for use in internal combustion engines. |
| US09054499B1 |
Seeded Raman amplifier in linear configuration for laser applications in the 1100-1500 nm spectral range
A desired Nth-order Stokes output and corresponding zeroth-order Stokes pump wavelengths are seeded into a Raman amplifier comprised of one or more Raman resonators in series sequentially tuned to the 1st, 2nd, . . . N−1st Stokes orders. The pump wavelength is amplified and sequentially converted to the 1st, 2nd, . . . N−1st order Stokes wavelengths as it propagates through the apparatus. The desired Nth-order Stokes output wavelength is then amplified by the N−1st Stokes order as it propagates through the final resonator tuned to the N−1st Stokes order. Each Raman resonator includes a Raman photosensitive Raman fiber located between a pair of Bragg gratings. The linewidths of the various Stokes orders can be controlled through adjusting the resonant bandwidths of the Raman resonators by offsetting, through heating, the reflectivity bandwidths of each pair of Bragg gratings respectively located in the Raman resonators. |
| US09054497B2 |
Quantum cascade lasers with improved performance using interface roughness scattering
A quantum cascade laser and method of making are disclosed. The quantum cascade laser includes a plurality stages configured in a cascade structure, each stage having a quantum well emission layer and an injection layer, each stage having an upper laser level and a lower laser level. A scattering barrier is located in the quantum well emission layer, the scattering barrier being positioned such that interface roughness (IFR) scattering at the lower laser level is greater than IFR scattering at the upper laser level. The scattering barrier may be located to maximize IFR scattering for the lower laser level and/or minimize IFR scattering for the upper laser level. |
| US09054495B2 |
Optical fiber amplifier with improved performance
A method for controlling a variation in gain in an optical amplifier stage and an optical amplifier. The optical amplifier stage includes a pumping device for providing pumping power and a control unit for determining a change in an input power of the optical amplifier. The method includes the steps of determining a change in an input power of the optical amplifier, adjusting a pumping power of the pumping device to a first power level for a predetermined period of time and adjusting the pumping power of the pumping device to a second power level. The second power level is able to drive the amplifier gain to a predetermined gain value after the change in the input power occurred. |
| US09054491B1 |
Solid-state coherent electromagnetic radiation source
Solid state devices are provided for advantageously generating substantially coherent electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic waves in one or more desired frequency ranges, including terahertz, infrared, or visible light, can be generated using the ring-down mode of a splint-ring resonator (SRR). Present devices can offer tunable output frequencies by employing a biasing voltage to vary the carrier concentration of the dielectric of a capacitor for the SRR. |
| US09054483B2 |
Photoelectric converting module
A photoelectric converting module includes a circuit board, a locating frame fixed on the circuit board, and a photoelectric coupling element. The photoelectric coupling element includes a bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a groove. A shape of the groove coincides with that of the locating frame and a size of the groove is slightly greater than that of the locating frame. The groove receives the locating frame. |
| US09054481B2 |
Cooling device and semiconductor laser device
There is provided a semiconductor laser device including a plurality of members constituting a first group and a second group in each of which a semiconductor laser element is incorporated, a cooling jacket having, on a surface of the cooling jacket, a first region in which the member of the first group is disposed and a second region in which the member of the second group is disposed, and a cooling medium channel which is disposed in a portion close to the first region and separate from the second region inside the cooling jacket and through which a cooling medium passes. |
| US09054478B2 |
Electrical connector having a designed breaking strength
An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector. |
| US09054477B2 |
Connectors and methods for manufacturing connectors
Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided. |
| US09054473B2 |
Processor loading system
A component loading system includes a board having a socket. A first base member is secured to the board through a plurality of first heat dissipater coupling posts. A first securing member is moveably coupled to the first base member. A second base member is secured to the board through a plurality of second heat dissipater coupling posts. A second securing member is moveably coupled to the second base member. A loading member is moveably coupled to the first base member. A heat dissipater is operable to be coupled to the plurality of first heat dissipater coupling posts and the plurality of second heat dissipater coupling posts. The loading member is operable to be secured to the board by moving the first securing member into engagement with the second base member and moving the second securing member into engagement with the first base member. |
| US09054471B2 |
Coaxial angled adapter
A coaxial angled adapter includes a first adapter body, a first dielectric disposed within the first adapter body and a first inner contact within the first dielectric. An outer contact is attached to the first adapter body outside the first dielectric and provides electrical shielding and mechanical retention of components. A second adapter body may be attached to the first adapter body such that an axis of the first adapter body and an axis of the second adapter body form a non-zero angle therebeween. A second dielectric may be provided within the second adapter, and a second inner contact may be provided within the second dielectric. The second dielectric and second inner contact may engage the first dielectric and first inner contact, respectively. |
| US09054467B2 |
Electrical connector having a connector shroud
Electrical connector including a module assembly having a contact module. The contact module has a module body and signal conductors held by the module body. The module assembly has a shroud-engaging face. The signal conductors have respective signal members disposed along the shroud-engaging face. The electrical connector also includes a connector shroud that couples to the module assembly. The connector shroud has a mating side, a loading side, and a mating axis extending therebetween. The connector shroud includes contact passages that extend therethrough. The loading side interfaces with the shroud-engaging face. The connector shroud couples to the module assembly in first or second rotational positions about the mating axis. The contact passages align with the signal members for each of the first and second rotational positions. |
| US09054463B2 |
Audio interface connector with ground lift, kit, system and method of use
In an audio system my balanced interface audio connector couples an audio driver device and an audio receiver device by means of a cable containing a pair of conductive differential lines within a shield. The balanced interface audio connector comprises an electronic filter and a manually operable switch by means of whose displacement between a first position and a second position, the electronic filter can be activated or deactivated. In the first position of the switch, the electronic filter is deactivated and the shield is connected to the audio connector's ground contact pin. In the second position of the switch, the electronic filter is activated and the shield is connected through the electronic filter prior to connection with the connector's ground contact pin. The method of using my balanced interface audio connector functions as a ground lift to safely break a ground current loop and simultaneously suppresses radio and electro-magnetic frequencies from contaminating the final audio program signal. |
| US09054462B2 |
Electric connector with a multipart shield
An electrical connector having a generally tubular housing connects the conductors of an electrically-shielded cable with an electrical component, including a injection-molded electrically-conductive synthetic plastic bridge arrangement connecting the cable shield layer at a stripped end of the cable with a connector shield member arranged on the connector housing into one end of which the conductors are introduced. An injection-molded annular carrier layer of insulating synthetic plastic material is molded concentrically about the conductor ends, one end of the carrier layer extending within the conductive bridging layer, and the other end extending within the bore of the connector housing into which the conductor ends extend. Consequently, the connector is structurally reinforced to resist the forces and stresses of vibration and shock. |
| US09054460B2 |
Communication plug having a printed circuit board with surface mounted blades
Communications plugs are provided which include a printed circuit board having a plurality of elongated conductive traces and a plurality of plug blades. Each plug blade has a first section that extends along a top surface of the printed circuit board and a second section that extends along a front edge of the printed circuit board. Additionally, each plug blade may have a thickness that is at least twice the thickness of the elongated conductive traces. The plug blades may be low profile plug blades that are manufactured separately from the printed circuit board. |
| US09054456B2 |
Power connector assembly having an alignment body
Power connector assembly including a power contact having a base portion and opposing contact springs that project from the base portion along a mating axis. The contact springs oppose each other across a receiving space and are configured to engage a common conductive component that is inserted into the receiving space in a direction along the mating axis. The power connector assembly also includes an alignment body that has a support plate and a coupling member that engages and holds the power contact. The support plate includes an elongated slot and a contact window. The coupling member holds the power contact in a designated position relative to the support plate, wherein the base portion extends into the contact window when in the designated position and the contact springs extend along and substantially parallel to the elongated slot when in the designated position. |
| US09054452B2 |
Electrical connector assembled component
An electrical connector assembled component includes a first connector and a second connector, which can fit and separate to/from each other along an axis. The first connector includes a first housing, and the second connector has a second housing. The first housing has a flexible section formed with a slit groove that penetrates in the radial direction in the fitting tube, and the flexible section has a locking section that protrudes inward in the radial direction from the cylindrical fitting surface. The second housing includes a locked section, in which there is formed an engaging step-like section that contacts with the locking section in the fitting process so as to elastically flex and displace the locking section to allow movement in the fitting direction to the locking position and locks with the locking section in the connector-removal direction. |
| US09054447B1 |
Electrical connector using air heated by an electrical arc during disengagement of contacts to extinguish the electrical arc
An electrical connector system is configured for extinguishing a DC arc without the need for externally-driven forces by utilizing the mechanical action of a contact being removed from a pressurized cavity and releasing a flow of air to extinguish the arc. A female connector is disposed within an air-tight cavity. The male connector is removably inserted into the air-tight cavity, sealing the cavity, and providing an electrical connection. When the male connector separates from the female connector, a DC arc is created. However, the male connector continues to restrict air flow into or out of the cavity. The temperature rise within the cavity causes a pressure build-up and the eventual removal of the male connector from the cavity forcefully releases a blast of pressurized air through a constricted opening and extinguishes the arc. |
| US09054444B2 |
Connector door for an electronic device
An electronic device includes a housing, a system connector accessible at an external surface of the housing, and a hinged door to selectively expose or cover the system connector. The electronic device may also include a mechanism coupled to the hinged door that pivotally biases the door from an open position, in which the system connector can receive an external connector, to a partially closed position in which the hinged door at least partially covers said system connector. The hinged door is to slide along the housing if the hinged door is moved from the partially closed position to a fully closed position. |
| US09054440B2 |
Managed electrical connectivity systems
A connector arrangement includes a plug nose body; a printed circuit board positioned within a cavity of the plug nose body; and a plug cover that mounts to the plug nose body to enclose the printed circuit board within the cavity. The printed circuit board includes a storage device configured to store information pertaining to the electrical segment of communications media. The plug cover defines a plurality of slotted openings through which the second contacts are exposed. A connector assembly includes a jack module and a media reading interface configured to receive the plug. A patch panel includes multiple jack modules and multiple media reading interfaces. |
| US09054439B1 |
Structures for seamless coupling of device members
Devices having embedded structural features that permit assembly of such devices in a manner that design efficiencies and packaging efficiencies can be accomplished satisfactorily and substantially without mutual exclusivity. In one aspect, structure(s) associated with a functionality of user equipment can be leveraged in order to couple a front housing of the user equipment with a rear housing thereof. In another aspect, leveraging such structure can permit assembly of the user equipment in a manner that provides a seamless appearance of the user equipment and mechanical reliability and/or versatility. |
| US09054431B2 |
Press bond terminal
A press bond terminal in which the terminal is provided with an electrical connection part on which is provided a conductor press bond part connected by being pressed and bonded to a conductor of an electric wire through a first joining part and the conductor press bond part is further provided with a coating crimp part through a second joining part and the conductor press bond part is formed in substantially a U-shaped cross section by a base plate and a pair of conductor crimp pieces and both joining parts are formed in substantially U-shaped cross sections by base plates and a pair of low side plates, with projections provided on any inner surfaces of the conductor crimp pieces or inner surfaces of the side plates of the joining parts. |
| US09054430B2 |
Connection terminal
A connection terminal includes a box-shaped terminal body, a male contact piece protruding from a first side wall of the terminal body, a female contact portion arranged inside of the terminal body, a slit formed in a second side wall and at least one of a front wall closing up a front opening of the terminal body and a rear wall close up a rear opening of the terminal body. |
| US09054428B2 |
Antenna and wireless communication unit
An antenna includes: a first resonator and a second resonator each having an open end, in which the first resonator and the second resonator are disposed side by side to allow the open ends thereof to be opposed to each other; and a first capacitor connected between the open ends which are opposed to each other. |
| US09054427B2 |
Planar Vivaldi antenna array
A planar Vivaldi antenna array, and method of forming such an array, the array comprising: a plurality of slots at an end of the antenna array, the slots extending through the whole thickness of the planar structure of the antenna array; and a plurality of grooves extending from the slots; wherein: the grooves do not extend through the whole thickness of the planar structure of the antenna array; and the cross-sectional shape of the grooves is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the slots. |
| US09054423B2 |
MIMO antenna arrays built on metamaterial substrates
A magnetic permeability enhanced metamaterial is used to enhance the antenna array of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication system. A rectangular patch antenna array is formed including a stack of a plurality of unit cells, where each unit cell includes an inductive loop of magnetic permeability enhanced metamaterials embedded in a host dielectric substrate. The use of such metamaterials permits the antenna arrays to be made smaller, and have less mutual coupling, when using a metamaterial substrate. The measured channel capacities of the antenna arrays are similar for the metamaterial and conventional substrates; however, the capacity improvement when using MIMO relative to single antenna communication systems is greater for antennas on metamaterial substrates. |
| US09054420B2 |
Antenna module
An antenna module is provided. The antenna module includes a first ground element, a body, a radiator and a parasitic element. The body is electrically connected to the first ground element. The radiator is connected to the body, wherein the radiator includes an extending portion, a bending portion and a terminal portion, and the bending portion is connected to the extending portion, and the terminal portion is connected to the bending portion. The parasitic element includes a parasitic extending portion and a parasitic conductive portion, wherein the parasitic extending portion is connected to the parasitic conductive portion, and the terminal portion and the parasitic extending portion is located on a same straight line, and the terminal portion is separated from the parasitic extending portion. |
| US09054419B2 |
Antenna device of mobile terminal
An antenna device of a mobile terminal that can secure radiation performance is provided. The antenna device having a battery cover composed of a metal material includes a radiation unit for transmitting and receiving a signal, a feeding unit formed at an end portion of a first side of the radiation unit for electrically connecting the radiation unit to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), and a ground part disposed a predetermined distance from the feeding unit and formed at a second side of the radiation unit. When the battery cover is fastened to the mobile terminal, the ground part contacts a first side of the battery cover. |
| US09054418B2 |
Antenna structure for a wireless device with a ground plane shaped as a loop
This invention refers to an antenna structure for a wireless device comprising a ground plane and an antenna element, wherein the ground plane has the shape of an open loop. The invention further refers to an antenna structure for a wireless device, such as a light switch or a wrist sensor or wristwatch, comprising an open loop ground plane having a first end portion and a second end portion, the open loop ground plane defining an opening between the first end portion and the second end portion;and an antenna component positioned within the opening defined between the first end portion and the second end portion and overlapping at least one of the first end portion or the second end portion. Further the invention refers to a corresponding wireless device and to a method for integrating such an antenna structure in a wireless device. |
| US09054413B2 |
Antenna apparatus and electronic device including antenna apparatus
According to one embodiment, an antenna apparatus includes an antenna element and a parasitic element. The antenna element includes an element main body whose first end portion is connected to a feed point and second end portion as the other end portion is open, with the element main body being configured to be selectable between a first state in which the element main body is retracted into a housing of the electronic device and a second state in which the element main body extends from the housing. The parasitic element is disposed such that when the antenna element is in the first state, the first end portion is connected to the element main body of the antenna element and the second end portion is connected to a ground portion. |
| US09054408B2 |
Removable card for a contactless communication, its utilization and the method of production
Removable card for a contactless communication contains an antenna (4) formed of threads (10) placed on the external surface of the body (1) of the card and covered by a layer (7) of a ferromagnetic material. In advantageous adjustment the antenna (4) contains on one area (2) of the card eight threads (10) and both areas (2) of the card are covered by a layer (7) of a ferritic foil. The antenna (4) is connected to the series with element (12) with capacity and the resistance (11) on the other side. Resonant circuit is tuned in for the final frequency from 13.0 to 15.0 MHz. The signal from the antenna (4) is read between the first and the second thread (10) from the side of the element (12) with capacity. The production method for the antenna on the body of the removable card resides in the fact that a groove of the conductive path (5) shape is dredged on the surface of the card's body (1), the groove is filled with a conductive material and a ferromagnetic material layer (7) is applied on the surface of the area (2) covering the antenna (4). |
| US09054401B2 |
Pinned battery cell array for a hybrid electric vehicle
An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure, at least one battery array located within the enclosure comprised of one or more battery cells held in place between side rails and secured by end plates and mounting pins. The end plates also include flanges which secure the end plates behind the pins. The pin arrangement provides more secure holding and helps prevent torque loosening during operation. The battery array also includes cell retainers between each cell to reduce thermal transfer between cells, and an insulation liner between the battery cells and the side rails to improve creepage and clearance. |
| US09054396B2 |
Method for charging a lithium ion battery by increasing a charge limit voltage to compensate for internal battery voltage drop
The present invention provides a quick charge method belonging to the field of the battery and particularly relates to a quick charge method for lithium ion battery and polymer lithium ion battery. During a battery is being charged, the battery stops charging when the battery is charged to a charge limit voltage, and the charge limit voltage between two poles of the battery is set to be U=2U0−Us, and Us is a stabilized voltage which the voltage of the battery falls back to after the voltage of the battery is charged to U0 at a constant current, U0 is a standard charge cutoff voltage used by a low rate constant current-constant voltage charging mode which is normally accepted by the industries, and the stabilized voltage Us is selected as follows: timing begins when the battery stops charging at the constant current, and from a certain time segment, when the drop of an open-circuit voltage of the battery is less than a certain value within the certain time segment, which means that the voltage of the battery is stable, and a voltage corresponding to the first time point of this time segment is selected as the stabilized voltage Us of the battery. |
| US09054394B2 |
Secondary alkali metal/oxygen batteries
Batteries employing an oxygen (air) electrode, particularly those in which the oxygen electrode is combined with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal negative electrode useful I for bulk energy storage, particularly for electric utility grid storage, as well as for electric vehicle propulsion. Batteries have an electrochemically reversible oxygen positive having a porous mixed metal oxide matrix for receiving and retaining discharge product and a dense (non-porous) separator element which conducts oxygen ions and electrons in contact with a source of oxygen. |
| US09054390B2 |
Electrolyte for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery comprising the same
The present disclosure relates to an electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery, comprising a non-aqueous solvent, a lithium salt and an additive having a perfluoroalkyl group. By including the additive having a specific structure in the electrolyte, the output of the lithium secondary battery can be improved greatly. |
| US09054386B2 |
Electrode for secondary battery, preparation thereof, and secondary battery and cable-type secondary battery comprising the same
The present disclosure provides a sheet-form electrode for a secondary battery, comprising a current collector; an electrode active material layer formed on one surface of the current collector; a porous polymer layer formed on the electrode active material layer; and a first porous supporting layer formed on the porous polymer layer.The sheet-form electrode for a secondary battery according to the present disclosure has supporting layers on at least one of surfaces thereof to exhibit surprisingly improved flexibility and prevent the release of the electrode active material layer from a current collector even if intense external forces are applied to the electrode, thereby preventing the decrease of battery capacity and improving the cycle life characteristic of the battery. |
| US09054383B2 |
Porous carbonaceous composite material, positive electrode and lithium air battery including the material, and method of preparing the material
A porous carbonaceous composite material, a positive electrode and lithium air battery including the porous carbonaceous composite material, and a method of preparing the porous carbonaceous composite material. The porous carbonaceous composite material includes a carbon nanotube (CNT); and a modified carbonaceous material doped with a heterogeneous element, wherein the ratio of the number of surface oxygen atoms to the number of surface carbon atoms ranges upward from about 2 atom %. |
| US09054381B2 |
Si based negative electrode material
A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion battery having the composition formula SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, wherein a, b, c, y, m and z represent atomic % values, wherein M is either one of more of Fe, Cr and Co, and wherein a>0, b>0, z>0, y≧0, 0≦m≦1, c>5, z+0.5*b>a and c+y>0.75*b. The process for preparing the active material comprises the steps of:—providing a mixture of elemental and/or alloyed powders of the elements in the composition SiaSnbNicTiyMmCz, and—high energy milling under non-oxidizing conditions of the powder mixture. |
| US09054378B2 |
Positive plate material and cell comprising it
Provided are a cathode material capable of achieving a higher discharge capacity and a higher discharge voltage, and obtaining superior charge-discharge characteristics, and a battery using the cathode material. A separator (15) is disposed between a cathode (12) and an anode (14). The cathode (12) comprises a lithium composite oxide represented by LiaMIbMIIcOd. MI represents at least two kinds selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ni and Co, and MII represents at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Mg and B. Further, a, b, c and d are within a range satisfying 1.0 |
| US09054375B2 |
Rechargeable lithium battery
A rechargeable lithium battery includes a positive electrode including a current collector, a positive active material layer on the current collector and including a lithium manganese-based positive active material, and a protective layer on the positive active material layer and including a phosphite-based compound; a negative electrode; and an electrolyte coupled with the positive electrode and the negative electrode and including a lithium salt, a non-aqueous solvent, and an additive. |
| US09054374B2 |
Cathode active material, method of manufacturing the same and battery
A cathode active material capable of obtaining a high capacity and capable of improving stability or low-temperature characteristics, a method of manufacturing the same, and a battery are provided. A cathode (21) includes a cathode active material including a lithium complex oxide including Li and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni and Mn, and P and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Mg and Zn as coating elements on a surface of the lithium complex oxide. Preferably, the contents of the coating elements are higher on the surface of the cathode active material than those in the interior thereof, and decrease from the surface to the interior. |
| US09054371B2 |
Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a case containing the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case; a short-circuit tab electrically connected to the first electrode; and a short-circuit member electrically connected to the second electrode and configured to contact the short-circuit tab according to an increase of an internal pressure of the rechargeable battery, and the short-circuit member includes a connection portion having a plate shape, a support portion at an outer side of the connection portion, and a variable groove having a shape that is configured to change according to the increase of the internal pressure. |
| US09054370B2 |
Electric cell and battery assembly
Each of electric cells constituting a battery assembly is provided with external terminals. The upper end of the electric cell is covered with an upper cap surrounding the external terminals whereas the lower end of the electric cell is covered with a lower cap. The electric cell is held between an upper holder and a lower holder via the upper cap and the lower cap. The upper cap includes a protector including ribs projecting along both sides of an inspecting terminal projecting through a terminal opening. The upper ends of the ribs are located above the inspecting terminal. Consequently, a metallic tool or the like cannot be brought into contact with the inspecting terminal, thereby preventing short-circuiting. Thus, it is possible to secure an excellent assembling performance while enhancing the safety of assembling work. |
| US09054369B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, having an internal resistance of 10 mΩ or less as an alternating-current impedance value of 1 kHz, comprises a metal outer container, a nonaqueous electrolyte contained in the container, a positive electrode contained in the container, a negative electrode contained in the container, a separator interposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, a negative electrode lead having one end connected to the negative electrode, and a negative electrode terminal attached to the outer container so as to be connected electrically to the other end of the negative electrode lead, at least the surface of the negative electrode terminal which is connected to the negative electrode lead being formed of aluminum alloy with an aluminum purity of less than 99 wt. % containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Cr, Mn, Cu, Si, Fe and Ni. |
| US09054366B2 |
Electrical energy storage device
An electrical energy storage device is provided which comprises at least one module with a negative electrode, a positive electrode made from an anion generating material or material combination and conducting anions, and an anion conducting solid electrolyte located between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The negative electrode of each module comprises a porous structure that conducts anions and the pore space of which is at least partially filled by a first redox mass which comprises a metal/metal oxide pair. The positive electrode of each module comprises a porous structure that conducts anions and the pore space of which is at least partially filled by a second redox mass which comprises a metal/metal oxide pair with an increased oxidation potential compared to the first redox mass. |
| US09054365B2 |
Negative active material for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery
A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The active material includes a silicon-containing compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 where Si exists with a concentration gradient from the surface to the center of the negative active material: SiCx [Chemical Formula 1] where 1, 0.05≦x≦1.5. |
| US09054362B2 |
Fixed oxide fuel cell
A fixed oxide fuel cell includes: a plurality of separators each having first and second opening portions, the separators being stacked such that a membrane electrode assembly is interposed between the separators and that the first opening portions are aligned coaxially in communication with each other to constitute a fuel gas manifold while the second opening portions are aligned coaxially in communication with each other to constitute an oxidant gas manifold, fuel gas and oxidant gas being supplied to the membrane electrode assembly via the fuel gas and oxidant gas manifolds; and silver plate layers provided between the separators for sealing joints in the fuel gas and oxidant gas manifolds. |
| US09054359B2 |
Battery pack having a bus bar protection unit
A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units, each comprising a plurality of battery cells, a case providing a space to accommodate the battery cells, and a plurality of electrode terminals that are electrically connected to the battery cells and protrude out of the case. Bus bars connect electrode terminals of adjacent battery units. Short circuits are prevented by surrounding each bus bar with an insulating protection unit. |
| US09054358B2 |
Battery assembly method comprising a separate battery connector and a flex circuit for use in an electronic device
A battery assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The battery assembly may include a battery cell (e.g., a rechargeable battery cell), a battery connector for providing power from the battery cell to the electronic device, and a flex circuit electrically coupling the battery cell to the electronic device. The battery connector may be located adjacent the battery cell, and may include one or more alignment mechanisms for ensuring that conductive pads of the battery connector align properly with corresponding conductive elements of the electronic device. The battery cell may be fixed to the electronic device using an adhesive layer (e.g., double sided tape) placed between the cell and the electronic device. A tab may extend beyond the periphery of the battery cell to allow a user to pull or peal the battery cell from the electronic device for replacement or repair. In some embodiments, a tool may be used to grasp the tab. |
| US09054354B2 |
Fuel cell water disposal
Automated systems and methods remove water from a fuel cell powered vehicle and eliminate the need for one or more separate steps to discharge the water. The water may be simultaneously drained or discharged from the vehicle holding tank while the fuel cell powered vehicle is being refueled. |
| US09054352B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell stack with uniform flow distribution structure and metal sealing member
A solid oxide fuel cell stack with a uniform flow distribution structure and a metal sealing member is provided, in which fuel and air introduced into the solid oxide fuel cell stack are preheated to a predetermined temperature by heat exchangers provided therein and uniformly distributed over the entire anode and cathode reaction surfaces of unit cells to improve the use efficiency of a fuel cell and in which the sealing of the fuel cell stack is effectively maintained even under high temperature and high pressure conditions to ensure the safety of the fuel cell and increase its durability. |
| US09054351B2 |
System and method for cooling a fuel cell-powered vehicle
A fuel cell system, including a plurality of bipolar plate assemblies, each assembly including a first plate and a second plate with an internal coolant flow path disposed therebetween, a flow path for a first reactant gas on a side of the first plate opposite the internal coolant flow path, and a flow path for a second reactant gas on a side of the second plate opposite the internal coolant flow path, and a cooling system configured to place coolant in thermal communication with the plurality of bipolar plate assemblies, wherein cycling pressure differentials between the internal coolant flow path and the external reactant gas flow paths cause expansion and contraction of a volume of coolant disposed within the bipolar plate assembly, thereby pumping coolant through the cooling system. A method of cooling a fuel cell-powered vehicle is also provided. |
| US09054348B2 |
Protective coatings for metal alloys and methods incorporating the same
An electrochemical device having one or more solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), each of the SOFCs including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte layer positioned between the cathode and anode; and at least one additional component comprising a metallic substrate having an electronically conductive, chromium-free perovskite coating deposited directly thereon. The perovskite coating has the formula ABO3, wherein A is a lanthanide element or Y, and B is a mixture of two or more transition elements, with the A site undoped by any alkaline earth element, and the perovskite coating exhibits limited or no ionic transport of oxygen. |
| US09054347B2 |
Reversible superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic coating for fuel cell bipolar plates and method of making the same
One variation may include a method which may include depositing a hydrophilic coating over at least a portion of a fuel cell bipolar plate. The bipolar plate may include a reactant gas header opening communication with the plurality of tunnels. Moreover, the tunnels may be communicating with a plurality of channels which may be defined by reactant gas flow field which may include a plurality of lands. At least a portion of the hydrophilic coating may be reacted with the material including a hydrophobic group which may provide a hydrophobic portion. Thereafter, at least a portion of the hydrophobic portion comprising oxidizing the hydrophobic group may be removed in order to regenerate the hydrophilic coating. |
| US09054345B2 |
Pixel defining layer, preparation method thereof, organic light-emitting diode substrate and display
A method for preparing a pixel defining layer (PDL), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) substrate prepared by the PDL, and a display device are provided, which can overcome the problem that the conventional PDL comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials involves a complicated process. The method for preparing the PDL comprises: step 1: forming a mixed solution on a substrate to form a mixed solution film, in which the mixed solution includes a hydrophilic material, a hydrophobic material and a solvent; step 2: performing heat treatment on the mixed solution film to form a pixel defining material layer in which the content of the hydrophilic material on the upper portion is less than that of the hydrophilic material on the lower portion and the content of the hydrophobic material on the upper portion is more than that of the hydrophobic material on the lower portion; and step 3: forming a pattern of the PDL on the pixel defining material layer by a patterning process. This method for preparing a PDL is simple and easy to realize. |
| US09054344B2 |
Electroluminescent devices for lighting applications
A method of fabricating an organic light emitting device is provided. A first electrode is provided, over which the rest of the device will be fabricated. A first organic layer is deposited over the first electrode via solution processing. The first organic layer includes: i. an organic host material of the first organic layer; ii. a first organic emitting material of the first organic layer; iii. a second organic emitting material of the first organic layer; A second organic layer is deposited over and in direct contact with the first organic layer. The second organic layer includes an organic emitting material of the second organic layer. A second electrode is then deposited over the second organic layer. The device may include other layers. |
| US09054340B2 |
Flexible display device and manufacturing method of the same
A flexible display device includes: a display panel including a display substrate, an organic light emitting element formed on the display substrate, and a thin film encapsulation layer covering the organic light emitting element; a first insulation layer formed under the display panel; a lower protection film formed under the first insulation layer; and a reinforcement layer formed under the lower protection film, between the lower protection film and the first insulation layer, or on the display panel, wherein the reinforcement layer is configured to prevent damage to the display panel due to bending stress. |
| US09054337B2 |
Display devices and methods of manufacturing display devices
A display device includes a first optical resonance layer on a substrate, a switching structure on the first optical resonance layer, a first electrode on the switching structure, a light emitting structure on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the emitting structure. The switching structure may include a switching device and an optical distance controlling insulation layer covering the switching device. A first optical resonance distance for an optical resonance of the light may be provided between an upper face of the first optical resonance layer and a bottom face of the second electrode. |
| US09054336B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device including: a substrate; an organic emission unit that is formed on the substrate and includes a laminate of a first electrode, an organic emission layer, and a second electrode; at least one organic layer that is formed on the substrate; and at least one inorganic layer that is formed on the substrate, contacts the organic layer in a planar direction, and contacts an environmental element to surround at least one border of the environmental element. |
| US09054335B2 |
Concave-hemisphere-patterned organic top-light emitting device
A first device is provided. The first device includes an organic light emitting device, which further comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic emissive layer disposed between the first and second electrode. Preferably, the second electrode is more transparent than the first electrode. The organic emissive layer has a first portion shaped to form an indentation in the direction of the first electrode, and a second portion shaped to form a protrusion in the direction of the second electrode. The first device may include a plurality of organic light emitting devices. The indentation may have a shape that is formed from a partial sphere, a partial cylinder, a pyramid, or a pyramid with a mesa, among others. The protrusions may be formed between adjoining indentations or between an indentation and a surface parallel to the substrate. |
| US09054332B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device and light emitting apparatus
According to one embodiment, an organic electroluminescent device includes a support substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an intermediate layer. The first electrode is opposed to the support substrate. The second electrode is provided between the support substrate and the first electrode and includes a conductive polymer material. The intermediate layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. A thickness dimension of the intermediate layer is 140 nanometers or less. |
| US09054331B2 |
Organic EL display and method of manufacturing the same
An organic EL display includes: lower electrodes arranged on a substrate so as to correspond to red, green and blue organic EL elements, respectively; hole injection/transport layers arranged on the lower electrodes so as to correspond to the red, green and blue organic EL elements, respectively, the hole injection/transport layers having one or both of hole injection and hole transport properties; red and green organic light-emitting layers arranged on the hole injection/transport layers for the red and green organic EL elements, respectively, and including a low-molecular material; a blue organic light-emitting layer arranged on whole surfaces of the red and green organic light-emitting layers and the hole injection/transport layer for the blue organic EL element; and an electron injection/transport layer and an upper electrode arranged on a whole surface of the blue light-emitting layer, the electron injection/transport layer having one or both of electron injection properties and electron transport properties. |
| US09054329B2 |
Light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance
Light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance are disclosed. A light-emitting device includes an emissive material disposed between a first electrode, and a second electrode. Various embodiments include a device having a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2%; a device that emits light having a CIE color coordinate of x greater than 0.63; a device having an external quantum efficiency of at least about 2.2 percent when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting red light upon excitation, wherein the device has a peak luminescent efficiency of at least about 1.5 lumens per watt. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting red light upon excitation, wherein the device has a luminescent efficiency of at least about 1.5 lumens per watt when measured at a current density of 5 milliamps/square centimeter. Also disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting green light upon excitation, wherein the device has a peak external quantum efficiency of at least about 1.1 percent. Further disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals, wherein the device has a luminescent efficiency of at least about 3 lumens per watt when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Further disclosed is a light-emitting device comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals capable of emitting green light upon excitation, wherein the device has an external quantum efficiency of at least about 2% when measured at a current density of 5 mA/cm2. Other light-emitting devices and displays with improved performance are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing and for purifying semiconductor nanocrystals. |
| US09054327B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
An organic light emitting display device is disclosed which includes: a substrate defined into a display area and a non-display area; a light emission diode layer formed on the substrate and configured to emit light; a TFE layer formed on the light emission diode layer and configured to protect the light emission diode layer; an intrusive moisture guide layer configured to prevent moisture intrusion into the light emission diode layer; and a getter configured to absorb moisture which is guided by the intrusive moisture guide layer. |
| US09054324B2 |
Organic molecular memory
An organic molecular memory of an embodiment includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an organic molecular layer interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the organic molecular layer including variable-resistance molecular chains or charge-storage molecular chains, the variable-resistance molecular chains or the charge-storage molecular chains having electron-withdrawing substituents. |
| US09054323B2 |
Secondary hole transporting layer with diarylamino-phenyl-carbazole compounds
Novel diarylamino phenyl carbazole compounds are provided. By appropriately selecting the nature of the diarylamino substituent and the substitution on the carbazole nitrogen, compounds with appropriate HOMO and LUMO energies can be obtained for use as materials in a secondary hole transport layer. |
| US09054322B2 |
Aromatic amine derivative, and organic electroluminescent element
Provided is an organic electroluminescence device that provides high efficiency and a long lifetime. The device includes an aromatic amine including at least one substituent A having dibenzofuran and at least one substituent B selected from groups having dibenzofuran or carbazole. The substituent A and the substituent B include groups different from each other and are bonded to the same or different nitrogen atoms in the molecule. The molecules of the aromatic amine hardly crystallize, improving yield in producing the organic electroluminescence device. The device includes an organic thin film layer formed of one or more layers including at least a light emitting layer, the organic thin film layer being interposed between a cathode and an anode. The aromatic amine is contained in at least one layer, particularly a hole transport layer, in the organic thin film layer. |
| US09054321B2 |
Heterocyclic compound and organic light-emitting device containing the same
A heterocyclic compound represented by Formula 1, and an organic layer including the heterocyclic compound: wherein Formula 1 is as defined in the specification. The organic light-emitting device including the heterocyclic compound has high efficiency, low driving voltage, high brightness, and long lifespan. |
| US09054319B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic thin-film layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. The organic thin-film layer includes a phosphorescent-emitting layer containing a host and a phosphorescent dopant, and an electron transporting layer that is provided closer to the cathode than the phosphorescent-emitting layer. The host contains a substituted or unsubstituted polycyclic fused aromatic skeleton. |
| US09054317B2 |
Multilayer organic device
In a multilayer organic device (10) comprising a substrate bearing an anode (12) and a cathode (20), wherein located between the anode (12) and the cathode (20) is at least a first layer (16) comprising a first organic semiconductor material; and a second layer (18) over the first layer (16) comprising a second organic semiconductor material; the first organic semiconductor material is a polymer and the second organic material is a polymer or an oligomer, the average molecular weight of the first organic semiconductor material being higher than the average molecular weight of the second organic semiconductor material. |
| US09054315B2 |
Method for manufacturing organic light-emitting device
A method for manufacturing a light-emitting device includes a step of forming an etching resistant protection layer on a substrate provided with an organic planarizing layer, a step of forming a plurality of electrodes on the etching resistant protection layer, a step of forming an organic compound layer on the substrate provided with the plurality of electrodes, a step of forming a resist layer on the organic compound layer formed on parts of electrodes among the plurality of electrodes using a photolithographic method, and a step of removing the organic compound layer in a region not covered with the resist layer by dry etching, wherein an entire surface of the organic planarizing layer on the substrate on which steps up to the step of forming the plurality of electrodes have been performed is covered with at least one of the etching resistant protection layer and the electrode. |
| US09054314B2 |
Laser induced thermal imaging mask, laser irradiation apparatus including the same, and method of manufacturing organic light emitting device by using the same
Provided are a laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) mask, a laser irradiation apparatus including the LITI mask, and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device by using the LITI mask. The LITI mask including an opening corresponding to a pixel region and an opening corresponding to an edge of a pixel is used to form an organic layer in an upper portion of a substrate of an organic light emitting device, thereby transferring the organic layer to an edge of the pixel region. |
| US09054313B2 |
Etheramines containing flexible and rigid segments and their use as intermediates for polymer synthesis
The present invention relates to an etheramine mixture containing a monoether diamine and its method of production by alkyloxating an initiator with an alkylene oxide to produce a precursor polyol and reductively aminating the precursor polyol to form the etheramine mixture. The etheramine mixture may be used in variety of applications including as a curing agent for an epoxy resin or as a reactant in the production of polyurea materials. |
| US09054312B2 |
Method for making electrostrictive composite
A method for making an electrostrictive composite includes the following steps. Carbon nanotubes and a first polymer precursor are mixed. The first carbon nanotubes and the polymer precursor are polymerized to obtain a first material layer. A second material layer is applied to the first material layer, wherein the thermal expansion coefficient of the first material layer is different from the thermal expansion coefficient of the second material layer. |
| US09054310B2 |
Ceramic material based on the perovskite ceramic Bi0, 5Na0, 5TiO3, piezoelectric actuator containing the ceramic material and process for producing the ceramic material
A ceramic material having the general formula (BiXNayM<1>zLuM<2>V |
| US09054308B1 |
Plasma reduction method for modifying metal oxide stoichiometry in ReRAM
A fabrication process for a resistance-switching memory cell uses metal oxide as a resistance-switching material. A metal oxide film having an initial stoichiometry is deposited on an electrode using atomic layer deposition. A changed stoichiometry is provided for a portion of the metal oxide film using a plasma reduction process, separate from the atomic layer deposition, and another electrode is formed adjacent to the changed stoichiometry portion. The film deposition and the plasma reduction can be performed in separate chambers where conditions such as temperature are optimized. The metal oxide film may be deposited on a vertical sidewall in a vertical bit line 3d memory device. Optionally, the mean free path of hydrogen ions during the plasma reduction process is adjusted to increase the uniformity of the vertical metal oxide film. The adjustment can involve factors such as RF power, pressure and a bias of the wafer. |
| US09054302B2 |
Perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (STTM) device with enhanced stability and method to form same
Perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (STTM) devices with enhanced stability and methods of fabricating perpendicular STTM devices with enhanced stability are described. For example, a material layer stack for a magnetic tunneling junction includes a fixed magnetic layer. A dielectric layer is disposed above the fixed magnetic layer. A free magnetic layer is disposed above the dielectric layer. A conductive oxide material layer is disposed on the free magnetic layer. |
| US09054301B2 |
Method of making an integrated device using oxygen ion implantation
A method to make magnetic random access memory (MRAM), or integrated device in general, is provided. Oxygen ion implantation is used to convert the photolithography exposed areas into metal oxide dielectric matrix. To confine the oxygen ions within the desired region, heavy metals with large atomic number, such as Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au is used as ion mask and bottom ion-stopping layer. An oxygen gettering material, selected from Mg, Zr, Y, Th, Ti, Al, Ba is added above and below the active device region to effectively capture the impinging oxygen. After a high temperature anneal, a buried metal oxide layer with sharp oxygen boundaries across the active device region can be obtained. |
| US09054297B2 |
Magnetic random access memory integration having improved scaling
A conductive via for connecting between a digit line and one side of the magnetic device is positioned beneath, and aligned with, each magnetic device. Other contacts may satisfy the same design rules, using the same process step. An electrode formed on the conductive via is polished to eliminate step functions or seams originating at the conductive via from propagating up through the various deposited layers. This integration approach allows for improved scaling of the MRAM devices to at least a 45 nanometer node, a cell packing factor approaching 6F2, and a uniform thickness of material between the bit lines and the underlying memory elements. |
| US09054296B2 |
Semiconductor device having diode and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a conductive line, a diode on the conductive line, one or more insulating patterns adjacent to diode, and a data storage region coupled to the diode. An upper surface of the diode is between the one or more insulating patterns and the data storage region. The data storage region may include a phase-change region, and the diode may taper in width between two insulating patterns in one arrangement. |
| US09054294B2 |
Soft mechanical stops to limit over-travel of proof masses in cantilevered piezoelectric devices
A piezoelectric device is disclosed which has a built-in soft stop which serves for protection against excessive force. |
| US09054291B2 |
Compression volume compensation
A liquid-filled light emitting diode (LED) bulb including a base, a shell, one or more LEDs, a thermally conductive liquid, and a bladder. The shell is connected to the base and the thermally conductive liquid is held within the shell. The one or more LEDs are disposed within the shell and immersed in the thermally conductive liquid. The bladder is also immersed in the thermally conductive liquid and is configured to compensate for expansion of the thermally conductive liquid. |
| US09054290B2 |
Electronic devices with yielding substrates
In accordance with certain embodiments, a semiconductor die is adhered directly to a yielding substrate with a pressure-activated adhesive notwithstanding any nonplanarity of the surface of the semiconductor die or non-coplanarity of the semiconductor die contacts. |
| US09054286B1 |
Light emitting diode module
A light emitting diode module includes a lead frame, a first light emitting diode chip, a second light emitting diode chip, an encapsulant, and a lens structure. The lead frame has a die-bonding surface and a side wall together defining an accommodating recess. The encapsulant is filled in the accommodating recess, and covers the first and the second light emitting diode chips. The lens structure disposed on the lead frame has a bottom surface, a reflective surface, a first, a second, a third, and a fourth light emitting curved surface. The light emitting curved surfaces are respectively disposed opposite to the bottom surface. An adjacent position among the light emitting curved surfaces is a lowest point nearest to the bottom surface. The first and the second light emitting diode chips are disposed at the projections of the first and the second light emitting curved surface on the die-bonding surface. |
| US09054283B2 |
Light emitting diode package and method of manufacturing the same
According to an embodiment, a light emitting apparatus includes a substrate; at least two distinct electrodes on the substrate, wherein the at least two distinct electrodes are spaced from each other; a light emitting device on one of the at least two distinct electrodes; lenses including a first lens and a second lens on the substrate, wherein the second lens is disposed on the first lens, wherein an outermost portion of the second lens is spaced from the substrate; and a supporting unit configured to directly contact the second lens, wherein the supporting unit is formed of a non-conductivity material. |
| US09054274B2 |
Thermoelectric conversion element, method for manufacturing same, and communication device
A thermoelectric conversion element includes a p-type metal thermoelectric conversion material containing a metal as its main constituent, an n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material containing an oxide as its main constituent, and a composite oxide insulating material containing a composite oxide as its main constituent. The p-type metal thermoelectric conversion material and the n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material are directly bonded in a region of a junction plane between the p-type metal thermoelectric conversion material and the n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material, and the p-type metal thermoelectric conversion material and the n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material are bonded to each other with the composite oxide insulating material interposed therebetween so as to define a pn conjunction pair in the other region of the junction plane. A perovskite-type oxide is used as the n-type oxide thermoelectric conversion material. |
| US09054273B2 |
Device and method for generating electrical power
A mobile device for generating electrical power may include a combustion chamber and a heat sink. A TEC module is in thermal communication with the combustion chamber and the heat sink to transfer thermal energy from the combustion chamber to the heat sink. A heat flux across the TEC module causes electrical power to be generated. The mobile device may also include a fuel delivery system to feed fuel into the combustion chamber. A control system may be included to at least monitor and control delivery of fuel to the combustion chamber by the fuel delivery system and to control a temperature gradient across the TEC module to control the electrical power produced by the thermal-to-electric energy conversion device. |
| US09054272B2 |
Optimized thermoelectric module for operation in peltier mode or in seebeck mode
The thermoelectric module includes a first electric path including a first set of thermocouples electrically connected in series. It further includes a second electric path including a second set of thermocouples electrically connected in series, the number of thermocouples of the second set being smaller than the number of thermocouples of the first set. |
| US09054271B2 |
Method for manufacturing substrate for semiconductor light emitting element and semiconductor light emitting element using the same
A light emitting element having a recess-protrusion structure on a substrate is provided. A semiconductor light emitting element 100 has a light emitting structure of a semiconductor 20 on a first main surface of a substrate 10. The first main surface of the substrate 10 has substrate protrusion portion 11, the bottom surface 14 of each protrusion is wider than the top surface 13 thereof in a cross-section, or the top surface 13 is included in the bottom surface 14 in a top view of the substrate. The bottom surface 14 has an approximately polygonal shape, and the top surface 13 has an approximately circular or polygonal shape with more sides than that of the bottom surface 14. |
| US09054264B2 |
Systems and methods for solar cells with CIS and CIGS films made by reacting evaporated copper chlorides with selenium
Systems and methods for solar cells with CIS and CIGS films made by reacting evaporated copper chlorides with selenium are provided. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a thin film device comprises: providing a semiconductor film comprising indium (In) and selenium (Se) upon a substrate; heating the substrate and the semiconductor film to a desired temperature; and performing a mass transport through vapor transport of a copper chloride vapor and se vapor to the semiconductor film within a reaction chamber. |
| US09054262B2 |
Integrated optical upconversion devices and related methods
Integrated upconversion devices capable of upconverting incident visible to short wavelength infrared photons to visible photons are disclosed. The device may include a quantum dot-based photodiode and a light-emitting diode. The device may further include a gain element such as a thin-film transistor. |
| US09054260B2 |
Radiation detecting element and radiation detecting device
There has been such a problem that radiation detecting elements using semiconductor elements have a low radiation detection efficiency, since the radiation detecting elements easily transmit radiation, even though the radiation detecting elements have merits, such as small dimensions and light weight. Disclosed are a radiation detecting element and a radiation detecting device, wherein a film formed of a metal, such as tungsten, is formed on the radiation incident surface of the radiation detecting element, and the incident energy of the radiation is attenuated. The efficiency of generating carriers by way of radiation incidence is improved by attenuating the incident energy, the thickness of the metal film is optimized, and the radiation detection efficiency is improved. |
| US09054247B2 |
Single-photon nano-injection detectors
Single-photon detectors, arrays of single-photon detectors, methods of using the single-photon detectors and methods of fabricating the single-photon detectors are provided. The single-photon detectors combine the efficiency of a large absorbing volume with the sensitivity of nanometer-scale carrier injectors, called “nanoinjectors”. The photon detectors are able to achieve single-photon counting with extremely high quantum efficiency, low dark count rates, and high bandwidths. |
| US09054239B2 |
Process of forming a grid electrode on the front-side of a silicon wafer
A process of forming a front-grid electrode on a silicon wafer having an ARC layer, comprising the steps: (1) printing and drying a metal paste A comprising an inorganic content comprising 0.5 to 8 wt.-% of glass frit and having fire-through capability, wherein the metal paste A is printed on the ARC layer to form a bottom set of thin parallel finger lines, (2) printing and drying a metal paste B comprising an inorganic content comprising 0.2 to 3 wt.-% of glass frit over the bottom set of finger lines, wherein the metal paste B is printed in a grid pattern which comprises (i) thin parallel finger lines forming a top set of finger lines superimposing the bottom set of finger lines and (ii) busbars intersecting the finger lines at right angle, and (3) firing the double-printed silicon wafer, wherein the inorganic content of metal paste B contains less glass frit plus optionally present other inorganic additives than the inorganic content of metal paste A. |
| US09054236B2 |
Solar cell sealing film and solar cell using the sealing film
The object of the present invention to provide a solar cell sealing film, which has superior durability that maintains adhesive performance for a long duration under the circumstances of a high temperature and high humidity, exerts high crosslink rate at production of the solar cells, and suppresses occurrence of blister, and a solar cell using the sealing film. The solar cell sealing film includes: ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, an organic peroxide, and a silane-coupling agent, wherein the silane-coupling agent is represented by formula (I): in which R1 represents alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, three R1s are the same as or different from each other, and “n” is an integer of 1 to 8; and the silane-coupling agent is contained in the range of 0.02 to 1.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ethylene-polar monomer copolymer. |
| US09054232B2 |
Integration of gallium nitride LEDs with aluminum nitride/gallium nitride devices on silicon substrates for AC LEDs
A method for fabricating an epitaxial structure includes providing a substrate (102, 202, 302, 402) and a heterojunction stack on a first side the substrate, and forming a GaN light emitting diode stack (134) on a second side of the substrate. The heterojunction stack includes an undoped gallium nitride (GaN) layer and a doped aluminum gallium nitride (AIGaN) layer on the undoped GaN layer. The GaN light emitting diode stack (134) includes an n-type GaN layer (136) over the substrate, a GaN/indium gallium nitride (InGaN) multiple quantum well (MQW) structure (138) over the n-type GaN layer, a p-type AIGaN layer (140) over the n-type GaN/InGaN MQW structure, and a p-type GaN layer (142) over the p-type AIGaN layer. |
| US09054230B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method of the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which unevenness generated under a light-emitting element does not impart an adverse effect on the light-emitting element. It is another object of the invention to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which penetration of water into the inside of the display device through a film having high moisture permeability can be suppressed without increasing processing steps considerably. A display device of the present invention comprises a thin film transistor and a light-emitting element, the light-emitting element including a light-emitting laminated body interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein the first electrode is formed over an insulating film formed over the thin film transistor; and wherein a planarizing film is formed in response to the first electrode between the first electrode and the insulating film. |
| US09054229B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, a dielectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode and a support substrate. The first layer has a first and second surface. The second layer is provided on a side of the second surface of the first layer. The emitting layer is provided between the first and the second layer. The dielectric layer contacts the second surface and has a refractive index lower than that of the first layer. The first electrode includes a first and second portion. The first portion contacts the second surface and provided adjacent to the dielectric layer. The second portion contacts with an opposite side of the dielectric layer from the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode contacts with an opposite side of the second layer from the emitting layer. |
| US09054227B2 |
Micro electro mechanical system, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a MEMS and a sensor having the MEMS which can be formed without a process of etching a sacrifice layer. The MEMS and the sensor having the MEMS are formed by forming an interspace using a spacer layer. In the MEMS in which an interspace is formed using a spacer layer, a process for forming a sacrifice layer and an etching process of the sacrifice layer are not required. As a result, there is no restriction on the etching time, and thus the yield can be improved. |
| US09054222B2 |
Pressure resistently encapsulated, pressure difference sensor
A pressure difference sensor includes a capsule, which has a ceramic capsule body. The capsule has a transducer seat in its interior, wherein there is arranged in the transducer seat a semiconductor pressure measuring transducer core, which has a measuring membrane body and at least one support body. The measuring membrane body is connected pressure-tightly with the at least one support body, which has a pressure inlet opening. Ducts extend respectively from an outer surface of the capsule into the transducer seat, wherein the pressure inlet opening communicates with the first duct A side of the measuring membrane is contactable with a pressure through the pressure inlet opening, wherein the support body contacts a joint, which surrounds the first pressure inlet opening and the opening of the first duct into the transducer seat and is connected pressure-tightly with a wall of the transducer seat, and wherein a second side of the measuring membrane is hydraulically isolated from its first side and communicates with the second duct. |
| US09054221B2 |
Semiconductor device with a common back gate isolation region and method for manufacturing the same
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device comprises: an SOI wafer comprising a semiconductor substrate, a buried insulation layer, and a semiconductor layer, wherein the buried insulation layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and the semiconductor layer is disposed on the buried insulation layer; a plurality of MOSFETs being formed adjacently to each other in the SOI wafer, wherein each of the MOSFETs comprises a respective backgate being formed in the semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of shallow trench isolations, each of which being formed between respective adjacent MOSFETs to isolate the respective adjacent MOSFETs from each other, wherein the respective adjacent MOSFETs share a common backgate isolation region under and in direct contact with the respective backgate in the semiconductor substrate, and a PNP junction or an NPN junction is formed by the common backgate isolation region and the respective backgate of the respective adjacent MOSFETs. According to the present disclosure, respective backgates of two adjacent MOSFETs are isolated from each other by the shallow trench isolation. Furthermore, the two adjacent MOSFETs are also isolated from each other by the PNP or NPN junction formed by the respective backgates of the two adjacent MOSFETs and the common backgate isolation. As a result, this device structure has a better insulation effect over the prior art MOSFET and it greatly reduces the possibility of breakthrough. |
| US09054211B2 |
Compressively stressed FET device structures
An FET device structure has a Fin-FET device with a fin of a Si based material. An oxide element is abutting the fin and exerts pressure onto the fin. The Fin-FET device channel is compressively stressed due to the pressure on the fin. A further FET device structure has Fin-FET devices in a row. An oxide element extending perpendicularly to the row of fins is abutting the fins and exerts pressure onto the fins. Device channels of the Fin-FET devices are compressively stressed due to the pressure on the fins. |
| US09054205B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device having a novel structure or a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is provided. For example, the reliability of a transistor which is driven at high voltage or large current is improved. For improvement of the reliability of the transistor, a buffer layer is provided between a drain electrode layer (or a source electrode layer) and an oxide semiconductor layer such that the end portion of the buffer layer is beyond the side surface of the drain electrode layer (or the source electrode layer) when seen in a cross section, whereby the buffer layer can relieve the concentration of electric field. The buffer layer is a single layer or a stacked layer including a plurality of layers, and includes, for example, an In—Ga—Zn—O film containing nitrogen, an In—Sn—O film containing nitrogen, an In—Sn—O film containing SiOx, or the like. |
| US09054204B2 |
Thin-film transistor, method of manufacturing the same, display unit, and electronic apparatus
There are provided a thin-film transistor suppressing influence of light and having stable characteristics, and a method of manufacturing the thin-film transistor, as well as a display unit and an electronic apparatus. The thin-film transistor includes: a gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor film having a channel region that faces the gate electrode; and a protective film covering at least the channel region and containing an aluminum lower oxide (AlXOY, where 0 |
| US09054203B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
As a display device has a higher definition, the number of pixels, gate lines, and signal lines are increased. When the number of the gate lines and the signal lines are increased, there occurs a problem that it is difficult to mount an IC chip including a driver circuit for driving the gate and signal lines by bonding or the like, whereby manufacturing cost is increased. A pixel portion and a driver circuit for driving the pixel portion are provided over the same substrate, and at least part of the driver circuit includes a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor interposed between gate electrodes provided above and below the oxide semiconductor. Therefore, when the pixel portion and the driver circuit are provided over the same substrate, manufacturing cost can be reduced. |
| US09054201B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure in which in a data storing time, stored data can be stored even when power is not supplied, and there is no limitation on the number of writing. A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; a first channel formation region for which an oxide semiconductor material is used and to which the first source electrode and the first drain electrode are electrically connected; a first gate insulating layer over the first channel formation region; and a first gate electrode over the first gate insulating layer. One of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode of the first transistor and one electrode of a capacitor are electrically connected to each other. |
| US09054195B2 |
Array substrate, method for fabricating the same, and display device
Embodiments of the present application provide an array substrate and a method for fabricating the same. The array substrate comprises: a base substrate, a plurality of thin film transistors formed on the base substrate; the array substrate also comprising: a buffer layer formed on the substrate between the substrate and the film transistors; wherein, the buffer layer is a metal oxide film layer. Embodiments of the present application also provide a display device having such array substrate. |
| US09054192B1 |
Integration of Ge-containing fins and compound semiconductor fins
A stack of a germanium-containing layer and a dielectric cap layer is formed on an insulator layer. The stack is patterned to form germanium-containing semiconductor fins and germanium-containing mandrel structures with dielectric cap structures thereupon. A dielectric masking layer is deposited and patterned to mask the germanium-containing semiconductor fins, while physically exposing sidewalls of the germanium-containing mandrel structures. A ring-shaped compound semiconductor fin is formed around each germanium-containing mandrel structure by selective epitaxy of a compound semiconductor material. A center portion of each germanium-containing mandrel can be removed to physically expose inner sidewalls of the ring-shaped compound semiconductor fin. A high-mobility compound semiconductor layer can be formed on physically exposed surfaces of the ring-shaped compound semiconductor fin. The dielectric masking layer and fin cap dielectrics can removed to provide germanium-containing semiconductor fins and compound semiconductor fins. |
| US09054185B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first region of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate, a second region of the first conductivity type formed in the first region, a source region of the second conductivity type formed in the second region, a drain region of the second conductivity type formed in the first region, a first junction part including a part of a border between the first region and the second region, which is on the side of the drain region, a second junction part including a part of the border between the first region and the second region, which is at a location different from the first junction part, a gate electrode formed above the first junction, and a conductor pattern formed above the second junction part and being electrically independent from the gate electrode. |
| US09054184B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first gate groove having first and second side walls facing to each other. A first gate insulating film covers the first and second side walls. A first gate electrode is disposed on the first gate insulating film and in a lower portion of the first gate groove. A first burying insulating film buries the first gate groove and covers the first gate electrode. A first diffusion region is adjacent to a first upper portion of the first gate insulating film. The first upper portion is positioned on an upper portion of the first side wall of the first gate groove. A second diffusion region is in contact with an upper portion of the second side wall of the first gate groove. |
| US09054180B2 |
Semiconductor devices including a guard ring and related semiconductor systems
Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor devices may include a substrate and a transistor on the substrate. The semiconductor devices may include a first guard ring of first conductivity type in the substrate adjacent the transistor. The semiconductor devices may include a second guard ring of second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type in the substrate adjacent the first guard ring. Related semiconductor systems are also provided. |
| US09054177B2 |
Method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device into separate cells
A method for dividing a thin film device having a first lower electrode layer, a second active layer and a third upper electrode layer, all three layers being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are to be electrically interconnected in series, at least the dividing of the cells being carried out in a single pass of a process head across the device, the process head performing at least the following steps in the single pass: a) making a first cut through the first, second and third layers; b) making a second cut through the second and third layers, the second cut being adjacent to the first cut; c) making a third cut through the third layer, the third cut being adjacent to the second cut and on the opposite side of the second cut to the first cut; wherein at least one of the first and second cuts is formed using two laser beams sequentially during the single pass of the process head across the device, the first laser beam forming a cut through at least one of the layers and the second laser beam forming a cut through at least one other of the layers. |
| US09054176B2 |
Multi-step and asymmetrically shaped laser beam scribing
Methods of dicing substrates by both laser scribing and plasma etching are disclosed. A method includes laser ablating material layers, the ablating leading with a first irradiance and following with a second irradiance, lower than the first. Multiple passes of a beam adjusted to have different fluence level or multiple laser beams having various fluence levels may be utilized to ablate mask and IC layers to expose a substrate with the first fluence level and then clean off redeposited materials from the trench bottom with the second fluence level. A laser scribe apparatus employing a beam splitter may provide first and second beams of different fluence from a single laser. |
| US09054175B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device including select gate and memory gate
A nonvolatile memory device includes a gate structure including a select gate formed over a substrate and a memory gate formed on one sidewall of the select gate and having a P-type channel, a drain region formed in the substrate at one sidewall of the gate structure and overlapping a part of the memory gate, and a source region formed in the substrate at the other sidewall of the gate structure and overlapping a part of the select gate. The memory gates include a grid of rows and columns with bits of 1's and 0's selectively forming a memory in a nonvolatile memory device. |
| US09054171B2 |
HEMT semiconductor device
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type or an intrinsic type. The device further includes a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type or the intrinsic type disposed above the first semiconductor layer. The device further includes a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type including a first upper portion in contact with the first semiconductor layer, a second upper portion located at a lower position than the first upper portion, a first side portion located between the first upper portion and the second upper portion, and a second side portion located at a lower position than the first side portion. |
| US09054168B2 |
Field-effect transistor
A field-effect transistor includes a channel layer in which a two-dimensional electron gas is formed, an electron supply layer located on the channel layer, a source electrode located on the electron supply layer, a drain electrode located on the electron supply layer, a gate electrode located on the electron supply layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and an embedded layer embedded in the channel layer deeper than a two-dimensional electron gas region where the two-dimensional electron gas is formed, directly opposite an edge of the gate electrode on a side of the gate electrode toward the drain electrode. The embedded layer is a material that increases potential of the two-dimensional electron gas region. |
| US09054167B2 |
High electron mobility transistor structure and method
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe structural configurations of an integrated circuit (IC) device such as a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) switch device and method of fabrication. The IC device includes a buffer layer formed on a substrate, a channel layer formed on the buffer layer to provide a pathway for current flow in a transistor device, a spacer layer formed on the channel layer, a barrier layer formed on the spacer layer, the barrier layer including aluminum (Al), nitrogen (N), and at least one of indium (In) or gallium (Ga), a gate dielectric directly coupled with the spacer layer or the channel layer, and a gate formed on the gate dielectric, the gate being directly coupled with the gate dielectric. Other embodiments may also be described and/or claimed. |
| US09054164B1 |
Method of forming high density, high shorting margin, and low capacitance interconnects by alternating recessed trenches
Embodiments of the invention describe low capacitance interconnect structures for semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing such devices. According to an embodiment of the invention, a low capacitance interconnect structure comprises an interlayer dielectric (ILD). First and second interconnect lines are disposed in the ILD in an alternating pattern. The top surfaces of the first interconnect lines may be recessed below the top surfaces of the second interconnect lines. Increases in the recess of the first interconnect lines decreases the line-to-line capacitance between neighboring interconnects. Further embodiments include utilizing different dielectric materials as etching caps above the first and second interconnect lines. The different materials may have a high selectivity over each other during an etching process. Accordingly, the alignment budget for contacts to individual interconnect lines is increased. |
| US09054161B2 |
Method of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication
A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate and depositing a conductive layer on the substrate. A patterned hard mask and a catalyst layer are formed on the conductive layer. The method further includes growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the catalyst layer and etching the conductive layer by using the CNTs and the patterned hard mask as an etching mask to form metal features. |
| US09054158B2 |
Method of forming a metal contact opening with a width that is smaller than the minimum feature size of a photolithographically-defined opening
The width of a metal contact opening is formed to be smaller than the minimum feature size of a photolithographically-defined opening. The method forms the metal contact opening by first etching the fourth layer of a multilayered hard mask structure to have a number of trenches that expose the third layer of the multilayered hard mask structure. Following this, the third, second, and first layers of the multilayered hard mask structure are selectively etched to expose uncovered regions on the top surface of an isolation layer that touches and lies over a source region and a drain region. The uncovered regions on the top surface of the isolation layer are then etched to form the metal contact openings. |
| US09054155B2 |
Semiconductor dies having substrate shunts and related fabrication methods
Die structures for electronic device packages and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary die structure includes a substrate having a first layer of semiconductor material including a semiconductor device formed thereon, a handle layer of semiconductor material, and a buried layer of dielectric material between the handle layer and the first layer. The die structure also includes a plurality of shunting regions in the first layer of semiconductor material, wherein each shunting region includes a doped region in the first layer that is electrically connected to the handle layer of semiconductor material, and a body region underlying the doped region that is contiguous with at least a portion of the first layer underlying a semiconductor device. |
| US09054152B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type on the first semiconductor region, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type on the second semiconductor region, a control electrode disposed within and insulated from the first, second, and third semiconductor regions, a first electrode electrically connected with the second and third semiconductor regions, a second electrode, and a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type between the second electrode and the first semiconductor region. The fourth semiconductor region includes a first portion having a first dopant concentration and a second portion having a second dopant concentration higher than the first dopant concentration, and a contact area of the first portion with the second electrode is larger than a contact area of the second area with the second electrode. |
| US09054151B2 |
Semiconductor device with laterally varying doping concentrations
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including a first surface having a normal direction defining a vertical direction, a first n-type semiconductor region arranged below the first surface and having a first maximum doping concentration and a second n-type semiconductor region arranged below the first n-type semiconductor region and including, in a vertical cross-section, two spaced apart first n-type portions each adjoining the first n-type semiconductor region, having a maximum doping concentration which is higher than the first maximum doping concentration and having a first minimum distance to the first surface, and a second n-type portion adjoining the first n-type semiconductor region, having a maximum doping concentration which is higher than the first maximum doping concentration and a second minimum distance to the first surface which is larger than the first minimum distance. A p-type second semiconductor layer forms a pn-junction with the second n-type portion. |
| US09054150B2 |
Chip edge sealing
The invention relates to a semiconductor component comprising a semiconductor body, an insulation on the semiconductor body and a cell array arranged at least partly within the semiconductor body. The cell array has at least one p-n junction and at least one contact connection. The insulation is bounded in lateral direction of the semiconductor body by a circumferential diffusion barrier. |
| US09054147B2 |
Alignment method, alignment apparatus, and organic electroluminescent (EL) element manufacturing apparatus
A method of carrying out alignment between a substrate and a mask, each having respective alignment marks. Vibrations attic substrate in a direction of gravity are measured. An antiphase vibrational wave is calculated, based an data corresponding to the measured vibrations. The antiphase vibrational wave is applied to the substrate, thereby reducing the vibrations or the substrate. When the vibrations of the substrate in the direction of gravity fall within a predetermined value that is set in advance, images are taken of relative positions of the alignment marks provided on the substrate and the mask, respectively, from the substrate side, and corresponding data is produced. Based on the data corresponding to the obtained images, an amount of movement of one of the substrate and the mask is calculated in a horizontal direction. One of the substrate and the mask is moved, based on the calculated movement amount. |
| US09054145B2 |
Substrate transfer apparatus
A substrate stopped at a first position is transferred toward a second position and is stopped at the second position in an accurate and stable manner. An intermediate position arrival time AT is measured while the substrate is being transferred from a substrate stop position toward a mounting work position, and a transfer status of the substrate (whether or not an unexpected factor has occurred) is assessed based on the intermediate position arrival time AT. Before the substrate reaches the second position, a deceleration pattern is controlled by altering a deceleration start timing T14 and the deceleration b in accordance with the intermediate position arrival time AT, thereby accurately stopping and positioning the substrate at the mounting work position. In this manner, under feed-forward control, the substrate can be stably transferred to the mounting work position. |
| US09054144B2 |
Porous barrier for evenly distributed purge gas in a microenvironment
An improved system and method for purging a microenvironment to desired levels of relative humidity, oxygen, or particulates through the implementation of a purge gas delivery apparatus and method that provides even distribution of the purging gas within the microenvironment. A substrate container has a tower therein with a fluid flow passageway extending the length of the tower. Apertures with porous media between the aperture and fluid flow passageway regulate the volume and pressure of air discharging at each aperture. Alternatively, the tower may be formed of a porous tubular polymeric material. A sleeve may direct the discharge purge gas in the interior. |
| US09054143B2 |
Packaging for substrates and packaging unit having such packaging
A packaging for substrates, in particular for metal-ceramic substrates, having a tray-like packaging part formed from a sheet material, for example a plastic sheet material by deep drawing. The packaging has at least one seat formed by an indentation in an upper base section of the packaging part for a plurality of substrates collected together into a substrate stack or part stack. |
| US09054135B2 |
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits with a high-voltage MOSFET
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a silicon material layer over a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes forming a capping layer over the silicon material layer and over the memory gate stack, removing the capping layer from over the memory array region and the high-voltage MOSFET region, forming a second silicon material layer over the capping layer and over the first silicon material layer, and removing the second silicon material layer. The method further includes removing the capping layer from over the first silicon material layer in the logic device region and removing the first and second silicon material layers from the high-voltage MOSFET region. Still further, the method includes forming a photoresist material layer over the memory array region and the logic device region and exposing the semiconductor substrate to an ion implantation process. |
| US09054134B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A larger substrate can be used, and a transistor having a desirably high field-effect mobility can be manufactured through formation of an oxide semiconductor layer having a high degree of crystallinity, whereby a large-sized display device, a high-performance semiconductor device, or the like can be put into practical use. A first multi-component oxide semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate and a single-component oxide semiconductor layer is formed thereover; then, crystal growth is carried out from a surface to an inside by performing heat treatment at 500° C. to 1000° C. inclusive, preferably 550° C. to 750° C. inclusive so that a first multi-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions and a single-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions are formed; and a second multi-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions is stacked over the single-component oxide semiconductor layer including single crystal regions. |
| US09054132B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The second insulating film seals the hole near an interface of the insulating layer and the select gate. The second insulating film is provided on a side wall of the channel body with a space left in the hole above the select gate. The method can include burying a semiconductor film in the space, in addition, forming a conductive film in contact with the channel body. |
| US09054131B2 |
Vertical MOSFET electrostatic discharge device
A vertical MOSFET electrostatic discharge device is disclosed, including a substrate comprising a plurality of trenches, a recessed gate disposed in each trench, a drain region disposed between each of the two neighboring recessed gates, an electrostatic discharge implant region disposed under each drain region, and a source region surrounding and disposed under the recessed gates and the electrostatic discharge implant regions. |
| US09054127B2 |
Robust replacement gate integration
A method including forming a dummy gate on a substrate, wherein the dummy gate includes an oxide, forming a pair of dielectric spacers on opposite sides of the dummy gate, and forming an inter-gate region above the substrate and in contact with at least one of the pair of dielectric spacers, the inter-gate region comprising a protective layer on top of a first oxide layer, wherein the protective layer comprises a material resistant to etching techniques designed to remove oxide. The method may further include removing the dummy gate to leave an opening, and forming a gate within the opening. |
| US09054126B2 |
Recessed single crystalline source and drain for semiconductor-on-insulator devices
After formation of a gate stack, regions in which a source and a drain are to be formed are recessed through the top semiconductor layer and into an upper portion of a buried single crystalline rare earth oxide layer of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate so that a source trench and drain trench are formed. An embedded single crystalline semiconductor portion epitaxially aligned to the buried single crystalline rare earth oxide layer is formed in each of the source trench and the drain trench to form a recessed source and a recessed drain, respectively. Protrusion of the recessed source and recessed drain above the bottom surface of a gate dielectric can be minimized to reduce parasitic capacitive coupling with a gate electrode, while providing low source resistance and drain resistance through the increased thickness of the recessed source and recessed drain relative to the thickness of the top semiconductor layer. |
| US09054122B2 |
Semiconductor device
To improve a performance of a semiconductor device having a capacitance element. An MIM type capacitance element, an electrode of which is formed with comb-shaped metal patterns composed of the wirings, is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A conductor pattern, which is a dummy gate pattern for preventing dishing in a CMP process, and an active region, which is a dummy active region, are disposed below the capacitance element, and these are coupled to shielding metal patterns composed of the wirings and then connected to a fixed potential. Then, the conductor pattern and the active region are disposed so as not to overlap the comb-shaped metal patterns in the wirings in a planar manner. |
| US09054113B1 |
Box-in-box overlay mark
A box-in-box overlay mark is described, including an inner box region and an outer box region surrounding the same, dense narrow trenches in the previous layer in the inner box region and the outer box region, x- and y-directional linear photoresist patterns defining a rectangle over the narrow trenches in the inner box region, and x- and y-directional linear patterns defining another rectangle in the outer box region. At least the narrow trenches in the inner box region are orientated in a direction different from the x-direction and the y-direction. The linear photoresist patterns are defined in or from a photoresist layer for defining a current layer, each of which is wider than each of the narrow trenches. The linear patterns are defined in or from the previously layer, each of which is wider than each of the narrow trenches. |
| US09054112B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising a die seal having an integrated alignment mark
In semiconductor devices, the alignment mark for performing alignment processes of measurement tools and the like may be positioned within the die seal area on the basis of a geometric configuration, which still preserves mechanical integrity of the die seal without compromising the spatial information encoded into the alignment marks. For example, L-shaped alignment marks may be provided at one or more corners of the die seal area. |
| US09054111B2 |
Electronic device and method of packaging an electronic device
An electronic device can include a package device structure including a die encapsulated within a packaging material. The package device structure can have a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The electronic device can include a first layer along the first side of the package device structure. The first layer can be capable of causing a first deformation of the package device structure. The electronic device can also include a second layer along the second side of the package device structure. The second layer can be capable of causing a second deformation of the package device structure, the second deformation opposite the first deformation. |
| US09054110B2 |
Low-K dielectric layer and porogen
A system and method for a low-k dielectric layer are provided. A preferred embodiment comprises forming a matrix and forming a porogen within the matrix. The porogen comprises an organic ring structure with fewer than fifteen carbons and a large percentage of single bonds. Additionally, the porogen may have a viscosity greater than 1.3 and a Reynolds numbers less than 0.5. |
| US09054109B2 |
Corrosion/etching protection in integration circuit fabrications
A method of producing reduced corrosion interconnect structures and structures thereby formed. A method of producing microelectronic interconnects having reduced corrosion begins with a damascene structure having a first dielectric and a first interconnect. A metal oxide layer is deposited selectively to metal or nonselective over the damascene structure and then thermally treated. The treatment converts the metal oxide over the first dielectric to a metal silicate while the metal oxide over the first interconnect remains as a self-aligned protective layer. When a subsequent dielectric stack is formed and patterned, the protective layer acts as an etch stop, oxidation barrier and ion bombardment protector. The protective layer is then removed from the patterned opening and a second interconnect formed. In a preferred embodiment the metal oxide is a manganese oxide and the metal silicate is a MnSiCOH, the interconnects are substantially copper and the dielectric contains ultra low-k. |
| US09054105B2 |
Semiconductor package and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor package includes a mounting board including a bonding pad, first and second semiconductor chips sequentially stacked on the mounting board, a first wire connecting a first region of the bonding pad to a chip pad of the first semiconductor chip, and a second wire connecting the first region of the bonding pad to a chip pad of the second semiconductor chip, the second wire having a reverse loop configuration. |
| US09054100B2 |
Semiconductor die and method of forming sloped surface in photoresist layer to enhance flow of underfill material between semiconductor die and substrate
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with composite bump structures over a surface of the semiconductor die. A conductive layer is formed over a substrate. A patterning layer is formed over the substrate. A first portion of the patterning layer is removed to form an opening to expose the substrate and conductive layer. A second portion of the patterning layer is removed to form a sloped surface in the patterning layer extending from a surface of the patterning layer down to the substrate. The sloped surface in the patterning layer can be linear, concave, or convex. The die is mounted to the substrate with the composite bump structures electrically connected to the conductive layer. An underfill material is deposited over the surface of the patterning layer. The sloped surface in the patterning layer aids with the flow of underfill material to cover an area between the die and substrate. |
| US09054099B2 |
Semiconductor device with copper wirebond sites and methods of making same
Semiconductor devices with external wirebond sites that include copper and methods for fabricating such semiconductor devices are disclosed. One embodiment of a method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a dielectric layer on an active side of a semiconductor substrate. The dielectric layer has openings aligned with corresponding wirebond sites at the active side of the substrate. The method further includes forming a plurality of wirebond sites located at the openings in the dielectric layer. The wirebond sites are electrically coupled to an integrated circuit in the semiconductor substrate and electrically isolated from each other. Individual wirebond sites are formed by electrolessly depositing nickel into the openings and forming a wirebond film on the nickel without forming a seam between the nickel and the dielectric layer. |
| US09054096B2 |
Noise attenuation wall
An embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed. For this embodiment of the apparatus, an interposer has first vias. First interconnects and second interconnects respectively are coupled on opposite surfaces of the interposer. A first portion of the first interconnects and a second portion of the first interconnects are spaced apart from one another defining an isolation region between them. A substrate has second vias. Third interconnects and the second interconnects are respectively coupled on opposite surfaces of the package substrate. A first portion of the first vias and a first portion of the second vias are both in the isolation region and are coupled to one another with a first portion of the second interconnects. |
| US09054092B2 |
Method and apparatus for stopping resin bleed and mold flash on integrated circuit lead finishes
A method and apparatus of minimizing resin bleed and mold flash on integrated lead finishes by providing groves on the external leads that can control the length of resin bleed. |
| US09054086B2 |
Module having a stacked passive element and method of forming the same
A module having a discrete passive element and a semiconductor device, and method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the module includes a patterned leadframe, a discrete passive element mounted on an upper surface of the leadframe, and a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material formed on an upper surface of the discrete passive element. The module also includes a semiconductor device bonded to an upper surface of the thermally conductive, electrically insulating material. |
| US09054085B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a fin-shaped silicon layer on a semiconductor substrate and extending in a first direction and a first insulating film around the fin-shaped semiconductor layer. A pillar-shaped silicon layer resides on the fin-shaped silicon layer. A width of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, perpendicular to the first direction is equal to a width of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer perpendicular to the first direction. A gate insulating film is around the pillar-shaped semiconductor layer and a metal gate electrode is around the gate insulating film. A metal gate line extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the fin-shaped semiconductor layer and is connected to the metal gate electrode. A metal gate pad is connected to the metal gate line, where the width of the metal gate electrode and the width of the metal gate pad are larger than the width of the metal gate line. |
| US09054076B2 |
Heat-dissipating assembly and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a heat-dissipating assembly and a method for manufacturing the same. The heat-dissipating assembly includes a base, at least one heat pipe, and a combining unit. The base is provided with an accommodating trough and at least one through-hole. The accommodating trough has at least one receiving hole penetrating the base. One end of the heat pipe is disposed through the through-hole on one side of the base into the receiving hole. The combining unit covers the accommodating trough and one end of the heat pipe. By this arrangement, the efficiency in assembly is increased and the working hours are decreased. Further, the production cost is reduced. |
| US09054071B2 |
Method to form stepped dielectric for field plate formation
A semiconductor device is formed with a stepped field plate over at least three sequential regions in which a total dielectric thickness under the stepped field plate is at least 10 percent thicker in each region compared to the preceding region. The total dielectric thickness in each region is uniform. The stepped field plate is formed over at least two dielectric layers, of which at least all but one dielectric layer is patterned so that at least a portion of a patterned dielectric layer is removed in one or more regions of the stepped field plate. |
| US09054068B2 |
Etchstop layers and capacitors
Capacitor structures for integrated circuit devices are provided. Capacitors include proximate dense or highly dense etchstop layers. The dense or highly dense etchstop layer is, for example, a high-k material. Capacitors are, for example, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors and are useful in DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and eDRAM (embedded dynamic random access memory) structures. |
| US09054067B2 |
Semiconductor package with thermal dissipating member and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor package and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed, wherein the semiconductor package includes a circuit board, a semiconductor chip mounted on the circuit board, an encapsulant positioned on the circuit board and encapsulating the semiconductor chip to the circuit board, and a thermal dissipating member positioned on the encapsulant and having a heat spreader that dissipates a driving heat from the semiconductor chip and a heat capacitor that absorbs excess driving heat that exceeds a heat transfer capability of the heat spreader, such that when a high power is applied to the package, the excess heat is absorbed into the heat capacitor as a latent heat and thus the semiconductor chip is protected from an excessive temperature increase caused by the excess heat, thereby increasing a critical time and performance duration time of the semiconductor package. |
| US09054064B2 |
Stacked interconnect heat sink
A heat spreader that is configured to be attached to an integrated circuit substrate. The heat spreader includes a thermally conductive core and a heat spreader via that passes through the thermally conductive core. A connection point of the thermally conductive core is configured to form a solder connection to an integrated circuit substrate plug. |
| US09054062B2 |
Systems and methods for current sensing over an extended area
Methods and systems for providing current sensing over an extended area, such as a substrate of an integrated circuit, are described. The described methods and systems particularly describe a circuit layout procedure and configuration that can be used to carry out current sensing at diverse locations in the extended area. |
| US09054060B2 |
Organic light-emitting display device
An organic light-emitting display device including a substrate on which a display region and a non-display region are defined is described, the organic light-emitting display device comprising: a first electrode disposed on a substrate; an intermediate layer disposed on the first electrode and including an organic light-emitting layer; a second electrode disposed on the intermediate layer; an encapsulation layer disposed on the substrate; a plurality of pad units disposed on the non-display region; a wiring unit disposed on the display region; and a bridge wiring that is disposed across the display region and the non-display region and connects one of the plurality of pad units and the wiring unit to each other. |
| US09054056B2 |
Transistor performance using a two-step damage anneal
A two-step thermal treatment method consists of performing ion implantation in a silicon substrate of the semiconductor device. A first thermal treatment procedure is performed on the semiconductor device. A second thermal treatment procedure is consecutively performed on the semiconductor device to reduce damage produced by the ion implantation. |
| US09054054B2 |
Methods of forming patterns and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same
In a method forming patterns, a layer on a substrate is patterned by a first etching process using an etch mask to form a plurality of first preliminary patterns and a plurality of second preliminary patterns. The second preliminary patterns are spaced apart from each other at a second distance larger than a first distance at which the first preliminary patterns are spaced apart. First and second coating layers are formed on sidewalls of the first and second preliminary patterns, respectively, and the first and second coating layers and portions of the first and second preliminary patterns are removed by a second etching process using the etch mask to form a plurality of first patterns and a plurality of second patterns. The first patterns have widths that are smaller than widths of the first preliminary patterns. The first patterns may have generally vertical sidewalls relative to the substrate. |
| US09054051B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, a target layer and a first material layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. A plurality of second material layer patterns are formed on the first material layer, the second material layer patterns extending in a first horizontal direction. A plurality of hardmask patterns extending in a second horizontal direction are formed on the plurality of second material layer patterns and the first material layer, wherein the second horizontal direction is different from the first horizontal direction. A first material layer pattern is formed by etching the first material layer using the plurality of hardmask patterns and the plurality of second material layer patterns as etch masks. A target layer pattern with a plurality of holes is formed by etching the target layer using the first material layer pattern as an etch mask. |
| US09054046B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and method of processing substrate
A thin film including characteristics of low permittivity, high etching resistance and high leak resistance is to be formed. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a thin film containing a predetermined element on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: forming a first layer containing the predetermined element, nitrogen and carbon by alternately performing supplying a source gas containing the predetermined element and a halogen element to the substrate and supplying a first reactive gas containing three elements including the carbon, the nitrogen and hydrogen and having a composition wherein a number of carbon atoms is greater than that of nitrogen atoms to the substrate a predetermined number of times; and forming a second layer by supplying a second reactive gas different from the source gas and the first reactive gas to the substrate to modify the first layer. |
| US09054042B2 |
Surface planarisation
This invention generally relates to planarisation of a surface of a substrate. In an embodiment of planarising a surface region of a substrate, the substrate having a body on a portion of said surface region, the method comprises: modifying the wetability of a surface of said body with respect to a liquid planariser composition by providing a surface modifying layer such as a self-assembled monolayer thereon; and then depositing the liquid planariser composition on said substrate and said body such that the planariser composition wets said surface region, wherein said surface modifying layer determines a contact angle of said liquid planariser composition to said surface of said body such that the deposited liquid planariser composition is repelled from said surface of said body. |
| US09054040B2 |
Multi-die package with separate inter-die interconnects
A first electrode at a first side of a first semiconductor die is connected to a first conductive region of a substrate. A first electrode at a first side of a second semiconductor die is connected to a second conductive region of the substrate. Each die has a second electrode at an opposing second side of the respective die. A first metal layer extends from a periphery region of the substrate to over the first die. The first metal layer has a generally rectangular cross-sectional area and connects one of the conductive regions in the periphery region of the substrate to the second electrode of the first die. A second metal layer separate from the first metal layer extends over the first and second dies. The second metal layer has a generally rectangular cross-sectional area and connects the second electrodes of the first and second dies. |
| US09054039B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a lower wiring on the substrate; an inter-layer insulating film covering the lower wiring; first and second upper wirings on the inter-layer insulating film and separated from each other; and a semi-insulating protective film covering the first and second upper wirings, wherein the protective film is not provided in a region right above the lower wiring and between the first upper wiring and the second upper wiring. |
| US09054034B2 |
Semiconductor stack incorporating phase change material
A semiconductor stack for performing at least a logic operation includes adjacent layers arranged in a stacked configuration with each layer comprising at least a phase-change memory cell in which a phase-change material is provided between a heater electrical terminal and at least two further heater electrical terminals, the phase-change material between the heater electrical terminal and each of the two further heater electrical terminals being operable in one of at least two reversibly transformable phases, an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase; wherein the semiconductor stack, when in use, is configurable to store information by way of an electrical resistance of the phase of the phase-change material between each heater electrical terminal and each of the two further heater electrical terminals in each layer, and the logic operation is performed on the basis of the information stored in the adjacent layers. |
| US09054032B2 |
Creating an embedded ReRAM memory from a high-k metal gate transistor structure
An embodiment of the present invention sets forth an embedded resistive memory cell that includes a first stack of deposited layers, a second stack of deposited layers, a first electrode disposed under a first portion of the first stack, and a second electrode disposed under a second portion of the first stack and extending from under the second portion of the first stack to under the second stack. The second electrode is disposed proximate to the first electrode within the embedded resistive memory cell. The first stack of deposited layers includes a dielectric layer, a high-k dielectric layer disposed above the dielectric layer, and a metal layer disposed above the high-k dielectric layer. The second stack of deposited layers includes a high-k dielectric layer formed simultaneously with the high-k dielectric layer included in the first stack, and a metal layer disposed above the high-k dielectric layer. |
| US09054030B2 |
Memory cells, semiconductor device structures, memory systems, and methods of fabrication
Memory cells are disclosed. Magnetic regions within the memory cells include an alternating structure of magnetic sub-regions and coupler sub-regions. The coupler material of the coupler sub-regions antiferromagnetically couples neighboring magnetic sub-regions and effects or encourages a vertical magnetic orientation exhibited by the neighboring magnetic sub-regions. Neighboring magnetic sub-regions, spaced from one another by a coupler sub-region, exhibit oppositely-directed magnetic orientations. The magnetic and coupler sub-regions may each be of a thickness tailored to form the magnetic region in a compact structure. Interference between magnetic dipole fields emitted from the magnetic region on switching of a free region in the memory cell may be reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are semiconductor device structures, spin torque transfer magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) systems, and methods of fabrication. |
| US09054026B2 |
Methods for manufacturing and manipulating semiconductor structure having active device
A semiconductor structure comprising a substrate, an active device, a field oxide layer and a poly-silicon resistor is disclosed. The active device is formed in a surface area of the substrate. The active device has a first doped area, a second doped area and a third doped area. The second doped area is disposed on the first doped area. The first doped area is between the second and the third doped areas. The first doped area has a first type conductivity. The third doped area has a second type conductivity. The first and the second type conductivities are different. The field oxide layer is disposed on a part of the third doped area. The poly-silicon resistor is disposed on the field oxide layer and is electrically connected to the third doped area. |
| US09054025B2 |
Process for controlling shallow trench isolation step height
A method for fabricating an integrated circuit with improved uniformity among the step heights of isolation regions is disclosed. The method comprises providing a substrate having one or more trenches; filling the one or more trenches; performing a chemical mechanical polishing on the one or more filled trenches, wherein each of the one or more filled trenches comprises a thickness; measuring the thickness of each of the one or more filled trenches; determining, based on the measured thickness of each of the one or more filled trenches, an amount of time to perform an etching process; and performing the etching process for the determined amount of time. |
| US09054023B1 |
Flip chip overmold package
An integrated circuit (IC) package having a packaging substrate, an IC disposed onto the packaging substrate, and a rigid support member attached to the substrate layer through an adhesive spacer is provided. The packaging substrate includes multiple decoupling capacitors positioned thereon around the IC. A heat sink is placed over the IC. The rigid support member provides enhanced structural support for the IC packaging and there is ample space between a bottom surface of the rigid support member and the packaging substrate to allow the placement of the decoupling capacitors underneath the rigid support member. |
| US09054019B2 |
Low profile lighting module with side emitting LEDs
A low profile lighting module. Devices according to this disclosure can produce a uniform light intensity output profile, limiting the perceived appearance of individual point sources, from direct lighting modules comprising several light emitting diodes. Individual lighting device components are disclosed that can contribute to this uniform profile, including: primary optics, secondary optics, and contoured housing elements. These components can interact with and control emitted light, thus adjusting its pattern. These components can alter the direction of emitted light, providing a more uniform light intensity over a wider range of viewing angle. |
| US09054012B2 |
Radiation detection apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a radiation detection apparatus is provided. On a sensor substrate on which a pixel array is formed, a scintillator layer that covers the pixel array, a sealing layer that covers a side face of the scintillator layer, and a protection layer that covers an upper face of the scintillator layer and an upper face of the sealing layer are formed. The sensor substrate, the sealing layer, and the protection layer along a side of the pixel array are cut such that a cut surface of the sensor substrate, a cut surface of the sealing layer, and a cut surface of the protection layer are arranged on the same plane. |
| US09054011B2 |
Mask and method for manufacturing the same, and semiconductor device
A mask includes a substrate, an effective pixel formation region and a reference pattern formation region. A pixel pattern for forming a pixel component that constitutes a pixel is arranged in the effective pixel formation region. A reference pattern for indicating a reference position where pixel pattern should be arranged in the effective pixel formation region is arranged in the reference pattern formation region. Pixel pattern is arranged to be displaced from the reference position toward a center side of the effective pixel formation region. |
| US09054009B2 |
Solid-state image pickup device in which charges overflowing a memory during a charge transfer period are directed to a floating diffusion and method of driving same
A CMOS image sensor has an image array as a matrix of unit pixels each including at least a photodiode, a memory for holding a charge stored in the photodiode, a floating diffusion region for converting the charge in the memory into a voltage, a first transfer gate for transferring the charge from the photodiode to the memory, a second transfer gate for transferring the charge from the memory to the floating diffusion region, and a resetting transistor for resetting the charge in the floating diffusion region. The unit pixels are driven to set the potential of a potential barrier at a boundary between the memory and the floating diffusion region to a potential such that a charge overflowing the memory is transferred to the floating diffusion region, when the first transfer gate is turned on. The CMOS image sensor operates in a global shutter mode for capturing moving images. |
| US09054008B2 |
Solar blind ultra violet (UV) detector and fabrication methods of the same
Described herein is device configured to be a solar-blind UV detector comprising a substrate; a plurality of pixels; a plurality of nanowires in each of the plurality of pixel, wherein the plurality of nanowires extend essentially perpendicularly from the substrate. |
| US09054002B2 |
Method for manufacturing photoelectric conversion device
A process of forming an isolation region that defines an active region on a semiconductor wafer, a process of forming a photoelectric conversion element in the active region defined by the isolation region, and a process of forming a micro lens over the photoelectric conversion element are provided. Alignment in the process of forming the photoelectric conversion element and alignment in the process of forming the micro lens are performed using an alignment mark formed in the process of forming the isolation region. |
| US09054001B2 |
Imaging device
An imaging device includes: an R pixel that is made of an organic material and includes a photodiode on which an organic film color filter that transmits red light is formed; a G pixel that is made of an organic material and includes a photodiode on which an organic film color filter that transmits green light is formed; a B pixel that is made of an organic material and includes a photodiode on which an organic film color filter that transmits blue light is formed; and an FPF pixel including a photodiode on which a Fabry-Perot filter in which an intermediate layer interposed between dielectric layers is made of a material that transmits light is formed. The R pixel, the G pixel, the B pixel, and the FPF pixel are periodically arranged. |
| US09054000B2 |
Solid-state imaging device
A solid-state imaging device 2A includes a CCD-type solid-state imaging element 10 having an imaging plane 12 formed of M×N pixels that are two-dimensionally arrayed in M rows and N columns and N signal readout circuits 20 arranged on one end side in the column direction for each of the columns with respect to the plane 12 and for outputting electrical signals according to the magnitudes of charges taken out of the respective columns, respectively, a C-MOS-type semiconductor element 50 for digital-converting and sequentially outputting as serial signals electrical signals output from the circuits 20 for each of the columns, a heat transfer member 80 having a main surface 81a and a back surface 81b, and a cooling block 84 provided on the surface 81b, and the semiconductor element 50 and the surface 81a of the heat transfer member 80 are bonded to each other. |
| US09053999B2 |
A/D converter, A/D conversion method, solid-state imaging element and camera system
A solid-state imaging device having an analog-digital converter, and an analog-digital conversion method are described herein. An example of a solid-state imaging device includes a bit inconsistency prevention section configured to prevent bit inconsistency between output of a low-level bit latch section and a high-level bit counting section. |
| US09053994B2 |
Image pickup unit and image pickup display system
A device for image sensing includes a photoelectric conversion unit and at least one transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit is configured to convert incident electromagnetic radiation into an electric signal. The at least one transistor includes a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode above the first gate electrode. The first gate electrode and the second gate electrode do not overlap each other within a non-overlapping region. |
| US09053992B2 |
Contact resistance test structure and method suitable for three-dimensional integrated circuits
A contact resistance test structure, a method for fabricating the contact resistance test structure and a method for measuring a contact resistance while using the contact resistance test structure are all predicated upon two parallel conductor lines (or multiples thereof) that are contacted by one perpendicular conductor line absent a via interposed there between. The test structure and related methods are applicable within the context of three-dimensional integrated circuits. |
| US09053990B2 |
Bump interconnection techniques
The disclosure is directed to a device and method for manufacture thereof. The device includes a first workpiece bonded to a second workpiece by a bump interconnection structure. The bump interconnection structure allows for optimized packaging assembly yield and bond integrity. |