Document | Document Title |
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US09053989B2 |
Elongated bump structure in semiconductor device
A device includes a chip attached to a substrate. The chip includes a conductive pillar having a length (L) measured along a long axis of the conductive pillar and a width (W) measured along a short axis of the conductive pillar. The substrate includes a conductive trace and a mask layer overlying the conductive trace, wherein the mask layer has an opening exposing a portion of the conductive trace. An interconnection is formed between the conductive pillar and the exposed portion of the conductive trace. The opening has a first dimension (d1) measured along the long axis of the conductive pillar and a second dimension (d2) measured along the short axis of the conductive pillar. A ratio of L to d1 is greater than a ratio of W to d2. |
US09053986B2 |
Semiconductor device and flat panel display including the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer on a substrate, a gate electrode electrically insulated from the semiconductor layer by a gate insulating layer, an insulating layer on the gate insulating layer and on the gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode on the insulating layer, the source and drain electrode being connected to the semiconductor layer. The source electrode overlaps at least a part of the gate electrode. The source electrode, the insulating layer, and the gate electrode overlap each other so as to provide a capacitor. |
US09053984B2 |
Thin-film transistor, display unit, and electronic apparatus
Provided is a thin-film transistor that includes: a substrate; a first barrier film formed on the substrate; a second barrier film formed in a selective region on the first barrier film, and having a barrier property against hydrogen; an oxide semiconductor layer including a first part formed on the second barrier film and a second part formed on the first barrier film, in which the first part functions as an active layer, and the second part has lower electrical resistance than the first part; a gate electrode formed on the first part of the oxide semiconductor layer with a gate insulating film therebetween; and a source electrode or drain electrode electrically connected to the second part of the oxide semiconductor layer. The first barrier film has a barrier property against an impurity from the substrate and a property of chemically reducing the oxide semiconductor layer. |
US09053981B2 |
Hybrid CMOS nanowire mesh device and PDSOI device
A semiconductor hybrid structure on an SOI substrate. A first portion of the SOI substrate contains a nanowire mesh device and a second portion of the SOI substrate contains a partially depleted semiconductor on insulator (PDSOI) device. The nanowire mesh device includes stacked and spaced apart semiconductor nanowires located on the SOI substrate with each semiconductor nanowire having two end segments in which one of the end segments is connected to a source region and the other end segment is connected to a drain region. The nanowire mesh device further includes a gate region over at least a portion of the stacked and spaced apart semiconductor nanowires. The PDSOI device includes a partially depleted semiconductor layer on the substrate, and a gate region over at least a portion of the partially depleted semiconductor layer. |
US09053980B2 |
Monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes
Methods and systems for monolithic integration of photonics and electronics in CMOS processes are disclosed and may include fabricating photonic and electronic devices on two CMOS wafers with different silicon layer thicknesses for the photonic and electronic devices with at least a portion of each of the wafers bonded together, where a first of the CMOS wafers includes the photonic devices and a second of the CMOS wafers includes the electronic devices. The electrical devices may be coupled to optical devices utilizing through-silicon vias. The different thicknesses may be fabricated utilizing a selective area growth process. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing oxygen implants and/or utilizing CMOS trench oxide on the CMOS wafers. Silicon may be deposited on the CMOS trench oxide utilizing epitaxial lateral overgrowth. Cladding layers may be fabricated utilizing selective backside etching. Reflective surfaces may be fabricated by depositing metal on the selectively etched regions. |
US09053970B2 |
Patterned strained semiconductor substrate and device
A device that includes a pattern of strained material and relaxed material on a substrate, a strained device in the strained material, and a non-strained device in the relaxed material. The strained material may be silicon (Si) in either a tensile or compressive state, and the relaxed material is Si in a normal state. A buffer layer of silicon germanium (SiGe), silicon carbon (SiC), or similar material is formed on the substrate and has a lattice constant/structure mis-match with the substrate. A relaxed layer of SiGe, SiC, or similar material is formed on the buffer layer and places the strained material in the tensile or compressive state. Carbon-doped silicon or germanium-doped silicon may be used to form the strained material. The structure includes a multi-layered substrate having strained and non-strained materials patterned thereon. |
US09053961B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device
An interlayer insulating film is formed. Then a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode are buried in the interlayer insulating film. Then, an anti-diffusion film is formed over the interlayer insulating film, over the first gate electrode, and over the second gate electrode. Then, a first semiconductor layer is formed over the anti-diffusion film which is present over the first gate electrode. Then, an insulating cover film is formed over the upper surface and on the lateral side of the first semiconductor layer and over the anti-diffusion film. Then, a semiconductor film is formed over the insulating cover film. Then, the semiconductor film is removed selectively to leave a portion positioned over the second gate electrode, thereby forming a second semiconductor layer. |
US09053960B2 |
Decoupling capacitor for integrated circuit
An integrated circuit includes a capacitor having first, second and third nodes. The first and second nodes of the first transistor are connected together and the first and second nodes of the second transistor are connected together. The third node of the first transistor is connected to the third node of the second transistor. Each of the third nodes is constructed so that each node comprises a width and a length that is at least ten percent of the width. |
US09053956B2 |
Trench capacitor with spacer-less fabrication process
A trench capacitor and method of fabrication are disclosed. The SOI region is doped such that a selective isotropic etch used for trench widening does not cause appreciable pullback of the SOI region, and no spacers are needed in the upper portion of the trench. |
US09053955B2 |
Nitride semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A nitride semiconductor device includes a dislocation control layer on a substrate, and a nitride semiconductor layer on the dislocation control layer. The dislocation control layer includes a nanocomposite of a first nanoparticle made of a first material and at least one second nanoparticle made of a second material. |
US09053954B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
To improve the assemblability of a semiconductor device.When a memory chip is mounted over a logic chip, a recognition range including a recognition mark formed at a back surface of the logic chip is imaged and a shape of the recognition range is recognized, alignment of a plurality of bumps of the logic chip and a plurality of projection electrodes of the above-described memory chip is performed based on a result of the recognition, and the above-described memory chip is mounted over the logic chip. At this time, the shape of the recognition range is different from any portion of an array shape of the bumps, as a result, the recognition mark in the shape of the recognition range can be reliably recognized, and alignment of the bumps of the logic chip and the projection electrodes of the above-described memory chip is performed with high accuracy. |
US09053940B2 |
Mask for forming semiconductor pattern, patterning system with the same, and method of fabricating semiconductor device using the same
A mask for forming a semiconductor pattern includes a first body portion provided with a first through hole for injecting a semiconductor material and a second body portion provided with a second through hole for exhausting a gas. As the result of the gas suction through the second through hole, the semiconductor material may be crystallized to form a semiconductor pattern on a base substrate. A thickness of the semiconductor pattern can be controlled by a space between the mask and the base substrate, and a crystal structure of the semiconductor pattern can be controlled by an amount of the gas to be exhausted through the second through hole. |
US09053932B2 |
Methods of preparing graphene and device including graphene
A method of preparing graphene includes forming a silicon carbide thin film on a substrate, forming a metal thin film on the silicon carbide thin film, and forming a metal composite layer and graphene on the substrate by heating the silicon carbide thin film and the metal thin film. |
US09053928B2 |
Wafer and film coating method of using the same
The present disclosure provides a wafer that can be used in coating films. The wafer includes a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and a plurality of trenches. The back surface further includes a central region and a surrounding region. The trenches are disposed on the back surface. The spacing between any two adjacent trenches in surrounding region is less than the spacing between any two adjacent trenches in the central region. |
US09053924B2 |
Cleaning agent for silicon wafer
A cleaning agent for a silicon wafer (a first cleaning agent) contains at least a water-based cleaning liquid and a water-repellent cleaning liquid for providing at least a recessed portion of an uneven pattern with water repellency during a cleaning process. The water-based cleaning liquid is a liquid in which a water-repellent compound having a reactive moiety chemically bondable to Si element in the silicon wafer and a hydrophobic group, and an organic solvent including at least an alcoholic solvent are mixed and contained. With this cleaning agent, the cleaning process which tends to induce a pattern collapse can be improved. |
US09053921B2 |
High-pressure discharge lamp having an ignition aid
A high-pressure discharge lamp having an ignition aid, may include a discharge vessel which is fitted in an outer bulb, wherein a UV enhancer is fitted as an ignition aid in the outer bulb, wherein the UV enhancer comprises a UV-transparent can-like container having an inner wall and end side and longitudinal axis, the container enclosing with its inner wall a cavity which is filled with a gas that can emit UV radiation, an inner vent electrode, which has at least one bend or kink, being fitted in the cavity in such a way that a bend or kink lie as close as possible to the inner wall of the container, and wherein an external electrode is applied externally in the vicinity of the container. |
US09053920B1 |
Internal induction lamp with protected mercury amalgam
An internal induction lamp with a glass envelope bulb assembly and an inductor shaft assembly. The glass envelope bulb assembly is a hollow glass envelope bulb with a mercury amalgam stem protruding downwards from the bottom of the hollow glass envelope bulb. The mercury amalgam stem is fragile, and protected by a stem protector. The inductor shaft assembly, which inserts into the glass envelope bulb assembly accommodates the protrusion of the mercury amalgam stem along with the stem protector. The inductor shaft assembly and envelope bulb assembly may attach via a threaded ring connector. The inductor shaft assembly may have a heat sink, and a gap within the heat sink to accommodate placement of the stem protector within this gap. |
US09053918B2 |
Mass spectrometer with beam expander
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a RF confinement device, a beam expander and a Time of Flight mass analyzer. The beam expander is arranged to expand an ion beam emerging from the RF confinement device so that the ion beam is expanded to a diameter of at least 3 mm in the orthogonal acceleration extraction region of the Time of Flight mass analyzer. |
US09053917B2 |
Vacuum fired and brazed ion pump element
A Vacuum Fired and Brazed (“VFB”) anode array element for use in an ion pump is described. The VFB anode array element includes a first VFB conduit anode element and second VFB conduit anode element, wherein the second VFB conduit anode element is adjacent the first VFB conduit anode element. The first VFB conduit anode element is vacuum brazed together with second VFB conduit anode element. |
US09053913B2 |
Positioning guides and ion sources
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to inserts and ion sources. In some examples, an insert can comprise a positioning guide configured to provide for visual positioning of a chromatography column under the positioning guide. In other examples, an ion source configured with an aperture to couple to a carrier tube to render the ion source non-removable from an instrument housing when the carrier tube is coupled to the ion source is described. |
US09053912B2 |
Fine particle measurement system
A fine particle measurement system including a primary-side power supply circuit connected to a primary side of an isolation transformer, a control circuit configured to control the primary-side power supply circuit, a first current measurement circuit configured to transmit to the control circuit a first signal indicating a first current that flows from a trapping unit toward a secondary-side reference potential line, and a second current measurement circuit configured to transmit to the control circuit a second signal indicating a second current corresponding to the amount of ions that are not trapped by the trapping unit. The control circuit adjusts the electrical power supplied to the ion generating unit based on the first current and measures the amount of the fine particles in the gas based on the second current. Further, the first current measurement circuit includes an isolation amplifier and amplifies the first signal via the isolation amplifier and transmits the first signal to the control circuit. |
US09053910B2 |
Magnetron sputtering target and process for producing the same
A magnetron sputtering target containing a ferromagnetic metal element includes a magnetic phase containing the ferromagnetic metal element; a plurality of non-magnetic phases containing the ferromagnetic metal element, the plurality of non-magnetic phases containing a different constituent element from each other or containing constituent elements at different ratios from each other; and an oxide phase. Regions of the magnetic phase and the plurality of non-magnetic phases are separated from each other by the oxide phase. |
US09053909B2 |
Activated gas injector, film deposition apparatus, and film deposition method
An activated gas injector includes a flow passage defining member partitioned into a gas activation passage and a gas introduction passage by a partition wall; a gas introduction port through which a process gas is introduced into the gas introduction passage; a pair of electrodes to be supplied with electrical power to activate the process gas, wherein the electrodes extend along the partition wall in the gas activation passage; through-holes formed in the partition wall and arranged along a longitudinal direction of the electrodes, wherein the through-holes allow the process gas to flow from the gas introduction passage to the gas activation passage; and gas ejection holes provided in the gas activation passage along the longitudinal direction of the electrodes, wherein the gas ejection holes allow the process gas activated in the gas activation passage to be ejected therefrom. |
US09053908B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling substrate DC-bias and ion energy and angular distribution during substrate etching
A variable capacitor is provided within a radiofrequency (RF) power transmission path to a bias electrode, in addition to an impedance matching circuit provided within the RF power transmission path to the bias electrode. An RF power supply is operated in a pulsed mode to transmit pulses of RF power through the RF power transmission path to the bias electrode. A capacitance of the variable capacitor is set to control a rate at which a DC bias voltage builds up on a substrate present above the bias electrode during each pulse of RF power. The rate at which the DC bias voltage builds up on the substrate controls an ion energy distribution and an ion angular distribution within a plasma exposed to an electromagnetic field emanating from the substrate. |
US09053907B2 |
System and method of ion neutralization with multiple-zoned plasma flood gun
An apparatus comprises a plasma flood gun for neutralizing a positive charge buildup on a semiconductor wafer during a process of ion implantation using an ion beam. The plasma flood gun comprises more than two arc chambers, wherein each arc chamber is configured to generate and release electrons into the ion beam in a respective zone adjacent to the semiconductor wafer. |
US09053905B2 |
Electron beam irradiation apparatus
The present invention has for its object to provide an electron beam irradiation apparatus which can suppress influences the electric fields generated by a plurality of backscattered electron detectors have. To attain the above object, an electron beam irradiation apparatus equipped with a scanning deflector comprises a plurality of backscattered electron detectors, a power source for detectors which applies voltages to the plural backscattered electron detectors, respectively, and a controller device which adjusts application voltages the power source for detectors delivers, on the basis of an image shift when the voltages are applied to the plural backscattered electron detectors. |
US09053902B2 |
Charged-particle radiation apparatus
In order to provide a charged-particle radiation apparatus capable of evaluating and distinguishing the analysis position in a sample subjected to X-ray analysis in the stage before performing X-ray elemental analysis, and also making it possible for an analyst to perform, in a short period of time and without reworking, analysis for which high reliability is ensured, the present invention provides a charged-particle radiation apparatus provided with an X-ray detector, wherein a first back scattered electron detector (15) on the same axis as the X-ray detection surface of the X-ray detector (12 (25-30)) is disposed integrally with or independently from the X-ray detector (12), an X-ray signal being detected by the X-ray detector (12) simultaneously with or separately from detection of a back scattered electron signal by the first back scattered electron detector (15). |
US09053900B2 |
Apparatus and methods for high-resolution electron beam imaging
One embodiment relates to an apparatus for high-resolution electron beam imaging. The apparatus includes an energy filter configured to limit an energy spread of the electrons in the incident electron beam. The energy filter may be formed using a stigmatic Wien filter and a filter aperture. Another embodiment relates to a method of forming an incident electron beam for a high-resolution electron beam apparatus. Another embodiment relates to a stigmatic Wien filter that includes curved conductive electrodes. Another embodiment relates to a stigmatic Wien filter that includes a pair of magnetic yokes and a multipole deflector. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed. |
US09053898B2 |
Brazed X-ray tube anode
A method (100) creates a braze joint (58) between an anode plate (52) and a piece of graphite (56) of an x-ray tube (38). The method (100) includes receiving (102) the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56). A barrier layer (66) and a braze layer (62) are arranged (104, 106, 108) between the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56), where the barrier layer (66) is between the piece of graphite (56) and the brazing layer (62). The barrier layer (66) is heated (110) with the braze layer (62) to create the braze joint (58) between the anode plate (52) and the piece of graphite (56). |
US09053897B2 |
Anode disk element with refractory interlayer and VPS focal track
An anode (30) is formed by building a carbon, such as a carbon reinforced carbon composite, or other ceramic substrate (50). A ductile, refractory metal is electroplated on the ceramic substrate to form a refractory metal carbide layer (52) and a ductile refractory metal layer (54), at least on a focal track portion (36). A high-Z refractory metal is vacuum plasma sprayed on the ductile refractory metal layer to form a vacuum plasma sprayed high-Z refractory metal layer (56), at least on the focal track portion. |
US09053894B2 |
Apparatus and method for removal of surface oxides via fluxless technique involving electron attachment
Described herein is a method and apparatus for removing metal oxides on a surface of a component via electron attachment. In one embodiment, there is provided a field emission apparatus, wherein the electrons attach to at least a portion of the reducing gas to form a negatively charged atomic ions which removes metal oxides comprising: a cathode comprising an electrically conductive and comprising at least one or more protrusions having an angled edge or high curvature surface, wherein the cathode is surrounded by a dielectric material which is then surrounded by an electrically conductive anode wherein the cathode and anode are each connected to an electrical voltage source, and the dielectric material between the cathode and anode is polarized, intensifying the electrical field strength and accumulating electrons at the apex of the cathode to promote field emission of electrons from the cathode. |
US09053892B2 |
Ionization device
An illustrated example ionization device includes a pyroelectric electron accelerator that causes electrons to move away from the accelerator. A silicon target is positioned in a path of the electrons. X-ray radiation results from the electrons colliding with the target. In one example embodiment, the electrons moving between the accelerator and the target have energy up to 60 KeV and the target attenuates the energy so that the x-ray radiation has energy between 1 KeV and 3 KeV. |
US09053887B2 |
Switching device
A switching device is disclosed, in particular an electrical circuit breaker, including a housing and a switching unit disposed inside the housing. In at least one embodiment, the housing includes an openable housing cover with a switching opening through which a control lever head, which can be moved between an on-position and an off-position, of a control lever for switching the switching unit projects. The switching opening includes an opening contour and the control lever head includes an outer contour, which are aligned with one another such that the control lever head in the on-position prevents any movement of the housing cover via the control lever head, and in the off-position permits a movement of the housing cover via the control lever head. |
US09053877B2 |
Plunger switch and method of using same
A plunger switch and method comprises a multi-action plunger arrangement having first and second plungers in axial alignment such that the first plunger is centrally located about the second plunger. The second plunger has an annular wall for supporting at least one conductive wiper contact. The plunger switch further comprises first and second biasing members having differing load constants, such that the first and second plungers are actuated at different loads during use and a plurality of terminals for communicating an electrical path. The switch also comprises a housing having a central opening for supporting the plunger arrangement. The second plunger and second second biasing member cooperate with the conductive wiper contact such that compressing of the second biasing member from a normal position to a first actuated position results in a change of state of the switch assembly. |
US09053876B2 |
Lockable manually-operated actuator for electrical switching devices
A lockable manually-operated rotary actuator for an electrical switching device includes a turning handle mounted on a housing and connected to an operating axle of the switching device. A pivotably or displaceably mounted locking member in or on the turning handle is configured to lock the turning handle in a locking position via an operative connection with the housing. At least one released locking opening is present in the locked position with at least one padlock. A protective cap is disposed over the turning handle and provides access to the at least one released locking opening, a shape of the protective cap being such that the protective cap conforms to a shape of the turning handle and is fixed to the housing via a positive connection. |
US09053873B2 |
Switches for use in microelectromechanical and other systems, and processes for making same
Embodiments of switches (10) include electrically-conductive housings (30, 60), and electrical conductors (34, 64) suspended within and electrically isolated from the housings (30, 60). Another electrical conductor (52) is configured to move between a first position at which the electrical conductor (52) is electrically isolated from the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60), and a second position at which the electrical conductor (52) is in electrical contact with the electrical conductors (34, 64) within the housings (30, 60). The switches (10) further include an actuator (70, 72, 74, 76) comprising an electrically-conductive base (80) and an electrically-conductive arm (82a, 82b) having a first end restrained by the base (80). The electrical conductor (52) is supported by the arm (82a, 82b), and the arm (82a, 82b) is operative to deflect and thereby move the electrical conductor (52) between its first and second positions. |
US09053869B2 |
Energy storage apparatus
Improved energy storage apparatus that is compact and less expensive is disclosed. High-voltage lines are no longer required, and heat energy can be simply dissipated from each storage module in the apparatus. A switchable inductive balancing element is electrically connected in parallel with each storage cell in each storage module, through which energy or electrical charge can be shifted among the individual storage cells in each storage module using suitably designed magnetic circuits. A power resistor and a module switch are electrically connected in parallel with the series circuit formed by the storage cells in of each storage module and the switchable inductive cell balancing elements in each module are magnetically coupled to a single switchable inductive module balancing element in the module, or each is magnetically coupled to a switchable inductive balancing element of a respective transformer. |
US09053868B2 |
Method of manufacturing a graphene-containing electrolyte
A method of manufacturing a graphene-containing electrolyte includes, in the order recited: (a) deoxidizing graphene oxide to form graphene; (b) dissolving the graphene in a carbonate solvent to provide a graphene-containing solution; and (c) adding an oxidation-reduction agent composed of 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide (BDI) and optionally iodine (I2) into the graphene-containing solution to provide the graphene-containing electrolyte. Deoxidizing the graphene oxide may be accomplished by dissolving the graphene oxide in an aqueous solvent that is a mixture of water and an alkyl imidazole-based iodine to form a solution; and centrifuging the solution to obtain the graphene. A dye-sensitized solar cell may include the graphene-containing electrolyte to fill a space defined between first and second electrodes. |
US09053864B2 |
Multilayer capacitor and method for manufacturing the same
In a multilayer capacitor, a first dielectric layered product including a first body principal face is formed to be thicker than a second dielectric layered product including a second body principal face in a stacking direction thereof. A first external electrode and a second external electrode extend only to the first body principal face from a first body end face and a second body end face. Alternatively, the first external electrode and the second external electrode extend at least to the first body principal face from the first body end face and the second body end face and extend also to at least one of the second body principal face, a first body lateral face, and a second body lateral face. |
US09053863B2 |
Electrochemical energy storage device with coincident electrical terminal and electrolyte fill hole
An electrochemical energy storage device includes a housing, at least one energy storage element in the housing and operable with an electrolyte, a cap coupled to the housing, at least one electrolyte impregnation hole formed in the cap, and a first terminal lug attachable to the cap via the electrolyte impregnation hole. |
US09053852B2 |
Error compensation for current transformer sensors
Phase angle error and ratio error correction is provided in a current transformer by a bucking voltage opposite in phase to the voltage drop across the burden resistor and inherent winding resistance. |
US09053851B2 |
Crystal and laminate
The present invention relates to a laminate that includes: a foundation layer (12) that is a crystal having a wurtzite structure; and a MgXM1-XO film (14) having a hexagonal film formed on the foundation layer, where M is a 3d transition metal element, and 0 |
US09053850B2 |
Implementing adjustable size ferrite core for EMI cable noise suppression
A method and structures for implementing an adjustable size ferrite core for electromagnetic interference (EMI) cable noise suppression. A plurality of ferrite core segments are mated together defining an adjustable size cable receiving cavity. Each of the ferrite core segments includes an inner wall portion with mating fingers extending along adjoining edges. The mating fingers are selectively positioned together to select a size of the adjustable cable receiving cavity. |
US09053846B2 |
Permanent magnet and manufacturing method thereof
There are provided a permanent magnet and a manufacturing method thereof enabling carbon content contained in magnet particles to be reduced in advance before sintering even when wet milling is employed. Coarsely-milled magnet powder is further milled by a bead mill in a solvent together with an organometallic compound expressed with a structural formula of M−(OR)x (M includes at least one of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, each being a rare earth element, R represents a substituent group consisting of a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon, x represents an arbitrary integer) so as to uniformly adhere the organometallic compound to particle surfaces of the magnet powder. Thereafter, a compact body of compacted magnet powder is held for several hours in hydrogen atmosphere at 200 through 900 degrees Celsius to perform hydrogen calcination process. Thereafter, through sintering process, a permanent magnet 1 is manufactured. |
US09053844B2 |
Geometric configuration or alignment of protective material in a gap structure for electrical devices
An electrical device that includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are separated from one another so as to form a gap structure. A layer of protective material spans the gap structure to contact the first electrode and the second electrode. A dimension of the gap structure, corresponding to a separation distance between the first electrode and the second electrode, is varied and includes a minimum separation distance that coincides with a critical path of the layer of protective material between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
US09053839B2 |
Dispersions comprising polythiophenes with a defined content of thiophene monomer
The present invention relates to a method for producing a composition comprising polythiophene, comprising the method steps: I) provision of a composition Z1 comprising thiophene monomers and an oxidising agent; II) oxidative polymerisation of the thiophene monomers by reducing the oxidising agent to a reduction product and oxidation of the thiophene monomer, to form a polythiophene and a composition Z2 comprising the reduction product; III) at least partial removal of the reduction product from the composition Z2 obtained in method step II), to obtain a composition Z3; wherein it is ensured that, following completion of method step III), the content of non-polymerised thiophene monomer in the composition Z3 is in the range from 1 ppm to 100 ppm, based on the total weight of the composition Z3. The present invention also relates to a composition obtainable as the composition Z3 produced with this method, a composition comprising a polythiophene, a layer construction, an electronic component and the use of a composition. |
US09053838B2 |
Conductive rubber component and method for mounting same
A conductive rubber component (10) of the present invention includes a metal coating (2) formed on at least one surface located perpendicular to a compression direction of a conductive rubber single body (1) by atomic and/or molecular deposition, and can be surface mounted and soldered. In a method for mounting a conductive rubber component (10) of the present invention, the conductive rubber component (10) is surface mounted on a wiring layer (8) on a printed wiring board (9) and is fixed by a solder layer (7) thereto and thereby is incorporated to electrically connect the printed circuit board (9) and an electronic component (11) to each other. Thus, a conductive rubber component and a method for mounting same are provided, wherein the conductive rubber component is used as an electrical contact of an electronic component compatible with the surface mount technology (SMT), the conductive rubber component does not cause any damage to the electrode surface of the electronic component even when the body of an electronic device in which it is mounted is distorted or warped, it has lower resistance and excellent chemical stability and can be used for SMT. |
US09053837B2 |
Protected coaxial cable
A guarded coaxial cable assembly includes a micro-coaxial cable and an adjacent structure for protecting the micro-coaxial cable. |
US09053836B2 |
Shielded electric wire
A shielded electric wire that assumes a horizontally long cross sectional wire profile and includes a flat shielded electric wire that has a plurality of sheathed core wires whose core centers are positioned side by side at grade. The shielded electric wire has an electromagnetic shield layer that encloses all of the positioned sheathed core wires, and a pair of additional electromagnetic shield layers laid solely along a pair of mutually-opposed long sides in line with a direction in which the sheathed core wires are arranged in a wire cross section. |
US09053835B2 |
Flexible cable and medium processing device
A flexible cable may include a data signal layer; a first disconnection detecting signal layer covering a front face of the data signal layer and formed with a disconnection detecting signal pattern; and a second disconnection detecting signal layer covering a rear face of the data signal layer and formed with a disconnection detecting signal pattern. The flexible cable may be formed in a multilayer structure. A shield pattern may be formed in the first and/or second disconnection detecting signal layer and avoiding the disconnection detecting signal pattern. The data signal pattern may be formed so as to be covered by the disconnection detecting signal pattern. At least a part of the signal pattern may be formed so as to avoid the disconnection detecting signal pattern. |
US09053834B2 |
Silicon carbide single crystal and manufacturing method of the same
A silicon carbide single crystal includes nitrogen as a dopant and aluminum as a dopant. A nitrogen concentration is 2×1019 cm−3 or higher and a ratio of an aluminum concentration to the nitrogen concentration is within a range of 5% to 40%. |
US09053829B2 |
Pipe shut-off device and apparatus having same for the emergency supply of coolant to the fuel rods arranged in the reactor vessel of a nuclear power plant
A pipeline shut-off device (10) comprising a tube section (10a) arranged in a pipeline (3) and having a shut-off member (19), wherein the shut-off member (19) can be destroyed in the closed position by a device (22) arranged in the region of the pipe section (10a), with the device for destroying the shut-off member (19) being able to be actuated from the outside. |
US09053825B2 |
Fuel assembly
A fuel assembly for a nuclear boiling water reactor is provided. The reactor comprises a plurality of such fuel assemblies and a plurality of control rods. Each control rod is insertable between the fuel assemblies. The fuel assembly has a longitudinal center axis and includes a plurality of elongated fuel rods and an elongated channel box. The channel box has inner sides, facing the fuel rods, and outer sides. Each inner and outer side has a longitudinal center line extending in parallel with the center axis and along the length of the channel box. A number of protrusions are distributed along the center line of at least two of the outer sides. The protrusions are configured to ensure a minimum distance between the outer side and an adjacent control rod and to enable the control rod to easily slide over and on top of the protrusions. |
US09053814B2 |
Voltage generators adaptive to low external power supply voltage
Voltage generators may generate a level of a high target voltage with respect to a low external power supply voltage. A reference voltage generator includes a clamp regulator which is driven by a first power supply voltage supplied from an external source and receives a first voltage to generate a clamp voltage, and a level amplifier which is driven by a second power supply voltage that is higher than the first power supply voltage and receives the clamp voltage to generate a reference voltage. The clamp voltage may be set to have a voltage level which results in a successful restore operation with respect to a memory cell array in a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). |
US09053813B2 |
Method and apparatus for refreshing and data scrubbing memory device
At least one refresh without scrubbing is performed on a corresponding portion of the memory device with a first frequency. In addition, at least one refresh with scrubbing is performed on a corresponding portion of the memory device with a second frequency less than the first frequency. Accordingly, refresh operations with data scrubbing are performed to prevent data error accumulation. Furthermore, refresh operations without data scrubbing are also performed to reduce undue power consumption from the data scrubbing. |
US09053811B2 |
Memory device refresh
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for refreshing memory includes receiving a synchronization command at a memory device. An internal refresh timer is reset within the memory device based on receiving the synchronization command. An internal refresh trigger is generated within the memory device based on the internal refresh timer reaching a predetermined value. A refresh of a memory array is performed within the memory device based on the internal refresh trigger. |
US09053808B2 |
Flash memory with targeted read scrub algorithm
A method and system have been described for counteracting and correcting for read disturb effects in blocks of flash memory. The method may include the step of a controller of the memory system performing a read scrub scan on only a portion of one targeted word line in a block at desired intervals. The controller may calculate whether a read scrub scan is necessary based on a probabilistic determination that is calculated in response to each received host read command. The controller may then place a block associated with the targeted word line into a refresh queue if a number of errors are detected in the targeted word line that meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. The block refresh process may include copying the data from the block into a new block during a background operation. |
US09053807B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor memory device
A non-volatile semiconductor device includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cell transistors electrically connected between bit lines and source lines, wherein the memory array is partitioned into a plurality of memory blocks, and a source line driver configured to set a voltage level of the source lines to a reference voltage level. First and second wirings are respectively connected to a first monitoring position of the source lines and a second monitoring position of the source lines different from the first monitoring position. A selection circuit selects between the first and second monitoring positions. A source line voltage control circuit compares a source line voltage at a selected monitoring position, and outputs a result to the source line driver. |
US09053806B2 |
Semiconductor device
In this flash memory, after first and second nodes are precharged to a power supply voltage, a sense amplifier is activated, and signals appearing at the first and second nodes are held in a register. With output signals of the register, a transistor is rendered conductive, so that a constant current source for offset compensation is connected to the first or second node. Accordingly, the offset voltage of the sense amplifier can be compensated for with a simple configuration. |
US09053804B2 |
Reduced complexity reliability computations for flash memories
Methods and apparatus are provided for computing reliability values, such as log likelihood ratios (LLRs), with reduced complexity for flash memory devices. Data from a flash memory device that stores M bits per cell using 2^M possible states is processed by obtaining at least two soft read voltage values corresponding to two reference voltages V0 and V1, wherein the two reference voltages V0 and V1 are between two adjacent states of the 2^M possible states; and converting the at least two soft read voltage values to a log likelihood ratio for a region between the two reference voltages V0 and V1 using probability density functions only for the two adjacent states. The soft read voltage values comprise, for example, hard decision read values obtained by a plurality of read retries of a given cell at a plurality of reference voltages and/or soft values obtained from the flash memory device. |
US09053801B2 |
Memory cells having ferroelectric materials
Memory cells having ferroelectric materials and methods of operating and forming the same are described herein. As an example, a memory cell can include a first electrode and a second electrode, and an ion source and a ferroelectric material formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, where the ferroelectric material serves to stabilize storage of ions transitioned from the ion source. |
US09053798B2 |
Non-volatile memory circuit
A non-volatile memory circuit is formed of a P-channel MOS transistor and includes a P-channel non-volatile memory element having a floating gate and a control gate capacitively coupled together. A resistor divider has a first resistor and a second resistor for dividing a voltage difference between a power supply voltage and a ground voltage. A divided voltage output of the resistor divider is connected to the control gate. First and second switches are connected in parallel to the respective first and second resistors. The first and second switches are controlled so that a voltage of the control gate is set to a voltage of the divided voltage output which maximizes an electric field between a pinch-off point and a drain point of the P-channel MOS transistor in a writing mode. |
US09053796B2 |
Semiconductor device and methods of manufacturing and operating the same
A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array including a vertical channel layer, two or more selection transistors, and a plurality of memory cells formed along the vertical channel; a peripheral circuit suitable for programming the two or more selection transistors and the memory cells; and a control circuit suitable for controlling the peripheral circuit to decrease a pass voltage applied to one word line adjacent to two or more selection lines coupled to the respective selection transistors, during a program operation in which the peripheral circuit applies a program voltage to the two or more selection lines and applies the pass voltage to a plurality of word lines connected to the memory cells. |
US09053794B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and related method of operation
A nonvolatile memory comprises a memory block having memory cells stacked in a three dimensional structure. The nonvolatile memory device performs an erase operation to erase a selected sub block among sub blocks of the memory block, a verification operation to determine whether program states of memory cells of an unselected sub block of the memory block have changed as a consequence of the erase operation, and a reprogramming operation to reprogram at least a portion of the unselected sub block upon determining that at least one of the program states have changed as a consequence of the erase operation. |
US09053793B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same
The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of blocks, wherein each of the blocks has pages and each of the pages includes memory cells, and a peripheral circuit configured to program the memory cells to target program states. Here, the peripheral circuit programs the memory cells to temporary program states by applying program voltages increasing step-by-step by a first incremental value, and then programs the memory cells to the target program states by applying program voltages increasing step-by-step by a second incremental value. |
US09053792B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having ray detector, and electronic device including the same, and operating method thereof
A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory region, a second memory region suitable for storing the same data as the first memory region, and a ray detection circuit suitable for detecting an incident ray to the first memory region, wherein a data stored in the second memory region is copied into the first memory region when the incident ray is detected. |
US09053790B1 |
Counter for write operations at a data storage device
A data storage device includes a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) having a three-dimensional (3D) memory configuration that is monolithically formed in one or more physical levels of arrays of memory cells having an active area disposed above a silicon substrate. The data storage device further includes circuitry associated with operation of the memory cells. A method includes performing a first number of write operations to the ReRAM. The method further includes incrementing a value of a counter a second number of times in response to performing at least one of the write operations. The second number is less than the first number. |
US09053781B2 |
Structure and method for a forming free resistive random access memory with multi-level cell
A method for operating a multi-level resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell having a current-controlling device and a RRAM device connected together. The method is free of a “forming” step and includes setting the RRAM device to one of resistance levels by controlling the current-controlling device to one of current levels. The setting the RRAM device includes applying a first voltage to a top electrode of the RRAM device and applying a second voltage to a bottom electrode of the RRAM device. The second voltage is higher than the first voltage. |
US09053780B2 |
Measuring electrical resistance
In at least one embodiment, a method includes applying an input voltage external to a semiconductor chip to a first circuit of the semiconductor chip to generate an output voltage external to the semiconductor chip. The first circuit is electrically coupled to a resistive device. A logic state of the resistive device is determined based on a logic state of the external output voltage. |
US09053778B2 |
Memory controller that enforces strobe-to-strobe timing offset
A memory controller outputs a clock signal to first and second DRAMs disposed on a memory module, the clock signal requiring respective first and second time intervals to propagate to the first and second DRAMs. The memory controller outputs a write command to be sampled by the first and second DRAMs at times indicated by the first clock signal and outputs, in association with the write command, first and second write data to the first and second DRAMs, respectively. The memory controller further outputs first and second strobe signals respectively to the first and second DRAMs, the first strobe signal to time reception of the first and second write data therein. The memory controller adjusts respective transmission times of the first and second strobe signals to be offset from one another by a time interval that corresponds to a difference between the first and second time intervals. |
US09053777B1 |
Methods and apparatus for memory interface systems
Methods and systems for memory interface systems are provided. A first command from control circuitry is received by bridge circuitry at a first clock rate. The control circuitry is configured to operate at the first clock rate. A second command is generated by the control circuitry on the received first command. The second command is transmitted to memory circuitry at a second clock rate. The memory circuitry is configured to operate at the second clock rate, and the second clock rate is greater than the first clock rate. |
US09053775B2 |
Semiconductor device having CAL latency function
A method for accessing a semiconductor device having a memory array, the method includes receiving a mode register command to set a command latency value in a mode register, receiving a chip select signal, activating a command receiver in response to the chip select signal, receiving, with the command receiver, an access command with a first latency from the chip select signal equal to the command latency value, accessing the memory array in response to the access command, and deactivating the command receiver with a second latency from the chip select signal equal to a deactivation latency value. |
US09053771B2 |
Semiconductor system
To provide a semiconductor system including a plurality of core chips and an interface chip that controls the core chips. Each of the core chips includes an internal voltage generating circuit. The interface chip includes an unused chip information holding circuit that stores therein unused chip information of the core chips. The core chips respectively receive the unused chip information from the unused chip information holding circuit. When the unused chip information indicates an unused state, the internal voltage generating circuits are inactivated, and when the unused chip information indicates a used state, the internal voltage generating circuits are activated. With this configuration, unnecessary power consumption by the unused chips is reduced. |
US09053765B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having multiple blocks each with a plurality of memory strings. Each memory string has multiple memory cells connected in series between first and second selection transistors. The device further includes a row decoder, a block decoder, first and second signal line groups, and a switch circuit. The row decoder has transfer transistors through which voltages are supplied to the selection transistors. The block decoder supplies a selection signal that indicates whether the first group or the second group has been selected. The first and second signal line groups are connected to the selection transistors of the memory strings that are in the respective first and second memory blocks of the first and second groups. The switch circuit connects the first and second signal line groups to the respective first and second memory blocks of the selected group. |
US09053763B2 |
Non-volatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same
This technology relates to nonvolatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same. A nonvolatile memory device can include a memory cell array configured to include a plurality of strings, a page buffer unit connected to the plurality of strings, respectively, and configured to sense data, and a switching unit disposed between the memory cell array and the page buffer unit and configured to comprise a variable resistor. |
US09053759B2 |
Semiconductor device having plural selection lines
The semiconductor device includes a plurality of word lines classified into a plurality of groups and a selection circuit for selecting a word line according to an address. The selection circuit has a level shifter arranged for each of the groups. The address includes a first address for selecting any of the groups and a second address for selecting a word line in the selected group. The selection circuit selects a word line by allowing supply of active potential for word line by the level shifter of a group selected by the first address and further allowing supply of the active potential to the word line selected by the second address out of a plurality of word lines belonging to the selected group. |
US09053758B2 |
Reading method of memory
A reading method of a memory is provided. The memory has a turn on window. The reading method comprises the following steps. A reading voltage is provided. The reading voltage is shown if the reading voltage is located in the turn on window. The reading voltage is updated by moving a predetermined distance if the reading voltage is not located in the turn on window. The predetermined distance is cut by half before the step of updating the reading voltage is performed again. |
US09053751B2 |
Sound and image segment sorting device and method
A sound segment sorting unit (103) sorts the sound segments of a video. An image segment sorting unit (104) sorts the image segments of the video. A multiple sorting result generation unit (105) generates a plurality of sound segment sorting results and/or a plurality of image segment sorting results. A sorting result pair generation unit (106) generates a plurality of sorting result pairs of the sorting results as the candidates of the optimum segment sorting result of the video. A sorting result output unit (108) compares the sorting result comparative scores of the sorting result pairs calculated by a sorting result comparative score calculation unit (107) and thus outputs a sound segment sorting result and an image segment sorting result having good correspondence. This allows to accurately sort, for each object, a plurality of sound segments and a plurality of image segments contained in the video without adjusting parameters in advance. |
US09053750B2 |
Speaker association with a visual representation of spoken content
Speaker content generated in an audio conference is visually represented in accordance with a method. Speaker content from a plurality of audio conference participants is monitored using a computer with a tangible non-transitory processor and memory. The speaker content from each of the plurality of audio conference participants is monitored. A visual representation of speaker content for each of the plurality of audio conference participants is generated based on the analysis of the speaker content from each of the plurality of audio conference participant. The visual representation of speaker content is displayed. |
US09053745B2 |
Method for writing file on tape medium that can be read at high speed
Mechanisms for writing a file on a tape medium in a manner that enables high-speed reading are provided. A predetermined format is applied to the medium that divides the medium into a first region of a predetermined length in a longitudinal direction from a region of the medium, and a second region that extends from an end of the first region to a terminal region of the medium in a longitudinal direction and that has a predetermined width with respect to a width of the medium in a transverse direction. Writing a top data portion of a predetermined data amount of the data of the file in the first region and writing data of the file in the second region are performed. |
US09053743B2 |
Servo marginalization
Servo channel noise limits are defined through Viterbi decisions based on servo gate signals. Y values are used to produce a first Viterbi decision at each servo gate. Viterbi decisions and Y values are used to produce ideal Y values. Y values and ideal Y values are used to produce an error value which is adjusted by a noise factor based on estimated channel characteristics. The noise value is combined with Y values and used to produce a second Viterbi decision at each servo gate. |
US09053741B2 |
Storage cartridge and cartridge drive
A docking station for receiving a cartridge includes a housing having a receiving space configured to receive the cartridge. A movable carriage is disposed in the receiving space and configured to transport the cartridge into the receiving space. A movable mouth piece is configured to at least partially surround a multipoint connector of a non-tape storage medium of the cartridge through a horizontal access side opening of the cartridge so as to fix the multipoint connector. A fixing slider is configured to move the mouth piece through the horizontal access side opening so as to fix the multipoint connector within the receiving space. A connector slider is configured to move a connector within the docking station through a vertical access bottom opening of the cartridge against the electrical multipoint connector. |
US09053739B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus, including: a data processing section reproducing contents stored in a medium having a general purpose area storing encrypted contents and utilization controlling information corresponding to the contents, and a protected area including blocks to which access limitation is set and which include a title key storage block in which an encryption key for decrypting the contents and validity period information applied to the application contents of the encryption key are stored and a status storage block in which date information upon content first-time reproduction is stored; the data processing section acquires validity period information indicative of the content utilization permission period determined in response to date information upon the content first-time reproduction from the title key storage block and decides whether or not content reproduction is to be permitted based on comparison between the acquired validity period information and current date information. |
US09053734B2 |
Glass substrate for information recording media and information recording medium
Provided are a glass substrate for information recording media wherein air bubbles can be sufficiently removed, and an information recording medium using the glass substrate. The glass substrate contains 65 to 90 mass % of SiO2+Al2O3+B2O3 (where SiO2 is 45 to 75 mass %, Al2O3 is 1 to 20 mass %, and B2O3 is 0 to 8 mass %), 7 to 20 mass % of R2O (where R represents Li, Na, or K), 0.1 to 12 mass % of R′O (where R′ represents Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or Zn), and 0.5 to 10 mass % of TiO2+ZrO2. Moreover, the glass substrate contains at least one multivalent element selected from among a group consisting of V, Mn, Ni, Mo, Sn, Ce, and Bi; the molar ratio of the total amount of the oxide of the multivalent element to the total amount of TiO2+ZrO2 is within the range of 0.05 to 0.50. |
US09053732B2 |
Method of fabricating a perpendicular magnetic recording medium
A method of forming a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a substrate, an underlayer on the substrate, an intermediate layer on the underlayer and a recording layer on the intermediate layer. The underlayer comprises a first soft underlayer, an antiferromagnetically coupled Ru layer on the first soft underlayer, a second soft underlayer on the antiferromagnetically coupled Ru layer, and an orientation control layer on the second soft underlayer, the method comprises applying a negative bias voltage to the substrate during formation of the underlayer. |
US09053729B1 |
Nonlinearity-based contact prediction
Various embodiments of a method of detecting a contact event between a head and a storage medium, and a storage device that utilizes such method are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the method includes applying an input signal to an actuator of a head of a storage device; identifying a frequency of the input signal; detecting an output signal in response to the input signal; and detecting a contact event between the head and a storage medium of the storage device if the output signal includes an even harmonic frequency and an odd harmonic frequency of the frequency of the input signal. |
US09053728B1 |
Servo systems with PES enhanced integrated servo bursts
Embodiments of servo systems for disk drives are described that include servo identifiers (SIDs) that can be used in mini-mode with a shortened servo gate window that skips over the initial fields in the SID. The SID embodiments include a Servo Address Mark (SAM), Track-ID (TID), P and Q PES bursts, and one or more Integrated Servo sequences that provide a Servo Track Mark (STM) that is detectable in mini-mode. The Integrated Servo sequences can also provide additional PES information, as well as, sector identification information. In one embodiment the servo pattern includes only one IS sequence (which is aligned with the P-Burst) and the Q-Burst is made longer than the P-Burst. The additional number of cycles (bits) in the Q-Burst increases the equivalent number of bits in the PES to compensate for the lack of the second IS sequence. |
US09053723B2 |
Magnetic recording head having quilted-type coating
A module according to one embodiment includes a plurality of transducers; a tape bearing surface having a transducer region aligned with the transducers in a tape travel direction, and outer regions flanking the transducer region in a direction perpendicular to the tape travel direction; a first coating on the transducer region of the tape bearing surface; and a second coating on at least one of the outer regions of the tape bearing surface, the second coating being different than the first coating. |
US09053720B1 |
High moment wrap shields for magnetic read head to improve micro-magnetic read width
A magnetically stable, read sensor uses low-coercivity magnetic material without seed layers in side shields for longitudinal biasing in order to improve micro-magnetic read width of the sensor. The sensor is formed between an upper and lower shield and includes a symmetric pair of abutting side shields adjacent to the sides of the sensor. In one configuration the side shields are partially covered by a layer of high magnetic moment material that extends along a bottom surface and side surface of the side shields and is contiguous and conformal with the layer of insulating material, but does not cover the backside of the sensor. The high moment layer focuses flux at the sensor sides and also improves the micro-magnetic read width. The side shields include a multiplicity of horizontal ferromagnetic layers that are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other and magnetically coupled to the upper shield. |
US09053715B1 |
System for providing a transducer having a split main pole
A method and system for providing a magnetic recording head is described. The magnetic recording head has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The magnetic recording head includes a main pole, at least one auxiliary pole, a nonmagnetic spacer, and at least one coil. The main pole includes a first main pole piece and a second main pole piece. The first main pole piece includes a pole tip occupying a portion of the ABS and a back edge distal from the ABS. The second main pole piece has a front surface. The auxiliary pole(s) have a front recessed from the ABS and are magnetically coupled with the main pole. The nonmagnetic spacer is between the back edge of the first main pole piece and the front surface of the second main pole piece. The coil(s) are for energizing the main pole. |
US09053710B1 |
Audio content presentation using a presentation profile in a content header
Described are systems and methods for content-adaptive presentation of content. A presentation profile for use in presentation of content is determined based at least in part on one or more determination characteristics. The determination characteristics may include metadata descriptive of the content, such as genre, style, artist, and so forth. The presentation profile may include equalizer settings, overall amplitude or volume, speaker configuration, and so forth. |
US09053709B2 |
Control device, control method, and program
The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program capable of improving operability with a simpler configuration.A reproducing apparatus 11 which reproduces sound such as music includes earphones 21 which are worn by a user on the ears and a body 22. A sound pickup unit 31 collects sounds around the reproducing apparatus 11, and a determination unit 34 extracts future amounts from the collected sound and determines whether the sound corresponds to an operation sound generated when the sound pickup unit 31 is directly tapped by the user. A controller 35 executes a process in accordance with a result of the determination performed by the determination unit 34. For example, when a sound pickup unit 31-1 is tapped once within a predetermined period of time, the controller 35 instructs a reproduction controller 39 to stop reproduction of music. In the reproducing apparatus 11, various function control processes may be performed by a simple operation of tapping the sound pickup unit 31 and buttons are not required. The present invention is applicable to a music player. |
US09053708B2 |
System, method and program product for providing automatic speech recognition (ASR) in a shared resource environment
A speech recognition system, method of recognizing speech and a computer program product therefor. A client device identified with a context for an associated user selectively streams audio to a provider computer, e.g., a cloud computer. Speech recognition receives streaming audio, maps utterances to specific textual candidates and determines a likelihood of a correct match for each mapped textual candidate. A context model selectively winnows candidate to resolve recognition ambiguity according to context whenever multiple textual candidates are recognized as potential matches for the same mapped utterance. Matches are used to update the context model, which may be used for multiple users in the same context. |
US09053703B2 |
Generating acoustic models
This document describes methods, systems, techniques, and computer program products for generating and/or modifying acoustic models. Acoustic models and/or transformations for a target language/dialect can be generated and/or modified using acoustic models and/or transformations from a source language/dialect. |
US09053700B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for upmixing a downmix audio signal using a phase value smoothing
An apparatus for upmixing a downmix audio signal describing one or more downmix audio channels into an upmixed audio signal describing a plurality of upmixed audio channels includes an upmixer and a parameter determinator. The upmixer is configured to apply temporally variable upmix parameters to upmix the downmix audio signal in order to obtain the upmixed audio signal, wherein the temporally variable upmix parameters include temporally variable smoothened phase values. The parameter determinator is configured to obtain one or more temporally smoothened upmix parameters for usage by the upmixer on the basis of a quantized upmix parameter input information. The parameter determinator is configured to combine a scaled version of a previous smoothened phase value with a scaled version of an input phase information using a phase change limitation algorithm, to determine a current smoothened phase value on the basis of the previous smoothened phase value and the phase input information. |
US09053696B2 |
Searching for a tone data set based on a degree of similarity to a rhythm pattern
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for searching for a tone data set of a phrase constructed in a rhythm pattern that satisfies a predetermined condition of similarity to a rhythm pattern intended by a user. The user inputs a rhythm pattern via a rhythm input device. An input rhythm pattern storage section stores the input rhythm pattern into a RAM on the basis of clock signals output from a bar line clock output section and trigger data included in the input rhythm pattern. A rhythm pattern search section searches through a rhythm database for a tone data set presenting the highest degree of similarity to the stored input rhythm pattern. A performance processing section causes a sound output section to audibly output the searched-out tone data set. |
US09053693B1 |
Digital cymbal displacement control device for electronic cymbal
Embodiments of a digital cymbal displacement control device for an electronic hi-hat are provided. A digital cymbal displacement detection unit in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to be directly mounted on the tube above the stand of an electronic hi-hat, as with any conventional hi-hat, without any need of changing the way how the electronic hi-hat is operated. The digital cymbal displacement detection unit includes at least one displacement detection unit and a plurality of sliding elastic elements that slide along a contact surface of the at least one displacement detection unit. Variation in an electrical parameter of each of the at least one displacement detection unit is utilized to determine the displacement of an electronic cymbal set of the electronic hi-hat. |
US09053688B2 |
Base for tablet computer providing input/ouput modules
Embodiments generally relate to processing music. In one embodiment, a system includes a base and one or more structures coupled to the base, where the one or more structures form one or more respective bays in the base. The system also includes one or more input/output (I/O) modules configured to be removably received into the one or more bays, where the one or more I/O modules are operable to provide control information. |
US09053678B2 |
Shift register unit circuit, shift register, array substrate and liquid crystal display
Embodiments of the disclosed technical solution provides a shift register unit circuit which operates based on two clock signals and comprises input terminals, a pre-charging circuit, a first level pulling-down circuit, a second level pulling-down circuit and a scan signal output terminal. Embodiments of the disclosed technical solution also provides a shift register having at least two shift register unit circuits connected in cascade, and further provides a liquid crystal display array substrate and a liquid crystal display. Embodiments of the disclosed technical solution settles problems that a threshold voltage of the pulling-down TFT would drift under a direct current bias voltage and a output is unstable due to a clock hopping, increases a reliability of the circuit and reduces power consumption. |
US09053676B2 |
Display device and method of fabricating the same
A display device includes a substrate with a display area having gate lines and data lines defining cells that each has a pixel electrode, a driving circuit on the substrate, at least one first signal line including lower and upper lines overlapping each other with an insulation layer interposed therebetween, the first signal line adjacent to the driving circuit, and at least one second signal line to connect the first signal line to the driving circuit. |
US09053674B2 |
Overdrive apparatus for dynamically loading required overdrive look-up tables into table storage devices and related overdrive method
An overdrive apparatus includes a data storage device, a plurality of table storage devices, and a table access interface. The data storage device is arranged for storing a plurality of overdrive look-up tables corresponding to a plurality of first display regions included in a display area of a display apparatus. The table storage devices are arranged for storing a plurality of selected overdrive look-up tables, respectively. The table access interface is coupled between the data storage device and the table storage devices, and arranged for loading the selected overdrive look-up tables selected from the overdrive look-up tables stored in the data storage device into the table storage devices. The number of the table storage devices is smaller than the number of the display regions. |
US09053672B2 |
Stereoscopic image display device
A light source portion includes a plurality of back lights provided corresponding to respective regions obtained by virtually dividing a liquid crystal panel screen into a plurality of parts, the back lights have a light emission intensity controlled based on a light emission intensity value and have ON and OFF operations controlled in response to a light emission driving signal, and the light emission driving signal is constituted to sequentially turn ON the plurality of back lights synchronously with a stereoscopic image signal and to turn ON the plurality of back lights at the same time in a predetermined timing, and is constituted to individually control a light emission period for the plurality of back lights based on image information about the stereoscopic image signal. |
US09053668B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device
An organic light emitting diode display device comprises: a display panel having a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels comprising: a driving TFT comprising a gate electrode coupled to a first node, a source electrode coupled to a second node, and a drain electrode coupled to a high-potential voltage source; an organic light emitting diode comprising an anode coupled to the second node and a cathode coupled to a low-potential voltage source; a first TFT in response to a scan signal having a first logic level voltage to connect the first node to a data line; a second TFT in response to an emission signal having the first logic level voltage to connect the second node to the third node; a first capacitor coupled between the first node and the third node; and a second capacitor coupled between the third node and a reference voltage source. |
US09053662B2 |
Method for adjusting uniformity of a display panel and associated display controller
A method for adjusting a uniformity of a panel is provided. The panel includes a plurality of blocks. The method includes: comparing whether a color display component of each of the blocks in response to a first input value matches a target component, comparing whether a color characteristic value of each of the blocks in response to a second input value matches a target characteristic value, and providing a corresponding modified second input component and a modified third input component for each of the blocks. The target component is determined according to a plurality of main display components of a plurality of display values corresponding to the blocks, and the target characteristic value is determined according to the plurality of color characteristic values corresponding to the blocks. |
US09053659B2 |
Power calibration of multiple light sources in a display screen
A display device with multiple light sources includes a detector that dynamically measures output intensities of the light sources as the light sources are producing light to cause an image to be formed on a display screen. A controller for the display device compares the measured output intensities with desired output intensities determined from factory-calibrated correlation values and adjusts the inputs to the light sources to compensate for drift and other similar effects, so that brightness uniformity among the multiple light sources can be achieved. |
US09053657B2 |
Two-way HDMI communication
A device is provided for use with an audiovisual device and an HDMI cable having a first end and a second end. The first end can connect to the audiovisual device, whereas the second end can connect to the device. The audiovisual device can provide power to the power line of the HDMI cable when providing the digital television audiovisual signals. The device includes an output portion, and input portion and a control portion. The output portion can provide output signals as the digital television audiovisual signals to the second end. The input portion can receive input signals as the digital television audiovisual signals from the second end. The control portion can instruct the output portion to output the digital television audiovisual signals to the second end or can instruct input portion to receive the digital television audiovisual signals from the second end based on the power. |
US09053654B2 |
Facilitating user input via arm-mounted peripheral device interfacing with head-mounted display device
An apparatus for performing data entry by a user includes a first electronic device configured to be attached to a person's head and including a display for viewing by the person; and a second electronic device configured to be attached to a person's forearm and used in combination with the first electronic device. The first and second electronic devices are configured for wirelessly communications with each other, at least some of the wireless communications representing user input by the person for interfacing with a user interface displayed to the person on the display of the first electronic device, whereby data entry by the person is accomplished. The first electronic device is configured to wirelessly transmit data entered by the person to a computer system for electronic storage in a non-transitory computer readable medium. |
US09053653B2 |
Using display monitor user controls to adjust an accessory
A display monitor chassis comprises user controls and a display screen. The display screen displays a first graphical user interface (GUI) that can be manipulated using at least one of the user controls to adjust the display monitor. The display screen is capable of displaying a second GUI that can be manipulated using at least one of the user controls to adjust an accessory communicably coupled to the display monitor chassis. |
US09053652B2 |
Display control device, display control method, and program
A display control device includes a cabinet, a detection unit configured to detect an orientation of the cabinet, a display screen, and a display control unit configured to control display of the display screen in accordance with the orientation of the cabinet detected by the detection unit. |
US09053649B2 |
Backlightmodule, assembly method and assembly fixture for backlightmodule
The present invention provides a backlight module, assembly method and assembly fixture for backlight module. The backlight module comprises an optical component set and a back plate. Optical component set is disposed in a stacked manner, the back plate comprises at least two independent back plate elements for clamping respectively at least a side wall of the optical component set. Each back plate element comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall. Each back plate element is assembled onto an optical component set from a side and clamping the optical component set with the top wall and the bottom wall of the back plate element. The assembly of the back plate can be performed on an assembly fixture to improve the assembly efficiency of backlight module. |
US09053640B1 |
Interactive electronic book
An interactive electronic book provides a user access to interactive programming. The interactive programming may include interactive files that are linked to the electronic books using electronic links. The electronic links may be included in the text and graphics data of the electronic book. The interactive files may be located in the same file as the interactive electronic book, or may be located external to the interactive electronic book. External locations include an Internet web site, an electronic book viewer and other external locations. Access to the interactive file may be controlled by an operating program and a security program included with the interactive electronic book. The interactive file may include sample problems and quizzes associated with a college textbook, for example. The interactive files may also include accesses to Internet web sites, and other electronic files to complete purchase orders, answer questionnaires, and to receive other data. |
US09053638B2 |
Unmanned vehicle simulation system
According to one embodiment, an unmanned vehicle simulation system includes a simulator translator coupled between an unmanned vehicle control system that is operable to control an unmanned vehicle and a vehicle simulator that is operable to simulate operation of the unmanned vehicle. The simulator translator is operable to receive a message from the unmanned vehicle control system, translate the message to another message suitable for use by the vehicle simulator, and transmit the translated message to the vehicle simulator. |
US09053632B2 |
Real-time traffic prediction and/or estimation using GPS data with low sampling rates
The present disclosure relates generally to real-time traffic prediction and/or estimation using GPS data with low sampling rates. In various examples, real-time traffic prediction and/or estimation using GPS data with low sampling rates may be implemented in the form of systems, methods and/or algorithms. |
US09053626B2 |
Programmable carbon monoxide safety device
A programmable toxic gas safety device for detecting a toxic gas, such as carbon monoxide, is provided. The programmable safety device is preferably used in an enclosed area for monitoring the levels of gas emitted by a device that can produce a toxic gas. The device contains a controller which is operably coupled to at least one transmitter and at least one sensor for sensing the level of the toxic gas in the enclosed area, and is operable to provide a signal to remotely operate the toxic gas producing device. The device further contains one or more receivers for learning a command signal which actuates a specific functionality to the toxic gas producing device. |
US09053625B2 |
System and method for group tracking
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for group tracking wherein at least one individual within a tracked group is provided with an article of footwear equipped with a wireless tracking device. The wireless tracking device is configured for bi-directional communications with a monitoring center, wherein the wireless tracking device is adapted to determine and store absolute location information of the individual wearing the wireless tracking device and the location information of at least one other individual within the tracked group. Each individual's tracking device has a unique identifier for identifying the individual with a monitoring center at a remote location and/or portable monitoring unit. |
US09053621B2 |
Image surveillance system and image surveillance method
An image surveillance system and an image surveillance method are provided. The image surveillance method includes following steps. An image is captured, and at least one reference target is defined in the captured image. A monitored object in the image is identified. A distance between the monitored object and each of the at least one reference target is individually calculated. Whether to announce at least one warning is determined according to a relationship between at least one threshold and the distance. |
US09053620B2 |
Scattered-light fire detector with a device for suppressing an acoustic warning in the event of a low battery voltage
A fire detector has a detection unit working on the optical scattered-light principle, as well as an electronic evaluation unit. An acoustic and/or optical warning device outputs an acoustic and/or optical alarm when a fire is detected. The fire detector has an energy storage device, in particular a battery, for the autarkic supply of electrical power to the fire detector as well as a voltage measuring unit for measuring a battery voltage present at the energy storage device. A warning device outputs an acoustic warning if the battery voltage falls below a first voltage threshold. The fire detector also has a sensor sensitive to ambient light and a device for suppressing the output of the acoustic warning if the ambient light falls below a predefinable brightness threshold. The detection unit is an open scattered-light detection unit with a detection space outside the fire detector and the sensor sensitive to ambient light is at the same time an optical receiver of the scattered-light detection unit. |
US09053618B2 |
Portable terminal having haptic module with a hinge part supporting a touch pad
A portable terminal having a haptic module, in which a piezoelectric element is mounted on a hinge part elastically supporting a touch pad, includes: a main body; a touch pad which is included in the main body to recognize a touch of a user; a vibration stage which is disposed between the main body and the touch pad and has a hinge part upwardly elastically supporting the touch pad; a piezoelectric element which is mounted on the hinge part, and when power is applied, wrap-deforms the hinge part to generate a vibration on the touch pad. The vibration stage includes a base part connected to the main body. One end of hinge part is integrally connected with the base part and the other end thereof is spaced apart from the base part to be in a state of being free. |
US09053612B2 |
Gaming machine
A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games on a reel band, The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in an area outside the window frame of the display window so that the visible light is applied to the reel, on the side of the reel band, and is used as a front light device that emits visible light which is not representing the visual information. |
US09053609B2 |
Pattern matching in a keno game
A method for determining an award during a keno game includes, but is not limited to any of combination of: generating a predetermined number of draws for placement on a keno board during the keno game, wherein the keno board includes a predetermined number of spots; evaluating a plurality of sub-regions of the keno board associated with the keno game for matches between the generated draws and one or more predetermined patterns; and determining an award based on results of the evaluating step. |
US09053606B2 |
Gaming system and method for providing enhanced wagering opportunities
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more enhanced wagering opportunities. One enhanced wagering opportunity enables a player to continue playing one or more primary games at the maximum wager even if the player's continued play causes the gaming device's credit meter to fall below zero credits. In one such embodiment, after playing one or more maximum wager games which cause the credit meter to drop below zero, the player's player tracking account is utilized to cover any amount of credits the gaming device's credit meter is below zero. |
US09053603B2 |
Cloud based virtual environment authentication
Techniques for providing deployment and management services for wager-based virtual machines deployed in a cloud-based on-demand service environment. In some implementations, a master deployment set is stored in one or more data sources under a repository of master deployment sets. The master deployment set includes one or more virtual machines configured to be deployed to one or more component servers to provide a component service to a client terminal in one or more jurisdictions. The repository of master deployment sets is configured to include one or more master deployment sets having regulatory approval in the one or more jurisdictions. The master deployment set may be deployed to the one or more component servers. The repository of master deployment sets, the master deployment set, and the deployment may be managed by an authorized user. |
US09053597B1 |
Banknote validator
A banknote validator (2) comprising: a first banknote input/output aperture (3); a second banknote input/output aperture (4); a banknote transport path (5) interconnecting the first banknote input/output aperture (3) and the second banknote input/output aperture (14); an intermediate validation transport branch (11) disposed between the first and second banknote input/output apertures (3, 4); and a diverter mechanism (12) disposed proximal to an entrance to said intermediate validation transport branch (11); characterized in that the diverter mechanism (12) is moveable between: a first position in which the banknote transport path bypasses the intermediate validation transport branch (11) providing a direct passage between the first and second banknote input/output apertures (3, 4); and a second position in which the banknote transport path is indirect between the first banknote input/output aperture (3) and the second banknote input/output aperture (4) and is via the intermediate validation transport branch (11). |
US09053595B2 |
Coin identification system and method using image processing
A coin identification system and method is disclosed for determining the identity of a source coin by way of image processing. The system comprises a source coin image capture means, an image processing means, and an output that relays information to the user or sorts the coin according to its match results. The processing means compares at least one image of the source coin to a plurality of reference coin images, whereby the image of the source coin is manipulated and overlaid onto the reference coin images to determine if a match is available with a given probability. An embodiment of the system employs a coin collection and sorting device. Another embodiment contemplates a handheld electronic device that captures and processes the source coin. Both embodiments may connect to a remote server housing the reference coin information or store the information locally. |
US09053594B2 |
Monitoring objects in motion along a static route using sensory detection devices
A system for monitoring a plurality of objects in motion (OIMs) along a static route using a plurality of sensory detection devices, the static route having a plurality of route portions, each route portion having an entering boundary and an exiting boundary, at least one OIM being a designated OIM and having a tag indicating the location of the designated OIM along the route, the system comprising a plurality of sensory detection devices corresponding to the plurality of route portions for monitoring activity in each of the plurality of route portions and for providing monitor output representing activity within each of the plurality of route portions, a plurality of data stores corresponding to each of the plurality of route portions for receiving and storing the monitor output for each of the plurality of route portions, and a plurality of location detectors communicative with the tag of the designated OIM for identifying the location of the designated OIM, each location detector providing output when the designated OIM is located within a route portion. |
US09053592B2 |
Key management box
A key management box includes a card reader configured to read ID for personal authentication, a data writing unit to write information on at least the ID read by the card reader in an electronic key, a data erasing unit configured to communication with the electronic key and disable the electronic key when the electronic key is determined to be a key on-lending, and a control substrate configured to determine that a lending mode is established when the card reader reads the ID and cause an electronic lock to permit opening/closing of a door and then activate the data writing unit, or configured to cause the electronic lock to permit opening/closing of the door when the data erasing unit determines that the electronic key is a key on-lending through communication with the electronic key while the card reader does not read ID. |
US09053590B1 |
System and method for monitoring and predicting vehicle attributes
One embodiment of the system and method described herein provides a vehicle monitoring system that gathers reported data on a selected vehicle and alerts a user to selected events reported for that vehicle. In an embodiment, vehicle attributes are processed into a score for the vehicle, such as representing the likely life remaining, and changes in a score trigger alerts to the user. |
US09053588B1 |
Roadside assistance management
Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system for establishing base stations and allocating service vehicles to the base stations in order to provide roadside assistance. The system may include computing devices associated with customer vehicles and service vehicles as well as network computing devices. The system may receive a service request from a customer regarding a disabled vehicle. The system may then identify an appropriate service vehicle to assist the customer and assign the service request to the identified service vehicle. The system may select the appropriate service vehicle based on a location of the disabled vehicle. In an example, the system may choose a service vehicle from a base station closest to or within the shortest driving time to the disabled vehicle. By setting-up base stations in advance of service requests, service vehicles may reach disabled vehicles within a predetermined period of time. |
US09053587B2 |
Remotely actuated door lock
A remotely actuated door lock is provided. The remotely actuated lock includes a transceiver for establishing telephone communication with a remote telephone and for receiving a transmitted identification code therefrom. The door lock includes a microprocessor, a programmable logic controller or the like for comparing the transmitted identification code with a stored identification code stored in memory associated with the processor or controller. The door lock further includes a lock bolt actuator in communication with a lock bolt for changing a state of the door lock. The lock bolt actuator is selectively actuated if the transmitted identification code matches the stored identification code. However, if the transmitted identification code does not match the stored identification code, then the transceiver transmits a first alert message to a user, alerting the user to possible unauthorized access. |
US09053585B2 |
System and method for monitoring operation of vehicles
Systems, methods, devices, and computer programming products useful for the gathering and use of data relating to structural loading and other operational use of transit and other vehicles, and their systems. Systems according to the invention can, for example, comprise one or more data acquisition devices such as strain gauges, accelerometers, or other sensors; data processors; memories; and communications systems. Such systems, methods, and programming are useful in a wide variety of ways, including, for example, monitoring the structural status and use of vehicles and their systems, including fatigue other operational analyses; gathering and applying data useful in the maintenance of such vehicles and the routes they travel; monitoring the use/abuse of such vehicles by operators and other individuals; reporting traffic events or anomalies; and routing transit and other vehicles around such events or anomalies. Rainflow, level-crossing and other peak-counting or event-counting algorithms are applied to advantage, such that required data storage is greatly reduced, and life-long monitoring is feasible. |
US09053579B2 |
Selective learning for growing a graph lattice
A system and method generate a graph lattice from exemplary images. At least one processor receives exemplary data graphs of the exemplary images and generates graph lattice nodes of size one from primitives. Until a termination condition is met, the at least one processor repeatedly: 1) generates candidate graph lattice nodes from accepted graph lattice nodes; 2) selects one or more candidate graph lattice nodes preferentially discriminating exemplary data graphs which are less discriminable than other exemplary data graphs using the accepted graph lattice nodes; and 3) promotes the selected graph lattice nodes to accepted status. The graph lattice is formed from the accepted graph lattice nodes and relations between the accepted graph lattice nodes. |
US09053578B2 |
Techniques for capturing and generating images and reports with image elements and live data
Techniques for efficiently capturing, generating and distributing realistic images and dynamic reports with live sources are provided. Among other aspects, the system includes a user interface with identifier tags to create and manipulate dynamic and fixed representational image elements to create high resolution, seamless composite images or image streams with low processing and storage requirements, from databases or other sources. The identifier tags may be provided with Relational Aspects, including physical models governing image elements and their 3-D subjects. Image output may be in digital, analog or direct representational formats, and a new format combining features of each. Element Seeding or Borrowing may be implemented to further enhance elements of the image or report composites. |
US09053576B2 |
Identifying reroutable data columns in an ETL process
Reroutable data columns are identified in an ETL process by receiving an ETL process definition describing a set of processing stages and how each processing stage output data column is a result of a function that operates on a set of input data columns, representing the ETL process definition as a directed graph with nodes representing processing stages and links representing data flow between processing stages, traversing at least part of the directed graph and identifying a set of subsequent nodes of the directed graph where at least one data column is involved only as input data in identity functions, the at least one data column being reroutable between outmost nodes of the set of subsequent nodes, and in connection with traversing the at least part of the directed graph, maintaining information about reroutable data columns and the respective outmost nodes. |
US09053570B1 |
Systems and processes for building multiple equiprobable coherent geometrical models of the subsurface
A method, apparatus and system for, in a computing system, perturbing an initial three-dimensional (3D) geological model using a 3D vector field. A coherent 3D vector field including 3D vectors may be generated where each 3D vector of the 3D vector field is associated with a node of the initial 3D geological model and has a magnitude within a range of uncertainty of the node of the initial 3D geological model associated therewith. The coherent 3D vector field may be applied to the initial 3D geological model associated therewith to generate an perturbed 3D model. The perturbed 3D model may differ from the initial 3D geological model by a displacement defined by the 3D vector field associated with nodes having uncertain values. The perturbed 3D model may be displayed. |
US09053569B2 |
Generating attenuation correction maps for combined modality imaging studies and improving generated attenuation correction maps using MLAA and DCC algorithms
The DCC (Data Consistency Condition) algorithm is used in combination with MLAA (Maximum Likelihood reconstruction of Attenuation and Activity) to generate extended attenuation correction maps for nuclear medicine imaging studies. MLAA and DCC are complementary algorithms that can be used to determine the accuracy of the mu-map based on PET data. MLAA helps to estimate the mu-values based on the biodistribution of the tracer while DCC checks if the consistency conditions are met for a given mu-map. These methods are combined to get a better estimation of the mu-values. In gated MR/PET cardiac studies, the PET data is framed into multiple gates and a series of MR based mu-maps corresponding to each gate is generated. The PET data from all gates is combined. Once the extended mu-map is generated the central region is replaced with the MR based mu-map corresponding to that particular gate. On the other hand, in dynamic PET studies the uptake in the patient's arms reaches a steady state only after the tracer distributes throughout the body. Hence, for dynamic scans, the projection data of all frames is summed and used to generate the MLAA based extended mu-map for all frames. |
US09053567B2 |
Stereoscopic image processing device and stereoscopic image processing method
In a stereoscopic image processing device capable of displaying and/or recording stereoscopic animated images and stereoscopic still images, stereoscopic still image data representing any stereoscopic still image are extracted from predetermined stereoscopic animated image data, and the parallax amount of the stereoscopic still image represented by the extracted stereoscopic still image data is acquired. The parallax amount of the stereoscopic still image data is converted so as to be larger than the acquired parallax amount. |
US09053560B2 |
Edge management unit for 2-dimension vector graphics, graphic processing apparatus and method thereof
Disclosed is an edge management unit of accessing a memory including a first memory area and a second memory area. The edge management unit comprises an edge write controller writing bucket information corresponding to input edge data in the first memory area and the edge data at a location of the second memory area appointed by the bucket information; and an edge read controller responding to a scan line signal to read the bucket information from the first memory area and the edge data from a location of the second memory area appointed by the read bucket information. |
US09053552B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image processing apparatus includes: an adjusting unit that adjusts a color characteristic in relation to a color image; a conversion unit that converts the color image of which color characteristic is adjusted with the adjusting unit into a luminance-chromaticity image; a band image generating unit that generates a band image that represents a predetermined band from a luminance image of the luminance-chromaticity image; an emphasizing unit that obtains a band emphasized image that emphasizes a band using the luminance image and the band image; and a setting unit that sets an emphasized degree of the band performed by using the emphasizing unit and an adjusted degree of the color characteristic performed by using the adjusting unit. |
US09053548B2 |
Lithography apparatus including display unit for updating data and article manufacturing method using same
A lithography apparatus converts vector pattern data into bitmap data and performs writing on a substrate with a charged particle beam based on the bitmap data. Here, the lithography apparatus includes a display unit and a processing unit that causes the display unit to display an image corresponding to the bitmap data and performs processing for updating the bitmap data by changing at least one of a pixel value, dimension, and shape of the image displayed on the display unit via a graphical user interface. |
US09053540B2 |
Stereo matching by census transform and support weight cost aggregation
An image matching apparatus includes a bilateral filter that filters a left image and a right image to output a second left image and a second right image; a census cost calculation unit performing census transform on a window based on a first pixel of the second left image and a window based on a second pixel of the second right image to calculate a census cost corresponding to a pair of pixels of the first and second pixels; a support weight calculation unit obtaining support weights of the left and right images or the second left and second right images; a cost aggregation unit obtaining energy values of nodes corresponding to the pair of pixels of the first and second pixels using the census cost and the support weights; and a dynamic programming unit performing image matching using dynamic programming by the energy values of each node obtained. |
US09053538B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer recording medium for reducing an amount of noise included in an image
An image processing apparatus can perform time-sequential weighting addition processing on a moving image constituted by a plurality of frames includes a filter unit configured to obtain an image by performing recursive filter processing on a frame image that precedes a present target frame, which is one of the plurality of frames constituting the moving image, a coefficient acquisition unit configured to acquire a weighting coefficient for the present target frame based on a noise statistic of a differential image between an image of the present target frame and the image obtained by the filter unit, and an addition unit configured to perform addition processing on the moving image constituted by the plurality of frames based on weighting coefficients acquired by the coefficient acquisition unit. |
US09053534B2 |
Voxel-based approach for disease detection and evolution
A voxel-based technique is provided for performing quantitative imaging and analysis of tissue image data. Serial image data is collected for tissue of interest at different states of the issue. The collected image data may be normalized, after which the registered image data is analyzed on a voxel-by-voxel basis, thereby retaining spatial information for the analysis. Various thresholds are applied to the registered tissue data to predict or determine the evolution of a disease state, such as brain cancer, for example. |
US09053517B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for aggregating, controlling, enhancing, archiving, and analyzing social media for events
Devices, systems, and methods for controlling, enhancing, archiving, and analyzing social media related to an event are disclosed. In some instances, the method includes: aggregating, using a computing device, posts made to at least one social media platform by a plurality of posters to identify a plurality of posts related to an event; filtering the identified plurality of posts related to the event to identify a plurality of relevant posts; and broadcasting the plurality of relevant posts for display on at least one display. |
US09053514B2 |
System supporting promotion browsing and searching
An online sales/automatic rebate and coupon redemption system provides online customers automatic retrieval and redemption of all applicable rebates and coupons during purchase. Purchase orders from customers are selectively fulfilled and products are shipped to the customers either by the system for online sales with automatic rebate and coupon redemption or by other merchant or manufacturer environments. The system purchases from merchants using applicable coupons and rebates and then sells the products to the customers, passing the savings to them. The system makes it possible to automatically retrieve coupons and rebates for items in a shopping cart during the activity of an online purchase at an electronic mall or an online merchant site. The system provides coupons to potential customers via email, based on customer profile, geographical information, etc. Manufacturers and merchants can update coupon value and content based on ongoing sales and volume of customer activity. |
US09053508B2 |
Personalized customer shopping experience
A system and method that improves and enhances the customer's in-store shopping experience. The consumer product of purchase interest or intent to buy expresses (or self-announces via technology) it's match (or fit based on known or understood buying habits, customer taste, tendencies, etc) against the customer preferences during an in-store shopping experience. |
US09053507B2 |
Component part search system with public and private communities
A method of providing a searchable parts database includes collecting component part data from a plurality of users to form a component part database. An exclusive group is formed including a subset of the users. User members of the exclusive group are provided with access to the component part data contributed to the database by other user members of the exclusive group. Users excluded from the exclusive group are denied access to the component part data contributed to the database by the user members of the exclusive group. The user members in the exclusive group are enabled to provide images of desired component parts and to search the component part database based upon the images of desired component parts. |
US09053505B2 |
Online marketplace for pre-installed software and online services
The subject disclosure relates to pre-installed software and services, such as online services, and markets for pre-installed software and online services. In one aspect, the disclosed subject matter facilitates contracting between software vendors and device manufacturers or redistributors for placement and/or conversion of software applications or services in devices. As further advantages, embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can provide transparency into markets for device placement and can facilitate detailed contract performance tracking. Further non-limiting embodiments are provided that illustrate the advantages and flexibility of the disclosed subject matter. |
US09053504B2 |
Method and system to automatically qualify a party to participate within a network-based commerce transaction
A system to facilitate computer-based commerce includes receiving information relating to an item to be transacted via a computer-based commerce system from a first party. Criterion information specifying at least one criterion to be satisfied by a second party in order for the second party to be qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system is received from the first party. An automatic determination is made as to whether the second party satisfies the at least one criterion and if so, then the second party is automatically qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system. |
US09053501B2 |
Spontaneous sharing of media asset references
A solution for spontaneous sharing between a sharer and a recipient device of a media asset reference for a media asset purchased through a media service by a user of the sharer device using a short-range wireless protocol is described. The reference includes a network resolvable identifier of a media service from which the media asset was purchased and an identifier of the media asset. The reference can also include the identity of the user who purchased and is sharing the reference thus allowing the media service to track distribution of its asset and provide an incentive based on sharing if desired when the recipient user sends a request for the media asset via the Internet to the media service including the media asset reference. |
US09053499B1 |
Follow-up determination
The transmission of a review request to a potential author of a review on a review site is facilitated. A determination is made that the potential reviewer has not, subsequent to the transmission, authored a review on the review site. A follow-up action to take with the potential reviewer regarding the review request is determined. |
US09053497B2 |
Systems and methods for targeting advertising to groups with strong ties within an online social network
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention target advertisements to groups with strong ties in a social network. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for targeting advertising campaigns includes obtaining a set of advertising content, where the advertising content includes advertising keywords and brand data, identifying one or more target members within a set of members associated with an online social network, where the target members are associated with messages on the online social network having target member keywords associated with the advertising keywords, determining a set of member groups within a set of members associated with an online social network, where a member group includes at least one target member and at least one non-target member that is related to at least one of the at least one target member, and targeting a portion of the advertising content to each of the member groups. |
US09053492B1 |
Calculating flight plans for reservation-based ad serving
The disclosure provides various embodiments of systems, methods, and software for supporting server-side product catalogs. Software for managing ad serving may comprise computer readable instructions embodied on media and be operable to identify a logically local directed graph representing a logically remote network property associated with a publisher. The network property is associated with at least one product catalog representing a package of network ad slots. The software may then generate an ad service flight plan for serving various ones of a plurality of ads associated with a first of the network ad slots using an iterative solution on the directed graph. |
US09053488B2 |
Answering terminal, answering method and answer counting system
Provided herein are an answering terminal, an answer counting system and a question-and-answer session method, which do not force answerers to perform complicated operations of an answering terminal when one questioner and a multiplicity of answerers have a question-and-answer session. The answer counting system comprises a receiving part; a grouping part; a result storing part; an answering action differentiating part; a differentiation result counting and analyzing part; and a displaying part. |
US09053483B2 |
Personal audio/visual system providing allergy awareness
A system provides a recommendation of food items to a user based on nutritional preferences of the user, using a head-mounted display device (HMDD) worn by the user. In a store, a forward-facing camera of the HMDD captures an image of a food item. The food item can be identified by the image, such as based on packaging of the food item. Nutritional parameters of the food item are compared to nutritional preferences of the user to determine whether the food item is recommended. The HMDD displays an augmented reality image to the user indicating whether the food item is recommended. If the food item is not recommended, a substitute food item can be identified. The nutritional preferences can indicate food allergies, preferences for low calorie foods and so forth. In a restaurant, the HMDD can recommend menu selections for a user. |
US09053482B2 |
Service for managing digital content licenses
A content management system may receive, purchase or otherwise obtain licenses from content owners or licensors and provide such content licenses to application developers or other content creators. The content management system can act as a central broker for licensing content rights to developers. The application developers can then generate content items based on the obtained licenses and provide or sell those content items to users of their applications. For instance, the developer may license an automobile design, brand name or performance data from an automobile manufacturer and create an automobile model for a racing game application. |
US09053478B2 |
Mobile commerce system
A mobile commerce system including a multiplicity of Mobile Device-Point of Sale Communication (MPC)-equipped mobile devices, a plurality of MPC-enabled Point-of-Sale (POS) devices, at least one POS configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-enabled POS devices, at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server for configuring the plurality of MPC-equipped mobile devices and at least one mobile marketing platform server operative to introduce Transaction Value Certificate (TVC)-related functions and to communicate both with the at least one POS configuration server and the at least one MPC-equipped mobile device configuration server to coordinate operation thereof so that the MPC-enabled POS devices will be “tap-ready” for carrying out the TVC-related functions. |
US09053474B2 |
Systems and methods for handling point-of-sale transactions using a mobile device
Systems and methods for handling point-of-sale transactions using a mobile device are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method for providing payment via a mobile device in a transaction for a good or service can include receiving a selection on the mobile device of a transaction account from which to fund payment in a transaction for a good or service. The method can further include generating and sending a notification to a network processing system (NPS). The notification can identify the selected transaction account. The NPS can be configured to associate the selected transaction account with an NPS account for one or more future transactions. The method can further include sending a customer identifier to a point-of-sale (POS) system via a short-range communications medium to complete the transaction. In another embodiment, methods for handling payment in a mobile e-commerce network are provided. |
US09053471B2 |
Apparatus and method for conducting securing financial transactions
A system and method are disclosed for conducting secure electronic transactions using dual-authentications. A secure server stores security information for a plurality of users and authorizes transactions being conducted by these users. A user computer system having a trusted platform module is used for storing security information relating to at least one user account. Protected environments are created to facilitate secure connections based on at least the security information stored in the trusted platform module. Transactions between the user/electronic merchants and between the user/secure server are conducted within protected environments. When a user conducts an electronic transaction with an electronic merchant, the transaction is authenticated by the secure server before can be completed. |
US09053464B2 |
Information security method and appparatus
A method and apparatus for ensuring that important confidential or proprietary information is not inadvertently released through email and similar transmissions. When file security firewall resident on a file security server or another network node receives an email intended for transmission, it determines whether the file revision history should be removed from any attachments. If so, the email is buffered and the attachments are extracted for file revision history by a file revision history remover associated with the firewall or an available proprietary file revision history remover. Once the file revision history removal is attempted, successfully or unsuccessfully, a reformed email is created, including either the original attachments or, in their place, a version of the attachment from which file revision history has been removed. |
US09053459B2 |
Time tracking system and method of user
A method and system for billing for time spent in an instant message session by a service person for a project for a customer. Responsive to the instant message session during which an instant message is received by a user from a sender, (i) retrieving the sender's name from the instant message; (ii) determining that the sender does not exist in a defined project; (iii) determining that the instant message does not contain any keywords associated with a project; (iv) determining that the sender has not been associated with a previous project; (v) determining that the sender has a profile having a keyword that the user has associated with a first project; (vi) associating the first project with the instant message; (vii) determining a charge to the first project for labor of the service person based on a duration of the instant message session. The user is the service person. |
US09053451B2 |
System and method for operating a product return system
A system and method for operating a product return system. One or more electronic devices are received from a carrier at a return provider. A determination is made whether the one or more electronic devices include customer personal information. The one or more electronic devices are quarantined in response to determining the one or more electronic devices include CPI. The one or more electronic devices are processed in response to determining the CPI has been removed. |
US09053450B2 |
Automated business process modeling
In a method for generating a business process model project, a computer receives a data file comprising text, descriptive of a business process. The computer searches a sentence in the text for a keyword indicative of existence of a corresponding business artifact stated elsewhere in the sentence. In response, the computer identifies an indicator in the sentence, the indicator designating a name of the corresponding business artifact. The computer identifies a business artifact based on the keyword and the indicator. The computer generates a business process model project based in part on the business artifact. |
US09053441B2 |
Systems and methods for regulatory compliance with qualified systems
Disclosed are systems and methods for facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements concerning systems that must be qualified prior to use. In one embodiment, a qualified system is provided. The qualified system includes a qualified server and a qualified software application. The qualified system is located in a controlled environment specified and controlled by an application service provider. A qualified workstation is provided at the point of use. The qualified workstation and qualified system are configured to communicate with each other via a public computer network. The qualified system is substantially qualified before a specific customer is identified. Other embodiments of the invention pertain to methods of facilitating regulatory compliance. An exemplary method involves qualifying a system based on a generic functional requirement specification before identifying a specific customer for the system. After the customer is identified, additional qualification may be performed to customize the system to the customer's specific needs. |
US09053440B2 |
Adaptive customized presentation of business intelligence information
In one example, a method includes receiving information on a user role of a user account associated with a business intelligence system. The method further includes gathering information on interactions of the user account with the business intelligence system. The method further includes generating an initial business intelligence output based on data from one or more data sources. The method further includes generating a customized business intelligence output for the user account based on the initial business intelligence output, the user role, and the interactions of the user account with the business intelligence system. The method further includes providing the customized business intelligence output to the user account. |
US09053438B2 |
Energy consumption analysis using node similarity
Systems and methods of analyzing energy consumption using node similarity are disclosed. An example of a method may be carried out by program code stored on non-transient computer-readable medium and executed by a processor. The method includes assigning a similarity score to a plurality of nodes using at least one of: domain based rules, attribute based similarity metrics, and machine learning. The method also includes identifying a similar node from the plurality of nodes, for a node under consideration, based on the similarity score. The method also includes determining energy consumption of the node under consideration based on energy consumption of the similar node. |
US09053436B2 |
Methods and system for providing simultaneous multi-task ensemble learning
A complete end-to-end modeling system is provided that includes data sampling, feature engineering, action labeling, and model learning or learning from models built based on collected data. The end-to-end modeling process is performed via an automatic mechanism with minimal or reduced human intervention. A processor-readable medium is disclosed, storing processor-executable instructions to instantiate an automated data sampling and prediction structure training component, the automated data sampling and prediction structure training component being configured to automatically collect user event data samples, and use the collected user event data samples to train multiple prediction structures in parallel. |
US09053435B2 |
Generating application models based on discovery based machine learning
Embodiments are directed towards generating application models based on discovery based machine learning. A mobile application may be uploaded to a computer that may be part of a testing platform. A reference mobile computer may be selected and the mobile application maybe installed onto the reference mobile computer. Also, the testing platform may generate an initial application model based on the mobile application. The current active window of the mobile application may be determined and the application model may be updated accordingly. Screenshots may be generated that correspond to each current active window of the mobile application. Also, each user-interface control in the active window may be activated. The results of activating each control may be observed and added to the model. If the activation causes navigation, another active window may be determined. The application model may be used for testing other mobile computers. |
US09053430B2 |
Method and apparatus for inferring logical dependencies between random processes
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for inferring causal relationship between random processes using a temporal learning algorithm. The temporal learning algorithm determines structure of a causal graph with a set of nodes. Input to the nodes may be binary time series (e.g., random processes). The output of the temporal learning algorithm may be a labeled directed graph in which the direction of the connection between each two node indicates causal direction and the strength of connectivity between the nodes indicates intensity of the causal influence. The temporal learning algorithm may iteratively update strength of connections between nodes to track variations in real time. |
US09053424B1 |
Learning mechanism for recommended reordering of elements based on demographic information
This disclosure relates to relates to systems and methods that facilitate generating an ordered list of a set of elements based upon user demographics or granular reordering of an ordered list of elements over a subset size based upon demographic information to increase likelihood of selection of at least one element of the set of elements. |
US09053423B2 |
Assisted update of knowledge base for problem solving
A system and method for proposing candidate solutions for updating a knowledge base are disclosed. In the method, knowledge base solutions in a natural language are each processed to generate a first action sequence of atomic steps, each including a verb and an object including a noun which is in a syntactic dependency with the respective verb. A recorded solution, expressed in a natural language, is received which includes actions performed on a device in the device class. The recorded solution is processed to generate a second action sequence of atomic steps, as for the first action sequence. The second action sequence is compared with the first action sequences to determine whether the recorded solution corresponds to one of the knowledge base solutions. Based on the comparison, provision is made for proposing an update to the knowledge base, based on the recorded solution. |
US09053421B2 |
Systems and methods for determining social perception scores
A system for evaluating communicative acts to determine a social perception network based on communicative acts between a plurality of communicative pairs. Each communicative pair includes two communicating entities. The system includes a patterns database, a scoring processor, and a communications network aggregation processor. The patterns database stores behavior recognition patterns defining particular behaviors and a score associated with each of the particular behaviors. The scoring processor is configured to determine a pairwise social perception score for the communicative pair based on the particular behaviors identified in the communicative acts. The scoring processor is configured to determine a different pairwise social perception score for each one of the plurality of communicative pairs. The communications network aggregation processor is configured to combine the pairwise social perception scores for each of the plurality of communicative pairs into a social perception network. Other embodiments including other systems, methods, and products are also disclosed. |
US09053420B2 |
Methods and systems for scalable group detection from multiple data streams
A system, method and computer program product for identifying strong links and discovering hidden relationships among entities, including identifying strong links and discovering hidden relationships among entities, wherein the entities include places, time slots, people, groups, and organizations; and identifying the strong links and discovering the hidden relationships based on low-level data streams, and incomplete and noisy evidence data streams. |
US09053418B2 |
System and method for identifying one or more resumes based on a search query using weighted formal concept analysis
A system for identifying one or more resumes from a set of resumes matches a search query using a resume identifying tool is provided. The system includes a memory unit that stores a database and a set of modules, a display unit, and a processor. The set of modules includes (a) a keyword extraction module extracts at least one keyword from the search query, (b) a disambiguation module disambiguates the at least one keyword based on weighted formal concept analysis, and (c) and a resume identification module identifies the one or more resumes by matching (i) the at least one keyword associated with the search query, and (ii) at least one category associated with the at least one keyword with (i) at least one disambiguated keyword associated with each resume of the set of resumes, and (ii) at least one category associated with the at least one disambiguated keyword. |
US09053416B1 |
Systems and methods for screening potentially inappropriate content
This disclosure relates to screening potentially inappropriate online content. A flag is received that indicates online content is potentially inappropriate. The flag is generated by a source, such as a user, or a content classifier. The potential accuracy of the flag is determined or inferred based on a variety of factors, including a reputation of the source, and the flag is categorized as requiring higher priority administrative action or requiring lower priority administrative action based in part on the potential accuracy of the flag. In addition, administrative action is taken based in part on the categorization of the flag. |
US09053412B2 |
Document delivery to a mobile device using mobile device based permissions
Mobile devices enable users to access data and documents in a convenient portable format. The disclosed method and system enables management of permissions associated with documents to be transferred/moved onto a mobile device for review or reference by making the transfer simple and straight forward so that it may be easy for non-technically literate users using a printer driver metaphor on a sending device such as a personal computer. |
US09053410B2 |
Raster image processor with printhead profile compensation for a multi level digital printing machine
A system and method of calibration, screening, and compensation is presented for multiple gray-level digital presses. Unequal quantization of the input range is employed with compensated overlapping of sub-ranges. Multiple instances of bi-level screening algorithms, tone modification functions, and a recombination algorithm are employed to produce calibrated screening on individual tone ranges. The method works with any bi-level screening algorithm and devices with any number of gray-levels. Quality imaging results from high detail, high tonal accuracy, low screening noise, and lack of printed artifacts. Dynamic re-calibration is facilitated. The elimination of the constraint of evenly spaced gray-levels also has advantages of cost and yield for both print head fabricators as well as digital press manufacturers. Multiple implementations of the system and method are given for both hardware and software embodiments of the invention. |
US09053408B2 |
Multi-core processor based high-speed digital textile printing processing system and method
The present invention discloses a multi-core processor based high-speed digital textile printing processing system, comprising a gigabit Ethernet interface, a I2C interface, a Stream IO interface and a multi-core processor; the multi-core processor comprises a command receiving unit, a command processing unit, a command output unit, a data receiving unit, a compressed data buffer unit, a data decompression unit, a decompressed data buffer unit and a data output unit; meanwhile, the present invention also disclosed a multi-core processor based high-speed digital textile printing processing method. The present invention is centered on high-performance multi-core processor, which aims to implement high-speed transmission of printing data from PC to printing nozzle via the gigabit Ethernet and Stream IO interface as well as processing and transfer of printing commands via the gigabit Ethernet and I2C interface. Meanwhile, it is also capable of executing such processing as decompression of printing images and image rotation, which has significantly improved the work efficiency of digital textile printing system. |
US09053405B1 |
Printed RFID circuit
A printed circuit including a non-conductive substrate, a first conductive layer printed on the non-conductive substrate and one or more additional layers printed on the substrate. The first conductive layer is able to have one or more antennas each forming a predetermined pattern, a first conductive sheet and one or more conductive traces. The one or more additional layers include a first electrode printed on the top of the first conductive sheet, a buffer printed on top of the first electrode, a second electrode printed on top of the buffer and a second conductive sheet printed on top of the second electrode. The printed circuit is further able to include an RFID chip electrically coupled with the antennas and at least one of the first and second conductive sheets via the conductive traces, wherein the first and second conductive sheets, the buffer and the first and second electrodes form a power source that provides electrical power to the RFID chip. |
US09053402B2 |
Wireless IC tag and method for manufacturing wireless IC tag
A wireless IC tag which has an electrically insulative substrate, an antenna circuit provided on the surface of the substrate and an IC chip connected to the antenna circuit, wherein the antenna circuit is formed of solder and the IC chip is connected to the antenna circuit via the solder, andA wireless IC tag comprising an electrically insulative substrate, an antenna circuit provided on the surface of the substrate, an IC chip connected to the antenna circuit, and a jumper wire connected to the antenna circuit, wherein the antenna circuit is formed of a solder, the jumper wire is insulatively coated with a resin composition that evaporates, decomposes, or melts at a temperature not higher than a soldering temperature, and the jumper wire is located on the same side of the substrate where the antenna circuit is provided. |
US09053400B2 |
RFID integrated circuits with antenna contacts on multiple surfaces
Embodiments are directed to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) having a first circuit block electrically coupled to first and second antenna contacts. The first antenna contact is disposed on a first surface of the IC and the second antenna contact is disposed on a second surface of the IC different from the first surface. The first and second antenna contacts are electrically disconnected from each other. |
US09053399B2 |
Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic smart card
Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic card by measuring a swipe speed of the electronic card past a magnetic reader head during a swipe of the electronic card past the magnetic reader head and then adjusting a broadcast signal containing the magnetic stripe data packet according to the measured swipe speed so that the magnetic stripe data packet in the broadcast signal is read by the magnetic reader head during said swipe. The swipe speed is measured by a speed sensor. The electronic card can contain a false swipe detection means so that the capacitive sensor changes from a sleep mode to an active mode after a wake up sensor is activated during the swipe and the swipe speed is measured by the capacitive sensor while it is in the active mode before the broadcast signal is broadcast during the swipe. |
US09053398B1 |
Passive detection mechanisms for magnetic cards and devices
A card exhibiting enhanced operating modes is provided. A normal-operating mode reverts to a low-power mode of operation after a period of inactivity has transpired. The card automatically reactivates in response to a passive detection event during a low-power mode of operation when the card is ready for use. |
US09053397B2 |
Thin gage open loop system cards and method of manufacture
An improved card design and manufacturing method to produce thin gage, open loop system cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, financial cards, and payroll cards. The thin gage card structure may vary between 5-15 mils in thickness (0.005″ inches to 0.015″ inches) on a one ply plastic material such as PVC or polyester. The majority of manufacturing steps can be performed on a rotary press in a single operation. Card personalization will be accomplished on a high-speed machine using ink jet for all variable information imaged on both the front and back, and accompanied by high speed encoding of magnetic stripe or activation of integrated circuit elements utilized in the electronic payment process. |
US09053394B2 |
Vehicle management system
A system and method to identify fuel consumption optimization based on reactive and deliberative components is described. Modifiable use conditions, such as speeding, excessive idling, gear selection, acceleration and deceleration profiles, which all represent opportunities for fuel savings, are identified and optimized for minimal fuel consumption based on a reactive interaction with the vehicle on a real-time basis. Deliberative analysis of historical data linked to a specific location or route is also conducted to arrive at a historical optimal fuel consumption profile. Similar historical fuel consumption profiles for the same route in question from other nearby vehicles are collected and analyzed to determined a more robust deliberative component of optimal fuel consumption. The reactive and deliberative components are optimized fuel consumption are merged to form a recommended profile for optimal fuel consumption. |
US09053393B2 |
Learning method and apparatus for pattern recognition
A method for information processing includes a learning process to generate a tree structured dictionary based on a plurality of patterns including a target object to be recognized. The method includes selecting a plurality of points from an input pattern based on a distribution of a probability that the target object to be recognized is present in the input pattern at each node of a tree structure generated in the learning process, and classifying the input pattern into a branch based on a value of a predetermined function that corresponds to values of the input pattern at selected plurality of points. |
US09053383B2 |
Recognizing apparatus and method, program, and recording medium
A predetermined feature point obtained from an input image is extracted. An image that indicates a locus specifying a predetermined graphic included in the input image and corresponds to a feature point is acquired using a Hough transform. A recognition target object is detected from an input image, based on a plurality of feature quantities, using an identifier generated by statistical learning using the plurality of feature quantities obtained from a locus image obtained based on a learning image including the recognition target object and a locus image obtained based on a learning image including no recognition target object. |
US09053379B2 |
Single arch portal scanner and method of scanning
A scanning system for data reading, and related methods of use, the scanning system including a portal scanner and a conveyor for transporting items. The scanner includes a generally U-shaped scanner housing and a plurality of data readers arranged within the scanner housing for reading data on various surfaces of an item being transported through the portal scanner. The scanning system may also include a bottom scanner positioned beneath the conveyor, the bottom scanner having a view volume directed through a gap in the conveyor for reading a bottom surface of the item through the gap as the item passes over the gap. In some embodiments, the scanning system may further include one or more light curtains configured for determining a height dimension of the item and/or a position of the item. |
US09053375B2 |
Decoupled contactless bi-directional systems and methods
A contactless bi-directional device including first and second generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas which are arranged in at least partially mutually overlapping orientation, first and second contactless communication chips, each of the first and second communications chips being connected to a corresponding one of the generally mutually electromagnetically decoupled contactless loop antennas, thereby providing bi-directional communication. |
US09053373B2 |
Method and apparatus for assessing the health of an image capture device in an optical code scanner
An image based optical code scanner is presented that determines the health of each of a plurality of image capture devices located within the optical code scanner. The optical code scanner first determines a baseline performance for each of the image capture devices by capturing statistics for each of the image capture devices during item scanning operations. The optical code scanner then periodically determines the current performance of each of the image capture devices and compares it with the baseline performance. An alert message is generated if the current performance of any image capture device falls below its baseline performance. |
US09053370B2 |
Digital signature apparatus and method
A digital signature apparatus including, a converting unit that converts, based on a first video image frame being independently replayable, a predicted frame being not independently replayable into a second video image frame being independently replayable, an encoding unit that encodes the first or second video image frame into an image data according to an image format, a transfer unit that transfers, when receiving the predicted frame, the predicted frame to the converting unit, and transfers, when receiving the first or second video image frame, the received video image frame to the encoding unit, and a digest information generating unit that generates a digest information for each of image data encoded by the encoding unit. |
US09053365B2 |
Template update for biometric authentication
An enrollment template can be a collection of interest points such as vascular points (VPD) and corresponding features such as Enhanced Multi-Radii Local Binary Patterns (EMR-LBP), Pattern Histograms of Enhanced Multi-Radii Local Binary Patterns (PH-EMR-LBP), Pattern histograms of Enhanced Multi-Radii Center-Symmetric Local Binary Patterns (PH-EMR-CS-LBP), and Enhanced Multi-Radii Center-Symmetric Local Binary Patterns (EMR-CS-LBP). In some implementations, an enrollment template can be created only if the acquired image exceeds a certain threshold based on ratio of VPD points to that of size of segmented scleral region. More than one enrollments are possible for a single user. Enrollment templates can be updated to accommodate behavioral and/or environmental variations affecting the acquired scans. Updating the enrollment templates using verification can be based on quality of a candidate verification template, match score, and/or other image and exposure similarity measures. |
US09053364B2 |
Product, image, or document authentication, verification, and item identification
The present disclosure provides methods, reagents, and apparatus for authenticating and identifying products. Methods of the disclosure are easy to implement but difficult to replicate, simulate, alter, transpose, or tamper with. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of authenticating products using a product authentication code defined by a frequency array of a population of entities, and an item identifier defined by the specific manifestation of the product authentication code. |
US09053359B2 |
Method and system for document authentication using Krawtchouk decomposition of image patches for image comparison
A document authentication method employs Krawtchouk decomposition to analyze and compare document images. When printing an original document, the original document image is segmented into image patches, which preferably correspond to individual symbols of the document. Krawtchouk decomposition is applied to each image patch. The image patches are classified into image patch classes using their Krawtchouk coefficients. The locations of all image patches belonging to each class are obtained and stored along with the Krawtchouk coefficients for each class. When authenticating a target document, the same segmentation, Krawtchouk decomposition and classification steps are applied to the target document image, and the locations of all image patches belonging to each class are obtained. The image patch classes and the locations of image patches belonging to each class for the original and target document image are compared to detect alterations present in the target document. |
US09053349B1 |
Digital correlator / FIR filter with tunable bit time using analog summation
A digital correlator including an input, a plurality of serially connected delay elements, wherein a first delay element of the plurality of serially connected delay elements is coupled to the input, a plurality of current elements, wherein each respective current element of the plurality of current elements is coupled to a respective delay element, and each current element has a current, and a summer for summing the currents of the plurality of current elements, the summer having an output for the digital correlator. |
US09053348B2 |
Secure cloud computing platform
A secure cloud computing platform. The platform has a pool of secure computing devices such that each can be allocated to a customer as with other computing resources. Each secure computing device may be configured by a customer with a key and software for performing operations on sensitive data. The customer may submit data, defining a job for execution on the platform, as cyphertext. The secure computing device may perform operations on that data, which may include decrypting the data with the key and then executing the software to perform an operation on cleartext data. This operation, and the data on which it is performed, though in cleartext, may be inaccessible to the operator of the cloud computing platform. The device may operate according to a secure protocol under which the software is validated before loading and the device is provisioned with a key shared with the customer. |
US09053347B2 |
Memory device, host device, and memory system
A memory device includes: a storage unit that stores public key information of a certificate authority for verifying a certificate and includes a secret area storing data of which secrecy is assured; and a control unit that controls access to the storage unit depending on reception information, wherein the reception information includes information where access control information is added to certificate information authenticated by the certificate authority, and the control unit verifies the certificate using the public key, identifies the access control information, and limits the accessible secret area in the storage unit. |
US09053346B2 |
Low-overhead cryptographic method and apparatus for providing memory confidentiality, integrity and replay protection
A method and system to provide a low-overhead cryptographic scheme that affords memory confidentiality, integrity and replay-protection by removing the critical read-after-write dependency between the various levels of the cryptographic tree. In one embodiment of the invention, the cryptographic processing of a child node can be pipelined with that of the parent nodes. This parallelization provided by the invention results in an efficient utilization of the cryptographic pipeline, enabling significantly lower performance overheads. |
US09053341B2 |
Multi-identity for secure file sharing
Techniques for controlling access to shared data files such as stored in a collaborative file sharing service. Organizations want to have access to data originated by their employees and want that access to continue even when the employees leave the company. Also, organizations do not want former employees to have access to the company's files. A file storage service uses an Organization's recovery key while creating a recovery record for a file (which may be stored in a folder), and protected using a Work identity. The individual person who originally creates a file and/or shares a folder securely with others is considered the folder's owner as long as he is part of the same Organization. User's identities are validated upon access. The keys are also purged from a local key store as soon as identity changes are detected. In this way, the folder owner will not be able to decrypt files stored in a folder shared using a Work identity if the identity is canceled by the Organization. |
US09053340B2 |
Enterprise application store for an orchestration framework for connected devices
Aspects described herein allow multiple devices to function as a coherent whole, allowing each device to take on distinct functions that are complementary to one another. Aspects described herein also allow the devices function as a coherent whole when interconnected devices and their respective applications are configured to operate in various operation modes, when management policies are employed to control the operation of the interconnected devices and their respective applications, when transferring content between the interconnected devices and storing the content at those devices, when obtaining access credentials for the interconnected devices that enable the devices to access enterprise resources, when a policy agent applies management policies to control operation of and interaction between the interconnected devices, and when the interconnected devices are used to access an enterprise application store. |
US09053338B2 |
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for exception handling
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for exception handling. A method may include detecting attempted performance of a prohibited action involving protected data. The method may further include determining based at least in part on a role associated with a user associated with the prohibited action whether the user has elevated rights permitting performance of the prohibited action. The method may additionally include permitting an exception allowing performance of the prohibited action only in an instance in which it is determined that the user does have elevated rights permitting performance of the prohibited action. The method may also include prohibiting performance of the prohibited action in an instance in which it is determined that the user does not have elevated rights permitting performance of the prohibited action. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also provided. |
US09053326B2 |
Simulated phishing attack with sequential messages
Described herein are methods, network devices and machine-readable storage media for conducting simulated phishing attacks on an individual so as to educate the individual about the various ways in which phishing attacks may be disguised. Specifically described is a simulated phishing attack involving a sequence of messages. At least one of the messages has an associated target action that would ordinary, if the attack were an actual phishing attack, result in the individual's personal information and/or computing device becoming compromised. In the simulated phishing attack, no malicious action is actually performed. At least one of the other messages is designed to draw attention to the message with the target action. |
US09053323B2 |
Trusted component update system and method
A trusted component update system comprises verify logic configured to validate integrity of an update to a trusted component of a computing device, and logic disposed in the trusted component and configured to validate integrity of the verify logic. |
US09053322B2 |
Computing environment security method and electronic computing system
A computing environment security method is provided. The method includes: a) dissolving an application package to be tested to obtain at least one data set, wherein each data set corresponds to contents with respect to one of a plurality of aspects of the application package; and b) evaluating whether the application package is a repackaged application according to the at least one data set. Step (b) includes: c) for each data set, analyzing a characteristic relationship of the contents with respect to the aspect corresponding to the data set to accordingly generate characteristic data for the data set; and d) determining whether the application package to be tested is a repackaged application package according to the characteristic data of the at least one data set and a search result obtained from a database, wherein the search result corresponds to the characteristic data within a corresponding distance. |
US09053321B2 |
Antivirus system and method for removable media devices
A removable media device, which may be a USB attached device or other type of removable media device, includes a software program located on the device which upon startup or access, the software program scans one or more of electronic files stored on the removable media device and electronic files being transferred to or from the electronic media device and to or from a host computing system for the detection of viruses therein. The software program is further configured to block the transfer of detected virus-containing electronic files and to disallow the copy or writing of files to or from the removable media device to or from a host computing system that can not be scanned. The software program is further configured to block the encryption of files being written to a removable media device if such device contains hardware or software encryption if such files can not be scanned. |
US09053317B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device having authentication, and methods of operation and manufacture thereof
A memory device package encloses two separate die, one being a standard nonvolatile memory integrated circuit (“IC”) die, and the other being any suitable authentication IC die. Either die may be stacked upon the other, or the die may be placed side-by-side. The external contacts may correspond to the power and signal requirements of the standard nonvolatile memory IC die so that the pin-out of the memory device package may present a standard pinout. The power and signal requirements of the authentication IC die may be satisfied with some or all of the pins for the nonvolatile memory integrated circuit die, or with other unused pins of the device package. One or more additional external contacts may be added exclusively for the authentication integrated circuit die. One or more signals may be dedicated as between the standard nonvolatile memory IC die and the authentication IC die. |
US09053316B2 |
Secure access computer system
Several embodiments of computer security systems are described and which are adapted to grant an authorized individual access to a secured domain, such as a computer or data stream. In one embodiment, the security system comprises: an analyzing means for receiving first and second passwords, each of said passwords being transmitted over a first communication channel, analyzing said first password, transmitting a first signal output only if said first password is authorized, and granting access to said secured domain only if said second password is substantially identical to a code; and a random code generating means for generating said code, transmitting said code over a second communication channel upon receipt of first signal output, and transmitting said code to said analyzing means; and a notification means for receiving said code and for notifying said authorized individual of the identity of said code. |
US09053315B2 |
Trusted system network
A method, system, and computer-readable storage media for granting a device access to a managed group are disclosed. Identification information may be exchanged between a management device in the managed group and a managed device through a secure first channel. If the identification information is verified by the management device, the managed device may be granted access to the managed group through the secure first channel. If access is granted, the managed device may access the managed group through a secure communication session on a network. If the identification information is not verified, the management device may send a cryptographic key to the managed device through the secure first channel. The cryptographic key may be used to create an encrypted communication session between the managed device and management device over the network. |
US09053309B2 |
Behaviometric signature authentication system and method
The present invention discloses a method of verifying the authenticity of a provided signature, comprising the steps of: receiving a set of sampled data points, each sampled data point being associated with a different position along the signature; identifying a set of characterizing nodes within the set of sampled data points using a set of predetermined characterizing nodes comprised in a pre-stored user profile; determining if each identified characterizing node lies within a predetermined threshold range of a corresponding predetermined characterizing node; and generating a positive verification when the characterizing nodes lie within the predetermined threshold range. A system arranged to carry out the method is also disclosed. |
US09053302B2 |
Obligation system for enterprise environments
An authorization system that conforms to legacy access control models provides mechanisms whereby structures already existing within those legacy access control models can be used to pass additional information to and from that authorization system. Legacy applications can still interact with the authorization system without modification. Because the authorization system also provides mechanisms whereby the existing structures can be used to pass the additional information or return additional information, more advanced applications can make use of enhanced access control features of the authorization system. Such enhanced features can involve policy-based decisions that take into account the additional information in determining whether to permit resource access. Such enhanced features can involve the placement of policy-specified obligations within the existing structures to be returned back to the advanced applications. Such obligations can indicate requirements that those applications need to fulfill in conjunction with performing operations on resources. |
US09053296B2 |
Detecting plagiarism in computer markup language files
This invention converts markup language files such as HTML files into pseudocode that is structured like programming language source code in order to use source code copy detection tools to find pairs of markup language files that have been copied in full or in part. |
US09053294B2 |
Password generation and recall
The invention provides the ability to produce long, complex passwords from simple, easy to recall, pictorial selections. The invention features a picture based interface unit, linked to a series of individual process modules. Selecting images contained in the image selection module generates a reference pointer corresponding to coordinates in the reference pointer of the control module which thereby generates a rotor sequence that is passed to the password generator module containing ASCII characters groups. The character groups are processed according to the rotor sequence contents to produce a password that is displayed in a display module for editing and/or use. |
US09053289B1 |
Method and system for implementing an improved interface for designing electronic layouts
Disclosed is a method and system for visualizing legal locations of edges and dimensions for an object being placed or edited in the layout. During the design process, visual indicators may be provided to the user to indicate the legal locations at which edges of an object may be placed in the layout. Gravitation and/or snapping may be provided automatically identify and/or move the edges to the legal locations. However, the user can control whether and under what circumstances the gravitation and/or snapping will occur. In this way, the designer does not need to manually place the edges of every single object, which is especially helpful for objects that are intended to have an edge at a legal location. Upon a design choice by the designer, the objects can be edited so that an edge does not need to immediately comply with a design rule. |
US09053286B1 |
Verification of fractured mask data
Fractured mask data in variable shape beam format is verified. The fractured mask data and unfractured design data from which the fractured mask data was generated is received, as is at least one control parameter related to the fractured mask data. A filter algorithm is performed with the at least one control parameter as an input. The filter algorithm identifies at least one error in the fractured mask data as compared to the unfractured design data other than approximation differences resulting from a fracture algorithm used to generate the fractured mask data. The at least one error includes an edge shift in the fractured mask data as compared to the unfractured design data that is smaller than a defined value, such as the maximum skew value in certain examples. |
US09053282B2 |
Mesh planes with alternating spaces for multi-layered ceramic packages
An improved multi-layered ceramic package includes a plurality of signal planes, each having one or more signal lines; a plurality of vias, each providing one of a voltage (Vdd) power connection or a ground (Gnd) connection; and at least one reference mesh plane adjacent to one or more signal planes. The reference mesh plane includes spaced mesh lines that are separated by spaces that alternate in a narrow-wide or wide-narrow pattern. A multi-layered ceramic package, using the mesh plane with alternating spaces, generates significantly lower far-end (FE) noise in the ceramic package than a conventional mesh plane with constant spaces. The noise is further reduced by placing shield lines on opposite sides of signal lines in the signal plane. A method, computer system, and program code that generate the design for the multi-layered ceramic package are also disclosed. |
US09053279B2 |
Pattern modification with a preferred position function
A method for pattern modification for making an integrated circuit layout is disclosed. The method includes determining a feature within a pattern of the integrated circuit layout that can be rearranged; determining a range in which the feature can be repositioned; for the feature, determining a preferred position function that exhibits extreme values at preferable positions; and rearranging the position of the feature within the range to match an extreme value of the function. |
US09053278B1 |
System and method for hybrid cloud computing for electronic design automation
Described herein are systems and methods for a partitioned extraction-simulation technique that efficiently combines a partitioned extraction technique and a partitioned simulation technique by removing and not performing particular steps of the techniques to provide a more efficient netlist extraction and circuit simulation process. In some embodiments, a plurality of circuit simulators directly receive and process a plurality of sub-region netlists that are based on a spatial partitioning of the IC layout. In further embodiments, an EDA hybrid cloud system is implemented using pipelining and serializing of memory data. In these embodiments, an overall EDA process is divided into a plurality of pipelined stages to accelerate the computational speed of the overall EDA process. In further embodiments, EDA data is transferred, over a network, from a memory of one computer system directly to a memory of another computer system by serializing the EDA data. |
US09053275B2 |
Techniques for facilitating electrical design of an energy generation system
Systems and methods for facilitating the electrical design of an energy generation system. In one embodiment, a method is provided that can comprise receiving, by a computer system from a user, first information pertaining to an energy generation system to be installed at a customer site. The method can further comprise determining an electrical design for installing the energy generation system at the customer site, where the determining is based on the first information, second information retrieved from one or more external data sources, an electrical data model, and a decision tree that models the electrical design process. An installation diagram can then be generated that illustrates the determined electrical design. |
US09053274B1 |
Register retiming technique
An electronic automation system performs register retiming on a logic design, which may be a logic design for a programmable logic integrated circuit. Register retiming is a moving or rearranging of registers across combinatorial logic in a design in order to improve a maximum operating frequency or fmax. In one implementation, the system includes machine-readable code, which may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a disk, executing on a computer. The system balances timing in order to trade off delays between critical and noncritical paths. Register retiming may make changes to a design at a gate level. |
US09053273B2 |
IC delaying flip-flop output partial clock cycle for equalizing current
Apparatuses and methods for suppressing power supply noise harmonics are disclosed. A method includes selecting at least one flip-flop of a plurality of data paths of an integrated circuit based on a slack associated with the at least one flip-flop. The method also includes providing at least one delay circuit at an output of at least one flip-flop. The at least one delay circuit is configured to delay the output of the at least one flip-flop by a threshold clock cycle for managing current at a positive edge of a clock input and current at a negative edge of the clock input, thereby suppressing power supply noise harmonics of the integrated circuit. |
US09053266B2 |
Computing system with hardware bus management and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a computing system includes: providing reconfigurable hardware devices having a first application fragment and a second application fragment; configuring a virtual bus module having a virtual bus for coupling the reconfigurable hardware devices; allocating a physical port in the virtual bus, based on availability, for communicatively coupling the first application fragment and the second application fragment through the virtual bus; and implementing an application through the virtual bus including transferring application data between the first application fragment and the second application fragment. |
US09053265B2 |
Generating test benches for pre-silicon validation of retimed complex IC designs against a reference design
This invention (900) described a method that generates and uses a test bench for verifying an electrical design module in a semiconductor manufacturing against an electrical reference model containing a sub-circuit that matches the electrical design module. The invention includes providing (902) a description of an electrical design module that includes a plurality of ports. In addition, the invention includes providing (904) a description of an electrical reference model. The invention further includes providing and or creating (92) one or more implicit defines for the reference modules that appear in hierarchy of the electrical reference model. And, the invention includes providing (906) a description file that includes one or more instance definitions. The invention parses (91) the hierarchy of the electrical design model and then processes (96) the description file. The invention then writes (97) the test bench. |
US09053261B2 |
Simulation method and simulation apparatus
To obtain velocity, density, pressure, and a position per unit time, acceleration of each particle and a repulsive force applied to each particle from a boundary surface is obtained by an equation of motion discretized by a predetermined kernel function; velocity after unit time is calculated by time integration; a density time differential is calculated by a discretized continuity equation representing a temporal change in the density based on a predetermined kernel function; density after unit time is calculated by time integration on the density time differential by using the velocity after the unit time; smoothing is performed on the density at predetermined intervals; pressure after unit time is calculated by an equation of state with the density after unit time; a position after unit time is calculated; the above calculations are repeated from the initial state to the end of a predetermined time. |
US09053260B2 |
Utilizing spreadsheet user interfaces with flowsheets of a CPI simulation system
A simulation system includes at least one processor configured to execute a computer program product, stored upon a storage medium. The computer program product includes a spreadsheet application, a process simulation application, and an integration tool (e.g., eSim), where the spreadsheet application and the process simulation application are discrete, stand alone products. The process simulation application can simulate chemical processes using at least one flowsheet, which models a general flow of chemical plant processes and equipment. The integration tool can map process simulation application objects and properties to spreadsheet application objects, can convey information between mapped objects, can perform case management functions, and can perform orchestrated calculation functions. |
US09053259B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing pattern-based design enabled manufacturing of electronic circuit designs
Some embodiments correlate various manufacturing or design information or data with patterns used to represent electronic designs and provide pertinent pattern-based information to metrology, fabrication, or testing tools to enhance their performances of their intended functions. Some embodiments further utilize cross-design or cross-process analytics to perform various pattern-based analysis on electronic designs. Some embodiments perform squish analysis with a squish pattern library on an electronic design to represent the electronic design with squish patterns by performing pattern matching, pattern decomposition, and pattern classification process. |
US09053257B2 |
Voltage-aware signal path synchronization
An integrated circuit (IC) generates clock delay control signals based on its operational voltage level. The clock delay control signals are routed to corresponding clock gating logic that controls the synchronous capturing of the outputs of corresponding signal paths. The clock gating logic delays the clock signal used by the corresponding flip-flop in response to an assertion of the corresponding received clock delay control. Thus, the clock signal used to capture the outputs of certain signal paths may be delayed under certain voltage conditions. This selective clock path delay for different signal paths enables the IC to use a higher clock frequency, or more reliably latch the path outputs at a certain clock frequency, even though different signal paths may exhibit different relative path delays under different operating voltage conditions. |
US09053256B2 |
Adjustable golf club and system and associated golf club heads and shafts
In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. |
US09053255B2 |
Semiconductor structure and method of generating masks for making integrated circuit
A method of generating masks for making an integrated circuit includes determining if a coupling capacitance value of a conductive path of a first and second groups of conductive paths of the integrated circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The determination is performed based on at least a resistance-capacitance extraction result of the conductive path and a predetermined level of mask misalignment. The layout patterns are modified to increase an overall vertical distance between the first group of conductive paths and the second group of conductive paths if the coupling capacitance value is greater than the predetermined threshold value. |
US09053253B2 |
Safety arrangement
A monitoring system including a first and a second portion. The first portion includes a controller for receiving a code sequence. The first portion is configured to connect the system to a common data bus. The first portion is configured to provide a synchronization signal to the second portion when the two portions are in a predetermined position. The second portion includes a controller for providing the code sequence to the first portion and the first portion being further configured to output the code sequence for verification by a verification entity. |
US09053250B2 |
Dual-mode tablet input system with primary computer wherein first mode is keyboard input with computer and second mode involves mirroring with computer
Examples of the present invention disclose a dual-mode tablet input system. According to one implementation, the system includes a portable electronic device configured to communicate with a primary computer. When a connection between the primary computer and portable electronic device is established, a mode change controller affiliated with portable electronic device is configured to switch the portable electronic device from a first operating mode to a second operating mode for facilitating user input on the primary computer and associated display. |
US09053249B2 |
Removable memory cartridge and docking station compatible with media drive expansion slots
A system for data storage including a removable memory element having a data storage device, and a docking station in communication with a host device and configured for receiving the removable memory cartridge so as to put the host system in communication with the data storage device. |
US09053246B2 |
USB class protocol modules
A computer system includes USB class protocol-aware modules for USB devices as part of a xHCI host controller. The protocol-aware modules serve as accelerators by implementing critical portions of the device class protocols, which includes fetching higher level protocol data directly from client buffers for transmission and delivering decoded data to client buffers on receipt; and emulating a register-based interface for the benefit of system software on the host computer. |
US09053245B2 |
Partial redundancy for I/O modules or channels in distributed control systems
An apparatus includes at least one first input/output (I/O) module having multiple first I/O channels. Each first I/O channel is configured to provide a communication path. The apparatus also includes a second I/O module having multiple second I/O channels. Each second I/O channel is configured to provide a redundant communication path for one of the first I/O channels. The apparatus is configured to provide the redundant communication paths for only a subset of the first I/O channels. The first I/O channels may include critical I/O channels and non-critical I/O channels, and the apparatus may be configured to provide the redundant communication paths for only the critical I/O channels. The apparatus can be configured to provide the redundant communication paths for the first I/O channels of a single first I/O module or multiple first I/O modules. |
US09053243B2 |
Unidirectional and bidirectional communication between a host device and a peripheral device
A dock connects to a user's host device and provides video output to a display. The host device is a computing device that executes one or more applications. One or more controllers are peripheral devices that can be used to control applications on the host device. A service module provides support for additional communication profiles that are more versatile than the communication profiles supported by the operating system on the host device. The service module establishes a unidirectional connection between the host device and the peripheral devices as well as a bidirectional connection. A control scheme identifying an operating mode associated with a peripheral device is retrieved from a server. The peripheral device is configured to send data to the host device in a format recognizable by one or more applications based on the operating scheme. |
US09053242B2 |
Testing user interface responsiveness for mobile applications
Embodiments are directed towards testing a responsiveness of a graphical user interface (GUI) for an application executing on a computer. During execution of each portion of a test, stimuli may be provided to the application. The stimuli may be provided to the application thread that is associated with rendering graphics for the GUI. Responses from the application to the stimuli may be monitored to determine a responsiveness of the application for at least one portion of the test. The responsiveness may be determined based on a wait time between providing a request and receiving a reply to the request, which may indicate that the application is in a state to accept input through the GUI. Responsiveness may be determined separately for each portion of the test. A displayable report may be generated to include the responsiveness of the application for each portion of the test. |
US09053240B2 |
Computer program testing
To centrally manage execution of tests of software in an event oriented manner, a test execution engine reads a first test case from a test case component, where the test case represents tasks that have to be run to test a first procedure of a software program under evaluation. Further, the test execution engine identifies a participant node configured for sending events to an event queue and obtains events from the event queue. With those obtained events, the test execution engine evaluates whether the first procedure of the software program executed successfully and indicates whether the first procedure executed properly. The participant node has a node agent transmits events about the procedure and the first test case to the event queue. |
US09053225B2 |
Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium
A data processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit to determine whether data input from input/output module is data to be processed by a plurality of processing modules in a setting order; and a switching unit to switch a first data and second data processing path, so that when the determination unit determines that the data input from the input/output module is not data to be processed by the processing modules in the setting order, the communication modules circulate data via the first data processing path used to transfer the data in an order in which the communication modules are connected, and otherwise, the communication modules circulate data via the second data processing path used to control the communication modules to transfer the data in the setting order. |
US09053223B2 |
Modular refrigeration unit health monitoring
A method for modular refrigeration unit (MRU) health monitoring includes receiving log data on a log data input from the MRU by a MRU health monitor, the log data comprising a plurality of datapoints, each of the plurality of datapoints comprising a position of a control valve of the MRU and a corresponding time; determining by the MRU health monitor a plurality of MRU parameters from the log data; determining a plurality of MRU health flags based on the MRU parameters; adding the plurality of MRU health flags to determine an MRU health score; determining whether the MRU health score is higher than a replacement threshold; and indicating replacement of the MRU in the event the MRU health score is higher than the replacement threshold. |
US09053222B2 |
Patient safety processor
A processor-based system for analyzing physiologic data and medical care is provided wherein the patient data is analyzed to construct images that are representative of a patient's condition. The processor provides a self-modulating analysis, which is responsive to the occurrence of additional data items to increase the information contained in the images. Identifications of modes of physiologic failure by the analysis of the generated images provides for earlier recognition and intervention and improved protocolization of testing and treatment. |
US09053220B2 |
Method, system, and computer program for monitoring performance of applications in a distributed environment
A method, system, and computer program include receiving a request string, and mapping the received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. The received request string may be in the form of a JSP, a servlet, and remote Enterprise Java Bean calls. A user may be prompted to create rules for mapping of a received request string to a distinguishable request string and a collapsible request string. |
US09053219B2 |
Patient monitoring system and method
A patient monitoring system is disclosed herein. The patient monitoring system includes a processor configured to receive CDS search data, and to identify relevant CDS options based on the search data. The patient monitoring system also includes a display operatively connected to the processor. The display is configured to convey the relevant CDS options. |
US09053217B2 |
Ratio-adjustable sync mark detection system
Systems, methods, devices, circuits for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for detecting a sync mark with a ratio-adjustable detection system. |
US09053212B2 |
Multi-dimensional metadata in research recordkeeping
A system and method for facilitating data organization, for example in the organization of data in management of intellectual property records, is disclosed herein. Further, the present invention particularly provides a contextualization of information objects so that a full value of research and development (R&D) efforts can be accumulated by an organization. The system as disclosed herein collects information (raw) objects from a plurality of sources. Then, based on inferred context and user input, the system classifies each object in multiple dimensions according to needs of the application; and finally creates a high value, layer rich database embodying a context as well as a result to add value to a research process. |
US09053211B2 |
Systems and methods for efficient keyword spotting in communication traffic
Methods and systems related to keyword searching processes. A list of keywords may be first represented by a set of short substrings. The substrings are selected such that an occurrence of a substring indicates a possible occurrence of one or more of the keywords. Input data may be initially pre-processed, so as to identify locations in the input data in which the substrings occur. Then, the identified locations are searched for occurrences of the actual keywords. The pre-processing scheme enables the keyword search process to search only in the identified locations of the substrings instead of over the entire input data. |
US09053209B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for performing graph coloring
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for categorizing a plurality of vertices of a graph. A predetermined plurality of random numbers is assigned to each vertex of the plurality of vertices, a determination is made whether each of the assigned predetermined plurality of random numbers of a single vertex is greater than a corresponding random number of the assigned predetermined plurality of random numbers of each of the neighbors of the single vertex, and in response to the determination, one of the assigned random numbers is selected from a group of assigned random numbers of the single vertex. |
US09053207B2 |
Adaptive query expression builder for an on-demand data service
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to database query management and execution and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and apparatus for processing an adaptive query expression in an on-demand data service. In one embodiment of the invention, an adaptive query handling method can include receiving an initial query in a database driven application, parsing the initial query to identify a query expression key, matching the query expression key to an adaptive query expression, and transforming the adaptive query expression to a final query expression through a replacement of annotations in the adaptive query expression with static expressions conforming to a query language for the final query expression. Thereafter, the final query expression can be applied to a database subsystem for the database driven application. |
US09053196B2 |
Methods for interacting with and manipulating information and systems thereof
A method, computer readable medium and system for providing an interactive desktop and/or browser-based information workspace (or “playground”) includes obtaining at a workspace management processing system a selection of one or more condensed information objects and one or more of application tools. A customized interactive workspace for non-video game based information in a video game display graphical user interface format is provided to the computing system from the workspace management processing system based on a default interactive workspace populated with the selected one or more condensed information objects and one or more application tools. The customized interactive workspace is configured to enable at least one of the one or more application tools to act upon, affect or interact with at least one of the one or more condensed information objects from within the customized interactive workspace and the customized interactive workspace. |
US09053189B2 |
Customizing content displayed for a user based on user preferences of another user
In one embodiment, a server receives a request from a first user to share content from a first forum (e.g., a webpage) with a second user. In response, the server generates a link to the content for use by the second user. This link includes a pointer to a first user preference associated with the first user. In some instances, the first user preference is stored in conjunction with a unique identifier associated with the first user. Subsequently, when the second user attempts to access the content, the server generates a second webpage that includes the content. The server customizes the webpage (that is to be displayed to the second user) by using the user preferences associated with the first user. |
US09053185B1 |
Generating a representative model for a plurality of models identified by similar feature data
A computerized method for generating a representative model for a plurality of different models identified by similar feature data. A processing circuit receives a plurality of different models, each model configured for use in generating a second set of network user identifiers based on a first set of network user identifiers. The processing circuit receives feature data for each of the plurality of different models, each feature data having a corresponding feature weight data. The processing circuit identifies similar models within the plurality of different models based on a similarity of the feature data between models within the plurality of different models. The processing circuit generates the representative model to represent the similar models. The representative model may be used to generate the second set of network user identifiers based on the feature data and corresponding weight data of the representative model. |
US09053181B2 |
Adaptive personalized playback or presentation using count
Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. In one embodiment, a target time for playback or presentation of a composition to a user, is at least partially based on: a count of playbacks or presentations of the composition to a user, and a time when the composition was previously played or presented to the user. |
US09053178B2 |
Collaborative filtering using evaluation values of contents from users
When there are no evaluation values from a user who has evaluated both contents X and Z, an indirect similarity calculation unit 32 of an arithmetic processing unit 30 of an information processing center 10a indirectly calculates the similarity between the contents X and Z using evaluation values of a content Y whose evaluation value is present from a user who has evaluated both the contents X and Y and whose evaluation value is present from a user who has evaluated both the contents Y and Z. A predicted evaluation value calculation unit 33 calculates a predicted evaluation value from a user who has not evaluated either of the contents X and Z using the similarity between the contents X and Z calculated by the indirect similarity calculation unit 32 and the evaluation values of the contents X and Z. Thus, it is possible to calculate the predicted evaluation values of the contents X and Z which are not directly calculable. Therefore, it becomes possible to further expand the range of contents whose evaluation values are predictable through collaborative filtering. |
US09053173B2 |
Intelligent results related to a portion of a search query
Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user's predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result. |
US09053171B2 |
Clustering data points
Systems and methods for clustering a group of data points based on a measure of similarity between each pair of data points in the group are provided. A pairwise similarity function can be estimated for each pair of data points in the group. A clustering algorithm can be executed to create clusters and associate data points with the clusters using the pairwise similarity function. The algorithm can be iterated multiple times until a stopping condition is reached in order to reduce variance in the output of the algorithm. The pairwise similarity function for each pair of data points can be updated between iterations of the algorithm and the results of each iteration can be aggregated. The data in each data point associated with a cluster can be consolidated into a consolidated data point. |
US09053168B2 |
Database system and program
The present invention aims to provide a technique enabling an information added by another user to be referenced and enabling the range of the information the user references from a database to be customized. A related information database in which a plurality of elements are accumulated is prepared, and an output setting information in which an information relating to the output of an additional information is associated with each other, in response to the additional writing of the additional information by a certain user to the related information database is stored. The output setting information of the certain user can be changed by the user. A portion of information is extracted from the related information database in accordance with an input of an extraction condition by the user, and the portion of information is visually output according to information relating to the output of the user. |
US09053165B2 |
Structured content item synchronization
A content management system defines a synchronization application programming interface (API) used by applications executing on client devices to synchronize content items after the content items are changed. Functions of the API specify changes to the content items in terms of semantically-meaningful locations within the content items, rather than physical file locations. The content management system can represent the state of a content item in terms of change descriptors that reference the semantic locations of the API. The content management system can then distribute the change descriptors to the client devices, which refer to the semantic locations of the change descriptors when determining how to reconcile changes made by other client devices. |
US09053162B2 |
Multi-tenant hosted application system
Technologies are described herein for implementing a hosted multi-tenant application system. The server computers utilized to provide the hosted application are organized into logical groupings of server computers called scale groups. One or more tenants are assigned to each scale group. When a new tenant is provisioned, the tenant is assigned to a scale group and a database server in the assigned scale group creates a database for the tenant. An association between the tenant and the scale group is also created in a shared configuration database. When a request is received from a tenant to access the hosted application, the shared configuration database is consulted to locate the scale group hosting the tenant. Once the appropriate scale group has been located, the request is redirected to the appropriate scale group for processing. |
US09053156B1 |
Search query results based upon topic
Systems and methods for returning results to a query based upon topic are disclosed herein. Aspects disclosed can be particularly useful when searching for videos or other media content for which associated textual information are generally relatively sparse compared to other types of content. Text associated with the query can be semantically associated with various domain topics by mapping one or more words included in the query to one or more domain topics based upon a conditional probability of the domain topic given the query. A set of results can be identified based upon a conditional probability of the result given the domain topic. |
US09053154B1 |
System and method for generating a compatibility score for web content
A system and method for generating a compatibility score are provided. Elements associated with a web content as rendered by a benchmark browser engine are received. Elements associated with the web content as rendered by the test browser engine are received. The elements of the web content as rendered by the test browser engine are compared with corresponding elements of the web content as rendered by the benchmark browser engine. A compatibility for the web content is generated based on differences from the comparison between the elements of the web content as rendered by the benchmark browser engine and the elements of the web content as rendered by the test browser engine. |
US09053151B2 |
Dynamically joined fast search views for business objects
According to some embodiments, an anchor transactional view may be defined for at least one business object data structure. The anchor transactional may have a plurality of anchor fields, each anchor field representing a data source and being associated with a field of an anchor search view. An indication of at least one extension field to the anchor search view may be received. The anchor search view and at least one extension field may represent, for example, a virtual fast search infrastructure view. Responsive to the received indication of the at least one extension field, an additional view may be dynamically joined at runtime to the anchor transactional view. The additional view may have at least one additional field, and each additional field may be associated with one of the extension fields. |
US09053150B2 |
PSM compiler optimizer and method for processing bulk DML
A PSM complier optimizer analyzes a pattern of the PSM program to generate instruction codes, which will be subjected to a bulk operation and makes the instruction codes for the bulk operation in a form of an array of bind parameters to perform a bulk cursor. Accordingly, the bulk DML processing improves the performance of the PSM program. |
US09053145B2 |
Data analysis based on data linking elements
A computer controlled method for automatically segmenting an ensemble of data. The method starts by acquiring an ensemble of data and data is segmented by identifying a first subset of sequences of Linking Data Elements based on a repository of Linking Data Elements. A second subset of sequences of Information Carrying Data Elements is identified, wherein the sequences are linked by the Linking Data Elements. The subsets are provided in a structured format. |
US09053142B2 |
Public electronic document dating list
Systems and methods are disclosed which enable the establishment of file dates and the absence of tampering, even for documents held in secrecy and those stored in uncontrolled environments, but which does not require trusting a timestamping authority or document archival service. A trusted timestamping authority (TTSA) may be used, but even if the TTSA loses credibility or a challenger refuses to acknowledge the validity of a timestamp, a date for an electronic document may still be established. Systems and methods are disclosed which enable detection of file duplication in large collections of documents, which can improve searching for documents within the large collection. |
US09053134B2 |
View variants in database schema mapping
This disclosure includes a method, a system and a computer readable medium. The method includes receiving a data model configured to model data in a first database schema in a database system, using the received data model to generate a first data view of a first instance of the first database schema in the database system, including referencing, using a first view variant, one or more data tables including the first instance of the first database schema to generate the first data view, and using the received data model to generate a second data view of a second instance of the first database schema in the database system, including referencing, using a second view variant, one or more data tables including the second instance of the first database schema to generate the second data view. |
US09053133B2 |
Automatic enforcement of relationships in a database schema
A technique for enforcing a database relationship is disclosed. The technique includes specifying within a database schema a reference type that associates two structures and specifies the relationship between the two structures, and automatically generating code that checks the relationship between the two structures based on the specified reference in the database schema. |
US09053129B1 |
Content item relevance based on presentation data
Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining content item quality based on content item presentation data are presented. In one aspect, a method includes storing a first count of occurrences of a pair of content items being presented; storing a second count of second occurrences of a first content item of the pair being interacted with when it was presented in a lesser position in a resource relative to a second content item of the pair when the second content item of the pair was not interacted with; determining that the first count meets a first threshold; determining that a ratio of the second count to the first count meets a second threshold; and storing correlation data for the second content item based on the ratio. |
US09053122B2 |
Real-time identification of data candidates for classification based compression
Identification of data candidates for data processing is performed in real time by a processor device in a computing environment. Data candidates are sampled for performing a classification-based compression upon the data candidates. A heuristic is computed on a randomly selected data sample from the data candidate for determining if the data candidate may benefit from the classification-based compression. A decision is provided for approving the classification-based compression on the data candidates according to the heuristic. |
US09053120B2 |
Grouping and differentiating files based on content
Methods and apparatus teach a digital spectrum of a file. The digital spectrum is used to map a file's position. This position relative to another file's position reveals distances between the files. Representatively, files have a plurality of symbols representing an underlying data stream of original bits of data. The number of occurrences of each symbol in each file is compared to like symbols in other files. This can occur via algorithms, mapping, or both. In certain instances, comparison reveals a difference in counts between the symbols of the files. This difference is then squared, added together, and a square root taken. Comparing “distance values” reveals file adjacency, grouping, or the like. Also, normalizing, weighting, filtering functions and/or other statistical computations are applied in certain instances. |
US09053115B1 |
Query image search
Methods, systems and apparatus for identifying result images for a query image. One or more labels that are associated with the query image are obtained. Candidate images matching the query labels are identified. Visual similarity scores are generated for the candidate images. Each visual similarity score represents the visual similarity of a respective candidate image to the query image. Relevance scores are generated for each of the candidate images based on the visual similarity scores. Each relevance score represents a measure of relevance of the respective candidate images to the query image. The candidate images are ranked based on the relevance scores, a highest ranking subset of the candidate images being identified as result images and referenced by image search results. The result images can be candidate images that satisfy a similarity condition relative to the query image and other result images. |
US09053114B1 |
Extensible data path
Embodiments are directed towards storing data in a storage system using an extensible data path. Data files may be provided to a caching tier in a storage system. If data files remain in the caching tier longer than a time limit, those data files may be removed from the caching tier and provided to a processing pipeline. The processing pipeline may be coupled to a capacity tier of the storage system. Filters to include in the processing pipeline may be determined based on the type of the data files. The data files may be updated based on applying each filter, such that each update corresponding to each filter may be cumulatively applied to each data file. Each updated data file may be stored in the capacity tier of the storage system after each filter in the processing pipeline has been applied. |
US09053110B2 |
Interaction-based management of contact entries
Embodiments of the invention relate to interaction-based management of contact entries. In one embodiment, at least one contact in a set of contacts is determined to be associated with an archiving indicator. The archiving indicator indicates that one or more archiving operations are to be performed on the at least one contact. The set of contacts is associated with a user. At least one archiving threshold associated with the at least one contact is identified based on the determination. A determination is made as to whether the at least one archiving threshold has been satisfied. The at least one contact is archived based on the at least one archiving threshold having been satisfied. |
US09053108B2 |
File system extended attribute support in an operating system with restricted extended attributes
Embodiments of the invention relate to providing file system extended attribute support in an operating system. A request from an application to access extended attribute data in a multi-platform file system using an interface specified by the operating system is received. It is determined whether the specified interface supports an exchange of full content of the extended attribute data between the application and the multi-platform file system. Based on determining that the specified interface does not support an exchange of full content, the request is processed by an alternate interface. Based on the access being a read, the full content of the extended attribute data is retrieved and returned to the application using the alternate interface. Based on the access being a write, the full content of the extended attribute data is received from the application using the alternate interface and written to the multi-platform file system. |
US09053107B1 |
Determining updates for files based on an organization of the files on different blocks of a storage device
Configurations for only transmitting modified files in a file system update over a network to a target computer system are provided. The target computer system can store a root file system on a storage device. The subject technology determines differences between a previous image of the root file system and a new (e.g., updated) image of the root file system. When a file has not been updated or modified, the subject technology does not transmit the file in an update over the network to the target computer system. The root file system includes metadata that at least describes the location of each file on the storage device. For a file in which the position is preserved (i.e., unchanged), the location metadata for that file is not changed. The subject technology therefore forgoes transmitting the unmodified metadata over the network. |
US09053106B2 |
Time monitor
A method and system for measuring latency is provided. A monitor node is used to measure latency in a computer network or in a computing device by time stamping signal messages sent from nodes in the computer network and/or tasks in a particular node or device. The time stamps are generated using a system clock of the monitor node to reduce any discrepancies in timing. In addition, the monitor node may compensate for latencies between the monitor node and each of the one or more nodes or devices across which latency is to be measured. Signal messages may include a data message ID and/or a node ID identifying the message that is being tracked and for which latency is being measured. Latency may further be measured across multiple tasks being performed in the same or different nodes or devices by transmitting signal messages for each of the multiple tasks. |
US09053101B2 |
Database migration
A technique for converting a first version of a database to a second version is disclosed. The technique includes determining available translation steps, selecting a translation path from the first version of the database to the second version, and executing the selected translation steps in the translation path. The translation path includes selected translation steps from among the available translation steps. |
US09053100B1 |
Systems and methods for compressing database objects
A computer-implemented method for compressing database objects may include 1) identifying a database object within a relational database, 2) determining that the database object meets a compression criterion that is not met by at least one additional database object within the relational database, 3) identifying a location of the database object within a database file of the relational database, and 4) compressing a portion of the database file at the location of the database object without compressing all of the database file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
US09053098B2 |
Insertion of translation in displayed text consisting of grammatical variations pertaining to gender, number and tense
A computer method and an electronic device enable a user to lookup words and insert new words in a text based on the results of the look up. The method executed by the device includes: providing a user with a capability to select at least one word in a text displayed on the screen of the device; performing a dictionary lookup of the identified word so as to determine translation alternatives of the identified word; displaying at least some of the translation alternatives; selecting one of the displayed alternatives; determining its word forms, wherein the word forms consist of gender, number, grammatical tense and grammatical variations of the same word; selecting one of the word forms; and inserting the selected word from in the text. |
US09053096B2 |
Language translation based on speaker-related information
Techniques for ability enhancement are described. Some embodiments provide an ability enhancement facilitator system (“AEFS”) configured to automatically translate utterances from a first to a second language, based on speaker-related information determined from speaker utterances and/or other sources of information. In one embodiment, the AEFS receives data that represents an utterance of a speaker in a first language, the utterance obtained by a hearing device of the user, such as a hearing aid, smart phone, media player/device, or the like. The AEFS then determines speaker-related information associated with the identified speaker, such as by determining demographic information (e.g., gender, language, country/region of origin) and/or identifying information (e.g., name or title) of the speaker. The AEFS translates the utterance in the first language into a message in a second language, based on the determined speaker-related information. The AEFS then presents the message in the second language to the user. |
US09053093B1 |
Modular direct memory access system
One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit with a modular direct memory access system. A read data mover receives data obtained from a source address, and a write data mover for sends the data to a destination address. A descriptor controller provides the source address to the read data mover and the destination address to the write data mover. Another embodiment relates to a method of providing direct memory access. Another embodiment relates to a system which provides direct memory access. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed. |
US09053090B2 |
Translating texts between languages
Methods and computer systems for translating sentences between languages from an intermediate language-independent semantic representation are provided. Based on a comprehensive understanding about languages and semantics, exhaustive linguistic descriptions are used to analyze sentences, build syntactic structures and language independent semantic structures and representations, and synthesize one or more sentences in a natural or artificial language. A computer system is also provided to analyze and synthesize various linguistic structures and perform translation of a wide spectrum of various sentence types. As result, a generalized data structure, such as a semantic structure, is generated from a sentence of an input language and can be transformed into a natural sentence expressing its meaning correctly in an output language. The methods and systems can be applied to automated abstracting, machine translation, natural language processing, control systems, Internet information retrieval, etc. |
US09053089B2 |
Part-of-speech tagging using latent analogy
Methods and apparatuses to assign part-of-speech tags to words are described. An input sequence of words is received. A global fabric of a corpus having training sequences of words may be analyzed in a vector space. A global semantic information associated with the input sequence of words may be extracted based on the analyzing. A part-of-speech tag may be assigned to a word of the input sequence based on POS tags from pertinent words in relevant training sequences identified using the global semantic information. The input sequence may be mapped into a vector space. A neighborhood associated with the input sequence may be formed in the vector space wherein the neighborhood represents one or more training sequences that are globally relevant to the input sequence. |
US09053085B2 |
Electronic document source ingestion for natural language processing systems
The data store for a natural-language computing system may include information that originates from a plurality of different data sources—e.g., journals, websites, magazines, reference books, and the like. In one embodiment, the information or text from the data sources are converted into a single, shared format and stored as objects in a data store. In order to ingest the different documents with their respective formats, a natural language processing system may perform preprocessing to change the different formats into a normalized format. When a new text document is received, the text may be correlated to a particular properties file which includes instructions specifying how the preprocessor should interpret the received text. Based on these instructions, a preprocessor identifies relevant portions of the text document and assigns these portions to formatting elements in the normalized format. The text may then be stored in the objects based on this assignment. |
US09053084B1 |
Self-service testing
An architecture and techniques for implementing a unified and extensible meta-testing framework within a distributed environment. This framework allows entities within the distributed environment to run tests written in different testing frameworks in a unified way. In addition, this disclosure describes techniques for allowing an entity within the distributed environment to test itself, both from its own perspective as well as from the perspective of other entities within the distributed environment. |
US09053083B2 |
Interaction between web gadgets and spreadsheets
Gadgets integrate with spreadsheets and the spreadsheet calculation engine. A gadget is bound to a range of cells (one or more) within a sheet. When one or more of the cells of the bound range is accessed (e.g. selected, hovered over, edited, deleted, added), the gadget is notified. The gadget may use this information for updating a display rendered by the gadget and/or performing some other action. The gadget uses an Application Programming Interface (API) to create the binding, communicate with the spreadsheet, and perform actions in the spreadsheet. The gadget is a Named Item object within the spreadsheet such that the gadget may be viewed/displayed differently from other objects. Out of date requests from the gadget are attempted to be detected and prevented from being processed such that the gadget is not acting on the latest data. |
US09053076B2 |
Autoflow in photobook development
A method has steps receiving a plurality of digital images at a network-connected computing appliance, sorting the plurality of images by one or more functions of software executing from a non-transitory physical medium on the computing appliance to determine a subset of images that are related according to data associated with individual ones of the digital images, and dedicating the determined subset of images to a single page of a photo album being prepared by the software. |
US09053075B2 |
Storage control device and method for controlling storages
A processor copies first information stored in a first storage to a backup volume. The processor stores management information when a first piece of the first information is updated to second information after the copy. The processor executes, when a failure occurs in the first storage, first restoration based on the management information and reference information stored in reference storages other than the first storage. The first restoration restores the second information to a spare storage. The processor executes second restoration based on the management information and the reference information. The second restoration restores third information to the spare storage. The processor stops the second restoration when a failure occurs in a second storage while the second restoration is being executed. The processor executes third restoration based on the first information stored in the backup volume and the management information. The third restoration restores fourth information to the spare storage. |
US09053073B1 |
Use of timestamp logic in synchronous replication
Systems and methods for maintaining data consistency across mirrored storage nodes. Data consistency may be maintained in networked storage environments using a timestamp of an I/O in the primary and secondary servers (also referred to as nodes) in synchronous replication to re-synchronize the data efficiently, without much performance drop and while reducing the memory footprint. According to an aspect presented herein, data consistency is maintained in a mirror node by timestamping the I/O for a volume's logical territory in both the primary and secondary nodes. The timestamp acts as a watermark. Thus, whenever a disaster or failure occurs, the watermark point determines the re-synchronization point. |
US09053071B2 |
Spin torque transfer magnetic tunnel junction intelligent sensing
Sensor circuitry including probabilistic switching devices, such as spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junctions (STT-MTJs), is configured to perform ultra-low power analog to digital conversion and compressive sensing. The analog to digital conversion and compressive sensing processes are performed simultaneously and in a manner that is native to the devices due to their probabilistic switching characteristics. |
US09053068B2 |
RDMA-based state transfer in virtual machine live migration
Systems and methods for RDMA-based state transfer in virtual machine live migration. An example method may comprise: determining, by a first computer system, that a memory block has been modified by a virtual machine undergoing live migration from the first computer system to a second computer system; designating the modified memory block for transfer via a remote direct memory access (RDMA) adapter to the second computer system; selecting, asynchronously with respect to the designating, a memory block from a plurality of memory blocks designated for RDMA transfer to the second computer system, wherein a sum of an amount of pinned physical memory in the first computer system and a size of the selected memory block does not exceed a pre-defined value; registering the selected memory block with the RDMA adapter; and transmitting the selected memory block to the second computer system via the RDMA adapter. |
US09053067B2 |
Distributed data scalable adaptive map-reduce framework
A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for generating a distributed data scalable adaptive map-reduce framework for at least one multi-core cluster. The method includes partitioning a cluster into at least one computational group, determining at least one key-group leader within each computational group, performing a local combine operation at each computational group, performing a global combine operation at each of the at least one key-group leader within each computational group based on a result from the local combine operation, and performing a global map-reduce operation across the at least one key-group leader within each computational group. |
US09053065B2 |
Method for restoring virtual machine state from a checkpoint file
A process for lazy checkpointing is enhanced to reduce the number of read/write accesses to the checkpoint file and thereby speed up the checkpointing process. The process for restoring a state of a virtual machine (VM) running in a physical machine from a checkpoint file that is maintained in persistent storage includes the steps of detecting access to a memory page of the virtual machine that has not been read into physical memory of the VM from the checkpoint file, determining a storage block of the checkpoint file to which the accessed memory page maps, writing contents of the storage block in a buffer, and copying contents of a block of memory pages that includes the accessed memory page from the buffer to corresponding locations of the memory pages in the physical memory of the VM. The storage block of the checkpoint file may be compressed or uncompressed. |
US09053064B2 |
Method for saving virtual machine state to a checkpoint file
A process for lazy checkpointing a virtual machine is enhanced to reduce the number of read/write accesses to the checkpoint file and thereby speed up the checkpointing process. The process for saving a state of a virtual machine running in a physical machine to a checkpoint file maintained in persistent storage includes the steps of copying contents of a block of memory pages, which may be compressed, into a staging buffer, determining after the copying if the buffer is full, and upon determining that the buffer is full, saving the buffer contents in a storage block of the checkpoint file. |
US09053062B2 |
Memory chip for converting data received from controller controlling reading and writing of data
According to one embodiment, a memory chip, which is connected to a controller that controls reading and writing of data in response to a request from an external device, includes: a memory including a special area that is a predetermined data storage area; a key storage unit that stores therein a second key that corresponds to a first key used by the external device to convert the data; a converting unit that receives, from the controller, data to be written into the special area and generates converted data by converting the data to be written using the second key; and a writing unit that writes the converted data into the special area. |
US09053059B2 |
Roots-of-trust for measurement of virtual machines
Embodiments of techniques and systems associated with roots-of-trust (RTMs) for measurement of virtual machines (VMs) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a computing platform may provide a virtual machine RTM (vRTM) in a first secure enclave of the computing platform. The computing platform may be configured to perform an integrity measurement of the first secure enclave. The computing platform may provide a virtual machine trusted platform module (vTPM), for a guest VM, outside the first secure enclave of the computing platform. The computing platform may initiate a chain of integrity measurements between the vRTM and a resource of the guest VM. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
US09053058B2 |
QoS inband upgrade
Systems and methods for upgrading QoS levels of older transactions based on the presence of higher level QoS transactions in a given queue. A counter may be maintained to track the number of transactions in a queue that are assigned a corresponding QoS level. Each separate QoS level can have a corresponding counter. When a transaction is received by the queue, the counter corresponding to the QoS level of the transaction is incremented. When a transaction leaves the queue, the transaction is upgraded to the highest QoS level with a non-zero counter. Also, when the transaction leaves the queue, the counter corresponding to the original QoS level of the transaction is decremented. |
US09053055B2 |
Device management using virtual interfaces cross-reference to related applications
Methods managing data communication between a peripheral device and host computer system are provided. A physical interface for communicating data between a peripheral device and the plurality of applications executing on the host computer system is opened and controlled by a software module. A first virtual interface and a second virtual interface of the software module are exposed to an operating system of the host computer system, and the operating system exposes the first virtual interface and the second virtual interface to the first application and the second application. The first virtual interface is used for communicating data between the peripheral device and the first application through the physical interface, and the second virtual interface is used for communicating data between the peripheral device and the second application through the physical interface. |
US09053054B1 |
System and method for fetching the latest versions of stored data objects
A distributed storage system may store data object instances in persistent storage and may cache keymap information for those data object instances. The system may cache a latest symbolic key entry for some user keys of the data object instances. When a request is made for the latest version of stored data object instances having a specified user key, the latest version may be determined dependent on whether a latest symbolic key entry exists for the specified user key, and keymap information for the latest version may be returned. When storing keymap information, a flag may be set to indicate that a corresponding latest symbolic key entry should be updated. The system may delete a latest symbolic key entry for a particular user key from the cache in response to determining that no other requests involving the keymap information for data object instances having the particular user key are pending. |
US09053050B2 |
Determining a desirable number of segments for a multi-segment single error correcting coding scheme
A desirable number of segments for a multi-segment single error correcting (SEC) coding scheme is determined based on scrambling information for a memory. The desirable number of segments can be the minimum number of segments required to satisfy a masked write segmentation requirement and a multi-bit upset size requirement. In one aspect, the memory scrambling information can specify the different scrambling techniques employed by the memory (e.g., Input-Output (IO) cell scrambling, column scrambling, column twisting, strap distribution, etc.). Based on the scrambling information, a mapping between the logical structure and physical layout for the memory can be derived. The mapping can be used to determine the least number of segments needed to satisfy the masked write requirement and the multi-bit upset size requirement. |
US09053047B2 |
Parameter estimation using partial ECC decoding
In some embodiments, a method includes accepting a code word of a composite Error Correction Code (ECC), which was produced by encoding data with multiple component ECCs, and which was received with one or more reception parameters. One or more of the component ECCs are decoded, but without fully decoding the code word. The one or more reception parameters are estimated based on the decoded component ECCs. In other embodiments, a method includes accepting a code word of an ECC, which encodes data and which was received with one or more reception parameters. An Error Locator Polynomial (ELP), having one or more roots that indicate respective locations of one or more errors in the code word, is derived from the accepted code word. The one or more reception parameters are estimated based on the ELP. |
US09053045B1 |
Computing floating-point polynomials in an integrated circuit device
Polynomial circuitry for calculating a polynomial having terms including powers of an input variable, where the input variable is represented by a mantissa and an exponent, includes at least one respective coefficient table for each respective term, each respective coefficient table being loaded with a plurality of respective instances of a coefficient for said respective term, each respective instance being shifted by a different number of bits. The circuitry also includes decoder circuitry for selecting one of the respective instances of the coefficient for each respective term based on the exponent and on a range, from among a plurality of ranges, of values into which that input variable falls. |
US09053044B2 |
Method for displaying dynamic contents through USB storage media
A presentation system includes a remote device with a dynamic storage subsystem that dynamically updates designated storage locations in actual or virtual memory with content for presentation at times associated with the presentation of the updated content by a presentation device. The presentation device, which is connected to the remote device by a data transport connection, accesses the content from the designated storage locations and presents the content as playback data. |
US09053042B2 |
Method, system, and device for modifying a secure enclave configuration without changing the enclave measurement
A system and method for adapting a secure application execution environment to support multiple configurations includes determining a maximum configuration for the secure application execution environment, determining an optimal configuration for the secure application environment, and, at load time, configuring the secure application execution environment for the optimal configuration. |
US09053038B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficient read cache operation
A method for providing efficient use of a read cache by a storage controller is provided. The method includes the storage controller receiving a read request from a host computer and determining if a host stream size is larger than a read cache size. The host stream size is a current cumulative size of all read requests in the host stream. If the host stream size is larger than the read cache size then migrating data to a first area of the read cache containing data that has been in the read cache for the longest time. If the host stream size is not larger than the read cache size then migrating data to a second area of the read cache containing data that has been in the read cache for the shortest time. The host stream is a consecutive group of sequential read requests from the host computer. |
US09053028B2 |
Type casting in a managed code system
Type casting in a managed code system is described. The managed code system includes managed memory as well as shared memory located outside of the managed memory. The managed memory has multiple managed memory portions, each corresponding to a computing entity, such as a processes. The type system permits obtaining of data from shared memory using type casting to thereby assign the data a type that supports type casting. The type is a valid type casting type that satisfies certain requirements that allow the type to be assigned while maintaining type safety. |
US09053023B2 |
Fault-tolerant system, fault-tolerant method and program
The present invention is a fault-tolerant system comprising: system failure logic means for editing system failure logic; and irrelevant component coverage means for identifying irrelevant components not having an effect on the system failure logic and isolating the irrelevant components based on the system failure logic provided by the system failure logic means. |
US09053022B2 |
Synchronous software interface for an accelerated compute engine
Some implementations disclosed herein provide techniques and arrangements for a synchronous software interface for a specialized logic engine. The synchronous software interface may receive, from a first core of a plurality of cores, a control block including a transaction for execution by the specialized logic engine. The synchronous software interface may send the control block to the specialized logic engine and wait to receive a confirmation from the specialized logic engine that the transaction was successfully executed. |
US09053021B2 |
Management apparatus and method of distributed storage system
Methods and systems for managing distributed storage servers are described. The storage servers may be selected and divided into multiple sequences and multiple virtual node groups. Each sequence of the multiple sequences may include a predetermined number of storage servers, and each virtual node group may include a set of storage servers of the multiple sequences. Data may be transferred to storage severs of a virtual node group. If the storage servers have instantaneous or temporary malfunctions, the data may be transferred to temporary storage servers and then transferred back the storage servers after being revived. If the storage servers have permanent malfunctions, the data may be transferred to the temporary storage servers. The storage servers may be replaced using the temporary storage servers. |
US09053019B2 |
Non-volatile memory device, a data processing device using the same, and a swapping method used by the data processing and non-volatile memory devices
A swapping method performed using a data processing device, which includes a processor including a plurality of cores, the swapping method including searching for an empty page of a swap memory in response to the swap memory being connected to the data processing device, the search being performed by using at least one core of the plurality of cores, selecting a page to be swapped from a main memory of the data processing device, the selection being performed by using the at least one core by accessing a corresponding main memory list among a plurality of main memory lists, and swapping data of the page selected to be swapped to the empty page, the swapping being performed by using the at least one core. |
US09053015B2 |
NAND flash memory interface controller with GNSS receiver firmware booting capability
An architecture of a NAND Flash memory module interface controller (NAND-controller) provides access to data stored in an external NAND Flash memory module, and a method of booting firmware. NAND-controller automatically boots firmware from the NAND Flash memory into primary RAM of a system-on-a chip used for GNSS receivers. NAND-controller has a first external interface to connect NAND Flash memory, a second external interface to set parameters of booting firmware, and two internal interfaces: a high-speed one (system interface) and a low-speed one (control interface) to be connected to two types of SoC internal busses. Data exchange between the CPU and NAND Flash memory is implemented using a static RAM buffer which is a part of the NAND-controller and available for reading and writing via high-speed interface. Parameters of the first external interface are set and current state of data exchange process is controlled by the CPU. |
US09053008B1 |
Systems and methods for providing inline parameter service in data storage devices
Disclosed herein is a controller architecture that pairs a controller with a NVM (non-volatile memory) storage system over a high-level, high speed interface such as PCIe. In one embodiment, the NVM storage system includes a bridge that communicates with the controller via the high-level interface, and controls the NVM via an interface. The controller is provided a rich set of physical level of controls over individual elements of the NVM. In one embodiment, the controller includes a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) that stores parameters related to the operation of the NVM as provided by the bridge. The parameters may be related to optimizing use of the NVM and are automatically appended by the controller to appropriate data storage commands to the bridge. The parameters may be stored in a table format in which each entry is indexed by a physical address of the NVM. |
US09053007B2 |
Memory system, controller, and method for controlling memory system
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes nonvolatile memory and storage unit storing a translation table indicating, by a predetermined management unit, relationships between logical addresses specified by a host and physical addresses in the nonvolatile memory. A memory system of the embodiment includes a controller that when receiving from the host a delete notification indicating a delete area smaller than the management unit specified by a logical address, write a specified data pattern to an area of the nonvolatile memory having a physical address corresponding to the delete area. |
US09053004B2 |
Virtual data storage service with sparse provisioning
Virtual data stores may be sparsely provisioned by virtual data storage services in a manner that controls risk of implementation resource shortages. Relationships between requested data storage space size, data storage server capacity, allocated data storage space size and/or allocated data storage space utilization may be tracked on a per data store, per customer, per data storage server, and/or a per virtual data storage service basis. For each such basis, a set of constraints may be specified to control the relationships. The set of constraints may be enforced during implementation resource allocation, and by migration of data storage space portions to different implementation resources as part of a sparse provisioning load balancing. Sparse provisioning details may be made explicit to virtual data storage service customers to varying degrees including explicit, aggregate on a per customer basis, and aggregate on a per virtual data storage service basis. |
US09052998B2 |
Map display device, navigation device and map display method
A map display device includes a position information acquiring unit for acquiring the present position of a vehicle; a map data storage unit for storing map data; a remaining energy acquiring unit for acquiring a residual quantity of energy for driving the vehicle and equipment mounted on the vehicle; a range calculating unit for computing a range the vehicle can travel with the remaining energy, using a moving energy consumption rate which is energy consumption per unit time required for moving the vehicle and a driving energy consumption rate Eci which is energy consumption per unit time required for driving the equipment mounted on the vehicle; and an output control unit for displaying the range on a map using the map data. |
US09052997B2 |
Vehicle behavior prediction apparatus and vehicle behavior prediction method
A vehicle behavior prediction apparatus includes: a storage device that stores a plurality of pieces of behavior characteristic information associating a vehicle behavior with a characteristic of time series variation in travel condition information, the plurality of pieces of the behavior characteristic information being divided into a plurality of patterns corresponding to the different traffic conditions in a preceding location preceding a predetermined location; a selection unit that selects, as corresponding behavior characteristic information, the behavior characteristic information having a pattern corresponding to a current traffic condition from among the stored behavior characteristic information on the basis of the travel condition information obtained upon arrival of the vehicle in the preceding location; and a prediction unit that predicts the vehicle behavior in the predetermined location by comparing the corresponding behavior characteristic information with the time series variation in the currently obtained travel condition information. |
US09052992B2 |
System and method of coordinating electronic parcel locker availability
A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit may include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit may be included in a storage unit system that may include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit may communicate with the one or several storage units, and may receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units. |
US09052988B1 |
Featured items of distributed discussion collaboration
In an embodiment, a method for distributed discussion collaboration is provided. The computer-implemented method includes selecting a featured discussion item for each of one or more collaborators based on information associated with each respective collaborator. The method also includes providing selected featured discussion items for display to respective one or more collaborators. The method further includes receiving voting information for the featured discussion items displayed to the respective one or more collaborators. In another embodiment, a system for distributed discussion collaboration includes a selection module configured to select a featured discussion item for each of one or more collaborators based on information associated with each respective collaborator. The system also includes a view controller and a voting module. |
US09052979B2 |
Program code library searching and selection in a networked computing environment
An approach for integrated development environment (IDE)-based program code library searching and selection in multiple programming languages in a networked computing environment is provided. In a typical embodiment, a search request (e.g., to locate a desired program code library) will be received in an IDE and parsed. The search request generally includes a set of annotations corresponding to at least one of: a primary program code language of the program code library, an alternate program code language of the program code library, or a method pair associated with the program code library. A search of at least one program code library repository will then be conducted based on the set of annotations, and a set of matching results will be generated. The set of matching results may include one or more program code libraries, and may be provided to a device hosting the IDE. |
US09052978B2 |
Applying hot fixes for metadata customizing user interactions based on a software program deployed in multiple versions
An aspect of the present disclosure provides for applying hot fixes to metadata customizing user interactions based on a software program. In an embodiment, a hot fix containing new files is received. Each new file contains a corresponding modified metadata. The user is presented for selection, differences between each new file and a corresponding existing file. Only the selected differences are then used to form patched files, which thereafter control the user interactions, for example, by replacing the corresponding existing file with the patched file. Accordingly the user is provided enhanced control over which of the differences is applied to the metadata. |
US09052975B2 |
Random number generator with ring oscillation circuit
A random number generator includes a ring oscillator having an EX-OR gate and four inverters together forming a loop. This loop enters stable state for a start signal having the low level and oscillates for the start signal having the high level. When the start signal has a pulse of a width shorter than the loop's delay time, output nodes responsively, sequentially enter metastable state hovering between the high and low levels. The metastable waveform becomes smaller with time and finally disappears. As metastable state cannot be controlled in longevity, it disappears at any random number node. A counter thus outputs a signal serving as true random number data depending on the longevity of the metastable state. A random number generator miniaturized and having reduced power consumption, and of high performance can thus be implemented. |
US09052969B2 |
Programming model for transparent parallelization of combinatorial optimization
Each of a plurality of subtasks is configured to explore and assess alternative solutions for a combinatorial optimization problem by a reentrant finite state machine is represented. Each of a plurality of threads is configured to perform operations comprising a subtask until either completion or a blocked state is reached and, in the event a blocked state is reached, to move on to performing another subtask that is not currently in a blocked state. |
US09052968B2 |
Methods and systems for linking objects across a mixed computer environment
A method of linking a computer program across a mixed computing environment is provided. The method includes, performing on one or more processors: identifying signatures of elements of the computer program; loading a plurality of modules of the computer program; and linking the plurality of modules using the signatures of the elements. |
US09052967B2 |
Detecting resource deadlocks in multi-threaded programs by controlling scheduling in replay
A method and system for determining potential deadlock conditions in a target multi-threaded software application. The target application is first run in a virtual machine and the events within the application are recorded. The recorded events are replayed and analyzed to identify potential lock acquisition conflicts occurring between threads of the application. The potential lock acquisition conflicts are identified by analyzing the order in which resource locks are obtained and pairs of resources that have respective locks obtained in different orders are analyzed. These analyzed pairs are used to define a different order of events in the target application that, when the target application is re-run with the second order of events, may trigger a deadlock condition. The target application is then re-run with the different order of events in an attempt to trigger and then identify potential deadlock situations. |
US09052966B1 |
Migrating code from a source format to a target format
Source code is automatically migrated from a source format to a target format. In particular, the execution of the source code is dynamically analyzed for incompatibilities using runtime information. Solutions for the incompatibilities are additionally determined. Based on the identified incompatibilities and solutions, the source code is converted from the source format to the target format. |
US09052959B2 |
Load balancing between general purpose processors and graphics processors
Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating load balancing between central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). A request is obtained to execute a first application in one or more computing devices. In one embodiment, a second application associated with the first application is assigned to be executed in GPUs of the one or more computing devices instead of CPUs of the one or more computing devices when a resource usage profile associated with the first application indicates that the first application imposes a greater CPU load than GPU load. Conversely, the second application is assigned to be executed in the CPUs instead of the GPUs when the resource usage profile indicates that the first application imposes a greater GPU load than CPU load. |
US09052958B2 |
Extending the capability of computing devices by using dynamically scalable external resources
Techniques for extending the capabilities of computing environments and/or systems are disclosed. A scalable and dynamic external computing resource can be used in order to effectively extend the internal computing capabilities of a computing environment or system. The scalable and dynamic external computing resource can provide computing resources that far exceed the internal computing resources, and provide the services as needed, and in a dynamic manner at execution time. As a result, a computing device may function with relatively limited and/or reduced computing resources (e.g., processing power, memory) but have the ability to effectively provide as much computing services as may be needed, and provide the services when needed, on demand, and dynamically during the execution time. |
US09052956B2 |
Selecting execution environments
Disclosed herein are techniques for selecting execution environments. Each operation in a sequence of operations is implemented using a selected execution environment. Each operation is converted into code executable in the selected execution environment. If some operations in the sequence were implemented in different execution environments, execution of the operations is coordinated. |
US09052949B2 |
Scheduling a processor to support efficient migration of a virtual machine
A virtualized computer system implements a process to migrate a virtual machine (VM) from a source host to a destination host. During this process, a processing unit at the source host, which is executing instructions of the VM, is scheduled so that the rate of modification of guest physical memory pages is reduced. The determination of when to schedule the processing unit in this manner may be made based on a current rate of modification of the pages, a transmission rate of guest physical memory pages from the source host to the destination host, or a prior VM migration performance. |
US09052945B2 |
Transaction begin/end instructions
A TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction and a TRANSACTION END instruction are provided. The TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction causes either a constrained or nonconstrained transaction to be initiated, depending on a field of the instruction. A constrained transaction has one or more restrictions associated therewith, while a nonconstrained transaction is not limited in the manner of a constrained transaction. The TRANSACTION END instruction ends the transaction started by the TRANSACTION BEGIN instruction. |
US09052944B2 |
Obstruction-free data structures and mechanisms with separable and/or substitutable contention management mechanisms
We teach a powerful approach that greatly simplifies the design of non-blocking mechanisms and data structures, in part by, largely separate the issues of correctness and progress. At a high level, our methodology includes designing an “obstruction-free” implementation of the desired mechanism or data structure, which may then be combined with a contention management mechanism whose role is to facilitate the conditions under which progress of the obstruction-free implementation is assured. In general, the contention management mechanism is separable semantically from an obstruction-free concurrent shared/sharable object implementation to which it is/may be applied. In some cases, the contention management mechanism may actually be coded separately from the obstruction-free implementation. We elaborate herein on the notions of obstruction-freedom and contention management, and various possibilities for combining the two. In addition, we include description of some exemplary applications to particular concurrent software mechanisms and data structure implementations. |
US09052935B1 |
Systems and methods for managing affinity rules in virtual-machine environments
A computer-implemented method for managing affinity rules in virtual-machine environments may include (1) identifying a first application configured to run on a first virtual machine, (2) identifying a second application configured to run on a second virtual machine, (3) identifying an application affinity rule between the first application and the second application, the application affinity rule indicating whether the first application and the second application should run on a same hypervisor within a plurality of hypervisors, and (4) selecting, based at least in part on which hypervisor among the plurality of hypervisors is running the first application, a hypervisor from among the plurality of hypervisors on which to run the second application that satisfies the application affinity rule between the first application and the second application. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
US09052932B2 |
Hybrid virtual machine configuration management
A system and technique for hybrid virtual machine configuration management includes a processor and executable logic to: assign to a first set of virtual resources associated with a virtual machine a first priority, the first set associated with entitled resources for the virtual machine; assign to a second set of virtual resources associated with the virtual machine a second priority lower than the first priority, wherein the first and seconds sets when combined exceed the entitled resources for the virtual machine; map the first set to a first physical resource of a pool of shared physical resources, the pool of shared physical resources allocatable to the first and second sets, wherein the first physical resource comprises a desired affinity level to a second physical resource allocated to the virtual machine; and preferentially allocate the first physical resource to the first set of virtual resources. |
US09052930B2 |
Controlling functions of mobile communications devices
Function-control instructions for controlling a function or feature of a device can be created remotely, locally, or both. A device can receive a function-control instruction or a function-control instruction embedded in received content. Additionally, or alternatively, a function-control instruction can be created locally based on user information or calibration information. Function-control instructions can be passed to an instruction execution application that interprets the function-control instruction. The instruction execution application can pass instructions, based on the function-control instruction, to the device for implementation. |
US09052927B2 |
Mobile terminal and method of setting an application indicator therein
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; an input unit configured to enter an application indicator edit mode for editing application indicators providing information on corresponding applications; a display configured to display a first display region including a plurality of settable application indicators and a second display region including a guide screen indicating at least one of a display location and a display size of the settable application indicators on the guide screen when entering the edit mode; and a controller configured to receive a selection signal indicating a selection of a specific application indicator among the plurality of settable application indicators included in the first display region, and to determine whether the specific application indicator can be set on the guide screen included in the second display region. |
US09052924B2 |
Light-weight managed composite control hosting
A managed composite control can be directly (without intermediary hosting layers) hosted within an unmanaged hosting application. A managed control which can host managed composite controls is provided, the managed control being directly hostable within any unmanaged hosting control. An adapter (control) wraps the managed control content before the control content is moved into the unmanaged layer. Overloaded methods are provided that accept managed controls and manage communication between layers in such a way that instead of internal references expecting a user control, the internal references expect an object. |
US09052919B2 |
Specialized network fileserver
A method and apparatus of a portable storage device that provides a specialized network fileserver is described. In an exemplary method, the portable storage device retrieves a list of applications on the portable storage device, where each of the applications has a private filesystem. For each of the applications, the portable storage device determines if that application will share the corresponding private filesystem and adds that private filesystem to a shared filesystem of the portable storage device is that is shareable. The portable storage device further advertises the shared filesystem to a host that is coupled to the portable storage device. |
US09052917B2 |
Data storage for remote environment
A method can include receiving operating system environment settings via a network; storing the received operating system environment settings to a storage device; establishing an operating system environment according to the stored operating system environment settings; receiving information via the network; instructing the established operating system environment according to the received information; and, in response to the instructing, transmitting via the network information generated at least in part by the established operating system environment. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. |
US09052913B2 |
Dynamic token resolution during compilation
A method includes, during compilation of a portion of source code at a compiler, initiating token resolution with respect to a token included in the portion of source code. A static context and a dynamic context of the compiler are queried to identify one or more lookup results of the token. A particular lookup result is selected to resolve the token based on one or more semantic rules of the compiler. The particular lookup result is selected independently of whether the particular lookup result is sourced from the static context or from the dynamic context. The method includes resolving the token based on the selected particular lookup result. |
US09052912B2 |
Data processor and control system
Provided are a data processor, and a control system, in which an interrupt controller and an event link controller are adopted. The event link controller responds to a generated event signal to output a start control signal for controlling start of an operation of a circuit module. The circuit module is able to generate an event signal. The event link controller generates the start control signal according to the correspondences between event signals and start control signals which are defined by event control information. The links between the event signals and start control signals can be prescribed by the event control information. Therefore, operations of circuit modules prescribed by such links can be controlled sequentially. The control neither involves save and return processes by CPU as in the interrupt processing, nor needs priority level control as executed on competing interrupt requests. |
US09052911B2 |
Mechanism for consistent core hang detection in a a processor core
Mechanism for consistent core hang detection on a processor with multiple processor cores, each having one or more instruction execution pipelines. Each core may also include a hang detection unit with a counter unit that may generate a count value based on a clock source having a frequency that is independent of a frequency of a processor core clock. The hang detection unit may also include a detector logic unit that may determine whether a given instruction execution pipeline has ceased processing a given instruction based upon a state of the processor core and whether or not the given instruction has completed execution prior to the count value exceeding a predetermined value. |
US09052906B2 |
Modularized customization of a model in a model driven development environment
A method for the modularized customization of a model within a model driven development environment includes selecting a template specifying a base model and different points of variability of a base model in a model driven development environment and transmitting over a data communications network an electronic form configured to receive data in different data fields representative of the points of variability. Thereafter, a submission of the electronic form can be received and data from the received submission representative of the points of variability can be extracted. Instructions can be added to a control file corresponding to the points of variability and the control file can be processed to generate artifacts in an import file specifying the points of variability. Finally, the import file can be imported into the model driven development environment and the base model modified with the points of variability of the artifacts. |
US09052902B2 |
Techniques to transmit commands to a target device to reduce power consumption
Techniques are described to transmit commands to a display device. The commands can be transmitted in header byte fields of secondary data packets. The commands can be used to cause a target device to capture a frame, enter or exit self refresh mode, or reduce power use of a connection. In addition, a request to exit main link standby mode can cause the target enter training mode without explicit command to exit main link standby mode. |
US09052895B2 |
Power budget allocation in multi-processor systems
Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software that implement power budget allocation optimization algorithms in multi-processor systems, such as server farms. The algorithms are derived from a queuing theoretic model that minimizes the mean response time of the system to the jobs in the workload while accounting for a variety of factors. These factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, the type of power (frequency) scaling mechanism(s) available within the processors in the system, the power-to-frequency relationship(s) of the processors for the scaling mechanism(s) available, whether or not the system is an open or closed loop system, the arrival rate of jobs incoming into the system, the number of jobs within the system, and the type of workload being processed. |
US09052893B2 |
Various methods and apparatuses for power states in a controller
Various methods, apparatuses, and systems are described in which a chipset controller has circuitry to control communications with a peripheral device in a computing device. The chipset controller has logic configured 1) to detect a plug-in event when the peripheral device connects to the chipset controller and 2) to transition the chipset controller from a low power consumption state to a higher power consumption state based on the logic detecting the plug-in event. |
US09052892B2 |
Power supply management integrated circuit
A power management integrated circuit comprises a plurality of power source circuits power received at a power supply input terminal to supply power to a plurality of power supply output terminals. A plurality of power source circuits is coupled between the power supply input terminal and the respective power supply output terminals. The power management integrated circuit comprises an active configuration memory and a communication interface with at least one terminal for uploading configuration data from outside the power management integrated circuit into the configuration memory. A control circuit controls operating parameters of respective ones of the power source circuits dependent on the configuration data from the active configuration memory. Thus, the power management integrated circuit is able to switch between different power supply states in a dynamically configurable way, without requiring external control over the configuration during switching. |
US09052885B2 |
Using temperature margin to balance performance with power allocation
A method and apparatus using temperature margin to balance performance with power allocation. Nominal, middle and high power levels are determined for compute elements. A set of temperature thresholds are determined that drive the power allocation of the compute elements towards a balanced temperature profile. For a given workload, temperature differentials are determined for each of the compute elements relative the other compute elements, where the temperature differentials correspond to workload utilization of the compute element. If temperature overhead is available, and a compute element is below a temperature threshold, then particular compute elements are allocated power to match or drive toward the balanced temperature profile. |
US09052884B2 |
Device for adjusting power consumption and method thereof
A device and a method for adjusting power consumption are provided. The method is adapted for adjusting power consumption of an external graphic processing unit (GPU) according to different voltage sources and includes following steps: determining whether power to the external GPU is supplied by a first voltage source or a second voltage source according to a comparison result of an input voltage of the external GPU and a default reference voltage. If the input voltage is higher than or equal to the default reference voltage, power to the external GPU is supplied by the first voltage source, and the external GPU is controlled to remain in a normal speed operation status. If the input voltage is lower than the default reference voltage, power to the external GPU is supplied by the second voltage source, and the external GPU is controlled to remain in a low speed operation status. |
US09052883B2 |
Creating an object in an object-oriented programming platform
An application programming interface is provided in an object-oriented programming platform for developing applications. A method comprises, in response to a first message received at a first object that contains one or more properties, creating a second object that responds to a second message sent thereto responsive to sending of the first message to the first object and returning the second object. By returning, for example, key-value collection proxies by specific key-value coding methods a read-only or a read-write access may be allowed to a collection of a container object's related objects. A specific implementation of one object's class may change over time without requiring changes in another object's implementation. |
US09052882B2 |
Blower control device, blower control method, and computer-readable recording medium
A blower control device changes a PQ characteristic in a second table so that an operating point (QN, PN) on the PQ characteristic in the second table agrees with an operating point (Q0, P0) on a PQ characteristic in a first table. At this time, the blower control device changes the PQ characteristic in the second table at a rate based on QN and Q0. Furthermore, the blower control device changes a load noise characteristic in the second table at a rate based on QN and Q0. Then, the blower control device calculates load noise corresponding to the operating point (Q0, P0) with respect to each rotation frequency ratio from the changed load noise characteristic. And then, the blower control device determines a rotation frequency ratio corresponding to the lowest load noise as a rotation frequency ratio at which a plurality of fans is rotated. |
US09052880B2 |
Multi-level interconnect apparatus
A multi-level interconnect apparatus includes a substrate including a substrate body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a processing unit disposed on the second side of the substrate body, a first input/output (I/O) unit disposed on the first side of the substrate body and configured to be electrically communicable with the processing unit along a thickness dimension of the substrate body and a second I/O unit disposed on the second side of the substrate body and configured to be electrically communicable with the processing unit along a planar dimension of the substrate body. |
US09052878B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing stackable hard-disk drive carrier using pull-out drawers
A method and apparatus for providing a stackable hard-disk drive (“HDD”) carrier using pull-out drawers and fasteners are disclosed. The carrier, in one embodiment, includes an inner case or drawer and an outer frame casing. The inner cage includes a base plate, a front cover, a first side panel, and a second side panel, wherein the first and second side panels are hinged to the base plate. The inner cage is configured to house a removable HDD. The first and second side panels also include fasteners for securing the HDD to the inner cage. The outer frame casing is configured to receive the inner cage via its two opposite guiding walls. The guiding walls are configured to allow extending the inner cage to a predefined distance from the outer frame casing for accessing the HDD. |
US09052876B2 |
Peer-to-peer event-time secured link establishment
A method establishes a secure authenticated connection between two devices. The method includes (A) obtaining data related to a tapping event between a first device and a second device, the data including time data of the tapping event; (B) selecting, by the first device, a target device; (C) establishing a non-authenticated secure communication link between the first device and the target device; (D) sending, by the first device, a challenge communication to the target device, the challenge communication including a request for a further data related to the tapping event; (E) receiving, by the first device, a response communication in response to the challenge communication, the response including the further data; (F) determining if the target device is the second device by matching the data with the further data; (G) if the target device is the second device, establishing a secure authenticated communication link between the first and second devices. |
US09052875B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a hinge structure and a control unit. The hinge structure includes a first pivot component fixed on the first body, a second pivot component fixed on the second body and pivoted to the first pivot component, a first connecting component fixed on the first pivot component, and a torsion adjusting assembly movably disposed at the second body. The control unit receives a command to control the torsion adjusting assembly to move. When the torsion adjusting assembly is moved to a first position, the first connecting component and the torsion adjusting assembly are separated from each other, and the hinge structure has a first torsion. When the torsion adjusting assembly is moved to a second position, the first connecting component is connected to the torsion adjusting assembly, and the hinge structure has a second torsion larger than the first torsion. |
US09052874B2 |
Handheld device with a user interface
A handheld device has a first body part with a first user interface element and a second body part with a second user interface element, and a link mechanism configured to interconnect the first body part and the second body part movably by a user between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first body part and the second body part being stacked in a first order in the first configuration and in a second order opposite to the first order in the second configuration. Each body part has a user interface on its upper surface so that either one can be exposed to a user by changing between the first and second configurations. |
US09052871B2 |
Recess for memory card
An opening in a housing of a computing device. A port, including an electrical contact to electrically connect to a connector, can be in the opening. The electrical contract to receive power through the port. A memory card can also be inserted through the opening. |
US09052865B2 |
Control method for image displaying and display system using the same
A control method for image displaying applicable for use to a dual-side transparent display. The control method includes the following operations each required to be executed at least one time in a display period. The operations are: providing a left-eye signal of an image displayed on a first display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to a first side thereof; providing a right-eye signal of an image displayed on the first display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to the first side thereof; providing a left-eye signal of an image displayed on a second display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to a second side thereof; providing a right-eye signal of an image displayed on the second display surface of the dual-side transparent display, to the second side thereof; and configuring the dual-side transparent display to present a transparent state. A display system is also provided. |
US09052862B2 |
Causing a wireless connection to be established between a wireless communication device and an external device
The wireless communication device may determine in which of a parent state and a child state the wireless communication device is to operate in a case where the wireless communication device receives a first type of signal, and determine the wireless communication device is to operate in the parent state in a case where the wireless communication device receives a second type of signal. The wireless communication device may send a first wireless profile to a first external device so as to establish a wireless connection with the first external device in a case where the wireless communication device is to operate in the parent state, and receive a second wireless profile from a second external device so as to establish a wireless connection with the second external device in a case where the wireless communication device is to operate in the child state. |
US09052860B2 |
Image forming apparatus, computer-readable storage medium for computer program, and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus that prints and edits a document includes a user identification portion, a print management portion that records print management information indicating a user who performs abort operation of printing, an edit management portion that records edit management information, a determination portion that determines, based on the print management information, whether or not the user is a print suspended operator who has performed the abort operation previously, a page extraction portion that, when the print suspended operator performs reprinting operation for giving instructions to print the document that has been updated, extracts pages of the document which were printed successfully when printing of the document was suspended and have been updated thereafter, and a print controller that controls the image forming apparatus such that the image forming apparatus prints at least unprinted pages of the document and the pages extracted by the page extraction portion. |
US09052859B2 |
Gathering analytic data using print drivers
Methods and systems use print drivers to automatically record identifications (IDs) of the computerized devices and applications that provided different printable items to the print drivers. The methods and systems automatically send the IDs of the computerized devices and applications that provided the different printable items to an analytics engine. The methods herein automatically produce metrics based the computerized devices and applications used to generate the different printable items using the analytics engine. |
US09052857B2 |
Processing instruction device, processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium
A processing instruction device includes a memory, a display instruction data acquisition unit, a changing unit, a display controller, an operation data acquisition unit, and a processing instruction unit. The memory stores management data and first display instruction data. The display instruction data acquisition unit acquires second display instruction data from an external device. The changing unit specifies second processing identification data corresponding to display position identification data, specifies first processing identification data corresponding to the specified second processing identification data, and changes the first processing identification data corresponding to the display position identification data to the specified first processing identification data. The display controller causes a display device to display an image in accordance with the first or second display instruction data. The operation data acquisition unit acquires operation data. The processing instruction unit gives an instruction to perform processing in accordance with processing instruction data. |
US09052852B2 |
Print control method and apparatus
Upon designating bookbinding print, preview images are displayed in a layout after bookbinding. When “store” of intermediate data is designated in a print process, a spooler (302) stores intermediate data and an output job setup file in a spool file (303). When the stored job is selected, a previewer (306) displays a list of jobs, and displays a print preview image. In this case, upon setting bookbinding print, pages are displayed in a spread state and order after bookbinding. Also, the open direction (right or left open), and the bookbinding unit are also expressed on preview images. |
US09052845B2 |
Unified interface for meta model checking, modifying, and reporting
This disclosure provides various embodiments for performing operations on entities of a meta model modeling one or more software components. A request is received to perform a particular operation of a particular type on each of a plurality of model entities, each model entity modeling at least one attribute of a software component. The request includes an identification of the particular type of operation in a plurality of operation types. The model entities are retrieved in response to the request. A handler object is instantiated of the particular type adapted to perform the particular operation by calling a set of reusable software modules, each software module providing functionality used to perform at least a portion of the particular operation on at least one entity in the plurality of entities. Result data is generated based on the performance of the particular operation using the instantiated handler and reusable software modules. |
US09052842B2 |
Logical unit operation
The present disclosure includes methods and devices for logical unit operation. One device embodiment includes a number of logical units, wherein each of the number of logical units has a unique address. The device includes control circuitry coupled to the number of logical units and configured optionally to control more than one of the number of logical units with one of a number of commands and one address. |
US09052840B2 |
Accessing additional memory space with multiple processors
An apparatus and method is provided for coupling additional memory to a plurality of processors. The method may include determining the memory requirements of the plurality of processors in a system, comparing the memory requirements of the plurality of processors to an available memory assigned to each of the plurality of processors, and selecting a processor from the plurality of processors that requires additional memory capacity. The apparatus may include a plurality of processors, where the plurality of processors is coupled to a logic element. In addition, the apparatus may include an additional memory coupled to the logic element, where the logic element is adapted to select a processor from the plurality of processors to couple with the additional memory. |
US09052838B2 |
Solid state drive device
The solid state drive device includes a memory device including a plurality of flash memories and a memory controller connected with a host and configured to control the memory device. The memory controller includes first and second cores, a host interface configured to interface with the host, and a flash memory controller configured to control the plurality of flash memories. The first core is configured to control transmission and reception of data to and from the host. The second core is configured to control transmission and reception of data to and from the memory device. |
US09052836B2 |
Memory system in which extension function can easily be set
According to one embodiment, a non-transitory medium, a controller, a memory, an extension function section, and an extension register. The controller controls the non-transitory medium. The memory which is serving as a work area is connected to the controller. The extension function section is controlled by the controller. The extension register which is provided on the memory is provided with a certain block length capable of defining an extension function of the extension function section. The controller processes a first command to write header data of a command to operate the extension function section to the extension function section through the extension register, and a second command to read header data of a response from the extension function section through the extension register. |
US09052831B1 |
System and method for performing live partitioning in a data store
A system that implements a scalable data storage service may maintain tables in a data store on behalf of storage service clients. The service may maintain table data in multiple replicas of partitions that are stored on respective computing nodes in the system. In response to detecting an anomaly in the system, detecting a change in data volume on a partition or service request traffic directed to a partition, or receiving a service request from a client to split a partition, the data storage service may create additional copies of a partition replica using a physical copy mechanism. The data storage service may issue a split command defined in an API for the data store to divide the original and additional replicas into multiple replica groups, and to configure each replica group to maintain a respective portion of the table data that was stored in the partition before the split. |
US09052823B2 |
Storage system and data management method with application specific storage tiers
Proposes the realization of the performance stability operation of virtual volumes and the stabilized access performance for the virtual volumes in the storage apparatus. In the storage apparatus which configures a pool of multiple types of storage tiers of different performances, provides virtual volumes to the host computer and, in accordance with a write request from an application to a virtual volume, assigns pages to the relevant virtual volume from the pool, a policy associating an application with the virtual volume with which the relevant application reads/writes data, a storage tier to assign pages to the relevant virtual volume, and the priority of the relevant storage tier is managed and, in accordance with a write request from the application, complying with the corresponding policy, among the storage tiers associated with the corresponding virtual volume, pages are assigned from the storage tier of the higher priority to the relevant virtual volume. |
US09052808B2 |
Mobile terminal and screen displaying method thereof
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal. Specifically to a mobile terminal including a display including a touchscreen, a sensing unit for sensing an object contacting the touchscreen and the object in near-proximity to the touchscreen, and a controller for controlling information appearing on the display according to the object contacting the touchscreen and movement of the object relative to the touchscreen. |
US09052802B2 |
Multimedia interaction system and related computer program product capable of filtering multimedia interaction commands
A multimedia interaction system is disclosed, including: a plurality of member electronic devices; a plurality of displays respectively arranged on the member electronic devices; and a location detection circuit configured to operably detect respective member electronic device's spatial position and orientation dynamically and to transmit detection results to at least one of the member electronic devices. When an user instructs a source electronic device of the member electronic devices to transmit a target image object toward a target direct, a candidate electronic device of the member electronic devices would execute a target command corresponding to the target image object to utilize a corresponding display to perform a multimedia operation corresponding to the target image object only if a relative position between the candidate electronic and the target direct satisfies a predetermined condition. |
US09052801B2 |
Flick move gesture in user interface
The disclosed method and device are directed to navigation, by a dual display communication device, through display objects. |
US09052799B2 |
Image forming apparatus, customization control method and recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes a unit configured to manage screen type information including a type that indicates a dependence relationship between UT screens, a unit configured to manage placement item type information including a type that indicates whether to reflect customization of a first UI screen into a placement item to be placed on a second UI screen depending on the first UI screen, a unit configured to perform management and display control for configurations of plural UI screens and a unit configured to, when a placement item of a predetermined UI screen that is display-controlled is customized, determine whether to reflect customization of the predetermined UI screen into a UI screen that depends on the predetermined UI screen based on the screen type information of the predetermined UI screen and the placement item type information of the placement item of the customization target. |
US09052796B2 |
Asynchronous handling of an input stream dedicated to multiple targets
An operating system has a stack of input events (an input stack) that provides input events from various input devices to applications. A dedicated thread or other entity is provided to handle input events that are related to pixel manipulation on the display, so as to provide a highly responsive display. The thread includes a buffer, and manages the buffer so as to ensure that messages a received by an application or other entity in chronological order. |
US09052795B2 |
Displaying side-tabbed panels for an application operating on a computing device
A method for displaying panels in a user interface of a computing device includes displaying, via the computing device, tabs vertically along sides of the panels on the user interface. The tabs correspond to the panels, and the panels provide control options for an application operating on the computing device. The method further includes displaying, via the computing device, a first one of the panels for a first one of the tabs selected for display on the user interface, and suppressing, via the computing device, display of a portion of the panels on the user interface. The portion of the panels does not include the first one of the panels. |
US09052792B2 |
Inserting a search box into a mobile terminal dialog messaging protocol
A method, system, and computer program product for inserting a search box into a mobile terminal messaging dialog. Upon receiving a dialog message (e.g., an email message) from a first user device, the method determines the format (e.g., IMAP) of the dialog message in order to insert a similarly-formatted search box. Then, the method modifies the dialog message by inserting the selected search box into the dialog message. The method receives a request from a second user (at a mobile terminal) and the method transmits the outbound dialog message with the inserted search box to the second user's mobile terminal. The second user's mobile terminal supports a web browser, and some dialog messages include pre-populated text in the search box, the pre-populated text based on the dialog message from the first user device. The second user browses using the inserted search box without having to explicitly launch a browser. |
US09052788B2 |
Touch detection for capacitive touch screen
A touch-screen device includes a transparent dielectric layer. A plurality of first electrodes is located over the transparent dielectric layer. A plurality of second electrodes is located under the transparent dielectric layer so that the first electrodes overlap the second electrodes to form an array of capacitors. A controller provides electrical signals to the first and second electrodes to energize and measure the baseline capacitance and repeatedly energize and measure the present capacitance of each capacitor. The controller calculates a ratio function between the present capacitance and the corresponding stored baseline capacitance for each capacitor and provides a touch signal when the ratio function exceeds a predetermined threshold value. |
US09052786B2 |
Conductive sheet, usage method of conductive sheet and capacitive type touch panel
Disclosed are a conductive sheet, a usage method of the conductive sheet and a capacitive type touch panel. For a first conductive sheet, two or more conductive first large grids are formed atop a first transparent base, wherein each first large grid is constituted by combining two or more small grids, and the shapes of facing sides of each first large grid are formed to alternate. For example, rectangular waveshapes of a first side portion of the first large grid and of a fourth side portion facing the first side portion are made to alternate, and rectangular waveshapes of a second side portion of the first large grid and of a third side portion facing the second side portion are made to alternate. |
US09052781B2 |
Position detection apparatus, position detection method, mobile, and receiver
To detect the positions of the respective mobiles correctly without being affected by the ultrasonic waves from other mobile(s) in a case where plural mobiles are used simultaneously.The mobile comprises a unit that transmits a trigger signal of requesting transmitting ultrasonic wave that is capable of identifying the mobile, a unit that receives a trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave from the receiver, and a unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave immediately upon receipt of the trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave. The receiver comprises a unit that receives a trigger signal of requesting transmitting ultrasonic wave from the mobile, a unit that transmits a trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave that can be identified at the mobile side, a control unit that controls a transmitting timing of the trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave, at least two ultrasonic wave receiving units provided at predetermined gaps, a unit that calculates an ultrasonic wave propagation time from the mobile based on a time of transmitting the trigger signal of allowing transmitting ultrasonic wave and an ultrasonic wave arrival time, and a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the mobile based on the ultrasonic wave propagation time calculated. |
US09052780B2 |
Optical touch screen system and sensing method for the same
An optical touch screen system includes a touch screen, an image-sensing device, and a processing device. The image-sensing device generates a plurality of light-shielding information of an object at a plurality of time points. The processing device coupled to the image-sensing device includes a computing unit calculating a projected size difference value according to the plurality of light-shielding information, wherein the projected size difference value is a difference value between the projected sizes of the object on the touch screen at two different time points. |
US09052778B2 |
Infrared touch screen
This invention provides an infrared touch screen, comprising: a touch detecting region; a plurality of edges containing at least a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge are opposite to each other, there are infrared emitters and infrared receivers fixed on the first edge and there are infrared emitters and infrared receivers fixed on the second edge; and a phase managing mechanism configured to control the phase alternation of the infrared touch screen which has a plurality of phases containing at least a first phase and a second phase. With the structure change and phase managing mechanism application in this infrared touch screen, the light interference caused by varying ambient light can be reduced or eliminated effectively. |
US09052774B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display device, a second substrate includes a detection electrode of a touch panel, pixels include pixel electrodes and counter electrodes, the counter electrodes are divided into a plurality of blocks, the counter electrodes of the divided blocks are provided in common to the pixels on a plurality of display lines being side by side, the counter electrodes of the divided blocks are used as scanning electrodes of the touch panel as well, the liquid crystal display device includes a semiconductor chip configured to supply a counter voltage and a touch panel scanning voltage to the counter electrodes of the divided blocks, the semiconductor chip includes a first terminal group formed on a side of a display area side configured by the plurality of pixels. |
US09052773B2 |
Electronic apparatus and control method using the same
Control methods of an electronic apparatus having a touch pad are provided. Touch event with the touch pad is first detected. It is then determined whether the touch event is a single-touch event or a multi-touch event. In response to the touch event being the multi-touch event, the touch event is simulated to a first event initialized by a touch panel by a simulation device to generate a multi-touch signal to an operation system such that the operation system performs a corresponding touch simulation. |
US09052768B2 |
Display device with touch sensor, and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device with a touch sensor has a display function and a touch sensor function. The display device includes: a panel unit that comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, and a display function layer between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode on the first substrate; a second electrode on the second substrate; a third electrode on the second substrate; and a capacitor for the touch sensor function. The capacitor is formed between either of the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode, or between both the first electrode and the second electrode and the third electrode. The frame portion outside the display area comprises, on the first substrate side thereof, a peripheral circuit, and the second electrode is provided in a position more distant upward from the peripheral circuit than the first electrode. |
US09052765B2 |
Method for operating a touch sensitive user interface
A method for operating a touch sensitive user interface is provided. The touch sensitive user interface comprises a touch sensitive surface (3) and at least two force sensitive sensors (15-66). The touch sensitive surface (3) is configured to provide a touch information indicating touch positions (6, 8) of at least two concurrent touches (5, 7) on the touch sensitive surface (3). The at least two force sensitive sensors (15- 66) are mounted at the touch sensitive surface (3) at different predetermined locations (11-14). Each of the at least two force sensitive sensors (15-66) is configured to generate a corresponding force information depending on a force being exerted on the corresponding force sensitive sensor (15-66). According to the method, the touch positions (6, 8) are determined based on the touch information and the force information is received from the at least two force sensitive sensors (15-66). Based on the at least two touch positions (6, 8), the force information from the force sensitive sensors (15-66) and the predetermined locations (11-14) of the force sensitive sensors (15-66) a corresponding touch force is determined for each of the concurrent touches (5, 7). |
US09052764B2 |
Operating a touch screen control system according to a plurality of rule sets
A touch screen control system comprising a memory and control circuitry is configured to communicate with a host processing system. The control circuitry comprises a blended image generator and a display screen updater, and operates a touch sensor for detecting user input in a sensing region of the touch sensor. The sensing region overlaps a display screen. In response to detection of user input in the sensing region, the blended image generator autonomously generates a blended image by blending primary image and secondary images held in the memory. The display screen updater autonomously updates the display screen with the blended image. The display screen is updated at a higher rate when updated autonomously by the display screen updater than when directed by the host processing system. The autonomous updating of the display screen by the display screen updater reduces processing of the host processing system. |
US09052763B2 |
Electronic device having a display displaying a symbol indicating execution of a function
According to an aspect, an electronic device includes: a first housing having a first display unit; a second housing having a second display unit; a detecting unit; and a control unit. The detecting unit detects a first form in which the first display unit is exposed to the outside and the second display unit is covered by the first housing and a second form in which the first and second display units are exposed to the outside. Then the detecting unit detects a change in the form of the electronic device from the first form to the second form, the control unit activates a function corresponding to a selected object among objects displayed on the first display unit, and displays a screen corresponding to the function on the second display unit. |
US09052747B2 |
Half keyboard
A half keyboard having a key input system with a set of keys, wherein the set of keys is arranged as a conventional keyboard, such as a Qwerty keyboard, approximately folded in half so that the key of the set of keys indicates more multiple characters, symbols and/or functions. |
US09052743B2 |
Motion tracking user interface
A method to transition focus of a display corresponding to an object's motion tracked by a video camera or like device is disclosed. In one implementation, the display shows one or more windows or user interfaces on the display. The object's motion can be used to select one of the windows or user interfaces on the display and manipulate content presented in the window or user interface. In another implementations, the object's motion can manipulate a three-dimensional graphical icon in a three-dimensional display environment, for example, by rotating it. In another implementation, the method further tracks motion of a second object and shifts focus of the display corresponding to the motion of the second object. In another implementation, a second display may be added to mirror the focus transition corresponding to the object's motion. |
US09052742B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes at least one processor. An input unit is configured to input image data. A correction unit performs a correction for the image data based on a result of analysis of the data. A storage unit stores the corrected image data. A processing unit performs a correction for the corrected image data using a correction parameter in accordance with a user instruction. The processing unit corrects the corrected image data stored by the storage unit using a changed correction parameter, when the correction parameter has been changed according to a user instruction. When a correction instruction based on an image analysis is input after correction of the image data by at least one of the correction unit and the processing unit, the correction unit makes a correction for the input image data input based on a result of analyzing the image data. |
US09052740B2 |
Adaptive data path for computer-vision applications
Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application. |
US09052735B2 |
Active control method of accelerator pedal effort
An active control system and method for an accelerator pedal effort is disclosed, in which the pedal effort of the accelerator pedal is varied actively in accordance with a driving mode and a parking mode of a vehicle. |
US09052731B2 |
Method and system for programming and implementing automated fault isolation and restoration using sequential logic
A method and system for programming and implementing automated fault isolation and restoration of high-speed fault detection of circuits in power distribution networks using sequential logic and peer-to-peer communication is provided. High-speed fault detection of circuits in power distribution networks uses protective relay devices (14) segmenting a distribution line (11) having Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED) (22) associated with switching devices (20) communicating peer-to-peer via a communication system (30) to provide fast and accurate fault location information in distribution systems with sequential logic. |
US09052730B2 |
Calibration circuit for voltage regulator
A voltage regulator calibration circuit including a voltage regulator and a calibration unit is provided. The voltage regulator regulates an output voltage according to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The feedback voltage is in direct proportion to the output voltage. The calibration unit is coupled to the voltage regulator. The calibration unit generates a control code through binary search according to the output voltage and a target voltage. The control code determines the proportion of the feedback voltage to the output voltage. |
US09052719B2 |
Robot cleaner and controlling method of the same
Disclosed are a robot cleaner and a method for controlling the same. The robot cleaner may prevent repeated executions of a cleaning operation by recognizing its position through an absolute position recognition unit, in a case that the cleaning operation is performed again after being forcibly stopped due to arbitrary causes. And, the robot cleaner may solve a position recognition error by a relative position recognition unit with using an image detection unit, and may effectively perform a cleaning operation based on a similarity between an image detected by the image detection unit and an image with respect to a cleaning region. This may improve the system efficiency and stability, and enhance a user's convenience. |
US09052712B2 |
Regulator valve with axial vent
A first inlet port extends radially through a valve sleeve into an internal bore. A first outlet port extends radially outwardly through an outer periphery of the valve sleeve. A second inlet port on an opposed side of the first outlet port from the first inlet port, extends radially through a wall of the valve sleeve. A valve spool is received in the internal bore and has a first channel at an outer peripheral surface selectively communicating the first inlet port to the first outlet port. The valve spool has a second channel at the outer peripheral surface that communicates the second inlet port to an axial vent formed in an internal surface of the valve sleeve. The axial vent extends axially to communicate the second channel to the first outlet port. A pumping system is also disclosed. |
US09052710B1 |
Manipulation control based upon mimic of human gestures
A human gesture tracking system includes a sensor device with at least one sensor unit, where the sensor unit is configured to measure at least one of position in three dimensions of a portion of an operator's limb and orientation in three dimensions of the portion of the operator's limb, a processor configured to receive information from the sensor device so as to determine orientation and position displacement in six degrees of freedom of the operator's limb, and an activator that is coupled to communicate with the processor and is further actuated by the operator to designate a start time and an end time in which position and orientation displacements of the portion of the operator's limb are determined by the processor. During system operation, the processor determines position and orientation displacements of the portion of the operator's limb in tracking sessions, each tracking session is defined as a time period between the start time and the end time as designated by the activator. The processor further determines an initial position and orientation of the portion of the operator's limb at the start time of each tracking session and determines position and orientation displacements of the portion of the operator's limb during each tracking session in relation to the initial position and orientation for the tracking session. |
US09052709B2 |
Method and system for providing process tool correctables
The present invention may include performing a first measurement process on a wafer of a lot of wafers, wherein the first measurement process includes measuring one or more characteristics of a plurality of targets distributed across one or more fields of the wafer, determining a set of process tool correctables for a residual larger than a selected threshold level utilizing a loss function, wherein the loss function is configured to fit a model for one or more process tools, as a function of field position, to one or more of the measured characteristics of the plurality of targets, wherein the set of process tool correctables includes one or more parameters of the model that act to minimize the difference between a norm of the residual and the selected threshold, and utilizing the determined process tool correctables to monitor or adjust one or more processes of the process tools. |
US09052705B2 |
Scaling and parameterizing a controller
Controller scaling and parameterization are described. Techniques that can be improved by employing the scaling and parameterization include, but are not limited to, controller design, tuning and optimization. The scaling and parameterization methods described here apply to transfer function based controllers, including PID controllers. The parameterization methods also applies to state feedback and state observer based controllers, as well as linear active disturbance rejection controllers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
US09052700B2 |
RFID presence detection device
A presence detection device (10) for detecting the presence of an object (24) in a determined detection area, comprising at least one RFID tag (12A, 12B) that emits an identification signal at a determined RFID frequency; an RFID interrogator (16) receptive of the identification signal via at least one antenna (18); and an insulating plate (20) electromagnetically shielding the antenna from a direct emission of the identification signal,wherein the presence of the object in a determined detection area results from the reception by the RFID interrogator after being reflected by the object of the identification signal emitted by the corresponding RFID tag. |
US09052698B1 |
Atomic clock using a photodetector
In one embodiment, an atomic clock for use in an electronic device includes a photodetector with a single-isotope silicon crystal doped with impurity atoms in which a photocurrent generated via a two-photon process within the photodetector is used as a frequency resonance of the atomic clock. |
US09052694B2 |
Escapement device for timepiece
Escapement device of a timepiece movement includes an escapement wheel, a first mobile having means of locking with the escapement wheel and of mechanical transmission with the escapement wheel, a second mobile and the balance roller. The second mobile has means of locking with the escapement wheel and means of mechanical transmission with the escapement wheel and the first mobile. The mobiles are driven by the escapement wheel tangentially. |
US09052693B2 |
Constant force device, movement and mechanical timepiece
There are provided a constant force device, a movement, and a mechanical timepiece which can decrease a loss of power for controlling rotation of a stop wheel & pinion. A constant force device includes an inner carriage that outputs an output torque by being rotated around a tenon of a first inner rotation body and a tenon of a second inner rotation body, a constant force spring that supplies a rotation force to the inner carriage, an outer carriage that stores a resilient force in the constant force spring by being rotated around a tenon of a first outer rotation body and a tenon of a second outer rotation body, a stop wheel & pinion that is supported to be rotatable around a stop wheel axle body in the outer carriage, and that is rotatable around the tenon of the first outer rotation body and the tenon of the second outer rotation body, and a stopper that is rotated around the tenon of the first inner rotation body and the tenon of the second inner rotation body together with the inner carriage, and that engages with the stop wheel & pinion in response to rotation of the stop wheel & pinion which is rotated around the stop wheel axle body. |
US09052692B2 |
Mechanism for advancing a karussel cage or tourbillon cage by periodic jumps
A mechanism for advancing, by periodic jumps, a pivoting cage for an escapement mechanism, including: a retaining mechanism authorizing or preventing the pivoting of the cage, depending on its movement; and a stopping mechanism authorizing or preventing the pivoting of the retaining mechanism, depending on its angular position. A constant force device causes periodic cooperation of the retaining mechanism, which includes a flirt arranged to perform complete revolutions and is connected to an input thereof, with the stopping mechanism, which includes a star wheel and is connected to an output thereof, whose trajectories interfere with each other, to pivot the cage when the stopping mechanism allows the pivoting of the retaining mechanism and to stop the cage when the stopping mechanism locks the retaining mechanism. |
US09052687B2 |
Image forming device, process cartridge engaged with the same and method for firmly positioning process cartridge in image forming device
An image forming device, a process cartridge engageable with the same and a method for firmly positioning the process cartridge in the image forming device. The image forming device includes a main frame and a main frame driving gear, wherein a guide rail is respectively arranged on left and right sides of the inside of the main frame. An installation section is arranged at a tail end of each guide rail and the installation section and guide rail respectively define a reverse hook-shape. Lugs formed at both ends of a housing of the process cartridge are driven by a radial component of driving force of the image forming device to the process cartridge to closely bear against walls of installation sections at the tail ends of the guide rails when the process cartridge is in an operating state in the image forming device. |
US09052686B2 |
Process cartridge
A process cartridge includes an image bearing member unit configured to rotatably support an image bearing member, and a developing unit configured to rotatably support a developer bearing member. The developing unit includes a first supported portion configured to be swingably supported with respect to the image bearing member unit, a second supported portion provided configured to be swingably and slidably supported with respect to the image bearing member unit, and a regulated portion configured to be capable of contacting a regulating portion provided on the image bearing member unit. The regulating portion regulates the developing unit from moving in a slide direction of the second supported portion, by contacting the regulated portion, when the image bearing member and the developer bearing member rotate while contacting to each other. |
US09052680B2 |
Fur brush roller, and cleaning unit and image forming apparatus provided therewith
A fur brush roller electrically absorbs and removes a transferred remaining toner on a surface of an image carrier through bias voltage impression. This fur brush roller includes: a foundation cloth, conductive yarns, and insulation yarns. The insulation yarns are subjected to crimp-texturizing processing. The conductive yarns and the insulation yarns are alternately pile-woven to the foundation cloth. |
US09052679B2 |
Cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes a cleaning member having a flexible supporting member for supporting a blade portion having one end to place the blade portion, the other end having a portion to be fixed to the fixing portion, and a bent portion arranged between the one end and the other end, the bent portion being outwardly arranged away from the surface of an image bearing member, the supporting member in which the portion to be fixed, is arranged, with respect to the contact portion, at the downstream side in the movement direction of the image bearing member, and a container formed of a frame for containing a developer. Between the frame and the other end portion, a space allowing the other end portion to elastically deform is provided, and the container is provided with a sealing member configured to prevent intrusion of the developer into the space. |
US09052676B2 |
High-voltage power source
A high-voltage power source includes a switching unit configured to be driven according to a frequency signal, a voltage resonance unit configured to generate a voltage according to driving of the switching unit, a rectification unit configured to rectify and amplify the voltage generated by the voltage resonance unit, a separation unit configured to separate an alternating current generated by the voltage resonance unit and a direct current generated by the rectification unit from each other, and a current detection unit configured to detect the current generated by the voltage resonance unit. |
US09052675B2 |
Cartridge
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus, comprising an electric energy receiving member; a frame of resin material; an electrode member which is molded by injecting electroconductive resin material into the frame which provides an electroconductive path between the electric energy receiving member and a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly, the electrode member having a projected portion projected from a surface of the frame for contacting the main assembly electrical contact, the projected portion being provided by changing a direction of flow of the injected electroconductive resin material by the metal mold or the frame. |
US09052674B2 |
Image forming apparatus with metal and resin frame components
An image forming apparatus includes a main body including an image forming unit including an image carrying member, a drive force transmission mechanism configured to transmit a drive force to the image carrying member, and a main body configured to support the image forming unit. The main body includes a first frame disposed on a first side of the image carrying member in an axial direction of the image carrying member, a second frame disposed on a second side of the image carrying member opposite to the first side thereof, a first connecting member extending in the axial direction of the image carrying member and connecting the first frame and the second frame, and a second connecting member spaced apart from the first connecting member and connecting the first frame and the second frame. The first frame is made of metal and the second frame is made of resin. |
US09052673B2 |
Structural member, image forming apparatus and drive transmitting mechanism
Provided is a structural member including an image holding member that holds a latent image, a developing member that develops the latent image, a first driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a first driving side coupling portion and transmits a driving force to the image holding member, and a second driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a second driving side coupling portion and transmits the driving force to the developing member, wherein the first driven side coupling portion includes a first engaged portion that is engaged with a first engaging portion provided on the first driving side coupling portion at no more than two engagement places, and the second driven side coupling portion includes a second engaged portion that is engaged with a second engaging portion provided on the second driving side coupling portion at three or more engagement places. |
US09052672B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a sensor, a pattern forming section, and a position correction section. The position correction section specifies a first reference position and a second reference position. In a registration correction carried out when the image bearing member is in a time-elapsed state that is a state after the initial state, the position correction section specifies the position of each of the patch images of the respective colors included in the registration correction pattern formed by the pattern forming section at the time of registration correction and corrects based on the first reference position and the second reference position the correction amount to be applied to each image forming position specified in the registration correction currently being carried out. |
US09052670B2 |
Color image forming apparatus
In a color image forming apparatus, the amount of light of an exposure unit for a weak exposure is changed according to a remaining service life of a photosensitive drum when the weak exposure is performed for the background area of a corresponding photosensitive drum by using the exposure unit. |
US09052668B2 |
Image forming apparatus, sensing method, and recording medium
An image forming apparatus comprises: a sensor that includes a light-emitting part for emitting light to a moving body and a light-receiving part; a light-incidence adjusting mechanism that is able to alternatively select from a first state where the light-incidence adjusting mechanism causes light which have been emitted from the sensor and then reflected by the moving body to enter the sensor and a second state where the light-incidence adjusting mechanism causes a reflected light of light emitted from the sensor not to enter the sensor; and a processing unit that causes the sensor to emit light, and corrects output of the sensor when the light-incidence adjusting mechanism is in the first state on the basis of output of the sensor when the light-incidence adjusting mechanism is in the second state. |
US09052666B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for color registration correction
A color registration method includes determining whether color registration is needed or not, if color registration is needed, setting an optimal amount of light of the registration sensor in a feedback manner, forming a predetermined mark for color registration correction on an image forming medium, and performing color registration correction with respect to the formed mark using the set optimal amount of light. |
US09052661B2 |
Image forming apparatus that makes FPOT (first print out time) appropriate in accordance with time taken to expand image information and to reduce deterioration of consumable items
When a pre-rotation sequence is started at a time at which a print-start notification command is transmitted, in the case where a predicted time period is longer than a time period taken to perform the pre-rotation sequence, an appropriate FPOT is not realized. To determine whether the pre-rotation sequence can be started at a time at which a print reservation command that is to be transmitted before transmission of the print-start notification command is transmitted to the engine, a drum-rotation permission command is provided, whereby, in the case of immediately starting the pre-rotation sequence, the pre-rotation sequence can be started earlier than the pre-rotation sequence is started, reducing the FPOT. In the case of not immediately starting the pre-rotation sequence, a time period taken to perform image expansion and the time period taken to perform the pre-rotation sequence can be made to coincide with each other, reducing consumable items deterioration. |
US09052658B2 |
Fixing device with a temperature detector adjacent an easily deformable location and image forming apparatus including same
A fixing device for fixing an unfixed image onto a recording medium includes a fixing belt, a nip forming member, an opposing rotary member, a heater, and a temperature detector. The fixing belt is formed into a loop to move endlessly and fix the unfixed image on the recording medium. The nip forming member is disposed inside the loop formed by the fixing belt. The opposing rotary member contacts the nip forming member via the fixing belt to form a nip portion therebetween while rotating. The heater heats the fixing belt at a place other than the nip portion. The temperature detector detects a temperature of the surface of the fixing belt. The temperature detector detects the temperature near a place of the fixing belt that easily deforms as the fixing belt is heated by the heater. |
US09052657B2 |
Image heating apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a belt member for heating an image on a recording material; a heater heating the belt member; a supporting portion, provided on an inner surface of the belt member, for detachably supporting the belt member; a temperature detecting member contacted to the inner surface of the belt member and elastically supported by the supporting portion; a controller for controlling energization to the heater on the basis of an output of the temperature detecting member; and an inclined surface, provided to the temperature detecting member, for guiding the temperature detecting member toward an inside of the belt member in contact with the belt member during a mounting operation of the belt member to the supporting portion. |
US09052655B2 |
Heating member including a base polymer and fusing apparatus including the same
A heating member includes: a resistive heating layer which generates heat when supplied with electrical energy; a release layer as an outermost layer of the heating member and including a polymer; an intermediate layer disposed between the resistive heating layer and the release layer. The resistive heating layer includes a base polymer, and an electroconductive filler dispersed in the base polymer. The intermediate layer includes a polymer material being a same type as the base polymer of the resistive heating layer or the polymer of the release layer. |
US09052651B2 |
Fusing device and eletrophotographic image forming apparatus including the same
A fusing device according to an embodiment of the present general inventive concept includes a pressing unit, a heating fusing belt contacts an outer surface of the pressing unit and rotates, a nib forming unit contacts an inner surface of the heating fusing belt and forms a nib at a contact portion between the pressing unit and the heating fusing belt, a first guide unit disposed at both end portions of the heating fusing belt so as to guide the movement of the heating fusing belt, and a second guide unit disposed between the first guide units and having a plurality of ribs which are arranged spaced apart from each other along a rotational direction of the heating fusing belt, so as to guide the movement of a central portion of the heating fusing belt. |
US09052650B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device fixes a toner image on a recording medium by heating the recording medium, with a heating area and a non-heating area selected in accordance with a magnetic flux and a repulsive magnetic flux. The fixing device includes a heat generating layer, an exciting coil, and a demagnetizing member. The heat generating layer generates heat. The exciting coil generates the magnetic flux, and thereby inductively heats the heat generating layer. The demagnetizing member faces the heat generating layer in the non-heating area. The demagnetizing member generates the repulsive magnetic flux against the magnetic flux generated by the exciting coil, and thereby demagnetizes the magnetic flux and suppresses the heating. Further, the demagnetizing member has a demagnetization effect different between at least a portion of the non-heating area adjacent to the heating area and the remaining portion of the non-heating area. |
US09052649B2 |
Apparatus for producing detachable information sheet and method of producing detachable information sheet
An apparatus for producing a detachable information sheet includes an image forming device, an applying and curing unit, and a heating and pressing unit. The image forming device includes an image bearing body, an electrostatic latent image forming unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing body, a development unit to develop the latent image with a toner to form a visible toner image, a transfer unit to transfer the toner image from the image bearing body onto a recording medium, and a fixing unit to fix the toner image on the recording medium. The applying and curing unit applies an energy-ray curable composition precursor onto the recording medium having the toner image fixed thereon, and cures the precursor to form an energy-ray curable composition to coat the recording medium. The heating and pressing unit heats and presses the recording medium coated with the energy-ray curable composition. |
US09052644B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer member having a plurality of protrusions which come into contact with the intermediate transfer member. A superficial layer of the intermediate transfer member includes a superficial layer and a plurality of insulating particles buried in the superficial layer so as to be partially exposed from she superficial layer. In the case where the insulating particles are present in a contact region in which the protrusions are brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member, a portion in which the protrusions are brought into direct contact with the superficial layer is present in the contact region. |
US09052634B2 |
Developing apparatus
A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying sleeve for carrying a developer to a position opposing an image bearing drum. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of groove portions extending in an axial direction of the sleeve, and a developing bias voltage applying device for applying a developing bias voltage to the sleeve. The bias voltage applying device is capable of outputting, as the bias voltage, a voltage of a waveform having a cyclic period including an AC bias portion having an AC component and a DC component superimposed thereto, and a blank portion following the AC bias portion and consisting of a DC component. A width L (m) of the groove, a peripheral speed Vs (m/s) of the sleeve, and a duration t1 (s) of the blank portion in one cyclic period of the bias voltage satisfy L/Vs |
US09052633B2 |
Exposure device and image forming apparatus
An exposure device, which emits light according to a gray level of image data, includes plural light emitting element lines arranged at different positions in a sub scanning direction, a number of the light emitting element lines being a number of bits representing a number of gray levels. Each of the light emitting element lines includes plural light emitting elements arranged in a line in a direction parallel to a main scanning direction, the light emitting elements numbers of layers of organic electro-luminescence light emitting elements being the same. The numbers of layers of the organic electro-luminescence light emitting elements laminated in the light emitting element lines, which are arranged at different positions in the sub scanning direction, are different from each other. |
US09052626B2 |
Toner for electrostatic latent-image development and method for producing the same
In a toner for electrostatic latent-image development that includes toner core particles including at least a binder resin, and shell layers with which the entire surfaces of the toner core particles are coated, an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer is present at the interface between the toner core particle and the shell layer. |
US09052623B2 |
Toner binder and toner composition
Provided is a toner binder which combines excellent low-temperature fixing properties and excellent hot-offset resistance (namely which permits a wide fixing-temperature range) and which exhibits excellent storage stability. The toner binder comprises (A) a polyester resin, (B) a specific crystalline resin and, if necessary, (C) a non-crystalline linear polyester resin. The polyester resin (A) comprises a carboxylic acid component (x) and a polyol component (y) as the essential constituent units, said component (x) comprising two or more kinds of dicarboxylic acids (x1) selected from among aromatic dicarboxylic acids and ester-forming derivatives thereof in a total amount of 80 mol % or more and further containing an at least trivalent polycarboxylic acid (x2) as another essential component, and said component (y) comprising a C2-10 aliphatic diol (y1) in an amount of 50 mol % or more. Further, the polyester resin (A) exhibits a storage modulus at 150° C. [G′(150)] of 2000 Pa or more, and the [G′(150)] and [G′(180)] (storage modulus at 180° C.) of the resin (A) satisfy a specific relationship. |
US09052620B2 |
Toner, developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles containing a binder resin and pigment particles and an external additive containing fluorine resin particles, wherein the electrostatic charge image developing toner satisfies the following expression: 2≦A/B≦100, wherein A represents reflectance at an acceptance angle of +30° which is measured when a solid image is formed using the electrostatic charge image developing toner and the solid image is irradiated with incident light at an incidence angle of −45° by the use of a variable-angle photometer, and B represents reflectance at an acceptance angle of −30° which is measured when the solid image is irradiated with incident light at an incidence angle of −45° by the use of the variable-angle photometer. |
US09052618B2 |
Overcoat composition for electrophotography, electrophotographic image forming method and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
An overcoat composition for electrophotography includes at least one of compounds having the following formulae (1) to (3): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and n represents an integer of from 4 to 6; and wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and a and b independently represent an integer of from 1 to 5 on the condition that a+b is from 4 to 6. |
US09052615B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus
An EUV light source apparatus by which detachment of a chamber or a part of the chamber, movement to a maintenance area, and highly accurate placement relative to projection optics can be performed easily for maintenance of the EUV light source apparatus. The EUV light source apparatus is an apparatus for generating plasma by applying a laser beam to a target material within a chamber and entering EUV light radiated from the plasma into projection optics of exposure equipment, and includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the chamber or a maintenance unit of the chamber in a predetermined location where an optical axis of the collected extreme ultraviolet light and an optical axis of the projection optics of the exposure equipment are aligned, and a movement mechanism for moving the chamber or the maintenance unit of the chamber between the predetermined location and a maintenance area. |
US09052614B2 |
Vibration control apparatus, lithography apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
A vibration control apparatus includes a first spring mechanism to support a first object as part of a first system. To control vibration of the first object, a first actuator applies a force to the first object via a command value generated by a first computing based on an output of a detection system. The detection system includes a second spring mechanism to support a second object as part of a second system. A third spring mechanism supports a third object as part of a third system. The first displacement detector detects displacement of the third object relative to the second object. The third object is prevented from being displaced relative to the second object. A second natural frequency of the second system is higher than a first natural frequency of the first system, and a third natural frequency of a third system is higher than the first natural frequency. |
US09052613B2 |
Displacement device, lithographic apparatus and positioning method
A displacement device with a first and second part which are displaceable relative to one another, the first part being provided with a system of magnets, the second part being provided with a set of coil block units including: at least three first coil block units having current conductors oriented parallel to a second direction, at least two second coil block units having current conductors oriented parallel to a first direction, wherein the displacement device includes a controller configured to control the position of the second part relative to the first part, and wherein when the second part mainly moves in the second direction the controller is configured to levitate the second part from the first part in the third direction by using first coil block units only. |
US09052610B2 |
Coating and developing system and coating and developing method
A coating and developing system for forming a resist film on a substrate by coating the substrate with a liquid resist and developing the resist film after the resist film has been processed by immersion exposure that forms a liquid layer on the surface of the substrate is capable of reducing difference in property among resist films formed on substrates. The coating and developing system includes: a cleaning unit; a carrying means; and a controller. A set time interval is determined such that the substrate is subjected to the immersion exposure process after contact angle drop rate at which contact angle between the cleaning liquid and a surface of the substrate drops has dropped from an initial level at the wetting time point when the surface of the substrate is wetted with the cleaning liquid to a level far lower than the initial level. |
US09052609B2 |
Projection exposure apparatus with optimized adjustment possibility
A projection exposure apparatus for microlithography includes: an illumination system configured to illuminate a mask in an object field with exposure light; and a projection objective comprising multiple optical elements configured to image the exposure light from the mask in the object field to a wafer in an image field. The projection exposure apparatus is a wafer scanner configured to move the wafer relative to the mask during an exposure of the wafer with the exposure light. The projection objective further includes at least one manipulator configured to manipulate at least one of the optical elements and a control unit configured to control the manipulator. The control unit is configured to manipulate the optical element with the manipulator during the exposure of the wafer with the exposure light. |
US09052608B2 |
Method and device for imaging a radiation-sensitive substrate
A method and apparatus for imaging a radiation-sensitive substrate, wherein a programmable template is projected onto the radiation-sensitive substrate using coherent radiation having a wavelength at which the substrate is radiation sensitive. An overall image of the programmable template having an image grid is displaced simultaneously by an acoustic-optical or electro-optical deflection unit such that multiple projections impinge on the substrate at different positions such that a fine partial grid is created in the image grid on the substrate. |
US09052605B2 |
Illumination system for lithographic apparatus with control system to effect an adjustment of an imaging parameter
In a lithographic apparatus, an illumination mode is set using a field mirror that includes a plurality of movable facets to direct radiation to selectable positions on a pupil facet mirror. A base illumination mode is selected from a set of predetermined illumination modes and the movable facets are set to effect that mode. In order to adjust an imaging parameter, a fraction of the movable facets are set to different positions. The determination of which facets to set to different positions is based on summing the effects of setting each facet to a different position. |
US09052604B2 |
Photolithography systems and associated alignment correction methods
Several embodiments of photolithography systems and associated methods of alignment correction are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for correcting alignment errors in a photolithography system includes detecting a first alignment error at a first location of a first microelectronic substrate and a second alignment error at a second location of a second microelectronic substrate. The second location generally corresponds to the first location. The method also includes deriving a statistical dispersion between the first alignment error and the second alignment error and associating the first and second locations with an alignment procedure based on the derived statistical dispersion. |
US09052599B2 |
Maskless exposure apparatus and method
Example embodiments are directed to a maskless exposure apparatus using off-axis alignment to form a virtual mask pattern on a substrate. The maskless exposure apparatus includes a movement unit on which the substrate is placed, a light source unit configured to output light, a projection unit configured to divide the light output from the light source unit into a plurality of spot beams to form the pattern and configured to project the spot beams to the movement unit, an alignment unit configured to output alignment light to align the substrate and a virtual mask, a beam imaging unit configured to capture the spot beams and the alignment light, and a controller configured to measure distances between the captured alignment light and at least two of the captured spot beams and configured to determine alignment between the virtual mask and the substrate based on the measured distances to control movement of the movement unit. |
US09052595B2 |
Lithography process
A method for being used in a lithography process is provided. The method includes receiving a first mask, a second mask and a substrate with a set of baseline registration marks. A first set of registration marks is formed on the substrate using the first mask and a first exposure tool, and a first set of overlay errors is determined. The first set of registration marks is removed and a second set of registration marks is formed on the substrate using the second mask and a second exposure tool. A second set of overlay errors is determined. A set of tool-induced overlay errors is generated from the first and second sets of overlay errors and used in fabricating a third mask. The third mask can then be used in the lithography process to accommodate the overlay errors caused by different exposure tools, different masks, and different mask writers. |
US09052590B2 |
Actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition and method of forming pattern using the composition
According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a resin (P) containing not only at least one repeating unit (A) that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, is decomposed to thereby generate an acid and is expressed by any of general formulae (I) to (III) below but also a repeating unit (B) containing at least an aromatic ring group provided that the repeating unit (B) does not include any of those of general formulae (I) to (III). (The characters used in general formulae (I) to (III) have the meanings mentioned in the description.) |
US09052586B2 |
Arrangement having a drawer housing and a drawer
An arrangement includes a drawer housing and a drawer intended for an image-recording device of an x-ray-image device to be placed in the drawer. The arrangement includes a pull-out device, using which the drawer is moveable across a slanting plane while being withdrawn from or inserted into the drawer housing. A floor of the drawer remains parallel to a floor of the drawer housing. |
US09052585B2 |
Control system for stereo imaging device
To provide a control system of a stereo imaging device that is able to obtain a stereo image, which can be viewed stereoscopically, even when relative-position relationship of a pair of imaging units is unknown. A control system of a stereo imaging device includes a pair of imaging units, an error calculation unit and a control unit. A pair of the imaging units has a digital or analog degree of freedom so as to be able to control at least a yaw, pitch, roll and zoom factor, and can capture video frames using imaging elements. The error calculation unit uses each of images captured by a pair of the imaging units to calculate a rotating error and zoom error of each imaging unit on the basis of a difference from a predetermined standard convergence model of each imaging unit. |
US09052583B2 |
Portable electronic device with multiple projecting functions
A portable electronic device with multiple projecting functions is provided. The portable electronic device includes a main body, a projecting module, and a switching mechanism. The projecting module is disposed within the main body for generating an image beam. The switching mechanism is movably disposed on the main body. When the switching mechanism is located at a first position, the image beam is projected along a first projecting path, and the portable electronic device is in a first operating mode. When the switching mechanism is located at a second position, the image beam is projected along a second projecting path, and the portable electronic device is in a second operating mode. |
US09052581B2 |
Light source device and projector
A light source device including an arc tube having a light emission portion containing electrodes, a cooling channel having a downstream part branched into first and second channels to guide air toward the light emission portion via one of the channels, a rotational member disposed within the cooling channel and rotatable around a rotation shaft by gravity, and configured to switch cooling to the first or second channel depending on a position of the light source device, and a duct that forms apart of the cooling channel. The width of the rotational member decreases from a remote end toward the rotation shaft. The rotation shaft is disposed on one end of the rotational member corresponding to a side opposite a light emission side of the duct. The duct is shaped such that the cooling channel width decreases toward the side opposite the light emission side. |
US09052580B2 |
Outer housing for an image projection apparatus
An image projection apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image using light from a light source; a projecting optical unit that forms a projected image of the image formed by the image forming unit; and an outer housing that houses the image forming unit and the projecting optical unit. The image forming unit and the projecting optical unit are provided in an order from a setting surface of the outer housing. A width of the outer housing in a direction perpendicular to a projection surface is larger at a position where the projecting optical unit is provided than at a position where the image forming unit is provided. |
US09052575B2 |
Determining correspondence mappings from infrared patterns projected during the projection of visual content
A method performed by a display system is provided. The method includes projecting a first infrared pattern from a first projection plane of a first projector into a scene, capturing the first infrared pattern from the scene in a capture plane of at least one image capture device, and determining a first correspondence mapping between the first projector and the image capture device from at least the first infrared pattern in the first projection plane and the first infrared pattern in the capture plane. |
US09052573B2 |
Video camera motion stabilizing device
A stabilizer apparatus for use with video devices that provides smooth video images. The stabilizer device comprises a gimbal system operably attached to a counterweighted pole. A video device operably attached to the top end of the pole can be balanced utilizing two or more opposing counter weights operably connected to the pole. The gimbal system is affixed to the pole and maintains the balance of the video device. A handle device attached to the gimbal system allows the stabilizer apparatus to be moved during video production, while maintaining the balance of the video device. |
US09052572B2 |
Conversion adaptor apparatus and interchangeable lens system
A conversion adapter apparatus is provided that connects a camera body and an interchangeable lens. The conversion adapter apparatus includes a camera body side installation portion to receive a camera body, a lens side installation portion to receive an interchangeable lens, and a first communication contact group provided on the camera body side installation portion and connected to a communication contact group. The conversion adapter apparatus additionally includes a second communication contact group provided on the lens side installation portion and connected to the communication contact group and a conductive member that electrically connects the first communication contact group and the second communication contact group. A position of the first communication contact group around a camera optical axis and a position of the second communication contact group around the camera optical axis are different from each other. |
US09052568B2 |
Light control apparatus
The apparatus includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate, each of which has an optical aperture, at least one light control unit, a spacer arranged between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to provide a space in which the light control unit can move, and a drive unit arranged on the upper substrate to drive the light control unit. The drive unit includes a magnet arranged at a center of rotation of the light control unit and an electromagnetic drive source including a coil core and a winding coil, the coil core being arranged in such a way as to be opposed to the magnet. A positioning member is provided on the upper substrate. The distance between the coil core and the magnet is kept constant by the positioning member. |
US09052565B2 |
Light deflector and liquid crystal display device using the same
A light deflector capable of deflecting light in a predetermined deflection direction and modulating the angle of deflection of light includes a plurality of liquid crystal deflection elements arranged in the predetermined deflection direction. In at least one pair of adjacent liquid crystal deflection elements, the dimension of one of the liquid crystal deflection elements in the predetermined deflection direction is different from the dimension of the other liquid crystal deflection element in the predetermined deflection direction. |
US09052563B2 |
Display device and display system
A display device includes an e-paper, a touch panel, and an external data interface. The e-paper has a display surface. The touch panel is located on the display surface of the e-paper. The touch panel is configured to control the e-paper. The data interface is configured to electrically connect the e-paper and the touch panel to an electric device. The e-paper and the touch panel include a plurality of processing units and control units integrated in the electric device. The present disclosure also relates to a display system using the display device. |
US09052549B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display including: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; an alignment layer disposed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate and including a vertical photo-alignment material which includes a first vertical functional group and a photo-reactive group, and a major alignment material which does not include the photo-reactive group; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a ratio of a molar concentration of the vertical photo-alignment material to the molar concentration of the major alignment material increases in a direction towards a surface of the alignment layer adjacent to the liquid crystal layer. |
US09052546B2 |
Illumination unit and display
There are provided an illumination unit and a display which are capable of further uniformizing chromaticity of illumination light in a plane while suppressing a reduction in light extraction efficiency. A light modulation device bonded to a light guide plate includes a light modulation layer exhibiting a scattering property or transparency with respect to light propagating through the light guide plate. The light modulation layer is sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates. While alignment films controlling alignment of the light modulation layer are disposed on surfaces of the transparent substrates, an electrode generating an electric field which changes the alignment of the light modulation layer is disposed on only the surface of the transparent substrate. |
US09052537B1 |
2D/3D image switching type liquid crystal display
A 2D/3D image switching type liquid crystal display is described. The 2D/3D image switching type liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a film-type patterned retarder (FPR) and a liquid crystal barrier layer. When either the FPR is disposed between the LCD panel and the liquid crystal barrier layer or liquid crystal barrier layer is disposed between the LCD panel and the backlight module, an electrical field controls the first grating regions and the second grating regions to form a bright region and a dark region for adjusting the left-hand circularly polarized light and the right-hand circularly polarized light from the FPR to switch 2D/3D image by switching the liquid crystal barrier layer. |
US09052530B2 |
Eyeglass frame assembly with spring biased nose pads
An eyeglass frame assembly comprises an eyeglass frame including a pin hole therein, which has a hole axis, and a nose rest assembly. The nose rest assembly includes a nose pad, a pin member longitudinally extending from the nose pad along a pin axis and a coil spring mounted about the pin member. The pin member is at least partially disposed in the pin hole so that the nose rest assembly is movable relative to the eyeglass frame along the hole axis between extended and retracted positions thereof. The coil spring biases the nose pad to the extended position thereof away from the pin hole. |
US09052529B2 |
Comfortable ophthalmic device and methods of its production
This invention relates to comfortable ophthalmic devices and methods of producing such devices. The ophthalmic devices are contacted with a polyamide wetting agent and heated to a temperature of at least about 50° C. to about 150° C. |
US09052528B2 |
Electronic ophthalmic lens with multi-input voting scheme
An electronic or powered ophthalmic lens includes one or more systems having one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. These systems may change the state of the powered ophthalmic lens. In systems having one or more sensors, a decision making process is required to substantially reduce the possibility of changing the state of the powered ophthalmic lens based upon inaccurate, incomplete or erroneous information supplied by the sensors, changing physiologic conditions , as well as noise and/or interference from internal and external sources. |
US09052527B1 |
Swimming goggles
Swimming goggles that are shaped by approximately profiling the goggles to the swimmer's head resulting in the goggles having a minimal tendency to be pulled off or pulled ajar from the swimmer's head by hydrodynamic forces while exhibiting minimal hydrodynamic drag. Optical arrays molded into the lenses of the goggles permit standard vision both underwater and above the water. |
US09052525B2 |
Image shake correction apparatus, and optical equipment and imaging device provided with same
An image shake correction apparatus includes a fixed member; a movable member configured to hold a correcting member that corrects image shake and configured to have a first connecting unit and a second connecting unit; a first moving member connected to the first connecting unit, and configured to move the movable member in a first direction via the first connecting unit; a second moving member connected to the second connecting unit, and configured to move the movable member in a second direction different from the first direction via the second connecting unit; a first drive unit configured to drive the first moving member; and a second drive unit configured to drive the second moving member independently of driving of the first moving member. The first drive unit and the second drive unit share a constituent component. |
US09052523B2 |
Cassette for facilitating optical sectioning of a retained tissue specimen
A cassette for retaining a specimen of surgically exposed tissue from a patient in an orientation that facilitates optical sectioning of the tissue by a confocal microscopic or other optical imaging microscope. The cassette includes a base member having a rigid optically transparent window upon which a tissue specimen is situated, a pliable membrane locatable over a substantial portion of the base member including the window, and an upper member, having an aperture therethrough, which can cover the base member to provide an enclosed cavity between the membrane and the window sealing the tissue specimen therein. The edges of the tissue specimen may be positioned planar against the window and retained in that position by bonds formed between the membrane and window at multiple points or locations around the tissue specimen. The specimen retained in the cavity is imagible by a microscope through the window of the base member. |
US09052520B2 |
Illumination device and display unit
An illumination device capable of suppressing formation of a double image in three-dimensional display, and a display unit including the illumination device are provided. In a light modulation device bonded to a light guide plate, a scattering region that scatters light propagating within the light guide plate, and a transmissive region that allows light propagating within the light guide plate to pass therethrough are formed through control of an electric field. The scattering region scatters light to generate linear illumination light. A reflector is provided directly below the light modulation device. The reflector reflects light, which is part of the scattered light generated in the scattering region and is emitted to a reflector side, to generate reflected light to be focused directly below the scattering region. |
US09052517B2 |
Autostereoscopic display device based on parallax barrier
An autostereoscopic display device includes a display, a parallax barrier, a driver and a controller. The parallax barrier is placed in front of the display and includes a matrix of barrier blocks. The driver is electrically connected to the parallax barrier. The controller is in communication with the driver and controls the driver such that the barrier block in the i-th line and j-th column is switched on to a transparent state and the other barrier blocks are switched off to a nontransparent state, where i and j satisfy the following condition formulae: j=i+nk, i≦N, and j≦M, i and j are positive integers, n is an integer, k is a positive integer constant, N is the number of the lines of the barrier blocks, and M is the number of the columns of the barrier blocks. |
US09052516B2 |
Lens display device comprising a polarized switch unit and a single-refringent film layer, liquid crystal display device and display drive method
A lens display device is disclosed. The device includes an optical thin film layer, a polarized switch unit, and a display unit emitting light. The optical thin film layer includes a single-refringent film layer, and first and second liquid crystal lens arrays on the single-refringent film layer. The arrays are positioned such that the lens elements of the first array are misaligned from the lens elements of the second array by half of the lens period. The polarized switch unit, when operative, polarizes the light emitting from the display unit into ordinary light entering the first liquid crystal lens array and into unordinary light entering the second liquid crystal lens array. In addition, when inoperative, the polarized switch unit polarizes the light emitting from the display unit into unordinary light entering the first liquid crystal lens array and into ordinary light entering the second liquid crystal lens array. |
US09052514B2 |
Liquid-crystal lens, display apparatus and electronic equipment
Disclosed herein is a liquid-crystal lens including: a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode placed to be opposed to the first electrodes; and a liquid-crystal layer provided between the first electrodes and the second electrode. The first electrodes each receiving a relatively low voltage applied thereto are provided more adjacently to each other than the first electrodes each receiving a relatively high voltage applied thereto. |
US09052509B2 |
Microscope system including detachable stage and detachable transmitted illumination optical system
A microscope system includes a stage on which a specimen is placed; an objective lens configured to condense at least observation light from the specimen on the stage; a transmitted illumination optical system configured to irradiate the specimen with transmitted illumination light ejected from a light source, which is illumination light transmitting the specimen; and a microscope body part including a base unit holding the transmitted illumination optical system, a supporting column standing upright from the base unit, and an incident-light illumination optical system provided on the end of a side different from the base unit side of the supporting column and irradiating the specimen with incident-light illumination light which is illumination light ejected from a light source to be reflected on the specimen, wherein the stage and the transmitted illumination optical system are attachable to/detachable from the microscope body part. |
US09052503B2 |
Method for the output of graphic driving indications
The method outputs graphic driving indications for assisting a motor vehicle driver in a driving maneuver. The graphic driving indications are displayed by a head-up display. A first graphic driving indication is in the form of a traffic lane change indication pointing out to the driver the direction from a traffic lane traveled at the beginning of the maneuver to a desired traffic lane. A second graphic driving indication is output in the form of a contact-analog traffic lane marking graphically emphasizing the desired traffic lane relative to other traffic lanes. A third graphic driving indication is in the form of a contact-analog maneuvering impulse including a driving funnel originating from the desired traffic lane and corresponding to the driving maneuver. A fourth graphic driving indication is a symbolic maneuvering display indication which symbolically displays the beginning driving maneuver after the vehicle enters into the driving funnel. |
US09052500B2 |
Fast pinhole changer for confocal microscopy or spatial filter
A pinhole changing device for a confocal microscope is detailed herein. Several pinholes of different sizes are contained on a single disk. A precision XY stage is used to switch between the several pinholes. The same device could be used as a spatial filter for a multi-photon microscope. One can also add beam expansion control and spherical aberration correction to the same device with no additional loss. |
US09052498B2 |
Multilayer optical sheet module
There is disclosed a multilayer optical sheet module including an upper optical sheet comprising a first structural pattern projected upward; a lower optical sheet disposed under the upper optical sheet, the lower optical sheet comprising a second structural pattern projected toward the upper optical sheet; and an adhesion layer provided between the upper optical sheet and the lower optical sheet, wherein the second structural pattern includes a light transmitting part having a traverse cross section getting smaller along an upward direction; and an embedded part continuously connected to an upper portion of the light transmitting part, with a predetermined portion embedded in the adhesion layer, and a circumference of a cross section possessed by the embedded part, contacting with the adhesion layer, is larger than a circumference of a virtual cross section locus formed by extending the light transmitting part upward, with a continuous slope. |
US09052495B2 |
Zoom lens and optical apparatus including the same
Provided is a zoom lens in which a variation in aberration with respect to a temperature change is small and excellent optical characteristics can be easily obtained. The zoom lens includes multiple lens units in which a distance between adjacent ones of the multiple lens units changes for zooming. When an average value of a change in refractive index with respect to a temperature change within a temperature range of from 0° C. to 40° C. is ΔNav, at least one lens unit L of the multiple lens units includes multiple optical elements A made of materials satisfying a conditional expression: |ΔNav|>5.0×10−5. When an anomalous partial dispersion ratio for a g-line and an F-line is ΔθgFΔθ, at least one optical element Aθ of the multiple optical elements A satisfies a conditional expression: |ΔθgFΔθ|>0.0272. |
US09052491B2 |
Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The imaging lens assembly has five non-cemented lens elements with refractive power and further includes a stop located between an imaged object and the first lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements all have refractive power. The third lens element has a convex image-side surface. The fifth lens element has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the fifth lens element has a convex shape at a peripheral region thereof, and both of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element are aspheric. |
US09052490B2 |
Braided fiber optic cross-connect switches
This invention discloses a highly scalable and modular automated optical cross connect switch comprised of large numbers of densely packed fiber strands suspended within a common volume. In particular, apparatus and methods enabling programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers (100's-1000's) having structured and coherent braid representations are provided. |
US09052489B2 |
Fiber shelf break-out plate
Enclosures for supporting fiber optic hardware or managing fiber optic cables are disclosed. An example enclosure includes a bulkhead panel extending outward from and extending across a surface of the enclosure. The bulkhead panel includes at least two mounting flange portions rigidly attached to or integrally formed with the floor, each mounting flange comprising openings adapted to receive a bulkhead adapter plate fastener for securing a bulkhead adapter plate. The bulkhead further includes a knock-out panel portion interposed between and integrally formed with two of the mounting flange portions. This knock-out panel portion is joined to (i) the surface via one or more frangible web members, or (ii) to each of the two mounting flange portions with one or more frangible web members, or (iii) both, where the one or more frangible web members are dimensioned to permit removal of the knock-out panel portion by an installer-supplied force or blow. |
US09052487B2 |
Optical fiber holder
An optical fiber holder 21 includes an alignment mechanism part 51 having a base part 52 formed in a holder body 22, a movable base part 53 arranged on the base part 52, and an alignment lid 54 arranged on the movable base part 53. A slit 61 capable of receiving parallel-arranged plural optical fiber core wires 11 is formed between the movable base part 53 and the alignment lid 54 in the superposed state. By turning the movable base part 53 and the alignment lid 54 to the side of the base part 52, the optical fiber core wires 11 received in the slit 61 are aligned in a receiving groove 23 formed in the holder body 22. |
US09052481B2 |
Method, apparatus and optical interconnect manufactured by 3D printing
A method of manufacturing an optical interconnect includes 3D printing a plurality of non-intersecting and spaced apart optical waveguides from a material that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum after being cross-linked or polymerized in a region activated by the 3D printing. At least some of the optical waveguides change direction at least once by about 90°. The method further includes encasing at least each end of the optical waveguides with a material having a lower index of refraction than the material from which the optical waveguides are formed by 3D printing, to secure the optical waveguides. A corresponding 3D printing apparatus is also described. |
US09052479B2 |
Optical board, method for manufacturing the same, and optical module
An optical board a substrate includes a plate-shaped resin including a first main plane and a second main plane, and an optical fiber receiving portion to receive an optical fiber, a first metal layer provided on the first main plane, and a second metal layer provided on the second main plane. The optical fiber receiving portion has a cavity structure, which penetrates in a thickness direction of the substrate between the first main plane and the second main plane, and the optical fiber is prevented from slipping out of the first main plane and the second main plane. |
US09052465B2 |
Methods to reconfigure all-fiber optical cross-connects
This invention discloses methods to reconfigure highly scalable and modular automated optical cross connect switch devices comprised of large numbers of densely packed fiber strands suspended within a common volume. In particular, methods enabling programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers (100's-1000's) are provided, whereby a two-dimensional input array of fiber optic connections is mapped in an ordered and rule-based fashion into a one-dimensional array. A particular algorithmic implementation for a system reconfigured by a three-axis robotic gripper as well as lateral translation of each row in the input port array is disclosed. |
US09052464B1 |
Transfer of light signals between optical devices
An optical device has a waveguide immobilized on a base. A lens is defined by the base. A reflecting side reflects a light signal that travels on an optical pathway that extends through the lens and into the waveguide. The reflecting side is positioned to reflect the light signal as the light signal travels along a portion of the optical pathway between the lens and the waveguide. An optical insulator that confines the light signal within the waveguide. The portion of the optical pathway between the lens and the waveguide extends through the optical insulator such that the light signal is transmitted through the optical insulator. |
US09052460B2 |
Integrated circuit coupling system with waveguide circuitry and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit coupling system includes: forming a waveguide assembly, having a top clad over an open end of an optical core; forming a first photoresist having a base photoresist pattern shape with sloped photoresist sidewalls tapered down to expose a portion of the top clad; forming a recess having clad sidewalls from the portion of the top clad exposed by the base photoresist pattern shape, the clad sidewalls having a shape replicating a shape of the base photo resist pattern shape; and forming an optical vertical insertion area, from the clad sidewalls forming the recess, having a pocket trench, a horizontal step, and a mirror with a reflective material selectively applied to a section of the clad sidewalls and exposing the open end opposite to the mirror, the horizontal step between the mirror and the pocket trench. |
US09052458B2 |
Radiation-sensitive colored composition, colored cured film, color filter and method of producing the same, solid-state imaging device, liquid crystal display apparatus, and method of producing dye
The object of the present invention is to provide a radiation-sensitive colored composition which can suppress the generation of the contamination of the device. A radiation-sensitive colored composition includes: (A) a dye containing of from 10 ppm to 1000 ppm of a halogen ion; (B) a polymerizable compound; and (C) a solvent. |
US09052455B2 |
Head-worn illuminators and magnifiers with optical rejection coatings to assist medical and dental professionals
An improved head-mounted optical illuminator or magnifier of the type worn by a medical or dental professional includes an optical coating applied to one or more optical surfaces associated with the illuminator or magnifier, and wherein the optical coating is a rejection coating operative to blocks wavelengths in the green, blue, violet and/or ultraviolet portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, depending upon the embodiment. Short-wavelength coatings (blue/violet/uv) may be applied to the surface of a lens used in a head-worn illuminator, for example to the beam-forming optics. The head-worn illuminator may be an LED illuminator, xenon illuminator, or other high-intensity source. In the case of the green notch filter coatings, these would typically only be applied to a head-worn magnifier, including flip-up and through-the-lens styles. In all embodiments, the optical coating may be a multilayer dielectric coating, a holographic filter, or utilize other optical filter technology. |
US09052452B2 |
Solar concentrator with integrated tracking and light delivery system with collimation
A solar light distribution system includes a solar light concentrator that is affixed externally to a light transfer tube. Solar light waves are processed by the concentrator into a collimated beam of light, which is then transferred through a light receiving port and into the light transfer tube. A reflector directs the collimated beam of light through the tube to a light distribution port. The interior surface of the light transfer tube is highly reflective so that the light transfers through the tube with minimal losses. An interchangeable luminaire is attached to the light distribution port and distributes light inside of a structure. A sun tracking device rotates the concentrator and the light transfer tube to optimize the receiving of solar light by the concentrator throughout the day. The system provides interior lighting, uses only renewable energy sources, and releases no carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. |
US09052436B2 |
Method for manufacturing resin for urethane-based optical material, resin composition for same, and optical material manufactured thereby
A method of preparing an optical material by polymerizing a resin composition including a thiol group-containing compound and an isocyanate group-containing compound, particularly, a method of preparing a high-quality urethane-based optical material using a universal polyisocyanate compound. According to one aspect, a resin composition including a polythiol compound and a widely available polyisocyanate compound, as main components, and having a moisture content of 300 to 3,000 ppm is template-polymerized to prepare the optical material. A colorless, transparent, and high-quality urethane-based optical material may be efficiently prepared in high yield using a low-cost and widely available isocyanate compound through template-polymerization using a tape while minimizing generation of white tape residues and foaming. |
US09052434B2 |
Zero group-velocity modes in chalcogenide holey photonic crystal fibers
A fiber structure for propagating one or more zero group-velocity modes is provided. The fiber structure includes a cladding arrangement comprising a photonic crystal having a complete bandgap at a specified index. A core is formed in a selective region of the cladding arrangement. The core allows the propagation of the one or more group-velocity modes. |
US09052432B2 |
Multicore fiber
A multicore fiber includes cores located at vertexes of a polygonal ring and a cladding including sub medium regions and covering the cores. A refractive index of the cladding is lower than a refractive index of the cores and higher than a refractive index of the sub medium regions. The sub medium regions are arranged at positions to reduce a crosstalk between adjacent cores of the cores. |
US09052431B2 |
Backlight module and liquid display devices with the same
A backlight module and a liquid crystal device are disclosed. The backlight module includes a plastic frame, an aluminum extrusion, and a light guiding plate. The plastic frame and the aluminum extrusion prohibit the light guiding plate from moving in an up and down direction. Wherein the light guiding plate is disposed on the aluminum extrusion. The light guiding plate includes a body, and a first position portion extends along the body towards the aluminum extrusion. The aluminum extrusion includes a position slot corresponding to the first position portion, and the first position portion closely engages with the first position slot. The backlight module and the liquid crystal device fix the light guiding plate by engaging the light guiding plate, the aluminum extrusion, and the plastic frame so that the light guiding plate is stably fixed and the light coupling is stable. |
US09052427B2 |
Display and illumination unit
A light modulation layer disposed between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate generates a plurality of first strip-like illumination light beams extending in a direction intersecting with a first end surface of the first or second transparent substrate at a first angle with use of light from a light source, when an electric field for a first mode is applied from an electrode to the light modulation layer. The light modulation layer generates a plurality of second strip-like illumination light beams extending in a direction intersecting with the first end surface at an angle different from the first angle or a direction parallel to the first end surface with use of light from the light source, when an electric field for a second mode is applied from the electrode to the light modulation layer. |
US09052424B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes at least one light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes at least one light incident surface, a light-emitting surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of lenticular lenses and a plurality of micro dots. The light incident surface is disposed adjacent to the light source, and the light-emitting surface is connected with the light incident surface and forms an angle with the light incident surface. The bottom surface is connected with the light incident surface and disposed opposite the light-emitting surface. The lenticular lenses are arranged on the light-emitting surface in a direction substantially parallel to the light incident surface, and the micro dots are formed on at least the bottom surface. The invention provides a backlight module having high directionality of light propagation and high light-utilization efficiency. |
US09052423B2 |
Lighting device with a waveguide plate
The invention provides a lighting device comprising (a) a transparent waveguide plate (200), with first surface (201), opposite second surface (202), and edge surface between the first surface and the second surface, (b) a light source (300) for providing light source light towards a light incoupling surface of the transparent waveguide plate, configured to provide at least part of the light source light in a direction perpendicular to one or more of the first surface and the second surface. The transparent waveguide plate further comprises a luminescent material, (400) configured to convert at least part of the light source light into luminescent material emission, and light outcoupling means (220) for coupling luminescent material emission and optionally light source light out of the transparent waveguide plate as lighting device light in a direction away from one or more of the first surface and the second surface. |
US09052420B2 |
Backlight LED structure, backlight and display device
The present invention discloses a backlight LED structure, a backlight and a display device. In the backlight LED structure, a flange structure is arranged at the upper side of an LED bracket which is defined when the LED bracket is mounted close to a light guide plate such that the flange structure covers the upper side of the light guide plate when the LED structure and the light guide plate are assembled. In addition, each of the two ends of the flange structure has an angular area extending outwards, and the lower surfaces of the two angular areas are distributed with light guide points. The backlight LED structure can prevent the LED light from being emitted from the fitting gap between the backlight LED structure and the light guide plate, and control direction of light between the backlight LED structures and scatter travel direction of the light. |
US09052418B2 |
Light source module
A light source module optically coupled to an optical fiber which has a light incident surface is provided. The light source module includes a plurality of light sources and a concentrator. The light sources surround an axis, and the axis passes through a center of the light incident surface and is perpendicular to the light incident surface. Each of the light sources is capable of emitting a beam along a transmitting path toward the axis. The concentrator is disposed at the axis and includes a curvy reflective surface located on the transmitting paths for reflecting the beams to the light incident surface of the optical fiber. |
US09052414B2 |
Virtual image device
This document describes various apparatuses embodying, and techniques for implementing, a virtual image device. The virtual image device includes a projector and a lens configured to generate a virtual image as well as two diffraction gratings, substantially orthogonally-oriented to each other, that act to increase a field-of-view of the virtual image. The virtual image device can be implemented as a pair of eyeglasses and controlled to generate the virtual image in front of lenses of the eyeglasses so that a wearer of the eyeglasses, looking through the lenses of the eyeglasses, sees the virtual image. |
US09052411B2 |
Method to determine the deviation of seismic equipment from a planned curved path
A group of techniques can be used to determine if components of a seismic spread have deviated from a planned path during a coil or other curved and substantially circular acquisition pattern. In one aspect, and in general, the presently disclosed techniques include a computer-readable program storage medium for determining the deviation of spread array element from a planned curved path during a towed-array marine seismic survey. The method comprises: determining a nominal position of the spread array element at a given point in the planned curved path; determining the actual position of the spread array element; and performing an error analysis predicated on the nominal and actual positions. |
US09052410B2 |
Multiple seismic signal inversion
The invention relates to methods and equipment for acquiring and processing marine seismic data are disclosed that correct source movement during inversion. By correcting source movement during inversion, multiple data sets may be acquired independently during overlapping time periods thus reducing the number of sweeps required, generating greater amounts of data, and simplifying data processing. |
US09052404B2 |
Well-logging apparatus including azimuthally-spaced, noble gas-based detectors
A well-logging device may include a housing to be positioned within a borehole of a subterranean formation, and at least one radiation source carried by the housing to direct radiation into the subterranean formation. The well-logging device may also include noble gas-based radiation detectors carried by the housing in azimuthally spaced relation to detect radiation from the subterranean formation. A controller may determine at least one property of the subterranean formation based upon the detected radiation from the noble gas-based radiation detectors. |
US09052403B2 |
Compact mobile cargo scanning system
The present invention is a self-contained mobile inspection system and method and, more specifically, improved methods and systems for detecting materials concealed within a wide variety of receptacles and/or cargo containers. In particular, the present invention is an improved method and system with a novel boom structure that reduces the weight of the boom. The single, light-weight boom of the inspection system is relatively compact in a stowed configuration and has a low height and center of gravity lending to greater maneuverability. |
US09052399B2 |
Scintillator pixel array with reduced cross talk
A scintillator pixel array can include a housing and a plurality of scintillator pixels within the housing. Further, the scintillator pixel array can include a grid structure within the housing. The grid structure can separate the plurality of pixels into rows and columns. Further, the grid structure can include an opaque layer configured to substantially prevent pixel-to-pixel cross talk within the plurality of scintillator pixels. |
US09052392B2 |
Velocity measurement apparatus capable of accurately measuring velocity of moving object relative to ground surface
A velocity measurement apparatus comprising: first and second surface profile sensors for acquiring first and second surface profile data, a memory for storing the first and second surface profile data, and a calculation unit for calculating a velocity of a moving object. Each surface profile sensors acquires the corresponding surface profile data by measuring signal levels of reflected waves corresponding to a radio wave emitted to a ground surface and then reflected from structures on the ground surface, and measuring propagation durations from the emission of the radio wave to the return of the respective reflected waves. The calculation unit compares the first and second surface profile data, determines a difference between their measurement times, and divides a distance between the first and second surface profile sensors by the difference between the measurement times to calculate the velocity of the moving object. |
US09052387B2 |
Tamper resistant transponder with satellite link for airplane and ship safety
A tamper-resistant transponder system for craft is provided that inhibits attempted disablement and promotes very fast search and rescue operations for airplane and ship disasters. A key point in this invention is to have several simple transponders located on different places in the plane or a ship which can't be disabled by any means by any one or a number of people. The information which is transmitted periodically to a monitoring station through the satellite link are the GPS coordinates, date, time, altitude, speed and heading. In additions, the information may include the count of active transponders in the craft to be used to check against the number of monitored transponders. This information is the necessary and sufficient data to initiate a fast search and rescue operation anywhere in the world. |
US09052386B2 |
Method and apparatus for video frame sequence-based object tracking
An apparatus and method for the analysis of a sequence of captured images covering a scene for detecting and tracking of moving and static objects (86) and for matching (88) the patterns of object behavior in the captured images to object behavior in predetermined scenarios. |
US09052384B2 |
System and method for calibration for image-guided surgery
A method of calibrating a transformation of ultrasound data in an imaging system from a first coordinate system into a second coordinate system, the method including applying a transformation having parameters. The parameters are calibrated by imaging a planar object, extracting points corresponding to ultrasound rays intersecting the planar object, and fitting the parameters such that the points when transformed by the transformation describe a planar surface in the second coordinate system. |
US09052378B2 |
Estimation of position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN positioning system
A method for estimating position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN location based service is provided. A location-based services system has a plurality of Wi-Fi access points in a target area. The Wi-Fi access points are positioned at geographic locations and have signal coverage areas. A method of characterizing at least one of the Wi-Fi access points comprises determining the geographic location of the Wi-Fi access point, dividing the signal coverage area of the Wi-Fi access point into at least one section, and determining radio propagation characteristics for each section. The radio propagation characteristics of each section characterize a radio channel of the Wi-Fi access point, and the characterization can be used in a location algorithm. |
US09052375B2 |
Method for validating aircraft traffic control data
A method for group travel and group communications, wherein the group travel parameters and group communications are combined for verifying and validating ADS-B data on aircraft. The full connectivity within a navigating group of aircraft allows all the group members to communicate spatial/temporal observations and collaborate in group protocols, e.g., majority voting protocol, which can determine if a received ADS-B message is corrupted or from a false target aircraft. Well-established distributed protocols based on group communications and majority voting exist for (1) detecting compromised members, i.e., false target aircraft, and (2) verifying message integrity, i.e., ADS-B data, given a minority fraction of members are compromised/colluding. Such protocols can be based on IP multicast communications over the IP networking data links available on the aircraft. Also disclosed is a method for verification and validation of position indicator message data on aircraft. |
US09052374B2 |
Method and system for processing positioning signals based on predetermined message data segment
A method and system for determining a geolocation of an object includes collecting a positioning signal including a predetermined message data segment. A time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined in the positioning signal. Information based on the time of arrival may be provided for determination of a geolocation of an object. The time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined based on a time search for the predetermined message data segment in the positioning signal. |