最新美国发明专利第2015-06-23期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09064937B2	Substrate bonding with diffusion barrier structures A metallic dopant element having a greater oxygen-affinity than copper is introduced into, and/or over, surface portions of copper-based metal pads and/or surfaces of a dielectric material layer embedding the copper-based metal pads in each of two substrates to be subsequently bonded. A dopant-metal silicate layer may be formed at the interface between the two substrates to contact portions of metal pads not in contact with a surface of another metal pad, thereby functioning as an oxygen barrier layer, and optionally as an adhesion material layer. A dopant metal rich portion may be formed in peripheral portions of the metal pads in contact with the dopant-metal silicate layer. A dopant-metal oxide portion may be formed in peripheral portions of the metal pads that are not in contact with a dopant-metal silicate layer.
US09064935B2	Methods of forming a plurality of conductive lines in the fabrication of integrated circuitry, methods of forming an array of conductive lines, and integrated circuitry A method of forming a pair of conductive lines in the fabrication of integrated circuitry includes forming a trench into a damascene material received over a substrate. Conductive material is deposited over the damascene material and to within the trench to overfill the trench. The conductive material is removed back at least to the damascene material to leave at least some of the conductive material remaining in the trench. Etching is conducted longitudinally through the conductive material within the trench to form first and second conductive lines within the trench which are mirror images of one another in lateral cross section along at least a majority of length of the first and second conductive lines. Other implementations are contemplated.
US09064933B2	Methods and structure for carrier-less thin wafer handling Methods of forming a microelectronic assembly and the resulting structures and devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a microelectronic assembly includes removing material exposed at portions of a surface of a substrate to form a processed substrate having a plurality of thinned portions separated by integral supporting portions of the processed substrate having a thickness greater than a thickness of the thinned portions, at least some of the thinned portions including a plurality of electrically conductive interconnects extending in a direction of the thicknesses of the thinned portions and exposed at the surface; and removing the supporting portions of the substrate to sever the substrate into a plurality of individual thinned portions, at least some individual thinned portions including the interconnects.
US09064929B2	Method for reducing the thickness of an SOI layer There is disclosed a method for manufacturing an SOI wafer comprising: a step of implanting at least one of a hydrogen ion and a rare gas ion into a donor wafer to form an ion implanted layer; a step of bonding an ion implanted surface of the donor wafer to a handle wafer; a step of delaminating the donor wafer at the ion implanted layer to reduce a film thickness of the donor wafer, thereby providing an SOI layer; and a step of etching the SOI layer to reduce a thickness of the SOI layer, wherein the etching step includes: a stage of performing rough etching as wet etching; a stage of measuring a film thickness distribution of the SOI layer after the rough etching; and a stage of performing precise etching as dry etching based on the measured film thickness distribution of the SOI layer. There can be provided A method for manufacturing an SOI wafer having high film thickness uniformity of an SOI layer with excellent productivity.
US09064928B2	Growth of multi-layer group III-nitride buffers on large-area silicon substrates and other substrates A method includes forming a first epitaxial layer over a semiconductor substrate and etching the first epitaxial layer to form multiple separated first epitaxial regions. The method also includes forming a second epitaxial layer over the etched first epitaxial layer. Each epitaxial layer includes at least one Group III-nitride, and the epitaxial layers collectively form a buffer. The method further includes forming a device layer over the buffer and fabricating a semiconductor device using the device layer. The second epitaxial layer could include second epitaxial regions substantially only on the first epitaxial regions. The second epitaxial layer could also cover the first epitaxial regions and the substrate, and the second epitaxial layer may or may not be etched. The device layer could be formed during the same operation used to form the second epitaxial layer.
US09064926B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including dummy regions and dummy wirings There is provided a technique for improving the flatness at the surface of members embedded in a plurality of recesses without resulting in an increase in the time required for the manufacturing processes. According to this technique, the dummy patterns can be placed up to the area near the boundary BL between the element forming region DA and dummy region FA by placing the first dummy pattern DP1 of relatively wider area and the second dummy pattern DP2 of relatively small area in the dummy region FA. Thereby, the flatness of the surface of the silicon oxide film embedded within the isolation groove can be improved over the entire part of the dummy region FA. Moreover, an increase of the mask data can be controlled when the first dummy patterns DP1 occupy a relatively wide region among the dummy region FA.
US09064924B2	Heterojunction bipolar transistors with intrinsic interlayers Heterojunction bipolar transistors are provided that include at least one contact (e.g., collector, emitter, and/or base) formed by a heterojunction between a crystalline semiconductor material and a doped non-crystalline semiconductor material layer. An interfacial intrinsic non-crystalline semiconductor material layer is present at the heterojunction between the crystalline semiconductor material and the doped non-crystalline semiconductor material layer. The presence of the interfacial intrinsic non-crystalline semiconductor material layer improves the surface passivation of the crystalline semiconductor material by reducing the interface defect density at the heterojunction.
US09064917B2	Container for storing semiconductor device A container for storing semiconductor devices is revealed. The container includes a receiving body, a seal plate, and a cover. At least one fastener and at least one driver are mounted in the receiving body. The seal plate is fastened under the receiving body and against the driver so as to fix the driver on the receiving body. When the driver is rotated, the fastener is driven to move in the receiving body by the driver. At least one fixing part of the fastener is moved toward at least one fastening part of the cover. By the fixing part locked in the fastening part, the cover is fixed on the receiving body. Thus a force opposite to the rotating shaft will not be generated around a periphery of the driver. Therefore stability of the rotating driver is improved and the container is opened and closed smoothly.
US09064915B2	Support method, high-temperature treatment method using same, and support jig A method for supporting a support to which a wafer is attached, by supporting the support against gravitational force by supporting three or more support points of an inner circumference section of a support surface of the support. The support surface of the support is opposite to a side on which the wafer is attached to the support.
US09064914B2	Method of and apparatus for heat-treating exposed substrate A substrate subjected to a pattern exposure process is transported to a flash bake unit. The flash bake unit performs a post-exposure bake process in which flashes of light are directed from flash lamps onto a surface of the substrate held on an upper surface of a cooling plate to momentarily heat the surface of the substrate, thereby causing crosslinking, deprotection or decomposition and the like of resist resin to proceed by using active species produced in a resist film by a photochemical reaction during the pattern exposure process as an acid catalyst, so that the solubility of only the exposed portion of the resist film in a developing solution is locally changed. The flash heating treatment performed by the irradiation with flashes of light requires extremely short treatment time of not greater than one second. This reduces the diffusion length of acid during the post-exposure bake process.
US09064909B2	Method of processing a semiconductor substrate in a plasma processing apparatus A showerhead electrode for a plasma processing apparatus includes an interface gel between facing surfaces of an electrode plate and a backing plate. The interface gel maintains thermal conductivity during lateral displacements generated during temperature cycling due to mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion. The interface gel comprises, for example, a silicone based composite filled with aluminum oxide microspheres. The interface gel can conform to irregularly shaped features and maximize surface contact area between mating surfaces. The interface gel can be pre-applied to a consumable upper electrode.
US09064907B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device A highly reliable semiconductor device which includes a transistor including an oxide semiconductor is provided. In the semiconductor device including a bottom-gate transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer, a stacked layer of an insulating layer and an aluminum film is provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer. Oxygen doping treatment is performed in such a manner that oxygen is introduced to the insulating layer and the aluminum film from a position above the aluminum film, whereby a region containing oxygen in excess of the stoichiometric composition is formed in the insulating layer, and the aluminum film is oxidized to form an aluminum oxide film.
US09064906B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing semiconductor device To provide a miniaturized transistor having favorable electric characteristics. An oxide semiconductor layer is formed to cover a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer, and then regions of the oxide semiconductor layer which overlap with the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer are removed by polishing. Precise processing can be performed accurately because an etching step using a resist mask is not performed in the step of removing the regions of the oxide semiconductor layer overlapping with the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer. Further, a sidewall layer having conductivity is provided on a side surface of a gate electrode layer in a channel length direction; thus, the sidewall layer having conductivity overlaps with the source electrode layer or the drain electrode layer with a gate insulating layer provided therebetween, and a transistor substantially including an Lov region is provided.
US09064904B2	MOS P-N junction Schottky diode device and method for manufacturing the same A MOS P-N junction Schottky diode device includes a substrate having a first conductivity type, a field oxide structure defining a trench structure, a gate structure formed in the trench structure and a doped region having a second conductivity type adjacent to the gate structure in the substrate. An ohmic contact and a Schottky contact are formed at different sides of the gate structure. The method for manufacturing such diode device includes several ion-implanting steps to form several doped sub-regions with different implantation depths to constitute the doped regions. The formed MOS P-N junction Schottky diode device has low forward voltage drop, low reverse leakage current, fast reverse recovery time and high reverse voltage tolerance.
US09064902B2	Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor member, a first insulating layer provided on the semiconductor member, a TaN layer provided on the first insulating layer and containing tantalum and nitrogen, a TaSiN layer provided on the TaN layer in contact with the TaN layer and containing tantalum, silicon, and nitrogen, a second insulating layer provided on the TaSiN layer in contact with the TaSiN layer and containing oxygen, and a control electrode provided on the second insulating layer.
US09064901B1	Fin density control of multigate devices through sidewall image transfer processes Methods and structures for fabricating fins for multigate devices are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a plurality of sidewalls are formed in or on a plurality of mandrels over a semiconductor substrate such that each of the mandrels includes a first sidewall composed of a first material and a second sidewall composed of a second material that is different from the first material. The first sidewall of a first mandrel of the plurality of mandrels is selectively removed. In addition, a pattern composed of remaining sidewalls of the plurality of sidewalls is transferred onto an underlying layer to form a hard mask in the underlying layer. Further, the fins are formed by employing the hard mask and etching semiconducting material in the substrate.
US09064896B2	Transistor structure with feed-through source-to-substrate contact An LDMOS (laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor) structure connects the source to a substrate and also the gate shield while utilizing a reduced area for such contacts. The structure includes an electrically conductive substrate layer, a source, and a drain contact; the drain contact is separated from the substrate layer by at least one intervening layer. An electrically conductive trench-like feed-through element passes through the intervening layer and contacts the substrate and the source to electrically connect the drain contact and the substrate layer.
US09064895B2	Vertical memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same Methods of fabricating vertical memory devices are provided including forming a plurality of alternating insulating layers and sacrificial layers on a substrate; patterning and etching the plurality of insulating layer and sacrificial layers to define an opening that exposes at least a portion of a surface of the substrate; forming a charge trapping pattern and a tunnel insulating pattern on a side wall of the opening; forming a channel layer on the tunnel insulating layer on the sidewall of the opening, the channel layer including N-type impurity doped polysilicon; forming a buried insulating pattern on the channel layer in the opening; and forming a blocking dielectric layer and a control gate on the charge trapping pattern of one side wall of the channel layer.
US09064894B2	Stress enhanced high voltage device A method of forming a device is disclosed. A substrate having a device region is provided. The device region comprises a source region, a gate region and a drain region defined thereon. A gate is formed in the gate region, a source is formed in the source region and drain is formed in the drain region. A trench is formed in an isolation region in the device region. The isolation region underlaps a portion of the gate. An etch stop (ES) stressor layer is formed over the substrate. The ES stressor layer lines the trench.
US09064893B2	Gradient dopant of strained substrate manufacturing method of semiconductor device A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes at least the following steps. A gate structure is formed on a substrate. An epitaxial structure is formed on the substrate, wherein the epitaxial structure comprises SiGe, and the Ge concentration in the epitaxial structure is equal to or higher than 45%. A first cap layer is formed on the epitaxial structure, wherein the first cap layer comprises Si. The first cap layer is doped with boron for forming a flat top surface of the first cap layer.
US09064882B2	Package substrate, manufacturing method thereof, and mold therefor There are provided a package substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and a mold therefor. The method of manufacturing a package substrate includes: preparing a chip component and a substrate; mounting the chip component on a main surface of the substrate; preparing a mold having a cavity and protrusions formed on a ceiling surface thereof; disposing the substrate on a bottom surface of the mold such that the chip component is positioned within the cavity; and forming a resin sealing body that collectively hermetically seals the chip component and the main surface of the substrate by injecting a pressurized liquid resin into the cavity.
US09064881B2	Protecting flip-chip package using pre-applied fillet A die has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and sidewalls includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is closer to the first surface than the second portion. A fillet contacts the first portion of sidewalls of the die and encircles the die. A work piece is bonded to the die through solder bumps, with the second surface facing the work piece. A first underfill is filled a gap between the die and the work piece, wherein the first underfill contacts the fillet, and wherein the first underfill and the fillet are formed of different materials.
US09064879B2	Packaging methods and structures using a die attach film Packaging methods and structures for semiconductor devices that utilize a novel die attach film are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of packaging a semiconductor device includes providing a carrier wafer and forming a die attach film (DAF) that includes a polymer over the carrier wafer. A plurality of dies is attached to the DAF, and the plurality of dies is packaged. At least the carrier wafer is removed from the packaged dies, and the packaged dies are singulated.
US09064874B2	Interconnect with titanium—oxide diffusion barrier An interconnect structure located on a semiconductor substrate within a dielectric material positioned atop the semiconductor substrate is provided having an opening within the dielectric material, the opening includes an electrically conductive material extending from the bottom to the top, and contacting the sidewall; a first layer located on the sidewall of the opening, the first layer is made from a material including titanium oxide or titanium silicon oxide; a second layer located between the first layer and the electrically conductive material, the second layer is made from a material selected from the group TiXOb, TiXSiaOb, XOb, and XSiaOb, X is Mn, Al, Sn, In, or Zr; and a third layer located along a top surface of the electrically conductive material, the third layer is made from a material selected from the group TiXOb, TiXSiaOb, XOb, and XSiaOb, X is Mn, Al, Sn, In, or Zr.
US09064872B2	Semiconductor interconnect structures Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.
US09064870B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof The reliability of wirings, each of which includes a main conductive film containing copper as a primary component, is improved. On an insulating film including the upper surface of a wiring serving as a lower layer wiring, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbonitride film having excellent barrier properties to copper is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a silicon carbide film having excellent adhesiveness to a low dielectric constant material film is formed; on the insulating film, an insulating film formed of a low dielectric constant material as an interlayer insulating film is formed; and thereafter a wiring as an upper layer wiring is formed.
US09064869B2	Semiconductor module and a method for fabrication thereof by extended embedding technologies The semiconductor module includes a carrier, a plurality of semiconductor transistor chips disposed on the carrier, a plurality of semiconductor diode chips disposed on the carrier, an encapsulation layer disposed above the semiconductor transistor chips and the semiconductor diode chips, and a metallization layer disposed above the encapsulation layer. The metallization layer includes a plurality of metallic areas forming electrical connections between selected ones of the semiconductor transistor chips and the semiconductor diode chips.
US09064859B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming conductive posts and heat sink over semiconductor die using leadframe A semiconductor device has a prefabricated multi-die leadframe with a base and integrated raised die paddle and a plurality of bodies extending from the base. A thermal interface layer is formed over a back surface of a semiconductor die or top surface of the raised die paddle. The semiconductor die is mounted over the raised die paddle between the bodies of the leadframe with the TIM disposed between the die and raised die paddle. An encapsulant is deposited over the leadframe and semiconductor die. Vias can be formed in the encapsulant. An interconnect structure is formed over the leadframe, semiconductor die, and encapsulant, including into the vias. The base is removed to separate the bodies from the raised die paddle. The raised die paddle provides heat dissipation for the semiconductor die. The bodies are electrically connected to the interconnect structure. The bodies operate as conductive posts for electrical interconnect.
US09064855B2	Semiconductor device with lead terminals having portions thereof extending obliquely A semiconductor device in which a semiconductor chip, a lead frame and metal wires for electrically connecting the lead frame are sealed with sealing resin. The lead frame has a plurality of lead terminal portions, a supporting portion for supporting the semiconductor chip, and hanging lead portions supporting the supporting portion. Each of the lead terminal portions adjacent to the hanging lead portion is a chamfered lead terminal portion having, at its head, a chamfered portion formed substantially in parallel with the hanging lead portion so as to avoid interference with the hanging lead portion.
US09064850B2	Through-substrate via formation with improved topography control A device include a substrate and an interconnect structure over the substrate. The interconnect structure comprising an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) and a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) formed over the ILD. A through-substrate via (TSV) is formed at the IMD extending a first depth through the interconnect structure into the substrate. A metallic pad is formed at the IMD adjoining the TSV and extending a second depth into the interconnect structure, wherein the second depth is less than the first depth. Connections to the TSV are made through the metallic pad.
US09064848B2	ARC residue-free etching Antireflective residues during pattern transfer and consequential short circuiting are eliminated by employing an underlying sacrificial layer to ensure complete removal of the antireflective layer. Embodiments include forming a hard mask layer over a conductive layer, e.g., a silicon substrate, forming the sacrificial layer over the hard mask layer, forming an optical dispersive layer over the sacrificial layer, forming a silicon anti-reflective coating layer over the optical dispersive layer, forming a photoresist layer over the silicon anti-reflective coating layer, where the photoresist layer defines a pattern, etching to transfer the pattern to the hard mask layer, and stripping at least the optical dispersive layer and the sacrificial layer.
US09064847B2	Heterojunction semiconductor device with conductive barrier portion and manufacturing method Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a group 13 nitride heterojunction comprising a first layer having a first bandgap and a second layer having a second bandgap, wherein the first layer is located between a substrate and the second layer; and a Schottky electrode and a first further electrode each conductively coupled to a different area of the heterojunction, said Schottky electrode comprising a central region and an edge region, wherein the element comprises a conductive barrier portion located underneath said edge region only of the Schottky electrode for locally increasing the Schottky barrier of the Schottky electrode. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor device is also disclosed.
US09064842B2	Semiconductor device including graphene layer and method of making the semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a substrate, first plural contacts formed in the substrate, a graphene layer formed on the substrate and on the first plural contacts and second plural contacts formed on the graphene layer such that the graphene layer is formed between the first plural contacts and the second plural contacts.
US09064839B2	IGBT and diode In an IGBT, defects generated by ion implantation for introduction of the P-type collector region or N-type buffer region into the N−-type drift region near the N-type buffer region remain to improve the switching speed, however the leak current increases by bringing a depletion layer into contact with the crystal defects at the off time. To avoid this, an IGBT is provided which includes an N-type buffer region having a higher concentration than that of an N−-type drift region and being in contact with a P-type on its backside, and a defect remaining region provided near the boundary between the N-type buffer region and the N−-type drift region. The N−-type drift region located on the front surface side with respect to the defect remaining region is provided with an N-type field stopping region having a higher concentration than that of the N−-type drift region.
US09064836B1	Extrinsic gettering on semiconductor devices A semiconductor wafer, die and semiconductor package formed therefrom are disclosed, where the inactive surface of the wafer has an extrinsic gettering pattern formed from a texturing process. In examples, the texturing process follows a polishing process that removes stress concentration point from the inactive surface of the wafer.
US09064835B2	Thin-film transistor array substrate and display device including the same A TFT array substrate includes: a first insulation layer over a semiconductor layer; a second insulation layer over a plurality of first gate wires formed on the first insulation layer; a third insulation layer over a plurality of second gate wires formed on the second insulation layer; a cover metal formed over the third insulation layer and contacting the semiconductor layer through a contact hole that passes through the first, second and third insulation layers; a fourth insulation layer over the cover metal; a protection layer formed over the fourth insulation layer; and an anode electrode formed over the protection layer and contacting the cover metal through a via hole that passes through the protection layer, the fourth insulation layer, and the contact hole.
US09064834B2	Display device including display panel having opening for flexible printed circuit board A display device includes a display panel including a display area to display an image, and a non-display area adjacent to the display area and having an opening; a driver on a rear of the display panel; and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) connecting the non-display area to the driver through the opening, and is bent at an angle less than 90 degrees from the non-display area to the driver.
US09064832B2	Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same An array substrate for a display device, including a substrate having a pixel region and a switching region, a source electrode and a drain electrode on the switching region of the substrate, ends of the source and drain electrodes having tapered edges, a pixel electrode in the pixel region of the substrate, the pixel electrode being connected to the drain electrode, an organic semiconductor layer on the source and drain electrodes, the organic semiconductor layer completely contacting tapered edges and a top surface of each of the source and drain electrodes, a first insulating layer on the organic semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode on the first insulating layer.
US09064827B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device An object is to provide a semiconductor device with excellent reproducibility which is manufactured at low cost. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes steps of forming a first electrode over a substrate; forming an insulating layer over the substrate and the first electrode; pressing a mold against the insulating layer to form an opening in the insulating layer; separating the mold from the insulating layer in which opening is formed; hardening the insulating layer in which the opening is formed to form a partition wall; forming a light-emitting layer over the first electrode and the partition wall; and forming a second electrode over the light-emitting layer. As a method for forming the partition wall, nano-imprinting is used. An insulating layer contains polysilane. The partition wall formed of a silicon oxide film is formed by UV light irradiation and heating.
US09064826B2	Organic electroluminescent display device and circularly polarizing plate The objective of the present invention is to provide: a circularly polarizing plate which comprises a λ/4 retardation film and has excellent visibility, excellent durability (resistance to image unevenness) and excellent resistance to panel deterioration (flatness) after storage in a high-temperature high-humidity environment for a long period of time; and an organic electroluminescent display device which uses the circularly polarizing plate. This organic electroluminescent display device comprises, from the viewing side, a protective film, a polarizer, a λ/4 retardation film and an organic electroluminescent element in this order, and is characterized in that at least one surface of the λ/4 retardation film has a layer A which has a storage modulus of from 100 MPa to 500 MPa (inclusive).
US09064824B2	In-situ annealing for extending the lifetime of CMOS products Methods for packaging a functional chip, methods for annealing a functional chip, and chip assemblies. A functional chip and an annealing chip are located inside a package. The functional chip includes an integrated circuit. The annealing chip includes an annealing element source comprised of an annealing element or a light source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation. The integrated circuit of the functional chip receives the annealing element, electromagnetic radiation, or both from the annealing chip in order to perform an annealing procedure that extends the useful lifetime of the packaged integrated circuit.
US09064822B2	Organic electroluminescent device and method of manufacturing the same An organic electroluminescent display includes: a first substrate including a plurality of pixel regions, each having three sub-pixel regions; a first electrode in each sub-pixel region on the first substrate; an organic light emitting layer in each pixel region on the first electrode; a second electrode on the organic light emitting layer; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and quantum dot layers on an inner surface of the second substrate and corresponding to at least two of the three sub-pixel regions.
US09064816B2	Dry-etch for selective oxidation removal Methods of selectively etching tungsten oxide relative to tungsten, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and/or titanium nitride are described. The methods include a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor and/or hydrogen (H2). Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents react with the tungsten oxide. The plasmas effluents react with exposed surfaces and selectively remove tungsten oxide while very slowly removing other exposed materials. In some embodiments, the tungsten oxide selectivity results partly from the presence of an ion suppression element positioned between the remote plasma and the substrate processing region. The ion suppression element reduces or substantially eliminates the number of ionically-charged species that reach the substrate.
US09064812B2	Aspect ratio dependent etch (ARDE) lag reduction process by selective oxidation with inert gas sputtering Embodiments of methods for etching a substrate include exposing the substrate to a first plasma formed from an inert gas; exposing the substrate to a second plasma formed from an oxygen-containing gas to form an oxide layer on a bottom and sides of a low aspect ratio feature and a high aspect ratio feature, wherein the oxide layer on the bottom of the low aspect ratio feature is thicker than on the bottom of the high aspect ratio feature; etching the oxide layer from the bottom of the low and high aspect ratio features with a third plasma to expose the bottom of the high aspect ratio feature while the bottom of the low aspect ratio feature remains covered; and exposing the substrate to a fourth plasma formed from a halogen-containing gas to etch the bottom of the low aspect ratio feature and the high aspect ratio feature.
US09064803B2	Split-gate flash memory exhibiting reduced interference A split gate memory cell is fabricated with a dielectric spacer comprising a high-k material between the word gate and the memory gate stack. Embodiments include memory cells with a dielectric spacer comprising low-k and high-k layers. Other embodiments include memory cells with an air gap between the word gate and the memory gate stack.
US09064790B2	Method for producing p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer, method for producing ZnO based compound semiconductor element, p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor single crystal layer, ZnO based compound semiconductor element, and n-type ZnO based compound semiconductor laminate structure A method for producing a p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer is provided. The method comprises the steps of (a) preparing an n-type single crystal ZnO based compound semiconductor structure containing a Group 11 element which is Cu and/or Ag and at least one Group 13 element selected from the group consisting of B, Ga, Al, and In, and (b) annealing the n-type single crystal ZnO based compound semiconductor structure to form the p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer co-doped with the Group 11 element and the Group 13 element.
US09064789B2	Bonded epitaxial oxide structures for compound semiconductor on silicon substrates A structure including a compound semiconductor layer epitaxially grown on an epitaxial oxide layer is provided wherein the lattice constant of the epitaxial oxide layer may be different from the semiconductor substrate on which it is grown. Fabrication of one structure includes growing a graded semiconductor layer stack to engineer a desired lattice parameter on a semiconductor substrate or layer. The desired compound semiconductor layer is formed on the graded layer. The epitaxial oxide layer is grown on and lattice matched to the desired layer. Fabrication of an alternative structure includes growing a layer of desired compound semiconductor material directly on a germanium substrate or a germanium layer formed on a silicon substrate and growing an epitaxial oxide layer on the layer of the desired material. Following implantation of a cleavage layer and wafer bonding to a handle wafer, the layer of desired compound semiconductor material is fractured along the cleavage layer and the residual portion thereof removed. A layer of the desired compound semiconductor material is then regrown on the epitaxial oxide layer.
US09064788B1	Statistical method for monitoring manufacturing equipment and processing operations A statistical process control method for monitoring and controlling semiconductor manufacturing processing operations is provided. For a chosen processing operation, multiple measurement sites are used to generate data of a measurable characteristic that is impacted by and associated with the processing operation. The data from the sites is compared over time and one or more outlier sites are identified. The outlier sites are the sites at which the data values are most divergent from the rest of the data. Algorithms are used to mathematically compare the outlier sites to the other sites to produce a comparative index. The comparative index is monitored graphically or otherwise to identify changes in the processing operation, and corrective actions are taken.
US09064786B2	Dual three-dimensional (3D) resistor and methods of forming Various embodiments include dual three-dimensional (3D) resistor structures and methods of forming such structures. In some embodiments, a dual 3D resistor structure includes: a dielectric layer having a first set of trenches extending in a first direction through the dielectric layer; and a second set of trenches overlayed on the first set of trenches, the second set of trenches extending in a second direction through the dielectric layer, the second set of trenches and the first set of trenches forming at least one dual 3D trench; and a resistor material overlying the dielectric layer and at least partially filling the at least one dual 3D trench along the first direction and the second direction.
US09064783B2	Method for the direct bonding of a silicon oxide layer A direct bonding method between at least a first layer (104) comprising silicon oxide having a thickness equal to or higher than about 10 nm and a second layer (108) of material having hydrophilicity, comprising at least the steps of: making the first layer (104) on a first substrate (102) such that the absorbance value of this first layer (104), at a vibration frequency of silanol bonds present in the first layer (104) equal to about 3660 cm−1, is equal to or higher than about 1.5×10−5 nm−1, the silanol bonds being formed in at least part of the thickness of the first layer (104) which is equal to or higher than about 10 nm; direct bonding between the first layer (104) and the second layer (108).
US09064779B2	Semiconductor rectifier A semiconductor rectifier includes a first conductivity type wide bandgap semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type wide bandgap semiconductor layer on an upper surface of which is formed a plurality of first wide bandgap semiconductor regions of the first conductivity type sandwiching a plurality of second wide bandgap semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type, and a plurality of third wide bandgap semiconductor regions of the second conductivity type, at least a part of the third wide bandgap semiconductor regions being connected to the second wide bandgap semiconductor regions and each of the third wide bandgap semiconductor regions having a width smaller than that of the second wide bandgap semiconductor regions. A first electrode is formed on the first and second wide bandgap semiconductor regions and a second electrode is formed on a lower surface of the wide bandgap semiconductor substrate.
US09064770B2	Methods for minimizing edge peeling in the manufacturing of BSI chips A method includes forming top metal lines over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is a portion of a wafer having a bevel. When the top metal lines are exposed, an etchant is supplied on the bevel, wherein regions of the wafer sprayed with the etchant has an inner defining line forming a first ring having a first diameter. A trimming step is performed to trim an edge portion of the wafer, wherein an edge of a remaining portion of the wafer has a second diameter substantially equal to or smaller than the first diameter.
US09064768B2	Imaging apparatus and medical equipment A light receiving section is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements. A light source section is arranged in a subject side of the light receiving section, and is provided with a light emitting section that illuminates the subject and a plurality of transmissive sections that transmits incident light to the light receiving section side. The light emitting section is provided with a first translucent layer, which includes a light emitting layer, and a reflection layer and a semi-transmissive reflection layer, which are opposed each other interposing the first translucent layer, so that a resonance structure that resonates irradiation light from the light emitting layer is formed. Each of the transmissive sections is provided with a second translucent layer, and a first semi-transmissive reflection layer and a second semi-transmissive reflection layer, which are opposed each other interposing the second translucent layer, so that a resonance structure that resonates incident light from the subject side is formed. A resonance length between the reflection layer and the semi-transmissive reflection layer in the light emitting section is more than a resonance length between the first semi-transmissive reflection layer and the second semi-transmissive reflection layer in the transmissive section.
US09064767B2	Solid state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same According to one embodiment, a pixel detecting light having the longest wavelength in a picture element includes a protective film which is disposed on a photodiode at a surface side facing a light incident surface of a semiconductor substrate and a first diffraction grating portion which is disposed on the protective film and where columnar holes penetrating in a thickness direction are two-dimensionally arrayed. Diameter and array period of the holes are selected so that the first diffraction grating portion reflects light transmitting through a filter disposed on the pixel.
US09064765B2	Handheld imaging apparatus for, and method of, imaging targets using a high performance, compact scan engine An apparatus for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a target by image capture, employ a scan engine in a handheld housing having a tilted handle. A single tilted printed circuit board (PCB) in the handle has front and rear surfaces that respectively face toward and away from the target during reading. An optical assembly having a pair of fold mirrors is mounted on the rear surface, for receiving return light from the target through an aperture in the PCB along the horizontal, and for directing the return light along an internal folded optical path. An imaging lens assembly is mounted between the fold mirrors and has an imaging axis that extends generally parallel to the PCB. The imaging lens assembly projects the return light onto a solid-state, two-dimensional, image sensor to enable the return light to be detected over a field of view, and to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected return light.
US09064764B2	Pixel isolation elements, devices, and associated methods Light trapping pixels, devices incorporating such pixels, and various associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a light trapping pixel device can include a light sensitive pixel having a light incident surface, a backside surface opposite the light incident surface, and a peripheral sidewall disposed into at least a portion of the pixel and extending at least substantially around the pixel periphery. The pixel can also include a backside light trapping material substantially covering the backside surface and a peripheral light trapping material substantially covering the peripheral sidewall. The light contacting the backside light trapping material or the peripheral light trapping material is thus reflected back toward the pixel.
US09064762B2	Solid-state imaging device, method for manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and imaging apparatus A solid-state imaging device includes, on a semiconductor substrate, a pixel portion having a plurality of pixels provided with a photoelectric conversion portion, which photoelectrically converts incident light to obtain a signal charge and a pixel transistor portion, which converts the signal charge read from the photoelectric conversion portion to a voltage, wherein an element isolation region disposed in the pixel portion includes an insulating film buried in a trench disposed in the semiconductor substrate, and the insulating film includes an insulating film having a negative charge.
US09064756B2	Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof A thin film transistor array panel includes: a substrate including a display area and a drive region in which a driving chip for transmitting a driving signal to the pixels is located; a gate line in the display area; a storage electrode line; a gate driving pad coupled to the driving chip; a gate insulating layer; a first semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer and overlapped with a gate electrode protruding from the gate line; a second semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulating layer and overlapped with a sustain electrode protruding from the storage electrode line; a data line crossing the gate line in an insulated manner and a drain electrode separated from the data line; and a pixel electrode coupled to the drain electrode, and the drain electrode comprises a drain bar facing the source electrode, and a drain extender overlapped with the second semiconductor layer.
US09064752B2	Array substrate for liquid crystal display having gate line, gate electrode and data pattern in at least two trenches and method of fabricating the same An array substrate includes: a trench having a depth from a surface of a substrate; a gate line, a gate electrode and a data pattern filling the respective trenches, wherein the data pattern is between the adjacent gate lines; a gate insulating layer on the gate line, the gate electrode and the data pattern, substantially flat over the substrate, and including contact holes that expose both ends of the data pattern, respectively; a data connection portion on the gate insulating layer and contacting the adjacent data patterns through the contact holes; a source electrode extending from the data connection portion, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode; a passivation layer on the source and drain electrodes and including a drain contact hole exposing the drain electrode; and a pixel electrode on the passivation layer and contacting the drain electrode through the drain contact hole.
US09064751B2	Thin film transistor array substrate and manufacturing method thereof Disclosed is a thin-film transistor array substrate including a Gate driver In Panel (GIP). The GIP includes a first wiring on a substrate, a first insulating film covering the first wiring, a second wiring on the first insulating film, a second insulating film covering the second wiring, a third insulating film over the second insulating film, first and second contact holes to expose the first and second wirings, and a third wiring on the third insulating film for connection of the first and second wirings. The third insulating film includes a first area corresponding to the first and second contact holes, a second area corresponding to a region between the first and second contact holes within a first thickness range, and a remaining third area within a second thickness range, the minimum value of the first thickness range being greater than the maximum value of the second thickness range.
US09064749B2	Array substrate An array substrate includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel structures. At least one pixel structure includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a patterned semiconductor layer, a first passivation layer, and a transparent conductive pattern disposed in a pixel region of the substrate. The patterned semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor pattern and a second semiconductor pattern. The first semiconductor pattern substantially corresponds to the gate electrode and covers a portion of the source electrode and a portion of the drain electrode. The second semiconductor pattern covers a portion of the drain electrode. The first passivation layer is disposed on the patterned semiconductor layer and has a first opening exposing a portion of the second semiconductor pattern. The transparent conductive pattern is disposed on the first passivation layer and electrically connected to the second semiconductor pattern through the first opening.
US09064748B2	Graphene and nanotube/nanowire transistor with a self-aligned gate structure on transparent substrates and method of making same Transistor devices having a self-aligned gate structure on transparent substrates and techniques for fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a method of fabricating a transistor device includes the following steps. A channel material is formed on a transparent substrate. Source and drain electrodes are formed in contact with the channel material. A dielectric layer is deposited on the channel material. A photoresist is deposited on the dielectric layer and developed using UV light exposure through the transparent substrate. A gate metal(s) is deposited on the exposed portions of the dielectric layer and the undeveloped portions of the photoresist. The undeveloped portions of the photoresist are removed along with portions of the gate metal over the source and drain regions to form a gate of the device on the dielectric layer over the channel material which is self-aligned to the source and drain electrodes.
US09064744B2	Structure and method to realize conformal doping in deep trench applications The specification and drawings present a new method, ASIC and computer/software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) are presented for realizing conformal doping in embedded deep trench applications in the ASIC. A common SOI substrate with intrinsic or low dopant concentration is used for manufacturing such ASICs comprising a logic area having MOSFETs utilizing, for example, ultra thin body and box technology and an eDRAM area having deep trench capacitors with the conformal doping.
US09064743B2	Flexible, stretchable electronic devices Fabrication methods are disclosed that facilitate the production of electronic structures that are both flexible and stretchable to conform to non-planar (e.g. curved) surfaces without suffering functional damage due to excessive strain. Electronic structures including CMOS devices are provided that can be stretched or squeezed within acceptable limits without failing or breaking. The methods disclosed herein further facilitate the production of flexible, stretchable electronic structures having multiple levels of intra-chip connectors. Such connectors are formed through deposition and photolithographic patterning (back end of the line processing) and can be released following transfer of the electronic structures to flexible substrates.
US09064741B1	Uniformity in wafer patterning using feedback control A method for patterning a wafer includes performing a first patterning on a wafer, and after performing the first patterning, calculating a simulated dose mapper (DoMa) map predicting a change in critical dimensions of the wafer due to performing a second patterning on the wafer. The method further includes performing the second patterning on the wafer. Performing the second patterning includes adjusting one or more etching parameters of the second patterning in accordance with differences between the simulated DoMa map and desired critical dimensions of the wafer.
US09064740B2	Measurement device and method for vapour deposition applications In vapor deposition applications, especially OLED mass production, where it is necessary to measure and/or control the deposition rate of evaporation sources within specific tolerances, a measurement system is adapted to use robust and accurate optical thickness measurement methods at high and low rate sources, so that the thickness of a layer deposited on a substrate can be measured and controlled. A first evaporation source (11) deposits a layer of material on a substrate (20). A mobile element (41) is provided, On which a film is deposited from a second evaporation source (12b) in a deposition location (D1). Subsequently the mobile element is conveyed to a measurement location (D2) where the thickness of the film is measured by a thickness detector (45). The measurement apparatus is arranged to control the deposition of the first evaporation source in dependence on the thickness of the film deposited on the mobile element.
US09064736B2	Method of manufacturing three dimensional semiconductor memory device A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device is provided. The method includes alternately stacking a first insulation film, a first sacrificial film, alternating second insulation films and second sacrificial films, a third sacrificial film and a third insulation film on a substrate. A channel hole is formed to expose a portion of the substrate while passing through the first insulation film, the first sacrificial film, the second insulation films, the second sacrificial films, the third sacrificial film and the third insulation film. The method further includes forming a semiconductor pattern on the portion of the substrate exposed in the channel hole by epitaxial growth. Forming the semiconductor pattern includes forming a lower epitaxial film, doping an impurity into the lower epitaxial film, and forming an upper epitaxial film on the lower epitaxial film. Forming the lower epitaxial film, doping the impurity into the lower epitaxial film and forming the upper epitaxial film are all performed in-situ, and the semiconductor pattern includes a doped region and an undoped region.
US09064734B2	Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same A semiconductor device includes a substrate including an active region and a field region, first gate structures disposed on the active region, first air gaps disposed between the first gate structures, second gate structures disposed on the field region, second air gaps disposed between the second gate structures, and an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the first gate structures, the first air gaps, the second gate structures, and the second air gaps. A lowermost level of the second air gaps is lower than a lowermost level of the first gate structures.
US09064732B2	Semiconductor device including work function control film patterns and method for fabricating the same A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region, a first high-k dielectric film pattern on the first region, a second high-k dielectric film pattern on the second region and having the same thickness as the first high-k dielectric film pattern. First and second work function control film patterns are positioned on the high-k dielectric film patterns of the first region. Third and fourth work function control patterns are positioned on the high-k dielectric film pattern of the second region, the first work function control pattern being thicker than the third work function control pattern and the fourth work function control pattern being thicker than the second.
US09064731B2	Semiconductor device having landing pads A semiconductor device including a substrate, the substrate including active regions; a pair of conductive lines spaced apart from the substrate such that an insulating layer is between the substrate and the pair of conductive lines; insulating spacers covering side walls of each of the pair of conductive lines such that contact holes having first widths in a first direction are defined between the pair of conductive lines; upper insulating patterns on the pair of conductive lines, the upper insulating patterns defining landing pad holes connected to the contact holes such that the landing pad holes have second widths in the first direction that are greater than the first widths; contact structures including contact plugs connected to the active regions by passing through the insulating layer, and first landing pads connected to the contact plugs, the first landing pads being in the landing pads holes such that the first landing pads vertically overlap with one of the pair of conductive lines; and capacitor lower electrodes connected to the contact structures.
US09064730B2	Techniques for forming a contact to a buried diffusion layer in a semiconductor memory device Techniques for forming a contact to a buried diffusion layer in a semiconductor memory device are disclosed. The techniques may be realized as a semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device may comprise a substrate comprising an upper layer, an array of dummy pillars formed on the upper layer of the substrate and arranged in rows and columns, and an array of active pillars formed on the upper layer of the substrate and arranged in rows and columns. Each of the dummy pillars may extend upward from the upper layer and have a bottom contact that is electrically connected with the upper layer of the substrate. Each of the active pillars may extend upward from the upper layer and have an active first region, an active second region, and an active third region. Each of the active pillars may also be electrically connected with the upper layer of the substrate.
US09064724B2	Three-dimensional non-volatile memory device with stacked-structure memory blocks A semiconductor device includes a substrate where a cell region and a contact region are defined, an isolation region and an active region disposed alternately in the contact region, transistors configured to include a gate formed over the substrate and a source and a drain formed in the active region at both sides of the gate, in the contact region, memory blocks configured to include conductive lines stacked over the substrate and formed over the transistors, the conductive lines being extended from the cell region to the contact region in the direction crossing over the isolation region and the active region, and contact plugs formed between the memory blocks in the contact region.
US09064722B2	Breakdown voltage multiplying integration scheme A circuit includes a first field effect transistor having a gate, a first drain-source terminal, and a second drain-source terminal; and a second field effect transistor having a gate, a first drain-source terminal, and a second drain-source terminal. The second field effect transistor and the first field effect transistor are of the same type, i.e., both n-channel transistors or both p-channel transistors. The second drain-source terminal of the first field effect transistor is coupled to the first drain-source terminal of the second field effect transistor; and the gate of the second field effect transistor is coupled to the first drain-source terminal of the second field effect transistor. The resulting three-terminal device can be substituted for a single field effect transistor that would otherwise suffer breakdown under proposed operating conditions.
US09064719B1	Integrated circuit and method of forming integrated circuit An integrated circuit includes a capacitor and a non-inductive resistor. A substrate has a capacitor area and a resistor area. A patterned stacked structure including a bottom conductive layer, an insulating layer and a top conductive layer from bottom to top is sandwiched by a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer disposed on the substrate. A first metal plug and a second metal plug contact the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer of the capacitor area respectively, thereby the patterned stacked structure in the capacitor area constituting the capacitor. A third metal plug and a fourth metal plug contact the bottom conductive layer and the top conductive layer of the resistor area respectively, and a fifth metal plug contacts the bottom conductive layer and the top conductive layer of the resistor area simultaneously, thereby the patterned stacked structure in the resistor area constituting the non-inductive resistor.
US09064716B2	Stacking devices at finished package level An embodiment is a method and apparatus to stack devices. A first finished package level (FPL) device having a first grounded tested die (GTD) is reduced to nearly size of the first GTD. The first FPL has a first plurality of solder balls. The reduced first FPL device is attached to a first substrate to form a first device assembly.
US09064712B2	Monolithic microwave integrated circuit Low Q associated with passive components of monolithic integrated circuits (ICs) when operated at microwave frequencies can be avoided or mitigated using high resistivity (e.g., ≧100 Ohm-cm) semiconductor substrates (60) and lower resistance inductors (44′, 45′) for the IC (46). This eliminates significant in-substrate electromagnetic coupling losses from planar inductors (44, 45) and interconnections (50-1′, 52-1′, 94, 94′, 94″) overlying the substrate (60). The active transistor(s) (41′) are formed in the substrate (60) proximate the front face (63). Planar capacitors (42′, 43′) are also formed over the front face (63) of the substrate (60). Various terminals (42-1′, 42-2′, 43-1, 43-2′,50′, 51′, 52′, 42-1′, 42-2′, etc.) of the transistor(s) (41′), capacitor(s) (42′, 43′) and inductor(s) (44′, 45′) are coupled to a ground plane (69) on the rear face (62) of the substrate (60) using through-substrate-vias (98, 98′) to minimize parasitic resistance. Parasitic resistance associated with the planar inductors (44′, 45′) and heavy current carrying conductors (52-1′) is minimized by placing them on the outer surface of the IC where they can be made substantially thicker and of lower resistance. The result is a monolithic microwave IC (46, 58) previously unobtainable.
US09064710B2	Transistor with A-face conductive channel and trench protecting well region A transistor structure optimizes current along the A-face of a silicon carbide body to form an AMOSFET that minimizes the JFET effect in the drift region during forward conduction in the on-state. The AMOSFET further shows high voltage blocking ability due to the addition of a highly doped well region that protects the gate corner region in a trench-gated device. The AMOSFET uses the A-face conduction along a trench sidewall in addition to a buried channel layer extending across portions of the semiconductor mesas defining the trench. A doped well extends from at least one of the mesas to a depth within the current spreading layer that is greater than the depth of the trench. A current spreading layer extends between the semiconductor mesas beneath the bottom of the trench to reduce junction resistance in the on-state. A buffer layer between the trench and the deep well further provides protection from field crowding at the trench corner.
US09064707B2	Bonding contact area on a semiconductor substrate A bonding contact area on a semiconductor substrate is provided that includes a reinforcing structure having at least one conductive material layer arranged on the semiconductor substrate to receive the patterned reinforcing structure, a metal layer formed as a bonding contact layer with a bonding surface and arranged on a conductive material layer. Whereby, below the bonding surface, an oxide layer having at least about a 2 μm thickness is arranged, which extends beyond the edge of the bonding surface. The reinforcing structure is arranged in the oxide layer, when viewed looking down onto the bonding surface, outside the bonding surface within the oxide layer.
US09064706B2	Composite of III-nitride crystal on laterally stacked substrates Group-III nitride crystal composites made up of especially processed crystal slices, cut from III-nitride bulk crystal, whose major surfaces are of {1-10±2}, {11-2±2}, {20-2±1} or {22-4±1} orientation, disposed adjoining each other sideways with the major-surface side of each slice facing up, and III-nitride crystal epitaxially present on the major surfaces of the adjoining slices, with the III-nitride crystal containing, as principal impurities, either silicon atoms or oxygen atoms. With x-ray diffraction FWHMs being measured along an axis defined by a <0001> direction of the substrate projected onto either of the major surfaces, FWHM peak regions are present at intervals of 3 to 5 mm width. Also, with threading dislocation density being measured along a <0001> direction of the III-nitride crystal substrate, threading-dislocation-density peak regions are present at the 3 to 5 mm intervals.
US09064704B2	Integrated circuits with ESD protection devices An integrated circuit with ESD protection comprises at least one ESD protection circuit block, which comprises a DC blocking capacitor connected in parallel with at least one compound semiconductor enhancement mode FET as an ESD protection device. The ESD protection circuit block that is built in an integrated circuit provides ESD protection while minimizing the generation of unwanted nonlinear signals resulting from the ESD protection. An integrated circuit comprises a high frequency circuit, a switching element, and two ESD protection circuit blocks, in which the high frequency circuit is connected between a first terminal and a second terminal for inputting or outputting the RF signals, the first ESD protection circuit block is connected from a branch node between the first terminal and the high frequency circuit to the switching element, and the second ESD protection circuit block is connected from the switching element to the ground.
US09064703B2	Low temperature polysilicon film, thin film transistor, manufacturing method thereof and display panel A low temperature polysilicon film and a manufacturing method thereof, a thin film transistor and a manufacturing method thereof and a display panel are provided. The manufacturing method of the low temperature polysilicon film includes crystallizing a nano-silicon thin film to form the low temperature polysilicon film.
US09064700B2	Crystallization annealing processes for production of CIGS and CZTS thin-films In one embodiment, a method includes depositing a chalcogenide precursor layer onto a substrate, and annealing the precursor layer in the presence of a gaseous phase comprising volatile species, the partial pressure of each volatile species being approximately constant over substantially all of the surface of the precursor layer, the partial pressure of each species being between approximately 0.1 mTorr and 760 Torr, where the presence of the gaseous phase reduces decomposition of volatile species from the precursor layer during annealing.
US09064697B2	Trap rich layer formation techniques for semiconductor devices A trap rich layer for an integrated circuit chip is formed by chemical etching and/or laser texturing of a surface of a semiconductor layer. In some embodiments, a trap rich layer is formed by a technique selected from the group of techniques consisting of laser texturing, chemical etch, irradiation, nanocavity formation, porous Si-etch, semi-insulating polysilicon, thermal stress relief and mechanical texturing. Additionally, combinations of two or more of these techniques may be used to form a trap rich layer.
US09064691B2	Semiconductor process A semiconductor process of the present invention is described as follows. A substrate is provided, and a material layer is deposited on the substrate using an organic precursor as a reactant gas. A plasma treatment is conducted immediately after depositing the material layer, wherein plasma is continuously supplied during depositing the material layer and the plasma treatment. A pump-down step is conducted.
US09064689B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof The high voltage transistor includes a first impurity layer, a second impurity layer formed inside the first impurity layer, so as to put the second impurity layer between them, a pair of third impurity layers and fourth impurity layers formed inside the first impurity layer, a fifth impurity layer formed from the uppermost surface of the first impurity layer to the inside of the first impurity layer so as to protrude along the main surface in the direction where the second impurity layer is disposed, and a conductive layer formed above the uppermost surface of the second impurity layer. The concentration of the impurity in the fourth impurity layer is higher than the concentration of the impurity in the third and the fifth impurity layers, and the concentration of the impurity in the fifth impurity layer is higher than the concentration of the impurity in the third impurity layer.
US09064687B2	Substrate carrier having drip edge configurations Substrate carrier can have drainage area leading the liquid away from the substrates, so that liquid droplet can be channeled away from the substrate area. The drainage area can include tilted lines and surfaces toward the ground away from the substrates. The carrier can further have drainage area leading the liquid to an end of the carrier, which then can be channeled to the ground without being free fall to the ground.
US09064679B2	High duty cycle ion spectrometer An ion spectrometer is provided, comprising: an ion source, arranged to generate ions continuously with a first range of mass to charge ratios; and an ion trap, arranged to receive ions from the ion source along an axis, and to eject ions with a second range of mass to charge ratios orthogonally to that axis, the second range of mass to charge ratios being narrower than the first range of mass to charge ratios. In some embodiments, ions generated by the ion source continuously flow into the ion trap. Additionally or alternatively, ion optics receive ions ejected from the ion trap and cool the ions without substantial fragmentation. An ion analyzer receives ions ejected from the ion trap or ion optics and separates the ions in accordance with at least one characteristic of the ions.
US09064678B2	Vacuum photosensor device with electron lensing A scalable vacuum photosensor configured to simplify mass production with a housing having an evacuated first side at an ultrahigh vacuum and a second side which does not require high vacuum. The first side of the device is sealed to a base plate, having a central electron readout element, using an oxide-free sealing technique, with the deposited sealing areas serving as high voltage throughputs from the first to second sides. A conductive photocathode layer on the transparent first side converts photons to photoelectrons and concentrates the photoelectrons upon the readout. The first and second sides together form an electrostatic lens for accelerating and focusing photoelectrons upon the readout, preferably having a scintillator which generates secondary light measured by an optical detector in the second side of the housing.
US09064673B2	Workpiece carrier A workpiece carrier comprises a first plate having a first outer diameter, a first inner diameter, and a first recess extending a first distance from the first inner diameter toward the first outer diameter. The workpiece carrier further comprises a second plate having a second outer diameter, a second inner diameter, and a second recess extending a second distance from the second inner diameter toward the second outer diameter. A plurality of mating features associated with the first plate and second plate are configured to selectively fix a position of a first workpiece between the first plate and second plate within the first recess and second recess.
US09064670B2	Electron emission device and X-ray generator including the same An electron emission device includes a cathode electrode; a mesh-shaped gate electrode spaced apart from the cathode electrode; a plurality of gate spacers between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode; and a plurality of electron emission sources between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode, and alternating with the plurality of gate spacers.
US09064669B2	Field emission cathode and field emission light using the same A field emission cathode comprises at least one electron emitting parcel, and at least one ion absorbing parcel each being electrically connected with each of the at least one electron emitting parcel. The electron emitting parcel includes a first substrate and a nano emission component disposed on the first substrate for emitting electrons in an electric field. The ion absorbing parcel is constituted by a second substrate, in which the electric conductivity of the first substrate is less than that of the second substrate. A field emission light comprises the said field emission cathode, a field emission anode and a power supply. Thus the positive ions in an electric field can be absorbed by ion absorbing parcels to suppress an ion bombardment in the electric field. The efficiency of the electric field of the field emission is then maintained, and the lifetime of the field emission light is enhanced.
US09064660B2	Remote controlled interactive power switch A remote controlled interactive power switch includes a first coil for controlling a switch contact to be closed by suction, a self-locked device for locking the switch contact to keep conducting state by mechanical self-locking, a second coil for controlling the self-locked device to be disengaged and a power supply control circuit. The power supply control circuit is connected with an interactive control module which includes a remote controlled interactive connecting unit, an interactive monitoring unit, a switch-on signal producing unit and a turn-off signal producing unit. The present invention can simplify the complex control circuit and thoroughly resolve the technical requirements of the power switch with high make-break capacity. Additionally, the present invention produces consumption only when starting the on-off switch, and after starting and under normal operation, the pulse magnetic energy coil keeps an inactivity state, no consumption, no heat and no noise.
US09064659B2	Circuit interruption device with constrictive arc extinguishing feature A circuit interruption device includes at least one constriction zone. The constriction zone provides for interference with arcing of an electrical signal. The device may include at least one expansion zone. The device may include at least one movable component to assist in creation of the at least one constriction zone. A method of fabrication is provided.
US09064652B2	Electrical switch, of the normally-closed type, especially for a portable communication device The switch includes a printed circuit, of generally plane shape, and comprising a first face bearing a first contact pad, a second face, opposite the first, bearing a second contact pad, and a through-orifice allowing access between the first face and the second face. The switch also includes a conductor, having a first part, which cooperates with the first contact pad, and a second part, which extends between a first end, fixed to the first part, and a free second end, passing through the orifice. The second part is elastically deformable between a rest position, in which its second end cooperates with the second contact pad, and a stressed position, in which its second end is moved away from the second contact pad.
US09064650B2	Assembly of RF-safe switch and detonator system in a non-RF free environment A method for assembling a radio frequency (RF) safe switch and detonator system in a non-RF free environment. More particularly, the method is for assembling an RF-safe switch and detonator system for an oil well perforating gun at a well-site that is in a non-RF free environment.
US09064644B2	Structure for limiting back-travel of interrupters on circuit breakers Holding structure includes a gear rack member for coupling with an object for movement therewith. The gear rack member includes a set of a teeth and a cam profile surface. A latch is associated with the set of teeth so as to engage and disengage the teeth. A cam follower is fixed to the latch to engage the cam profile surface thereby defining the engaged or disengaged position of the latch with respect to the teeth. A spring provides torque on the latch. The holding structure is constructed and arranged such that during movement of the object in an intended direction, the latch engages the teeth and is held in the engaged position by the spring so as to stop any movement of the object in a direction that is opposite the intended direction, otherwise, the spring is constructed and arranged to hold the latch in the disengaged position.
US09064641B2	Electrical energy storage device and manufacturing method thereof Disclosed is an electrical energy storage device provided with a metallic casing to receive a bare cell and first and second terminals located outside of the metallic casing corresponding to each electrode of the bare cell, including a plate-like member provided on at least one of the first and second terminals, an inner terminal contacting the plate-like member to form the boundary between the inner terminal and the plate-like member, and a laser welded portion formed along the boundary between the inner terminal and the plate-like member to connect the plate-like member with the inner terminal.
US09064639B2	Multilayer ceramic electronic component and board for mounting the same There is provided a multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including dielectric layers stacked therein and satisfying T(thickness)/W(width)>1.0; first and second internal electrodes disposed to face each other in the ceramic body, having the dielectric layer disposed therebetween, and alternately exposed through end surfaces of the ceramic body; and first and second external electrodes extended from the end surfaces of the ceramic body to upper and lower main surfaces of the ceramic body wherein, when a height of the ceramic body is defined as a, and a distance from an upper end of the first or second external electrode formed on the upper main surface of the ceramic body to a lower end of the first or second external electrode formed on the lower main surface of the ceramic body is defined as b, 0.990≦a/b<1 is satisfied.
US09064634B2	Capacitor holder A capacitor holder comprising a body part formed in a shape into which a tip end of a capacitor can be fitted; and a lead part which is fixed to the body part and can be soldered to a predetermined fitting location. The body part has an opening through which the tip end of the capacitor is exposed, and an end surface abutment portion which abuts a tip end surface of the capacitor in a vicinity of a pressure valve, when the tip end of the capacitor is fitted into the body part. The lead part is fixed to the body part at a position opposite to the capacitor with respect to a reference plane, which is a plane includes the tip end surface of the capacitor abutting the end surface abutment portion.
US09064633B2	Method for synthesizing quaternary ammonium systems A method for preparing a spiro quaternary ammonium system and electrolytes containing spiro quaternary ammonium cations, comprising a synthesizing step wherein a spiro ammonium system is formed in a medium that can serve as both the reaction solvent and as an electrolyte solvent. A one-solution method of making a non-aqueous electrolyte composition that comprises at least one of a spiro quaternary ammonium compound of the following formula:
US09064630B2	Integrated high frequency rotary transformer and resolver for traction motor An integrated rotary transformer and resolver and a motor including an integrated rotary transformer and resolver is provided. The integrated rotary transformer and resolver may include, but is not limited to, a stator having an outer surface and a plurality of slots disposed along the outer surface, a plurality of sensing coils, the plurality of sensing coils disposed in at least some of the plurality of slots, a rotor having a surface varying from a first predetermined thickness to a second predetermined thickness, and a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of sensing coils and configured to determine a position of the rotor based upon a voltage induced in each of the coils due to a relative thickness of the rotor opposed to the respective sensing coil.
US09064628B2	Inductor with stacked conductors A thin film coupled inductor, a thin film spiral inductor, and a system that includes an electronic device and a power supply or power converter incorporating one or more such inductors. A thin film coupled inductor includes a wafer substrate; a bottom yoke comprising a magnetic material above the wafer substrate; a first insulating layer above the bottom yoke; a first conductor above the bottom yoke and separated therefrom by the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer above the first conductor; a second conductor above the second insulating layer; a third insulating layer above the second conductor; and a non-planar top yoke above the third insulating layer, the top yoke comprising a magnetic material.
US09064627B2	Integrated transformer with multiple transformation ratios The invention proposes a radio frequency circuit which comprises a transformer with a first primary circuit, a second primary circuit, and a secondary circuit, the secondary circuit comprising an integrated first inductor, this first inductor being positioned, on an axis orthogonal to a surface of the circuit, between an integrated second and third inductor respectively comprised in the first primary circuit and second primary circuit.
US09064623B2	Electronic component An electronic component comprises an element body, an external electrode, and an insulating resin coating layer. The element body has a pair of end faces opposed to each other, a pair of principal faces extending so as to connect the pair of end faces and opposed to each other, and a pair of side faces extending so as to connect the pair of principal faces and opposed to each other. The external electrode is formed so as to cover at least a partial region of the principal face and/or a partial region of the side face and has a plating layer comprised of Sn or an Sn alloy. The insulating resin coating layer covers at least the portion of the external electrode formed so as to cover the side face.
US09064620B2	Superconducting thin film and method of manufacturing superconducting thin film Adhesiveness between a metallic substrate and a metal oxide layer is made to increase. A superconducting thin film (1) includes a metallic substrate (10), a metallic layer (22) that is formed on a main surface of the metallic substrate (10) and includes a metal element capable of being passivated as a main component, a metal oxide layer (24) that is formed on the metallic layer (22) and includes the passivated metal element as a main component, and a superconducting layer (40) that is formed on the metal oxide layer (24) directly or through an intermediate layer and includes an oxide superconductor as a main component.
US09064619B2	Electrical cable with easily removable casing A cable which has at least two strands which each have a conductor surrounded by an insulation, where the strands are surrounded by an inner casing composed of a first polymer mixture and by an outer casing of a second polymer mixture resting on the inner casing, where the polymer components of the first and second polymer mixtures include a thermoplastic elastomer, and where the inner casing is foamed.
US09064618B2	Electrical cable with semi-conductive outer layer distinguishable from jacket An electrical power cable has an outer semi-conductive layer extruded around and in contact with an outermost layer of a cable jacket. The jacket may have a plurality of polymeric layers. The semi-conductive layer is distinguishable from the outermost layer of the jacket immediately underneath it by at least color and possibly also texture. The distinguishable characteristics between the semi-conductive layer and the outermost layer of the jacket decrease the risk of inadvertent damage to the jacket when removing the semi-conductive layer for jacket integrity tests.
US09064617B2	Electrically conductive rubber composition, developing roller, and image forming apparatus The electrically conductive rubber composition contains a rubber component including an SBR, an epichlorohydrin rubber and a CR, and the proportion of the SBR is 40 to 80 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. The rubber composition further contains 1.0 to 1.5 parts by mass of a sulfur crosslinking agent, 0.2 to 0.6 parts by mass of a thiourea accelerating agent, 0.1 to 0.5 parts by mass of a thiuram accelerating agent, and 1.0 to 2.0 parts by mass of a thiazole accelerating agent based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US09064612B2	Shielded electrical ribbon cable with dielectric spacing An electrical ribbon cable includes at least one conductor set having at least two elongated conductors extending from end-to-end of the cable. Each of the conductors are encompassed along a length of the cable by respective first dielectrics. A first and second film extend from end-to-end of the cable and are disposed on opposite sides of the cable The conductors are fixably coupled to the first and second films such that a consistent spacing is maintained between the first dielectrics of the conductors of each conductor set along the length of the cable. A second dielectric disposed within the spacing between the first dielectrics of the wires of each conductor set.
US09064609B2	Mechanical connections and methods A mechanical connection between adjacent components of a system may include a first component of the system, a second component of the system, and a multiple degree-of-freedom connection between the first and second components. The multiple degree-of-freedom connection may have at least four degrees of freedom. A method for establishing a mechanical connection between adjacent components of a system may include disposing a first component of the system adjacent to a second component of the system, and connecting the first component to the second component using a multiple degree-of-freedom connection. The multiple degree-of-freedom connection may have at least four degrees of freedom.
US09064608B2	Nozzle inspection tool for nuclear power plants A device is provided to inspect welds in nozzles located in water within a containment vessel of a nuclear power plant. A computer connected to the device controls movement by use of thrusters located along a main rail while buoyancy packs regulate the depth. After the device is navigated to a weld needing inspection, feet extend radially outward from the main rail to secure the device in the nozzle. Then transducer clusters are moved along the main rail to be radially inside the weld to be inspected. Thereafter, the transducer clusters are extended radially outward and rotated adjacent to the weld while simultaneously emitting test signals and receiving reflected signals to indicate the condition of the weld.
US09064607B2	Method and apparatus for refueling a nuclear reactor having an instrumentation penetration flange Apparatus and a method for retracting in-core instrument thimble tubes from the reactor core prior to refueling a nuclear reactor with top mounted instrumentation. The apparatus includes a penetration flange interposed between the head flange and the reactor vessel flange through which the instrumentation cabling passes. The penetration flange is connected to the upper internals and can be raised relative thereto to retract instrumentation thimbles from the core prior to removal of the upper internals from the reactor vessel for refueling. The penetration flange is removed from the vessel with the upper internals.
US09064605B2	Semiconductor system and method for reparing the same Provided is a semiconductor system and method for repairing the same that may improve repair capacity of the semiconductor system. The semiconductor system comprises a semiconductor circuit configured to output a remaining repair information and perform a repair operation in response to an external command, and a host configured to determine a number of available repairs based on the remaining repair information and provide the semiconductor circuit with the external command based on the number of available repairs.
US09064604B2	Timing logic for memory array Among other things, techniques and systems are provided for devising a schedule for performing read/write operations on a memory cell. A control signal is provided to timing logic. Using one or more properties of the control signal, such as a voltage property, the timing logic is configured to adjust a time window during which at least one of a read operation or a write operation is performed within a cycle. In this way, the timing logic affects a dynamic switch between an early-read operation, a late-read operation, an early-write operation, a late-write operation, a read-then-write operation, and a write-then-read operation between cycles. In some embodiments, the memory cell for which the schedule is devised is an SRAM cell, such as a six-transistor SRAM cell.
US09064603B1	Semiconductor memory device and memory system including the same A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a control logic. The memory cell array includes first and second sub arrays, the first sub array includes a first set of bank arrays, and the second sub array includes a second set of bank arrays. Each of the upper and lower bank arrays includes first and second portions having different timing parameters with respect to each other. The control logic controls access to the first and second portions such that read/write operation is performed on the first and second portions.
US09064601B2	Method of providing write recovery protection in PSRAM and related device A method of operating a PSRAM includes selecting a bit on a word line of the PSRAM, keeping the word line on for a first predetermined duration after selecting the bit, writing a data into the bit in response to a write command, and keeping the word line on for a second predetermined duration after the write command ends.
US09064596B2	Semiconductor device A register for a scan test has a data saving function. A scan flipflop includes first to third memory circuits. The first memory circuit is a memory circuit functioning as a register of a combination circuit in normal operation. The second memory circuit is a memory circuit for backup of the first memory circuit. The third memory circuit has a function of transferring data to a flipflop in a next stage. Further, the second memory circuit has a function of writing data of the first memory circuit to the third memory circuit and a function of writing data of the third memory circuit to the first memory circuit. At a given time, data of the first memory circuit can be extracted from an external device and data can be stored in the first memory circuit from an external device.
US09064591B2	Semiconductor device with OTP memory cell A semiconductor device with OTP memory cell includes a first switching unit for transferring a first bias voltage, a first MOS transistor having a first gate coupled to a first gate signal and a first terminal coupled to the first bias voltage by the first switching unit, and a second switching unit for coupling a second terminal of the first MOS transistor to a first bit line.
US09064585B2	Preloading data into a flash storage device Programmer's data that is transferred from a programming device to a storage device is initially stored in a memory device of the storage device by using a durable data-retention storage setup. After the storage device is embedded in a host device, the programmer's data is internally (i.e., in the storage device) read from the memory device and rewritten into the memory device by using a conventional storage setup. Using a durable data-retention storage setup may include temporarily (i.e., before the storage device is embedded in a host) operating selected memory cells of the memory device as conventional SBC cells or as unconventional MBC cells. After the storage device is embedded in a host device, the programmer's data, or selected parts thereof, is read from the memory device and rewritten into it by operating selected memory cells of the memory device as conventional MBC cells.
US09064578B2	Enable/disable of memory chunks during memory access Chunks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed and then one or more of the chunks are disabled from being accessed. In one such apparatus, an array includes chunks of memory cells and a chunk selector circuit coupled to each chunk to enable the memory cells in the respective chunk to be accessed.
US09064575B2	Determining whether a memory cell state is in a valley between adjacent data states The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to memory cell state in a valley between adjacent data states. A number of methods can include determining whether a state of a memory cell is in a valley between adjacent distributions of states associated with respective data states. The method can also include transmitting a signal indicative of a data state of the memory cell and whether the state of the memory cell is in the valley.
US09064572B2	Multilevel phase change memory operation Methods, devices, and systems associated with multilevel phase change memory cells are described herein. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include operating a phase change memory device by placing a phase change memory cell in a reset state and applying a selected programming pulse to the phase change memory cell in order to program the cell to one of a number of intermediate states between the reset state and a set state associated with the cell. The selected programming pulse includes an uppermost magnitude applied for a particular duration, the particular duration depending on to which one of the number of intermediate states the memory cell is to be programmed.
US09064570B2	Non-volatile memory device and method for manufacturing the same A non-volatile memory device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells each including a variable resistance element and a first current steering element; and a current steering element parameter generation circuit. The current steering element parameter generation circuit includes: a third line placed between a substrate and a second interlayer dielectric; a fourth line placed above the second interlayer dielectric; and a second current steering element which is connected between the third line and the fourth line without the variable resistance element being interposed therebetween when the variable resistance element is removed between the third line and the fourth line and has the same non-linear current steering characteristics as the first current steering element.
US09064569B1	Memory controller with resistive random access memory (ReRAM) A method includes, in a data storage device that includes a non-volatile memory and a controller coupled to a non-volatile memory, the controller including a bus and a processor coupled to the bus, accessing a volatile memory included in the controller via a first interface. The volatile memory is coupled to the bus via the first interface. The data storage device further includes a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) having a second interface. The method also includes storing data at the ReRAM via the second interface. The ReRAM is coupled to the bus via the second interface. The controller is configured to store user data at the non-volatile memory via a dedicated controller-to-non-volatile memory interface.
US09064565B2	Phase change memory device A phase change memory device with memory cells is formed from a phase change memory element and a selection switch. A reference cell is formed from a similar phase change memory element and an associated selection switch and is associated to a group of memory cells to be read. An electrical quantity of the group of memory cells is compared with an analogous electrical quantity of the reference cell, thereby compensating for drift in the properties of the memory cells.
US09064564B2	Variable resistive memory device and method of fabricating and driving the same Provided are a variable resistive memory device, and methods of fabricating and driving the same. The variable resistive memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a first direction and in a second direction different from the first direction, each of the plurality of memory cells comprising a variable resistor and a selection device serially connected to the variable resistor. A common wiring is electrically connected to first ends of the plurality of memory cells to apply a common reference voltage. Each wiring line of a plurality of wiring lines is electrically connected to second ends of the plurality of memory cells arranged n the plurality of rows oriented in the first direction. A plurality of selection lines are respectively connected to the selection devices of the plurality of memory cells to select any one of the plurality of memory cells via the plurality of wiring lines.
US09064560B2	Interface for storage device access over memory bus A nonvolatile storage or memory device is accessed over a memory bus. The memory bus has an electrical interface typically used for volatile memory devices. A controller coupled to the bus sends synchronous data access commands to the nonvolatile memory device, and reads the response from the device bus based on an expected timing of a reply from the nonvolatile memory device. The controller determines the expected timing based on when the command was sent, and characteristics of the nonvolatile memory device. The controller may not need all the electrical signal lines available on the memory bus, and could issue data access commands to different groups of nonvolatile memory devices over different groups of electrical signal lines. The memory bus may be available and configured for either use with a memory controller and volatile memory devices, or a storage controller and nonvolatile memory devices.
US09064558B2	Recording and/or reproducing apparatus and recording apparatus A recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes a microphone, a semiconductor memory, an operating section and a controller. An output signal from the microphone is written in the semiconductor memory and the written signals are read out from the semiconductor memory. The operating section performs input processing for writing a digital signal outputted by an analog/digital converter, reading out the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory and for erasing the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory. The control section controls the writing of the microphone output signal in the semiconductor memory based on an input from the operating section and the readout of the digital signal stored in the semiconductor memory. The control section operates so that, if, when the signals written in the storage section is read out from it, an input for erasure is entered by the operating section, the signal being read out from the storage section is erased when, after reading out the signal from the storage section for a pre-set period, an input for erasure is again entered from the operating section.
US09064557B2	Systems and methods for non-volatile memory A self powered memory system is disclosed. The system includes a volatile supply component, a battery component, a switch component, and a volatile memory component. The volatile supply component is configured to provide a time varying supply. The battery component is configured to generate a non-volatile supply. The switch component is configured to generate a persistent supply from the time varying supply and the non-volatile supply. The volatile memory component is configured to maintain data by using the persistent supply.
US09064556B2	High frequency pseudo dual port memory A pseudo dual port (PDP) memory is disclosed having a write driver that selectively precharges only one of a bit line and a complement bit line in a bit line pair responsive to a bit value to be written into an accessed bitcell while discharging a remaining one of the bit line and the complement bit line. In this fashion, the cleanup time between a read operation and a write operation during a read/write clock cycle is advantageously reduced.
US09064555B2	Secondary bit line equalizer Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with bit line equalization are described. Systems and methods described herein provide secondary bit line equalization for embedded memory systems to reduce equalization time and improve memory performance. The reduction in equalization time is accomplished by adding a secondary equalizer in addition to a standard primary equalizer for a column of memory cells.
US09064553B2	Fast memory read-out Embodiments include systems and methods for faster memory read-out using a combined read-select circuit. A novel read-select circuit is described, which, when enabled for reading, concurrently reads its respective input line and selects its value for read-out by the circuit. This can reduce delays and unnecessary toggling resulting from separate read and select circuits. Some implementations also include a multi-global-line architecture that can reduce the number of read stages in the memory read-out circuitry, thereby further reducing read-out delays. Accordingly, embodiments can be faster and more efficient than many traditional implementations without relying on an increase in power consumption or clock speed.
US09064551B2	Apparatuses and methods for coupling load current to a common source Apparatuses and methods are disclosed, including an apparatus with a string of charge storage devices coupled to a common source, a first switch coupled between the string of charge storage devices and a load current source, and a second switch coupled between the load current source and the common source. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
US09064550B2	Method and apparatus for word line suppression A memory access operation on a bit cell of a digital memory, e.g., a static random access memory (SRAM), is assisted by reducing the word line control voltage for reading and boosting it for writing, thus improving data integrity. The bit cell has cross coupled inverters for storing and retrieving a logic state via bit line connections through a passing gate transistor controlled by the word line. A level of a word line signal controlling the passing gate transistor is shifted from a first voltage value to a higher second voltage value to begin a memory access cycle. The level of the word line signal is shifted from the second voltage value to a third voltage value less than the second voltage value during the access cycle. The word line signal is maintained at the third voltage value for a time interval during the access cycle.
US09064539B1	Systems and methods for timing control in a data processing system The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for synchronizing operations in a data storage system.
US09064538B2	Method and system for generating at least one of: comic strips and storyboards from videos A method, a system, and a computer program product code for generating a series of still images from an input video file are provided. The series of still images may include, but are not limited to, a comic strip and a storyboard. The method includes extracting audio and visual frames from the video file. Thereafter, basic units of the video file are identified. The basic units are exposition (beginning), conflict (middle), and resolution (end). Thereafter, key frames are extracted from the basic units based on at least one of audio frames, visual frames, and a combination of the visual frames and the audio frames. Then, the extracted key frames are manipulated to output a series of still images. Subsequently, narration in the form of audio or text is attached to the still images to generate at least one of comic strips and storyboards.
US09064534B1	Process for providing a magnetic recording transducer with enhanced pinning layer stability A method is provided for providing a magnetic recording transducer having a pinning layer with high pinning field stability. A bottom structure comprising a substrate, a magnetic shield above the substrate, a magnetic seed layer above the shield, a nonmagnetic spacer layer above the magnetic seed layer, and a layer of antiferromagnetic (AFM) material on the nonmagnetic spacer layer is provided. The bottom structure is heated to a temperature of at least 373 Kelvin (K) and then the bottom structure is cooled until the temperature of the structure is reduced to less than 293K. A pinned layer is deposited on the AFM layer, a nonmagnetic spacer is provided on the pinned layer, and a read sensor fabricated above the nonmagnetic spacer. In one embodiment, cooling the structure comprises reducing the temperature of the structure by at least 100K in less than 25 minutes.
US09064528B1	Interferometric waveguide usable in shingled heat assisted magnetic recording in the absence of a near-field transducer A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR head includes a slider coupled with the laser and a HAMR transducer coupled with the slider. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole that writes to a region of the media, coil(s) for energizing the write pole and an interferometric waveguide (IWG) optically coupled with the laser. The IWG includes a splitter, a recombination region and arms between the splitter and the recombination region. The arms have multiple optical path lengths. The IWG is configured to provide the energy from the laser to the media by forming an interference pattern in the recombination region. An antinode of the interference pattern is at a region of the media and heats the region of the media for a write operation.
US09064527B1	High order tapered waveguide for use in a heat assisted magnetic recording head A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) transducer is coupled with a laser for providing energy and has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The HAMR transducer includes a write pole, at least one coil, and a tapered waveguide optically coupled with the laser. The write pole is configured to write to a region of the media. The coil(s) energize the write pole. The tapered waveguide includes an entrance distal from the ABS, a bottom proximate to the ABS, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. At least a portion of the first side and the second side converge in accordance with a function having at least one term having an order greater than one.
US09064526B1	Magnetic disk apparatus and off-track detection method In a disk drive apparatus, there is provided with a controller which determines a demodulated positioning error from a demodulated position and a target position, wherein the demodulated position is obtained by demodulating a servo signal readout from the disk. The controller estimates a demodulation noise amount which is included in the demodulated position on the basis of a signal quality of the servo signal, and corrects a predetermined off-track threshold with a correction value which is obtained from the estimated demodulation noise amount. A write operation of writing data on the disk is inhibited, if the demodulated positioning error exceeds the corrected off-track threshold.
US09064524B2	Playback apparatus and playback control means A playback apparatus adapted to play back a content includes a first input unit via which to input a first content to be played back from a first apparatus, a second input unit via which to input a second content to be played back, and a storage unit adapted to store a specified playback start time. If time measured by a clock unit indicates that a predetermined time before the specified playback start time has been reached, a control unit controls a requesting unit to request the first apparatus to input the first content to be played back. If it is determined that the inputting of the first content from the first apparatus is not successfully completed by the specified playback start time, the control unit controls the playback operation so as to play back the second content input via the second content input unit.
US09064523B2	Method and apparatus for controlling content recording device A method of controlling a content recording device, by generating control commands in a uniform resource identifier (URI) format and controlling the content recording device according to the generated control command(s), is provided.
US09064521B1	Manufacturing of hard masks for patterning magnetic media Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for designing and manufacturing hard masks used in the creation of patterned magnetic media and, more particularly, patterned magnetic recording media used in hard disk drives (e.g., bit patterned media (BPM)). In some embodiments, the hard mask incorporates at least one layer of Ta (tantalum) and at least one layer of C (carbon) and is used during ion implantation of a pattern onto magnetic media. The hard mask can be fabricated with a high aspect ratio to achieve small feature sizes while maintaining its effectiveness as a mask, is robust enough to withstand the ion implantation process, and can be removed after the ion implantation process with minimal damage to the magnetic media.
US09064520B2	Magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic record/reproduction apparatus According to the present invention, a magnetic recording medium is provided including a disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate and at least a perpendicular magnetic layer formed on the disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate, wherein the perpendicular magnetic layer has a structure in which an FePt or CoPt nanoparticle array is formed on a formation surface, on which a plurality of striations each having a circumferential directional component are formed, by a texturing treatment; a manufacturing method thereof; and a magnetic record/reproduction apparatus including the magnetic recording medium or a magnetic recording medium manufactured according to the manufacturing method.
US09064517B1	Spiral band end detection Systems and techniques relating to servo systems include, according to an aspect, a method includes: causing writing of a band of spirals including a first spiral set and a second spiral set onto a storage medium; determining one or more characteristics associated with the band of spirals; identifying one or more spirals of the band of spirals that meet the one or more determined characteristics; and determining an end of the band of spirals based on the one or more identified spirals. The method can further include causing writing of servo information onto the storage medium while track following on the band of spirals; causing terminating of the writing of the servo information upon determining the end of the band of spirals; and causing writing of another band of spirals starting at the end of the previous band of spirals.
US09064512B2	Methods and devices for controlling asymmetry in a magnetic reader In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor having a first and second electrode positioned at a first side of the MR sensor and a third electrode positioned at a second side of the MR sensor opposite the first side. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second electrodes coupled to an MR sensor and positioned at a first side of the MR sensor. The first and second electrodes are spaced apart from each other and are positioned over an area of the MR sensor that has a positive or negative asymmetry.
US09064511B1	Removable hard drive storage device A removable hard drive storage device comprises: a housing having a first and second partition board each formed with a plurality of guiding grooves; a plurality of hard drive casings accommodated between the first and second partition boards. Each of the hard drive casings has a first side plate and a second side plate whose surfaces are each formed with a plurality of guiding units slidably disposed in the guiding grooves. Upper ends of the first and second side plates are each formed with an expansion unit for engaging the upper edges of the first and second partition boards, fixing the hard drive casing at a raised position in the accommodating space. Through the above structure, the hard drive casing can be fixed at the raised position in the accommodating space without separating from the housing for facilitating replacement of the hard drive and without using screws.
US09064509B2	Injector stack with diffusive layer A data reader may be configured at least with detector and injector stacks that each has a common spin accumulation layer. The detector stack may positioned on an air bearing surface (ABS) while the injector stack is positioned distal the ABS. The injector stack can have a diffusive layer with a larger spin diffusion length than mean free path.
US09064505B2	Optical pickup assembly having optical pickup units laterally arranged across a tape path An optical pickup assembly includes a first optical pickup unit (OPU) and a second OPU. The OPUs are either stacked on each other in separate housings or integrated together in a common housing such that the OPUs are arranged laterally across a tape path and are positioned at a longitudinal position along the tape path.
US09064503B2	Hierarchical active voice detection One or more audio signals are processed using a multi-stage (hierarchical) voice and/or signal activity detector (VAD/SAD). A first stage is capable of reducing the workload bandwidth by employing an inexpensive VAD/SAD processor. One or more subsequent stages may further process the audio signals from the first stage. Other implementations may include a first stage that also performs continuity preservation between last blocks of audio signal and the first blocks of audio after it is detected that relevant audio signals are resumed. In yet other implementations, the first stage may extract features from audio signals when they are presented in their coded domain, and possibly with little or no decoding of the audio signal.
US09064496B1	Parallel signal processing system and method A system and method for processing a plurality of channels, for example audio channels, in parallel is provided. For example, a plurality of telephony channels are processed in order to detect and respond to call progress tones. The channels may be processed according to a common transform algorithm. Advantageously, a massively parallel architecture is employed, in which operations on many channels are synchronized, to achieve a high efficiency parallel processing environment. The parallel processor may be situated on a data bus, separate from a main general purpose processor, or integrated with the processor in a common board or integrated device. All, or a portion of a speech processing algorithm may also be performed in a massively parallel manner.
US09064491B2	Methods and apparatus for performing transformation techniques for data clustering and/or classification Some aspects include transforming data, at least a portion of which has been processed to determine frequency information associated with features in the data. Techniques include determining a first transformation based, at least in part, on the frequency information, applying at least the first transformation to the data to obtain transformed data, and fitting a plurality of clusters to the transformed data to obtain a plurality of established clusters. Some aspects include classifying input data by transforming the input data using at least the first transformation and comparing the transformed input data to the established clusters.
US09064489B2	Hybrid compression of text-to-speech voice data Recorded or synthesized speech segments of text-to-speech (TTS) systems may be compressed though the use of both time domain compression and perceptual compression techniques. The twice-compressed recording may be separated into speech segments corresponding to words or subword units for use in a TTS system. The compression rate of time domain compression, and the ratio of time domain compression to perceptual compression, may be modified for any speech segment. The compression amount or ratio may be determined based on linguistic or acoustic features of the word or subword unit that the speech segment represents. Differing compression amounts and ratios may be applied to portions of a single speech segment.
US09064484B1	Method of providing feedback on performance of karaoke song A method and system for providing a feedback on a performance of a karaoke song is provided. Musical data elements of a music track input feed are compared with musical data elements of a performance input feed. Based on the comparison, the feedback on the performance of the karaoke song is generated on a display. Accordingly, lyrical data elements of a music track of the karaoke song and lyrical data elements of the performance are represented on the display. Moreover, differences between the performance and the music track are represented by altering the representation of the lyrical data elements of the performance relative to the representation of the lyrical data elements of the music track on the display.
US09064483B2	System and method for identifying and converting frequencies on electrical stringed instruments A method of producing an output from an electrical stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, having a plurality of strings includes steps of (i) receiving a plurality of analog signals, each analog signal being generated in response to vibration of a corresponding one of the plurality of strings and each analog signal having an associated frequency, (ii) identifying from among the analog signals a particular one of the analog signals having the lowest associated frequency, and (iii) creating an output electrical signal based on only the particular one of the analog signals, the output electrical signal having a converted frequency that is lower than the associated frequency of the particular one of the analog signals.
US09064481B2	Musical instrument transducer cavity A pickup unit cavity for a stringed musical instrument is provided. The pickup unit cavity comprises a top, a bottom, at least one side, and at least one aperture in the cavity bottom, wherein the depth of the aperture allows for adjustment of a pole piece of a pickup unit. In some embodiments, the depth of the cavity from the top to the bottom is about ½ inch and the depth of the at least one aperture is ½ inch. In certain embodiments, the pickup unit cavity is in a housing. An electrical stringed musical instrument in combination with the pickup unit cavity is additionally provided.
US09064478B1	Piano key system A keyboard instrument having keys modified as compared to a standard piano keyboard, in which the central longitudinal axis of the C♯ key extends between the adjoining distal lateral sides of the C and D keys.
US09064476B2	Image super-resolution using gradient profile prior Described is a technology by which a low-resolution image is processed into a high-resolution image, including by performing processing in the gradient domain. A gradient profile corresponding to the lower-resolution image is transform into a sharpened image gradient. A high-resolution gradient profile is estimated from a low-resolution gradient profile, e.g., by multiplying the low-resolution gradient profile by a transform ratio that is based upon learned shape parameters, learned sharpness values and a curve distance to an edge pixel along the gradient profile. The transform ratio is used to transform a low-resolution gradient field to a high-resolution gradient field. Reconstructing the higher-resolution image is performed by using the high-resolution gradient field as a gradient domain constraint, e.g., in along with a reconstruction constraint obtained from image domain data. An energy function is minimized by enforcing the gradient domain constraint and the reconstruction constraint, e.g., by performing a gradient descent algorithm.
US09064475B2	Image processing apparatus, method, and program using depression time input An image processing apparatus which includes an extension width determination unit for determining an extension width based on a depression time of the cursor at a reference position on an image display unit where a releasing operation of the cursor was performed, which is a time during which the cursor had been kept depressed until the releasing operation was performed, and an ornament piece arrangement unit for arranging the plurality of ornament pieces at positions radially extended away from the reference position with the extension width determined by the extension width determination unit.
US09064470B2	Liquid crystal display panel A liquid crystal display panel includes a substrate, gate lines, data lines, pixel electrodes, an insulating layer, patterned common electrodes and connection lines. Each pixel electrode includes a transparent electrode. The insulating layer covers the pixel electrodes. The patterned common electrodes are disposed on the insulating layer. Each patterned common electrodes includes a plurality of electrode branches, and at least one slit disposed between two adjacent electrode branches. The patterned common electrode includes a transparent electrode. The connection line is disposed on the insulating layer, and each connection line is in contact with and electrically connects to the patterned common electrodes of two adjacent sub-pixel regions.
US09064465B2	Homochromatic and color display assembly on an electronic device and method for operation thereof The present invention provides an electronic device (100) comprising a homochromatic liquid crystal display (155), a color liquid crystal display (165), and a backlight (175) having a light-pipe (220), the homochromatic liquid crystal display, the color liquid crystal display and the light-pipe being positioned in overlapping relation to each other, the light-pipe arranged to direct light (230d) through both the homochromatic liquid crystal display and the color liquid crystal display, a homochromatic liquid crystal display driver (150) arranged to generate an image on the homochromatic liquid crystal display in response to an image signal, a color liquid crystal display driver (160) arranged to generate an image on the color liquid crystal display in response to an image signal, a processor (103) arranged to receive a light control signal (LS1), and to forward an image signal to one of the homochromatic liquid crystal display driver or the color liquid crystal display driver dependent on the light control signal.
US09064464B2	Systems and methods for calibrating a display to reduce or eliminate mura artifacts Systems, methods, and devices are provided to reduce or eliminate mura artifacts on electronic displays. For example, pixels may be programmed to a uniform gray level before all or a substantial number of gates of the pixels are activated. The voltages on some or all source lines that supply the pixels may be measured. A mura artifact may be seen when voltage differences on the source lines are present. As such, operational parameters of the electronic display may be adjusted to reduce or eliminate the mura artifact by reducing the voltage differences.
US09064463B2	Electrowetting display device A display device includes a display capacitor, a data switching device, and a reset switching device. The data switching device may transmit a data voltage to the display capacitor in response to an activating gate signal that is applied to the data switching device for a activating gate signal duration. The reset switching device may transmit a storage voltage to the display capacitor in response to an activating reset signal that is applied to the first reset switching device for an activating reset signal duration. The storage voltage is configured for resetting a pixel associated with the first display capacitor. The activating reset signal duration is longer than the activating gate signal duration.
US09064456B2	Organic light emitting diode display having short detecting circuit and method of driving the same An organic light emitting diode display including a short detecting circuit and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The organic light emitting diode display includes a pixel unit including pixels coupled to scan lines and data lines, a DC-DC converter for outputting a first power source and a second power source when a start signal is supplied, a first power source line and a second power source line for supplying the first power source and the second power source output from the DC-DC converter to the pixel unit, and a short detecting circuit for determining whether the first power source line and the second power source line are shorted before the DC-DC converter is driven and for supplying the start signal to the DC-DC converter when the first power source line and the second power source line are not shorted.
US09064455B2	Display device having a power line arrangement for reducing voltage drop A display device includes: a pixel area comprising pixels in rows and columns; main power lines at a first side of the pixel area and a second side of the pixel area facing the first side; first sub-power lines coupled to a first main power line of the main power lines formed at the first side and extending into the pixel area in a column direction; and second sub-power lines coupled to a second main power line of the main power lines formed at the second side and extending into the pixel area in the column direction, wherein the first sub-power lines and the second sub-power lines extend in different columns of pixels, and wherein a column of pixels of the pixels are alternatingly coupled to a neighboring sub-power line of the first sub-power lines and a neighboring sub-power line of the second sub-power lines.
US09064453B2	Communication using light-emitting device Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for communicating information. An event is detected. A light effect is emitted in response to the detected event. The emitted light effect simulates the detected event or a sensory output associated with the detected event.
US09064449B2	Electronic devices configured for adapting refresh behavior A method for adapting refresh behavior on an electronic device is described. The method includes operating according to an adaptive state that adapts a refresh rate for a display based on at least one frame. The method additionally includes transitioning from the adaptive state to a self refresh state based on a first self refresh state indication. The method further includes transitioning from the self refresh state to the adaptive state based on a second self refresh state indication.
US09064445B2	Transmission type display device, display method and display program A transmission type display device includes an image formation unit that forms an image of image light, a display unit that transmits ambient light to an image extraction area, and a control unit that determines a first mode in which alight intensity determination value that is a value for determining a light intensity of an image formed by the image formation unit is fixed, and a second mode in which the light intensity determination value is variably set, wherein in the first mode, the control unit fixes the light intensity determination value, and controls the transmittance of the shade, and wherein in the second mode, the control unit variably sets the light intensity determination value, and controls the transmittance of the shade.
US09064443B2	Projection apparatus, projection method, and storage medium storing program, for reducing energy consumption by shortening color mixing period A projection apparatus includes a light source with light emitting devices of a plurality of colors, a drive unit configured to drive the light emitting devices of the plurality of colors so as to orderly emit single-color light and mixed-color light, an input unit configured to input an image signal, a projection unit configured to form and emit an optical image corresponding to an image signal input by the input unit, using the single-color light and the mixed-color light, and a control unit configured to emit the mixed-color light in a part of a light emission period of the mixed-color light and switch off the light emitting devices during a rest of the part of the light emission period, based on the image signal input by the input unit.
US09064431B2	Flexible display device having a folding device including a plurality of link members A flexible display device includes a housing including a first support and a second support, the first support and the second support being coupled with each other so as to be folded and unfolded by a folding device, and a flexible panel coupled with the housing. The folding device includes a plurality of link members for rotatably connecting the first support and the second support to each other.
US09064430B2	Fastening assembly fabricated from a water-soluble material and related methods A fastening assembly that has an item made of, or that includes, a water-soluble material; and related methods for manufacturing, or dissolving or weakening, the fastening assembly, which has at least one water-soluble portion that includes the water-soluble material.
US09064429B2	Taxidermy head form and method A taxidermy form recreates the head of an animal, the taxidermy head form comprising a head member including first and second laterally spaced protrusions molded therein for receiving and supporting artificial eyes, the eyes being movable relative to the protrusions for a desired alignment. A face member has first and second eye openings formed therethrough. The head member and the face member are dimensionally adapted to receive the other to form the assembled taxidermy head form for receiving the animal head skin. The face member is affixed in at least partially covering relation to the head member such that the at least one eye extends at least partially through the first or second eye openings.
US09064425B2	Color-based music output system and method thereof The present invention discloses a color-based music output system and a method thereof. The system of the present invention comprises a pickup unit receiving a musical signal; a recognition unit electrically connected with the pickup unit to receive the musical signal and recognizing musical elements from the musical signal; a conversion unit electrically with the recognition unit to receive the musical elements and converting the musical elements into colored musical notes; and a processing unit electrically connected with the pickup unit, the recognition unit and the conversion unit, receiving the colored musical notes, and outputting a colored musical notation corresponding to the colored musical notes. The present invention provides an easy-to-read colored musical notation to simplify the conventional five-line staff and overcome the disadvantages thereof and also provides an innovative color-based music output system to make users read musical notations easier.
US09064421B2	System and method for reporting a status of an asset A system and method for reporting a status of an asset is described. In one embodiment, an asset status is determined based on configurable parameters to thereby enable accurate reporting of departures and arrivals of an asset.
US09064420B2	Augmented reality heads up display (HUD) for yield to pedestrian safety cues An augmented reality driver system, device, and method safely guide a vehicle driver to yield to pedestrians. A vehicle navigator determines a turn lane based upon proximity to a vehicle. A target sensor detects a pedestrian entering the turn lane and to determine a crosswalk path across the turn lane. An augmented reality controller three dimensionally maps a forward view including the pedestrian, and spatially overlays an augmented reality display on the volumetric heads up display for a driver of the vehicle by projecting a yielding indication adjacent to the crosswalk path.
US09064419B2	Driver condition assessment device A driver condition determination device determines whether a driver of a host vehicle has degraded consciousness. A main component for distribution of an accelerating operation condition with respect to proximity when tailgating a preceding vehicle is analyzed (S16), all data is origin-shifted (S18), and the accelerating operation condition of the driver when the driver has consciousness is created as a normal traveling model (S20). The likelihood of the accelerating operation condition, a likelihood average, a likelihood variance, and a likelihood threshold value are calculated (S22 to S26), and it is determined whether the likelihood of a current driving operation is lower than the likelihood threshold value (S28). When the likelihood is lower than the likelihood threshold value, the driver is determined as being in degraded consciousness. Since the likelihood threshold value is calculated for determination on the basis of data when the driver has consciousness, an erroneous determination of degraded consciousness due to difference in driver operation characteristics is suppressed.
US09064418B2	Vehicle-mounted environment recognition apparatus and vehicle-mounted environment recognition system A vehicle-mounted environment recognition apparatus including a simple pattern matching unit which extracts an object candidate from an image acquired from a vehicle-mounted image capturing apparatus by using a pattern shape stored in advance and outputs a position of the object candidate, an area change amount prediction unit which calculates a change amount prediction of the extracted object candidate on the basis of an object change amount prediction calculation method set differently for each area of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the acquired image, detected vehicle behavior information, and an inputted position of the object candidate, and outputs a predicted position of an object, and a tracking unit which tracks the object on the basis of an inputted predicted position of the object.
US09064414B2	Indicator for automated parking systems Indicating payment for use of a destination location is disclosed. First, it is determined that a vehicle has approached the destination location. In response, it is determined that that the destination location is associated with automated parking services. In response, a first activation signal is forwarded to an indicator. Next, it is determined that the vehicle is within the destination location at a first time. In response, it is determined that an account associated with the vehicle is configured to make payment for parking of the vehicle within the destination location. Then, payment for the parking of the vehicle within the destination location is activated. Finally, in response, a second activation signal that differs from the first activation signal is forwarded to the indicator.
US09064413B2	Method and system for application control An application control system for use in a vehicle includes a current region detector for detecting a current region where the vehicle is operating, an application storage for storing a regional application software in association with a preset region and a control unit for retrieving and executing the regional application software stored in the application storage based on the current region detected by the current region detector. The control unit retrieves and executes the regional application software when the current region is identified as the preset region.
US09064406B1	Portable and persistent vehicle surveillance system A method and apparatus for monitoring vehicles. The vehicles are monitored using a sensor unit. The sensor unit comprises a housing, a camera system, a wireless communications system, and a controller associated with the housing. The camera system has a field of view and is configured to generate images. The wireless communications system is configured to transmit wireless signals. The controller is configured to detect a number of vehicles in the images, generate information for the number of vehicles, and send the information in the wireless signals. The information for the number of vehicles is sent to a remote location.
US09064405B2	Electronic apparatus and method for detecting information using the same An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus performs two-way communication with a remote control device, and includes a receiving unit which receives a data signal from the remote control device, a signal processing unit which performs signal processing to convert the received data signal into a pulse signal and a control unit which detects information included in the data signal based on a time interval between starting points of pulse periods which are in a row in the pulse signal.
US09064396B2	Receiver, apparatus, and methods for wirelessly receiving data from a power infrastructure Apparatuses, receivers, systems and methods for receiving data via a power line infrastructure. An exemplary apparatus includes a base station configured to receive a signal from a power line of a structure by coupling to the power line through an electrical outlet. The base station may include an impedance matching circuit configured to match an impedance of the power line of the structure, and a receiver coupled to the impedance matching circuit. The receiver may be configured to demodulate the signal received from the power line of the structure, convert the demodulated signal into a digital signal, and provide the digital signal to a decoder.
US09064388B1	Impulse noise detection and cancellation in power line communication device A receiver for a power line communication (PLC) device includes an analog front end configured to receive an input signal from a power line. The input signal includes symbols and wherein each of the symbols includes samples. A demodulator module is configured to demodulate the input signal to generate a demodulated signal. The demodulator module includes an impulse noise module configured to detect and remove impulse noise in the symbols of the input signal.
US09064385B2	Method and apparatus to generate haptic feedback from video content analysis The disclosure relates to generating haptic feedback based on video content analysis, sensor information that includes one or more measurements of motion of one or more objects on a video, and/or sensor information that includes one or more measurements of motion of one or more image capture devices. The video content analysis may include image processing of the video. The system may identify one or more events based on the image processing and cause a haptic feedback based on the one or more events. The haptic feedback may vary based on an estimated acceleration of an object of a scene of the video, wherein the estimated acceleration is based on the image processing. The estimated acceleration may be made more accurate at high speeds using the sensor information and an estimated acceleration based on the sensor information may be made more accurate at lower speeds based on the image processing.
US09064383B2	Awarding achievements in wagering games A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining possible wagering game events that can occur for a wagering game. The operations can further include determining a subset of the possible wagering game events and configuring an award ladder game to award prizes in a stair-step fashion based on occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include ordering a plurality of awards, or prizes, on an award ladder in an order of value and configuring the award ladder to award the plurality of awards in a sequential order of value according to an order of occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include configuring the award ladder to reset when the plurality of awards have been awarded.
US09064382B2	Gaming system and method for providing a poker game The elegance and simplicity of the present invention is its taking pure electronic video poker in a new direction. This invention, with a portal, takes video poker from a static, single screen playing field with known values to a video poker format with a portal into another playing screen whenever any four of a kind, with maximum coins bet, is made by the player. This invention has a primary playing screen, a portal into an informative secondary screen which moves into a bonus screen. The player becomes interactive with the game on the bonus screen and choices he makes on the touch screen determine the amount of winnings the player will receive. When play has finished on the bonus screen, the primary screen returns and regular play video poker resumes. This innovative invention with a portal into other screens allows the player to be interactive in this game in determining their own winnings.
US09064380B2	System and method for enabling a player proxy to execute a gaming event The gaming system that includes a first gaming machine operated by a first player, wherein the first gaming machine is configured to present a game to the first player upon receipt of a wager from the first player, and a second gaming machine operated by a second player, wherein the second gaming machine is configured to present the game to the second player upon receipt of a wager from the second player. The gaming system further includes a processor programmed to receive, from the first player, a request to execute a game play event, and in response to receiving the request to execute the game play event from the first player, execute the game play event for the first player and the second player.
US09064378B2	Degressive bonus system Embodiments of the invention include a mystery degressive bonus system. Instead of a bonus that increases its value as the likelihood of winning the bonus increases, embodiments of the invention disconnect the likelihood of winning a mystery bonus from the amount awarded for triggering the mystery bonus. In some embodiments as the likelihood of winning the mystery bonus increases, the award for winning the mystery bonus decreases. Some embodiments include a minimum value for winning the mystery bonus. Additional embodiments are directed to an indicator system to show to the player a present amount of the mystery bonus award as well as the likelihood of winning the award. Further embodiments include a gaming device that includes a bonus game in which the amount awarded to the player decreases over time.
US09064377B2	Wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system and method with a base game and a simultaneous bonus currency game A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a bonus currency game is operable simultaneously with the primary game. When a player initiates play of the primary game, the bonus currency game is initiated as well. The bonus currency game includes a set of target symbols which have corresponding bonus currency values such that, when a target symbol is activated, such as by a random or quasi-random determination, the bonus currency value associated with the target symbol is awarded to the player. After a player accumulates bonus currency, the player may utilize the currency to purchase various available online items, such as game plays in an arcade.
US09064373B2	Storing information from a verification device and accessing the information from a gaming device to verify that the gaming device is communicating with a server A system includes a server, which provides activities and possibly other services to a player through a mobile gaming device. To verify that the mobile gaming device is communicating with the server, information received from a verification device is stored. Thereafter, in response to a request from the mobile gaming device, the stored information is determined and sent to the mobile gaming device via the server.
US09064372B2	Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels having an overlying image display A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.
US09064371B2	Gaming terminal with rotatable lever handle By rotating a lever, the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination of a movable range are detected by an inclination detection mechanism, and the upper limit of the angle of inclination and the lower limit of the angle of inclination are stored in a storage unit as the upper limit and the lower limit of the movable range. While a game is being run, the angle of inclination of the lever is detected when the lever is rotated. Whether the angle of inclination falls within the movable range is determined. When the angle is larger than the movable range, the upper limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination. When the angle is smaller than the movable range, the lower limit of the angle of inclination is updated with the angle of inclination.
US09064368B2	Wagering game having player selections on type of wagering game and game features applied to selected wagering game A gaming system and methods for conducting a wagering game allowing player selection of a base game and a game feature. A gaming system includes a display displaying a plurality of game icons and a plurality of game feature icons. Each of the game icons indicate a respective different base game and each of the game feature icons indicate a respective different game feature. An input device accepts a player selection of one of the plurality of game icons. The input device further accepts a player selection of one of the plurality of game feature icons. A controller selects a base game in response to the player selection of one of the plurality of game icons and selects a game feature in response to the player selection of one of the plurality of game feature icons. The controller operates the selected base game incorporating the selected game feature.
US09064361B2	Coin dispensing apparatus A coin dispensing apparatus prevents excessive dispensing of coins without abruptly stopping a rotary disk. A movable guide member is provided in a carrying path of coins to be selectively located at a guiding position where the coins are guided toward a dispensing opening or a non-guiding position where the coins are not guided toward the dispensing opening. A movable stopper is provided in a dispensing passage communicating with the carrying path to be selectively located at a blocking position where the coins are blocked or a non-blocking position where the coins are not blocked to pass through the dispensing passage. During a dispensing operation, the guide member is located at the guiding position and the stopper is located at the non-blocking position. During a non-dispensing operation, the guide member is located at the non-guiding position and the stopper is located at the blocking position.
US09064359B2	System for queue and service management A system for service queue management is disclosed including a terminal controlled by the system having a processing platform to generate service queue information for a user, and a mechanism for the user to request or receive the service queue information. The processing platform preferably transmits promotions related to goods and services associated with the service queue information to a user. The mechanism for the user to request or receive service queue information may preferably include a user's mobile communications device or a manually-activated device located on the terminal. Service queue information may include a queue number, next queue number to be issued, estimated wait time for service, a predicted time of service, time of issuance of ticket, predicted queue-waiting time, marketing messages, instructions for use of said ticket dispenser, and average queue-waiting time.
US09064355B2	Method and system for controlling and monitoring a point of sale The present invention concerns a method and a system for controlling and monitoring a point of sale, said point of sale having an opening (A), said method and system controlling the potential customers that pass through said opening (A) of said point of sale. Particularly, the system comprises a passage sensor (2), adapted to be disposed in the proximity of said opening (A) for generating a passage signal (Sp) when a person (P) passes through said opening (A), imaging means (5) adapted to be disposed in the proximity of said opening (A) for acquiring an image (6) of at least one person (P) that passes through said opening (A) and connection and control means, for connecting said passage sensor (2) with said imaging means (5) so that, upon generation of said passage signal (Sp), said imaging means (5) acquire the image of said person (P) that is passing through said opening (A).
US09064353B2	Systems and methods for improved access to an attraction The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for improved access to an attraction via a computing device of a user. A first computing device of a user records an identification code associated with an attraction. The first computing device transmits, to a second computing device, a request for access to the attraction, the request comprising the identification code. The first computing device receives, from the second computing device, an access authorization comprising an access code. The first computing device presents the access code to an attraction operator for access to the attraction.
US09064352B2	Position identification system with multiple cross-checks A position identification system for use with a mobile machine at a worksite is disclosed. The system may include an integration module configured to integrate information from at least one motion sensor and at least one GPS receiver to generate a location signal indicative of an actual location of the mobile machine. A controller may be provided in communication with the at least one motion sensor, the at least one GPS receiver, and the integration module, the controller being configured to determine the reliability of information received from the at least one motion sensor, the at least one GPS receiver, and the integration module, and following a period of time from when received information is first determined to be unreliable, switching from determining the position of the mobile machine using information determined to be unreliable to determining the position of the mobile machine using dead reckoning from a last known good position of the mobile machine, a determined wheel speed of the mobile machine, and a steering command being provided to the mobile machine.
US09064351B2	Display control apparatus and method for controlling the same A display control apparatus includes a moving image display unit configured to control a display apparatus to display a moving image thereon, a reading unit configured to read animation information including a plurality of frame images, a detection unit configured to detect touch on the display apparatus, and a display control unit configured to control the display apparatus to display a first frame image of the animation information thereon if touch on a specific position of the display apparatus is detected by the detection unit when the moving image is being displayed on the display aparatus, and to start a transition display of frame images of the animation information if the touch on the display apparatus becomes undetected by the detection unit.
US09064348B2	Image processing apparatus, method of processing image, and computer-readable storage medium A method of processing an image involves detecting a face from a first image; determining a composition of the first image; selecting a composition of a second image according to the composition of the first image; and generating the second image including the face by trimming the first image, according to the composition of the second image.
US09064346B2	Hierarchical based 3D image processor, method, and medium A three dimensional (3D) image processing using ray tracing. The 3D image processing includes checking for a collision of rays, each ray respectively corresponding to a pixel of a plurality of pixels included in an image, and generating a plurality of corresponding ray trees to a first depth; and checking a collision of rays, each ray respectively corresponding to at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels, and updating a ray tree corresponding to the at least one pixel to a second depth.
US09064343B2	Graphics processing using two-dimensional scissor regions Aspects of this disclosure are directed to techniques to store values indicative of one or more scissor regions in a scissor buffer. In aspects of this disclosure, a processor may receive two dimensional (2-D) coordinates of a scissor region. The processor may transform the 2-D coordinates into coordinates that include more than two dimensions. The processor may store a value indicative of the scissor region in one or more storage units of the scissor buffer based on the coordinates that include more than two dimensions.
US09064342B2	Methods and systems for generation and rendering interactive events having combined activity and location information A computer-implemented method is described. The computer-implemented method is used for populating data of a graphical user interface (GUI). The computer-implemented method includes generating one or more graphical elements of one or more activities captured by a monitoring device. The monitoring device is usable by a user during the capturing. The method further includes generating a timeline including a time period over which the activities are performed. The timeline includes a chronological order of time within the time period. The method further includes generating an activity symbol for one or more of the activities performed during the time period. The activity symbol has an image that is graphically overlaid on the graphical elements of the activities.
US09064339B2	Computer implemented systems and methods for providing a mobile social enterprise interface Disclosed are systems, apparatus, and methods for updating and visualizing information stored in a database system. In various implementations, a request to search contact data is received, where the contact data provides contact information associated with at least one entity. Search parameters may be retrieved responsive to the search request, where the search parameters define the search and include a geographical location associated with a source of the request. In various implementations, a first contact is identified based on the retrieved search parameters, where the first contact is identified based at least in part on a geographical distance between the first contact and the source of the request. In some implementations, a geographical representation of the first contact is generated, where the geographical representation indicates a geographical location of the first contact, and where the geographical representation is capable of being displayed at a user interface of a computer system.
US09064338B2	Stereoscopic image generation method and stereoscopic image generation system A stereoscopic image generation method and a stereoscopic image generation system that can generate, from an original image, a stereoscopic image that allows the viewer to perceive a natural stereoscopic effect are provided. The method includes a region setting step of setting a plurality of regions in an original image, a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information for each of pixels constituting the original image, a depth information generation step of generating depth information for each of the pixels for each of the plurality of regions on the basis of the characteristic information, and a stereoscopic image generation step of generating a stereoscopic image in which the positions of the pixels are changed on the basis of the pieces of depth information.
US09064337B2	Method, system and apparatus for rendering a map with adaptive textures for map features Methods, systems and apparatus are described to render a map with adaptive textures for map features. Embodiments may for a portion of map data, such as a map tile, including a feature of a given feature type specify a level-of-detail texture. A level-of-detail texture may be one of a plurality of level-of-detail textures for a given feature type ordered according to level-of-detail. Embodiments may then provide the specified level-of-detail texture with a mipmap chain to a rendering unit to render the map data. At the lowest level of the mipmap chain may be the specified level-of-detail texture. At the next lowest level of the mipmap chain may be a portion of the level-of-detail texture adjacent to the specified level-of-detail texture in the ordered plurality of level-of-detail textures for the feature type.
US09064336B2	Multiple texture compositing A machine readable storage media containing executable program instructions which when executed cause a digital processing system to set a plurality of operands and operators. A plurality of texture maps are sent to a processor for texture compositing. Operands are selected for a texture operation. A first logic is used wherein if the circulation of blend stages is equal to a number of blend stages, then a color saturation is performed, and a second logic that if the circulation number of blend stages does not equal the number of blend stages then at least one operand is selected for another texture compositing operation.
US09064335B2	System, method, device and computer-readable medium recording information processing program for superimposing information An example system includes an information processing device, which includes: an arrangement item including a first marker; an arrangement region providing object which provides an arrangement region and includes a plurality of second markers; and an information processing device including: an imaging processing unit to generate a captured image with an imaging device; a positional relationship judgment unit to judge a positional relationship between the first marker of the arrangement item and at least one of the second markers, from a captured image which includes the first marker of the arrangement item and at least one of the plurality of second markers of the arrangement region providing object; an information superimposition unit to superimpose predetermined information based on the positional relationship, onto the captured image; and a display processing unit to cause a display device to display the captured image on which the predetermined information is superimposed.
US09064330B2	Shared virtual memory between a host and discrete graphics device in a computing system In one embodiment, the present invention includes a device that has a device processor and a device memory. The device can couple to a host with a host processor and host memory. Both of the memories can have page tables to map virtual addresses to physical addresses of the corresponding memory, and the two memories may appear to a user-level application as a single virtual memory space. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09064327B2	Image processing method, image processing device, image forming device and inkjet recording device An image processing method includes: applying mask processing to an abnormal recording element based on abnormal recording element information; converting input image data such that a pixel to be formed by the abnormal recording element is excluded; applying quantization processing that converts the converted input image data to image data having a gradation number less than a gradation number of the converted input image data; and assigning each pixel forming image data after quantization processing to a normal recording element.
US09064326B1	Local cache of augmented reality content in a mobile computing device An augmented reality application is coded to operate on a mobile computing device. A routine allocates a portion of a memory in the mobile computing to be a local cache for the downloadable application to store augmented reality content and information and characteristics concerning a plurality of real world trigger items. A space utilization algorithm and a content selection algorithm are incorporated into the augmented reality application. The amount and ways the real world trigger items and augmented reality content are stored is balanced against an amount of memory space set or allowed for a size of the local cache on that particular mobile computing device.
US09064323B2	Method and apparatus for estimation of interframe motion fields The invention relates to a method for estimation of interframe motion fields operating on a stream of video frames, and more particularly for accelerating video output in multiframe super-resolution thus improving the efficiency of the multiframe integration. Relative motion field estimation is used between neighboring or close images instead of with respect to a reference image, for at least some of the frames within an integration window (TOI). The integration window is slid along the time axis each time by one (or two or a few) frames so that the current integration window preferably covers the majority of the frames in the previous integration window. Using relative motion estimation and then (tracking and) summing up the related motion fields enables, in each recursion, the absolute motion fields in a new integration window to be obtained without re-computing all the motion fields of earlier frames in the new integration window.
US09064322B1	Method and system for steering access to display configuration information in a multi-GPU system One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for accessing display configuration information in a multi-graphics-processing-unit (multi-GPU) system, which includes the steps of asserting a select signal to steer the display configuration information of a display device, which is coupled to a discrete GPU (dGPU), to a motherboard GPU (mGPU) in the multi-GPU system if dGPU is unavailable, and validating the display configuration information prior to availing the dGPU or the display device as an option to be selected.
US09064321B2	Imaging or communications system utilizing multisample apodization and method Methods, systems and system components for optimizing contrast resolution of an imaging or sensing system utilizing multiple channels of broadband data associated with an array of transducers. Channels of data are filtered by passing the channels of data through finite impulse response (FIR) filters on each channel. The filters each have multiple taps having tap weights pre-calculated as a function of distance of the array from an object that energy is being transmitted to or reflected from. The weights are pre-computed through a deterministic equation based on an a priori system model.
US09064319B2	Image processing apparatus and method to adjust disparity information of an image using a visual attention map of the image An image processing apparatus including a region of interest (ROI) configuration unit may generate a visual attention map according to visual characteristics of a human in relation to an input three dimensional (3D) image. A disparity adjustment unit may adjust disparity information, included in the input 3D image, using the visual attention map. Using the disparity information adjusted result, a 3D image may be generated and displayed which reduces a level of visual fatigue a user may experience in viewing the 3D image.
US09064315B2	System and processor implemented method for improved image quality and enhancement System and method for image improvement comprising providing a plurality of frames; determining the value of each pixel within each frame to form a first array of pixel values; selecting pixel locations within a frame; summing the intensity values of those pixels; multiplying the pixels in the first array by the summation of intensity values for selected pixel locations to produce a first product array for each frame; summing the first product arrays; determining the average of first product arrays; determining the average value of each pixel for the plurality of frames to form an a second array of averaged pixel values; determining the average of the summation of intensity values for the selected pixel locations; multiplying the array of average pixel values and the average of the summation of intensity values to form a second product array; subtracting the second product array from the average of first product arrays.
US09064312B2	Augmented reality using projector-camera enabled devices An augmented reality scene may be registered onto an arbitrary surface. A camera may capture an image of the arbitrary surface. The camera may analyze the surface geometry of the arbitrary surface. In some embodiments, a processing computing device may analyze data captured by the camera and an adjacent camera to reconstruct the surface geometry of the arbitrary surface. A scene may be registered to a three dimensional coordinate system corresponding to the arbitrary surface. A projector may project the scene onto the arbitrary surface according to the registration so that the scene may not display as being distorted.
US09064304B2	Image quality assessment of microscopy images Automated assessment of registration quality, focus, and area defects in sequentially acquired images, such as images acquired by a digital microscope, is disclosed. In one embodiment, acquired images are registered and whole-image defects are automatically detected based on a figure of merit generated by the registration process. In related implementations, area defects may be automatically detected by calculating correlations in localized image regions for images acquired in different imaging rounds.
US09064299B2	Filters and functions using exponential decay The technology described in this document relates to filters and functions that are based on exponential decay functions. In one aspect, the technology is embodied in a method that includes using a computing device to compute a first function as a combination of (i) an exponential decay function, a decay factor for which is chosen based on a Gaussian function, and (ii) at least a second function that is obtained by one or more convolution operations on the decay function. The first function provides an approximation of at least a portion of the Gaussian function.
US09064297B2	Image inspection apparatus, image inspection system and image inspection method An image inspection apparatus for inspecting a scanned image of an output image includes an inspection reference image generator to generate an inspection reference image; an image inspection unit to determine a defect by comparing a difference between the inspection reference image and the scanned image with a threshold; a threshold determiner to determine the threshold; and a defect range determiner to determine a range of defect level of a plurality of artificial defects. Based on a difference computed for a defect selected from the plurality of artificial defects, the threshold determiner determines a threshold to be compared with the difference of the selected defect. The defect range determiner conducts a defect determination for the scanned image at the upper and lower limits for a threshold to determine a range of defect level of the plurality of artificial defects.
US09064295B2	Enhanced video encoding using depth information The invention is directed to systems, methods and computer program products for enhancing video encoding using depth information. An exemplary method comprises: determining, using a computing device, depth information associated with a first object in an image; determining, based on the depth information, that the first object is an object in focus; determining, based on the object in focus, a more important segment of an image; determining a first bit rate for encoding the more important segment of the image; and encoding the more important segment using the first bit rate.
US09064294B2	Image processing apparatus and method An image processing apparatus processes encoded data obtained by encoding image data for each of line blocks obtained by dividing an image. The image processing apparatus includes: a body-partition generating unit configured to generate body partitions of a file with a predetermined format for each piece of encoded data for one of the line blocks, the body partitions containing the encoded data; and a partition merging unit configured to merge the body partitions generated by the body-partition generating unit, a header partition containing header information, and a footer partition containing footer information to thereby generate the file.
US09064285B1	Employee payroll information management In some examples, a service provider may provide a payroll service in which an employer is able to obtain employee information from the payroll service for adding a new employee. For instance, the employee may be able to add or change employee information in an employee profile maintained by the service provider. When the employee is hired by a new employer, the new employer may receive the employee information from the employee profile for adding the employee to the new employer's payroll. For example, the employee may provide an employee authorization to authorize the service provider to add the employee information to the payroll information for the new employer. Accordingly, each employer may add the employee to the payroll of the employer without having to manually obtain and enter detailed employee information.
US09064278B2	System for managing, storing and providing shared digital content to users in a user relationship defined group in a multi-platform environment A system for managing, storing and providing shared digital content to a group of users in a multi-platform environment, comprising a cloud storage component configured to store digital content items that are shared by members in a user relationship defined group, and a cloud service component configured to provide one of the digital content items to a first platform for a first member of the user relationship defined group in a format suitable for the first platform and to a second platform for a second member of the user relationship defined group in a format suitable for the second platform, wherein the first platform and the second platform are different platforms.
US09064277B2	Method and server systems for facilitating comparison shopping with geographically-specific, real-time product inventory information Consistent with some embodiments of the invention, a web-based comparison shopping and marketplace service enables a user to search for and/or browse products of interest, and then obtain geographically-relevant, real-time product availability and pricing information for a product of interest that is offered by one or more physical retail stores. Additionally, with some embodiments, the service enables a user to conclude a purchase transaction for a product that is located at a retail store, and then provides the user with driving directions from the user's location to the retail store.
US09064276B2	Service for managing digital content resales A content management system couples DRM protection of content items with a digital content store to allow content items to be transferred or resold from one user to another. The content management system can generate application-specific digital stores that allow end users to conduct transactions with other users to buy, sell, and/or trade content items associated with the application. In response to a sale or trade of a content item between two users, DRM protections associated with the content item can allow the content item to be removed from one user computing device and provided to another user computing device, while maintaining the same number of outstanding active copies of the content item before and after the transaction.
US09064269B1	Cookie correction system and method Cookie correction methods, systems, and computer programs include receiving a first cookie from a user via a browser; receiving additional cookies from the user via the browser within a time period and setting the additional cookies as cookies of a first type that are indicative of a unique user; sampling traffic that has accessed a web site by selecting accesses that were made with cookies of the first type within the time period; scaling up the traffic to account for cookies of a second type that have accessed the web site within the time period, the cookies of the second type being indicative of non-unique users which are different than the cookies of the first type; and determining a number of users who have accessed the web site within the time period based on the scaled up traffic.
US09064268B2	Gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use The present disclosure is directed to gift card exchange kiosks and associated methods of use. In one embodiment, for example, a consumer operated kiosk can receive a gift card identifier associated with a gift card via a user interface and/or a card reader, verify the gift card's activation status and/or face value, and display exchange options for a consumer. The exchange options can include exchanging the gift card for cash or a redeemable cash voucher. The kiosk can also store exchanged gift cards for later sale at the kiosk or at a remote location.
US09064265B1	System and method for locating items in a facility A portable electronic device connected over a network to a server is used to guide a person using the device to one or more selected items within a facility, with the location of the device being tracked using radio frequency signals generated within the facility or GPS signals from satellites. The process of connecting to the server may be started when a bar code is photographed using a camera within the device, or when an RFID tag is read by a reader within the device. Location processes are provided for finding a vehicle left in a parking area, and for locating items that are additionally described in messages displayed on the electronic device.
US09064263B2	System and method for advertisement placement Advertisement placement includes: obtaining one or more advertisement query keywords; determining, using one or more computer processors, in a multi-level advertisement information store, a selection of advertisement information for placement; and presenting the selection of advertisement information to be placed at a client. The multi-level advertisement information store comprises advertisement information organized into a plurality of first-level categories, and each first-level category is associated with a respective plurality of subordinate levels of categories.
US09064258B2	Method and system for reserving future purchases of goods and services A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. A sub-set of reservations from a set of available reservations used to reserve a spot in a facility or at an event are associated with and selectable with plural electronic options. The plural electronic options are also associated with reservation requests if no actual available reservation are available and automatically converted to electronic options for actual reservation if a reservation later becomes available at the facility or event.
US09064256B2	Products and processes for utilizing order data and related data In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a processor, and a memory that stores a program. The program, when executed by the processor, directs the processor to perform a method including the following steps: receiving an encrypted query, in which the query indicates at least one security, and at least one price; determining whether the encrypted query corresponds to any order in an encrypted data set that represents orders; outputting a response to the query, in which the response indicates whether the encrypted query corresponds to any order in an encrypted data set that represents orders; receiving order data that represents the orders; and encrypting the order data to yield the encrypted data set that represents orders.
US09064249B1	Proxy card payment with digital receipt delivery Disclosed herein are techniques for providing a digital receipt to a consumer upon tender of payment to a merchant through the use of a proxy payment card in a financial transaction. The proxy payment card can be associated with multiple financial accounts (e.g., accounts associated with credit cards, debit cards, or gift cards). The digital receipt is automatically received at a personal computing device of the consumer in response to the financial transaction being charged to a financial account associated with the proxy payment card. The digital receipt includes information indicative of the financial transaction. The digital receipt can also include one or more interactive components that allow the consumer to interact with the transaction (and/or merchant) subsequent to transmission of the receipt, such as adding a tip, providing feedback, redeeming a promotion reward, tracking loyalty reward points, or reviewing transaction records of past and present transactions.
US09064241B2	Systems, methods, and media for providing virtual mock trials Systems, methods, and media for providing virtual mock trials are provided. A system includes one or more hardware processors that are operative to initiate an interactive mock trial session via a network to a plurality of remote participants. The one or more hardware processors generate first and second presentation displays of the mock trial, each having an arrangement of content that may include a live-action video, a pre-recorded video, an image, interactive actuators or icons, text, or combinations thereof. The first display has a first set of interactive options and is transmitted to a plurality of mock jurors, while the second display has a second set of interactive options and is transmitted to at least one other remote participant, which may be, for example, a trial manager, an attorney, or an observer. Evaluations of the mock trial are interactively completed and received by the hardware processor.
US09064240B2	Application based on node types associated with implicit backtracking Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to development of an application. An interface can be provided to develop an application using multiple nodes associated with a workflow model. The workflow model can include implicit backtracking based on node type.
US09064239B2	Printing system and business partner selection method that selects optimum business partner capable of delivering high-quality printed materials A printing system includes a first storage part storing printing partners correlated with respective locations and information for estimating respective production capabilities; a second storage part storing distribution partners correlated with respective locations and information for estimating respective delivery capabilities; a printing partner selecting part selecting a single printing partner whose location is in the same area as a delivery destination of a user-ordered print and that is capable of printing the user-ordered print in the shortest delivery time; a distribution partner selecting part selecting a single distribution partner whose location is in the same area as the single printing partner and that is capable of delivering the print in the shortest delivery time; and an order placing part configured to place, via an electrical network, an order for the printing service to the single printing partner and an order for the delivery service to the single distribution partner.
US09064237B2	Collaborative communication in a web application A document accessible on a network may be opened by multiple users. A user may use a thin client application to access the document, wherein an image of the document and XML data including comments and locations of the comments in the document. Hint icons are displayed in the document where comments are anchored. Upon selection of a hint, an HTML comments pane may be displayed to a side of the document, exposing comments and replies to comments currently stored in the document. The comments pane may be scrolled to the comment associated with the selected hint. Additionally, highlighting may be provided over elements in the document associated with a selected comment. Comments may be added via the comments pane and saved to the document on the network. Comments and comment location data may be communicated to other clients, allowing for collaborative communication via a thin client application.
US09064231B2	Converting documents A method of converting a document, such as a document complying with the CEN-XFS standard for Forms. The method comprises accessing format parameters; reading information from the document; parsing the read information to detect attributes and text; identifying any detected attributes not consistent with the accessed format parameters; converting any identified attributes not consistent with the accessed format parameters into attributes consistent with the accessed format parameters; and creating a converted document in which all of the attributes conform to the accessed format parameters.
US09064230B2	Ranking keywords for product types with manual curation The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically determining key words within item information with product types, and classifying new items within product types within a merchant's database.
US09064221B2	System and method for cable monitoring Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for cable monitoring. One embodiment includes a method that receives data from an optical transceiver coupled to a cable and a RFID (radio frequency identification) device mounted to the cable. The data from the optical transceiver and RFID device is used to determine an operational status of the cable.
US09064218B2	Information processor, information processing method and computer readable medium An information processor includes: an information adding unit that adds to an electronic document as an object to be processed by a work in a work flow showing the flow of the work relative to a plurality of works additional information designating a connection to the electronic document to an address; and a first output unit that outputs the additional information by coordinating with the electronic document in a case where the electronic document is accessed by the operation of an operator corresponding to the address of the additional information added by the information adding unit.
US09064217B2	Handling incidents related to business processes In one embodiment, the method includes identifying an incident associated with a scene. The incident is identified through a reporter object associated with the scene. Based upon the identified incident, one or more observer objects related to the scene is determined. The incident is communicated to the one or more observer objects.
US09064215B2	Learning spike timing precision Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for learning or determining delays between neuron models so that the uncertainty in input spike timing is accounted for in the margin of time between a delayed pre-synaptic input spike and a post-synaptic spike. In this manner, a neural network can correctly match patterns (even in the presence of significant jitter) and correctly distinguish between different noisy patterns. One example method generally includes determining an uncertainty associated with a first pre-synaptic spike time of a first neuron model for a pattern to be learned; and determining a delay based on the uncertainty, such that the delay added to a second pre-synaptic spike time of the first neuron model results in a causal margin of time between the delayed second pre-synaptic spike time and a post-synaptic spike time of a second neuron model.
US09064213B2	Dynamic model-based analysis of data centers Techniques for model-based analysis of a data center. A method includes creating a metamodel based on domain knowledge to represent a type of object and/or relationship of a data center, using static and dynamic configuration and data analysis techniques to discover topology of elements of the data center and represent the topology as a model that is an instance of the metamodel, using the model to perform analysis of the data center in connection with a specified task, leveraging domain knowledge represented in nodes of the metamodel to guide the analysis in terms of determining guidelines to apply to each node and determining relationships to traverse to continue the analysis, extending the domain knowledge by updating the metamodel upon discovery of additional knowledge for use in improving analysis tasks, and extending the model on-demand using dynamic analysis techniques upon detection of multiple analysis failures.
US09064211B2	Method for determining relationships through use of an ordered list between processing nodes in an emulated human brain A method for emulating human cognition in electronic form is disclosed. Information is received in the form of a textual or voice input in a natural language. This is parsed into pre-determined phrases based on a stored set of language rules for the natural language. Then, the parsed phrases are determined as to whether they define aspects of an environment and, if so, then creating weighting factors to the natural language that are adaptive, the created weighting factors operable to create a weighted decision based upon the natural language. Then it is determined if the parsed phrases constitute a query and, if so, then using the weighted factors to make a decision to the query.
US09064210B1	Semantically-aware behavioral security analysis system for security information and event management A behavioral security analysis system comprises a computational semantic parser configured to process data associated with a security information and event management (SIEM) system to generate a plurality of logical descriptors, and a learning engine coupled to the computational semantic parser and configured to generate a plurality of behavioral security descriptors based at least in part on at least a subset of the logical descriptors. The behavioral security descriptors are made accessible to an alerting engine of the SIEM system and utilized to generate one or more security alerts. The computational semantic parser may be operative, for example, to syntactically decompose a portion of the data into component elements, to assign lexical meanings and context denotation information to the component elements, and to apply semantic recomposition to generate a given logical descriptor based on a combinatorial tree having a structure determined using the assigned lexical meanings and context denotation information.
US09064209B2	Printing through physical proximity between printer and print client device Systems and methods of operating a computing system may involve utilizing an interactive physical event between a client device and a target printer to unambiguously select the target printer. In one example, upon such an interactive event, a mutual identification method may be implemented between the client device and the target printer, followed by creation of a secure point-to-point communication link over which a print request may be executed.
US09064208B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming system When data for printing and an authentication code are inputted, a CPU of printer calculates a number of sheets to be used based on the data for printing. The CPU adds the calculated number of sheets to be used to the management table, based on the inputted authentication code, and rearranges the management table so that a use with a smaller number of used sheets is in a higher place. The CPU executes print processing using the inputted data for printing. The CPU acquires a display name, ranking, and the number of used sheets corresponding to inputted authentication code from the management table in an RAM to transmit to information technology equipment.
US09064205B2	Method of printing document based on black optimization printing option and image forming apparatus and host device to perform the same A method of controlling an image forming apparatus supporting a black optimization printing option in a host apparatus includes executing a printer driver of the image forming apparatus, setting the black optimization printing option in a user interface of the executed printer driver, generating a second color matching table by using an existing first color matching table and color properties corresponding to red, blue, and green values of a document to be printed based on the set black optimization printing option, selecting a first printing method to print the document by using the first color matching table or a second printing method to print the document by using the second color matching table, based on the red, green, and blue values of the document, and transmitting the document and print data of the document to which a color matching table corresponding to the selected printing method is applied to the image forming apparatus.
US09064204B1	Flexible image processing apparatus and method Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for processing a starting image, comprising: a first unit configured to provide starting pixel data from a selected portion of the starting image, wherein the selected portion is less than an entirety of the starting image; and a second unit configured to receive the starting pixel data from the first unit and to selectively provide to a look up table (LUT) an address of replacement pixel data for at least a pixel of the selected portion of the starting image. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09064202B2	Data processing apparatus and print data generating method Textures in a printed image are reduced with a configuration that, provided that a matrix made up of a plurality of dot arrangement patterns is treated as a unit, binarizes image data is repeatedly applying such a matrix to the image data. Specifically, when a shift value K=k, a shift process calculates X+kY for the position (X, Y) of each cell in a 4×4 base matrix. The dot arrangement patterns are then shifted overall such that the cell where the value is k from among these values moves to the position (0, 0). The shift process is conducted while setting different shift values for every repeated use of the base matrix. As a result, regular textures are decreased in the case of using a base matrix made up of a gradation value Lv1 on a pixel area.
US09064201B2	Information processing apparatus that instructs printing using metadata without divulging content of the metadata and method thereof A document for variable printing and print settings including a conditional print setting that depends on metadata included in the document are received, information that is common between the conditional print setting and metadata included in the document is replaced with unique information, and printing is instructed using the conditional print setting and the document in which the common information is replaced with the unique information.
US09064200B2	Flat object ejector assembly An apparatus for ejecting a flat object from a casing of a mobile device is disclosed. The apparatus is arranged to receive an ejection tool along a first axis and to eject the flat object along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are not parallel. In one embodiment, the first axis is parallel to a top surface of the mobile device and the second axis is perpendicular to a curved edge surface of the mobile device.
US09064197B2	RFID apparel tag for use in industrial processing and post care treatment The present invention is in the field of garment or apparel labels that includes RFID devices. More particularly, the garment or apparel tags or labels are enclosed in a flexible bag created by a fluid impervious material that protects the RFID device from maintenance and care treatments as well as garment and apparel processing conditions which may be used to provide certain aesthetic or other characteristics to the apparel item.
US09064196B1	RFID tag dynamically adjusting clock frequency An RFID tag is configured to adjust its current clock frequency to conserve tag power while receiving a reader signal and/or backscattering a signal. The tag may determine whether to adjust its current clock frequency based on one or more timing parameters, which may be determined from a reader command and/or from a signal to be backscattered. The counting rate and/or limit of a tag counter and/or the power supplied to a tag component may also be adjusted. The current tag clock frequency may be adjusted during the signal reception/backscattering process and optionally restored once the process is completed.
US09064195B2	Multiple layer card circuit boards A powered card may include a circuit board with multiple layers, and may include multiple reader communication devices. One of the layers may include an RFID antenna. The layer including the RFID antenna may occupy an entire region of a card outside of a region including a magnetic stripe communication device.
US09064192B2	Automatic valid vote count storage using secure embedded non volatile memory A non-volatile memory system adapted for securely registering votes within a voting system is described. The votes are encoded as a set of logically grouped cells based on a voter's selection of an item. The encoding assures that the votes are easily distinguishable by a read circuit.
US09064191B2	Lower modifier detection and extraction from devanagari text images to improve OCR performance Systems, apparatus and methods for extracting lower modifiers from a word image, before performing optical character recognition (OCR), based on a plurality of tests comprising a first test, a second test and a third test are presented. The method obtains the word image and performing a plurality of tests (e.g., a first test, a second test and a third test). The first test determines whether a vertical line spanning the height of the word image exists. The second test determines whether a jump of a number of components in the lower portion of the word image exists. The third test determines sparseness in a lower portion of the word image. The plurality of tests may run sequentially and/or in parallel. Results from the plurality of tests are used to decide whether a lower modifier exists by comparing and accumulating test results from the plurality of tests.
US09064189B2	Playfield detection and shot classification in sports video A method of classifying the shot type of a video frame, comprising loading a frame, dividing the frame into field pixels and non-field pixels based on a first playfield detection criteria, determining an initial shot type classification using the number of the field pixels and the number of the non-field pixels, partitioning the frame into one or more regions based on the initial classification, determining the status of each of the one or more regions based upon the number of the field pixels and the non-field pixels located within each the region, and determining a shot type classification for the frame based upon the status of each the region.
US09064188B2	Method and system for aligning and classifying images In one embodiment, L dimensional images are trained, mapped, and aligned to an M dimensional topology to obtain azimuthal angles. The aligned L dimensional images are then trained and mapped to an N dimensional topology to obtain 2N vertex classifications. The azimuthal angles and the 2N vertex classifications are used to map L dimensional images into 0 dimensional images.
US09064187B2	Method and system for item identification The disclosed method and the corresponding system for identifying an item on a production line according to the invention relies on color histograms established from a digital image of the item, which are compared, on a bin per bin basis, with minimum and maximum numbers of pixels per bin allowed for identification with a reference item.
US09064186B2	Limited-context-based identifying key frame from video sequence An example apparatus is caused to receive a video sequence of a plurality of frames, and perform a number of operations as each of at least some of the frames is received but before all of the frames are received. The apparatus is caused to calculate a score for the frame, and compare the score for the frame to a predefined threshold. The apparatus is caused to cause output of the frame as a key frame in an instance in which the frame is received within a specified period of time and the score for the frame is above the predefined threshold. Otherwise, in an instance in which none of the scores for frames received within the specified period of time is above the predefined threshold, the apparatus is caused to cause output of one of the frames received within the specified period of time as a key frame.
US09064183B2	Computing device and method for identifying border lines of elements on images of objects In a method for identifying border lines of elements on an image of an object using a computing device, a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) name and one or more measuring parameters are received from the computing device. A DLL is obtained according to the received DLL name. Measuring functions of the obtained DLL are provided for selection. A constructed function of the DLL is obtained according to the number and types of the received measuring parameters to transmit the received measuring parameters to a selected measuring function. Coordinates of points on the image are computed according to the received measuring parameters using the selected measuring function, and a border line of an element on the image is fitted according to the coordinates of the points.
US09064181B1	Systems and methods for identifying a video aspect-ratio frame attribute Presently disclosed are systems and method for identifying a video aspect-ratio frame attribute of a current frame. One example embodiment takes the form of a frame-processing device including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause a set of steps to be carried out, the set of steps including: (i) receiving a frame of video from a video source device; (ii) defining a region of the received frame, wherein the region is associated with a plurality of pixels of the received frame; (iii) using a plurality of luma values associated with the plurality of pixels as a basis to identify the received frame as having a particular video aspect-ratio attribute; and (iv) storing in a memory an indication that the received frame has the identified particular video aspect-ratio frame attribute.
US09064180B2	Method for characterizing the tone of the skin and integuments The invention relates to a method and apparatus for characterizing the tone of the skin or integuments.The apparatus comprises a digital camera or a digital photographic apparatus (12) allowing the capture of at least one digital image (14) of at least one determined skin zone (34, 36, 38, 40), said image being defined by a multiplicity of pixels (N) that is transmitted to a digital image processing device comprising means for splitting the digital image into three color planes: red, green, blue, termed R, G, B; c) means for extracting each of these planes R, G, B; and on each plane, calculation means for logging the grey level value for each of the pixels, i.e. N values, which are optionally processed mathematically by appropriate calculation means, so as to obtain at least one graphical or statistical value and/or at least one value characteristic of the grey levels for each plane, corresponding to a value characteristic of the color of the skin; as well as the luminosity value L; and d) means for characterizing the tone of the skin or integuments on the basis of the combination of the value characteristic of the color of the skin or integuments and of the Luminosity value L. The invention finds an industrial application in a method for assessing the whitening effect of a cosmetic product.
US09064178B2	Edge detection apparatus, program and method for edge detection In the conventional technology for edge detection by normalizing brightness value of a target pixel C for edge determination and brightness of peripheral blocks of the target pixel C, an effect on an image due to a camera lens has not been considered. Specifically, the camera lens has a circular shape and the photographed image is basically formed by circularly collected light. In the conventional technology, however, it has been difficult to carry out high-precision edge detection due to rectangular shape of the peripheral blocks. In order to solve the above deficiency, in an aspect of the present invention provides an edge detection apparatus having a function of weighting the pixel values in the ‘peripheral area’ to be compared with the target pixel C for edge determination, such that the peripheral area has the circular shape.
US09064177B1	System and method for automatically measuring the dimensions of and identifying the type of exterior siding Methods, systems, and computer readable media are disclosed for determining a pixel-to-length ratio between a number of pixels disposed over a predetermined length of a reference object within an image of a siding sample and the predetermined length of the reference object. A first and second distance between respective first and second pairs of points within the image corresponding to respective first and second length measurements of the siding sample are determined, as well as a first and second number of pixels disposed between the first and second pair of points, respectively. Furthermore, the method, system, and computer readable medium disclose determining the first length measurement based on the pixel-to-length ratio and the first number of pixels, determining the second length measurement based on the pixel-to-length ratio and the second number of pixels, and identifying a siding product associated with the first and second length measurements.
US09064160B2	Meeting room participant recogniser An arrangement 100, 150, and corresponding method, which arrangement is configured to recognize a conference participant 101-103, 151-153 who is currently talking during a conference session The arrangement comprises an identifying unit 120, 170 including a biometric detector 121, 171 adapted to capture at least one biometric characteristic of the participant 101-103, 151-153, and a comparison unit 122, 172 adapted to compare the biometric characteristic to stored biometric characteristics in a database 110, 160, each stored characteristic being associated with an owner identity. The arrangement also comprises a display enabler 123, 173 adapted to, when a match is found between the captured biometric characteristic of the participant 101-103, 151-153 and a stored biometric characteristic in the—database 110, 160, enable display of the identity associated with the matching participant to other participants 101-103, 151-153, 140 in the conference session.
US09064159B2	Method and apparatus to relate biometric samples to target FAR and FRR with predetermined confidence levels At least two biometric measurements of a person are collected, then a statistical measure based on the measurements is computed. The statistical measure is a bounded estimate of the discriminative power of a test based on the measurements. While the discriminative power is less than a target value, additional biometric measurements are collected. When enough measurements have been collected, a biometric template is constructed from the measurements and stored for use in future identifications. Systems and software to implement similar methods are also described and claimed.
US09064157B2	Pedestrian detection systems and methods A pedestrian detection system and method includes: dividing an image to a plurality of granules, and counting magnitude difference value of each granule in diagonal orientation to obtain features of HOGG. And the HOGG and the HOG captured can work together to improve the detection rate and reduce the false alarm rate, which is the ultimate goal of the vision based pedestrian detection.
US09064156B2	Pattern discriminating apparatus A pattern discriminating apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set at least one area in a three-dimensional space in a three-dimensional image data, a feature value calculating unit configured to calculate a pixel feature value from one pixel to another of the three-dimensional image data, a matrix calculating unit configured to (1) obtain at least one point on a three-dimensional coordinate in the area which is displaced in position from a focused point on the three-dimensional coordinate in the area by a specific mapping, and (2) calculate a co-occurrence matrix which expresses the frequency of occurrence of a combination of the pixel feature value of the focused point in the area and the pixel feature values of the mapped respective points, and a discriminating unit configured to discriminate whether or not an object to be detected is imaged in the area on the basis of the combination of the specific mapping and the co-occurrence matrix and a learning sample of the object to be detected which is learned in advance.
US09064153B2	Video device for realtime pedaling frequency estimation A video device for realtime pedaling frequency estimation is mounted on a bike and comprises an image capture unit capturing continuous dynamic images of an upper body of a biker; an image recognition unit recognizing images of symmetric regions of the biker and images of swings of the symmetric regions from the continuous dynamic images; a microprocessor calculating a frequency of periodical swings of the biker from the images of the symmetric regions and the images of the swings of the symmetric regions, and then obtaining a pedaling frequency; and a display device presenting the pedaling frequency, wherein a widely-used intelligent handheld device replaces the sensors, display device, and complicated circuits of the conventional cyclometer, and wherein a novel image recognition technology is used to measure the pedaling frequency with a considerable accuracy in a lower cost and a convenient way.
US09064151B2	Device and method for detecting plantation rows A device and method for identifying plant rows in a field represented by an image is provided. The plant rows may be identified using the frequency domain. The plant rows may further be identified using information regarding plant positions. Additionally, plant rows may be obtained by any appropriate method and analyzed to differentiate between planted and non-planted rows. Further, plant rows may be segmented according to predefined classifications or attributes thereof, wherein the classification/attributes may derived from an image of the area in which the plant rows are found and/or using any other appropriate method.
US09064150B2	Aerial image segmentation for refineries A system receives a two-dimensional digital image of an aerial industrial plant area. Based on requirements of image processing, the image is zoomed in to different sub-images, that are referred to as first images. The system identifies circular tanks, vegetation areas, process areas, and buildings in the first image. The system formulates a second digital image by concatenating the first images. The system creates one or more polygons of the regions segmented in the second digital image. Each polygon encompasses a tank area, a vegetation area, a process area, or a building area in the second digital image, which is a concatenated image of the individual regions. The system displays the second digital image on a computer display device.
US09064145B2	Identity recognition based on multiple feature fusion for an eye image A method for identity recognition based on multiple feature fusion for an eye image, which comprises steps of registering and recognizing, wherein the step of registering comprises: obtaining a normalized eye image and a normalized iris image, for a given registered eye image, and extracting a multimode feature of an eye image of a user to be registered, and storing the obtained multimode feature of the eye image as registration information in a registration database; and the step of recognizing comprises: obtaining a normalized eye image and a normalized iris image, for a given recognized eye image, extracting a multimode feature of an eye image of a user to be recognized, comparing the extracted multimode feature with the multimode feature stored in the database to obtain a matching score, and obtaining a fusion score by fusing matching scores at score level, and performing the multiple feature fusion identity recognition on the eye image by a classifier. The present invention recognizes identity by fusing multiple features of eye regions on a human face, and thus achieves high recognition accuracy and is suitable for applications of high security level.
US09064142B2	High-speed fingerprint feature identification system and method thereof according to triangle classifications A fingerprint feature identification system and method utilizes multiple feature points on a fingerprint to build feature triangles. Each of the feature triangles are classified as one of predetermined triangle classifications according to geometric data thereof. Every new feature triangle built from a new fingerprint is classified first and then compared with its geometric data to multiple filed feature triangles with the same triangle classification to shorten overall comparison duration.
US09064141B2	Method and device for automatically determining the ridge lines of a variable-height area The invention relates to a device (1) comprising: means (3) for receiving an image of a pre-determined area, containing the heights of points therein; means (8) for determining the directions of flow; means (9) for finding source points that can be used to create a binary image; means (11) for filtering the binary image; processing means (13) that can be used to obtain a set of lines formed by source points; means (15) for creating, from said set of lines, a set of sequences of segments illustrating the ridge lines of the area; and means (19) for transmitting said set of sequences of segments to user means (22).
US09064138B2	Method for detecting reorgination of barcodes A method for detecting reorigination of barcodes (12) includes providing a multisegment barcode which contains data; capturing an image of the multisegment barcode; locating the barcode in the image; decoding the barcode; detecting individual segments in the multisegment barcode; and authenticating the barcode if the individual segments match the original barcode.
US09064136B1	Accurate reconstruction of frequency-sparse signals with arbitrary frequencies from non-uniform samples Described is a method for accurately reconstructing analog signals. The present invention considers a general parameter estimation problem, extends the utility of compressive sensing to real scenarios, and is able to accurately estimate center frequencies and amplitudes. Specifically, an unknown continuous analog signal comprising a set of arbitrary frequencies and amplitudes is received. A set of non-uniform samples of the unknown continuous analog signal is then obtained at multiple times. Finally, an iterative reconstruction process is utilized to determine a set of frequencies and a set of amplitudes that best fit the set of non-uniform samples in a global minimum problem in order to accurately reconstruct the continuous analog signal.
US09064120B2	Systems and methods for directing application updates A computer-implemented method for directing application updates may include (1) identifying information that indicates a rate at which an earlier version of an application is exploited in attacks on computing system security, (2) identifying additional information that indicates a rate at which a later version of the application is exploited in attacks on computing system security, (3) determining how updating the application from the earlier version to the later version will impact computing system security by comparing the rate the earlier version of the application is exploited with the rate at which the later version of the application is exploited, and (4) directing a computing system with a determination about updating an installation of the earlier version of the application to the later version of the application based on determining how updating the application will impact computing system security. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09064119B2	Information scanning across multiple devices Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for scanning information across multiple different devices. In one representative system, remote data-processing devices are provided with scanning applications that repeatedly scan information on their respective data-processing devices to identify matching data units that satisfy a specified matching criterion, the specified matching criterion including required matches against a set of screening digests, and then transmit characteristic information regarding the matching data units; and a central processing facility receives the characteristic information from the remote data-processing devices and determines whether the corresponding matching data units satisfy a policy criterion.
US09064115B2	Malware detection system and method for limited access mobile platforms A system and method for detecting malware on a limited access mobile platform in a mobile network. The system and method uses one or more feature sets that describe various non-executable portions of malware-infected and malware-free applications, and compares a application on the limited access mobile platform to the features sets. A match of the features in a suspect application to one of the feature sets provides an indication as to whether the suspect application is malware-infected or malware-free.
US09064111B2	Sandboxing technology for webruntime system In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing security enforcements of widgets in a computer system having a processor and a memory is provided, comprising: extracting access control information from a widget process requesting a service, generating access control rules customized for the widget process, and providing the access control rules to a trusted portion of the computer system outside of the user code space of a Web Runtime (WRT) system; and for any static access control rule, delegating security checking of the widget process from the WRT system to the trusted portion of the computer system.
US09064108B2	Storage device, storage system, and authentication method According to one embodiment, a storage device that has a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes an authentication information storage unit that previously stores first apparatus authentication information to authenticate an authorized host device and first user authentication information to authenticate an authorized user. The storage device executes apparatus authentication on the basis of second apparatus authentication information received from a newly connected host device and the first apparatus authentication information in the authentication information storage unit and executes an invalidation process of user data stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, when the apparatus authentication is failed.
US09064104B2	Graphical authentication A method includes displaying a base image and a secondary image overlying the base image on a display, detecting an alignment of a first element of the base image with a second element of the secondary image, and when the first element and the second element are pre-selected elements for a user, authenticating the user.
US09064101B2	Methods and systems for authenticating one or more users of a vehicle communications and information system In at least one embodiment, a system for authorizing use of a vehicle communication and information system may include one or more data processors configured to receive information associating one or more devices with a vehicle computer. The data processor(s) may be also configured to receive information identifying a user requesting authorization to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer. The user(s) may be authorized to command the vehicle controls from the one or more devices associated with the vehicle computer based on performing an authentication process for authenticating the user, determining that the user is an authenticated user based on the authentication process, and enabling command of one or more vehicle controls from the one or more remote devices via the associated vehicle computer based on the user being authenticated.
US09064099B2	Software self-defense systems and methods Systems and methods are disclosed for protecting a computer program from unauthorized analysis and modification. Obfuscation transformations can be applied to the computer program's local structure, control graph, and/or data structure to render the program more difficult to understand and/or modify. Tamper-resistance mechanisms can be incorporated into the computer program to detect attempts to tamper with the program's operation. Once an attempt to tamper with the computer program is detected, the computer program reports it to an external agent, ceases normal operation, and/or reverses any modifications made by the attempted tampering. The computer program can also be watermarked to facilitate identification of its owner. The obfuscation, tamper-resistance, and watermarking transformations can be applied to the computer program's source code, object code, or executable image.
US09064091B2	Coupled dynamical systems for chaos computing The present invention provides systems and methods for coupled dynamical systems for chaos computing. For example, a system for the coupled dynamical system comprises a first, second, and third circuit. The first circuit comprising a plurality of single dynamical systems forms a coupled dynamical system that reduces local noises in the plurality of single dynamical systems by diffusing the local noises across the coupled dynamical system. The second circuit, connected to the first circuit, receives the data and control inputs and builds an encoding map that translates the data and control inputs to an initial condition on an unstable manifold of the plurality of single dynamical systems in the coupled dynamical system. After the coupled dynamical system evolves, a third circuit, connected to the first circuit, samples a state of one of the plurality of single dynamical systems in the coupled dynamical system and builds a decoding map.
US09064090B2	Process for reducing lubrication oil consumption for internal combustion engines A process for selecting a piston ring for a piston containing internal combustion engine such that the engine experiences a reduction in lubrication oil consumption (LOC) used therein. The process can include providing engine specifications for an engine for which the piston ring is to be selected and simulating engine temperatures for the engine as a function of the engine specifications. The process can also include simulating bore distortion for the engine as a function of the simulated engine temperatures and simulating piston ring dynamics for the engine as a function of the simulated bore distortion. Once the simulated piston ring dynamics have been obtained, the process can include calculating a plurality of LOC values and selecting a piston ring as a function of the calculated LOC values.
US09064084B2	Topography driven OPC and lithography flow Enhancements in lithography for forming an integrated circuit are disclosed. The enhancements include a topography analysis of a design data file to obtain accumulative topography information for different mask levels. The topography information facilitates topography driven optical proximity correction and topography driven lithography.
US09064083B2	P and N region differentiation for image-to-CAD alignment In one embodiment, a method for aligning an image of a semiconductor device with a bitmap representation thereof includes receiving diffusion layer information of at least a portion of the semiconductor device, receiving implant layer information of the at least a portion of the semiconductor device, deriving distinct p- and n-doped region information from the received diffusion and implant layer information, generating the bitmap representation, including a differentiation between the distinct p- and n-doped regions, and performing an alignment operation of the image of the semiconductor device with generated bitmap representation.
US09064082B2	Updating pin locations in a graphical user interface of an electronic design automation tool Methods and apparatuses are described for creating, editing, and viewing a floorplan of a circuit design. Specifically, some embodiments enable a user to perform a graphical operation at an inference point in a circuit design layout, wherein the location of the inference point is determined based on existing graphical objects in the circuit design layout. Some embodiments substantially instantaneously update a congestion indicator in a circuit design layout in response to modifying the circuit design layout. Some embodiments substantially instantaneously update pin locations of a block or partition in response to changing the size or shape of the block or partition. Some embodiments enable a user to view a circuit design layout based on the logical hierarchy, and also based on at least one additional attribute type such as voltage, power, or clock domain.
US09064078B2	Methods and systems for designing and manufacturing optical lithography masks A method of designing an optical photomask includes providing a target pattern, correcting the target pattern with an OPC model, adjusting the target pattern and/or the OPC model, and correcting a first corrected pattern. The target pattern indicates a target shape of a pre-pattern opening in a photoresist layer on a semiconductor substrate. Correcting the target pattern includes using an optical proximity correction (OPC) model to generate OPC output information that includes edge placement error (EPE) information, a first corrected pattern, and/or a simulated contour of the pre-pattern opening. Adjusting the target pattern and/or the OPC model includes adjusting with OPC based adjustments that are based on the OPC output information. Correcting the first corrected pattern includes using the OPC model in response to the OPC based adjustments to generate a second corrected pattern.
US09064077B2	3D floorplanning using 2D and 3D blocks The disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and method for floorplanning an integrated circuit design using a mix of 2D and 3D blocks that provide a significant improvement over existing 3D design methodologies. The disclosed embodiments provide better floorplan solutions that further minimize wirelength and improve the overall power/performance envelope of the designs. The disclosed methodology may be used to construct new 3D IP blocks to be used in designs that are built using monolithic 3D integration technology.
US09064075B1	Automatic assignment of signals for a functional model A device receives information associated with a functional model, and generates the functional model based on the received information and with a technical computing environment (TCE), where the functional model including nodes, inputs, and outputs. The device also automatically detects architecture information from an architecture model associated with the functional model, and automatically assigns, based on the architecture information, at least one signal between two nodes of the functional model, a node and an input of the functional model, or a node and an output of the functional model. The device obtains information for code generation based on the assigned at least one signal, and stores the information for code generation.
US09064071B2	Usage-based temporal degradation estimation for memory elements Methods and systems for computing threshold voltage degradation of transistors in an array of memory cells are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a process that models an expected usage of the array is selected. In addition, a hardware processor can run the process to populate the array with data over time to simulate the expected usage of the array. The method further includes compiling data that detail different durations at which each of the memory cells in the array stores 1 or at which each of the memory cells in the array stores 0. For each separate grouping of memory cells that share a common duration of the different compiled durations, a threshold voltage degradation is determined for each transistor in the corresponding grouping of cells based on at least one biased temperature instability model.
US09064069B1	Creating an end point report based on a comprehensive timing report An end point report is created from a comprehensive timing report following steps that include: receiving a comprehensive timing report for an electronic circuit, determining a timing data set for a start pin, determining a worst timing path that includes the start pin based, at least in part, upon the comprehensive timing report, and generating an end point report for the worst timing path.
US09064068B1	Debuggable opaque IP Partially opaque intellectual property (IP) includes source code providing the IP functionality. Meta-comments (pragmas or attributes) are provided with the source code to enable visibility of one or more nodes in the IP. Aliasing of the visibility-enabled nodes may also be provided for using meta-comments in the IP source code. The visibility-enabled nodes may be used by system designers in debugging a system design in either a software simulation environment and/or in debugging of a hardware device implementing the partially opaque IP.
US09064067B2	Quantum gate optimizations Disclosed are systems and methods for improving quantum computation simulation execution time by “growing” sets of small quantum gates into larger ones. Two approaches are described. In the first approach, sub-strings may be replaced by a single representative that may be used multiple times throughout the quantum circuit. In the second approach, nearby gates may be coalesced in an iterative fashion, to thereby build larger and larger gates. Results may be cached for re-use. Both of these approaches have proven effective and have gained typical simulation speed-ups of 1-2 orders of magnitude.
US09064064B2	Expected battery life determination systems and methods A method includes: generating a first age factor value for a battery based on: a cycle period of the battery; a required operational life of the battery; and a cycle life of the battery. The method further includes generating a second age factor value for the battery based on: the required operational life; and a resting life of the battery. The method further includes generating a third age factor value for the battery based on: the required operational life; the first age factor value; the second age factor value; and at least one of an expected period of cycling of the battery during the required operational life and expected period of resting of the battery during the required operational life. The method further includes: generating an expected life of the battery based on the required operational life and the third age factor value; and displaying the expected life.
US09064063B1	Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing interactive, real-time checking or verification of complex constraints Disclosed encompasses method, system, computer program product for implementing interactive checking of constraints. Various embodiments bridge schematic design environment and layout environment with a binder mapping process and utilize connectivity information from the schematic design to identify constraint violations early in the physical design stage. The method identifies or creates a layout and identifies or generates an object for a modification process. The method may take snapshot(s) of the design database or may use one or more logs for restoring the design database. The method then identifies or creates scratch pad(s) and performs modification process on the object to generate a change. The method uses scratch pad(s) and trigger(s) to perform constraint checking during the modification process to provide interactive feedback in response to the modification process before committing the change to the persistent database.
US09064061B2	Method and system for hot plugging detection of a video connector in a computer device A method and system are implemented to instantaneously detect a hot plugging of a video connector in a computer device by detecting a change in the electrical state of one ground pin of the video connector. The computer device comprises a video connector having at least two ground pins, a processing unit, and a hot-plugging detection circuit coupled between the processing unit and one of the ground pins of the video connector, wherein the hot-plugging detection circuit is configured to detect a hot plugging of the video connector based on a change in voltage potential of the ground pin.
US09064060B2	Method and system for developing a golf ball construction A method and system determine a plurality of golf ball construction characteristics that constitute a golf ball construction. Each of the plurality of golf ball construction characteristics is determined on the basis of at least a measurement related to a golf shot parameter value obtained from samples of a specific golfer's golf swing. Accordingly, the golf ball construction may be custom-fit to golf swings of a specific golfer.
US09064059B2	Controller for solid state disk, which controls simultaneous switching of pads Provided is a controller for a solid state disk, to control simultaneous switching of pads. The controller for the solid state disk may control simultaneous switching of a plurality of output pads or a plurality of input pads that correspond to a plurality of channels. In particular, the controller may properly delay signals driven to the output pads or input pads, to reduce power supplied to the pads, and to prevent ground bouncing, as well as, maintain a quality of signals.
US09064056B2	Completing functional testing The Functional Tester Plug-in (FTP) extracts information from a data base to enhance automated testing tools to accommodate changes to the computer environment and so that a simulation can be fully executed even if an exception occurs. The FTP accesses the test script and static data store created by a developer using the automated testing tool, wherein the test script and static data store indicate a first resource to be tested at a verification point and a first expected result. The FTP identifies the first resource used by the test script at a first verification point and accesses the data base. The FTP identifies the status and configuration of the first resource in the data base. The FTP calculates and optimal expected result based any changes in the status and configuration of the first resource.
US09064051B2	Issuing requests to a fabric In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether producer-consumer ordering rules have been met for a first transaction to be sent from a source agent to a target agent via a fabric, and if so a first request for the first transaction is sent from the source agent to the fabric in a first clock cycle. Then a second request can be sent from the source agent to the fabric for a second transaction in a pipelined manner. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09064050B2	Arbitrating bus transactions on a communications bus based on bus device health information and related power management Devices, systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for arbitrating bus transactions on a communications bus based on health information are disclosed. Health information of master devices can be used to adjust priorities of bus transactions from master devices to meet quality of service requirements of the master devices. In one embodiment, a bus interconnect is provided and configured to communicate bus transactions from any of a plurality of master devices to slave device(s) coupled the bus interconnect. The bus interconnect is further configured to map health information for each of the plurality of master devices into virtual priority space. The bus interconnect is further configured to translate the virtual priority space into a physical priority level for each of the plurality of master devices. The bus interconnect is further configured to arbitrate bus transactions for the plurality of master devices based on physical priority level for the plurality of master devices.
US09064049B2	Remote debugging of server side code without blocking or high-level privileges A server exposes debugger services to a plurality of debugger clients. One or more debugger clients can select a debug operation and establish a debug session in a thread of a server process for debugging user code. A two-way debug communication pipeline can be established between a debugger client and the server using standard encoding protocols and standard network transport protocols. A two-way debug communication pipeline can be established using HTTP where the server can initiate a communication with the debugger client using a long polling technique. When one of the threads of the server process is suspended, the other threads in the server process continue to execute.
US09064046B1	Using correlated stack traces to determine faults in client/server software A method, apparatus and computer program product for using correlated stack traces to determine faults in client/server software is presented. Client/server software is executed. A client call stack is maintained on the client and a server call stack is maintained on the server. When an unexpected occurrence is detected while running the client/server software then the client call stack is collected, as is the server call stack. The client call stack and the server call stack are correlated to produce a correlated call stack and the correlated call stack is provided to a user.
US09064042B2	Instrumenting computer program code by merging template and target code methods Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for instrumenting software application code. A target method and a template method may each be elevated to respective linked lists that maintain offsets in a relative relationship using pointers. The lists are merged and converted back to byte code as an instrumented method.
US09064041B1	Simple method optimization Methods are classified as simple or complex. Complex methods are modified to add a tracer. Methods classified as simple are not modified to add a tracer. There are many different standards that can be used within the spirit of the present invention to classify methods as simple or complex. In one embodiment, a method is complex if it meets three criteria: (1) the method has an access level of public or package; (2) the method is non-synthetic and (3) the method calls at least one other method. Methods that do not satisfy all three criteria are classified as simple methods. In other embodiments, a method can be classified as complex if it satisfies two of the above criteria, or other similar criteria.
US09064040B2	Adaptive analytical behavioral and health assistant system and related method of use This present disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an Adaptive Analytical Behavioral and Health Assistant. These systems and methods may include collecting one or more of patient behavior information, clinical information, or personal information; learning one or more patterns that cause an event based on the collected information and one or more pattern recognition algorithms; identifying one or more interventions to prevent the event from occurring or to facilitate the event based on the learned patterns; preparing a plan based on the collected information and the identified interventions; and/or presenting the plan to a user or executing the plan.
US09064037B2	Automated correlation and analysis of callstack and context data Embodiments allow a user to define event scenarios that are used to analyze callstack and context data. Scenarios that are delayed are flagged and reported to the user with an aggregated callstack of CPU samples taken during the delay. An aggregation is done for samples for the main user interface thread of the process that is being monitored. A user may select other threads to see the callstack aggregation for that thread. The user can identify which methods use the most time for a particular delay from the callstack presentation. An event analysis tool allows quick exploration of the responsiveness issues by visualizing delays as they happen and allowing the user to drill down into callstack details for selected delays.
US09064034B2	Handheld blood glucose monitoring device with messaging capability A patient monitoring network pertaining to blood glucose and other analyte measurements includes wireless blood glucose or other analyte measuring devices and a networked computer or server. Each monitoring device is associated with a patient and is configured to measure the glucose level or other analyte from a given blood sample via inserted test strips, transmit the measurements to the networked computer, and display received messages. The blood glucose monitoring device includes means for substantially reducing factors that could affect the glucose measurement such as thermal and RF interference.
US09064033B2	Intelligent decision support for consent management Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and computer program product to intelligently provide consent to access a record in a shared pool of resources. Tools are provided to support policies to address and maintain restrictive access of a designated record, both with respect to local and non-local rules and regulations, as well as personal restrictions pertaining to personal and discretionary sharing decisions.
US09064031B2	Advancements in data distribution methods and referential integrity An elastic parallel database system where data distribution is container- and container-context based. Container Based Tables are defined and Container Member Tables achieve co-location of data as needed. A polymorphic key may also establish polymorphic key relationships between rows in one table and rows in many other possible tables.
US09064023B2	Providing web content in the context of a virtual environment Information URLs may be associated with three dimensional objects in a three dimensional virtual environment. When a URL is selected, an overlay web rendering engine renders a web page associated with the URL over the object in the three dimensional virtual environment. The web page may include rich content, interactive content, or any other type of web content supported by the user's local browser and browser plugging. The user may interact with the content in the overlay web rendering engine to obtain successive layers of content or to affect the object in the virtual environment. The web page is rendered with a transparent background so that the three dimensional content of the virtual environment continues to be visible through the web page and provides context for the overlayed content. Information URLs may be used to provide information about objects, Avatars, or the virtual environment itself.
US09064017B2	Systems and methods for providing information incorporating reinforcement-based learning and feedback Systems and methods are provided for feedback-driven provision of information in relation to a plurality of information resources. Some such methods involve: accessing information resources from repositories to establish a mapping between information resources; maintaining a state table comprising a plurality of state-table records, each state-table record attributing a value to a state-action pair, which comprises an indication of actions in relation to the information resources; monitoring actions of a user in relation to the information resources; receiving a feedback metric related to interaction of the user with the information resources; using the feedback metric to update the values of the state-table records; and providing output information based at least in part on the updated values of the state-table records.
US09064014B2	Information provisioning device, information provisioning method, program, and information recording medium An information provisioning device (12) presents more appropriate search results to the user while using an existing search function. A storage part (206) stores taboo character strings for identification information of a search target and stores identification information as one of those already searched or already selected by the user in the past. An acquisition part (202) acquires search results consisting of matched information containing identification information of a search target satisfying the query. A correction part (203) corrects the search results in regard to matched information based on whether a taboo character string for the identification information is contained in the query. A presentation part (204) presents the corrected search results to the user. A selection reception part (207) receives a command to select matched information from the user.
US09064013B1	Application of resource limits to request processing A server system having one or more processors and memory launches an instance of an application subject to a first set of resource constraints. Exceeding the first set of resource constraints will cause the application instance to be terminated. The server system transmits a first request from the application instance to a datastore server system. The first request is subject to a second set of resource constraints that are more restrictive than the first set of resource constraints. The server system receives a first response to the first request. When processing the first request exceeds the second set of resource constraints, the first response includes a first set of partial results and information enabling the application instance to request resumption of processing the first request, and when the first request was processed without exceeding the second set of resource constraints, the first response includes complete results.
US09064011B2	Seamlessly switching among unicast, multicast, and broadcast mobile media content In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for switching between broadcast and unicast content on a mobile device. The method and system involves making unicast content available to the mobile device, making broadcast content available to the mobile device; and providing an application on the mobile device which allows for switching between the unicast and broadcast content.
US09064010B2	Encoding and transcoding for mobile media In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for encoding content for mobile media distribution determining an encoding format based on one or more of a consumption profile, a content profile, an ingestion profile, a network profile, a mobile device profile, a delivery profile, and a user profile, encoding content to provide an encoded content consistent with the determined encoding format, and providing the encoded content to one or more of a content host, a content cache, a distribution portal, a mobile carrier, and a mobile device.
US09064009B2	Attribute cloud An example system includes at least one memory and at least one processing device. The at least one memory comprises instructions that when executed by the at least one processing device cause the system to receive a text corpus, filter the text corpus to obtain a plurality of attributes, determine the semantic cohesion between the plurality of attributes, and create an attribute cloud including the plurality of attributes, where the placement of the plurality of attributes within the attribute cloud is based at least in part on the determined semantic cohesion between the plurality of attributes.
US09064008B2	Computer-implemented system and method for displaying visual classification suggestions for concepts A computer-implemented system and method for displaying visual classification suggestions for concepts is provided. At least one cluster is provided, the cluster including one or more uncoded concepts, each associated with a visual representation that includes a geometric shape, and one or more reference concepts, each associated with a visual representation of an assigned classification code. For at least one of the uncoded concepts, a neighborhood that includes at least one of the reference concepts is determined. A classification code for the neighborhood is determined based on the at least one of the reference concepts. The classification code of the neighborhood is suggested as a classification code for the uncoded concept, which includes displaying the visual representation of the suggested classification code placed on a portion of the geometric shape associated with the uncoded concept.
US09064003B2	System and method for improving application connectivity in a clustered database environment A clustered database environment includes multiple database instances that appear as one server. An application server can use a data source and connection pools to connect with the clustered database. A notification service broadcasts notifications describing state changes in the database instances, which are then used by the data source and connection pools to control access to the database instances. A data source configuration allows for specification of a preferred affinity policy. A session affinity policy is used to provide database instance affinity for database access made under the context of a web session, whereby database operations are directed to a particular instance for a period of time when the application may be performing multiple, related updates to a specific data set. Directing such operations to a single database instance can be used to improve application performance due to increased local cache utilization.
US09063998B2	Associated information propagation system An associated information system is provided that propagates visibility of associated information. The associated information system traces a data lineage of a data warehouse. The associated information system further identifies an association between a primary data element and an associated object, where the association between the primary data element and the associated object is identified as a primary link. The associated information system further stores a first associated object mapping system record within an associated object mapping system table that represents the primary link. The associated information system further identifies an association between a secondary data element and the associated object using the data lineage, where the association between the secondary data element and the associated object is identified as a secondary link, and where the secondary data element is related to the primary data element within the data lineage. The associated information system further stores a second associated object mapping record within the associated object mapping system table that represents the secondary link.
US09063995B2	Access control list (ACL) generation for replicated data In one embodiment, a method replicates data from a first database system to a second database system. A trigger table associated with the first database system is determined. The trigger table includes information for rows in tables of the first database system relevant to authorizations in the first database system. The method generates an access control list (ACL) report from the trigger table. The ACL report includes information for setting ACL rules for the second database system. An access context is determined for an entity from the ACL report. The method then generates an ACL rule based on the access context to restrict access to the replicated data in the second database system to users associated with the access context.
US09063993B2	Coexistence tools for synchronizing properties between on-premises customer locations and remote hosting services Coexistence tools are described for synchronizing properties between on-premises customer locations and remote hosting services. These tools may provide methods that send the tools for installation onto on-premises infrastructure located at customer sites, execute the tools to manage the customer infrastructure remotely via a hosted service, and synchronize properties at the customer site with the hosted service. Other methods may include receiving the tools from the hosted service, communicating configuration parameters related to operating the tools, and executing the tools in response to the configuration parameters. The tools may also provide systems that include on-premises servers associated with the customer infrastructure, with the on-premises servers including on-premises coexistence components for maintaining the property at the customer site. These systems may also include administrative servers associated with the hosted service. The administrative servers may include hosted-side coexistence components for maintaining and synchronizing counterparts of the on-premises properties.
US09063992B2	Column based data transfer in extract, transform and load (ETL) systems Executing a plurality of transform stages in an extract, transform and load (ETL) job including, for each of the transform stages, receiving a plurality of input row identifiers (RIDs) corresponding to a first plurality of source database table rows in a source database table. Data is retrieved directly from a subset of the source database table columns in the first plurality of source database table rows based on the input RIDs and transform logic. Partial row data including data from the subset of the source database table columns is generated for each of the first plurality of source database table rows. Transformed data is generated based on the partial row data and to the transform logic. Output RIDs corresponding to a second plurality of rows in the source database table that include a least a subset of the transformed data are output to a downstream stage.
US09063987B2	Managing uncertain data using Monte Carlo techniques According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing uncertain data is provided. The method includes specifying data uncertainty using at least one variable generation (VG) function. The VG function generates pseudorandom samples of uncertain data values. A random database based on the VG function is specified and multiple Monte Carlo instantiations of the random database are generated. Using a Monte Carlo method, a query is repeatedly executed over the multiple Monte Carlo instantiations to output a Monte Carlo method result and associated query-results. The Monte Carlo method result may then be used to estimate statistical properties of a probability distribution of the query-result.
US09063983B1	Detecting name-triggering queries A system may be configured to receive a query; identify an object and a verb associated with the query; obtain information indicating a quantity of occurrences, in one or more documents, of the object in a sentence that may include the verb, or a quantity of occurrences, in one or more documents, of one or more terms, which are related to the object, in a sentence that may include the verb; generate a confidence score that may indicate a probability that the query seeks a result relating to a name of a person; identify a set of documents that are responsive to the query; determine that the confidence score satisfies a threshold; identify one or more documents, of the set of documents, that are associated with one or more names of people; select a particular document, of the set of documents; and output information regarding the selected particular document.
US09063981B2	Method and system for searching contact lists quickly—by group name, tags and/or metadata A method and system for searching contact lists quickly, that provides searching of a contact list by user defined group names, attributes, and/or system defined metadata regarding contacts, groups and/or attributes. The visual display of contacts within the user's contact list user interface display may be configured to visually organize contacts into the groups they belong to, and/or to display the attributes associated with groups and/or contacts within the top level contact list display. Group and/or contact attributes may alternatively be accessed by selecting (e.g. clicking on) a group or contact. A quick search feature is provided that allows the contact list to be searched based on group name, attribute, and/or contact name, as well as based on group, contact and/or attribute metadata.
US09063980B2	Log consolidation Consolidating a set of tenant log streams from separate user databases into a consolidated log stream. The method includes receiving a plurality of tenant log streams from separate user data bases. The method further includes recording the plurality of tenant log streams as a consolidated log stream. The method further includes maintaining metadata about the consolidated log stream to map log records from the plurality of tenant log streams to their location in the consolidated log stream.
US09063979B2	Analyzing event streams of user sessions In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method is disclosed to analyze event streams of a user session. One embodiment of the method includes logging a plurality of events from an event stream, specifying conditions to sort the plurality of events, applying the conditions to the plurality of events, producing a probability distribution of event nodes after a given node in the event stream, and producing an interactive graphical reduction of a produced graph by determining patterns in a graphical tree and unifying occurrences of the patterns.
US09063978B1	Apparatuses, methods and systems for a financial transaction tagger The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION TAGGER (hereinafter “FTT”) implement efficient and scalable monitoring, regulation, and allocation of computational processing, data, labor, and/or the like resources within an enterprise. In some embodiments, the FTT may facilitate, in various implementations, tagging transactions with transaction characteristics through the use of universal variables and economical interface features. In one embodiment, transaction data associated with a transaction and including at least a transaction identifier may be received. The transaction data may be analyzed, and contextual rules may be applied to the transaction to tag the transaction with transaction characteristics.
US09063975B2	Results of question and answer systems Mechanisms are provided for answering questions about at least one previous execution of a question answering (QA) system on a previous input question. An input question is received that is directed to a previous execution of a QA system with regard to a previous input question. The input question is processed to generate at least one query for application to a corpus of information, which comprises information about the QA system and the previous execution of the QA system on the previous input question. The at least one query is applied to the corpus of information to generate candidate answers to the input question which are ranked according to confidence measure values associated with the candidate answers. A final answer for the input question is output based on the ranking of the candidate answers.
US09063971B2	Schema and query abstraction for different LDAP service providers A lightweight directory access (LDAP) broker receives user information associated with a query for information in an LDAP repository. The query may be in an abstraction format. The LDAP broker determines a computing domain in view of the user information and retrieves a configuration file associated with the computing domain. The configuration file comprises a mapping for the query between an abstraction format and a vendor specific format. The LDAP broker converts the query to the vendor specific format in view of the mapping in the configuration file.
US09063970B1	Method and apparatus for concept-based ranking of natural language discourse Concept-based ranking is applied to the results of a search process. Concept-based ranking relies on the input query, that produced the search results, having pinnacle concept properties specified for some of its keyword-based search terms. For each record “r” of a search result, it can be assigned a concept-based ranking score as follows. For each query term “QT,” of the input query, the following can be performed. The set of occurrences of “QT,” in the record, can be determined. Based upon the pinnacle concept of “QT,” and certain characteristics of the set of occurrences, a value can be assigned to “QT.” Characteristics, of the set of occurrences, can include the type of pinnacle concept asserted by at least one sub-unit of the record in which there is an occurrence. Once each “QT” has been assigned a value, such values can be combined to produce a score for ranking the record.
US09063968B2	Identifying a compromised encoded data slice A method begins by processing module in response to a read command, issuing at least a read threshold number of read requests regarding a set of encoded data slices and receiving at least the read threshold number of encoded data slices. The method continues where the processing module selects a unique combination of encoded data slices and decodes the unique combination to produce a recovered data segment. The method continues where the processing module verifies an integrity value for the recovered data segment and indicates whether the unique combination is valid. The method continues where the processing module selects other combinations producing more recovered data segments for further validity verification. The method continues where the processing module utilizes a verified recovered data segment as a response to the read command and identifies a compromised encoded data slice.
US09063966B2	Selective monitoring of archive and backup storage Systems and methods for providing information security in a network environment. The method includes receiving a user selection of a data section recorded on a storage system. The method further includes determining a monitoring routine for the data section. The method further includes determining a physical location at which the data section is recorded in the storage system. The method further includes monitoring the physical location for faults according to the monitoring routine.
US09063963B2	Method and system for migration of managed devices A system and method for migrating a managed subscriber device from an incumbent managing server to a new managing server. Registration data for the subscriber device and authentication certificates are transferred to the new managing server or an associated memory device, and a DNS name and IP address mapping request is transmitted to a DNS server. When the name change is implemented, a DNS lookup for the managing server performed by the subscriber device returns an IP address associated with the new managing server. The new managing server may then assume the management functions with respect to the subscriber device. The migration may be performed for a number of subscriber devices simultaneously.
US09063962B2	Automatically determining an optimal database subsection A method, apparatus, and system for automatically determining an optimal database subsection is provided. A database subsection is selected to optimize certain benefits when the database subsection is translated, transferred, and cached on an alternative database system, which may utilize a different technology or database engine that provides certain performance benefits compared to the original database system. Algorithms such as multi-path greedy selection and/or dynamic programming may provide optimal or near-optimal results. A host for the alternative database server may be shared with or otherwise located in close physical proximity to improve latency for a database application or client layer. Once the database subsection analysis is completed, a report may be generated and presented to the user, and an implementation script may also be created to automatically configure a client host to function as a cache or replacement system according various cache size configurations described in the report.
US09063954B2	Near duplicate images Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining image search results. One of the methods includes generating a plurality of feature vectors for each image in a collection of images, wherein each feature vector is associated with an image tile of an image, wherein each feature vector corresponds to one of a plurality of predetermined visual words. All images in the collection of images that share at least a threshold number of matching visual words associated with matching image tiles are classified as near-duplicate images.
US09063949B2	Inferring a sequence of editing operations to facilitate merging versions of a shared document The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that infers a sequence of editing operations that were applied to a document to produce an updated version of the document. During operation, the system computes a minimum edit distance between the document and the updated version of the document. During this process, the system associates a block cost with each contiguous block of characters that is changed by an editing operation and also a character cost with each character that is changed. Next, the system uses information stored during the computation to determine the sequence of editing operations which were used to achieve the minimum edit distance. The system communicates the sequence of editing operations to a remote computing device, wherein the remote computing device uses an operational transformation technique to transform the sequence of editing operations before applying the transformed sequence of editing operations to a remote version of the document.
US09063948B2	Versioning file system An apparatus and a method for versioning a file of a file system is described. A versioning module stores multiple versions of the file. The file is opened for write access. The versioning module identifies an file mapping structure of a block associated with the file, copies the content of the file mapping structure of the file to a new file mapping structure of the file, and allocates a new block to the file as represented by the file mapping structure.
US09063947B2	Detecting duplicative hierarchical sets of files To detect duplicative hierarchically arranged sets of files in a storage system, a method includes generating, for hierarchically arranged plural sets of files, respective collections of values computed based on files in corresponding sets of files. For a further set of files that is an ancestor of at least one of the plural sets of files, a respective collection of values that is based on the collection of values computed for the at least one set is generated. Duplicative sets according to comparisons of the collections of values are identified.
US09063944B2	Match window size for matching multi-level transactions between log files A predefined number of matches is identified between records in a first file and records in a second file. For the matches, determine the span of the actual range of record positions in the second file relative to the positions of the operation records in the first file within which all matches were found. If the actual span is smaller than the span of a current defined range of record positions by at least a first threshold value, decrease the span of the current defined range. If the actual span is within a second threshold value of the span of the current defined range, increase the span of the current defined range. If an amount above a third threshold value of operation records in the first file are not matched to operation records in the second file, increasing the span of the current defined range.
US09063940B1	Superseding objects in a retention system Superseding a prior version of a document, to which prior version a retention policy or other requirement has been applied, is disclosed. In some embodiments, an attribute of a retention policy indicates whether a document to which the retention policy has been applied is to be superseded by a subsequently created and/or saved version of the document. In some embodiments, the attribute is set by a logic or process configured to apply the retention policy to the document. If the retention policy indicates that supersede is enabled, in various embodiments when a subsequent version is created and/or saved, the prior version is promoted to the final phase of the retention policy that has been applied to it and automatically “qualified” for disposition as indicated in the final phase of the retention policy, without regard to intervening requirements, processes, phases, approvals, retention, waiting, or other periods, etc.
US09063937B2	Storage array reservation forwarding A method is provided for a destination storage system to join a storage area network with a source storage system. The method includes discovering a volume on the source storage system when the source storage system exports the volume to the destination storage system and exporting the volume to the host computer systems. When a command to reserve the volume for a host computer system is received, the method includes determining locally if the volume is already reserved. When the volume is not already reserved, the method includes reserving locally the volume for the host computer system and transmitting to the source storage system another command to reserve the volume for the destination storage system.
US09063934B2	System for identifying media content A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller element to compare a first portion of metadata associated with media content under presentation with a second portion of metadata of each of one or more media content sources to present one or more alternative sources of related media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09063932B2	Apparatus, method and article to manage electronic or digital documents in a networked environment Systems and methods of electronic or digital document management allow satellite offices, sites or facilities to replicate some documents in a shared or common electronic document repository, while storing other documents only locally, while allowing document management functions seamlessly across an enterprise independent of whether the electronic or digital documents or files are replicated to a shared or common repository, for instance a central electronic or digital document repository.
US09063930B2	Method and system for analyzing or resolving ambiguities in image recognition for gesture, emotion, or expression recognition for a human Specification covers new algorithms, methods, and systems for artificial intelligence, soft computing, and deep learning/recognition, e.g., image recognition (e.g., for action, gesture, emotion, expression, biometrics, fingerprint, facial, OCR (text), background, relationship, position, pattern, and object), large number of images (“Big Data”) analytics, machine learning, training schemes, crowd-sourcing (using experts or humans), feature space, clustering, classification, similarity measures, optimization, search engine, ranking, question-answering system, soft (fuzzy or unsharp) boundaries/impreciseness/ambiguities/fuzziness in language, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computing-with-Words (CWW), parsing, machine translation, sound and speech recognition, video search and analysis (e.g. tracking), image annotation, geometrical abstraction, image correction, semantic web, context analysis, data reliability (e.g., using Z-number (e.g., “About 45 minutes; Very sure”)), rules engine, control system, autonomous vehicle, self-diagnosis and self-repair robots, system diagnosis, medical diagnosis, biomedicine, data mining, event prediction, financial forecasting, economics, risk assessment, e-mail management, database management, indexing and join operation, memory management, and data compression.
US09063928B2	Processing data packets from a receive queue in a remote direct memory access device Processing data packets from a receive queue is provided. It is determined whether packets are saved in a pre-fetched queue. In response to determining that packets are not saved in the pre-fetched queue, a number of packets within the receive queue is determined. In response to determining the number of packets within the receive queue, it is determined whether the number of packets within the receive queue is greater than a number of packets called for by an application. In response to determining that the number of packets within the receive queue is greater than the number of packets called for by the application, an excess number of packets that is above the number of packets called for by the application is saved in the pre-fetched queue. An indication is sent to the application of the excess number of packets. The predetermined number of packets is transferred to the application.
US09063927B2	Short message age classification Systems and methods for short message age classification in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, classifying messages using a classifier includes determining keyword feature information for a message using the classifier, classifying the determined feature information using the classifier, and estimating user age using the classifier.
US09063926B2	Entity variant generation and normalization Determining variants of a text entity comprises parsing the text entity into semantic components and generating variants for each of the semantic components. The entity is recomposed in different morphological forms from the different variants of the semantic components.
US09063923B2	Method for identifying the integrity of information A preferred method for identifying at least one of a grammatical, linguistic and/or conceptual integrity of a data corpus is disclosed. In a preferred method, the associations between several word elements of a data corpus are identified. Then, the word elements experiencing several associations are used for identifying the continuum between associations and the number of word elements involved and/or not involved in the associations which is then used for identifying at least one of a: linguistic, semantic, grammatical, conceptual or other integrity or coherence of the analyzed data corpus, such as a query for optionally displaying a data corpus understanding and/or selecting a particular search behavior or other.
US09063919B2	Improving serial peripheral performance over wireless communication links A host device receives a Universal Serial Bus (USB) transfer request from a USB host driver, modifies the USB transfer request, encapsulates the modified USB transfer request for transmission via a wireless communication link, transmits the encapsulated modified USB transfer request to a wireless peripheral device via the wireless communication link, receives a transfer response that encapsulates a plurality of USB transfer responses from the wireless peripheral device via the wireless communication link, decapsulates the encapsulated transfer response, and transmits each of the plurality of USB transfer responses to the USB host driver.
US09063917B2	Markup language stylization Markup language stylizations that may be applied to a source document are defined in overlay documents such that no special tags or markers are required in the source document to enable stylization via the overlay document. A manifest document defines an association between a source document and one or more overlay documents.
US09063916B2	Compact encoding of node locations Techniques for encoding node locations are provided. In some examples, a node in a hierarchy such as a document object model (DOM) may be expressed as a location path from the root node of the hierarchy to the node. Each node on the location path may be encoded using a mapping between the type and/or index of the node and a set of characters such as ASCII characters. The encoding of each node on the path be concatenated to form the encoded location path. The encoding seeks to minimize the length of the encoded location path. For example, in an embodiment, a single ASCII character may be used to encode both the type and the index of a node. In an embodiment, breakpoint locations may be encoded using methods provided to reduce storage and computing resource required.
US09063913B2	Expression input apparatus, expression display apparatus, expression input method, expression display method, recording medium storing expression input control program, and recording medium storing expression display control program An expression input apparatus includes: an expression input unit; an expression display unit; an expression/color specifying unit that specifies an expression portion in expressions displayed on the expression display unit and that specifies a color among a plurality of colors; an expression/color storage unit that stores the specified expression portion and the specified color in association with each other; a highlighting control unit that highlights the expression portion with the color; a color/position specifying unit that specifies the color stored in association with the expression portion, and that specifies a position at which a new expression portion is to be inputted; and a pasting unit that pastes the expression portion on the specified position and highlights the pasted expression portion with the specified color.
US09063909B2	Isolating data storage mirroring operations Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for isolating mirroring operations when interacting with a data storage space, and more specifically to directing data to be stored in two locations, where storing the data in the second location does not slow or impede storing the data in the first location. Upon receiving a request to store data, the system can determine a first storage space and a second storage space in which to store the data. Instructions can be prepared for storing the data in the first storage space while at the same time preparing instructions for storing identical data in the second storage space. The system can communicate the instructions to both storage systems, with the first storage space immediately beginning the storage process while the second storage space places the instructions into a queue for later processing.
US09063906B2	Thread sparing between cores in a multi-threaded processor Embodiments relate to thread sparing between cores in a processor. An aspect includes determining that a number of recovery attempts made by a first thread on the first core has exceeded a recovery attempt threshold, and sending a request to transfer the first thread. Another aspect includes, selecting a second core from a plurality of cores to receive the first thread from the first core, wherein the second core is selected based on the second core having an idle thread. Another aspect includes transferring a last good architected state of the first thread from the first core to the second core. Another aspect includes loading the last good architected state of the first thread by the idle thread on the second core. Yet another aspect includes resuming execution of the first thread on the second core from the last good architected state of the first thread by the idle thread.
US09063904B2	De-populating cloud data store Embodiments relate to systems and methods for de-populating a cloud data store. In one method, an identification of a set of cloud-populated data to be transported from a set of host storage clouds to at least one target data store is received. The method identifies a data transport pathway from the set of host storage clouds to the at least one target data store, the data transport pathway including a dedicated reverse staging connection between the set of host storage clouds and the at least one target data store. The method initiates the transport of the set of cloud-populated data to the at least one target data store in view of a set of de-population commands.
US09063902B2	Implementing enhanced hardware assisted DRAM repair using a data register for DRAM repair selectively provided in a DRAM module A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing hardware assisted Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) repair in a computer system that supports ECC. A data register providing DRAM repair is selectively provided in one of the Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a memory controller, or a memory buffer coupled between the DRAM and the memory controller. The data register is configured to map to any address. Responsive to the configured address being detected, the reads to or the writes from the configured address are routed to the data register.
US09063900B2	Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium An information processing apparatus connected to a first storage device and a second storage device via a storage control device, the information processing apparatus includes a transfer unit configured to cause the storage control device to transfer to a rebuilding state after the setting unit has set the password for the second storage device.
US09063895B1	System and method of non-disruptive data migration between heterogeneous storage arrays Described is non-disruptive data migration from a source array to a heterogeneous destination array. A name server database is queried to obtain port names for each source array port. The source array is queried to obtain information about each source array LUN. A target array is generated at the destination array for receiving a copy of data resident at the source array. The target array has at least as many ports and at least as many LUNs as the source array. Each source array LUN corresponds to a target array LUN and is equal in storage capacity as that corresponding LUN. All data resident in the source array LUNs are copied to corresponding target array LUNs. The name server database is reconfigured to associate source port names with the port addresses of the target array such that the target array appears to a host as the source array.
US09063889B2	System and method for secure mode for processors and memories on multiple semiconductor dies within a single semiconductor package A computing system comprising a processor having a first and second bus (the processor on a first semiconductor die mounted within a semiconductor package), a monitoring device coupled to both the first and second bus of the processor (the monitoring device on the first semiconductor die mounted within the semiconductor package), a memory coupled to the processor via the first bus (coupled to the monitoring device via a security signal, the memory on a second semiconductor die mounted within the semiconductor package), and a user interface external of the semiconductor package (the user interface coupled to the processor via the second data and instruction bus). The monitoring device checks one or both of the first and second busses to determine whether a secure mode entry sequence is delivered to the processor. The first bus and the security signal are only coupled to and accessible by devices within the semiconductor package.
US09063885B2	Mobile wireless communications device with reset functions and related methods A mobile wireless communications device may include a display, a graphics processing unit (GPU) being resettable and causing a change in the display when reset, a wireless transceiver, and a processor cooperating with the GPU and the wireless transceiver for wireless communications. The processor may be resettable along with the GPU, and the processor also may be partially resettable without resetting the GPU to avoid a change in the display.
US09063883B2	Management of point-in-time copy relationship for extent space efficient volumes A storage controller receives a request to establish a point-in-time copy operation by placing a space efficient source volume in a point-in-time copy relationship with a space efficient target volume, wherein subsequent to being established the point-in-time copy operation is configurable to consistently copy the space efficient source volume to the space efficient target volume at a point in time. A determination is made as to whether any track of an extent is staging into a cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume. In response to a determination that at least one track of the extent is staging into the cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume, release of the extent from the space efficient target volume is avoided.
US09063881B2	Slice retrieval in accordance with an access sequence in a dispersed storage network A method begins by a processing module receiving a data retrieval request to retrieve data stored as a plurality of sets of encoded data slices in a dispersed storage network memory. The method continues with the processing module determining an access sequence for retrieving the plurality of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with the access sequence, entering a loop to produce recovered decoded data that includes sending a slice retrieval message for a set of encoded data slices of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices, receiving at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of the set to produce received encoded data slices, dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices to produce the recovered decoded data, and exiting the loop when a set of encoded data slices is not requested in accordance with a system maintained access sequence.
US09063874B2	Apparatus, system, and method for wear management A storage module is configured to determine a health metric of a storage division of a solid-state storage medium. The health metric may comprise a combination of factors, including, but not limited to: wear level, performance (e.g., program time, erase time, and the like), error rate, and the like. A wear level module may configure storage operations to reduce the wear rate of storage divisions having poor health metrics and/or heath metrics that are degrading more quickly than other storage divisions. Reducing wear rate may include deferring grooming operations, delaying use for storage operations, temporarily retiring the storage division, or the like. Storage divisions may be brought back into service at normal use rates in response determining that other portions of the storage media have been worn to the point that they exhibit similar health and/or reliability characteristics.
US09063872B2	Forward error correction with configurable latency A method of performing forward error correction with configurable latency, where a configurable latency algorithm evaluates a target Bit Error Rate (BER) against an actual BER and adjusts the size of a configurable buffer such that the target BER may be achieved when utilizing the smallest buffer size possible. When errors are corrected without the utilization of each of the configurable buffer locations, the algorithm reduces the size of the buffer by y buffer locations; the algorithm may continue to successively reduce the size of said buffer until the minimum number of buffer locations are utilized to achieve the target BER. If the buffer locations have been reduced such that the buffer size is too small and the target BER cannot be achieved, the algorithm may increase the size of the buffer until the minimum number of buffer locations are utilized to achieve the target BER.
US09063871B2	Decoding device and decoding method A decoding device (1) has: a reliability calculating unit (5) which calculates reliability information having a non-linear relationship with a noise distribution of a PR communication path (3) in at least part of or all of the reliability information based on characteristics of the PR communication path (3) and a predetermined modulation rule from an encoded signal that is obtained from the PR communication path (3); a reliability correcting unit (17) which corrects the reliability information calculated by a reliability calculating unit (5); and an error correction decoding unit (18) which performs error correction decoding on the reliability information corrected by the reliability correcting unit (17).
US09063868B2	Virtual computer system, area management method, and program A virtual computer system having a plurality of virtual computers includes an area assignment unit operable to, when a virtual computer attempts to perform writing to a basic area which is assigned to and shared by the plurality of virtual computers, change an assignment to the virtual computer from the basic area to a copy area to which the basic area is copied and the writing is performed. Additionally an area freeing unit is operable to, when a content of the basic area matches a content of at least one copy area, change area assignment to one or more virtual computers, to which have been assigned one or more other areas than one area among the areas whose contents match each other, to the one area, and free the one or more other areas.
US09063867B2	Method and apparatus for adaptive gravity search Provided are a gravity search adaptive apparatus and method. The gravity search adaptive apparatus includes: a system configured to process and output a received signal; a system modeling unit configured to receive the same signal as a signal input to the system, to convert the signal using a system modeling parameter, and to output the converted signal; and an adaptive controller configured to use a gravity search adaptive algorithm to detect the system modeling parameter so that an error signal which is a difference between an output signal of the system and an output signal of the system modeling unit converges on a minimum value when the system modeling parameter is applied to the system modeling unit.
US09063864B2	Storing data in presistent hybrid memory Storing data in persistent hybrid memory includes promoting a memory block from non-volatile memory to a cache based on a usage of said memory block according to a promotion policy, tracking modifications to the memory block while in the cache, and writing the memory block back into the non-volatile memory after the memory block is modified in the cache based on a writing policy that keeps a number of the memory blocks that are modified at or below a number threshold while maintaining the memory block in the cache.
US09063861B1	Host based hints A method system and program product for sending a hint relating access requests of data stored on a storage array from a server to the storage array, receiving the hint at the storage array, and updating information about the data stored on the storage array using the hint.
US09063857B2	Memory system and error correction method Disclosed is an error correcting method which includes detecting an error of meta data having a seed used to randomize user data; correcting the error of the meta data when the error is detected from the meta data; receiving the user data based upon seed confirmation information associated with an error existence of the seed or an error correction result of the seed; detecting an error of the user data; and correcting the error of the user data when the error is detected from the user data.
US09063856B2	Method and system for detecting symptoms and determining an optimal remedy pattern for a faulty device Computer-implemented systems, methods, and computer-readable media electronic for detecting symptoms and determining an optimal remedy pattern for one or more faulty components of a device is disclosed. First the symptoms of the faulty device are detected and associated faulty components of the device are identified. Different tests are performed to confirm the status of the faulty components. Based on the historical data, cost information and remedy cost function an optimal remedy pattern is determined.
US09063855B2	Fault handling at a transaction level by employing a token and a source-to-destination paradigm in a processor-based system A method for detecting errors in a processing device is disclosed. A data source unit of a processing device transmits data and a qualifier synchronously with the data, the qualifier to indicate the data is uncorrectable. At least one intermediate functional unit in the processing device receives the data and the qualifier. The at least one intermediate functional unit detects the data is uncorrectable based on the qualifier. The at least one intermediate functional unit transmits, without using, the data and the qualifier synchronously with the data to a data consumer unit of the processing device. The data consumer unit receives the data and the qualifier. The data consumer unit detects the data is uncorrectable based on the qualifier. The data consumer unit maintains, without using the data and the qualifier.
US09063853B2	Storage device, storage system, and method for controlling storage device A storage device disclosed in the present application includes a device-error-codes table, first-information indicating a process-setting that can be changed by a device-state, and second-information indicating a process-setting that is a previously determined by a device-error-type, are associated with each other; a management-unit that adds information indicating a change in the second-information to the second-information stored in the table; a determining-unit that determines the device-error-type; an acquiring unit that acquires, from the table, the first-information; an information-converter that determines whether or not information indicating a change in the second-information, and changes the first-information by the acquiring unit; a transmitter that transmits the first-information by the acquiring unit or changed by the information-converter to a storage-device-controller; and an information-transmitter that receives, from the controller, a request to transmit the second-information and transmits, to the controller, the second-information that corresponds to the request.
US09063850B2	Extended utilization area for a memory device Methods, systems and devices for configuring access to a memory device are disclosed. The configuration of the memory device may be carried out by creating a plurality of access profiles that are adapted to optimize access to the memory device in accordance with a type of access. For example, when an application with specific memory access needs is initiated, the memory access profile that is designed for that particular access need may be utilized to configure access to the memory device. The configuration may apply to a portion of the memory device, a partition of the memory device, a single access location on the memory device, or any combination thereof.
US09063841B1	External memory management in a network device In a method for storing packets in a network device, a memory space spanning a plurality of external memory devices is partitioned into a plurality of multi-buffers. Each multi-buffer spans multiple memory devices in the plurality of external memory devices. Each multi-buffer is partitioned into a plurality of buffer chunks and the plurality of buffer chunks are distributed among the multiple memory devices Further, a packet is divided into one or more packet chunks including at least a first packet chunk. The one or more packet chunks are stored in one or more consecutive buffer chunks of at least a first multi-buffer of the plurality of multi-buffers.
US09063836B2	Methods and apparatus to protect segments of memory Methods and apparatus to protect segments of memory are disclosed herein. An example method includes intercepting an interrupt request indicating an error; determining whether a first segment of memory is corrupt, the first segment of memory being designated as a protected region of memory; when the protected region of memory is corrupt, repairing the corrupted region of memory using a parity block of code; and in response to validating the protected region of memory, generating an interrupt enabling a utilization of code stored in the protected region of memory to handle the error associated with the interrupt request.
US09063835B2	Managing processing of user requests and data replication for a mass storage system A technique includes determining a workload on mass storage system that is associated will user requests during a time in which mass storage system is replicating data from a source data unit of the mass storage system to a replica storage unit of the mass storage system. The technique includes determining a progress rate associated with the replication and managing processing of the user requests and the data replication for the mass storage system, including initiating corrective action in response to determining that the workload is near a predetermined maximum workload threshold and the progress rate is near a predetermined minimum threshold.
US09063831B1	Method and apparatus for optimizing access to control registers in an emulation chip The present patent document relates to a method and apparatus for optimizing access to control registers in an emulation chip. Control messages include in one half of the message a write-mask bits for the corresponding control bits in the other half of the word. A single message from the host workstation can be used to update several bits of the register using a single message, rather than reading, modifying, then writing back each bit individually. Only the bits desired to be updated are written, while the masked bits are not affected. Various configurations of the mask bits and control bits are possible, and block transfers can be used to update bits across a series of registers. The disclosed method and apparatus can reduce overhead and latency on communication channels to the host workstation by significantly reducing the number of individual transfer across the channel.
US09063830B2	Micro-SD device loaded with a smart card A Micro-Secure Digital (“SD”) device loaded with a smart card that can be issued in bulk and in card form is provided. The device includes: a SD interface electrically connected to a host terminal; at least one memory module; a SD controller connected to the SD interface to provide communication between a host terminal and the memory module; at least one smart card IC for data communication with the SD controller; and a smart card interface for issuing smart cards. Since the Micro-SD device is provided with a smart card function and a card form satisfying the ISO 7810 standard, it may be issued in bulk through automation using a conventional automatic card-issuing device that automatically issues a credit card or a USIM card.
US09063827B2	Systems and methods for storing and retrieving a defect map in a DRAM component In accordance with the present disclosure, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) component is described. The DRAM component may comprise an integrated circuit, with the integrated circuit including an array of volatile memory cells. A first volatile memory cells of the array of volatile memory cells may be defective. The integrated circuit may also include non-volatile memory, and the non-volatile memory may contain a reference to the first volatile memory cell.
US09063824B2	Melding of mediation flow service component architecture (SCA) components Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for melding mediation and adaptation modules of a service component architecture (SCA) system. A method for melding mediation and adaptation modules of an SCA system can include selecting each of a mediation module and an adaptation module in an integrated development tool executing in memory by a processor of a computer and loading respectively different descriptor files for each of the mediation module and the adaptation module. The method further can include combining descriptors from the different descriptor files into a single descriptor file for a melded module. Finally, the method can include modifying names and wiring descriptors in the single descriptor file for the melded module to account for a combination of the mediation component and the adaptation component in the melded component.
US09063823B2	Software development and distribution workflow employing meta-object time stamping A method and system facilitating the development and distribution of software is provided. The system includes tracking revisions to elements of a database on the computing device by establishing time stamps for each stored element changed at a specified time, enabling a user to select an applicable time period comprising a beginning time point and an end time point, and assembling elements for execution based on time stamps limited to the selected applicable time period.
US09063821B1	Method for updating operating system without memory reset A computer system has an OS running on it. The computer system has Virtual Execution Environments (VEEs—containers or Virtual Machines), an old OS (to be replaced), a memory area which has data needed for system restart and restore from the VEE. The VEEs are moved into snapshot and a new OS is loaded into the memory. The new OS launches and receives data needed for restore of the system from the snapshot. Then, the new OS activates the VEEs. Thus, the new OS is reloaded onto the computer system without a physical memory reset.
US09063820B2	Non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for update management, update management device, and image processing system A non-transitory computer readable medium stores an update management program for causing an update on control program, which is installed on each of image processing devices. The update management program, when executed by a processor, causes the computer to: acquire an update program and update function information regarding functions to be updated by the update program from a firmware distribution server; acquire device function information regarding functions of each image processing device from the each image processing device; transmit the update program to the each image processing device; determine an update sequence of timing for causing the each image processing device to update its control program, based on the acquired update function information and the acquired device function information; and cause the each image processing device to update its control program by executing the transmitted update program in accordance with the determined update sequence of timing.
US09063814B2	Binding user data files Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program apparatus, implementing techniques for publishing, subscribing to, or playing live appliances. A live appliance includes a current virtual machine image. In publishing, a proxy file of a live appliance file type is provided to the publisher. The type is mapped to a live appliance player; so that when a proxy file is opened, the current virtual machine image is run. The player automatically binds a writeable file system external to the virtual machine image to the image to provide file storage that is accessible from within the virtual machine image and from a host operating system. The player also creates a subscription to the live appliance on the host computer if one does not exist when the proxy file is run. With the subscription, the player runs the then-current virtual machine image whenever the live appliance is run.
US09063807B2	Method and structure for provably fair random number generator A random number generator includes a fairness checker and correction module that ensures that a complete random sequence within a predetermined period of time will be output by the random number generator.
US09063806B2	Flex integration with a secure application Systems and methods are provided that facilitate communication between an Flex application and a secure Enterprise Application System. An embodiment comprises the EAS, an ActiveX control container provided by the EAS to communicate via Javascript, and a container web page including a Flex application and a Javascript function to invoke the Flex application, wherein the EAS can invoke the Flex application.
US09063804B2	System to profile and optimize user software in a managed run-time environment Method, apparatus, and system for monitoring performance within a processing resource, which may be used to modify user-level software. Some embodiments of the invention pertain to an architecture to allow a user to improve software running on a processing resources on a per-thread basis in real-time and without incurring significant processing overhead.
US09063800B2	Automated method for decoupling avionics application software in an IMA system A method to decouple software in an integrated modular system that employs message-based data exchange is provided. The method includes generating at least one configuration table for use by core software in at least one module in the integrated modular system. The at least one module hosts at least one of a consuming application. The method also includes gathering parameter data from producer messages at the core software in the at least one module based on the generated configuration table, and creating target messages at the core software based on the gathered parameter data. The target messages have a format specific to the consuming application.
US09063798B2	Cross-environment communication using application space API A mobile computing device with a mobile operating system and desktop operating system running concurrently and independently on a shared kernel without virtualization. The mobile operating system provides a mobile user experience while the desktop operating system provides a full desktop user experience when the mobile computing device is docked to a secondary terminal environment. Applications of the desktop operating system communicate with applications and services of the mobile operating system through a cross-environment communication framework. The cross-environment communication framework may include application programming interfaces through which categories of applications can communicate across a multiple operating system computing environment through category-specific remote communication calls. The mobile computing device may be a smartphone running the Android mobile operating system and a full desktop Linux distribution on a modified Android kernel.
US09063794B2	Multi-threaded processor context switching with multi-level cache A computer system includes: a main storage unit, a processing executing unit sequentially executing processing to be executed on virtual processors; a level-1 cache memory shared among the virtual processors; a level-2 cache memory including storage areas partitioned based on the number of the virtual processors, the storage areas each (i) corresponding to one of the virtual processors and (ii) holding the data to be used by the corresponding one of the virtual processors; a context memory holding a context item corresponding to the virtual processor; a virtual processor control unit saving and restoring a context item of one of the virtual processors; a level-1 cache control unit; and a level-2 cache control unit.
US09063790B2	System and method for performing distributed parallel processing tasks in a spot market As a result of the systems and methods described herein, an alternative MapReduce implementation is provided which monitors for impending termination notices, and allows dynamic checkpointing and storing of processed portions of a map task, such that any processing which is interrupted by large scale terminations of a plurality of computing devices—such as those resulting from spot market rate fluctuations—is preserved.
US09063785B2	Temperature-based thread scheduling Systems and methods of managing software threads provide for selecting a software thread for execution by a processing architecture having a plurality of processing cores and a cooling module. A target core is selected from the plurality of cores based on the effectiveness of the cooling module with regard to each of the plurality of cores, and the selected thread is scheduled for execution by the target core.
US09063770B2	System and method for mobile platform virtualization A method for a mobile platform containing a mobile terminal having an operating system includes initializing a plurality of user environments (UEs) on the mobile terminal over the operating system, including a current UE running on the mobile terminal. The plurality of UEs are capable of being switched among one another based on one or more of predetermined conditions without changing the operating system. The method also includes collecting sensing data on certain parameters associated with operation of the mobile terminal, and processing the sensing data to indicate at least one of the predetermined conditions. Further, the method includes determining whether the current UE suits the at least one of the predetermined conditions indicated by processing the sensing data and, when the current UE does not suit the condition of the mobile terminal, switching the current UE to a desired UE from the plurality of UEs.
US09063764B2	Automated software script creator and editor A method and apparatus of creating a script are enclosed. One example method of operation may provide receiving a request to load a procedure in a procedure editor application and generating a list of predetermined statements based on the loaded procedure. The example method may include receiving at least one statement selection from the list of predetermined statements and at least one specified location in the procedure and inserting the at least one selected statement into the loaded procedure at the at least one specified location.
US09063762B2	Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to virtualize performance counters Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to virtualize performance counters are disclosed. An example method includes scheduling a virtual machine on a processor, incrementing a virtual performance counter in response to an occurrence of a speculative event during direct execution of guest instructions by the virtual machine on the processor, and incrementing the virtual performance counter in response to an occurrence of the speculative event during execution of emulated instructions by a hypervisor on behalf of the virtual machine on the processor.
US09063759B2	Optimizing subroutine calls based on architecture level of called subroutine A technique is provided for generating stubs. A processing circuit receives a call to a called function. The processing circuit retrieves a called function property of the called function. The processing circuit generates a stub for the called function based on the called function property.
US09063754B2	Profiling and optimization of program code/application A system and associated methods are disclosed for profiling the execution of program code by a processor. The processor provides an instruction set with special profiling instructions for efficiently determining the bounds and latency of memory operations for blocks of program code. Information gathered regarding the bounds and latency of memory operations are used to determine code optimizations, such as allocation of memory for data structures in memory more local to the processor.
US09063751B2	Single wire bootloader for target device with self-programming capability A single-wire bootloader software architecture is disclosed that interfaces with any host device that has a serial port to program memory of a target device using only a single general-purpose I/O pin. The single-wire bootloader does not require any chip hardware resource modules. Instead, the single-wire bootloader implements a single-wire UART in software that monitors a single general-purpose I/O pin for commands from the host device.
US09063746B2	Deployment of software applications on a cloud computing platform In one aspect, a software application with application artifacts is deployed on a cloud computing platform. The cloud computing platform includes a platform product that can provide functionality that is required by the application. Application metadata is created based on analyzing the application artifacts and describes the application artifacts requirement. An application repository stores the application artifacts and the application metadata. A product description defines an application product for the software application and a product reference to the platform product is defined. The product description and the product reference are published in the application repository to update the application metadata. A composite repository refers to the application product and the platform product. The composite repository is transferred to a platform repository provided by the cloud computing platform.
US09063744B2	Modifying a file written in a formal language In certain embodiments, a method for modifying a file written in a formal language comprises: (1) parsing an input file written in a formal language to generate a data structure of the input file; (2) issuing, during generation of the data structure, one or more queries to a rule engine for evaluation of one or more rules for modifying the input file; and (3) generating the data structure according to the evaluation of the one or more rules.
US09063742B1	Version histories for multiple portions of program code A device may partition program code into multiple portions. The device may detect a first modification to a first portion of program code from a first version to a second version, and may detect a second modification to a second portion of program code from a third version to a fourth version. The device may detect the second modification after detecting the first modification. The device may store a first version history that identifies the first version, the second version, and a first temporal relationship between the first and second versions. The device may store a second version history that identifies the third version, the fourth version, and a second temporal relationship between the third and fourth versions. The device may receive an indication to undo the first modification after detecting the second modification, and may undo the first modification, without undoing the second modification, based on receiving the indication.
US09063740B2	Web widget component for a rapid application development tool A web widget component is provided for hosting web widgets. The web widget component may be added to an application or another user interaction environment via a rapid application development tool. Web widgets may be added to the web widget component by a designer of the component, a developer (i.e., a person utilizing the rapid application development tool to build the user interaction environment), or may be added by a user of the web widget component in a declarative manner. Security settings control access to web widgets, and an option to allow or restrict access to web widget display options in the component.
US09063738B2	Dynamically placing computing jobs This document describes techniques for dynamically placing computing jobs. These techniques enable reduced financial and/or energy costs to perform computing jobs at data centers.
US09063737B2	Wireless card reader with one or more card interfaces Methods, systems, and apparatus, for a payment card reader comprising: a frame, where the frame includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, a second side surface of the side surfaces on an opposite side of the frame from the first side surface, the first side surface including a groove configured to receive a swipe of a magnetic stripe card, the second side surface including a slot configured to receive insertion of a chip card; a magnetic stripe reader interface; a chip card reader interface; circuitry configured to direct signals from the magnetic stripe reader interface and the chip card reader interface to a microcontroller in the card reader; and circuitry configured to communicate wirelessly between the card reader and a computing device.
US09063736B2	Method and apparatus for reducing a link rate of communication device in a pre-standby state upon detecting no traffic for a predetermined time period A communication device that has a normal state and a standby state and that does not permit change of a link rate in the standby state includes: a connecting unit that connects the communication device to a network; a detecting unit that detects traffic at the connecting unit in the network; and a control unit that performs transition processing from the normal state to the standby state when the detecting unit does not detect the traffic for a first period while the communication device is in the normal state. When the control unit is connected to the network by the connecting unit at a first link rate and the detecting unit does not detect the traffic for a second period that is shorter than the first period, the control unit changes the link rate to a second link rate that is lower than the first link rate.
US09063734B2	Microcontroller input/output connector state retention in low-power modes A microcontroller is operable in a low-power mode and includes one or more I/O connectors, as well as an I/O controller operable to provide control signals for controlling a state of a particular one of the I/O connectors. The I/O controller is powered off or deactivated during the low-power mode. The microcontroller also includes I/O connector state control logic operable to control the state of the particular one of the I/O connectors in accordance with the control signals from the I/O controller. The I/O connector state control logic includes I/O connector state retention logic that retains states of the control signals and maintains the particular I/O connector in a corresponding state in accordance with the retained control signals while the microcontroller is in the low-power mode.
US09063732B2	Methods and systems for dynamically controlling operations in a non-volatile memory to limit power consumption Systems and methods are disclosed for limiting power consumption of a non-volatile memory (NVM) using a power limiting scheme that distributes a number of concurrent NVM operations over time. This provides a “current consumption cap” that fixes an upper limit of current consumption for the NVM, thereby eliminating peak power events. In one embodiment, power consumption of a NVM can be limited by receiving data suitable for use as a factor in adjusting a current threshold from at least one of a plurality of system sources. The current threshold can be less than a peak current capable of being consumed by the NVM and can be adjusted based on the received data. A power limiting scheme can be used that limits the number of concurrent NVM operations performed so that a cumulative current consumption of the NVM does not exceed the adjusted current threshold.
US09063730B2	Performing variation-aware profiling and dynamic core allocation for a many-core processor In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor with multiple cores each having a self-test circuit to determine a frequency profile and a leakage power profile of the corresponding core. In turn, a scheduler is coupled to receive the frequency profiles and the leakage power profiles and to schedule an application on at least some of the cores based on the frequency profiles and the leakage power profiles. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09063728B2	Systems and methods for handling hibernation data Systems and methods are disclosed for storing hibernation data in a non-volatile memory (“NVM”). Hibernation data is data stored in volatile memory that is lost during a reduced power event, but is needed to restore the device to the operational state it was in prior to entering into the reduced power event. When a reduced power event occurs, the hibernation data is stored in the NVM. When the device “wakes up” the hibernation data is retrieved and used to restore the device to its prior operational state.
US09063725B2	Portable management A method is provided. The method composes management code in a platform independent managed object format. Further, the management code is utilized to manage at least one object. In addition, the management code transforms the management code into a plurality of portable management objects and a plurality of native management objects.
US09063724B2	Instruction execution A method of executing an instruction set to select a set of registers, includes reading a first instruction of the instruction set; interpreting a first operand of the first instruction to represent a first register S to be selected; interpreting a second operand of the first instruction to represent a number N of registers to be selected; and selecting N consecutive registers starting at the first register S to form the set of registers.
US09063723B2	Function-based software comparison method A method for comparing a first subroutine and a second subroutine in functionality, includes: defining a plurality of instruction sets, each instruction set associated with a corresponding instruction set process; obtaining a first program section and a second program section from a first subroutine and a second subroutine, respectively, and categorizing the first subroutine and the second subroutine to one of the instruction sets, respectively; performing a program section comparison process to select and perform one of the instruction sets according to the instruction set to which the first program section is categorized and the instruction set to which the second program section is categorized, so as to compare whether the first program section and the second program section have identical functions, and to accordingly determine whether the first subroutine and the second subroutine are equivalent in functionality.
US09063719B1	Table format programming Table format programming method suitable for use with multiple languages and download through internet and network environments provides an optional table (103, 200) to define custom expressions, an optional table (105, 260) to specify multitask applications, an optional table (104, 230) to specify printing style of labels and a table of configuration states (113) which interact with a table of paths (116). An optional qualifier table (112) defines qualifying conditions of an input configuration state. Hardware embodiments includes a coprocessor to handle the table format programming process and relieve the main processor for other applications. During programming, programmers provide user defined labels to describe the function and action desired. The labels are then further developed in additional groups of program.
US09063717B2	Power supply apparatus and image formation apparatus A power supply apparatus includes an arithmetic unit configured to successively update a N-bit division ratio at every step whose processing timing is managed by a timer, by adding or subtracting of preset data read from a data memory to or from the N-bit division ratio in accordance with a comparative output. An arithmetic unit performs an arithmetic operation to make a feedback data value approach a target data value by a negative feedback control, the arithmetic operation using, as the preset data, data read from the address specified by data with a predetermined bit width of M (M
US09063715B2	Management of a virtual power infrastructure A virtual power infrastructure for managing distribution of power to a plurality of power demanding units from a plurality of power generators includes a demand manager having logical descriptions of the power demanding units, in which the demand manager is configured to determine power load demands of the power demanding units using the logical descriptions of the power demanding units, and a capacity manager having logical descriptions of the power generators. The capacity manager is configured to determine allocation of power capacity supplied to the power generators from one or more of the power generators to meet the power load demands of the power demanding units, while satisfying one or more predetermined constraints associated with at least one of the power demanding units and the power generators.
US09063714B1	Detecting startup fault of SDRAM voltage regulator A digital device is disclosed comprising a memory, a microprocessor operable to access the memory, and a voltage regulator for ramping an output voltage supplied to the memory during a startup operation. During the startup operation, control circuitry monitors the output voltage, and when the output voltage remains above a first threshold for a predetermined interval, sets a flag. Thereafter, the voltage regulator is enabled to ramp the output voltage after the predetermined interval.
US09063709B2	Fan assembly A fan assembly includes a guide rail, a number of fan brackets slidably mounted to the guide rail, an air blocking member slidably mounted to the guide rail to fill a space between two fan brackets, and a number of fans correspondingly fixed to the fan brackets. To relocate the fans, the fan brackets and the air blocking members are slid out of the guide rail and are remounted to the guide rail in a different order.
US09063708B2	Electronic device, storage medium and method for validating speed of a fan thereof In a method for validating speed of a fan of an electronic device, different speeds of the fan are set for validation. The method controls the fan to operate under each of the set speeds in turn, and controls a camera device to continuously capture images of the fan with a shutter speed of the camera device corresponding to the set speed. The images are transmitted to a comparison unit to be analyzed for sameness and clarity. The fan is determined to work abnormally if not all the images are sameness or if at least one image is unclear, and the fan is determined to work normally if all the images are sameness or clear. A validation report is generated to indicate whether the fan is normal or abnormal according to the determination.
US09063705B2	Latch mechanism for securing an electronic module An apparatus includes a frame forming a bay for receiving an electronic module having a blind mate connector for coupling with a chassis connector. An actuator is slidably secured to the frame and forms a push button, an intermediate actuation member, and a distal actuation member. A spring latch is biased to latch the module in place. An ejection lever is pivotally secured to one side of the bay, and has a first end aligned with the distal actuation member and a second end disposed to engage the module. Pushing the push button causes the intermediate actuation member to withdraw the spring latch from the bay and then causes the distal actuation member to pivot the ejection lever to unseat and eject the module.
US09063702B2	Air supported frame for an LED display An air supported frame is provided for supporting a large LED display wherein the frame includes upper, lower and side segments and has a front portion and a rear portion and the LED display is positioned when in use within the frame substantially midway between the front portion and rear portion. Further, an additional support structure may be attached to the upper and lower segments of the air supported frame wherein the additional support structure bends, curves, or angles away from the plane of the display so as to provide support to the upper segment without interfering with the display. In addition, the air supported frame may include vent seals that allow greater air pressure to be held within the air supported frame and a covering to block light along with a ventilation system.
US09063699B1	Glass touch screen protector A glass touch screen protector for a portable electronic device having a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a chamfered outer perimeter, the glass screen protector including a glass sheet having front and back sides, an outer band that corresponds to that of the device, and having a transparent window portion that corresponds in size to the touch screen portion. A spacer is provided along the outer perimeter of the glass sheet substantially continuously surrounding the transparent window. The spacer increases in thickness toward the periphery of the glass sheet and has a thickness sufficient to space the glass sheet near but not in contact with the touch screen portion. The spacer has an exposed adhesive facing the portable device and having adhesive strength enabling repeated removal and re-attachment.
US09063698B2	Portable electrical device A portable electrical device includes a tablet computer, a base panel, two supporting arms and two connecting members. Two ends of each supporting arm are pivotally disposed at one lateral side of the tablet computer and one lateral side of the base panel. The base panel has two guiding grooves oppositely arranged on one surface thereof. One end of the connecting member is pivoted with the lateral side of the tablet computer, and the other end of the connecting member is limited and slidably disposed in one of the guiding grooves. When the other ends of both the connecting members are at one distal end of the guiding groove, the tablet computer is stacked on the base panel, and a touch-controlled display of the tablet computer can alternatively face towards or opposite to the base panel.
US09063694B2	Focus change upon use of gesture to move image Embodiments are described for handling focus when a gesture is input in a multi-screen device. In embodiments, the gesture indicates a request to move an image displayed on the multi-screen device. In response, the image is moved and the focus is placed on the moved image.
US09063693B2	Peripheral device storage Peripheral device storage techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a computing device includes a housing and a power connection port that is configured to form a physical coupling to a peripheral device sufficient to retain the peripheral device against the housing and form an electrical coupling configured to receive power at the computing device from a power adapter.
US09063692B2	Method and apparatus for sharing content A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided to facilitate sharing of content between various computing devices. In the context of a method, an image of a first external apparatus is received that includes information presented upon a display of the first external apparatus. The method also includes causing an identification request that includes a representation of the image of the first external apparatus including a representation of the information presented upon the display of the first external apparatus to be provided to a plurality of external apparatuses. The method also receives a response to the identification request from the first external apparatus indicating that the first external apparatus has presented the information upon the display of the first external apparatus.
US09063686B2	Distributing setting values from a client device to an image forming apparatus A distribution system includes an image processing apparatus to connect to a distribution apparatus over a network. The image processing apparatus includes first and second reception units, an analysis unit, a reflection unit, and first and second notification units. The analysis unit analyzes a received setting value used to connect to the distribution apparatus. The second reception unit receives an inquiry to acquire an import processing status using the import data. The reflection unit performs the import processing. The notification units notify the distribution apparatus about the analyzed setting value and the status of the import processing. The distribution apparatus includes an inquiry unit, first and second reception units, and a control unit. The control unit controls, in response to the distribution apparatus not being able to connect to the image processing apparatus, the inquiry unit to issue the inquiry using the setting value received by the first reception unit.
US09063685B2	Desktop environment color alert system for printing devices A method and system for utilizing the desktop environment of the image processing system's user interface as a system status indicator is provided. In one embodiment, a fault code is received from one or more machine sensors at an image processing unit of an image processing system. The fault code is used to determine a corresponding machine state and desktop environment color indicator via a look-up table stored in a database. As a result, an appropriate signal is sent to a user interface of the image processing system to display on a desktop environment of the user interface a particular color and operation representing the corresponding machine state. In this way, it is not necessary for the image processing system to include hardware associated with one or more warning lights and thus costs are reduced. In addition, spare parts relating to the light hardware will not need to be stocked.
US09063684B2	Image output system with specified user interface image An authentication processing portion of an MFP requests user authentication to a server based on user information including at least a user ID input from a mobile terminal apparatus or an operation panel. The server has a user authentication portion which performs the user authentication and a UI instruction portion which specifies, when the user authentication succeeds, a UI image displayed on a display panel of the apparatus for operating the MFP depending on the user ID, and instructs the MFP to display the UI image on the apparatus. The MFP executes image output in accordance with a user operation received from the apparatus through the wireless communication portion in a state where the UI image is displayed on the apparatus.
US09063680B1	Print system, image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, print service system, and storage medium for authorizing access to print data held by a print service system A print system includes a print service system, an information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The print service system includes a holding unit associated with a user and holding print data instructed by the user, a providing unit that provides access authorization information for the holding unit, to the information processing apparatus upon a request thereof, and an access authorizing unit that authorizes an access to the holding unit if receives the access authorization information. The information processing apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits the access authorization information to the image forming apparatus by proximity communication. The image forming apparatus includes an authorization information acquiring unit that acquires the access authorization information by the proximity communication, and a print data acquiring unit that sends the acquired access authorization information to the print service system, is authorized to access the holding unit, and acquires the print data.
US09063679B2	Print controller, print control method, printer, and printing system having a plurality of resource saving functions for a print A print controller and method which include: a first step of waiting until one or more post-treatment functions is selected, or until a start instruction is entered; a second step of determining whether a specified post-treatment function of the post-treatment functions is selected, when the start instruction is detected; and a third step of enabling one or more of resource saving functions to be selected only if the specified post-treatment function is not selected, and of starting printing if another start instruction is detected after enabling the resource saving functions to be selected.
US09063676B2	Dynamic PDL subset selection and processing The page descriptions in a document description describe individual document pages. Some of those pages require special processing. Special processing is accomplished by applying subtasks to page descriptions. The subtasks are associated with subset criteria. A subtask is applied to a page description if and only if the page description meets a subset criterion associated with that subtask. In essence, subtasks are prepress operations applied to and limited to the scope of individual page descriptions with the document description. As such, a modified prepress module is ideal for subtask application. In general, page descriptions are evaluated against the subset criteria and the subtasks applied before the more generalized prepress processing converts the document description into a print ready document description.
US09063675B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable recording medium storing program for information processing apparatus An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit communicable with a device via an access point which relays communication data and a controller. The controller is configured to store, in a first storage portion, setting information set for a processing in association with identification information of an access point to which the communication unit is connected. The controller is further configured to acquire the identification information of the access point to which the communication unit is connected. The controller is further configured to read the setting information stored in association with the identification information acquired from the first storage portion and to set the processing by using the read setting information.
US09063670B2	Hard disk drive with integrated ethernet network interface A system including an Ethernet network interface module, a processor, and a hard disk control module. The Ethernet network interface module is configured to transmit and receive packets via an Ethernet connection. The processor is configured to process the packets transmitted and received by the Ethernet network interface module via the Ethernet connection. The processor is configured to support processing of the packets transmitted and received using (i) a hyper-text transfer protocol, (ii) a peer-to-peer sharing protocol, and (iii) an Internet small computer system interface (SCSI) protocol. The hard disk control module is configured to control, based on the packets transmitted and received, writing and reading of data to a hard disk drive. The hard disk control module, the processor, and the network interface module are located in an integrated circuit included in the hard disk drive.
US09063653B2	Ranking predictions based on typing speed and typing confidence A method that includes receiving an input string, ranking, by the processor, a predicted string associated with the input string, wherein the ranking depends on whether the input string is a substring of the predicted string and at least on one of a typing speed and a typing confidence, and displaying the ranked predicted string.
US09063652B2	Method for providing user interface for each user, method for performing service, and device applying the same A method and device for performing a service. The method includes detecting whether an identifier approaches an approach recognition area, receiving identifier information from the identifier, when it is detected that the identifier approaches the approach recognition area, obtaining an address of a service provider based on the identifier information, and receiving a relevant service from the service provider based on the address of the service provider.
US09063650B2	Outputting a saved hand-formed expression Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a request for a content of a computer-readable file. The method also includes searching the computer-readable file for the requested content, the computer-readable file including at least one representation of a hand-formed mark distributed to the computer-readable file in response to a machine-distinguishable tag associated with the hand-formed mark. The method further includes outputting the at least one representation of a hand-formed mark.
US09063649B2	Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes displaying a 3D user interface including at least one 3D object on a display unit, selecting at least one stereoscopic region from the 3D user interface by a first input via a user input unit, displaying at least one polyhedron corresponding to each of the selected at least one region on the display unit, and changing a display state of each of the at least one polyhedron to correspond to a second input via the user input unit, wherein the step of changing the display state is performed to enlarge, reduce, rotate or scroll the at least one polyhedron according to the second input. Accordingly, the present invention provides a 3D user interface using a 3D object arranged in a virtual 3D space, thereby facilitating a user to manipulate a mobile terminal with a new visual effect.
US09063648B2	Mobile terminal and operating method thereof A mobile terminal and an operating method thereof are provided. The operating method includes displaying an object list including one or more objects on a display module of the mobile terminal, detecting a first enlarge command from a first area of the display module where a particular object from the object list is displayed, the area indicating a targeted region within a predetermined distance from the particular object, wherein the first enlarge command corresponds to first positioning at least two touch points on the display module and then increasing a distance between the at least two touch points, and activating the particular object from the object list in response to the first enlarge command.
US09063646B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image display program An image processing apparatus includes a pointed-position detecting section that accepts a pointing operation via an operating surface provided on a display screen of an image display device, and detects and outputs a position pointed at by the pointing operation on the operating surface. The image processing apparatus also includes a display control section that displays on the image display device an image. The display control section controls the image display device to display a first size image for a predetermined time while the pointing operation continues and then displays a plurality of images having a size smaller than the first size in response to a determination that the pointing operation has held the position for the predetermined time.
US09063645B1	Expandable and collapsible information panels Methods and apparatus for displaying information content in a user interface. The content includes an information panel that contains at least one information element. Information indicating a position within the user interface is used to automatically determine whether to display the information panel in its expanded or collapsed state. The title of the information panel is displayed. The title of the information element is displayed beneath the information panel title when the information panel is displayed in its expanded state. The title of the information element is not displayed when the information panel is displayed in its collapsed state.
US09063643B2	System and method for leadwire location A system and method for leadwire location may provide for recognition of the leadwire via analysis of a series of two-dimensional images that include representations of the leadwire, and/or determining an orientation of the leadwire with reference to a marker on the leadwire.
US09063640B2	System and method for switching between media items in a plurality of sequences of media items An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display obtains information about a first and second sequence of media items. The device plays an initially-displayed media item of the first sequence and while playing the initially-displayed media item in a respective region of the display, detects a media-change input. In response to the input, when the media-change input corresponds to movement in a first direction, the device ceases to play the initially-displayed media item in the respective region and plays a first media item that is adjacent to the initially-displayed media item in the first sequence. When the media-change input corresponds to movement in a second, different, direction, the device ceases to play the initially-displayed media item in the respective region of the display and plays a second media item in the respective region, where the second media item is from the second sequence of media items.
US09063639B2	Graphical interface for display of assets in an asset management system The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates employing a graphical user interface to monitor and/or manage an asset within an industrial environment. A graphical user interface can facilitate asset management including a first field that provides a user with a hierarchical representation of assets within an industrial environment. The graphical user interface can further include a second field that displays available management functionality associated with an asset selected within the first field.
US09063633B2	Virtual navigation system for virtual and real spaces A system for Virtual Navigation in real and Virtual Spaces. Such navigation in Virtual spaces may be applied particularly in 3D computer games and 3D programming of motion pictures. Such navigation in real spaces creates a new paradigm in communication and media particularly with unique 3 D video interface devices disclosed in this invention.
US09063632B2	Systems and methods for interacting with records via a publisher and an information feed Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for interacting with one or more records via a single user interface. The user interface includes a publisher and an information feed. A user may request to interact with a first record from the publisher. Information may be submitted through the publisher to interact with the first record to update the record. A feed item may be presented for inclusion in the information feed based on the update, where the feed item includes one or more actionable selections providing a reference to the first record. When a user selects one of the actionable selections, the user can perform additional interactions with the first record or perform a new interaction with a second record.
US09063628B2	Capacitance-type touch sensor and display device equipped therewith A capacitance-type touch sensor and a display device equipped with this sensor are provided in which the detection of the transparent conductive portions can be suppressed without employing a technique using a dummy electrode. The capacitance-type touch sensor of the present invention includes a resin sheet and a plurality of transparent conductive portions formed in parallel on the resin sheet. In this capacitance-type touch sensor, the difference between the maximum and minimum retardation values of a resin sheet equipped with transparent conductive portions is 3 nm or less.
US09063627B2	User interface and methods One variation of a method for controlling a dynamic tactile user interface includes: sensing a first capacitance value across a portion of a cavity in a retracted setting; sensing a second capacitance value across a peripheral region; generating a capacitance map according to the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value; modifying a fluid pressure within the cavity to transition the cavity into an expanded setting, the deformable region elevated above the peripheral region in the expanded setting; sensing a third capacitance value across the portion of the cavity in the expanded setting; updating the capacitance map according to the third capacitance value; and detecting an input on the tactile surface at the deformable region according to a comparison between a sensed capacitance value across the portion of the cavity and the capacitance map.
US09063626B2	Touch recognition method, touch key structure and touch device A touch recognition method, a touch key structure and a touch device are provided. The touch recognition method includes when the touch key structure is faced to touching or near touching, supplementing charges to a charge accumulation area corresponding to each key in the touch key structure until the charge amount in the charge accumulation area corresponding to each key reaches a balance; calculating the charge variation amount in each charge accumulation area when the touch key structure is faced to touching according to the charge supplement amount in the charge accumulation area corresponding to each key, and calculating the ratio of the charge variation amount to the charge balance amount in each charge accumulation area; recognizing the key corresponding to the charge accumulation area which has the largest charge variation amount and the largest ratio of the charge variation amount to the charge balance amount as the touched key.
US09063625B2	Electronic device implementing a touch panel display unit Provided is an electronic device that includes a touch panel configured to detect pressed coordinates and a pressing force from a change in capacitances, and a shape memory wire portion configured to restore its shape of shape memory wires by applying current through one or more shape memory wires of a first layer and a second layer accordingly. A display is configured to display a normal image and a corrected image. In addition, a processor is configured to provide a corrected image for a location of the touch panel which is currently being touched and to apply a current to the shape memory wire portion to restore the shape memory wire portion to an original shape.
US09063624B2	Display device with integrated touch screen A display device with integrated touch screen is provided. The display device may include a panel and a touch IC. The panel may include a plurality of driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. The touch IC may apply a driving pulse to the driving electrodes and receive a plurality of sensing signals from the sensing electrodes to determine whether there is a touch when the panel operates in a touch driving mode, and, when the panel operates in a display driving mode, the touch IC may apply a common voltage to the plurality of driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. The touch IC may include a sensing unit sensing whether there is a touch by use of a touch sensing reference voltage applied to the sensing unit and having the same level as a minimum voltage of the driving pulse.
US09063623B2	Capacitive touch sensor assembly for use in a wet environment A controller for use in a wet environment, such as a controller for a pool or spa, includes a sensor element that generates an electric field having an active region. For the controller, at least one flexible layer is positioned to overlay the sensor element and surround the active region. With this arrangement, a pocket is established between the flexible layer and sensor element. A control circuit that is responsive to the capacitance between the sensor element and the flexible layer is provided. When the flexible layer is deformed, the capacitance changes and the control circuit generates an output signal that corresponds to a particular switch state for a connected device (e.g. pump or heater). For the controller, the control circuit is designed and/or calibrated to maintain a current switch state output in response to the presence of water on the controller and near the active region.
US09063622B2	Touch module having a dynamic capacitance matching mechanism A touch module having a dynamic capacitance matching mechanism, including: a comparator, having a first input end and a second input end, the second input end being coupled with a reference voltage; a touch capacitive circuit, having a variable touch capacitor, a voltage source, and a second output end, wherein the voltage source is used to perform a charging procedure on the variable touch capacitor, and the variable touch capacitor is coupled to the first input end of the comparator via the second output end after the charging procedure; and a transferred-charge-storing capacitive circuit, having a variable transferred-charge-storing capacitor and a third output end, wherein the variable transferred-charge-storing capacitor is used to couple with the first input end of the comparator via the third output end to perform a charge transfer procedure.
US09063619B2	Voltage-based capacitive touch device and touch sensing method thereof A touch sensing method suitable for a voltage-based capacitive touch device is disclosed. The voltage-based capacitive touch device includes a conductive sensing plane and a plurality of electrodes. The touch sensing method includes steps of: providing pre-determined driving signals to the electrodes, so as to form various types of voltage fields on the conductive sensing plane; measuring, at different time points, the charge quantity stored on the conductive sensing plane for each of the voltage fields, so as to provide a plurality of charge-storage measurement results; estimating whether or not a touch event occurs according to the charge-storage measurement results; and, calculating coordinates of touch inputs according to the charge-storage measurement results if the touch event occurs.
US09063618B2	Coordinate input apparatus According to one aspect of the invention, a coordinate input apparatus for calculating a position of an object positioned on an input area comprises: a light projecting unit; retroreflecting members arranged along two opposite sides of a rectangular area including the input area, and having a reflecting surface which reflects the light emitted by the light projecting unit; a light receiving unit; and a calculation unit configured to calculate the position of the object based on a measurement result from the light receiving unit, wherein a set of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit arranged adjacent to the retroreflecting member to sandwich the retroreflecting member in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the input area are positioned in at least two portions of each of the retroreflecting members arranged on the two opposite sides.
US09063616B2	Optical touch device with symmetric light sources and locating method thereof In an optical touch device and locating method thereof, light sensor modules are mounted on a panel body. Each light sensor module includes an array of light sensors each assigned with an individual index corresponding to angle information thereof. A look-up table includes the angle information corresponding to the indexes assigned respectively to the light sensors of the light sensor modules. A processing unit receives from each light sensor module a number of sensing signals generated by a series of the light sensors in response to touching of an object in a touch area of the panel body, and determines a position of a touch point of the object in the touch area based on the sensing signals from the light sensor modules, and the look-up table.
US09063613B2	Image pickup device, display-and-image-pickup device, electronic apparatus and method of detecting an object An image pickup device capable of stably detecting an object irrespective of use conditions while reducing manufacturing costs is provided. When illumination light from a backlight 15 is emitted to a proximity object from an I/O display panel 20, an electric charge for charging is accumulated in each of image pickup pixels 33 in accordance with total light amount as a summation of reflected light Lon originating from the illumination light and environment light (outside light) L0. Moreover, when the above-described illumination light is not emitted, an electric charge for discharging is released from each of the image pickup pixels 33 in accordance with light amount of the environment light L0. Thereby, a component by the environment light L0 is subtracted in an image pickup signal obtained from each of the image pickup pixels 33, so object information about the proximity object is obtainable without influence of the environment light L0. Moreover, in a light reception drive circuit 13, a smaller number of necessary frame memories 13A for producing a picked-up image from the image pickup signal than that in related art are necessary.
US09063611B2	Systems and methods for improving image tracking based on touch events Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for improving image tracking based on touch events. A method is provided for outputting an image for presentation using an electronic device, the electronic device having a display refresh rate. The method includes detecting one or more touch events received via a touch sensitive surface screen associated with the electronic device, each touch event having a touch event position. The method also includes generating, by the electronic device, a synthetic touch event position based on the one or more touch event positions, the synthetic touch event position calculated to coincide in time with a predicted time, the predicted time being within an offset relative to a display refresh time corresponding to the display refresh rate. The method also includes outputting data based at least in part one or more of the synthetic touch event position or a touch event position associated with the one or more touch events.
US09063606B2	Control device for a touch panel The present invention discloses a control device for a touch panel that comprises a plurality of X-directional sensing lines and Y-directional sensing lines. The X-directional sensing lines and Y-directional sensing lines are arranged in an interlaced manner. The control device comprises a clock generation circuit, a selection module, a driving signal generation circuit, a differential detection module, and a digital-to-analog conversion module. The selection module selects a first sensing line and a second sensing line from the X-directional sensing lines or Y-directional sensing lines. The driving signal generation circuit generates first and second driving signals to the first and second sensing lines, respectively. The digital to analog conversion module selectively outputs a first voltage to the first sensing line or outputs a second voltage to the second sensing line. The operation frequency of the touch panel can be increased using the control device of the present invention.
US09063600B2	Method for carrying out edge etching and strengthening of OGS (one-glass-solution) touch panel with one-time film lamination Disclosed is a method for carrying out edge etching and strengthening of an OGS (One-Glass-Solution) touch panel with one-time film lamination. After a prepared large glass sheet has been subjected to a first strengthening treatment, a plurality of touch control circuits and peripheral frames of black, white, or other colors associated with the touch control circuits are laid on a surface of the large glass sheet. Afterwards, an upper lamination film and a lower lamination film are respectively laminated on surfaces of the large glass sheet with a plurality of preservation zones and cutting zones defined therein and are subjected to film cutting to form cut lines. The cutting zones of the upper lamination film and the lower lamination film are peeled off along the cut lines. Then, the large glass sheet is cut into a plurality of small glass cells along the cut lines of the cutting zones. Side edges of the small glass cells are then subjected to etching and strengthening. During the etching and strengthening of the side edges, the small glass cells are also subjected to edge smoothening and edge flattening.
US09063598B2	Input device including movable touch pad An input device includes a touch pad which is rotatably supported and has an upper surface as an input operation surface, a switch element located on a lower side of the touch pad, and a control unit configured to perform a continued-ON state control during an operation of an operation body (finger, etc.) moving on the input operation surface and pressing the input operation surface downwardly to cause the switch element to be in an ON state, the continued-ON state control maintaining the ON state even if the ON state of the switch element is released while the operation of the operation body continues on or in a vicinity of the input operation surface.
US09063597B2	Stylus and touch input system A touch input system including a stylus and a display device is provided. The stylus includes a battery module, a touch portion, a transducer module and a RF transmitting module. When a contact pressure is acted on the touch portion, the touch portion is electrically connected to the battery module by the contact pressure and emits a light signal. The display region receives and reacts to the light signal, and the contact pressure is transformed into an electrical signal by the transducer module. The RF transmitting module is electrically connected to the transducer module and transmitting the electrical signal. The display device includes a display region and a RF receiving module.
US09063592B2	Display apparatus and method for portable terminal A display apparatus for a portable terminal includes an expandable flexible display unit, a sensing unit including of a plurality of magnets and a plurality of sensors sensing the magnets to sense an amount of display unit area accommodated in an accommodation unit of the display unit, and a controller setting pixel values according to sensed amount of the display unit area.
US09063589B2	Touchscreen stylus A stylus instrument for interfacing with a capacitive touchscreen of an electronic device. According to certain aspects, the stylus instrument includes a body portion and a tip portion with a ring connected thereto and supported at an angle relative to the body portion. The tip portion includes a pointer extending therefrom and aligned to point at the center of the ring. The ring includes a conductive contact surface configured to activate sensors of the capacitive touchscreen and accordingly facilitate functionalities of the electronic device. The configuration of the stylus instrument enables a user a precise visual guide in selecting and facilitating the functionalities of the device with a reduced amount of friction as a result of a void at or near the center of the ring.
US09063586B2	Easily deployable interactive direct-pointing system and presentation control system and calibration method therefor A method for controlling movement of a computer display cursor based on a point-of-aim of a pointing device within an interaction region includes projecting an image of a computer display to create the interaction region. At least one calibration point having a predetermined relation to said interaction region is established. A pointing line is directed to substantially pass through the calibration point while measuring a position of and an orientation of the pointing device. The pointing line has a predetermined relationship to said pointing device. Movement of the cursor is controlled within the interaction region using measurements of the position of and the orientation of the pointing device.
US09063577B2	User input using proximity sensing A device is described which enables users to interact with software running on the device through gestures made in an area adjacent to the device. In an embodiment, a portable computing device has proximity sensors arranged on an area of its surface which is not a display, such as on the sides of the device. These proximity sensors define an area of interaction adjacent to the device. User gestures in this area of interaction are detected by creating sensing images from data received from each of the sensors and then analyzing sequences of these images to detect gestures. The detected gestures may be mapped to particular inputs to a software program running on the device and therefore a user can control the operation of the program through gestures.
US09063575B2	Detecting a gesture A method for detecting a gesture includes detecting a first input object, a second input object, and a movement of the first input object, a movement of the second input object in a sensing region during a first time period. The method further includes detecting a third input object and movement for the third input object in the sensing region during a second time period, the second time period occurring after the first time period, and the third input object only detected after the first time period. The method further includes identifying a first gesture based on the movement of the first input object, the movement of the second input object, and the movement of the third input object, and outputting gesture information identifying the first gesture.
US09063574B1	Motion detection systems for electronic devices The amount of power and processing needed to process gesture input for a computing device can be reduced by utilizing a separate gesture sensor. The gesture sensor can have a form factor similar to that of conventional camera elements, in order to reduce costs by being able to utilize readily available low cost parts, but can have a lower resolution and adjustable virtual shutter such that fast motions can be captured and/or recognized by the device. In some devices, a subset of the pixels of the gesture sensor can be used as a motion detector, enabling the gesture sensor to run in a low power state unless there is likely gesture input to process. Further, at least some of the processing and circuitry can be included with the gesture sensor such that various functionality can be performed without accessing a central processor or system bus, thus further reducing power consumption.
US09063573B2	Method and system for touch-free control of devices The present invention provides a system and computerized method for receiving image information and translating it to computer inputs. In an embodiment of the invention, image information is received for a predetermined action space to identify an active body part. From such image information, depth information is extracted to interpret the actions of the active body part. Predetermined gestures can then be identified to provide input to a computer. For example, gestures that can be interpreted to mimic computerized touchscreen operation. Also, touchpad or mouse operations can be mimicked.
US09063569B2	Vehicular device A control unit indicates a cursor on a screen of an indication unit according to operation data sent from an operation unit based on user's operation of an operation knob. The control unit implements enlarging indication of a screen region corresponding to a selection item image indicated on the screen of the indication unit. When the control unit implements contracting indication to return an enlarged screen region subsequent to the enlarging indication, the control unit indicates contraction of the screen region in a visually recognizable form and indicates the cursor to follow the screen region. The operation unit further causes a driving force generation unit to generate a driving force to move the operation knob correspondingly to the position of the cursor, according to information on the position of the cursor sent from the control unit.
US09063565B2	Automated avatar creation and interaction in a virtual world Automated avatar creation and interaction in a virtual world may include detecting if a user's avatar has entered a predefined proximity area in the virtual world. An automated avatar may be presented in response to the user's avatar entering the predetermined proximity area. The automated avatar is presented for autonomous interaction with the user's avatar and presentation of the automated avatar is based on a specified criteria.
US09063563B1	Gesture actions for interface elements A user interface (UI) enables a user to access a set of options relating to an element of the UI by contacting a region of a touchscreen, or hovering a feature over the region, associated with that element. Upon contacting or hovering for at least a determined period of time, an arranged set of options is displayed and the user can swipe or move the feature in a specified direction to select a specific option. The options can be the same for each instance of a type of item. When a user learns the direction of one of these options, the user does not have to contact or hover long enough to bring up the menu, but can contact or hover long enough to indicate the element of interest and then perform the appropriate motion, which can cause the action to be performed without first displaying the menu.
US09063561B2	Direct memory access for loopback transfers in a media controller architecture Described embodiments provide for transferring data from one location to another location in a memory of a media controller. A transmit data path and a receive data path of the media controller are linked with a generic direct memory access (GDMA). The transmit data path includes a transmit (TX) buffer and the receive data path includes a receive (RX) buffer. The GDMA is programmed with a total transfer count and a transfer mode. The GDMA processes the movable data based on the total transfer count and the transfer mode by converting one or more portions of the movable data in the TX buffer into a predefined frame structure defined with status entries, which translates frames of the moveable data between the TX data path and the RX data path and synchronizes the movable data between the TX buffer and the RX buffer with the status entries.
US09063559B2	Battery charger and method for collecting maximum power from energy harvester circuit An energy harvesting system for transferring energy from an energy harvester (2) having an output impedance (Zi) to a DC-DC converter (10) includes a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuit (12) including a replica impedance (ZR) which is a multiple (N) of the output impedance. The MPPT circuit applies a voltage across the replica impedance that is equal to an output voltage (Vin) of the harvester to generate a feedback current (IZR) which is equal to an input current (Iin) received from the harvester, divided by the multiple (N), to provide maximum power point tracking between the harvester and the converter.
US09063555B2	Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system user interface having seasonal programs and method of operation thereof A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of providing service reminders on a single screen of a user interface of an HVAC system and an HVAC system incorporating the user interface or the method. In one embodiment, the user interface includes: (l) a display configured to provide information to a user, (2) a touchpad configured to accept input from the user and (3) a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display and provide a plurality of seasonal programs.
US09063552B2	Electronic controller for syringe piston control An electronic controller module for controlling outward movement of the piston comprises an input/output port and a processor module. The processor module determines a prescribed movement speed and sends a motor command via the port at an initial motor speed. The motor causes the outward movement. The port receives speed measurements. The processor module attempts to match the measurements to a prescribed speed by sending successive motor commands via the port.
US09063550B2	Variable offset positioning antenna array for enhanced guidance of automated guided vehicles (AGVS) An automated guided vehicle (AGV) adapted to follow a guide wire or the like, the AGV comprising at least one antenna in communication with a master control system and having a programmable microprocessor that enables the AGV to dynamically assume a linear, angular or skewed offset position relative to the guide wire or the like in accordance with instructions provided by the control system.
US09063549B1	Light detection and ranging device with oscillating mirror driven by magnetically interactive coil A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device that scans through a scanning zone while emitting light pulses and receives reflected signals corresponding to the light pulses is disclosed. The LIDAR device scans the scanning zone by directing light toward a rotating mirror to direct the light pulses through the scanning zone. The rotating mirror is driven by a conductive coil in the presence of a magnetic field. The conductive coil is coupled to the rotating mirror and arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mirror. The axis of rotation of the mirror is oriented substantially parallel to a reflective surface of the mirror and passes between the reflective surface and the conductive coil.
US09063547B2	Control apparatus of unmanned autonomous operating vehicle In an apparatus for controlling an unmanned autonomous operating vehicle having an electric motor supplied with power from a battery for operating lawn mower blades, and magnetic sensors for detecting intensity of a magnetic field of an area wire such that the vehicle is controlled to run about in an operating area defined by the area wire to mow lawn using the blades and to return to a charging device installed on the area wire so as to charge the battery, a distance from the area wire is detected based on the detected intensity of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensors, and a different one of returning trajectories defined along the area wire in advance with respect to distances from the area wire is selected, whenever the vehicle is to be returned.
US09063545B2	Pressure-regulating arrangement with a pressure-regulating valve and hydraulic circuit therefor A pressure-regulating arrangement includes a main line through which a flow can pass from an intake to an output and in which an adjustable nozzle is arranged. The pressure-regulating arrangement further includes a pressure-regulating valve having a pressure connection which is connected to the main line downstream of the nozzle. A valve body of the pressure-regulating valve is movable from a basic position in an opening direction to increase an outlet pressure of an outlet connection. A first pressure which is tapped off from the main line upstream of the nozzle acts in the opening direction. The outlet pressure and a second pressure, which is tapped off from the main line downstream of the nozzle, act in a closing direction, which is opposed to the opening direction, in order to reduce the outlet pressure.
US09063543B2	Apparatus and method for cooperative autonomous driving between vehicle and driver The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing cooperative autonomous driving between a vehicle and a driver. For this, a cooperative autonomous driving apparatus according to the present invention includes a driver state determination unit for determining a state of a driver and calculating the state of the driver as a risk index. An autonomous driving control unit classifies section characteristics of respective sections included in a path to a destination corresponding to the driver based on section data stored in a database (DB), and controls autonomous driving of a vehicle in which the driver is riding, based on a driving environment recognized for the path to the destination corresponding to the driver. A driving control determination unit determines driving modes of the respective sections included in the path based on the state of the driver and the section characteristics.
US09063536B2	Numerical controller having workpiece mounting error compensation unit for three-axis machine tool A numerical controller controls a three-axis machine tool that machines a workpiece, mounted on a table, with at least three linear axes. The numerical controller includes a workpiece mounting error compensation unit that compensates a mounting error caused when the workpiece is mounted. The workpiece mounting error compensation unit performs an error compensation with respect to an instructed linear-axis position with amounting error which is set beforehand, in order to keep a position with respect to the workpiece at a tool center point position, based on the instructed linear-axis position of the three linear axes to obtain a compensated linear-axis position. The three linear axes are driven based on the obtained compensated linear-axis position.
US09063532B2	Instruction insertion in state machine engines State machine engines are disclosed, including those having an instruction insertion register. One such instruction insertion register may provide an initialization instruction, such as to prepare a state machine engine for data analysis. An instruction insertion register may also provide an instruction in an attempt to resolve an error that occurs during operation of a state machine engine. An instruction insertion register may also be used to debug a state machine engine, such as after the state machine experiences a fatal error.
US09063529B2	Configurable footwear sole structures controlled by a smartphone app algorithm using sensors in the smartphone and the soles A smartphone or other mobile computer app that causes a smartphone or another mobile computer device to actively control a configuration of footwear structural elements located in both footwear of a device user. Sensors are located in both footwear soles and in the device of the user. The footwear structural elements are configured for computer control by the device. Instructions of the app cause the device to: first, control the footwear structural elements by establishing a first configuration of the footwear structural elements for a first device user locomotion test; second, control the footwear structural elements by establishing a second, different configuration of the footwear structural elements; third, process sensor measurement data from the first and second tests; fourth, compare the test data with a preferred data set; fifth, select and establish a configuration of the footwear structural elements from the test data closest to matching the preferred data set.
US09063528B2	Set of sensor units for communication enabled for streaming media delivery with monitoring and control of power usage of connected appliances A group of sensor devices is connected to the power line and configured for collecting power usage information and enabling power management to reduce the carbon footprint of the home, as well as to provide local area networking. In one embodiment, the devices include an intelligent master sensor and its sub-sets, such as a communication and power management sensor and a power control switch sensor. The master device is configured to collect, compile, and communicate the collected data via the web or other communication medium to the outside world. The master device also receives and distributes control instructions that are used to control the power usage via the associated switches in the home or office. The sensors are used in the home or office environment to provide integrated sensing and control of home power usage and power management, while establishing a LAN having communication capability, including streaming media delivery capability.
US09063525B2	Distributed energy services management system Systems and methods for distributed energy services management are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving an input command via a network interface at a site gateway, the input command including information for controlling one or more physical devices at a site; converting, by use of a data processor, the input command to a virtualized command in a common command format; executing, by use of the data processor, one or more executor modules to cause execution of one or more corresponding virtual devices associated with the virtualized command; and using the executed one or more virtual devices to control the corresponding one or more physical devices at the site.
US09063522B2	Device for securing a cell battery with improved contact A structure for a timepiece includes a middle part and a back cover that confines an electronic or electrical module. The module includes a plate, at least one circuit with at least one electrical contact area, and a connecting contactor. The plate includes a compartment that is arranged to receive an electrical energy accumulator. The connecting contactor provides an electrical connection between the accumulator and the at least one contact area. The contactor is rigid and includes an elastic return that tends to return the contactor to a rest geometry. The contactor includes at least a first arm and at least a second arm that together form a clamp that presses the circuit and the accumulator towards each other.
US09063520B2	Apparatus for inserting delay, nuclear medicine imaging apparatus, method for inserting delay, and method of calibration An apparatus for inserting delay according to an embodiment includes a signal generating circuit, a plurality of carry elements, and a delay chain circuit. The delay chain circuit includes one or more delay modules selected from the plurality of carry elements, at least one feedback line connected between at least one of the delay modules and the signal generating circuit, and a plurality of enable inputs. Each of the plurality of enable inputs is provided in a respective one of the delay modules. The delay chain circuit is configured to generate an amount of delay based on a delay selection signal that is received at the enable inputs and that selects the amount of delay, and is configured to provide the selected amount of delay to the signal generating circuit, which is configured to incorporate the delay into the start signal.
US09063517B1	Device for pressing back to a watch without removing wrist band A watch press is provided with a press block for pressing the backs onto wristwatches. The press block defines a clearance through which a watch band can be routed while pressing a back to the attached watch. The press block can be generally U-shaped with the clearance defined between upper and lower members thereof.
US09063514B2	Image forming apparatus The image forming apparatus includes a cooling device for cooling a plurality of cartridges, and a plurality of shielding members for shielding the plurality of openings, respectively. Each developing member is movable between a first position at which the developing member is brought into contact with a photosensitive member and a second position at which the developing member is caused to separate from the photosensitive member. Each of the plurality of shielding members is caused to move in association with a position of the developing member of the cartridge opposed to the opening to be shielded by the each of the shielding members. A gap between the opening and the shielding member the second position of the developing member is smaller than a gap therebetween at the first position of the developing member is.
US09063512B2	Image forming apparatus having detachable belt unit An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a belt unit detachably mountable to the main assembly, and image forming portions, provided below the belt unit and forming toner images on the belt member. Toner cartridges, provided above the belt unit, supply toners to the image forming portions, and a side plate is provided in the main assembly. In addition, an integrated member is provided on the side plate and includes a guiding member having a guiding portion for guiding the belt unit and toner supply passages for permitting communication of the image forming portions with the toner cartridges, respectively. The guiding member and the toner supply passages are integrally constituted so that the toner supply passages penetrate the guiding member.
US09063509B2	Coating apparatuses and methods An imaging apparatus includes an imaging member having a surface, a delivery member that is spaced apart from the imaging member, and a power source for generating an electric field between the imaging member surface and the delivery member. A functional material is electrohydrodynamically transferred from the delivery member to the imaging member surface when the electric field is generated.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10